Sydenham Highlights SPRING/SUMMER 2023
Contents Exam Results 2023 Languages & Latin Festival Alumna awarded BAFTA Fellowship Award-winning author visit Physicists’ masterclass World Book Day 2023 Science Week Sporting news #700STEMChallenge 2023 Frantic Assembly Unity Through Diversity dance show Sixth Form lecture series Sixth Form mentoring SYDx Music Scholars’ showcase Exploring wild Wales Culture & Diversity Day Classics & Italian trip St Paul’s Cathedral visit Astrophysicist talk inspires Spring Photography Competition Lionel Bart’s Oliver! Summer Exhibition 2023 GDST Pearson and Silver Awards 2023 Humanities stretch imaginations Socrates Celebration Evening Eating for immunity Buddhist temple visit Women of the Future Sydenham High’s Earth Challenge New Scotland Yard visit Sixth Form EPQ presentations The Hay Festival Curioso Week 2023 Careers Week Double gold at GDST Biennale Sports Day 2023 GDST Sixth Form economics conference Sydenham High Year13 Leavers 2023
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Dear Families, As I look through this magazine, I reflect on the energy and talent we have seen throughout this community in so many areas. Whether in independent academic projects, numerous excursions and trips, our musical, dramatic and sporting life here at school or our weekly clubs and societies, our girls engage with every opportunity fearlessly and ambitiously. This is just a snapshot of some of the activities of our last terms to give you an idea of this busy, purposeful school.
independent study, often focusing on the real-life application of knowledge. Our Summer Art Exhibition, production of ‘Oliver!’, Undivided Dance Show and Sports Days each brought such celebration of talent and community spirit. The list could go on. Since the Spring of 2023, our girls have been off to Portugal for rowing, the Bay of Naples for a History of Art and Classics trip, Paris and Berlin with Modern Languages as well as numerous local visits to bring our learning alive.
Our multi-school Science competition and new SYDx public speaking event have been particular highlights for me, bringing together our parents and friends, as well as our girls and staff, to witness such academic endeavour as well as to hear from truly inspiring experts in their fields. Alongside this, there has been considerable amounts of hard work too! Our tremendous Socrates Programme and ‘Curioso Week’ foster a love of learning and
Playing a meaningful role in a community is a great source of personal happiness and wellbeing. Our girls and staff have given back - volunteering at care homes, at our Phab Club (enabling disabled and non-disabled people to get together), through outreach programmes at primary schools and within our lively House events, where sixth formers enjoy mentoring and connecting with our younger girls. There is a
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tremendous energy and spirit of friendship. Our student voice remains strong, with ‘round table’ discussions biweekly, sharing feedback and working together to bring about change. We are very excited about our brand-new Science labs which were completed over the summer break. We also have a wonderful new building project in the pipeline too to offer new innovation and multipurpose spaces as well as a brand new Sixth Form centre and pavilion. Do come and visit us again. We look forward to welcoming you.
Ms Antonia Geldeard Head
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Exam results 2023 There were many happy faces and delighted students on A Level and GCSE Results Days. Almost the entire cohort, 92% of our Year 13 students got accepted at their first or second choice of destination. Notable success stories include former Head of School, Liza, who is going to the Royal Veterinary College to study Veterinary Medicine, and her fellow Head of School, Kyah-Sarisse, who is going to study Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Other destinations of choice included UCL, Birmingham, Leeds, Loughborough, Edinburgh, Manchester and the Royal Welsh Conservatoire. Further proof, if needed, that our girls are empowered to unlock their own potential and forge their own path in life, Jerusha chose to begin a degree apprenticeship in engineering as she discovered that she prefers to learn on the job.
On GCSE Results Day there were also plenty of smiles, with well over a third of all exams being awarded an 8 or 9 and 44% of grades in GCSE Sciences were 8 or 9. Head, Antonia Geldeard, and staff celebrated over breakfast with parents and students on both A Level and GCSE Results Days:
“It has been a privilege to celebrate the exam results with our wonderful students over the past couple of weeks. I was delighted to see so many happy faces. I’m incredibly proud of all that both year groups have achieved, particularly given the disruption to their studies during Covid. Our school ethos focusses on harnessing the individual strengths of our girls, empowering them to forge their own path in life. This is illustrated by the fantastic range of university courses, art colleges, conservatoires and apprenticeships chosen by our students.
I look forward to welcoming so many of our students back to the Sixth Form and the exciting new opportunities of A Levels ahead. With a new Sixth Form development on the horizon, there is much to celebrate.”
92%
of our Year 13 students got accepted at their first or second choice of destination
44%
of GCSE grades in Sciences were 8 or 9
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Well over a third of all GCSE exams were awarded an 8 or 9
Maisie and Sherina, thrilled at achieving a stellar set of results:
“I’m happy - I was nervous with all the news articles. I’m particularly pleased with my Maths and Science which were all 9s.”
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
A Level Results 2023 Former Heads of School spoke of their delight at achieving their dream destinations.
“At first my reaction was stunned as I realised that I’d actually done it, and it’s really happening. I’m just so excited and happy, but also slightly sad at leaving Sydenham High and all my friends here.” Kyah-Sarisse [Medicine]
Ruby, Isabela and Jayne Ruby has been accepted at her first choice of university, Manchester, to study History. “I was crying this morning as I was so happy”.
“It feels surreal that I’m actually leaving school and going off to university and adult life, but it’s an amazing feeling knowing that I’ve actually got to where I wanted to go to.”
Ruby Gratrick didn’t stop smiling all morning with her A*, A*, A* and A, she was celebrating with her younger sister who is in Year 10. “I’m going to the University of York to study Biochemistry, and I’m just super pleased that all my hard work has paid off”.
Liza [Veterinary Medicine]
After months of applications and seeing off some tough competition, Jerusha began her degree apprenticeship at an engineering firm immediately and was really looking forward to the challenge; “I realised that I really enjoy learning on the job so this is exactly what I wanted to do. They wanted me to get started straight away so that I can settle into the company before the degree course starts in September.” 5
Isabela is going to Leeds to study History of Art “I’m so emotional because I wasn’t sure that I was going to get on to the course, and I still can’t quite believe it. I’m just so so happy”.
“I’m going to be studying Zoology at Reading which is exactly what I wanted to do so I’m thrilled.” Georgia
“It’s a really lovely school, I’m quite going to miss coming here. The small, supportive environment has done wonders for Georgia, she has really blossomed in her time in the Sixth Form.” Ms Sullivan, mum of Georgia Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
GCSE Results 2023
Samiyah opening her outstanding GCSE results
Cecily with Samiyah: “So happy!”
Isabella, Daisy, Jadien & Summere-Rose (L-R) who are all looking forward to returning to Sydenham High Sixth Form.
“I’m feeling good. I thought I had done much worse than I have, for example I was expecting a much lower grade for Biology because of the exam but I got an 8.” Isabella
Tabitha, receiving her top GCSE grades: “I’m ecstatic! I’m really really happy. I worked hard for my RS grade after my mocks and in Art I went up two grades from a 7 in my mocks to a 9.”
“I was not expecting to get 9, 9 in Science, so that was a great surprise!” Daisy Kayla & Evie
“I’m very pleased with myself today because I got 7s and above for English, Maths and Sciences. I did not think that was going to happen.” Kayla “I’m really shocked because I went up by two grades on my mock results in each subject, and also because of the media coverage over A Level results”. Evie
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“I’m not a sciencey person, I don’t really like science that much but I got two 9s!” Daisy
Maisie and Sherina, thrilled at achieving a stellar set of results:
“I’m happy with what I got - I was nervous with all the news articles, but I’m particularly pleased with my Maths and Science which were all 9s.” “I’m feeling really excited and content with my results. I am most happy about my 7 in English Literature, and my three 9s in PE and Science.”
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Pupils enjoy Languages & Latin Festival Pupils attended a Modern Languages and Latin Festival at Notting Hill & Ealing School, where they participated in a Spelling Bee, Murder Mystery and Treasure Hunt, and took part in movie making and dramatic performance. They listened to keynote speaker Paula Beegan (Trinity College, Cambridge) who gave them a window into how languages can lead to great adventures. Foreign languages have allowed her to explore the world, from teaching in Mexico to working at UNESCO.
Clearly inspired by her words, our pupils brought home a number of prizes, including the Best Year 9 Spanish Play, Best Year 8 Spelling Bee
(Italian), Best Year 9 Italian Play and 2 pupils were part of the Best Spanish Video for Year 10! Bravo!
Alumna Sandy Powell OBE awarded BAFTA Fellowship
When Sydenham High alumna Sandy Powell OBE stood up to receive her BAFTA Fellowship Award, she credited her teacher for inspiring and motivating her and gave thanks for “the generosity and guidance [she] received throughout [her] life.” Our alumnae are certainly proving that there is no mould for a Sydenham High pupil and no limits! 7
Whether climate change consultants, doctors, authors, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, Grammy Awardwinning musicians, horse-racing icons or award winning costume designers, we are ambitious and bold!
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Award-winning author visits Years 7-9 We welcomed author, Frances Hardinge, for our first author visit of 2023. Known for works such as ‘Fly By Night’ and ‘The Lie Tree’, she delivered an inspiring presentation to our Years 7, 8 and 9 pupils about her stories and her writing process. Frances also led a creative writing workshop with Year 9 exploring the idea of secrets and why people hold secrets.
“I found Frances Hardinge interesting because of her style of writing and her plots and I really enjoyed her visit!” Alex, Year 7
Year 12 Physicists’ masterclass Our Year 12 Physics students have been taking part in a particle physics masterclass at the Rutherford Appleton laboratory. They started the morning with a series of talks followed by a fascinating tour of the ISIS muon and neutron source before a data workshop in the afternoon. All the tour guides were women scientists, which was very inspiring in recognition of International Women’s Day.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
World Book Day 2023 Smiles abounded on World Book Day when cats and lions, scarecrows, tinmen, mad hatters, Pooh bear, hobbits and all sorts of other wonderful creatures populated our classrooms and corridors for World Book Day.
With a scavenger hunt, book swap, reading corner for classics and a free World Book Day token, there was plenty to entice even the most reticent reader.
Prizes were awarded for the best costumes and it was clear that some of the teachers had fully prepared for this endeavour too!
Science Week School was abuzz with news each day of the birth of our chicks in the incubator in Biology. They were with us until the end of March before being rehomed by ‘Living Eggs’ to free range farms, or small holders in an ethical manner. These fluffy, little creatures gave our community such warmth and pleasure. They also inspired our Biomedical Society to debate the topic of animal ethics. All week, pupils explored connections to science, opening up conversations and questions. Our Year 10s undertook
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chemical reaction challenges, Year 8s engaged in a Science Conference and our Sixth Form attended a virtual BioMed Conference. Our guest speaker, Leah Fitzpatrick, introduced the ‘fast and the furriest’, entertaining us with her research into venomous mammals, and a group of avid Year 8 and 9 Scientists ventured out to the Science Museum and Science Live to listen to a wide range of speakers including space scientist and presenter of BBC’s ‘Sky at Night’, Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE. Our fearless girls were quick to quiz Lord Winston after the event!
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Sporting News
Trust-wide Sports Coaching 310 pupils from 19 different GDST schools came together, along with ambassadors from The Mintridge Foundation, for workshops designed to improve their skills and techniques, including a netball coaching session with England Netballer and Sky Sports Presenter, Eboni Usoro-Brown, as well as sessions on how to manage stress and an insight into both neurodiversity in sport and life as a sports journalist!
Interhouse sparks friendly competition! Our end of season interhouse competition was a dynamic, fun-filled showcase of sporting action. Pupils in Years 7 - 9 competed in netball, hockey and football - in varying weather conditions - to close the season. It was great to see everyone getting involved in an attempt to gain the most points for their House. We look forward to seeing how their athletics skills develop in the summer term at our sportground in Lower Sydenham.
Netballers aim high at Condover Hall Year 8 netballers had a memorable weekend of fun as they travelled to Condover Hall to play netball alongside other GDST schools. Our U13 team reached the semi-finals, making us one of the top 4 teams in the GDST. The team’s infectious enthusiasm for the game was strongly felt on their return! 10
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Athletes shine at Lewisham Championships
Our Lower School continued to shine in the Lewisham Athletics Championships when we finished in first place overall, with Years 7-9 finishing first in each of their respective age groups. As a result, 20 pupils were put forward to represent Lewisham at the London Schools Athletic competition. We also participated in the Track and Field Cup, with our Year 7 and
8 combined team (Junior Girls) finishing in first place and our Year 9 and 10 team (Inter Girls) finishing second by a single point. Both teams went through to the regional finals. We also had two teams in the regional A London North Athletics Finals for the English Schools Athletics Association (ESAA).
Sydenham High are one of the top 12 teams from London, Herts and Middlesex - and one of just two GDST schools in the region with both teams through to the A final. Our girls also competed in GDST Athletics in Nottingham, finishing in 5th place overall. A tremendous achievement all round!
Sports Scholars help out at Prep School Sports Day Prep School Sports Day was a sun soaked day of high energy and camaraderie. Our Senior School Sports Scholars and future PE GCSE students got stuck in helping to organise the games and run the activities, and everyone had a great time all round.
“Well done to everyone! We are so proud of the positivity and effort each Giraffe Girl poured into today”. Gillian Panton, Head of Prep.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
#700STEMChallenge 2023 Our #700STEMChallenge celebration evening was a lively affair with table puzzles, a half-time competitive quiz and celebratory music as finalists received their awards on stage. With over 200 submissions, 7 schools made it to the finals in three categories: Science, Technology & Engineering and Maths. Our judges, Nina Pimblett, alumna and Sector Guidance Lead for the Transition Plan Taskforce, Hollie Burrell-Saward, Doctor of Parasitology
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and Head of Biological Safety at King’s College London and Camilla Carson, once investment banker and now Executive Director at awardwinning UK startup, Black Swan Data, spoke powerfully, encouraging our young people to spread their wings and embrace a world of choice and opportunity ahead. With wise messages to not worry about making final career decisions, to get actively involved and be academically curious, there was a strong call to carpe diem,
seeking, striving and embracing every opportunity that arrives even if it is not quite the one expected.
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Frantic Assembly ramp up the intensity A practitioner from the outstanding and award-winning theatre company, Frantic Assembly, visited us to lead a workshop with our A level students and pupils signed up for our GCSE Drama academic stretch programme. This contemporary theatre company is inspirational in their use of physical theatre as a medium for creativity and storytelling. Our students took part in a high-intensity workshop, learning a wide range of techniques, honing their own craft which will no doubt contribute to their future performance.
Unity Through Diversity Dance Show The Unity Through Diversity Dance Showcase returned with a wide range of genres, from musical theatre to jazz, folk, contemporary and street, there was a strong sense of group connection as well as individual expression. Our motto, Fear Nothing, was present in full force. Including pupils from both Prep and Senior School, it was a delight to see the talent on show.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Lecture Series continues with alumna visit Jacynth Bassett (Class of 2010) spoke to a full Longton Hall as part of our termly Lecture Series. Named as one of the Evening Standard’s ‘22 Londoners Changing The World’ on International Women’s Day 2022, she captivated our young audience with her insight into the fashion industry, as well as her own personal journey to becoming an anti-ageism activist and entrepreneur. Jacynth studied Law at Cambridge University and then established a pioneering business in fashion: ‘The
Bias Cut’ (tagline: where ‘ageism is never in style’). Almost a decade later, Jacynth’s business has been awarded ‘Highly Commended’ for Diversity and Inclusion in the Drapers Awards ‘22 and her label is worn by celebrities from Lisa Snowdon to Prue Leith. She is regularly invited to consult charities, businesses and on research projects that are seeking to promote a more age-inclusive society.
GDST LEAD team launch mentoring programme Back in March, our award-winning Year 12 GDST LEAD enterprise team launched their mentoring programme to Year 10 pupils aimed at supporting the development of the next generation of women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths). The Sixth Form team on the GDST LEAD programme won an award for their concept, “Learn With Me”, at a showcase event where they
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competed against 22 other teams from the GDST family of schools. The mentors spoke about the challenges within their industries in front of an audience that included esteemed neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott CBE, the Wellcome Trust Senior Fellow at UCL, and Business Psychologist and LSE Teaching Fellow, Anna Czaplewska-Jaffery. Also in the audience were more industry
professionals including a Statistics Advisor, Sustainability Engineer and Software Developer. Our Year 10 mentees have benefitted enormously from mentoring sessions and careers advice from these inspiring leaders. Read more about the GDST LEAD programme at www.gdst.net/news
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
SYDx launch inspires Our inaugural SYDx Event took place in May, - a TED-talk style event where a selection of our student volunteers from across different year groups spoke on specialist subjects of their own choosing, drawing from their own research and passions.
It was an inspirational evening, the breadth and depth of the talks was enormously impressive; from Mei’s exploration of Medea’s morality, Saffron’s assessment of the education system, Charlotte’s unearthing of the history behind the Arthurian legend, Alyssa’s celebration of Bessie
Coleman’s legacy, Megan’s enquiry into the dangers of fascism through the artist Emil Nolde and Jocelyn’s enlightening stories of the Great North Wood that once covered so much of our local area. The quality of the delivery deserves a special mention as we were all held captive and completely engaged throughout!
Music Scholars’ Showcase Trumpets, harps and violins played music from Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Rachmaninov, and a lesser known female composer, Maconchy, at our Scholars’ Showcase to end the summer term. Music Scholarship students from across all year groups performed works they have been practicing this year in front of parents, staff and peers in the Recital Hall.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Exploring wild Wales
In one of the highlights of the course, our A Level Geographers enjoyed a field trip to FSC Rhyd-y-creuau, Snowdonia in March this year. The students undertook fieldwork at the Snowdonia National Park alongside Geography students from JAGS. They headed out to Llanberis to experience some human fieldwork techniques, including mood mapping and smellscapes, before visiting Aberogwen to investigate the fluvioglacial deposits that are found by the coast, including ablation till and a varve. All in preparation for their non-examined assessment worth 20% of their A Level.
Culture & Diversity Day!
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Our Young Leadership Team led our annual Culture and Diversity Day where pupils were encouraged to wear clothes representing their cultural roots. We enjoyed a wonderful array of cuisines inspired by the heritage of our catering staff, and a vibrant cultural fair was a popular lunchtime destination for pupils and staff to share stories, traditions, photographs and clothing. In the afternoon we were treated to an inspirational performance from
award-winning musician, storyteller and educator, Usifu Jalloh. His roots in multicultural Sierra Leone, and his long standing and close association with artists and audiences from a wide range of cultures, created for us a performance that encompassed international languages, music, dance and story themes. To conclude, pupils and staff took to the stage in our lively fashion show. So much community warmth and spirit to end our term!
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Classics & Italian trip to the Bay of Naples The ancient city of Pompeii is possibly one of the most significant archaeological sites of the ancient Roman world, as well as one of the best-known. Less infamous, yet still of significant archaeological and historical importance are the cities
of Herculaneum, and Oplontis. Over the Easter break, students of Italian, Classics and History of Art were able to take in all of these beautiful sites during their tour of the Bay of Naples. The girls also visited the city of Sorrento for a day of shopping and
gelato tasting whilst practising their Italian skills, before finally visiting the Naples Archaeological Museum and Mount Vesuvius itself on their last day.
Pupils were able to experience Christian worship in action, as well as absorb the ornate symbolism throughout the cathedral. This helped
them reflect upon the importance of different sacraments as well as the core beliefs which were depicted through art and impressive mosaics.
Year 10 visit St Paul’s Cathedral Year 10s had a great time visiting St Paul’s Cathedral as a reinforcement of their work on the Christianity Beliefs and Practices unit and the Thematic studies of the Religious Studies GCSE. As well as a guided tour, they also had a Q&A session with a priest, before visiting the iconic dome with spectacular views of London’s skyline. 17
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Renowned astrophysicist delivers livestream talk Pupils from Years 8, 9, 10 and 12 attended a live stream by renowned astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell from the Royal High School Bath, under the title, ‘We are made of star stuff’. During her talk, back in April, Professor Bell Burnell simplified and explained the process of the creation and the basic elements in a thought-provoking way, while making it easy to understand. She also gave a history of the universe and how human beings are made from a scientific perspective.
“We learned indepth about the development of our known elements, which was both fascinating and engaging” Year 9 pupil
Spring Photography Competition Composition - Rosie I wanted to take part in the Spring Photography Competition as I thought it would be a fun project to do over the half-term. I entered eight photos; one of my favourites was a flower taken through a leaf hole. I had a little bit of help choosing my photos from my dad and grandad as they have a ‘good eye’. As I went to Cornwall during the half-term, a few of my pictures are from there such as; a sheep and its two lambs and a yellow and lilac tulip taken in The Eden Project. I thought carefully about my photo decisions trying to fill each of the briefs: creativity, technical excellence, monochrome and composition.
Technical Excellence - Arali
When the time finally came to see the exhibition, I felt thrilled and proud to see my own work on display among other participants in Year 7 who were Rosie, Lydia, Mary and Bess. Congratulations to all but especially to Rosie who also won one of the briefs. This event was really fun and one to look forward to again. Written by Arali, Year 7 Winner for Technical Excellence
Monochrome – Molly Creativity – Poppy
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Sydenham High presents: Lionel Bart’s Oliver! As over 60 of our Years 7 - 10 heartily sang, “Consider yourself one of us”, it was hard not to be drawn into the utterly joyous experience of our Lower School musical: Oliver! With outstanding individual performances and a catalogue of classic songs, there were moments which pulled at the heartstrings and others of comic melodrama. But, even more powerful, was the strength and conviction of the whole cast and crew committed to delivering an evening of resoundingly good entertainment. An incredible sense of camaraderie between the older and younger girls prevailed throughout, and many of our younger audience members longed to get involved in the next production. Congratulations to each and every one involved, and in particular to our hardworking staff - and a special mention to our lead, Isla, who stepped in at the last minute to play Oliver Twist! It was a wonderful production and something that everyone involved can be immensely proud of.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Summer Art & Design Technology Exhibition
There was plenty of evidence of innovative, forward thinking young talent on display this week at our annual Summer Exhibition of Art and Design Technology work. With a showcase of creations from our Prep School to GCSE and A Level, it was such a privilege to see our young minds expressing themselves in such dynamic visual language. The exhibition was opened by graffiti artist D*Face, who delivered a moving speech, talking about the power of the Arts as a medium to create positive change and initiate dialogue through connecting people.
Tabitha - Oil Paint on Paper – Year 11 This piece explores a joyful reality in which everyone could be themselves, free of judgement.
Antonia Geldeard with graffiti artist D*Face, aka Dean Stockton who lives in South East London.
“In a world filled with noise, art speaks volumes. It has the ability to connect people, regardless of their background, race or belief. It is a universal language that can bridge gaps between cultures, generations and communities. Through art, we can create dialogue, understanding and empathy.” D*Face
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Double win at the GDST Pearson and Silver Awards 2023 Congratulations to Roxanne and Charlotte, two of the recipients of the GDST Pearson and Silver Awards for 2023. The awards are presented to students who demonstrate academic excellence in classical subjects alongside their contribution to school life. As winners, they are also given financial assistance towards the cost of attending courses with a classical content. These could include summer schools in Classical Greek or Latin at Bryanston, Durham or Repton Schools, University or King's Colleges, London, or Lampeter (University of Wales).
Humanities stretch imaginations The Humanities Stretch talks are a fantastic part of our co-curricular offering, allowing pupils to delve into topics they may not cover during lessons. Open to Year 9 and above, these lunchtime sessions wrestle with big questions each week, challenging us to be academically curious. Pupils
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discuss a plethora of subjects – this term has included the representation of women artists at the Tate and debating whether the Lost World of Atlantis existed and remained to be found, and analysing the UK’s resilience versus vulnerability with regard to food security. With a focus
on issues around Brexit and food supply chains/trade deals, as well as the importance of migrant labour in the food industry, this talk explored the role of supermarkets in changing the way we consume food and the potential impact of this on food poverty.
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Fostering curiosity of mind through our Socrates programme Socrates once said
Projects this year included:
‘The unexamined life is not worth living’. Our unique Socrates Programme is designed to foster this very curiosity of the mind. Socrates Scholars are encouraged to explore a subject of their choice in depth, with the support of their mentor who helps challenge their ideas and guide their independent research. By the end of the programme, our pupils are asked to create a final piece of work, representing everything they have discovered throughout their journey. Pupils will have complete freedom to create in whatever form they choose, whether a short film, play, article, model, display, essay or even a robot.
Metro Map of Sydenham High by Kitty, Year 8
During the course of the programme, pupils will also take part in workshops, run by some creative role-models from our community, to inspire them to further develop their ideas and skills. At our previous annual Socrates Celebration Evening in June, parents and students enjoyed a presentation by best-selling author and historian, Christopher Lloyd, before having the opportunity to browse the exhibition of the work produced by our Scholars.
Eco Architecture: Designing a house by Poppy, Year 8
Liv, Year 7, chose to create her own dress from upcycled materials as part of her project on the history of corsets.
Continued... LEFT: Sasha accepting her prize from Christopher Lloyd for her pop-up book on Marine Biology. 22
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
...continued
Eva, Year 8, explored the effects of drought and flooding across the globe
Elliot, Year 7, with her presentation exploring her heritage.
Eating for Immunity Brain Bootcamp 2023, organised by Dr Waites, brought our parent and pupil community together with a focus on ‘Eating for Immunity’. We welcomed Dr Pippa Gibson who spoke about gut microbes and the importance of modifying our gut microbiota to influence our brain. We discovered the benefits of polyphenols for brain
cognition and memory as well as problems such as a ‘leaky gut’! After a demonstration of live fermentation, parents were given the opportuniy to create a food diary based around their plant based diversity each week. Thank you to Accent, our caterers, for their recipes - never has kale tasted that good!
“I really enjoyed hearing about the different wayo food affects our gut health and how to create better habits for a healther relationship with food!”
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Year 10 immerse themselves in the ways of the Buddha At the beautiful Buddhapadipa Temple in Wimbledon, Year 10 discovered the impressive art inside the temple, revealing the stories of the Buddha’s early life to his enlightenment, and the important symbolism of the lotus flower, as the stages of which one is ready to receive the way of the Buddha and strive for enlightenment. Pupils had the opportunity to ask questions to three Buddhist monks, one of whom had recently been ordained. They completed their experience with a seated meditation, focusing on mindfulness and understanding, as well as the role of love and compassion to ourselves and all people. Pupils were then free to explore the gardens, seeing the multiple Buddharupas.
Women of the Future Our Deputy Heads of School, Sienna and Adia, thoroughly enjoyed attending the Annual Women of the Future Ambassadors’ Reception. Bringing together students and ambassadors from different fields and
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industries, this year’s reception took place at Lord’s Cricket Ground and included inspirational addresses, such as Carlotta Zorzi, who shared her story of moving to the UK and her career journey at TSB, and Dr Cara Croft, a UK
Dementia Research Institute Emerging Leader. There was a great opportunity to network, as well as a CV surgery where students could receive feedback from specialists.
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Geographers complete Sydenham High’s Earth Challenge Our Year 9 Geographers grappled with ideas as part of the Sydenham High Earth Challenge. Each group worked hard to put forward projects to either help to mitigate climate change or allow us to adapt to its consequences. A submarine used to fashion sea ice (helping to reflect the sun’s energy), meat rationing, carbon capture on aeroplanes, and a solar powered cable car network for South London, are just a few of the diverse range suggested. Head of Geography, Mrs Buckler, and Mrs Dracup were most impressed by the quality of the presentations and the real potential for innovative solutions.
Y12 grill the police at New Scotland Yard
In readiness for their criminology unit our Year 12 Sociology students joined up with Sheffield, Sutton and Portsmouth High for a really stimulating day with the London Metropolitan Police at New Scotland Yard. The police put together a series of interesting workshops and after meeting PD Dexter the well-being dog, were immediately immersed into a Cyber Escape room, cracking codes and discovering just how insidious cyber crime can be. Frank discussions with a panel of female police officers was followed by a lively debate with Commander Nick John about young people, trust and policing.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Inspiring EPQ presentations The culmination of many months of careful research, planning, problemsolving, critical thinking, analysis and evaluation, was the Year 12 Extended Project Qualification evening. Our EPQ students delivered their final presentations to an audience of peers, parents and teachers. Each student presented their thesis, explored their findings and detailed their personal, academic journey, investigating a topic of their own choosing. It is no wonder that this qualification is so highly regarded by universities. Not only does it provide students with invaluable core skills and a steep learning curve, but it was clear from the students’ comments that it is highly rewarding. There were some fascinating projects such as: Do care home environments worsen the effect of dementia? Is it possible for AI to create art? Is the gender pay gap in the UK being successfully narrowed? ….and many more.
Speakers beamed in from the Hay Festival!
Pupils were treated to two inspirational speakers streaming live from The Hay Festival in the summer term. Author, broadcaster and educator, Jeffrey Boakye spoke about his first middle grade novel, his 26
interest in 90’s trivia, and some of the deeper influences for his latest novel. Laura Bates, founder of the Sexism Project, shared her work collecting stories about people’s experiences to combat gender inequality. Pupils
joined live as they chatted with an audience of young people, exploring topics pertinent to teenage lives today, including race, masculinity, and education, as well as consent and online pressure.
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Curioso Week 2023
Our annual Curioso Week aims to enable pupils to develop curiosity of learning through exploring the application of subjects to real-life scenarios, and thereby extend their subject knowledge beyond the classroom. It also supports the development of employability skills and encourages pupils to think about potential careers. Year 7 enjoyed a screening of “Les Choristes” in its native French, revising a few French words before some improvisation and review writing. Year 8 took part in a taster Model United Nations day, facilitated by our current Model UN Ambassadors. Science educator, Dr. Kathryn Harkup, explained to Year 9 the science behind poisoning in the novels of Agatha Christie before pupils worked in groups to solve the mystery of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’. In so doing, they learned how to structure a mystery plot and create their own ‘Whodunnit’ stories for their classmates to solve.
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There were trips galore - Year 8 took a trip to Thorpe Park to understand more about algorithms and design, Year 7 visited the British Museum to see the “Luxury and Power in Persia and Greece” exhibition, and our geographers took a trip around Sydenham to find out how sustainable our neighbourhood is. As if that wasn’t enough, we had actual moon rock samples in school taken from the Apollo missions, as well as a talk from Geologist, Eleanor Jennings, from Birkbeck University, who was then interviewed by two of our pupils.
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Careers Week Our Sixth Form Experience Day for Year 10 was a great success as pupils had bespoke timetables of taster A Level lessons, sessions on the UCAS application process, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), and the broad-ranging enrichment and electives that our students benefit from in the Sixth Form. A panel of current sixth formers answered questions about their experience and advice on choosing subjects. A visit to Sussex University allowed Year 10 to find out more about UCAS and university life, creating lots of food for thought! This was followed by an afternoon in the sunshine by the sea. Morrisby interviews took place throughout the week, guiding pupils through interview technique and their possible future career paths. The annual Next Steps Week ended with a Higher Education Day where Year 12 were given an overview of the application process, alongside a chance to begin setting up their UCAS profiles and planning personal statements. Students then spent the afternoon participating in masterclasses focused on the areas that they wish to apply for. These included Economics, Business, Psychology, Gap Years, Law and Human Sciences just to name a few, with Ms Geldeard delivering one on Oxbridge applications.
Golds at GDST Biennale Shortlisted from over 100 entries across the GDST, two of our artists were among those invited to the inaugural awards ceremony. Guest judges were professional artists Violeta Bravo and the BP national portrait award winner, James Hague. Pupils enjoyed lunch in the gardens of Dulwich Picture Gallery, plus a guided tour of the Berthe Morrisot Exhibition and a watercolour workshop. Kristina and Isabelle, both in Year 9, came away with Gold awards for the KS3 Abstract category and the Sculpture & 3D category respectively.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Spirits high at Sports Day! For a moment, it looked as if this year’s Senior School Sports Day might not take place! As the heavens opened in the early hours of the morning, the decision was made to continue as planned, but with a rejigged schedule. energy levels were still high, however, and as if by the power of sheer will alone, as the day went on, the sun even made an appearance to add to what was a high-spirited and fun-filled day.
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From the usual track and field events to Boccia, as is always the case, the Sydenham Spirit was in full force and contributed towards what was an enjoyable day all around! It was also lovely to see so many parents back at Worsley Bridge Road sports ground after a few years away. The only event that was unable to be completed was the High Jump, and the day ended with the winning House announced as: Grey!
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Sixth formers host second Economics conference
Year 12 Economics students, Ella, Alyssa and Florence designed and led an Economics conference with the GDST schools. The conference had an impressive lineup of speakers exploring some of the most current and pressing issues facing our society and our Sixth Formers were joined by students from across the GDST family of schools. The Year 12 Economists took on a wide variety of roles to produce a very professional and well run event. Roles include leadership roles, marketing, research, logistics and IT and project management. Students were praised by the speakers for their professional job in hosting the event.
The impressive line up of speakers was: Claire Conby, Co Founder & CEO of One Step Financial and the Operations & Governance Lead for the Digital Pound Foundation discussing ‘The future of money – the digital pound’. Professor Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, environmental psychologist, University of Bath and Director of the Centre for Climate Change & Social Transformations discussing ‘The importance of behaviour change in reaching net zero’. David Reed, Director of Strategy and Innovation, Invesco, and Richard Ellison, Associate Director Enterprise Architecture, Invesco, discussing ‘AI and its impact on the workforce’.
“I really enjoyed organising the event and learnt a lot in terms of teamwork and leadership. It was great to see how the conference went after working on it for weeks and the talks were really insightful.” Alyssa
The experts provided valuable insights extending beyond the curriculum. The conference provided students with an opportunity to debate and discuss a wide range of current issues with experts at the top of their field.
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Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Tearful departures for our Year 13 leavers and newest alumnae Sporting outfits which resembled their early career aspirations, our Year 13 leavers led their final school assembly with many wonderful memories of their school days. Whilst we no longer have as many would-be spies or secret agents, we do have ambitious, courageous young people ready to conquer the world and make a difference.
With awards dedicated to teachers and recollections of highlights (often of situations that went awry), we were very much entertained by our Sixth Form leavers. Ms Geldeard took the time-honoured trip up the bell tower, a special leavers’ privilege, to witness the spectacular views and hear spooky tales! Our Year 13s delivered their poignant final message to the school:
“Be kind. Sydenham High will help you to reach for the stars.” In a tearful moment, our leavers who helped to create the giraffes outside our Prep School also returned to say goodbye to our younger community. They spoke to Years 5 and 6 of the powerful impressions made by their teachers and their personal growth and fearlessness, enhanced through such important relationships.
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Our Year 11s also enjoyed their last day of GCSE lessons and celebrated with nerf gun battles, coffee and cake, shirt-signing and games. We look forward to celebrating after the exam season and wish all our pupils the very best for the upcoming months.
Sydenham Highlights – Spring/Summer 2023
Empowering girls to forge their own path since 1887
Sydenham High School, Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net Prep School 020 8557 7070 prep@syd.gdst.net
@SydenhamHigh
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@sydenhamhighschool
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Admissions enquiries 020 8557 7004 admissions@syd.gdst.net