Park House School Personal Best Issue 41

Be led by what makes you happy...

The Headteacher’s ‘Living the Values’ Award, introduced in 2012 as part of the school’s Legacy commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values, was this year presented by Olympic Rowing Gold Medallist Katherine Copeland to Tiegan Doyle.

See pages 4-7 for more outstanding prize winners!

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Happy to be here...

Happiness was the central theme of our recent ex-Year 11 GCSE Prize Giving Evening (pages 4–7), always a special highlight of the Autumn Term and, indeed, our school year.

And it’s also the unifying thread in this wonderful latest edition of Personal Best, which celebrates the motivation and focus of young people enthused by the amazing opportunities available to them to grow and develop rounded, responsible and caring young adults. Because its very much the collective ‘happiness’ of our students that goes a long way to explaining their success and achievements. I hope you are equally happy to be here reading all about them... • Derek Peaple, Headteacher

Self-starters raise £600 for Newbury’s Fair Close Centre The Centre, which offers activities, lunches and transportation for the over 65s, plays a critical part in helping the elderly to participate in society, giving them company and support.

The impressive donation was raised by Park House students who, each year, choose to take part in the Rotary Club Interact scheme. The scheme, which has been running here since 2017 encourages young people from 12-18 years to discover the opportunities and joys of volunteering and

social action as they raise funds for a worthy local cause by running a variety of events.

Sixth Form student, Lottie Bullard and Seedorf Attah, Sixth Former and Hungerford Town Football Academy student visited Fair Close where they presented the cheque to the Fair Close CEO, James Wilcox, accompanied by a number of residents, in the presence of Kath Nurse, President of the Newbury Rotary Club. • Derek Peaple

Park House School A Leading Academy for the Whole Community

Personal Best is published by Park House School. It is distributed to students, staff, parents, stakeholders, alumni and friends of Park House School. Issue No 42 will be published in the Summer of 2020.

We need the help of staff and students to produce Personal Best – thank you again to all those who have contributed to this issue – we’re sorry if your story couldn’t be included this time.

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Do you wish to say something positive about school life? Please submit ideas, stories, copy and high resolution photos for future issues to Headteacher, Mr Derek Peaple or Mrs Teresa Jones in the school office.

Park House School, Andover Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6NQ T 01635 573911 E tjones@parkhouseschool.org W www.parkhouseschool.org /ParkHouseSchool @PHSNewbury

Designed and produced by Waddell Digital Limited WaddellDigital @WaddellDigital www.waddelldigital.co.uk

Ethan’s shave raises £2,795!

Photos: Phil Cannings, Newbury Weekly News

Year 11 student, Ethan Keable, braved the shave during assembly on November 6 to raise money for Macmillan on behalf of his mother who was, this year, diagnosed with cancer.

Ethan, before the shave!

Ethan said: “In June this year my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer and it turned our family’s world upside down overnight. I wanted to do something to show my support of my Mum and thought it would be a good idea to raise some funds for Macmillan, who do such great work for families like mine.”

Ethan’s mum Amanda said: “I’m so proud of him. He’s blown us away a bit, really, because he set a target at £500 – which he thought was quite high – and now he’s gone way beyond that. He’s still got some more money to collect in. He might decide to do something else fundraising-wise soon.”

To raise Ethan’s total further, visit: bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/shavers/ethan-keable

Students place in top 1% in Certificate in Finance exams The London Institute of Banking & Finance have written following our students Certificate in Finance examination results. Now in Year 13, Henry Reeves, Adam Taylor, Bill Sherrin and our Head Boy Reuben Langdon all achieved recognition for performing within the top 1% of all students who took the examination last summer and have been recognised for their ‘fantastic achievement’ by Alison Pask, Financial Capability and Community Outreach Managing Director. It has been a pleasure to teach such outstanding students. • Mrs Langford-Holt

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‘Be led by what makes you happy.’

Ex-Year 11 Prize Giving with Olympic Gold Medallist Katherine Copeland Katherine Copeland

Thursday 28 November saw the most special of annual ex-Year 11 GCSE Prize Giving Evenings, where we very proudly celebrated the many, varied and record-breaking achievements of the Class of 2019.

Academically, we celebrated our best ever results with no fewer than 22 students collecting the Gill Appleby Memorial Prize for achieving eight or more GCSEs at grades 7-9 and a significantly positive Progress 8 score.

But we also celebrated much more than just that.

The tone was immediately set by a truly amazing opening performance of ‘Grease is the Word’ by the brilliant cast of our forthcoming production of the show this January: a song about growing up and the hope and optimism of youth.

Young people ‘becoming what they are’!

And then we had the wonderful London 2012 Olympic Rowing Gold Medallist Katherine Copeland as our inspirational guest of honour and speaker. In a truly memorable and resonant speech, which included reflections on the highs and lows of Olympic performance, she advised students that: ‘Your direction in life should be led by what makes you happy. If you are working at something that makes you happy, you’ll never have a wasted day – even when days don’t work out quite as planned.’

I couldn’t agree more. • Derek Peaple

Head Boy, Reuben Langdon

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Head Girl, Bo Stewart

Jack Pearce discussing his presentation artwork with Katherine

Students performing Grease is the Word...

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More of our amazing students at our ex-Year 11 Prize Giving

Jodie Boyle

Rachael Day

Tiegan Doyle

Emma Evans

The Peel Cup Female Athlete of the Year

Physical Education Female Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

Dance Paul Barker Memorial Prize

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

For Best GCSE results

English Language The Riley Cup

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

For an outstanding attitude to Textiles

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

Headteacher’s Living the Values Legacy Award

Maria Ferreira Faria

Ellie Findlater

Holly Herd

Joshua Lane

David Clark Shield

Spanish Twin Town Award

French Twin Town Award

Governors’ Prize

For excellence in languages

For excellence in languages

For significant progress throughout school life

For service to the Community and School

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

Lily Marston

Benjamin Prout

Flynn Robertson

Sophie Valentine

Chemistry Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

The Nick Lardner Memorial Prize

Governors’ Shield

Combined Science

For kindness to others

For Academic progress

English Literature

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

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Photo prints available to buy from www.waddelldigital.co.uk/phsprizegiving2019

Well done and congratulations to all our amazing students and deserving prize winners.

Jonah Yallop

Louie Morris

Dylan Morris

Jodie Boyle

Ceridwen Amison

Physical Education Male Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

Music Award (shared with Joshua Hensby)

Gordon Clewes Memorial Prize

(see page 6)

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

Harrison Yates Newbury Oils Cup

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

For service to music

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

Benjamin Prout (see page 6), Rachael Day (see page 6), Shelbi Henry and Lily Marston (see page 6)

Holly Aufiero

Meg Carter

Photography

Further Maths Textiles Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

Male athlete of the year

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

Natalie Salvadori

Beth Roch

Kyal Thatcher

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

Trevor Fisher Memorial Prize

Geography The Matthew Hale Memorial Cup

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

For an outstanding attitude to work and school life

Gil Appleby Memorial Prize

For Endeavour in Physics Kyle is pictured with Matthew Hale’s mother, Mary; father, David and brother, Peter.

For achieving eight or more 9-7 equivalences

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Katherine Copeland MBE Few have more of an instant yet lasting impact on a sport than our special Guest of Honour at our recent prize giving!

Katherine Copeland had only been in the senior Great Britain rowing team squad for two seasons when she won her Olympic gold medal with Sophie Hoskings in London 2012, the first Olympic gold that any British lightweight women’s squad had ever won.

Their victory on the morning of what became known as ‘Super Saturday’ set up what was to go on to become the most successful day ever in British Olympic history.

In that glorious moment when that victory dawned, it wasn’t just Kat’s face that lit up. Her achievement amazed, awed and inspired millions throughout the UK and beyond, becoming one of the iconic images of the London 2012 Games.

It was a pleasure and privilege to have had her here at Park House to share that inspiration and motivation with us. • Derek Peaple Kat was delighted to be presented with this fabulous artwork by Jack Pearce at our ex-Year 11 Prize Giving.

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Junior Prize Givings Our annual junior prize giving took place back in July for those students who are now in Years 8 to 11.

An opportunity for all years to be recognised for their commitment and progress across subjects.

Year 7 with Mr Columbro and Mr Peaple – students are now in Year 8

Year 8 with Mr Peaple and Miss Dee – students are now in Year 9

Year 9 with Mr Peaple and Miss Herden – students are now in Year 10

Year 10 with Mr Peaple and Mr Hornsby – students are now in Year 11 9

Louise fights fires and judokas* This year, I have taken part in the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) Young Firefighters program for people from 12 to 16.

I have taken part in many different challenges and activities, culminating in the annual graduation ceremony at the end of the program, where we able to demonstrate what we have learnt throughout the year – performing a fire drill to our family, friends and three other Fire Cadets groups from Royal Berkshire.

a building; how to use a fire hydrant; how to use a hose reel and lines of hose; how to make a dam; fire safety; first aid and much more.

Additionally, we learnt many other essential life skills such as: leadership skills, self- reliance and increasing our confidence.

I took part in the charity car wash, where we raised money for the Firefighters charity – it was a lot of fun! Being a fire cadet is a brilliant experience – I would recommend it to anyone who wants to learn, make new friends and have lots of fun working with professional firefighters and volunteers. • Louise Kervella, Year 9

I have really enjoyed being a fire cadet – I have learnt numerous skills and made new friends. We were given a uniform and our own safety kit – for doing fire drills. I have learnt how to pitch and climb a ladder safely into

Since September last year, I have been doing judo at Newbury Judo Club, where I joined my sister who started six months earlier.

I train on average three hours a week over two sessions with people of many different belts, even the black belts who took part in the last Commonwealth Games! During each session we do randori (free practice), we learn and practice throwing techniques, we do pressure training to build our stamina whilst fighting, and other exercises to build our fitness levels and occasionally play a game at the end of a session.

I began as a white belt and progressed over twelve months to a 4th Mon yellow belt. During grading I need to demonstrate my understanding of several techniques and perform them. I have been to one competition in Kidderminster, this year, winning several hard fights and coming back

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with a gold medal. I won three fights by achieving ippon (throwing the other person on their back), and the others by accumulating more points than the opponent, drew one and lost one. Some fights only lasted a few seconds whilst a hard one can last up to five minutes.

At the annual awards evening in October, I was awarded with the Goodall Trophy for girls who try their best and persevere in judo.

I really enjoy judo and recommend it because it keeps you fit and healthy; it improves your balance, posture, flexibility and co-ordination; it builds your self-confidence; you learn self-defence and you make new friends! • Louise Kervella, Year 9 *judo players

Luke looks to a future in coaching I am a former Park House Sixth Former and Hungerford Town Academy student, and have completed a Higher National Diploma in Sports Development and Coaching in partnership with Global Premier Soccer.

I began my time at Park House in 2014 where I combined playing football full-time with Hungerford academy whilst studying a BTEC Sport extended diploma and an A-Level in Psychology. In my first year I enjoyed success on the pitch with Hungerford; winning the Tactic Premier League and reaching the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup, only to be knocked out by Forest Green Rovers after a replay. In my studies I achieved distinctions in all of my assigned units which provided me with the opportunity to be selected for matchday squads each week.

At the end of the academic and footballing term I was recognised as the Academy’s ‘Scholar of the year’ which rewarded my achievements both on and off of the pitch.

The second year saw a similar story – the Academy again reached the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup only to be knocked out this year by fellow National League side Eastleigh. But, I didn't participate in this game as I later found out that I had fractured my L5 vertebrae which meant I then missed 10 months of the football season.

I was told my chances of playing football again at a competitive standard were extremely unlikely. I didn't see this coming, but I used it as motivation to succeed in the classroom and used all of my free time at the end of the year achieve a triple distinction star in the extended BTEC Sport Diploma and a C grade in my A level Psychology exam.

These results opened the door for me to pursue the course that I have now completed – an HND in Sports Coaching and Development. Throughout the first year of the course I took part in work experience at an elite strength and conditioning facility in Reading called Go Perform as well as shadowing Global Premier Soccer coaches to enhance my own knowledge and also get handson experience within a working environment.

I am now the strength and conditioning coach for the HTFC Academy, which involves delivering fitness sessions on a Monday to both year groups and leading warm up and preparations on a match day. Alongside this I also record and analyse academy games, looking into specific topics that academy manager Gary Clifford has been working on in training.

Now the HND course has concluded, I am hoping that my work as a strength and conditioning coach and performance analyst develops into employment with Global Premier Soccer. I have not yet decided whether I will pair this potential employment with a further year of education to attain a degree in Sports Coaching and Development, however it is something I am seriously considering.

None of this would be possible without certain guidance, which leads me to say that I am extremely grateful to the staff at Park House who I worked with to achieve my grades in BTEC Sport and A-Level Psychology and of course academy manager Gary Clifford for providing the opportunity play football everyday and to enrol on the HND course.

• Luke Ballard

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Encompass III 2019 What a fantastic production back in the summer; reflecting the wide range of pupils who use the dance studio on a weekly basis at Park House .

This was a truly exiting and lively dance show, allowing over 100 pupils to come together at the end of the Academic year to showcase their talent and enthusiasm for dance.

I am in awe of the amazing high standard and a sheer quality of the performance work we create in the department. Every year the dancers appear stronger and stronger, showing off their outstanding technical ability and bringing flair, creativity, passion and extreme dedication. I am so incredibly proud of their achievement in this production and even more proud to lead the department. Mrs Mawazini, Head of Dance Photos from Howard White at www.dzphoto.co.uk

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Hannah’s in the limelight...

I was just two years old when I first went to a Pantomime and decided acting was the life for me. Nothing has really changed as I have grown up. I started Stagecoach at six, moving on to the wonderful Sonnets Theatre Arts School which takes place after school on a Friday evening at Park House. Acting gives you a wonderful opportunity to build your confidence while making new friends who have similar interests.

Within the last few years I have started studying for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) exams. The exam pieces are really interesting and help to build on your acting ability. They are also great to help me with my GCSE Drama Course.

A few years ago, I asked my Mum if I could join an agency and get into filming. My Mum, understandably, was wary and has made me wait until I was older. I nervously submitted an application to a London-based agency and I was very lucky that they accepted me onto their books.

Since that time, I have had some amazing opportunities. The work involves many applications for different roles where you may not be successful but you can never take it personally as it may be down to things as simple as having the wrong colour hair or being too tall. Even if I get asked to go into London for a casting it is an achievement as there may be hundreds or even thousands of applications for an individual role.

So far, I have been involved in short films and feature films, as well as a narrative photo shoot. They are all very different with different types of

directors, some working for a client, others working on something issuebased or for a university qualification.

Just recently I was at Kennington Studios in London filming a charity’s online educational videos which will be used to support their work with children. The day started off early with a 6am drop-off at Whitchurch Station!

After a journey on the train, with a last minute attempt to brush up on my lines, I caught the Tube to Kennington and put my trust in Google Maps to help me find the studios. These places always seem to be tucked away. I was in luck – this time the studios were easy to find. On arrival, we booked in and waited for the crew to call us giving us the chance to meet the other cast members. At that point, we were told by the clients what clothing and makeup to wear. If we are filming in HD then we will have a special powder on our faces to help avoid glare from studio lights.

I was called when it was time to film. I went upstairs to a studio with lots of lighting, a boom (a microphone supported over your head) and cameras. I met the crew, who were all very friendly and supportive. I then had to perform my scene with another person and we had to get our lines word perfect.

Little things like your position, lighting, volume and speed of speech could mean that you have to perform your scene again. I performed my second script later that day. It took hours to get the perfect takes but it was a wrap (the end of filming)! It was definitely a great experience and I would love to do it again! • Hannah Mauvis, Year 9

Elin Young heads to Blackpool for another ballroom blitz...

Elin Young, Year 8, has recently qualified for the third year running for the NATD (National Association of Teachers of Dancing) British finals in Ballroom and Latin dance in Blackpool due to be held in July 2020.

Not only did she qualify, but she achieved first place in both of her qualifying rounds – in a category that is two levels above the category she competed in last year. We are enormously proud of her determination and progress especially as she is very modest and quite shy and is not the sort of individual to boast or shout about her own achievements. • Penny Young

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Bat’s entertainment

I’m Toby Albert, I started playing cricket when I was 12. Since then I’ve been managing my cricket alongside my schoolwork. In September I was offered an academy contract with Hampshire cricket; this means my workload with cricket has increased dramatically and I am finding ways to balance both cricket and schoolwork to get the most out of both of them.

I’m in Year 13 and currently studying BTEC Sport Level 3, my cricket has really helped me with the majority of the assignments included in the BTEC sport course. The staff at Hampshire have helped influence my own coaching due to their years of experience. In October, I underwent a

reconstruction surgery on my knee due to cricketing injuries. With the help from Mrs Clarke and the Hampshire physios and staff, I have been able to link my own injury and rehabilitation experience to the current sports injuries unit I am completing.

After the forthcoming summer, the next step in my cricketing career will be to experience playing abroad in different countries.

I am very thankful for all the PE staff and Mr Peaple for being so supportive with my cricket and allowing me to adjust my school timetable around training and fixtures. • Toby Albert

Dylan’s in panto (oh yes, he is!)

I am part of the young company for the Newbury Pantomime at the Corn Exchange performing Sleeping Beauty. My part is to play a drunk vicar that interrupts many of the scenes including Fairy Frappuccino solo. I also have a part as Craig Revel Horwood in a strictly scene and also I play Paul Hollywood in the Great Birthday Bake-off scene…

Photo: Luke MacGregor

School are supporting me with this production and the rehearsals.

Outside of school, I do drama, singing and dancing. Here at Park House Mrs Mawazini and Mr Sutton have helped a lot with my dancing.

• Dylan Lowe, Year 7

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Coastal and urban surveys Year 12 Swanage Field Trips Year 12 Geography students went to Swanage for three days in order to carry out fieldwork techniques before they complete their own investigation next year.

They looked at physical geography by doing some sediment sampling at Durdle Door, looking at coastline formation at Old Harry Rocks and Lulworth Cove, having a talk from the National Trust Ranger at Studland Bay and looking at coastal defences at Sandbanks and Barton on Sea. Students also looked at the human Geography at Swanage and did an investigation into coastal towns and businesses. Students also looked at how the pier area of Swanage has been regenerated and the impact this has on the town.

Students and staff stayed in the Youth Hostel in Swanage and will use the techniques learnt to plan their own investigation for their NEAs. • Miss Bunn Back in October, The geography department took a group of A-level students on a fieldwork trip to Swanage – one of the few developed areas of coastline on the Isle of Purbeck. It is considered economically viable to carry out coastal defence works to protect the town from flooding and erosion.

Coastal defence works have been carried out in the area since the nineteenth century. And because of this, it was a perfect location for students to carry out some physical and human related coursework. We visited Durdle door and the Man O’ War rocks and drew a beach profile.

We then travelled to Studland Bay where we were spoken to by Kevin, a National Trust education officer, who gave a long talk about the effects of coastal erosion and the restoration projects. The following day we returned to Studland and carried out another beach profile and vegetation percentage.

In the afternoon we went into Swanage town centre and did a people count and survey asking the local people about problems surrounding Swanage. On the final day we went to Sandbanks to look at the projects to act against coastal erosion. • Oliver Bachelor, Year 12

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Year 9 Urban Fieldwork in Newbury In October, we took all our new Year 9 Geography students to Newbury to undertake their first piece of fieldwork. Students were answering the key question “How has Parkway affected the stores and the amount of shoppers in the Kennet Centre and Northbrook Street”.

Students worked in groups and did footfall surveys, environmental impact assessments, land use maps, place checks and questionnaires.

Students will be using the data collected to put together a project back in the classroom. Miss Bunn

“Our Newbury fieldwork trip was very fun. First of all we did a footfall survey, after that we did an environmental impact assessment in Parkway and the Kennet Centre. Then my favourite part of the trip…the questionnaire! It was sometimes hard to get people to do it as they were very busy. It was fun and a success” Alec McCormack, Year 9

Students wow with colour theory wheels Following lessons on basic colour theory in Art, Year 7 students were given the task of completing a ‘Funky Colour Wheel’.

They knew the order in which the colours needed to be and were given very little extra information, meaning they could be as creative as they liked! I was not disappointed by the original and exciting work produced and several students received commendations for their efforts.

We had wheels ranging from simply being coloured in beautifully to collaged with a range of fabrics and accessories (including hair scrunchies)!

Some students took photographs and some used a simple colour wheel and turned it into different designs such as a spiders’ webs.

Above is a sample of just some of my favourites – there are too many to mention individually. • Mrs Hicks, Art and Textiles Teacher

Christmas Card Competition The House Christmas Card Competition has been launched this year. We had over 70 entries, from all Houses and age groups and overall, the standard was incredibly high.

Students used several different media and entries ranged from funny to traditional. Seven cards were shortlisted, which were whittled down to three after Mr Marshall cast his expert eye over them before the Art Department unanimously selected Heimarie Ehlert from 7 Omega for her beautiful, handsewn entry. • Mrs H. Hicks, Art and Textiles Teacher

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Love Letter to Japan “Japan was everything I wished for it to be and more, from the bustling city of Tokyo to the peaceful shrines in Kyoto and the tranquillity of Mount Fuji...

The food, kindness and cultural vibrancy created an incredible atmosphere...”

The ‘trail to Tokyo’ started more than five years ago, when the school was asked to host a delegation from TOCOG (the Tokyo Organising Committee for the Olympic Games) to share our successful experience of shaping the London 2012 ‘Get Set’ education programme.

The focus of that programme was on developing creative learning across the curriculum based on the Olympic and Paralympic Values of Excellence, Inspiration, Courage, Determination, Equality, Respect and Friendship. Following on from both the visit and approach taken by the programme, the school produced a ‘Values Video’ summarising in basic Japanese how we had adopted these Values in our everyday learning and culture. The video was then sent to a number of Japanese schools, inviting a response.

Almost by return we were thrilled to receive ‘Shochu-mimai’ wonderful traditional summer greetings cards - from the staff and students at Shinagawa School, seeking further links and partnership working. The rest, as they say, is history... • Derek Peaple

Bo Stewart

“Travelling to Japan was thrilling – we experienced a lot of interesting culture, in so many different locations; from temples to schools and even travelled on a bullet train! The trip flew by and we have lots of great memories, including winning at rugby.”

Ben Eaton

“...an amazing culture experience that I will never forget. It was incredible to see the difference in schooling and day to day living. I hope to return one day.”

Ed Langdon

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“You could spend years exploring Japan – there is so much rich culture and natural beauty to see. My highlight was meeting Shinagawa School students. As a member of a group who talk to them over Skype every fortnight, it was a privilege to meet them in person. (Visit! You won’t regret it.)”

Ellie Findlater

“One of the best experiences of my life so far. It was thrilling to see all of Japan’s rich culture.

Most memorable were the temples – each and every temple took my breath away.”

Lidia Nowicka

A fascinating land of respect, traditional values, tea ceremonies, technology, karaoke, anime, gaming and a polite outlook on life. A country that not only thanks you, offers an apology and a polite way of attracting a stranger’s attention all in the same breath.

Sumimasen.

Having travelled and always been welcomed never has it been as sincere and from the heart as much as I have felt during our time in Japan.

“Japan... new, strange and exciting...

The school and University visits gave us an insight into the lifestyle of our Japanese counterparts, where school lunch was served at desks by their peers, creating a fantastic sense of community! A day in Hiroshima learning about the atrocities of war is an experience that I will never forget.”

Reuben Langdon

The memories are such that even now, I can hear the laughter and see the enjoyment in our students’ faces during our visits to both Shinagwawa Gakuen and the University of Tsukuba. The visits to the varied temples and shrines in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka were awe inspiring you could lose yourself in all their splendour and grandeur. From the serenity of the temples to an overload to the senses in Namba. It is this contrast and many others that makes this wonderful country so fascinating.

Thank you to all the students who travelled with us and to the staff Miss Rowland, Miss Wozniak, Mrs Hawkins, Doctor Stewart and Mr Thorne for all their help and humour during the tour. • Mr Jones

“An absolutely amazing experience full with excitement, extravagance and learning opportunities.

The variety of the activities was fantastic...”

Rohan Paul

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Computing Hub goes live at Park House On 20 November, Sarah Foxall, Microsoft Philanthropies UK Lead for Digital Skills and Employability and Maggie Philbin, Broadcaster and CEO of TeenTech welcomed 80 representatives from local schools and businesses to Park House to celebrate the launch of the school’s National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) hub.

Computing and outreach experiences at Park House had provided her with leadership and technical skills to be successful at IBM, and Matt Smith, Programme Manager for Aspire2Be who shared how they will be partnering the hub to provide Computing and digital literacy CPD to primary and secondary schools.

As a recently appointed NCCE hub, Park House will be responsible for supporting primary and secondary teachers across the Central South of England with funded, continuing professional development (CPD) to support an innovative approach to the new Computing Curriculum.

Mayoress of Newbury, Elizabeth O’Keefe presented a certificate to Vee Howard from The Downs School who had recently completed the NCCE Computer Science Accelerator Programme. The hub is now looking forward to presenting many more teachers across Berkshire and Hampshire with certificates for successful completion of CPD.

Park House was appointed a National Centre for Computing Education Hubs in recognition of its successful diverse, inclusive and collaborative Computing curriculum and outreach.

To share the hub’s inclusive vision for the local and wider community, a launch event was held, bringing together many teachers, volunteers, businesses and charities. The event spearheaded by Maggie Philbin and Sarah Foxall who explained the need for cross-curricular computational thinking and digital skills which make lives more enjoyable, safer and healthier.

Further presentations were made by Grace Blake, Junior Management Consultant, previously a student at Park House, who shared how her

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It was wonderful to bring together members of the local education and business community to share understanding of this exciting new programme.

The Park House Hub will significantly enhance the professional development of staff and the learning of young people across the region.

The energy at the event could be measured from the networking and conversations continuing beyond the launch. The local community is in full support of the hub and this can only be of benefit to young people across Berkshire and Hampshire as teachers are better equipped to provide a creative and engaging Computing curriculum. • Derek Peaple

OK Computer Science CyberDiscovery National Competition

CyberFirst Girls Challenge

This term started with the launch of this years CyberDiscovery National Competition which for the first time was open to Year 9 entries (previously only those in years 10, 11, 12 and 13 could take part). Forty students took part in Stage 1 and 70% of those who competed were invited to take part in the semi-final Stage 2 round which involves solving up to 200 cyber security challenges. This round concludes on the 1 May 2020, with the competition final taking place in the summer.

Registration is now open for Year 8 girls to take part in the 2020 CyberFirst competition with the qualifying round opening the week beginning 13 January.

Key Stage 3 Legends (pictured below) Those Year 7 students who have taken Computer Science this term have become legends!

We have spent the term programming, learning about data security and have taken part in the Google Internet Legends programme, which supports students in understanding the importance of staying safe and secure online and the importance of being kind to others when accessing social media.

The CyberFirst Girls’ Competition is the National Cyber Security Centre’s free to enter contest in which girls are invited to form teams and take part in a series of online cyber security focused puzzles and challenges. Last year Park House entered four teams into the competition and the school was in the top 5% of performing schools in the country. So far, we have three teams signed up and last year’s competitors have kindly volunteered to help support this year’s entrants.

Key Stage 4 Computer Scientists A huge well done to all of the Year 10 and Year 11 Computer Science students who successfully completed 20 hours of programming as part of their GCSE. It was a hard slog but the pizza helped! • Mrs Gosling, Head of Computing/ICT

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From Induction to their start of Term This year our Induction Days for the new Year 7 intake and the PH6 Sixth Form were greatly attended by students from many previous schools.

It was wonderful to see the building of new friendship groups on this initial meeting; friendship groups that will grow as students continue their education at Park House and embark on new aspects of educational growth – Student Council, House System, Peer Mentors or the various new subjects they will encounter.

Following the summer break, students returned to school smartly dressed in their blazers or the smart Dress Code of Sixth Form, ready for their first assembly and our Year 7 pupils enjoyed meeting British Paralympic Swimmer Graham Edmund for his inspirational assembly followed by classroom question and answers.

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“My time at Park House so far has been great. I have “On the Wednesday I started at Park House I wasn’t made new friends already. Furthermore, I have met sure if I would like it or not. Now I’m sure that I some brilliant teachers. My favourite subjects are don’t like it… I LOVE IT! PE, Dance, Drama, Maths and DT. “It’s a different environment to my primary school, “The teachers are really nice and welcoming, but the teachers and staff are just as welcoming. especially when it is a new subject. I love how we The school is a lot bigger than I expected, but offers get to move around and don’t sit in one seat for the loads of opportunities. I hope that the rest of Year 7 whole day. The food is so nice... ” Sophie Alsbury will be just as amazing.” Oscar Hyde “I was inspired by Graham Edmunds because he was courageous. He showed me to never have a lack of perseverance and, no matter how down you feel, life will always get better. The resilience he showed was amazing, because he didn’t settle for one gold medal, he worked hard for another. Even if I come tenth in a race the feeling is amazing, so I can’t even imagine what he was feeling. Listening to him makes me want to go and accomplish my dreams!” Conor McManus “I thought your presentation was very inspirational. It made me feel like I could achieve anything.”

Ethan Grime

“WOW that was a very inspirational talk. I have gold medal envy!”

Liberty Watters

Senior Student Team update As your Senior Student Team, we have taken pride in many different areas this calendar year. We have organised events such as, fundraising for many charitable causes, opportunities for lower school to socialise with “Fanta and Banta” and a Quiz and Curry night to help integrate new Year 12’s, being just some of the highlights.

We have leapt at any chance to represent our school in times such as Open Evenings, Induction days, Prize Giving and even Governors meetings as your student representatives. This gives us a real pride and allows us to embody the values that are now a commonplace within our school.

We run Student Council during Thursday Tutor time. Anyone is welcome to express their opinions and ideas and we love to hear your thoughts as it helps us to push through the collective student voice!

As a team, we have taken pride in our common room in recent months (notice the new decorations!!!) and are soon to hold a Sixth Form Winter Social that will hopefully continue as a legacy for many years to come, as building connections between year groups and developing on student wellbeing has, and will continue to be a great priority of ours. • Reuben Langdon and Bo Stewart, Head Boy and Girl

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Championing STEM studies Early events in the school year included a more able and talented students visit to Rutherford Appleton Labs for a team of Year 8 students who entered the Ada Lovelace Challenge event. This involved the students programming an Arduino device to support an air lock door on Mars, allowing humans to survive.

This was followed by the AWE Engineering challenge for a team of Year 9 students who were designing a water generator from plastic tubs and magnets. Our team included both male and female budding engineers who acquitted themselves well in the challenge.

A large group of 70, Year 7 students were involved in the Cyber Security challenge event, run in school in mid October, and organised by the Engineering Development Trust and RSA Security, a DELL subsidiary company. Our teams worked really well together and two of them were invited to the Institute of Engineering in London for a presentation event which unfortunately we were unable to attend. The judges were particularly impressed by the innovative theatre performance of one of our teams. Our Year 7s had a really fun day in the Hall.

The NAV People popped in from Burghclere to work with two groups of Year 8 girls one morning in October. They are a software company that services fashion design and retail industry clients. Our girls were involved

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in using stock rotation programmes and launching new product lines. The event demonstrated the use of technology in a typically female work environment and showed our girls how they can use technology in a variety of different activities and ways. This event was part of our successful partnership with the EBP (Education and Business Partnership in West Berkshire). STEM is for girls too and we really want more of our young female students to get inspired by technology.

In November, fifteen of our Sixth Formers travelled to Rutherford Appleton Labs for an access day event. This is designed to introduce them to a career in science and research showcasing the opportunities that exist. During the day we had a live link up with the Boulby Mine in North Yorkshire, hundreds of metres underground, where scientists are searching for Dark Matter. We also got to see some of the latest data storage and processing that particle physics requires in the huge RAL data centre. Our visit was capped by a tour of the Central Laser Facility (CLF), looking at the technology behind one of the most powerful lasers in the world. This CLF is used to probe deep into matter and take pictures of atomic structures. This provides information to help scientists understand how materials will react in different conditions and situations. All very inspirational stuff for our Year 12 physicists and chemists. • Ian Miller Director of STEM and Careers Lead

Year 7 Science earns House points all round This term our Year 7 students undertook a House Science project during which they created some incredible models of biological cells. Ms Kokkinou and Mrs Sivadasan were thrilled by all the amazing models that were created and were pleased to announce that everyone would be receiving House Points. Congratulations to you all!

First prize winner, Isabella Vermeulen Gouk (centre) with second place Findlay Mount and third place Daisy Tapping.

Outstanding Effort Sophie Bennett-Mills

Most Creative Adam Sheperia

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Grease is the word!

Since our September auditions the cast and crew of our next, now legendary, musical production, Grease have been rehearsing weekly for the show which opens in January at Arlington Arts. And, as our previous productions have been described as being worthy of the West End, inevitably almost every performance has sold out with tickets for just the matinÊe show being available at the time of going to press. We can’t wait!

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Park House School, Newbury presents a Theatrical Rights Worldwide production based on GREASE: Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

out! uary! d l o s s ance for 23 Jan m r o f r e p le Eveningts now availab cke i t e ĂŠ n i t Ma 22, 23 & 24 January 2020

at Arlington Arts Centre Tickets available from Monday 23 September at:

arlington-arts.com

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PHSA – Park House School Association

We have had a very busy and productive start to the new term with PHSA appointments being filled:

And this year the PHSA has been able to fund these additional requests:

Co-Chairpersons Teresa Crocker & Kathryn John phsachairperson@parkhouseschool.org

Psychology – 16 books for years 1 & 2 of the course

Secretary: as above, with support from Emma Rivers phsasecretary@parkhouseschool.org

Modern Foreign Languages – 15 copies Pearson Target 5 French Writing & Reading and 15 Pearson Target 5 Spanish Writing & Reading

Treasurer: Donna Sawtell phsatreasurer@parkhouseschool.org

Art and photography – five cameras

Please support us as we work towards providing funds for all students. You are most likely to meet us at parents evening providing refreshments, or at our quarterly one-hour meetings or various school events including school productions and concerts etc where we run draws and tombolas.

Textiles – three sewing machines

Dance Department – a refurbished iPad

Last year we gave £500 to support the following departments requests: PE Dept – Tennis Nets & posts

This year we have started the 200 Club – a monthly lottery to support the school. Our October and November winners were D Roch and H Matthews.

To join, please contact us or complete and return the form on the website.

Updates can be found within the weekly school newsletter and on the PHSA Facebook page. Being part of the PHSA provides a good opportunity to meet other parents and staff – please join us!

Duke of Edinburgh – equipment for expeditions House System – Gazebos used at various House Events

Email: phsa@parkhouseschool.org

Design and Technology – two sewing machines

Currently we are collecting for our next event and we are looking for tombola and raffle gifts which can be left in reception.

Modern Foreign Languages – books and dictionaries

www.facebook.com/groups/parkhouseschoolassociation/

Vodafone provide insights on marketing methods for Sixth Form Business Studies students...

The Business Department has been lucky enough to forge very positive business links with Vodafone this year. Vodafone will be helping to provide real business examples to students through a range of different talks.

This recently started with the students’ first talk from Penny Simmonds who presented on Marketing with a focus on the differences between Business to Business and Business to Consumer Marketing.

The visit was very detailed and the Sixth Form were able to interact and ask questions as the presentation flowed. We look forward to the next visit in the New Year from Vodafone’s Finance Department. • Mrs Langford-Holt

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Media Studies – photographic green screen