Wakefield Girls' School Magazine - The Review 2023 - 2024

WG HS R E V I E W

C L A S S O F 2024

S T U D E N T

L E A D E R S H I P A N D

S T U D E N T V O I C E

T H E D U K E O F

E D I N B U R G H

A W A R D S

R E S I D E N T I A L S

S P O R T S U P D A T E

Welcome

I can’t quite believe we are at the end of another year at Wakefield Girls’ To think we started the year with a celebration of our 145th year of empowering girls The birthday kicked off at the start of the year at the Founders’ Day, an event which acknowledges the custodians of the school Our Head Girl at the time, Clara, addressed the whole school and shared her message which echoed a sense of pride and loyalty for Wakefield Girls’ alongside a sense of community and belonging Having loudly and proudly sung the School Song, which concluded the formal proceedings we continued to celebrate with a picnic and our brass band on the quad, ending with impromptu karaoke, cartwheels and dancing involving all from Year 3 to Year 13 I think it’s fair to say we celebrated our school in style!

At the Junior Section Prize Giving, Mr Rowley made reference to time passing fast as we get older He then went on to say that ‘time flies when having fun’ Well, both have an element of truth but my foot is in the camp of the latter statement - it has been another wonderful year! A year packed full of celebrations, opportunities, trips and activities that have brought us even closer together and have also put a big smile on all our faces!

It’s not just the students who have been busy, but also the amazing team of staff we have here Wholly committed professionals who embrace each day to ensure our students have a rich and varied school experience Some of our highlights include: an array of house events including Christmas Masseoke, ‘Shine a Light concert’ at Wakefield Cathedral, Christmas Charity Fayre, numerous residentials, reunions for past students, #EmpowHer24, Experience week - Enterprise Days, Science Fair, Sports Days, Y10 Work Experience, Y10 Takeover into the Sixth Form Day, Culture Day, World Book Day, House Fest and our Summer Charity Fayre, DofE - (11 Gold, 31 Silver and 38 Bronze awards), many trips including skiing in Italy, residentials to York, Malham, Iceland, Japan and Malaysia to list a few, amazing school productions of Carousel, Frozen and Shakespeare Rocks and many, many fabulous music events such as Cabaret evenings, Rush Hour concerts and Foundation Christmas and Summer Concerts

Wakefield Girls’ prides itself on being a close community with a ‘family feel’ so we have been delighted this year to celebrate with colleagues on the safe arrival of Hettie Webster, Evie Margereson and Miriam Elsie Grace Lovell I am sure you join me in wishing all families well

As we wrap up last year and look to the next academic year, I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a wonderful school community surrounded by intelligent, talented, confident, funny and excited people that help make this world of ours a better place to be Therefore, my final words go to these young people - for making each day different, interesting and for their contributions in making our school a special place to be.

Ms Heidi-Jayne Boyes - Head

2 WG HS REVIEW

We are grateful to all the girls and staff who have contributed to this magazine A particular thank you must go to the girls in the Creative Writing Club, Student Leaders and work experience students: Amelie Stephenson, Georgina Dews, Amelia Parkin, Saarah Jogi, Mikaela Agyepong and Eva Dudley for their contributions to this year’s magazine If you have any comments or would like to submit images or text for consideration please contact The Editor, WGHS Review Magazine, Wakefield Girls’ High School, 1 Wentworth Street, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 2QS This 2023-24 edition covers the period Summer 2023 - Summer 2024 Artwork on front cover by Fleur Hornsby Artwork on rear cover by Flora Whitfield

Once a High School Girl, always a High School Girl.

Editor, Mrs Jennie Megson Designed by Shuffle CMS Ltd

South Africa

Sporting, singing and safari dreams in South Africa become a reality with the Physical Education Department 2023

The Sports Tour 2023 took place in South Africa, and gave students in Years 11 to 13 the opportunity to experience playing Hockey and Netball in a different country, against teams that had different playing styles and skill sets in both sports The students competed against schools and teams from both Pretoria and Cape Town While every fixture had its stand out moments, with some fantastic goals, the most memorable part of the fixtures was the opportunity to bond and make new friendships after the games, normally over some delicious home cooked food.

The tour was not only jam packed with fixtures, but there were also lots of opportunities to experience the culture of South Africa Another tour highlight was definitely the Township tour of Langa, where our students lear nt about what a Township was and interacted with many of the children living in the Langa township. Connections were instantly made and lots of singing and dancing took place during the day, and although the children living in Langa had very little, they never failed to have a smile on their faces

Students also had the opportunity to go on Safari whilst in South Africa, where they spent a night at Kwa Maritane Resort and had two game drives in the Pilanesburg Game Reserve There were sightings of giraffes, elephants, zebras, antelopes, hippos, rhinos, and lions The binoculars were a must to spot the lion and lioness hiding in the long grass and the parade of elephants in the distance The students were well looked after by the rangers who gave them insights into the different behaviours shown by the animals and stories of their most memorable encounters with them An unexpected encounter on safari was running into George Ezra, who was also on safari at the same game reserve! Not only did the tour party manage to get a group picture with him, but the next mor ning on the game drive they drove past George (now close enough friends to be on first name terms) in a 221 square mile national park! However unlikely this was to happen, the students still waved at him excitedly enjoying the moment which I’m sure was a memorable encounter for both parties

The students made so many amazing memories during the Tour, and in the words of some of our current Year 12 students “Our school offers us hundreds of opportunities, but being able to travel with your friends to one of the most beautiful countries in the world, to play the sports we love, will always top everything else ”

Mrs Hunter

The

students were well looked after by the rangers who gave them insights into the different behaviours shown by the animals and stories of their most memorable encounters with them

C E L E B R A T I N G T H E

Outgoing Head Girl

Team and House

Officials 2023-24

Head Girl

Clara Elliott

Deputy Head Girl

Amina Khan

Senior Prefects

Holly Bes twick

Mia Crecraft

Lucy Crook

Tiffany Djagnikpo

Abigail Gatenby

Kumbi Katema

Anna Reyn olds

Khadi ja Sarwar

Mariella Shuttleworth

Bayan Yousif

Heads of House and Deputies

B L A K E Y:

Head of House

Liv Fulton

Deputy Head of House

Ellie Tingle

C L A Y T O N:

Head of House

Lois Lemmon

Deputy Head of House

Tilly Smith

L E E:

Head of House

Ava Dunn

Deputy Head of House

Emelia Batty

M A C K I E:

Head of House

Heather Bullers

Deputy Head of House

Zara Akhtar

S e n i o r

Being surrounded by all the incredible individuals in our year has been such a blessing - the Senior Prefects have contributed to many areas in school life, like the environment, wellbeing as well as coordinating with pre-prep, to ensure strong connections with all sections

”

Class of 2024

This year was the hardest, yet the greatest one of all Being surrounded by all the incredible individuals in our year has been such a blessing - the Senior Prefects have contributed to many areas in school life, like the environment, wellbeing as well as coordinating with pre-prep, to ensure strongconnections with sections The Heads of House have been remarkable this year, allowing a multitude of events to be carried out this year, with one of our favourites being the House Bake off Thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly this year to make WGSF even more entertaining and fulfilling It’s without doubt that we have all developed many personal skills this year, due to the wealth of opportunities presented to us and we certainly will be using these crucial skills in the future

Clara Elliott, Head Girl and Amina Khan, Deputy Head Girl 2023-24

Claraa

S e n i o r C l a s s

F a n c y D r e s s

2 0 2 4

MAY BALL

The May Ball was a fantastic way for the whole year group to come together and celebrate their time at the school

”

C E L E B R A T I N G T H E

J u n i o r

H e a d G i r l ,

U m a y y a h F i a z

r e f l e c t s o n a n

u n f o r g e t t a b l e y e a r

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to our teachers and staff Your guidance, patience, and encouragement has been invaluable to all of us This year we have had the wonderful teachers Miss Coe and Mrs Grundy; this definitely has been an amazing year and one we will never forget! Thank you for making our last year memorable and fun You have encouraged us and helped us achieve to the best of my ability

We will take many fond memories into the Senior Section but I have a couple favourites The first memory takes us to the serene yet challenging waters near Blencathra, where we embarked on a canoeing adventure Picture this: my friend Rosa, brimming with enthusiasm, paddling with all her might. Suddenly, she toppled into the cold lake. The sight of Rosa, dripping and shivering, trudging back in her soaked clothes is one I will not forget We laughed until our sides ached, and despite her discomfort, Rosa laughed along with us

The next memory is often seen as a stroke of luck, but I assure you, I didn't quite see it that way at the time. It was a day like any other, the sun gently warming our faces, the scent of freshly cut grass in the air I was on my way to games, my mind filled with the usual chatter of a school day Suddenly, out of nowhere, a bird, with impeccable timing, decided that my head was the perfect target for its well, let’s just say, its unwelcome gift At that moment, time seemed to freeze I stood there stunned, as the realisation daw on me. My friends burst into laughter, and I couldn't help but join in

As Head Girl, I have had the privilege of representing Year 6 and growing alongside my classmates This role has taught me invaluable lessons about leadership, empathy, and responsibility. As we look ahead, let us carry forward the lessons we’ve lear ned and the friendships we’ve forged Let us strive for excellence, not just in our studies, but in how we treat others and face challenges The future holds endless possibilities, and I am confident that each one of us will continue to shine and make a positive impact wherever we go Thank you once again to everyone who has been a part of this jour ney It has truly been an unforgettable year

Umayyah Fiaz, Head Girl 2023-24

UmayyahFiaz

Class of 2024

#empowHER ‘24 Lead ersh ip Conference

Wakefield Girls’ was excited to bring the one day enriching event, #empowHER, to Year 5 girls in school and from our region once again, opening doors to early leadership and personal development. The event is an experience designed specifically girls, who are at an age where self-discovery and personal growth are key to their educational jour ney This year #empowHER brought together teachers and alumnae, all professionals in their fields with a commitment to empowering young women, for a special day featuring five engaging, expert-led workshops Inspiring young minds and unlocking potential were aspiring barrister Kathryn Houghton, senior associate solicitor Alicia Collinson, sustainability strategist Rebecca Ward, mechanical engineer Romy Jackson and mental health and exercise coach Francesca Aproskie

Supporting young girls to identify, develop and leverage their strengths from an early age can make a huge difference in the way they view themselves, interact with others and lead their lives

”

Chair Kat Bentham opened #empowHER by setting intentions for the young leaders in the audience to seize every opportunity Interactive sessions helping girls to understand their strengths and how to use them took place during the mor ning, followed by a workshop about resilience and managing change, a mini Cop on Climate Change, an engineering challenge and culminating in a lively Zumba workshop. Each workshop was designed to help participants understand and develop the skills and qualities of good leaders, and included fun activities to put these skills into practice

We loved watching participants grow in confidence throughout the event and hearing their feedback The top 5 things participants said they’d lear ned were:

1 more about myself!

2 to believe in myself and show courage

3 how to help myself and others manage stress

4 how to work in a team better

5 the effects of global warming

One of our young participants summed the day up nicely –this is ‘how to be crazy awesome!’

Head of Wakefield Girls’ Heidi-Jayne Boyes was the driving force behind the event As part of her role at the school she has long been passionate about the empowerment of pupils. She said: “Role models play a vital role in helping young girls grow into empowered leaders Role models are a fantastic way for students to see how leaders move through the world Girls also need opportunities to be courageous and resilient, to grow in confidence and experience new things How these elements work together in their boldest way, with academic lear ning, is what matters most and the key to success for girls, now and for the future Supporting young girls to identify, develop and leverage their strengths from an early age can make a huge difference in the way they view themselves, interact with others and lead their lives This is why we have created the #empowHER event - to give all girls the opportunity to lear n new skills and to listen to successful women across the world of business. We want every child to be intellectually and socially confident, work-place and life-ready with a global outlook and concer n for others ”

It’s been a busy year for the WGHS Junior Section School Council

The Junior Section School Council has been very busy this year and they’ve made some great contributions to school life They launched a JS Department competition to redesign the Reading Garden and selected some excellent ideas from the student entries to share with Mr Rowley Just before Christmas, the Reindeer Run, promoted by the School Council, raised lots of funds for the Wakefield Hospice In the Spring term, they collaborated with the kitchen team to ‘Design a Healthy Plate’ meal competition and the whole Junior Section enjoyed eating the winning entry! Look out for the new “Star of the Week” certificate, designed by the School Council, that will be in circulation from September 2024

Mrs

Hutchinson

You’ll

love the fantas tic initiatives from the Junior Section Eco Committee

The Junior Section Eco Committee have launched some fantastic initiatives this year Firstly, they introduced a pen recycling scheme in the autumn term and created their very own collection boxes for this. Secondly, they established some wormeries in the school garden to reduce the waste from the school kitchen and make their very own compost! Finally, they finished off the year with an exciting visit to The Harewood Estate to lear n more about sustainability and caring for Planet Earth

Ye a r 6 E n t e r p r i s e w e e k

As part of money week, Year 6 students across WGHS and QEGS worked together to complete the £10 enterpr challenge Within their house teams, the mixed grou designed logos and completed market research in o plan, design and consider how to create a product o within the £10 budget. This information was then pre to the ‘dragons’ before the creating process could b The teams then used Amazon and online supermark shops to buy the ingredients or equipment required their stalls Some groups found this really difficult to stay within the budget but all the teams managed it! Posters were then created and positioned around stalls to attract customers and offers were put on, such 25% off, to encourage more people to visit stalls Enterprise week was a great way to make new friends and bring QEGS and Wakefield Girls’ together. Working as a team to produce a product, interacting with customers and raising money for charity is something to be proud of!

Written by Izzy Bate (6KG), Nitya Gutta (6KG) and Nadia Delliou (6KG)

Working as a team to produce a product, interacting with customers and raising money for charity is something to be proud of! “ ”

Mod ern Foreign Languages

Extracurricular Activities:

I m m e rs i ve Fo re i g n L a n g u a g e P l a y s

Throughout the academic year MFL hosted superb immersive foreign language plays (Year 9/10) with the Onatti Theatre Production These popular plays were impressively performed by two native actors entirely in French (Le Cours d’Art), Spanish (Reserva Duplicada) and German (Der Babysitter)

S t u d e n t Re v i e w s :

“Overall, I think the play was very lively and exciting and it was interesting to see that I could follow a storyline through their expressions and acting I loved it when they came around looking for volunteers but I was a bit nervous they were going to pick me! I think having a joint-foundation event was nice It’s lovely seeing my friends over at QEGS I’d be thrilled to do it again and really enjoyed the experience.” Ruby, Year 9

“I thought the French play was very good; I could follow it well, but the vocabulary was also challenging, so I lear nt a lot It was very entertaining and I especially liked how the audience was included in the play ”

Eliza, Year 10

M F L F i l m S t u d y D a y , H a l l a m U n i ve rs i t y S h e f f i e l d

On 7th February QEGS and WGHS Year 11-13 MFL students visited Sheffield Hallam University, to take part in an exciting Foreign Languages Study Day, studying a foreign film, being immersed in the language and participating in workshops with scholars from the university. Our students l to appreciate foreign cinema by analysing them techniques, characters and even the films’ historical contexts which forms a key part of their final A-level exam

S o f i a , w h o s t u d y i n g A - l e ve l

Fre n c h , s a i d :

“The film day was an enjoyable experience which allowed us all to improve our understanding and communication skills within the French language We watched a French film and discussed it based on themes also characterisation which will greatly aid us i French A-level studies when we study a film in Year 13 ”

Sofia, Year XX

Co m p e t i t i o n s : D e b a t i n g , S t . Pe t e r ’ s S c h o o l , Y o r k

On 27th February, MFL A-level students from WGHS and QEGS travelled to St Peter’s School in York to take part in an MFL Debating Competition Year 12 students Abigail and Joshua represented German, and Sofia and Sophia French The teams were given three motions to prepare ahead of the debates, which are linked to their A-level studies The competition from the other schools was fierce, but our Team French won their first debate. All of the students enjoyed the experience and opportunity to meet MFL students from across the Yorkshire and North East region

S o p h i a ’ s a c c o u n t o f t h e d a y :

“Personally I enjoyed the debate trip as the prompts were interesting and easy to argue both for and against, giving me the confidence to choose either There were a range of other teams but even when we weren’t debating, it was good to see other people’s speaking level and test if I understood what they were saying. All in all, I think it definitely improved my confidence and put me out of my comfort zone for the better I’ll definitely do it again next year ”

Sophia, Year 12

e r m a n Pe n Pa l P ro j e c t

Languages teacher Mrs Lister and her Year 9 German students have launched a brilliant pen pal project with the High School at Römerkastell, Alzey, Germany Native German students penned thoughtful beautifully decorated handwritten letters, sharing their hobbies, likes, dislikes and everyday lifestyle These letters are a brilliant way for students to have actical experience using their German

Travelling Europe with Modern Foreign Languages

During the half-term break, GCSE and A-level Spanish students visited the Andaluisan town of Benálmadena for a five-day deep-dive into Spanish language and culture

Student’s stayed with Spanish host families whilst attending Spanish lessons at the Colegio Maravillas

Students enjoyed visiting nearby Mijas to discover important historical sites, the Picasso Museum and the Alcazaba (fortress) in Málaga They also visited the world famous Alhambra – a walled hilltop monument filled with palaces, gardens, fortresses and dungeons as well as getting to grips with Spanish culture during cooking lessons making paella

“The trip to Benálmadena was an incredible opportunity to practise my Spanish and expand my knowledge of Spanish customs Staying with a host family really gave me an insight into everyday life abroad and allowed me to pick up unique vocabulary that ordinarily wouldn’t be taught in a classroom The cultural sites that we visited were fascinating and informative; I personally enjoyed visiting the Alcazaba in Málaga as I found it really interesting to see the mix of Arabic, Roman and Spanish cultures that make up the structure Overall, I would definitely say it was a trip that I’ll never forget!” E

Year 10-13 German students from WGHS and QEGS were extremely excited to embark on their trip to Berlin in February It was a brilliant opportunity for our students to develop and practise their German speaking skills, interacting with native speakers and being immersed within the rich German culture Berlin, a city steeped in history, with a vibrant atmosphere, bustling streets, and architectural marvels left a marked impression on the students They visited significant museums including the Stasi Museum, DDR Museum, Tränenpalast (Palace of Tears) and a visit to the TV Tower The students deepened their understanding of the fascinating history of Berlin visiting iconic landmarks such as the Berlin Wall Memorial, East Side Gallery, Checkpoint Charlie, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag In the evening students enjoyed some down time bowling with friends and a delicious meal at the Hofbräuhaus The students definitely enjoyed themselves.

Mrs Donau-Green - Head of Moder n Foreign Languages

Modern Foreign Language Assistants

Our Language Assistants Julia, Isabel and Othilie, very quickly became an integral part of our school community They have been of great benefit to our whole school, sharing their culture in language starter and culture clubs, but also throughout their small group and 1:1 speaking sessions

Student voice:

n “Othilie and Julia have helped me to improve so much in French and German while also teaching us more about their cultures With their feedback and support, I have been able to develop all of my language skills I found it really useful and valuable to have the opportunity to listen and speak to a native speaker and to receive advice from them We will really miss them” Lilly, Year 10

n “The language assistants have really made the language clubs special I have really enjoyed learning about different cultures. Without them the clubs wouldn’t be the same”. Florrie, Year 7.

n “Othilie has really helped me feel so confident and happy with my French and every week I look forward to discussing our experiences Isabel has brought so much outside information that’s relevant to the course and intrigued me with different aspects of Spanish culture, I’m so grateful for all their help” Sophia, Year 12

n “I really appreciate all of Julia’s hard work She always puts 100% into helping students through engaging and interactive lessons, whilst also challenging students to push themselves The extra resources and time Julia puts into her lessons are excellent and I feel that my German has improved ” Ava, Year 13

Isabel, Julia and Othilie

Isa

I s a b e l M o re n o S á n c h e z E s p a ñ a

¡Hola! Me llamo Isabel y soy de Córdoba, España I feel very lucky to have been your Spanish language assistant, with this staff, who have helped us along the way, and with my fellow assistants, and with the students, thanks to whom I have learned so much about my own language We’ve had a lot of fun playing games, and arguing about which Shrek movie is the best I also had really interesting conversations with the older students, sometimes about topics of Hispanic culture I did not know myself TL,DR: I am grateful to everyone at WGHS and QEGS for making my experience one that I’ll talk about for years to come Muchas gracias a todas y todos, ¡hasta siempre!

J u l i a J o c h u m

Ö s t e r re i c h

Servus! Mein Name ist Julia und ich bin aus Graz, Österreich I was your German language assistant this past year And what a wonderful time it’s been! Whether it was “cooking” a Schnitzel together and ordering at an alpine restaurant, flying the grammar pig or discussing deep questions about life in the German language Kaffeehaus - working together with you all and blending language and culture learning has been a real pleasure! In addition to the lovely conversation sessions I had with the Year 9-13 students, I enjoyed the curiosity and zest with which some of the Year 7 students learnt German in the Starter Club, we danced polka, sang songs, decorated Lebkuchen (and ate it), and discovered various traditional festivals Both WGHS and QEGS have shown me what it can mean to have a strong and inclusive school community Finally, I just want to say thank you for making my time at your schools such an enriching experience and so much fun! Danke und bis bald!

O t h i l i e S Y

F r a n c e

Bonjour! Je suis Othilie, votre assistante française! Je viens de Toulouse, une ville du sud de la France I have received an incredibly warm welcome since working here It was an honour for me to give the students the opportunity to practise French in individual sessions or in small groups to share different cultures existing in all the French speaking countries I had a great time teaching, sharing anecdotes and debating various topics The Culture Club was a good opportunity to break down stereotypes (or to reinforce some!) by exploring traditional customs, food, festivals and celebrations I also really enjoyed helping the A-level students to prepare their speeches for the debating competition at St Peter’s School in York I am grateful for this memorable experience, and I would like to thank WGHS and QEGS for their constant help and support. Merci infiniment.

I also really enjoyed helping the A-level students to prepare their speeches for the debating competition at St. Peter’s School in York “ ”

Julia, Isabel and Othilie with students

St Perter’s school in York

W E E N C O U R A G E

C R E A T I V E W R I T I N G

H o w M y Fr i e n d s H a ve C h a n g e d

How my friends have changed

It seems only yesterday that we were young and dumb Trying to protect everything and everyone Now it’s us before the rest

How my friends have changed

It seems only yesterday that Evan and I seemed perfect Trying to still be the goal everyone wants to be Now it’s nothing but friendship left

How my friends have changed

It seems only yesterday that I wasn’t speaking to Kate Trying to show that our friendship had ended Now it's like we never stopped being friends

How my friends have changed

How have my friends changed We grew up and lear ned And now we are inseparable Friends for life

Terri-Marie Whittaker - Year 8

Tabitha Tennant - Year 7 Y O U ’ L L L O V E T H E W A Y

A SELECTION OF SENIOR CREATIVE WRITING

It seems only yesterday that me and Phee didn’t know each other existed If they asked us who we were we wouldn't have a clue Now it’s like we’ve known each other since birth

J e a l o u s y

Jealousy is like a wound that keeps getting deeper, like having your stomach drop, You don’t know but, I hurt as I watch you laugh with her, I hurt as I watch you pick a girl you have known for a month over me,

I was there for you when you were at your lowest, I was there for you at your highest,

Where are you?

Where are you now that I’m struggling? Where are you now that my life is falling to pieces?

Am I invisible to you?

Am I even a person in your life anymore?

The witching hour

A black monster

A cat;

A dark black habitat.

Green glowing eyes, Dark,dark skies

A cat;

A dark black habitat

Now jumping house to house, Like a ninja

Always lurking so high

Fades into the night sky

A cat;

A dark black habitat

Rising sky

Now pink and blue

Bye bye to black

Hi to blue

The Cat chasing into the shadows

Going back to its owner

Now looking through window

A cat;

Now a pink and blue habitat

Olohi Iyoko - Year 7

Writing is fun for the Juniors on World Book Day!

T h e F i n a l D a y

Who made the sunset?

Who made the sun, the moon?

Who made the stars that dance across the matt sky?

The sky that only shines when the sun gives in,

The sky that glitters, silver spots glazing over its darkness

The moon that uses the sun’s light to shine, the forgotten one

The sun, always needed, constantly moving from place to place, Shining with purpose, holding everything together, Forgetting that it’ll eventually break down

The stars, the bright, hopeful nebula and the tired, weary super nova

The flickering light of a dying star next to the flickering light of a star nursery

Do they know each other's stories?

Now I sit here gazing up at the remaining birds, Free amidst the masterpiece that is the sky

Could I be free?

One to walk amongst the stars?

I don’t know where I’m going, staring up at the stars, full of purpose I don’t know how to breathe, to think, I do know how to be,

Amidst the stars at least how to be brave and kind, how to exist, Tell me, what else should I be doing? Doesn't everything still eventually?

Doesn’t everything cave, die and break?

Shouldn’t everything have a purpose, The way the sun’s purpose is to bring the day, The moon’s to light the way home, The stars to give us something to look up to,

So tell me, what is it you plan to do

Before the final day?

Phoebe Lyth - Year 8

T

h e C a t

Fur slips through your fingers, Eyes like slits of moon

Its pleading gaze lingers:

“Feed me, else, I bite!”

Cats are bundles of fur, Also teeth and claws.

But behind the sweet purr:

“Feed me, else, I bite!”

Padding through your garden, Mouse between its jaws

Though still not satisfied:

“Feed me, else, I bite!”

Amelia Dean - Year 7

T h e S n a ke

Its diamond head

Piercing the air as it moves

Its skin is so smooth

It slithers as it moves

Its eyes are so sharp

Its skin is so dark

Its fangs are so sharp

Its stabbing me through

It glides along

The long silky grass

If someone glares at it

Its eyes will spear

Layla Abdalla - Year 7

L i t t l e B l a c k

P o ny

Big brown eyes that reflect your heart and soul, I see myself reflected in those pools

They twist and tur n like the wind in your mane, Big brown eyes that reflect your beautiful heart

Strong chest muscles that flex when you canter, I see your skin rippling over them.

Your withers stand out as you eat your grass, Strong chest muscles I see as you gallop

Hard old hooves which beat softly on the ground, I hear the musical sound as we ride

Your jet black fur overflows to your hooves, Hard old hooves which plod along as we ride.

So long as we can breathe or eyes can see,

So long lives this and this gives life to thee

Written by Amelie Stephenson in Year 10, at Writers’ Workshop that takes place every week with Mrs Megson. Amelie’s sonnet was inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘Shall I compare thee…’

Creative writing... J e a l o u s y

K a r i n a a n d t h e C i t y o f A c k t u n n

Karina sat on the roof of the caravan, grimacing at the creaks it made whenever she shifted her weight A skinny girl of eleven, she felt even smaller than usual, drowning in the thick woollen jumper that her sister, Elise, had forced onto her, before hustling her out of the door to begin her nightly clean Even now, Karina could hear her, humming industriously as she swabbed each inch of the rusty metal trap.

The jumper wasn’t even hers It belonged to their brother, Mikkel, who stood a little distance away from the caravan, lit cigarette in hand Although Elise’s equal in age, Mikkel was even less able to withstand her, and was now exiled to the cliffs for the time being

Karina watched as he stalked up and down the edge, silhouetted against the blood-red sunset like a tragic hero gracing a book cover He tilted his head and exhaled a cloud of smoke, which was carried over the camp by the breeze, and was swallowed by the long grasses of the plain

She adored the plains, and would miss them after they arrived in the city tomorrow Not everyone shared her opinions, however Karina often overheard as their elderly companions - travelling with the caravan to visit family - spoke of the plains with distrust, whispering furtively to those who would listen about

Every day you come at me with something new, Trying to control me, trying to subdue. You have the world at your fingertips, While I feel like I'm stuck in this emotional eclipse.

With one spear of jealousy feels like a thousand traps, I feel confined, suffocated, caught in your grasp I knew our relationship was overdue, But now I see your true colours shining through

I'm curled up in knots, trying to break free, But you always find a way to manipulate me I long for freedom, for a sense of peace, But with you, my longing will never cease

Emi Bullas - Year 7

the demons who lived concealed among the carpet of rushes, and sucked down unwary travellers, with barely a ripple to show where they once stood The other children in the caravan procession would repeat and embellish the tales, giggling with fear This had always bewildered Karina After all, Elise had always said that she was blessed with the eyes of a hawk, and she could see that there were no demons out in the grass

SENIOR CREATIVE WRITING

There were bears and wolves, yes, and she saw the faint depressions showing their paths, criss-crossing to the horizon - but there were also rabbits and mice, who rustled and squeaked when they came in range of the circling kites above Karina could track them as they zigzagged wildly and doubled back, and saw too when their efforts proved to be in vin. The plains were vibrant and alive, and as simple as a child’s first storybook Nothing to fear from them

Their destination was something else entirely. Karina didn’t look towards the city of Acktunn with hope or excitement, like their travelling companions She didn’t gaze with greedy ambition, like Mikkel

Over the last few weeks, as they drew ever closer, and as the others had chattered with excitement at the sight of the city’s jagged smokestacks and curling smog, Karina had only the sense that she was being drawn into a trap, and would never come out again

Eleanor Wray - Year 11

You’ll love the way our Junior Section writing is inspired by World Book Day 2024

T h e C r y s t a l C a ve

It was early mor ning, a wonderful mor ning with a bright sun and candyfloss clouds - well, probably If the Carcasses had not come and cracked her fragile heart with their lies, cruelty and evil, perhaps she could have led a normal life rather than kneeling in a warped caver n 3000 metres below the surface surrounded by darkness and ragged faces of rock coated in black sludge. Faces of rock coated in repulsive, bubbling, most certainly poisonous and unhygienic black sludge, oozing into channels encircling the caver n, shrouded in grim shadows and barely illuminated by the shafts of light struggling their way through spidery cracks in the cave roof So yes, not a normal life for a barely 13 year old girl Certainly not. She bent her head, hands clasped together, shivering as she prayed, praying for her parents and her sister, wherever they were, trying not to think of if they were even alive She had never really had a religion, she just hoped that there was something in the world that could save her - save them

Bethany didn’t dare look up (for fear that she’d break the bond with whoever she was praying to) and let memories surface and overwhelm her Memories of Eliza laughing and their parents, arms tight around them as they cried, or smiled - this was before they’d told her about their greatest threat, who were coming for her, maybe around the cor ner Now, the tables tur ned, a wash of bitter ness in the memories she had tried so hard to forget, surfacing from the depths of her mind, and they felt so real, that was the problem! The night when they had taken her parents, she had slept through their screaming and yells with no guilt, only dreams and luxurious slumber Eliza had disappeared only days after to find them, leaving Bethany, her own sister, alone But they had told her, only hours before their capture, that her power was soon to come, that she would save them- save them all! “I will,” she murmured now, “I will! I can! I have to ” The girl tried so, so hard to unleash the so-called ‘power’ but the pressure and her nerves shot a blast of white light into her consciousness, and she collapsed.

The girl unravelled herself begrudgingly from her position sprawled across the cool, blackened rock floor, blinking back the stars that swung tantalisingly before her eyes. And the tears Of course they were lying, magical powers didn’t exist , and anyway, they were probably just trying to make her feel better about herself There was a stab of something, dangerously close to her heart, and she

silently cursed herself for feeling it How could she feel that way towards her family? Although, they did send her here in their hastily scribbled note, so there must be a purpose for her being here, for the treacherous jour ney ahead, and the one she had braved The words of her peers clawed at the back of her mind “Parents have gone mad, I tell you…” “Nothing special about her as far as I can tell ” “Trying to stop her from feeling like worthless rubbish, poor soul ” Defeated, Bethany rose from the floor and flung herself across the caver n and kicked at the ground, empty inside, hopelessly lost.

There was a grating sound and the ground seemed to strain It quivered slightly, then gave in to a single crack, spreading along the floor like a disease “Run,” she breathed, but her legs stayed put The crack inched towards her, stopping abruptly by her feet, revealing a flash of moss, soft and damp and bewildering (“Very out of place,” she thought) The teenager stooped down to brush her fingers against the soft plant before the crack widened and swallowed the darkness, engulfing the room with soft, pulsing light. The rhythm was unfamiliar, but she found her hands moving, perfectly in time Suddenly, the moss spread across the ground and ceiling, cyan grass sprouting in oddly placed clusters, then it ceased, all of this wondrous growth, waiting patiently for her? She lifted her hands gingerly, then bolder, flinching as trees burst upwards, their gnarled, twisted trunks unravelling, roots puncturing the ground with forceful stabs of effort that made her heart leap with fright It was as if she knew how to use this strange force around her since she had been bor n- but that couldn’t be true! Although her body still moved, the caver n now a luscious paradise of plants, filled with tropical scented flowers, pink, blue, gold you name it, every colour imaginable was likely represented in there Eventually, the performance soon came to a close, and Bethany gaped in wonder at everything she had just randomly conjured up, a so-called ‘power’ her parents had spoken of

“If I have the power to do this, perhaps I can make a change some other way ” , she muttered, her eyes suddenly alight with an idea, sparkling like diamonds With the bud of an idea blooming in her mind, Bethany set off to put a right to the wrongs of the world - most especially the ones caused by a certain number of people that may or may not be known as the Carcasses

Amelia Dean - Year 7

Exam News 2024

Empowered girls with excellent A-level and GCSE results

Exam results days are greeted with an understandable mix of nerves and excitement; not only is it a recognition of study, commitment and drive but it is also a door for individuals to step through in order to start the next chapter of their story

On both A-Level and GCSE results day there were smiles, cheers and hugs on the Quad or in Jubilee Hall I am immensely proud of the achievements of all of our students; they have made significant contributions to our school community balancing academic studies with leadership roles and a diverse array of extracurricular activities while focusing on personal development This is especially so for our GCSE cohort given they started their secondary schooling during the pandemic; this definitely had an impact on some more than others, making the day even more about their individual stories and their destinations

Over one-third of students achieved grades 8 or 9 with 10 students achieving nine or more 9-8 grades (formerly straight A*s) Indeed, 38 students were awarded at least one of those coveted Grade 9s. Indeed, across the full range of ability at Wakefield Girls’, we have students who have achieved results considerably higher than their benchmark expectations

At A-level, over two-thirds of the students achieved A*-B grades at A-level; among these 10 students celebrated achieving at least 3 A*-A grades Once again Wakefield Girls’ ambitious students have secured places to study a variety of disciplines at their first-choice universities, including prestigious institutions such as King’s College London, Bristol, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Nottingham, Loughborough, Edinburgh, Warwick, York and Exeter Disciplines range from Classics, Law, Psychology, Dentistry, Science with an increasing number with career end goals such as Physiotherapy, early-childhood education, professional policing and nursing

In summary, once again I am delighted to celebrate this group of young people for their determination, commitment and grit I know they will continue to strive for the highest possible standards in all their endeavours and I wish each of them great success in their future paths. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my talented colleagues who have consistently provided inspiring teaching and unwavering support

Heidi-Jayne Boyes

Cambridge Chemistr y Race

Te a m W G e H S t ra ve l t o C a m b r i d g e C h e m i s t r y R a c e

Team WGeHS (cleverly named because W Ge H and S are all symbols from the periodic table) travelled down to Cambridge with the QEGS team on Saturday 10th February 2024 to participate in the prestigious Cambridge Chemistry Race After the opening ceremony, teams of five worked together to solve chemistry problems with only the use of written notes and textbooks (no smartphones allowed) Whilst the winning team was being decided our students had the opportunity to tour around Cambridge and its Colleges

Dr Duerden-Brown - Head of Chemistry

The Cambridge Chemistry Race was filled with challenging questions, testing all areas of the chemistry syllabus combined with biology and physics knowledge to get your brain in gear and thinking outside of the box Some of the questions involved working out the mass of a needed substance in order to get the wanted mass of a product while others required balancing equations and deducing complex structures of molecules The questions were extremely stretching as they required out of the box thinking and full concentration to solve correctly The whole day was a great experience which I thoroughly enjoyed and it definitely tested my knowledge and also showed how much I already know and how I can use this knowledge to solve problems

Emily Norther n - Year 13

What’s in our Water?

At the end of Year 9, our current Year 10 Chemistry students visited the National Coal Mining Museum and experienced a stretch and challenge day in order to prepare them for their GCSE potable water topic This was organised in conjunction with the outreach department at Huddersfield University, and was entitled ‘What’s in our Water?’ Students lear ned about pollutants in water alongside collecting and analysing samples of river water from around the site The students had a guided tour of the mine and a grand day out was had by all

Dr Duerden-Brown - Head of Chemistry

Team WGeHS

‘Super Sugar Candy Store’ Schools’ Analyst Competition 2024

On Thursday 9th May, Wakefield Girls’ Year 12 Chemistry A-level students took part in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Schools’ Analyst Competition. This national competition enables students to demonstrate and expand on their existing chemistry knowledge, skills and aptitude for analytical science through practical experiments based on relevant societal or industrial problems In this year’s competition students worked in three teams of three as analytical chemists and were tasked with investigating some unusual products on sale at 'Super Sugar Candy Store'. The students completed tasks including titration, chromatography and volumetric analysis to determine if the items were safe for consumption and had the correct ingredients on the packaging On completion of their experiments, teams uploaded their results and answered a series of challenging questions

Dr Duerden-Brown - Head of Chemistry

Team 1: Kareena, Eve and Jae

Team 2: Lily-Anna, Aisha and Evie Team 3: Charlotte, Lynne and Tilly

British Physics Olympiad

Year 12 and 13 Physics students took on the challenge of the British Physics Olympiad, joining 3,137 students from 482 schools The Olympiad is not an A-level test The paper is to challenge a range of student knowledge, preparation and ability, allowing access for good students, whilst also aiming at stretching and challenging the top young physicists in the country in a national competition These problems are not easy, and it is quite reasonable to get stuck. Students grappled with problems ranging from the classic ‘plank leaning on a wall’ to the more esoteric such as the flow of air around wind turbines, the forces on hot air balloons and the motion of GPS satellites.

Students should not worry about the few at the top end for whom competitive problem solving appeals, but consider how they have developed their problem solving skills to tackle these questions. This is the skill that universities are looking for The actual result is really of little importance to universities; it genuinely is the taking part that matters - that is the indication of intent and interest that universities are looking for All students attained a Commendation, with Leina Tordoff achieving a Bronze level certificate They all enjoyed the challenge, and have been able to apply the skills that they have gained to their progress in their A-level Physics

Mr Hannard - Head of Physics

Year 13 Biology Field Trip

In October, our Year 13 A-level students set off on their three day field trip to Filey and Scarborough During this trip they were completing a major practical activity, required for their A-level Biology practical skills endorsement

Here are Year 13 student Amina’s thoughts on the trip:

“As part of our A-level Biology curriculum, Year 13 had a fantastic time at Filey and Scarborough as we completed exciting investigations on the rocky shore From marking dog whelks and counting limpets to investigating the distribution of different types of brown seaweed, as well as having free time out in Scarborough on an evening, it was a memorable experience that we shared together and one we will never forget ”

Year 10 Biology Challenge

In May, our Year 10 took part in the Biology Challenge, an online quiz-style competition open to 13-15 year old students They completed two quizzes, covering aspects of the school curriculum, but also drawing on wider knowledge from natural history programmes, news media of biological interest and general natural flora and fauna

Riya won a gold certificate with a score in the top 5%, with over 45,000 students taking part. Olivia, Keira and Kaitlin all won silver awards, with scores in the top 15% of participants

Dr Barber - Head of Biology

Creat ure Ark visit 2024

The girls (and staff!) in Junior School were really thrilled to meet so many amazing and fascinating animals at the end of May when Mags from Creature Ark came to visit.

As part of our Science work across Juniors, we learned all about vertebrates and invertebrates, how animals adapt to their vironment, food chains and animal diets as well as meeting some wonderful creatures up close We saw and held snakes, tarantulas and rats (who were absolutely gorgeous!) and a hedgehog and tortoise, who did a full lap inside the Year 3 circle of girls! We were surprised how speedy she was. Some classes also saw giant cockroaches, a lizard and a pair of mischievous guinea pigs. It was so good to hear such positive and enthusiastic comments from everyone and it was clearly a great success We learned so much from ur session with Mags and her animals, and we do hope she will visit us again

Year 4 d eepen their und ers tanding of living th ings and their ha bitats at Fairburn Ings

Year 4 thoroughly enjoyed their visit to Fairbur n Ings to deepen their understanding of living things and their habitats The students were very excited to explore varied habitats at the centre They took careful observations of plants and animals using magnifying glasses and used data logging equipment to measure conditions, such as light levels and ground moisture, in the different habitats The students also showed great skill in using classification keys to correctly identify the creatures they found in their pond dipping activity

Year 3 Science visit to Meanwood Valley Urban Farm

The Year 3 pupils had a delightful time venturing beyond the confines of the classroom, as they paid a visit to Meanwood Valley Urban Farm in Leeds The youngest members of our student body were filled with excitement, as they were given the invaluable opportunity to engage in hands-on practical activities that complemented their Science lear ning Meanwood Valley Urban Farm served as a picturesque setting for their exploration of rocks, their characteristics, and the properties of soils In fact, the students even tried their hand at creating their own soil and proudly brought back the wormeries they had crafted to showcase at school The girls were exemplary ambassadors for the school, displaying impeccable manners throughout the visit This outing proved to be an exceptional means of enhancing their educational jour ney; we extend our gratitude to the entire staff at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm for providing us with such a brilliant experience

Y O U ’ L L L I K E

T H E W A Y W E

V A L U E S M I L E S

A S W E L L A S

S U C C E S S

The Duke of Edinburgh Awards

Silver DofEa fantas tic experience or laug ha bly awful? Elean or Wray reflects on her journey throug h the Duke of Edinburg h’s Award Scheme

I started Silver DofE in the autumn of Year 10, having blindly swor n that I would never even consider it after doing Bronze That U-tur n proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made

Throughout my Silver experience, I was able to have uniquely memorable experiences (some fantastic, some laughably awful,) and gain skills and confidence throughout all of my sections Greatest highlights include: the day that I found a signed autobiography of Leonard Nimoy (worth over £100) while working in an Oxfam charity shop; the first time that I was allowed to demonstrate a skill in the boxing class that I took for my Physical section; and the time on our expedition that we found a church with free tea and coffee for hikers However, as anyone who has completed a DofE award will know, it is the school award that proves the most challenging, but provides the best stories If you find someone buried in route planning, volunteer applications and equipment hire forms, and tell them that they’ll miss it while wringing out their socks in the rain on a pub bench in the Peak District, they might call you an idiot

But it’s true that I was at my happiest on the gargantuan Silver walks with my team, singing our way through the entire discography of Frozen and The Greatest Showman Even though now, a year on, still no-one will accept responsibility for getting us lost in a field full of sheep bones, I would still say with confidence that I had the best team imaginable I ended up missing Silver so much that I had to live vicariously through my role as DofE Student Leader, helping Year 9 with route planning while waiting to become eligible for Gold This experience caused me to realise my deepest, darkest secret: I really love maps

Eleanor Wray - Year 11

Perfectly

This year has been music-filled, starting with Founders’ Day and featuring so many performances and workshops in and out of school and ending with a musical tour to Scotland.

Our Folk Music Inspire Day in November was truly inspiring! Local folk singer, arranger and fiddler, Bryony Griffith, gave pupils from across the Foundation perfectly pitched insights into how to create effective folk performances Bryony has released several albums and frequently performs concerts around the country GCSE students from QEGS and WGHS worked on arranging folk songs and our WGHS Folk Band improved their skills for accompanying dances Our Year 5 pupils lear ned folk dance steps, accompanied by the band and we had a mini-ceilidh in an informal twilight concert with parents, which had pupils, staff and parents dancing around the Jubilee Hall accompanied by our folk band We continued our folk dancing in a well attended Bur ns Night Ceilidh in January. We had a wonderful band with dancing led by the Doonan family Holroyd Howe provided a tasty pie and pea supper and we raised funds for the PTA and for the Music Tour to Scotland

At our Christmas Concerts the audience were entertained by eight brilliant bands each night who played a range of Christmas and other songs. The first night was kicked off by the Brass Band where Douglas Haigh performed a solo of ‘Lullaby’ which was followed by Nonsensical The audience experienced a change of pace from Nonsensical’s rock style

when the Key Stage 3 choir performed their two moving pieces Another change of pace followed this with Funk Band bringing the tempo right back up. After the interval, the second half of night one was started by our Senior Concert Band who played a movement from Vaughan Williams’ Folk Song Suite and a lively Christmas mambo piece Percussion ensemble played a very recognisable pop song by Coldplay which was followed by the extremely polished Intermediate Swing Band Night one was finished with our Senior Orchestra who played a medley from the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ film score and Christmas pieces. There were so many musical talents on show during both of these concerts

Pitched

The second night of the concerts was started with two powerful pieces by Foundation Chorus, directed by Kumbi Katema, who were followed by Electric Ensemble 1 who took the audience back to both the 1970’s and the early 2000’s with their songs The Intermediate Concert Band then filled the hall with Christmas cheer with their two Christmas pieces and afterwards Junior Swing Band delighted the audience with ‘Basin Street Blues’ To finish the first half, Mantabile performed three songs, featuring expressive soloists Electric Ensemble brought everyone back together at the start of the second half of the concert with some 80’s/90’s classics which were followed by the Senior String Orchestra performing two brilliant pieces At the end of the two amazing nights of concerts the final performance was by the Swing Foundation, who treated the audience to four pieces with fantastic solos from each section Overall, both nights were jam packed with great music and it was great to see all of the hard work that both the students and staff had put into these ensembles

In March, we had the pleasure of welcoming Christian Jones (bass trombonist with the orchestra of Opera North) to adjudicate the Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 House Music Celebration The evening featured thirteen talented performers and instruments were heard from voice to drum kit, demonstrating a very impressive range of talents. After

listening to all of the wonderful performanc our students, Christian Jones gave individual feedback to each performer and selected his favourites His chosen performance from Key Stage 4 was Bella Boswell’s ‘Green Finch and Linnet Bird’ from Sweeny Todd which she sang His favourite performance from Key Stage 5 was ‘Hear ye, Israel!’ by Mendelssohn and sung by Kumbi Katema Both students received house points and Musician of the Year trophies

Mrs Bentham - Director of Music

Overall, both nights were jam packed with great music and it was great to see all of the hard work that both the students and staff had put into these ensembles “ ”

Inter House Young Musician of the Year:

Congratulations Fei Fei and Cayla!

Our annual Inter House Young Musician of the Year was an inspiring event with every single junior school pupil taking part in the preliminary heats, often on multiple instruments. Mr Meredith had the difficult job of adjudicating our final and after naming winners of sections chose Fei Fei as our 2024 Under 9 Young Musician of the Year and Cayla as our Under 11 Winner - both pupils were pianists and performed at the Junior Speech Day Once again Mackie was triumphant in maintaining the House Trophy for the highest number of points awarded during the course of the competition

The Magic of Chris tmas Music

Christmas proved as busy as usual: Year 5 and 6 pupils were involved in Wakefield Hospice’s Light Up A Life Concert Series, raising money for the Hospice. Putting on a lively performance of Rock around the Flock, the concert also allowed us to spotlight the Suzuki Violins, Under 11 Choir and we also heard from our fabulous Senior Flute Ensemble The Under 11 Choir also had two guest choir concerts, both of them at Wakefield Cathedral, the first with Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir. This has become a regular feature of our concert calendar and always proves a highly enjoyable event for both pupils and parents The second was a new engagement to appear at St Austin’s Choir’s Lunchtime Concert, again providing our girls with wonderful additional performance opportunities as well as getting them to perform within the community. Our Year 3 and 4 pupils put on their Christma Production of Baa Baa Bethlehem at St Austin’s Church, again a highly enjoyable performance with some highly memorable moments, this concert also featured our Under 9 Choir and the Year 3 and 4 Suzuki Group

Ver ve and energy at the Junior Spring Concer t

An enormous variety of music was provided from our instrumental and vocal ensembles “ ”

Our annual Junior Spring Concert was a true celebration of all things musical An enormous variety of music was provided from our instrumental and vocal ensembles: Junior Brass Group marching in from the back, Junior Percussion Ensemble giving a rousing and rhythmic performance, Junior Flute Group giving an elegant performance, Suzuki Violins playing a highly complicated programme, Four Hands, our newly formed group allowing pianists to perform as a duet, Junior Concert Band giving the concert a lively start, Junior String Ensemble providing a highly entertaining and upbeat performance, Under 9 Choir and Under 11 Choir singing beautifully in parts We also invited once again our Year 2 Choir to come and perform and they sang with so much verve and energy, and for the first time ever our Year 2 Suzuki Violins, who had only been learning since October, featured in the Suzuki Violin spot We also heard from our two highly talented Young Musicians of the Year, Fei Fei and Cayla who relished the opportunity to perform on a grand piano! The concert culminated in a massed choral item involving all 140 pupils that were taking part and of course with an opportunity for parents to sing along as well

Mrs White - Head of Music

Carousel WGSF

Carousel was our February WGSF musical that joined both WGHS and QEGS together. Rehearsals brought everyone closer and we managed to make a spectacular final performance. Every person from the cast and crew had an amazing experience from rehearsal to closing night At first, we were unfamiliar with the material but rehearsals continued and the show grew into what it became

Timothy Spawforth, who played Billy Bigelow, said: “Carousel proved to be one of the most ambitious endeavours we have faced thus far, as the cast and crew tackled a far more serious musical than any I have seen during my time at the Foundation due to the mature themes of this show Though at first we struggled to convey these themes right at the start, we worked hard to be able to show everyone that we could pull this show off ”

Carousel proved to be one of the most ambitious endeavours we have faced thus far “ ”

The Cast of Carousel

Carrie Pepperidge Bella Boswell

Julie Jordan Mae Deakin

Mrs Mullin Evie Wright

Billy Bigelow Timothy Spawforth

David Bascombe Raza Tauseeque

Nettie Fowler Amelie Williams

Enoch Snow Oscar Smith

Jigger Craigin William Priest

Enoch Snow Jr Rayan Shahzad

Starkeeper / Ensemble Emily Oldroyd

Louise Matilda Bellas Crookes

Hannah Sophie May

Arminy Lola Wooler

Bessie Molly Butterworth

Jessie Gabrielle Estlin

Penny Ruby Kay

Jennie Yasmin Tempest

Virginia Cece Langrick

Nettie's Girl Jaime Joyce

1st Policeman / Sailor Tanaka Katema

2nd Policeman / Sailor Ayan Sinha

Miss Snow - Ensemble Eleanor Terry

Captain / Sailor Ayan Sinha

1st Heavenly Friend / Ensemble Alana Glennan

2nd Heavenly Friend / Ensemble Isabella Robinson

Principal / Ensemble Alice Simmons

Doctor Seldon / Sailor Joshua Lilwonde

Acrobat / Ensemble Lily Kitson

Carnival Boy / Sailor Alexander Day

Snow children / Ensemble Anika Sinha

Snow childreen / Sailor Jamie Best

Snow Children / Sailor Nick Robins

Snow Children / Ensemble Lydia Garrad-Ingram

Snow Children / Ensemble Grace Shilling

Fisherman / Sailor Luke Gallagher

Fisherman / Sailor James Taylor

Fisherman / Sailor Theo Martin

Beauty of Europe / Ensemble Molly Inglesfield

Beauty of Europe / Ensemble Tilly Marshall

Beauty of Europe / Ensemble Daisy Hobbs

Carnival Barker/ Ensemble Poppy Chappell

Big Sister / Ensemble Maisie Cunliffe

Carousel

Throughout the rehearsals, we, as a cast, fell in love with the story, the characters and its overarching message of hope and redemption “ ”

Oscar Smith, who played Enoch Snow, had this to say about our jour ney to understand these difficult themes: “I think that, among the cast, there were some initial concer ns with the play It deals with some rather serious themes and the mid-20th representation of these differ from what we now may consider to be socially acceptable. It was such a change of atmosphere from our other productions but, as always, we had faith in Mr Besford’s choice Throughout the rehearsals, we, as a cast, fell in love with the story, the characters and its overarching message of hope and redemption.”

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of Dr Durell and the stage crew everything came together nicely Lucy Prentice, one of many hardworking stage crew members, said: “I had a really enjoyable experience working on the Carousel production and had lots of fun interacting with the cast and staff Everyone worked well together, and everyone on the cast and crew was equally passionate about making the production as seamless as possible ”

Carousel was an amazing experience, a great success and one of the kindest environments in theatre I have ever experienced “ ”

Finally, Mr Meredith deserves a big thank you for making all the music and songs come to life His fun and quirky warm ups brought joy to us all Alana Glennan, who played Heavenly Friend, had this to say about the people involved in the show: “Carousel was an amazing experience, a great success and one of the kindest environments in theatre I have ever experienced. The cast and crew are so talented and I’ve made friends with so many lovely people because of it ”

All in all, Carousel was one of my favourite shows I have ever performed in theatre I’d like to finish with one final quote from SALT member, Marlon Walsh: “Even from the sidelines, I know I’ll never walk alone ”

Evie

Wright

- Year 9

Key Stage 3 presents...

Fr o z e n

J

u n i o r

My experience of being in the Frozen Junior show is a memorable one, from lear ning the songs and dances to chaotic backstage prep, every moment has been full of smiles and laughter One of my favourite moments was when I first saw all the costumes, as that was when it really hit me that the show was going to be great I have met many new people and made many new friends, these I am sure I will keep for a long time When I asked some of my friends what their experience of the Frozen Junior show had been I got many responses, for example:

“I think it was really fun, I enjoyed learning the dances and songs!” - Alex (One of the Hidden People)

“It’s been a wonderful, enlightening experience and a great production as my last junior show!” - Evie (One of the Snow Chorus)

However we couldn’t have had any of this experience without the teachers From helping us lear n the actions, lines and getting the costumes sorted, to supervising sound, light and the backstage crew, they did a brilliant job! After this amazing production my friends and I are looking forward to being involved in future school shows!

Harriet Sanderson - Year 7

Young Anna

Penelope Bellas-Crookes

Middle Anna

Emilia Callaghan

Anna

Harriet Womack

Young Elsa

Mathilda Cunliffe

Middle Elsa

Lydia Hill

Elsa

Lucy Keyworth

King Agnarr

Luke Gallagher

Queen Iduna

Leshantey Bonsu Mensah

Pabbie

Annie Earnshaw

Bulda

Jaime Joyce

Bishop

Edward Williams

Kristoff

Theo Fisher

Sven

Ruby Kay

Hans

Alex Day

Weselton

Danny Le

Olaf

James Skipp

Oaken

Will Anderton

Townspeople

Anna-Maria Jayarajasingam

Anika Sinha

Zoya Khan

Daisy Hobbs

Tara Rehal

Bintou Sanyang

Amelia Dean

Esme Hill

Hana Aza

Snow Chorus

Evie Wright

Ella Woodhouse

Harriet Sanderson

Grace Schilling

Poppy Chappell

Sienna Pearson

Adrina Yavari

Hidden Folk

Kamsy Mba

Lydia Sykes

Millie Booth

Alex MacInnes

Thea Ryder

Anniyah Khan

Butler

Nick Robins

Handmaiden

Sam Kumar Cook

Amaya Khan

Steward

Phoebe Lyth Guard

Jay Worby Guard

Matthew Chen

Oaken Family

Zoya Khan

Lydia Garrad-Ingram

James Liwonde

Elizabeth Bowett

Evie Walton

Eleanor Terry

Summer Chorus

Bintou Sanyang

Anwitha Amalakatta

Elia Abbatiello-Crosthwaite

Dixie Portman-Wright

Harriet Jackson

Emila Callaghan

Grace Shilling

Rachel Cliff

ahesha Theivanather

Year 6 present…

ShakespeareRocks

On Monday 24th June, we were so excited to welcome family and friends of the Foundation to Jubilee Hall for our annual Year 6 summer production Our Year 6 students have been studying the fascinating work of William Shakespeare and some of his most well-known plays This gave us inspiration to choose the hilariously entertaining ‘Shakespeare Rocks’ as our Year 6 summer production! The musical features some factually correct information about the life and work of Shakespeare, whilst also highlighting some of the more out-dated concepts within his plays

Here is a brief synopsis: “Aubrey, The Rough Shakespeare Company’s pretentious director, obtains what appears to be William Shakespeare’s lost diary

Along with Al, his down to earth assistant, the pair decide to embark on an exclusive adaptation of the flamboyant Bard’s personal jour nal ”

The performance included seven songs filled with clever lyrics, which were upbeat and full of energy; we were so impressed by how our students sang their hearts out Thank you to Assistant Director of Music Mrs White who helped us prepare all of the musical numbers! Similarly, thank you to all the staff members involved in leading this production: Foundation Director of Drama

Mr Besford, Mrs White, Mrs Grundy and Miss Coe

A huge thank you to: Mrs Patrick, Mrs McGrath, Ms Robson, Ms Gibson and Mrs Moorhouse who worked tirelessly to create the wonderful props and costumes

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our two performances, we had such a brilliant time organising the production and we hope you had just as much fun watching it

Miss Coe and Mrs Grundy

The performance included seven songs filled with clever lyrics, which were upbeat and full of energy; we were so impressed by how our students sang their hearts out

Meet the cast

Bernie

Holly Parker

Beth

Tilda Palmer

Beer seller

Lilly Hanley

Apple seller

Emily Queen

Painters

Evelyn Rutter

Olivia Keyworth

Pippa King

Cayla Pan

Fans

Arya McAdam

Georgie Morritt

Mila Pickup

Sophia Ferreira Patricio

Sorcerers

Laurie Stavely

Aurelia Bullen

Nadia Delliou

Anayah Hassnain

Abby Walker

Beryl

Mimi Varley

Babs

Keona Anderson

Will’s family

Keona Anderson

Lana Mellor

Nitya Gutta

Men

Evelyn Dyer

Megan Kirk

Hamda Azam

Nimi Rehal

Women

Keona Anderson

Nitya Gutta

Lana Mellor

Niamh Cooper

Actors

Evelyn Rutter

Nimi Rehal

Hamda Azam

Pippa King

Heckler

Elsie Walton

Builders

Elsie Walton

Niamh Cooper

Minstrels

Elsie Walton

Aurelia Bullen

Mimi Varley

Hamda Azam

Tilda Palmer

Artgallery

Here’s a selection of some of the amazing talent from our A-level exam s t ud ents

Flora Wh itfield

Khadi jah Sarwar

Isa belle Wh ittaker

Farrah Abdalla

Emerson Jackson

Kate Lawrenson

Elean or Cooke

Heather Bullers

Artgallery

Here’s a selection of some of the amazing talent from our GCSE exam s t ud ents

Fleur Hornsby

Tia Patel

Soha Nasir

Aimee Woodhead

Ella Hartshorne

Madi Aitkin

Victoria Marchlinska

Anna belle Apperley

Ga brielle Es tlin

Eva Noad

Bella Boswell

Mallory Wigglesworth

Molly Inglesfield

Artgallery

Here’s a selection of some of the amazing talent from our A-level and GCSE exam s t ud ents

Jessica Danforth

Musa Eroje

Olivia Brown

Izzy Giles

Lucia Partridge

So ph ia Hilton

Freya Sheahan

Henrietta Langrick

Grace Vintin

Sara Sarlak Ch iva

Ruby Caton Heilos

Grace Vintin

Harriet Randall

V i s u a l A r t s

E x h i b i t i o n 2 0 2 4

The Visual Arts Exhibition showcased the incredible talent and artistic journey of our students from Year 3 through to Year 13.

The Christian Science Church was transformed into a vibrant gallery, filled with a diverse range of artwork Paintings, sculptures, textiles samples and mixed media pieces adorned the walls, each telling a different story

The event was well-attended by students, parents, teachers, and members of the community. It was heartwarming to see the support and preciation for our budding artists The exhibition provided a platform for our students to not only showcase their work but also engage with the wider community The exhibition served as a source of inspiration for our younger students. Witnessing the artistic growth of their seniors has motivated them to explore their own creative potential We are proud to foster a nurturing environment that ncourages artistic expression and s our students to flourish.

Year 7 learn a bout

David Hockney at Salts Mill

In May,Year 7 students had the opportunity to visit the Salts Mill Gallery to explore the artwork of the renowned artist, David Hockney This visit provided them with a valuable experience to see Hockney’s work in a gallery setting and further their lear ning outside of the classroom

Year 8 Trip to Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepwor th

In October, Year 8 students had a great trip to The Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Gallery where they had an action packed day They looked at sculptures from Erwin Wurm, Henry Moore, Daniel Arsham and Barbara Hepworth, alumna of Wakefield Girls’, at the sculpture park. It is always of special significance for our students to visit the Hepworth They explored the permanent collection which includes the work of Barbara Hepworth and also exhibitions of female British sculptors and the paintings of Hurvin Anderson

The main focus of the trip was investigating the work of Barbara Hepworth, as inspiration for a sculpture project Year 8 are creating in class. The students particularly enjoyed sketching Hepworth’s ‘The Family of Man’ at Yorkshire Sculpture park Luckily, everyone managed to avoid most of the rain during the day!

Mr Spall

Before the visit to the Salts Mill Gallery, the Year 7 students conducted research into David Hockney’s artwork They studied his techniques, colour choices, and subject matter This research helped them gain a deeper understanding of Hockney’s artistic style and provided inspiration for their own digital drawings.

During the visit to the Salts Mill Gallery, the students had the opportunity to see a wide range of Hockney’s artwork up close and to create their own drawings in sketchbooks They observed his use of colour, composition, and perspective in various paintings and digital drawings This firsthand experience allowed the students to appreciate the details and techniques used by Hockney in his artwork.

Mrs Vare

Barbara Hepworth inspired sculpture

Harrie, Eleanor and Vasudha getting up close to a Henry Moore

A R T I S T S A L LY G I L F O R D D E L I V E R S S C R E E N P R I N T I N G W O R KS H O P

Inspiration comes from meeting inspiring people, which is why we were thrilled to be joined by artist Sally Gilford, as she delivered a workshop for our GCSE and A-level Art and Textiles students – focusing on screen printing

Sally’s bold and playful work is displayed in galleries across the country, including: Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Castlefield Gallery, Salford Museum & Gallery, The Lowry in Salford, and Open Eye Gallery in Liverpool In particular, she specialises in the process of photo screen printing We recently admired some of her pieces during a visit to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, hence students were extremely excited to lear n these techniques from her first-hand. All of the work they created and the new skills mastered will help to develop and enrich their examined portfolios

The joy of having free reign to experiment with colours and placement

Amelia Parkin - Year 1 2

“Year 12 Art and Textiles students participated in a screen printing workshop with Sally Gilford, a Yorkshire-based screen printing artist whose work focuses on biological imagery I really enjoyed this workshop as it allowed me to experiment with a new technique using imagery relevant to my A-level project, all under the watchful eye of an artist who certainly knows what she’s doing

As the school day drew to a close, we were delighted to welcome parents to join a ‘Parent-Daughter Screen-printing Workshop’ Parents and students were welcomed into the Textiles studio to get their hands messy and experiment with beautiful oil-paints, nibble on snacks and refreshments, all whilst socialising and getting to spend quality time with family and friends from the Foundation We really enjoy hosting these Parent-daughter workshops, and are very grateful to Sally for spending the after noon with us at Wakefield Girls’ Mrs Critch - Head of Textiles Put a little birdhouse in your soul!

Earlier this year Mr Ryding asked if the Design and Technology department could help to support the schools bid to gain ECO status and we were all in a twitter about rising to the challenge!

Some of our finest Year 8 Design and Technology Mini Makers have been busy making a plethora of cosy abodes for our feathered friends We wanted to create a real avian haven, a community, where our winged visitors could seek sanctuary and nest safely and so we

Screen printing is a controlled dyeing technique where ink is pushed through a silk screen, and a paper stencil creates the pattern on the fabric by preventing the ink from getting all the way through These images can be large or intricate, and create a great background with complex colour overlaps which look amazing on their own or when developed further My favourite part of this technique is the control you get with the use of stencils but the creative freedom in how you layer the pieces and combine colours, which Sally Gilford led us through seamlessly

We were given free reign to experiment with colours and placement, but were led through the process by Sally, with demonstrations of different ways to use the technique and ongoing support, in picking images and making sure the ink transferred properly This workshop was very useful and very fun, giving me a technique I will continue to use moving forward ”

set about making a whole village We have a bakery, a florist, sweetshop, Post Office and even a haunted house We used sustainable materials and developed our making skills by using both traditional hand tools, workshop machines and equipment and also CAD/CAM. We are really looking forward to installing them in their different locations across the Foundation site and can’t wait to see who moves in

Mrs Cair ns - Head of Design and Technology

JUNIOR SECTION:

O U ’ L L L O V E T H E W A Y R E S I L I E N C E , D E T E R M I N A T I O N A N D F U N A R E K E Y T O S U C C E S S F O R W G H S

Exciting finish line battles for our CROSS COUNTRY runners

Huge congratulations to all the Junior Section runners who participated in the Foundation House Cross Country competition The courses were differentiated for each age group and took the runners around the playing fields of both WGHS and QEGS. Resilience and determination were demonstrated throughout the after noon which resulted in some exciting finish line battles In addition to this, our Year 6 runners competed in two other races which were part of the Wakefield Schools’ series and despite competing against older students, all runners enjoyed the experiences and finished in creditable positions

Cross country at QEGS

House Cross Country

Quarter finals for our competitive HOCKEY players

Hockey fixtures were played against a wide range of opponents and there were some very competitive games, where true grit and determination shone through The Under 11 hockey squad competed at the regional IAPS tour nament at Loughborough Grammar School where they reached the quarter finals of the plate and were beaten on penalty flicks by Laxton Primary School The U11 squad also qualified to compete in the Yorkshire round of the In2Hockey competition Although they played well they didn’t progress to the North final and finished in 3rd position in their pool

There were some very competitive games, where true grit and determination shone through “ ”

NETBALL is fas t flowing and s trong in our Junior Section

We have had a good amount of success in our netball fixtures where our teams played some fast flowing, competitive netball This has included 54 students playing across U10 and 11 A, B and C teams With 64 students attending regular squad and development training sessions our netball is certainly looking strong

IAPS Hockey - Regionals at Loughborough

U10 and 11 Hockey goalkeepers

U10 Netball vs Hymers

Christmas Netball Tour nament

Plenty

of catches,

wickets, 4’s and 6’s for our Junior CRICKET squads

Our U10 and 11 cricket squads played Barlborough Hall in the first pairs cricket game of the season There were some excellent batting and fielding skills played by all students who worked hard to put the skills into action that they have been working on over the past few weeks Both matches were competitive but our astute fielding and powerful striking saw us win both games with catches, wickets, 4’s and 6’s being the order of the day

Both matches were competitive but our astute fielding and powerful striking saw us win both games “ ”

U10 Cricket squad Vs Barlborough

U11 Cricket squad Vs Barlborough Hall

Talented Year 5 and 6

s t ud ents compete in SWIMMING events

Students in Year 5 and 6 participated in individual and relay events at the IAPS time trials held at Queen Ethelburga’s The students enjoyed the experience but unfortunately we didn’t have any students qualify for the National finals this year In addition to this we entered two teams in the ESSA relays at GSAL This was another event where our swimmers had the opportunity to showcase their talent.

Another event where our swimmers had the opportunity to showcase their talent “ ”

You’ll love our fun

HOUSE EVENTS

It has been a busy year at the Junior Section with lots of House events taking place across a number of sports. These include hockey, netball, dance, cross country and this year an additional event of House cricket was included for Years 5 and 6

U10 Cricket squad Vs Barlborough

Year 4 House Netball Winners

House Dance Winners

SPORTS PRESENTATION EVENING 2024

On Friday 17th May, we held our annual Sports Presentation Evening giving us the opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the success and progress we have achieved as a school community across a multitude of sports. Over the course of the evening we had the pleasure of listening to all of our Sports captains and representatives delivering their speeches, sharing recollections of the tour to South Africa last summer and a review of the sports and superb accomplishments they have achieved in Athletics, Tennis, Indoor Cricket, Indoor Hockey, Hockey, Netball, Hockey, Volleyball and Equestrian

We were delighted to welcome Sarah Bellew as our guest speaker for the evening Sarah is Head of Communication and Engagement at Women in Sport and is responsible for raising the profile of the charity to shine a light on gender inequality in sport and physical activity to inspire change. An award-winning jour nalist, Sarah has 20 years of experience in media relations, working for national and inter national media brands, developing and delivering strategic communications and content for both commercial and not-for-profit organisations. Sarah has a lifelong love of sport and currently plays Touch rugby for England, through which she’s gained two European gold medals and a World Cup bronze medal.

Special presentations were also made to our Year 13 leavers whose accomplishments ranged from so many sports from Dance and Synchronised Swimming to Cricket and Volleyball Kate Lawrenson was awarded the most improved and valued player for her contributions to Volleyball, showing resilience and excellent leadership skills and despite being injured showing a willingness to lear n and develop her tactical awareness in coaching and training sessions.

Individual students were also special recognition for their achievements this year and prizes and medals were awarded to the following students:

MEDALS:

Molly Robinson (Tennis) and Tilly Simms (Table Tennis)

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Libby Cree (Hockey), Lucy Crook (Hockey), Henny Gibson (Hockey), Lilly Mae Wood (Badminton), Lucy Prentice (Karate), Amelia Parkin (Karate), Megan Rosendale (Volleyball) Nancy Tidy (Netball), Maddy Ducker (Netball) and Maddie Fish (Synchronised Swimming)

Mrs Robinson - Director of Sport

VOLLEYBALL:

The volleyball bug!

U15 volleyballers enjoy playing in England Grand Prix and U18 WG HS squad beat QEGS n ot once but twice!

The volleyball bug continues to grow at WGHS, with players from Years 7 to 13 attending practices on a weekly basis. This year we have competed in both the U15 and the U18 Volleyball England Grand Prix competitions, in which both age groups have faced tough competition from clubs across the north of England. The improvement in skill and tactical understanding of the game is evident this season, and the hardwork and dedication to training has paid off, as both teams won matches at every tournament that we entered Most notably the U15 A and B teams who made it through to the silver pool placing 2nd and 3rd, which is a fantastic achievement as some of the players were new to the sport this year The U18 team have had some brilliant success over the last term, in which they had a convincing 3 set win over Greenhead College, and took on the Year 12 QEGS boys to beat them on not one but two occasions, even when they came equipped with a dedicated manager and assistant manager who had England Volleyball playing experience! The Year 12 boys have loved playing so much that selection is now underway to have the very first WGHS/QEGS mixed team to take on Greenhead before the end of the year, so watch this space

U18 in action

U18 team

U15 Volleyball Squad

U15 team

U18 mixed Team

DANCE:

Showcasing Junior and Senior DANCE at WG HS

This year all winning groups from the House Dance finals from Year 3 through to Year 6 performed in the Dance Evening at QEGS theatre Six additional dances were selected from the Dance showcases, which were held for students in Year 5 and 6. The chosen showcase dances included a solo performance, duets and trios In total 34 students from the Junior Section joined with students from the Senior Section to perform at the event The evening showcased a variety of dance styles, including country dancing, cheerleading, acro, ballet, Bollywood, tap and lyrical which were complemented by some popular music and vivid costumes

EQUESTRIAN:

Dressage team shines at Hickstead Winter Championships, finishing 12th nationally

This season we have had many successes and qualifications For the summer championships Tilly qualified for the 105cm jumping with style and showjumping classes, and enjoyed a successful weekend at the Championships at Addington For the winter championships the team qualified for the open dressage, with Isobel and Tilly also qualifying as individuals In the pop up dressage Isla clocked up many individual wins and finished second overall in the intro league to qualify for the championships In jumping Tilly qualified for the arena eventing 105cm class Jess has had a particularly successful winter season qualifying for four classes at the Hickstead championships

At the Hickstead Winter Championships, the dressage team finished 12th overall nationally, with Isla finishing 5th individually in her intro B class and Tilly 14th individually in her novice class Jess had a fantastic competition gaining rosettes in 3 of her 4 classes: 4th in the 105cm showjumping, 8th in the 95cm showjumping and 6th in the 95cm eventers challenge

Miss Dollive

BADMINTON: Serving up success with WG HS Badminton team - a smash ing year!

Badminton has proved to be a very popular extra curricular club and its growing numbers have helped towards developing the match play at intermediate and senior level. For the first time since COVID we have been able to participate in the National Schools Badminton tour nament and our young intermediate squad fared very well in the West Yorkshire round of this tour nament Excellent performances from LillyMae, Ayesha, Saachi and Sharon placed the team 3rd in their group and they only narrowly missed out on a place in the semi final Our Key Stage 3 squad benefited from match practice and made positive progress throughout the tour nament Although one of our friendly matches was cancelled, our larger squad, consisting of players from Year 8 to Year 12 played against Queen Margarets and came away with a resounding win The future of Badminton is full of promise and we predict exciting times ahead as we continue to progress with the players we have in school

Team Dressage, Northallerton 2023

Badminton Squad

Tilly Smith

NETBALL:

Finalis ts in Sis ters in Sport Plate for Senior Netball

Our U16 team is currently ranked 6th in the country after competing in the National Finals in March. They showed grit and determination throughout their matches and played some of the best netball we’d seen all season, even beating the overall winning team Putney in the group stages Not only this they also reached the quarter finals of the Sisters in Sport Cup competition, narrowly losing to Blue Coats who again were the eventual winners

Not to be outshone by the U16 team with a trip to the Midlands, the senior team also had a fantastic season reaching the finals of the senior Sisters in Sport plate competition. This culminated in a day of netball at Loughborough University playing against the other final four teams in their division. The team showed strong play throughout the court and lost by just one goal to miss out on a place in the finals. On the back of their tour to South Africa where the team came together, lear ning combinations, they felt this really kicked off their season and was the reason they had an undefeated season in our annual fixtures. Thank you to Evie for leading the team.

The depth of netball players we have coming up the school is also something to be celebrated Within our younger age groups we have had 80 plus students regularly playing in our Saturday fixtures Our U12 and U14 A teams have shown they are forces to be reckoned with winning the majority of their meetings Throughout the season we have entered nine teams into the Wakefield District Tour naments where we swept the board winning in all five age groups from U12 to Under 16 demonstrating the strength and high standard of the school netball across our district We also have many students playing in local clubs as well as a growing number being County and Pathway representatives and we would like to thank the older students who have helped coach at practices or supported us on Saturdays

U16 Netball Squad

U13 Netball

NETBALL:

Our best ever U16 Netballers make it to the National Finals and are crowned 6th in the country!

In March the U16 Netball team travelled to Oundle School where we competed in the National Finals competition which we were all very excited for. We were put into a tough pool and started slowly against Bablake with a 12-12 draw at full time Our team's determination showed through in the next game as we beat Oakham 18-7 and continued with our winning streak with an 11-10 win against Berkhamsted, a 1711 win against RGS Newcastle and a 15-11 win against Putney Annoyingly for our squad, Putney won and showed our squad how well we did in this finals competition

After lunch we had three more games We had a slow start and lost to Hurstpierpoint 24-13 and lost our next game tightly against Withington 16-14 Despite these two losses our team pushed on and we were determined to get a win in our last match as it was maybe the last time that we were all going to play together as a squad We won against Millfied 18 and this meant we finished 6th in the country which is the best the school has ever done in a national competition We were so proud of each other for coming 6th in the whole country - despite not having our starting GK due to injury! Massive well done to Charlotte Ashton for stepping up into this role and doing an amazing job and well done to all the girls who all played a vital role in the team Another massive thank you to the amazing teachers who helped us get there We couldn't have done it without you Special thank you to Mrs Manson and Mrs Robinson for everything they have done for the girls as a squad We are extremely grateful for all the opportunities you have given us throughout the years and all the memories we have made We hope we can leav behind a school legacy and encourage the younger years to get involved

Nancy Tidy and Tara Glennan

Team spirit

U16 Netbal

U14 Hockey team qualify for Yorksh ire round of National Schools Competition HOCKEY:

Once again, we have had another successful year of hockey with positive progress being made by our existing players as well as many new players picking up sticks for the first time and even some older students coming back to hockey!

This year has been a transitional season for the senior hockey squads, where we have focussed on bringing through some of our outstanding younger players to begin to gel as a team with our seasoned first team players and it has been fantastic to see the support for each other as well as new friendships being formed

Our U19 ISHC squad consisted of our top players from Years 10-13 and our first game was a lengthy away trip to Kings Chester Despite some excellent individual play, the team cohesion was not yet in place and we were unfortunat l knocked out This meant we were now entered into the Plate where we would face our local rival, Bradford Grammar This time the team worked well together to produce some excellent periods of play, with Lucy and Molly scoring goals

However after a controversial decision from the umpire, we came away with another loss which unfortunately ended our season in this competition

The U18 National Schools team involved players from Years 12 and 13 only and provided an excellent opportunity for some of our talented senior students who had been busy with other pursuits to get back into hockey We had an enjoyable day at the Yorkshire Finals, with the highlight being an excellent solo goal from Molly, but sadly did not progress to the next stage

Our U16 squad have had a particularly successful season and have made excellent progress as a group They put on some s performances in the Yorksh Finals to progress easily to North East Finals Despite resounding 3-0 win vs Ripo unfortunately lost to an out team, who were later crown Champions This meant tha in the North East and just missed out on a place in the National Finals!

Our U15 team have been making positive ress during their Games lessons to mprove their structure and teamwork

As a result they have been our most successful team on Saturday mor nings with a 60% win rate and also the highest goal difference! Their most notable results were a narrow 3-2 win over a feisty Yarm team, as well as dominant 4-1 against Kirkham

Our most successful team on Saturday mornings with a 60% win rate and also the highest goal difference! “ ”

U13in action

Squad

U12Hockey

The U14 team have had fantastic son, in h they uickly o playing an 11-ahe first ave all ance of and as result of their hardwork and dedication they qualified for the Yorkshire round of the national schools competition for the first time, going through as West Yorkshire champions The whole squad should be extremely proud of the progress they have made, and take lots of positives going forward into next year

Both the U12 and U13 squads have shown enthusiasm and desire to improve on their hockey skills, which has paid off as the season has gone on. The U13 team in particular should take lots of pride in their national schools performances, in which they qualified for the Yorkshire round of the competition against some tough sides, who previously they have struggled to beat. Well done to all students who h competed at both ag groups, your desire and positive attitude is always evident!

INDOOR HOCKEY: U18 are 3rd in the North East

Once again, we have put a lot of time and effort into our Indoor Hockey this season, thanks to training sessions during EDGE Our U18 squad have had another excellent season, starting with a dominant 5-1 win in our friendly match vs Mount St Mary’s Off the back of this we felt well prepared for the North East finals Here we beat both Queen Ethelburga’s and a strong St Peters side, before a frustrating draw with Hymers We demonstrated excellent teamwork in the press and with Lucy, Henny, Molly, Gabby and Lucia all contributing goals Our toughest game of the day was against an outstanding, and mostly inter national, Scarborough College team, before another disappointing loss against our indoor rivals RGS Newcastle This meant that we finished 3rd in the North East so unfortunately did not progress to National Finals this time around

Our U16 development side have also had a positive season, with some players experiencing the indoor form of the game for the first time Their first game was a 4-3 thriller vs Mount St Marys, with Frankie scoring all four goals and Charlotte getting four assists! Unfortunately due to their limited experience, the North East Finals was a tougher day However, their performances improved with each match, even giving eventual champions Yarm a scare in the final game with a well taken goal from Captain Rosie

Schools Hockey Squad

U13 in action

CRICKET: WG HS U15 Indoor Cricket Team crowned

Wes t Yorksh ire champions

The U15 2024 indoor cricket season has been an amazing experience for all the students They worked hard throughout their Tuesday training sessions on the intricacies of the indoor game and were rewarded with the crown of West Yorkshire champions but narrowly missed out on becoming Yorkshire Champions losing to Penistone on the last ball in the final With many of the team being a year young this year we are hopeful to go one step further next season Throughout the season we have seen some exceptional performances, notably from Navya and Bea regularly retiring and Cece stepping up to become our new opening batter

At U13 level we have over 20 students training weekly with our cricket coach Stuart Morley The squad has been a mixture of Year 7 and Year 8 with Year 7 quickly lear ning how to play the indoor game The team were dominant in the first round of the Lady Taver ners competition and successfully got through to the semi final of the West Yorkshire qualifiers where they lost narrowly to Woodhouse Grove School The team was led by their captain Sophie who should be very proud of the team's achievements this season

“ ”

Throughout the season we have seen some exceptional performances, notably from Navya and Bea regularly retiring and Cece stepping up to become our new opening batter

U13 Cricket Squad

U15 Indoor Cricket Squad

INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSES

Libby Cree Hockey

Libby has been selected for the England Hockey Talent Academy for Yorkshire and the North East where she has been training regularly with the top players from the region to compete for a spot in the squad for the Challenge Cup in the summer

Alana Glennan

Netball Leeds Rh in os, Leeds Athletic Netball Club - LANC

Alana is a force of nature on the netball court As a Goal Keeper she reads the game incredibly well and is undeniably hard to play against She captained her LANC team to national glory when her U14 side won the England Netball National Clubs gold medal at the end of May something that a West Yorkshire team has not done in decades! Alana plays for Leeds Rhinos U15 Futures team and has recently been invited to train with the U17s squad (Alana is 14!!)

Nancy Tidy

Netball Leeds Rh in os, Leeds Athletic Netball Club - LANC

Co Captain of our successful U16 National Schools squad, Nancy has been playing for the Leeds Rhinos U17 NPL squad as a starting 7 As well as age grade netball, Nancy has regularly been selected for the LANC Premier squad which is a National level adult league At one particular match an England netball selector commented on Nancy’s ability and was left speechless when she heard that Nancy was only 15 years old Nancy is often described as a ‘machine’ and is a player that no one ever likes to compete against! Nancy’s relentless effort and ability was recognised by her team and at the recent Leeds Rhinos Netball end of season awards she was awarded ‘Player’s Player’

INDIVIDUAL SUCCESSES

Amelia Parkin Karate

Amelia also competed in the Inter national Combat Organisation Championships where she was part of the England team She entered three categories and achie d three medals - bronze, silver and gold in Extreme Musical Forms and Weapons categories Amelia also competed for her team at the ICO/WKU British Inter national Open Championships Here she competed in four categorie and ear ned herself 1 gold, silver and 1 bronze medal after a very long day of competition Alongside Lucy she has now qualified to compete for her country at the ICO World Championships

Tilly

Simms

Ta ble Tennis

Tilly continues to excel in Table Tennis. She has had another fantastic season reaching the quarter finals of the U16 Butterfly National School Individual Championships This was on top of already being crowned as the U16 West Yorkshire Schools Individual Champion In team events, she has also had continued success with her team winning the girls division 2 of the England Junior British league, making them back to back champions All this is no mean feat during her GCSE year alongside her academic studies

Lilly Mae Wood Badminton

Lilly Mae has had a great badminton season. She has competed in a variety of tour namentsnationally and inter nationally and across a range of age groups with some fantastic success along the way. Some of the highlights include Lilly Mae participating at the British World Federation Welsh Senior Inter national, where she, with her partner, were the youngest qualifiers competing in the U17 and U15 National Championships, reaching the semi finals in the U15 French Open, becoming a double gold medalist in the U19 Silver tour nament and the U19 Wiltshire Bronze tour nament as well as representing school in the National Schools competition

Lucy Prentice Karate

We would like to congratulate and celebrate Lucy’s achievement her Karate competitions In November last year she represented England at the Inter national Combat Organisation Championships and achieved a Silver medal in her category In May Lucy competed for her team Compass Martial Arts in the Inter national Combat Organisation/World Kickboxing Union British Inter national Open Championships in Telford She competed in two categories and came away with a well deserved gold medal! What fantastic results and now alongside her team mate Amelia she has qualified to compete for her country at the ICO World Championships which will take place later this year in Germany

Maddy Ducker

Netball Manches ter

Thund er

Maddy has been playing for the Manchester Thunder U19 NPL squad where she is regularly a starting 7 player Known as one of the best superleague franchises in the country, Maddy is familiar with playing out of age netball and steps up to the challenge with ease She is a formidable opponent; she is lightning quick and incredibly strong when in contest for a ball It is no surprise that Maddy has been invited to the U21 Manchester Thunder squad to play and recently played in a warm up game ahead of the Thunder main superleague team

Maddie Fish Synchronised Swimming

Maddie has had numerous achievements this year and has continued to build on her success from last year She has been selected to be a part of the England Youth Squad for the second year running and both her and her duet partner were also selected to be the England Youth duet Whilst also competing at the National Junior and Senior Championships with her club, City of Leeds she also competed at the National Age Groups where she came 5th in country Maddie and her duet partner have also been selected to compete for Great Britain at the Youth European Championships in Greece in May and will also be representing England competing at the Primorje Cup in Croatia at the end of June

Megan

Rosendale

Volleyball

Megan’s volleyball jour ney began at WGHS in Ye 10, and within a few weeks it was clear how much she loved the sport and how much potential she had as a player.

Megan’s passion for Volleyball led her to joining Leeds Gorse Volleyball club, and after only playing the sport for a couple of years, Megan is now competing in their women’s Yorkshire Premiership team, and is part of the U18 Tier 1 Junior Team. Most notably, this year, Megan and the Junior squad made it into the finals of the Volleyball England Grand Prix tier 1 competition, and Megan had the opportunity to compete at the National Volleyball centre, based in Kettering Megan and the Leeds Gorse team placed 5th in the country, which is a fantastic achievement

Molly Robinson Tennis

Molly started off her winter season with a bang by winning the U18 and Womens singles and doubles county championships In November she was selecte to play in the Women's County Cup squad and she remained unbeaten for the whole of the competition The squad were crowned womens winter national champions beating the likes of Surrey and Kent for the first time in 14 year

Based on Molly’s achievements she was awarded the Headingley Trophy for the best performance and Yorkshire Tennis also presented her with the award of the most improved girl of the year and the Yorkshire Tennis President's Award. Based on this she was invited to play at Wimbledon against the All England Tennis Club Individually Molly has continued to excel in numerous women’s British tour events and currently sits in 5th position nationally in the ranking table She has also played in ITF events where she was runner up with her doubles partner in the Liverpool and Loughborough Internationals competing and beating other players from different countries

Maddieontheleft

SPORTS DAYS 2024

Exis ting records broken in the Junior Section and a new javelin record set in the Senior Section

JUNIOR

It was touch and go as to whether our annual Sports Day was going to go ahead due to heavy rain overnight and showers forecast. Thankfully the breezy conditions dried the grass track and it all went ahead as planned All students in the Junior Section competed in a range of traditional athletics events which included a mixture of track and field events along with fun events such as egg and spoon, skipping, sack and an obstacle race. The weather was cold and blustery, but the main thing was that the rain held off! All students performed to a high standard and there was a real feeling of support and encouragement throughout the day Two existing Sports Day records were broken - Kavishna in Year 3 hurdles and Nelly in Year 4 hurdles An incredible 35 different students across the four year groups won a gold medal After the success of the sustainable wooden medals last year, these were updated and presented for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in addition to stickers galore and cups for each competitor who won their event

Congratulations must also go to all the girls representing their Houses on a fantastic Senior Sports Day It was fabulous to see the camaraderie on the day, with students cheering on their own year groups as well as those from other age groups from their house. There were some excellent individual performances, with Hettie Tidy setting a new record in the Year 9 javelin competition of 26 45m Congratulations must also go to the overall house winners Clayton for their combined efforts!

SENIOR

TENNIS:

T w o c h a m p i o n s h i p t i e

b re a ke rs fo r W G H S

Te n n i s Te a m

The tennis season started with matches for the U18 and U15 in the LTA Team Tennis competition All matches have been closely fought across both singles and doubles and the U15 beat Silcoates but lost to GSAL even though it was all square after the singles The U18s had similar results in their competition beating GSAL but lost to a strong Bradford Grammar squad Our Senior squad consisting of players from Year 11 and 12 played in the Aberdare Cup and came through our first round ma after Lucia and Molly won the deciding championship tie break however they weren't so lucky against their next opponents South Hunsley after we had to play yet another championship tiebreaker decider which finished at 11-13

U12 Tennis playe

Aberdare Tennis Squad

ATHLETICS: Intermediate Track and Field Team crowned West Yorkshire champions and advance to Regional Finals

In the English Schools Track and Field Competition, the Junior team put in a solid performance in the West Yorkshire round in order to qualify for the Regional B Final in Nottingham They produced some fabulous performances in events that many of them are still lear ning in order to win the competition with a score of 281 points!

The Intermediate team performed exceptionally well in the first round of the competition to finish as West Yorkshire champions and sail through to the Regional A Finals in Derby Here they put in another strong performance and were the top ranked team on the field events

Unfortunately, some strong track performances from our regular rivals QEGS Ashbour ne pushed us down into a final standing of fourth place. Despite their disappointment not to progress further in the competition, the squad should be incredibly proud of their achievements

In June, a number of girls were selected to represent Wakefield in the West Yorkshire Athletics Championships

On the track, Lexie Johnson-Thackrah, Lilly Mae Wood and Georgia Newsome competed in a strong field in the Junior Girls 100m heats From here, Georgia made it through to the final, clocking 13 69s to finish 6th in the county Abi Lane also raced in the 100m in the Inter Girls category, running a personal best time to finish in 4th place. Annabel Massey then produced a gutsy performance to finish second in the Inter Girls Hurdles final In the field, Sascha Manomano jumped well in the Inter Girls triple jump to finish 3rd overall Both Bea Tootill and Kate Harrison put in some strong performances in the throws with both students finishing 3rd in the Junior Girls Javelin and shot putt respectively

In the English Schools Track and Field Competition, the Junior team put in a solid performance in the West Yorkshire round in order to qualify for the Regional B Final in Nottingham They produced some fabulous performances in events that many of them are still lear ning in order to win the competition with a score of 281 points!

The Intermediate team performed exceptionally well in the first round of the competition to finish as West Yorkshire champions and sail through to the Regional A Finals in Derby. Here they put in another strong performance and were the top ranked team on the field events.

Unfortunately, some strong track performances from our regular rivals QEGS Ashbour ne pushed us down into a final standing of fourth place. Despite their disappointment not to progress further in the competition, the squad should be incredibly proud of their achievements.

In June, a number of girls were selected to represent Wakefield in the West Yorkshire Athletics Championships On the track, Lexie Johnson-Thackrah, Lilly Mae Wood and Georgia Newsome competed in a strong field in the Junior Girls 100m heats From here, Georgia made it through to the final, clocking 13.69s to finish 6th in the county. Abi Lane also raced in the 100m in the Inter Girls category, running a personal best time to finish in 4th place. Annabel Massey then produced a gutsy performance to finish second in the Inter Girls Hurdles final. In the field, Sascha Manomano jumped well in the Inter Girls triple jump to finish 3rd overall. Both Bea Tootill and Kate Harrison put in some strong performances in the throws with both students finishing 3rd in the Junior Girls Javelin and shot putt respectively.

English Schools Athletics Junior and Senior Squads

The Creative Carousel continues to be a success!

The third year of the Creative Carousel in the Junior Section has been full of impressive pieces of art, complicated coding and some intricate designs.

3/4 Art

Creative prowess was in abundance in our classes in Year 3 and 4 this year Year 3 explored the intriguing world of moder n art with unique representations of cubism and pop art in their individually inspired pieces Year 4 enjoyed experimenting with dot painting to create their own interpretations of aboriginal art before delving into the surrealist world of Arcimboldo.

Mrs Vare

3/4 D&TCard Mechanisms

Card linkages and types of motion are explored The final product is a moving card personal to each student.

Mr Soakell

Year 4 D&TCrumble Programming

Year 4 experimented with “Crumble” to produce an environmentally aware billboard Each billboard had 2 LEDs and a moving part to draw attention to its message

Mr Soakell

3/4 Textiles

Year 3 leaf printed a patter n onto fabric using acrylic paint and cotton calico material. They embroidered detail on their leaf print using running stitch and further embellished it with buttons and beads. This was then sewn onto a small drawstring bag with their initials embroidered on the back. Textiles in Year 4 has been based on the work of textile artist Anne Kelly. Students created a landscape scene on a felt background Detail was added using the textile techniques of appliqué, felting, reverse appliqué and embroidery

Miss Fear

3/4 Drama

In drama we have investigated a range of different stimuli and created our own dramatic responses to them. We have enjoyed using our facial expressions, body language and our voices to create short improvisations for our peers, who have then helped us to evaluate them Techniques such as freeze frames and thought tracking have allowed us to think very carefully about the characters we are portraying Some of our particular favourites were Hogarth from The Iron Man by Ted Hughes and Magpie from Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks Mrs Rowbotham

3/4 Robotics

“Robotics was one of the creative curriculum lessons We used lego pieces and lear nt the names of the different parts to put them together to make robots There were twelve stages to make the robots then we found out that we were going to make them move! We used the chrome books and lear nt about coding This made the robots move forwards and backwards We tested how good they were at moving and we even had a race! I really enjoyed this lesson ”

Aoife Webster-Dell - Year 3

3/4 Food & Nutrition

During our Year 3 and 4 Food and Nutrition lessons, we enjoyed making a variety of culinary delights Our emphasis was on integrating nutritious components into our meals, as well as understanding the concept of food miles and the importance of supporting local and seasonal produce We also lear ned proper chopping techniques, such as using the 'claw' and 'bridge' positions for safety After completing our series of lessons, we assessed our preferred recipes and proposed potential enhancements

Miss Walker

5/6 Art

Year 5 focused on the work of William Morris and used various printing techniques to create their own wallpaper They also created optical illusions making straight lines look like they were moving Year 6 artists have created self portraits based on the work of Andy Warhol and created excellent stories using lego photography focusing on perspective in their storytelling

Mrs Vare

Year 5 D&T - Struct ures

Year 5 used triangulation to strengthen both 2D and 3D structures The final outcome was to design and make a model “wildlife watching hide”

Mr Soakell

Year 6 D&TWorkspace Organiser

Year 6 took on many starter challenges that led into design processes The culmination was a prototype workspace organiser

Mr Soakell

5/6 Textiles

Students lear nt about the textiles artist, Claire Youngs and Tracey English to help inspire their own collaged animal print They created many different types of prints including geometric, floral and abstract. These patter ns were then cut out in the animal of their choice

As a backdrop to the collaged animal all students created block printing stamps which they stencilled onto the letter of their name

Many students also got the opportunity to develop their skills in fashion illustration and lazy stitching, using a variety of pre lear nt stitches.

Mrs Critch

5/6 Drama

In Year 5 Drama sessions, students have developed the ability to act in the role of a different character through the use of voices and facial expressions Applying the new skills, they created their own scripts and performed short sketches to peers, who helped evaluate the performances They had lots of fun trying out different voices and loved the opportunity to perform

In Drama sessions in Year 6, students developed a response to a stimulus. From the questions that arose, they developed a character and wrote dialogue for a short performance. Students prepared a backstory for their character and used a range of drama techniques to write and perform a short script.

Miss Coe

5/6 Robotics

“In Robotics, we have lear nt how to use and code a LEGO EV3 robot We used gyros and sensors which detect colour to complete an obstacle course that was set up for us to try and complete within the lesson Some of us were successful, some of us unfortunately not I enjoyed this creative curriculum very much ”

Sienna Pidsley - Year 5

5/6 Food & Nutrition

“In food and nutrition the first delicious recipe we followed was kaleidoscope couscous It was a refreshing dish with peppers, tomatoes and much more. Some of the delicious food we have made is: mozzarella pizza, white chocolate and raspberry muffins and focaccia. I have lear nt many interesting skills during food and nutrition ”

Amaani Ali - Year 6

JAPAN 2024

I T ’ S T H E W A Y W E E X P L O R E A N D L E A R N

Spirit ually and Visually St unning: that’s Japan

Our Japan trip was co-led by the RPE department, so we were fortunate to witness and experience religious customs and practices which are so different to typical Wester n Christian traditions Buddhism and the folk tradition of Shinto are Japan’s main faiths; on most days we went specifically to see places of worship, but it was also fantastic that whilst wandering the Tokyo and Kyoto streets we would frequently stumble across a beautiful Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine

Shrines are dedicated to spirits or gods (神 - Kami) and in Tokyo we visited the famous Meiji shrine (明治神宮 - Meiji Jingū) We had the opportunity to participate in prayer as well as buying amulets (御守 - omamori), believed to provide good fortune, health or (usefully!) success in school We also saw key shrine features such as the purification rope (標縄shimenawa) and water basin (手水舎 - temizu-ya)

We went to Sensoji (浅草寺) in the Asakusa district, the oldest and most famous of Tokyo's Buddhist temples We saw incense bur ners, a five-story pagoda and statues of the Buddha and ‘Ten-ryu’ (the dragon god representing the temple) Kyoto’s Kiyo-mizu-dera (清水寺) was also spiritually and visually stunning

On our last day in Kyoto we went to the iconic Fushimi Inari Shrine, containing approximately 800 red gates (鳥居 - torii) These gates mark the transition into a sacred and holy place, and just looking at them in the lush garden surroundings provided a real sense of connection to the ethereal atmosphere we experienced during this memorable trip Mikaela Agyepong - Year 10

A Tas te of Japan

From vegetarian cuisine inside a traditional styled house to the bubbling hot pots called Shabu Shabu at Tsukada Nojo, each meal offered a new and exciting experience With such a variety of food, it was only natural for many different responses to it Mr Ryding offered never ending compliments saying, “I ate like a king” whereas Mr Tribe spoke about his “challenging culinary experiences ”

Personally I had a lot of fun grilling my own meal in Yakiniku Sakon, Osaka, and enjoyed trying food I wouldn’t normally eat The desserts I had in Japan were delicious From tanghulu on the street to the small matcha cakes at the hotel, each bite was an explosion of flavour. When asked, Mikaela said, “Tanghulu was one of my favourites and I still crave it to this day ” Sweet treats and savoury snacks were one of the most common gifts brought back to share with friends and family and it’s no surprise when everyone enjoyed them so much

Georgina Dews - Year 10

We stayed at the stunning Hotel Metropolitan in Tokyo

at Kiyomizu Temple

Meiji Shrine

Amelie and Mikaela looking forward to cooking their own food at the Tsukada Nojo, Ikebukuro

Exploring

Japan’s Geograph ic Marvels

Did you know that Japan is located on four major tectonic plates making Japan a hotspot for earthquakes? On average, Tokyo experiences 265 earthquakes per year! Our tour guide, Miya-san, told us we were incredibly lucky to miss any earthquakes during our trip.

Miya-san also asked a fun, Human Geography question about Japan: is the capital city Tokyo or Kyoto? Traditionally, the capital is wherever the Emperor lives The Emperor resided in Kyoto until 1868, then moved to Tokyo. One reason for the move was that Tokyo’s location made it convenient for the Emperor, offering access to the West for trade opportunities Interestingly, Japanese law doesn’t officially state Tokyo as the capital

Having studied volcanoes for GCSE Geography, my highlight of the trip was definitely visiting Mount Fuji We took a coach up the winding roads towards the peaks and the fifth staging post on the north side of the mountain After a stop for photo opportunities and a browse of the shops, we set off for Hakone Ropeway and Lake Ashi At the top, we could see sulphur and vents releasing gas into the air The smell was really strong and the clouds were so close they felt like fog! Travelling on the Hakone Ropeway meant we had an amazing view of Lake Ashi below We then took a boat ride across this crater lake in a replica pirate ship and though it was very windy and rainy, it was still one of my favourite memories of the trip!

Saraah Jogi - Year 11

Amelie Stephenson from Year 10, shares her experience of travelling in Japan

Are there many differences between Japan and the UK?

Did you know that Japan is located on four major tectonic Yes When we first arrived in Japan we were told there were few litter bins. We wondered how the streets were so clean, but the Japanese take their litter home and we seldom saw any rubbish In fact, we were surprised in Kyoto when we saw a crisp packet on the side of the road! Even graffiti is rarely seen. Tokyo is the seventh cleanest city in the world which is surprising considering it has a population of 14 18 million people.

Is it a respectful society?

The Japanese have a very respectful culture and we all got into the habit of bowing when entering/leaving somewhere We also thought everyone was very respectful and patient while waiting for others Staff at the Sky Tree Tower and the Golden Palace were very polite even though they were very busy places Before we went to Japan, we were told it was a cash-based country as the Japanese are very proud and respectful of their yen and view it as part of their identity.

Can you describe some of the smells and sights of Japan?

With many Japanese practising Shintoism and Buddhism, incense was a common smell Incense is used to purify surroundings, and as we went to shrines and temples its distinctive and evocative scent seemed ever-present Also, fish and fish products are seen in all the markets and restaurants As both are island nations, seafood is as popular in Japan as it is in the UK

Which traditions did you find most interesting?

I personally thought that it was amazing how in touch with their culture the Japanese people are.They are very proud of their traditions and are especially happy to share them with tourists There were kimono hire shops near temples which we thought was a nice way to carry on a tradition Tea is something Japan and the UK have in common However, the Japanese predominantly drink green tea and they have tea ceremonies which are tremendously formal and traditional; they are used for special occasions to create a bond between host and guests We attended one of these ceremonies in Kyoto and for many of us it was the highlight of the trip

Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, Tokyo

All aboard the bullet train to Kyoto

The Imperial Palace Gardens, Tokyo

A natural bamboo forest in Arashiyama

Tokyo at night

Azure dragon, Kyoto

Lake Ashi near Mount Fuji

Amelia, Róisín and Eve at the Senbon Torii

Geographers Near and Far

This year, Wakefield Girls' High School geographers embarked on two incredible field trips, offering contrasting experiences but a shared theme of exploration and lear ning.

Lake Dis trict

Year 12 geographers braved the ever-present Lake District rain during their annual residential trip Undeterred by the damp weather, they measured trees and analysed soil, calculated carbon content and judged urban environmental quality, all in order to gain valuable skills for their A-level exam next year It was unfortunate that we couldn’t make it up to Easedale tarn because of the torrential rain and flooded footpaths - but the students were wonderfully positive and simply got on with a settlement survey in the (slightly) more sheltered surroundings of Grasmere The department flag was aired for the first time and became a regular feature in photo ops, proving its resilience - flag and students were more than a match for the conditions

Iceland

The Easter break brought a change of scenery for a large group of students who embarked on a breathtaking Icelandic adventure Their journey began with a glimpse of an ongoing eruption near Grindavik, a fiery introduction to the island's geothermal wonders. They then walked across the symbolic ‘Bridge between Continents’, straddling the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates Students showed a unique blend of exploration and school spirit – venturing into the Vidgelmir Lava Cave followed by a rendition of “Let it Go” and the school hymn in the icy surroundings Monster trucks took them to Langjokull Glacier for ice cave exploration, while geothermal pools offered relaxation Sustainable agriculture took centre stage at the Fridheimar Greenhouse, with students even sampling tomato sorbet! Witnessing Strokkur geyser erupt and marvelling at the Northern Lights capped off an awe-inspiring day The trip ended with majestic waterfalls, glacier hikes, black sand beaches, and a volcano climb Icelandic folktales and stunning scenery made this an unforgettable journey and another flag made its debut and is now in the Geography Department having been signed by all who went on the trip - a wonderful memento of an unforgettable week

Their journey began with a glimpse of an ongoing eruption near Grindavik, a fiery introduction to the island’s geothermal wonders

”

Base of Solheimajokull Glacier

Easedale in the rain

Roche Moutonnee in Easedale

Histor y:

Eco-Schools Update

Beyond these amazing trips, the Geography Department isn’t just focused on faraway lands. The Eco-Schools committee at WGHS is actively working towards gaining accreditation We’ve launched initiatives like an energy-saving poster competition for Year 7 students

The entries were judged by WGHS Governor Mr McKinlay. He was very impressed, saying “all of the entries were excellent but the winning poster really met the brief Visually it is clear about the need to save electricity but it also links into the wider issues of climate change around the world ”

The winning students, Felicity, Tabs, and Pippa, were presented with a chocolate bar and pencil that can be planted to grow some bee-friendly flowers

This is just one example of how we’re fostering environmental awareness at WGHS We also have the Design and Technology Department building birdhouses for our school grounds, with custom plaques available for purchase to raise further funds The funds raised will go towards supporting Rewilding Britain, a charity dedicated to tackling the species extinction crisis

We believe that understanding our planet goes beyond textbooks, and these field trips and eco-initiatives are just a few ways we’re helping our geographers become responsible global citizens

Mr Tribe - Head of Geography

What was it really like in a Victorian workhouse? Our Year 12 History students went to Ripon to find out.

In December, our Year 12 History class had the pleasure of visiting Ripon workhouse, a trip that tied in well with our topic of poverty in Britain that we study at A-level It was absolutely fascinating to be able to discover a place that held so much significance in the past to so many people We began by walking down to the old courts that had served the community in prior periods, so that we could see how people may end up in the workhouse in the first place, or how they would be prosecuted A helpful bit of roleplaying was used, which was very amusing, to say the least Afterwards, we arrived at the workhouse and with a very helpful tour given by a member of staff, we learned more about how people could be admitted into the workhouse - some of us even dressed up again for this to make it seem more realistic! We were then shown around the house that was used by the former master

and mistress of the workhouse, with it having been refurbished in order for people to visit it, yet the Victorian feeling was still very well kept We were also introduced to how the workhouse would’ve been for children, sitting down in their old classroom that was still full of the same desks that were used when the workhouse was operating - we found this especially interesting, as some of the children who would’ve been learning there may have been close to our age And even though it was a cold day in December, we made it outside to see the allotment that was at the back of the workhouse, with its huge variety of fruits and vegetables that had been used in the original kitchens of the workhouse This trip was very helpful for developing our understanding of life in the workhouse, and was a great day out for everyone.

Abigail Burrows - Year 12

Solheimajokull Glacier top

Solheimajokull Glacier Hike group

A N D A W A R E N E S S

Wellbeing Development at WGHS Juniors: You’ll love the amazing ‘Shooting Stars’ Circus Group

As part of their wellbeing development, our Junior Section students were visited by the amazing ‘Shooting Stars’ circus group in May The workshop consisted of a fast-paced circus show with an amazing instructor, demonstrating how to perform with circus equipment After this, the students enjoyed the opportunity to try the circus activities themselves

The main focus of the workshop was to support our students’ wellbeing, by improving the girls' team-building abilities and encouraging them to kindly support and effectively help each other to develop their circus skills Many of the personal HPL characteristics that we aim to encourage at school were developed during the session, such as resilience, perseverance, risk-taking, and collaboration

A huge “thank you” goes to FOSJH, our wonderful Junior Section PTA, who have been keen to support a pastoral event in school and have kindly funded part of this visit They also prepared a fantastic gift for the students to receive after the workshops

What did the students think?

“I really surprised myself with how good I was on the unicycle because it was a brand new skill!”

Rosa 3CW

“I really enjoyed lear ning how to juggle. I was proud of myself for persevering with it!”

Rose 4VH

“It was great to lear n new tricks that I didn't know I was capable of like the unicycle and diablo!”

Meera 4VH

“I really enjoyed it when I spun the plate on my finger because I did not think that I could do that!”

Simran 4SR

Charities News

2023-24

The Charities Committee has had a hugely successful year raising money, collecting donations, supporting the local community and raising awareness throughout the year As a school we have enjoyed many activities and events such as non-uniform days, litter picking, colour run, Christmas Fayre and Summer Fayre The Charities Committee have worked hard in organising and running these events to help many different charities The final event of the year was the Summer Fayre enjoyed by all pupils in Year 3-10 and 12 which can be seen in the photos

Mrs Phillips - Charities Coordinator

OMNIBUSSOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON THE ROAD WITH CL ASSICS

Through 2023-24 the Classics Department has once again been on the road both in the UK and abroad Our Year 10 and 12 students again seized the opportunity to study many of our GCSE and A-level material and visual sources up close at the British Museum in November After many years of trying, we finally got to see the Theseus kylix! We finished a long and productive day listening to extracts of the great Roman epic poem, the Aeneid, performed in Latin by The LATIN QVARTER, and accompanied by Callum Armstrong on the ancient reed instrument, the diaulos

A highlight of the Classics year continues to be the University of Warwick’s Ancient Drama Festival. This year’s matinee performance was The Persians by Aeschylus, and the lectures that preceded it gave our 6th Form students interesting new insights into the world of Athens in the fifth century BC It was a pleasure again to meet up with old friends from the University and Mrs Oliver with her students

In the February half term holiday we travelled to Italy with Year 8 to explore the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum and the National Archaeological Museum in Naples This really is a wonderful time to visit the Bay of Naples as a huge amount of money and effort has been spent on making the sites even more accessible to the visitor This year a new Antiquarium was open at Herculaneum, along with newly restored houses in Pompeii. The students did tremendously well to maintain a high pace to make the most of each day They were refuelled by plenty of water from Pompeian fountains, gelato, and of course pasta and Neapolitan pizzas!

We are already looking forward to visits in 2024-25 to Rome in October and again, London, Warwick and Naples through the rest of the year

Mr Hargreaves - Head of Classics

“ ”

They were refuelled by plenty of water from Pompeian fountains, gelato, and of course pasta and Neapolitan pizzas!

Alan Turing Cryptography Competition

This year all students in Years 7 to 11 were invited to take part in the Alan Turing Cryptography competition organised by the Mathematics Department at the University of Manchester.

Why is cryptography important?

Cryptographical techniques are used everywhere in modern everyday life For example, WhatsApp and many similar programmes use encryption to prevent eavesdropping, many websites use encryption to process credit card payments securely, and banks use it so that people can safely do their internet banking at home

The competition was held over six weeks with a new challenge being released every Monday The students had a week to answer each challenge and received 5 merits for every correct answer and every incorrect answer received a merit for participation The overall winners received 50 house points for 1st place, 30 house points for 2nd and 20 house points for 3rd place

The codes sent to the students ensured they used their problem-solving skills with their mathematical and computer science skills For example, mixing a substitution cipher with a Pythagoras theorem question.

59 students entered the competition

The winners were 3rd place: Harriet Womack, 2nd place: Florrie Anderson, 1st place: Elizabeth Bowett

Well done to all those that took part We look forward to running the competition again next year and seeing how well you all do

Mrs Rees - Head of Maths

27 8 WG HS s t ud ents take on UKMT Maths Challenges

Every year students take part in the Senior, Intermediate and Junior Maths Challenge competitions run by the UK Maths Trust, a charity made up of mathematicians and maths enthusiasts who aim to improve students' problem solving and maths skills

The questions are designed to be challenging (the clue is in the name) and to get the students thinking

This year we had a fantastic 278 students choosing to sit the challenges, with 122 bronze, silver or gold certificates being awarded Particular congratulations go to Lucy Prentice, Ishani Kundu, Gabrielle Lo and Belle Pentelow who all qualified for the follow on Kangaroo rounds in their age groups and to Gabrielle for obtaining a Merit in her Kangaroo round

Would you be able to answer this question?

The diagram shows two unshaded circles which touch each other and also touch a larger circle Chord PQ of the larger circle is a tangent to both unshaded circles The length of PQ is 6 units What is the area, in square units, of the shaded region?

The answer is 14 5! The Wakefield Girls’ 14 5th Anniversary Maths Challenge

To celebrate our 145th anniversary, the Maths Department hosted an exciting ‘Design a Maths Question’ challenge Students from Year 7 to Year 13 demonstrated remarkable mathematical creativity, making the competition both fierce and inspiring We were delighted by the inventive and challenging entries that came our way

Congratulations to our winners who impressed the judges with their original questions, all ingeniously crafted to have an answer of 145:

Key Stage 3 Winner: Sabiha Sarwar for a clever contextual question, which combined coordinates, graph plotting, and the area of a trapezium

Key Stage 4/5 Winner: Hareem Ghouri with a detailed and intricate transformations puzzle

Each winner earned valuable house points for their respective houses The judging criteria were based on creativity, complexity appropriate for each Key Stage, and clarity of the question It was a tough decision, but our winners stood out with their exceptional problem-solving skills and innovative approaches

We are incredibly proud of all participants for their fantastic efforts and enthusiasm. Your contributions made our 145th anniversary a memorable and educational event The creativity and mathematical prowess displayed by our students were truly inspiring and reflected the high standards of our school community

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this challenge a success Here’s to the next 145 years of celebrating our love for maths and fostering a spirit of curiosity and innovation

Mrs Rees - Head of Maths

Mrs Rees - Head of Maths

Year 3 have

fun

on their residential to York with songs, sagas and dressing up with bushy

Viking beards!

The girls in Year 3 studied Invaders and Settlers in their History lessons In March, we travelled to York to immerse ourselves in the rich history of the city and lear n more about the Viking invasions in the North of England

On the first day we visited The Dig and lear ned about artefacts telling us more about the past and had the chance to simulate an archeological dig at a Viking site It was an action packed day for everyone, as we also enjoyed a visit to the Jorvik Centre where we took a ride through a reconstruction of a Viking settlement, watched a coin being ‘struck’ and investigated some of the recently discovered treasures and jewellery on show in the museum All this was bookended with some sunny walks along the Ouse to and from the accommodation at York Youth Hostel After a Viking themed evening with songs, sagas and dressing up with bushy Viking beards, we all had a good night’s sleep.

We travelled to York to immerse ourselves in the rich history of the city and learn more about the Viking invasions in the North of England

“ ”

Everyone was up early for a full breakfast before heading to Danelaw Viking Village at Murton Park This was a wonderful day spent as Vikings! Students lived in a Viking village, everyone wore clothing resembling that wor n by Vikings (including the teachers!), guarded against Saxon raiders and got to work doing jobs such as bread making and pottery The students thoroughly enjoyed the hands-on experience of being a Viking, however we were all very tired on the bus jour ney home – being a Viking is not easy work!

YEAR 3 AND 4 PRESENT THEIR CHRISTMAS PRODUCTION

‘BAA BAA BETHLEHEM’

Year 3 and Year 4 students put on a brilliant performance of ‘Baa Baa Bethlehem’ on Monday 11th December at St Austin’s Church The talented students told the story of some young shepherds who experience one marvellous, magical night in Bethlehem! There were wonderful performances by the Under 9 Choir and our Suzuki Violins group and everyone was impressed with the enthusiasm of all the students

Mrs Rees - Head of Maths

Year 4 enriches their Geography to pic with an exciting India worksho p

To enrich their Geography topic on India, Year 4 were delighted to participate in an Indian workshop with Meera and her mum, Dr Vinta. They learnt and performed an Indian dance to traditional music, sampled Indian food such as samosas and delicious sweets called gulab jamun and explored the daily life of people living in different regions of India A particular highlight of the workshop was trying on traditional clothing and producing some intricate Rangoli artwork

Year 4 go back in time and see real Egyptian mummies at Leeds Museum

As part of their History lessons, Year Four were delighted to visit the Leeds Museum to to enrich their history topic on the ancient Egyptians.

The students learned about the geography, culture and history of Ancient Egypt and enjoyed exploring artefacts connected to Ancient Egypt They were fascinated to see real Egyptian mummies and learnt how to prepare a mummy for burial!

Traditional Indian dress Lear ning about traditional Indian toys

Leeds City Museum

Year 5 Visit to a Sikh Gurdwara

At the end of January, Year 5 enjoyed an informative and enjoyable visit to a Sikh Gurdwara to enrich their learning of the Sikh faith in R E This was a great opportunity for the students to experience the importance a Gurdwara holds in the lives of the Sikh community and to learn about the symbolism associated with certain objects and traditions The students sat in the prayer hall and listened to readings from the Guru Granth Sahib - the Sikh holy book and were taught how to put on a turban We were then treated to Langar, a communal meal prepared in the kitchen of the Gurdwara which we all agreed was incredibly tasty.

Thank you to everyone at Gnnj Gurduwara in Leeds for welcoming us so warmly and helping us to learn more about the Sikh religion

Miss Morris

This was a great opportunity for the students to experience the importance a Gurdwara holds in the lives of the Sikh community and to learn about the symbolism associated with certain objects and traditions “ ”

Year 5 Visit to Armley Mills Industrial Museum

We attribute many important inventions and discoveries to the Victorian period, things that have revolutionised our lives Thankfully the experiences of Victorian children do not have any bearing on life today and we are lucky to be able to enjoy the comforts and luxuries that modern living offers However, this visit gave Year 5 the opportunity, at first hand, to experience what life could have been like had we lived a mere 140 years ago!

Suitably dressed in Victorian outfits, we took ourselves back in time as we entered the authentic Victorian classroom at Armley Mills. Our historical skills of observation were immediately drawn towards the unusual desks and chairs but it wasn’t until the teacher spoke then we realised how different this morning was going to be Reciting times tables, repeating proverbs and writing with dipping pens and ink all seemed out of the ordinary but it was possibly the threat of ‘those’ punishments that kept us out of mischief When the time came to be released from our ‘role’ and we could look, with 21st century eyes, at those cruel forms of punishments and how we came to understand why the children were really so well behaved!

The afternoon brought a journey into mill life and a glimpse into the dangerous conditions in which children worked. Armley was an original working mill and we were lucky to see many of the original machines The noise from one machine alone allowed us to only imagine what a roomful must have sounded like Fun activities replicating the jobs of the children demonstrated how difficult life must have been Travelling back in time to Victorian school life gave us all time to reflect on our lives today, the wonderful school we attend and all the luxuries and pleasures we have in life. It is certainly something to be thankful for

Miss Morris

Years 3-11: Trips, Events and Resid entials

Year 5 residential to Condover Hall

Year 5 were lucky to go on a three day residential to Condover Hall, an activity centre near Shrewsbury in Shropshire We all had a great time trying new things but my favourite activity was the zip wire This was located in the woods so there were lots of trees surrounding us To start the zip wire you had to climb up some steps to a platform where you would start from Just before you set off, you were given a harness to put on and were clipped on to lots of ropes to make sure you stayed safe. The first time I did the zip wire I was nervous because I didn’t know what it was going to be like But it turned out to be lots of fun! It was scary at first but you got used to it and you went so fast it was like you were a bird flying through the sky! At the end of the wire you came to a stop and bounced really high We were able to do it a few times and then we started making funny animal noises and singing songs. After I finished, I felt really proud of myself because, at first, it looked so fast but it turned out to be really exciting

I really enjoyed the residential because we were able to do many different activities we’d never tried before and we never stopped having fun We all loved it!

Olivia Firth 5SM

Our Year 6 resid ential to Blencathra

As we arrived in Blencathra on Tuesday 21st May, we were all very excited to see the amazing views We ate our lunch in the glorious sunshine with the views of the mountains and hills in the background It was very picturesque Little did we know, this weather wasn’t going to be sticking around for long! Finding out who we would be sharing a room with was very exciting and house points were awarded to the tidiest rooms! The food was lovely - pancakes, sausages and chips and a full English breakfast The best part was choosing our lunches and making our own sandwiches

Over the course of the week, we completed lots of activities: canoeing, making mammal hotels, bushcraft and the big hike. We joined groups for our evening activities that included a house quiz and a cinema evening! We also enjoyed singing along to the greatest showman with our popcor n On Thursday, despite the weather, we walked to Keswick with smiles on our faces knowing that ice creams and hot chocolates would be waiting for us We made very good use of the drying rooms for our waterproof clothes! On the final day, we enjoyed a range of science activities before our picnic and jour ney home.

We have made some amazing memories we’ll treasure forever in Blencathra Thank you to all our teachers and instructors for making sure we had the best time!

Written by Abby Walker (6KG) and Umayyah Fiaz (6HC)

Year 6 all smiles in Blencathra

Year 5 at Condover Hall

LOVE YMCA L AKESIDE YEAR 7

“I loved the raft building because at the end we got to jump in the lake which was really fun. Also the nightline was fun as we were blind folded and it was fun trying to find our way I loved archery as well, especially when everyone was cheering for Mr Hargreaves to get yellow Bush craft and orienteering was also good We got to build our own fires and explore the place which was so fun I also loved the blue tubes as we crawled through tiny gaps and at the end we went down a giant slide and poured water down it and it was really fun Overall it was a great trip ” Siopareet 7KFR

“To me, the best things were the activities in general, because some, like climbing and abseiling, I had not done before, but it was interesting to learn and thrilling to take part in, and I also think I might have found a new hobby! Also, most activities helped with team-building and friendships with members of my group who I might not have been around as often before which I thought was really nice ” Amelia 7KFR

“I think the best part of the trip was connecting with others I liked the bus trip and the instructors were very accepting. I LOVED rock climbing and abseiling and the food was lovely to chat over All of this contributed to the year group becoming closer and helping me make new friends! I'll never forget YMCA Lakeside ” Yosola 7IJS

“I loved the raft building It was my favourite activity because of the teamwork and co-ordination that me and my group used I especially enjoyed it when me and my friend Megan jumped off the jetty I felt this was an amazing way to celebrate my birthday ” Imaan 7JMH

“I really enjoyed the facilities and the activities that were available I thought that the variety in the activities was very wide and helped me to understand why other people enjoy the same and different activities to me. One of the activities that I really enjoyed would be the raft building as I don't often get the opportunity to jump into freezing cold lakes with my friends!” Emilia 7IJS

Year 7 learn a bout ocean species and conservation on their trip to The Deep

In January, Year 7 students visited ‘The Deep’ Aquarium in Hull to enrich their classroom lear ning and further their knowledge and understanding of interrelationships, biodiversity and the need for conservation

Students participated in a discovery-based workshop, relating to plastic and its effect on our oceans All enjoyed the practical work and developing enquiry skills to investigate why, where and what we can do about reducing the impact of plastic on our oceans While exploring exhibits at ‘The Deep’ Year 7 had further opportunities to lear n about various ocean species and much more.

Miss Dolllive

Students participated in a discovery-based workshop, relating to plastic and its effect on our oceans “ ”

e a r 8 c o n q u e r t h e i r f e a r s a t R i p l e y C a s t l e

Set in the stunning Yorkshire countryside, Ripley Castle was the chosen venue for the Year 8 team building trip Students spent the day trying a range of brilliant challenges They included axe throwing, bush craft skills, refining their archery skills, attempting a cryptic chase (that included some close encounters with the local wildlife!) and literally throwing themselves off the ‘Leap of Faith’ - a 35 foot pole in the middle of the magnificent forest. Undoubtedly, however, the best part of the day was observing our courageous students facing their fears, supporting and encouraging each other and watching how they rejoiced in each other's success

Mrs Manson

Year 11 take a break from mock exams with fun and challenges

Following their mock exams, Year 11 enjoyed a day of fun and challenge together as a reward and well-being experience The mor ning was spent at the cinema where we had a screen to ourselves to watch 'The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes' That after noon, students joined together in teams to take on an escape room challenge brought to us by the Escape Game Events team They pooled their mental resources and lateral thinking skills to solve a series of puzzles that would help them crack open a safe.

AmyHardinggetting a bullseye!

It is without any doubt that life at school is jam packed with amazing opportunities to compete, be creative, collaborate and give back to our school community The House team has expanded these opportunities to all students and staff so that everyone can contribute to their House and school. Whether it was singing along during the House Masseoke, racing in the freezing cold for your House during the combined cross country event, developing and creating a piece of art that would not look out of place in a world leading art gallery, or simply by being a cake taster for the House Bake Off!

The House system is now in full swing with new Heads of House elected, House Councils formed and the competition for the top spot being fiercely contested

Mrs Manson - House Coordinator

Clayton flying into the lead

Showstopping Illusion Cake for the House Bake Off

Year 10 Sharon’s Master Piece and Winner of the House Art Competition

July 3rd was an absolute blast at our school with the annual House Finale and Foundation Charity Fayre The whole place was buzzing with excitement, and it was a perfect mix of friendly competition and community spirit. The day started off engaging in mental and cryptic challenge escape room activities scattered throughout the school, testing students’ problem-solving skills and teamwork

After the mor ning activities, we took a break with some refreshing ice lollies and music, which was a nice way to unwind The highlight of the mor ning was definitely Mr Eggleston’s Tug of War Championship The houses went all out, and the energy was exhilarating Following that, we had a delicious BBQ lunch, which was the perfect opportunity to catch up with friends

Eva Dudley - Year 10 student and marketing assistant for the school during work experience week

The Merry Whole School House Masseoke

Lydia and Emi Celebrating Decades Day in Style

Lee House House Fest

The House Spelling Bee was as competitive as ever

We may compete against each other, but we will always be friends

We may compete against each other, but we will always be friends

We Are All in This Together - Go Clayton!

2024 MAL AYSIA EXPEDITION

On the 11th of July at some unsociable hour, sixteen students and two staff members arrived at Terminal 1 Manchester Airport to set off for two weeks in Malaysia. Despite the plane setting off late, we just made the connecting flight from Dubai with minutes to spare and a few hours later we arrived in Malaysia We were met by ‘Andy’, a coach, a driver and a climate which felt like a sauna turned up to eleven An hour later we were in central Kualar Lumpa?, Kualer Lumpar?, Kuala Lumpur (thanks Google spell check) and unloading our bags at the YMCA. Resisting the temptation to make the obvious jokes about having a hot meal, getting oneself clean or hanging out with all the boys, Andy took us on a short tour around the local area after which we had lunch in a streetside cafe, while our body clocks protested that it was actually several hours after dinner After a very long sleep, the next day was spent on getting essentials such as food for the jungle trek, gas for the stoves and dealing with frantic enquiries about phone coverage in the jungle.

The next day we did two treks, where we had to cope with the heat, humidity and the infamous leeches “ ”

The next day was spent on an air conditioned coach, travelling to Taman Negara Rompin on the other side of the Malay peninsula Half an hour before we arrived, we drove through a spectacular thunderstorm which fortunately stopped on arrival The first job was to put up the tents and while for some this was the first time camping, others went into full DofE mode and got the tents set up with no problems, even though Pindale Farm was 8000 miles away The first activity in the jungle was an evening’s walk around the centre where our guides showed us some of the living creatures to be seen, most of which appeared to possess at least 37 legs each The next day we did two treks, where we had to cope with the heat, humidity and the infamous leeches On the last full day there was a longer trek involving a river crossing but the highlight was the opportunity to cool off in a shallow section of the river, sheltered from the main flow

The next day we travelled up the east coast to Cherating where we had the opportunity to get involved with mangrove restoration and turtle protection projects The first evening we were treated to a firefly cruise along the nearby river. We were fortunate to have one of Asia’s leading experts in these insects as our guide and by flashing his torch at a certain frequency, he was able to elicit visual responses from them The next day we went to the turtle centre and some of the more artistic students created a design to paint onto the two of the building’s walls That evening we went on turtle patrol Walking on the beach we were hoping to see and record female turtles coming up onto the beach to lay their eggs Although we were disappointed not to see any, we were privileged to witness the release of a turtle hatchling into the sea The last full day involved a late start to allow us time to recover from the late night turtle patrol. Activities included a litter pick along the beach and also the opportunity to plant mangrove seedlings on the beach to restore habitat and reduce the perennial problem of erosion

We took a train journey to the Batu Caves, a Hindu shrine set in a series of natural caves at the top of 272 very steep stairs “ ”

The next morning we had a five hour journey to Malaka on the west coast Our modern air conditioned hotel was a real contrast to the English, Dutch and Portuguese colonial architecture of the old town Fortunately our trip coincided with the weekend evening street market, which we were able to visit on two successive nights Then it was back to Kuala Lumpur, which by this time I had learned how to spell, for the final couple of days The first evening we visited the world famous Petronas Towers, timing it so that we arrived around sunset and were able to watch the early evening light show The next day, we took a train journey to the Batu Caves, a Hindu shrine set in a series of natural caves at the top of 272 very steep stairs The final full day was spent in one of Kuala Lumpur’s many malls before it was time to go to our accommodation to pack for the flight home the following day Taking the train to the airport allowed us a last look at the city before boarding the overnight flight back to Manchester I would like to thank everyone who made this trip possible

Dr Durell

A Y H E L L O T O O U R I N C O M I N G H E A

H E A D G I R L

Ellie Tingle

D E P U T Y H E A D G I R L

Alice Morrison

S E N I O R P R E F E C T S

Widad Abubakar

Lynne Barber

Emelia Batty

Roisin Daly

Henrietta Gibson

Jemima Otter

Amelia Parkin

Molly Robinson

Leina Tordoff

Jae Yim

H E A D S O F H O U S E

Blakey - Ga bby Es tlin

Clayton - Arianna Pascale

Lee - So ph ia Tolson

Mackie - Isobel Wood

What is it like being Head Girl at WGHS.

Ellie Tingle our new Head Girl shares her thoughts on taking on such an honour

What have I found the mos t enjoya ble?

Connecting with students that I wouldn't have been able to do otherwise. When students come and talk to me it reminds me how privileged I am

What have I found the mos t surprising in my role?

I have been so pleased with how committed every member of my team is to supporting school as well as each other Being surrounded by people who are like minded enhances my ability to carry out my role in the best way I can

What has been the mos t difficult th ing for me so far?

I still get nervous every time I have to make a speech or present anything to a large group of people

What am I looking forward to in Year 13?

The Christmas Revue as it is such a monumental event and I can’t wait to see what my team can do

What do we want to ach ieve as a Head Girl Team?

We want to develop the school to become a place that invites students to challenge and show that their voice is needed and wanted

How do I feel a bout being Head Girl?

It is the best thing I have done in school and I feel massively privileged to have this role

Thank you Ellie from the school community and we really hope you enjoy your time in office

Heads of House

Congratulations to our Senior Head Girl Team 2024-25

Head Girl Layla Tai, and her Deputy, Poppy Lockwood are looking forward their leadership roles as WGHS Juniors Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl 2024-25

This year ’ s Farewells

We've had some amazing staff come through the WGHS gates over the year, bringing a wealth of talent and experience as well as many happy memories

Michele Doyle

English

The English Department is preparing for life in the 202425 academic year without one of its true stalwarts After 16 years at WGHS, Michele Doyle is leaving and entering into a well-deserved retirement She leaves behind a huge hole in the department, as well as a great legacy of hundreds of students who have benefitted from her experience, intelligence and care Those who have had the experience of having Ms Doyle as a teacher will look back fondly on her passion for the subject and her breadth of knowledge about current affairs and culture In addition, her high expectations and expertise in her subject have led to many years of student success in examinations. Those of us fortunate to have called Michele a colleague and friend will miss her humour, her integrity and her style! Michele will be greatly missed across the whole school community; the only consolation we have is that we know she will grasp the opportunities of life beyond teaching with as much zest and interest as she has shown throughout her career. If, as Seamus Heaney said, ‘life is a series of ripples widening out from an original centre’, we wish Michele all the best as she rides this new ripple of retirement

Jim Shaw - Head of English

Kat Bentham

Director of Music

Mrs Bentham joined the Foundation as a music teacher in 2008. She inherited the unenviable job of working at both senior schools, hurtling backwards and forwards across Northgate and Wentworth Street like a relay runner.

Mrs Bentham came to wo at WGHS in 2014 (saving a fortune in shoe leather). Instant innovations for an unsuspecting Year 7 were African drumming and ukulele playing, while higher up the school in GCSE Music she was an enthusiastic advocate for ensemble playing as a way of inspiring more meaningful musical engagement

She leaves behind a huge hole in the department, as well as a great legacy of hundreds of students who have benefitted from her experience, intelligence and care “ ”

Mrs Bentham is an exceptional performer and she has inspired generations of young musicians at WGHS to find extra reserves of preparation, confidence and ambition in their playing Her colourful and intrepid flagship group ‘Hor ns in Hats’ have galvanised our singing and set our feet tapping in assemblies and concerts

Mrs Bentham’s ‘mantra’ at the WGSF has been ‘always lear ning’ and she has led from the front in connecting with folk music, jazz, on-line lear ning or PracticePal in the interests of her colleagues and pupils We all wish her and husband Mark and son Teddy the very best on their Japanese adventure Next stop Taiko drumming

Mr Meredith

PS from Mr Eggleston...

Seldom in school have I seen someone with such vibrancy, enthusiasm and effervescence, let alone stamina! KCB’s desire to incorporate as many musical events into the calendar as possible is the stuff of legend From ceilidh’s and school trips to concerts and Music Inspire Days, her commitment to her subject, her role and the school and wider Foundation is to be admired I will miss her ‘dropping’ into my office on a daily basis with a new idea! KCB has been a great servant to WGHS and I hope she has an equally productive time in her new career and lifestyle in Japan

Kirs ty Varley

Head of Art, Head of Sixth Form and Associate Assis tant Head

In some schools, art can be formulaic and focused only on resultsbut not in Kirsty’s department Following her arrival in 2017, Wakefield Girls’ witnessed a shift in approach to learning about art Described as passionate and innovative, she is someone who really cares about each and every child She has encouraged each individual to follow their ow path During her time as Wakefield Girls’, Kirsty has modelled this Over the last few years she has successfully held other positions of responsibility including being our very first House Coordinator (alongside Mrs Haystead), Assistant Head of Year 11 then subsequently Head of Year 10-11 and more recently Head of Sixth and Associate Assistant Head It’s therefore clear to see that her ambition for others to be 10% braver and seek new opportunities are values she truly believes in

Kirsty has made a lasting impression at Wakefield Girls’ and leaves behind a very strong department. Whatever the future holds, we know that her dedication, sense of humour, diligence and genuine interest in school life means she will thrive in her new surroundings as Housemistress at Culford with the added bonus of being reunited as a family; dog and all!

Heidi-Jayne Boyes - Head

Cad ence Dollive

Biology

When Cadence arrived at the WGHS Biology Department in 2009 as a newly qualified teacher, she was an immediate hit with students across all key stages, and students have always respected her knowledge and flourished from her style of teaching She is inquisitive and gregarious by nature, exemplified not only by her passion for biology but also by the number and diversity of trips and activities she has been involved with From expeditions on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Year 7 residentials, and Classics trips to Rome and Pompeii, to biology field trips to Chester Zoo and Blencathra (to name but a few), Cadence has supported both students and staff across the school. Being environmentally conscious, she is always ready for a passionate discussion around sustainability and environmental issues, and she has run a variety of lunchtime clubs to raise awareness amongst the students

Martin Wilson

Physics

Martin started at the Physics Department in 2009 as a new, enthusiastic NQT, full of passion for Physics. Despite his quiet nature during interviews, his teaching style was captivating and innovative, ear ning him the position on his birthday Utilising his background in Astrophysics and A-level marking experience, Martin inspired his students to explore the Universe

Always striving to improve, Martin introduced the "5-step technique" for calculations and led the department in the Practice Explaining Walkthru His love for outdoor activities, from Ski Trips to Mountain Biking and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme expeditions, has given hundreds of students the opportunity to lear n more about themselves and others through the challenging, enjoyable expeditions and activities of the schem There has been a constant stream of students door carrying OS maps and trangias knocking on Martin’s door asking questions about tents

Students will remember Martin for his dedication and impact, as they continue to benefit from his teachings Hundreds of students have lear ned, grown, and explored under his guidance As Martin embarks on a new role at Greenhead College, the Physics Department wishes him the best and extends an open invitation for future visits to the Physics Hub

Although we will miss Cadence as she embarks on a new stage of her life at Crossley Heath, we wish her all the very best. Our loss is their gain, but we plan to keep in touch. Good luck Miss Dollive

Dr Barber - Head of Biology

Mr Hannard - Head of Physics

Hundreds of students have learned, grown, and explored under his guidance “ ”

This year ’ s Farewells

We've had some amazing staff come through the WGHS gates over the year, bringing a wealth of talent and experience as well as many happy memories.

Ian Soakell

Design and Techn ology Technician

Mr Soakell is hanging up his apron and retiring Ian joined WGHS in 2015 and has been an invaluable, much loved member of the department His expertise, endless patience and enthusiasm for the subject will be sorely missed We’re not sure about his cor ny jokes though!

Jamie Williams Maths

Jamie joined the Maths Department in September 2023 from the Lake District Full of enthusiasm and energy Jamie was soon sharing his love of all things Maths with all of the students he taught and all of the students he came into contact with in his short time will have benefitted from their time in the classroom with him

It was not only the Maths Department that benefited from his enthusiasm and energy Having lear nt that Jamie played the guitar in a band and was interested in all things musical the Music Department soon had him joining ensembles, performing in assembly and comparing the Cabaret Evening Indeed, his comparing skills were quickly sought after again when Year 13 asked ‘Maths Ken’ to partner up with ‘Biology Barbie’ and host the Sixth Form Christmas Revue Sadly for the Maths Department, and WGHS, life did not work out as planned in Wakefield and Jamie made the decision to retur n to his beloved Carlisle and a job back in Keswick We are sad that he is leaving us so soon and he will be missed but we wish him all the best in his next adventure

Mrs Rees - Head of Maths

Ian is not one to seek out the limelight, but to everyone he has supported and taught, he is most definitely a superstar. In Ian’s words: “I’ve been lucky; my career has included 20 years in a coal mine at the coal face, 5 years in a sweet factory at the liquorice face and 24 years in schools at the chalk face, including 9 years at wonderful Wakefield. It has been a real pleasure and honour to serve here at WGHS, hence, this is why I quote from Beres Hammond’s song Can You Play Some More: “Everyone inside is like family, yeah, I see no strangers around ”

We feel exactly the same Ian: you will always be a part of the WGHS family, so don’t be a stranger, and keep in touch Enjoy your retirement, potter in the garden, watch the footie and take the trips You have most certainly ear ned it

Mrs Cair ns - Head of Design and Technology

His expertise, endless patience and enthusiasm for the subject will be sorely missed “ ”

Andy Vause

Chemis try

Andy Vause joined WGHS in September 2019 and quickly adapted to online teaching and G-meets as the pandemic struck A very good chemistry teacher, he brought fun into many of his lessons with his classic quotes e g “some of you will finish the work in a quarter of an hour and others in 15 minutes”!

He has worked hard in both the Chemistry Department and Key Stage 4 pastoral team, mentoring students and assisting with clinics and booster classes In terms of the wider school, he has used his extensive general knowledge to generate House quizzes, compared at Sports Day and he ran the school football club

Andy has decided to leave the teaching profession and will be missed by staff and students alike We wish him well in his new role of Chemistry Technician

Dr Durden-Brown - Head of Chemistry

Amelia HunterWilkinson

Marketing and Communications

Amelia joined WGHS at age 4 and left after A-levels in 2019 to study History at Nottingham University We were delighted to welcome her back to school last year, initially working in our History Department to gain insights and experience for a potential career in teaching Amelia’s passion for school life led her to our Marketing and Communications Department, where she quickly became involved in highlighting all the wonderful activities happening around the school

Amelia has excellent written, organisational and planning skills, providing fantastic storytelling on our website and social media and also supported at our popular regional leadership event, #empowHER, both in 2023 and 2024 Her positive, conscientious, and cheerful approach has been greatly appreciated by students and staff who have worked with her over the past two academic years She will be greatly missed No matter how large or small the job she can always be relied upon to deliver with a smile on her face

Amelia is moving on to pursue her formal teaching qualifications at Cambridge University She has all the attributes to become a first class school teacher. Therefore we will watch her teaching career evolve and flourish We wish her all the best in her future endeavours and look forward to hearing about the successes.

Mrs Dell and Mr Eggleston

Her positive, conscientious, and cheerful approach has been greatly appreciated by students and staff who have worked with her over the past two academic years. She will be greatly missed “ ”

Rose Harries

LRC

Manager

and EDI Lead

This year we said a fond farewell to Rose Harries our Lear ning Resource Centre manager and EDI lead. For many years, Rose has worked tirelessly to promote the love and power of reading amongst our community Rose established a centre where all felt comfortable to talk, read and study, sharing ideas and debating many philosophical concepts In her capacity of LRC manager Rose has supported countless students both academically, pastorally and intellectually through their jour ney through school. Rose hasn’t just been a librarian, she has played a major part in the pastoral and cultural life of the school

Rose has now sought out new opportunities away from education, yet her legacy will continue to be felt here at WGHS for years to come Although her leaving is a real loss to the High School, we wish her, and her family, well for all their future endeavours. Rose you will be missed, good luck and thank you

Mr Harris

Louise Green

Cover Secretary

Reliable, unflappable, consistent and trustworthy. These are just some of the adjectives that describe Louise Over many years, WGHS had the pleasure of working with her and witnessing at first hand her high standards, exemplary record keeping and calm approach She always seemed to know when to “tip you off” or send a gentle reminder! Always with a smile on her face and a pleasant sense of humour, she made a lasting impression during her time at WGHS. No doubt she will be equally adept as the PA to the Chief Executive of Wakefield Hospice

Outside of work, Louise enjoys walks with her dogs, doing park runs and cooking a full Sunday dinner in her air-fryer! When going out socialising with her friends, Louise enjoys a glass of gin & tonic Louise is also deeply rooted in her family life; she travels to Birmingham a lot to see her family, and she often has funny stories to tell us about her two grown up boys and her husband Louise is the sort of person who always makes you feel welcome and understood, and she exudes a warm and gentle character, which is a strength that she can continue to use in her new role and environment at Wakefield Hospice

Mrs Fisher and Mr Eggleston

Y O U ’ L L L I K E T H E W A Y W E E M P O W E R E V E R Y O N E

T O A C H I E V E T H E I R F U L L P O T E N T I A L