BAROMETER THE
WETHERBY SENIOR SCHOOL WEEKLY NOVEMBER 20th 2017 | WEEK 10
WSS Sports Special
HEADMASTER’S NEWSLETTER NEXT WEEK’S DIARY IMPORTANT NOTICES SPORTS NEWS
FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Parents,
There is no aspect of setting up a new school that is easy. Shortly before lunch last Friday, Sport, though has an added I found myself in the company layer of challenge, as the of Mr Montgomery, Mr need to balance training Sullivan and the U15 football with competitive fixtures team, fighting our way through to develop the boys’s skills the London traffic on our way and confidence means to Royston for the latest round that our teams have to face of the ESFA small schools’ cup. schools with long established The target for the boys was to pedigrees and, in many cases, make it through to the second a larger pool of players to round but, by dusk on that draw on. It is a testament to day the boys found themselves the PE department and the through to the fourth round boys in the teams that we are and we wait to see who we will so quickly able to hold our face next (although we all have own and that their hard work our fingers crossed for our first is being rewarded. Winning, home fixture as the journeys though, is a by-product of get longer as the number of the approach that is being schools in the tournament taken to develop the boys as decrease). Whilst it is often the individuals and as teams so score line that gets focussed that they have the technical on, from my point of view it skill, the resilience and the was the camaraderie and the ability to work together and team spirit (in a match that learn from their mistakes. All had its challenges) which was matches, won or lost, are a most impressive. The boys learning experience and the supported each other and need to continue to develop worked for each other when and improve is what drives aspects of the game were not their progress. It is the same going their way. Ultimately, with academic work – boys their patience, perseverance need to focus on the process and resilience paid off. All of of learning, of putting in us there were proud of the way effort and learning from their they responded to the pressure mistakes, as that is how you they faced and they thoroughly get the top grades. deserved their win.
As we get ever closer to the end of term, there are opportunities to enjoy the sporting, musical and dramatic talents of the boys at the School. The inter-Trib competitions, the Christmas Concert and the Christmas Cabaret are all going to be exciting events and I am looking forward to seeing many of you there (but you need to move fast if you want to support the Christmas Cabaret as there are only a handful of tickets left). I would also be grateful if you could encourage your sons to produce at least one shoebox to be donated to the West London Mission, a charity that works to support the homeless. A small amount of effort from each boy can have a really big impact on the local community and I hope that every boy in the school will contribute a box.
WEEKLY DIARY MONDAY
27.11.17
New York Information Evening 6:30pm
TUESDAY
28.11.17
Football U13 WSS A/B vs HSW (A @ HSW) 2:30pm APG Art and Design Forum 4:45pm
WEDNESDAY
29.11.17
Rugby U15/16 WSS A/B vs St Benedict’s (H) 2:30pm
THURSDAY
30.1117
FRIDAY
01.12.17
HM Assembly at Hinde Street Methodist Church 3:30pm
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
02.12.17
03.12.17
IMPORTANT NOTICES
Agora presents: ‘Tomorrow’s Guide to Yesterday’, a talk on time travel by Mr Hasthorpe. Thursday 30th November 4.30pm in the Year 10/11 Common Room
MONDAY
MENU
TUESDAY
Soup: Tomato & Vegetable
Soup: Carrot
WEDNESDAY
Main: Spinach Mac & Cheese, Gluten Free 4 Cheese Bake
Main: Thai Chicken Curry
Meat Free: Stuffed Aubergine
Meat Free: Potato, Cauliflower & Chickpea Curry
To Go With: Cajun Spiced Potato Wedges, Baby Carrots, Steamed Broccoli
To Go With: Lemon Rice, Garlic & Coriander Naan, Creamed Spinach
Dessert: Carrot Cake
Dessert: Pineapple Coconut Dream
Soup: Pea and Ham Main: Sliced Roast Beef Meat Free: Mushroom Wellington To Go With: Roasted Potatoes, Cauliflower Cheese, Yorkshire Pudding, Gravy Dessert: Rice Krispie Squares
THURSDAY
Soup: Beetroot
Soup: Beetroot
Main: Steamed Fish Fillets
Main: Steamed Fish Fillets
Meat Free: Macaroni With Fresh Tomato Sauce & Basil
Meat Free: Macaroni With Fresh Tomato Sauce & Basil Freshly Made Bread
Soup: Sweet Potato
Meat Free Veggie Burgers
Main: Beef Burgers With A Choice Of Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Jalapenos & Gherkins
To Go With: Ratatouille, Chips, Steamed Mixed Vegetables Dessert: Raspberry Cranachan
Homemade Salads Vegetable Crudités With Hummus Sandwich & Wrap Selection Meat & Cheese Platters Fresh Fruit Yogurt Pots
EVERY DAY
FRIDAY
IT’S INTERTRIB TIME!
We have been very fortunate with the amount of games we have played this term. On average each boy has played 6 fixtures, 30 hours of games lessons plus 400 minutes of competitive sport. Well done boys!
It’s that time of year again... the InterTrib competition! Please come down and support your trib! Address: Wetherby Sports Ground, Twyford Avenue Sports Ground, Twyford Ave, London W3 9QB *Rugby InterTrib will be selected by the Trib captains based on the contact squad boys only. Trib Team deadline is Monday 4th December.
Year 7 Wednesday 6th December – InterTrib Football – KO 1:45pm Year 10/11 *Wednesday 6th December – InterTrib Rugby – KO 1:45pm Year 8 Tuesday 12th December InterTrib Football – KO 1:45pm Year 9 *Tuesday 12th December – InterTrib Rugby – KO 1:45pm
YEAR 10/11 FIRST XV
In September we started with a large group of boys fighting for positions to play in the prestigious first XV team, and none of the boys have let us down. They have grown from a group of individuals into a team that everyone can be proud of. Their skill set and tactical knowledge has grown to the point where we are scaring other schools and showing that these boys are the ones that are the future of school rugby. Led by Nelson T and the rest of the senior leadership group, the boys have shown that they have what it takes and are a side not to be messed with!
YEAR 9 RUGBY
Since September the team has grown and grown and it is my pleasure to have helped in this process; the standard of play and of commitment of the boys has reached a new level and they are developing into a strong team who can really show their mettle on the rugby field. A highlight of the sessions has been watching their skill sets grow and seeing boys stand up and show that they can be leaders. My favourite game so far has been the game against Laytmer where I watched all members of the team offload like the first team at Harlequins and come away with a win!
Rugby – Year 7/8 Rugby union is more than just a great sport that all children can engage with. It can deliver benefits across the whole school, acting as a driver for positive change in schools, providing a unique variety of development opportunities for teachers and young people. The advantages of rugby union go far beyond fitness and enjoyment: it has shown to help improve attendance, behaviour and student progress in schools. Our aim is to run contact and touch rugby squads and play competitive fixtures against other schools. All boys must have a mouthguard to participate in training and fixtures. I have arranged for OPRO, the national dental mouthguard association, to come into Wetherby Senior School Sports Ground and take impressions for custom fitted mouthguards. OPRO will take impressions on Tuesday 9th January (Year 8) and Wednesday 10th January (Year 7). Please see the attached letter letter for more information.
GAMES NEXT TERM
Football
Year 10
Year 7/8
Despite being on rugby term the year 10 A team have put in some impressive performances on the pitch. The team from the Barcelona tour, along with some new additions have fantastic team spirit and love running out together for cup games. The boys have successfully qualified for the fourth round of the ESFA small schools competition with one game between them and the quarter finals. Snapping at their heels are the promising development squad who have trialled to get into the A team squad for the football term after Christmas.
The lower school have been diligently improving their passing and movement in football, which has produced some pleasing results this term. Boys have been focused in lessons and have gelled well with each other on the pitch giving them confidence and cohesion which has allowed them to play well as a team. Mr Underwood and I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching them and look forward to seeing them progress through the school as we have some promising talent in both year groups.
GAMES KIT INFORMATION Attire before, during and after games It is essential that during the coming winter months the boys stay warm and continue looking smart in a full school tracksuit top/ hoodie and bottoms when arriving to school. When participating in games lessons, they will wear the Wetherby sports kit: black shirt, shorts, socks, base layer, wet top and leggings. That means at the end of the session the boys can put on clean, warm tracksuits for the rest of the day. If the weather forecast shows cold conditions then boys are permitted to wear black unbranded gloves and hats. Please be aware at school fixtures the boys cannot wear hats, gloves, leggings or wet tops.
Lost Property The Games Department are always telling boys to look after their kit and ensure it is named. In order to keep the school a tidy and safe place to move around in, any property is left lying about is likely to be gathered up and deposited in the Games Office. Named items of kit will be returned to the owner. However this is impossible if they are not named. The amount of lost property we collect over a term is astonishing: new trainers, single shoes, tracksuit tops/ bottoms, etc. Due to the amount of lost property, it will be handled as follows: • Named items will be returned as quickly as possible; • After 5 days, any items remaining shall be placed into storage until the end of that term; • At the end of each term any unclaimed un-named items will be disposed of or given to charity We highly recommend you double check that all kit is clearly named so that anything misplaced can be returned to it’s owner in a timely fashion.
EDDIE JONES COACHES AT WSS
Eddie Jones treated 14- and 15-year-old pupils at Wetherby Senior School to a coaching session earlier this month. The young rugby players took part in a warm up which included handling skills, tackle techniques and attack decision making before going into a game of touch refereed by the school’s Director of Sport, James Sullivan. “The kids were overwhelmed and full of excitement ahead of the big day and so were the parents. They couldn’t wait,” said Mr Sullivan. “The year tens had their exams that day and were already
planning their exit route from the exam hall to take part in the session, while the remainder of the kids were wishing away the week in the countdown to his arrival. The benefits of rugby have translated into the classroom, with many kids coming out of their shell as a result.”
M, have been selected for the London Irish Bronze Academy.
“It was great to come here to Wetherby. The students seem to really enjoy the sport. You could see the enthusiasm on all of their faces during the session and this is what it’s all about,” said Jones.
“These are essential for developing healthy relationships and succeeding in and out of school.”
Three of the pupils, Nour H, Antonio M and Matthew
“Rugby is the ultimate team sport and I’ve developed a whole host of important social skills like sportsmanship and fair play, cooperation and team spirit,” said Antonio M.
See the article online at http:// www.englandrugby.com/news/ eddie-puts-pupils-throughtheir-paces-wetherby-seniorschool/
COACHES’ CORNER
Name: Mr Robin Montgomery Height: 2m (6ft 6inc) Weight: 110kg
What was the last film, book or TV show that made you cry? Marley and Me.
Favourite food: Thai
What would the title of your autobiography be? ‘Monty’s Memoirs’
Sports coached: Football, rugby, swimming, gymnastics, trampolining, cricket, strength and conditioning
If you could witness any past, present or future moment what would it be? Jimmy Hendrix, Woodstock 1969
Hobbies: Fitness training, football, rugby, walking, travelling
If you went on Mastermind what would your specialist subject be? AQA GCSE PE
If you could be one player who would you be? Patrick Vieira Achievements: Sussex County rugby U12 – U21, Scotland age groups and A team rugby.
Name three guests (dead or alive) that you would like to invite to a dinner party: Robin Williams for his laugh out loud comments, Stephen Fry for his witty banter and Beyoncé.
Most memorable moment working at WSS: U14 rugby B team coming back to beat Mill Hill School.
If you won the lottery what would be the first thing you’d buy? A gym so I could run my own business.
Which fellow staff member would make the best James Bond? Mr Meyer, cool calm and collected,
A healthy body means a healthy mind. Take care of yourself during the exam period by eating well, sleeping well and exercising regularly. Exercise oxygenates the brain and releases tension, helping you to keep calm, mentally relax and study more efficiently.
EXERCISING FOR EXAM SUCCESS
Read these top exercise tips to help you get through your revision!
Little and often You spend a great deal of time sitting at the computer or with your head in a book when revising for exams. You can’t revise effectively for excessively long periods, so take regular breaks to stay productive. A simple walk to the shops can be enough to help you clear your head so that you return refreshed to your studies.
Develop a routine A balanced routine of work and play is essential during revision and exam time. It might feel like you’re too busy, but try to maintain a regular exercise schedule aim to get active at least every other day. Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good, reducing stress and helping you to get good night’s sleep but avoid stimulating activity just before bed, to give your brain time to wind down.
Know what works for you Plan your exercise during periods when you know you generally won’t study. Some people work better in the morning, some at night – if you plan your exercise around your study schedule then you won’t miss out on valuable revision time.
Use your feet If your exam is taking place close to where you live, why not walk there instead of been driven or taking the bus? A short walk before an exam helps you to relax and focus your thoughts.
Saracens are breaking barriers and holding the first ever Aviva Premiership game at London Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. They will play Harlequins at London Stadium on Saturday 24th March 2018, kick-off 15:00 and would like to invite Wetherby Senior School pupils, their families and friends to join us. This promises to be an afternoon of high class Premiership Rugby with live spectacular pre-match and half-time entertainment. Silver Tickets - Adults £25/ Under 16’s £15 – standard pricing Adults £35/ Under 16’s £21 Gold Tickets – Adults £37/ Under 16’s £20 – standard pricing Adults £47/ Under 16’s £26 To secure your seats 1 Go to www.saracens.com/tickets 2 Click the Tickets button on menu navigator below the picture rotators 3 Enter the code WETHERBY2018 in the Promotional Code Box and validate 4 Click Buy within the WETHERBY2018 box 5 Select the number of seats required in each age category 6 Add to Cart 7 Click Buy now 8 Create an account if you do not already have one and complete your purchase All orders are subject to a £2.50 fulfilment and postage fee. *The promotion code will run initially until 31st December. The offer may be ended early or extended, subject to availability. NB There is no requirement to complete the Family & Friends Section of the Booking Form. If you require further information or assistance in booking your seats please contact juliecherrington@saracens.net or call 02036757224 (direct line)
SCIENCE IN ACTION
On Friday the 17th, the science department was let loose with the year 11 boys. Braving the tube, we ventured to the Emmanuel Centre, Westminster, for a day of science in action. The boys were inspired and challenged by five interactive and highly engaging sessions. Through a combination of demonstrations and audience participation the boys discovered the wonder of science, with each session being led by a leading expert in their respective fields. Greg Foot, science presenter, shared with us the story of his scientific adventure, diving to 1000ft in the ocean. Professor Carole Mundell, the Head of Astrophysics at the University of Bath and a fully qualified Extragalactic Astronomer, took us through the physics of exploring unknown universes and black holes.
Dr Helen Pilcher is a teadrinking, biscuit-nibbling science and comedy writer and author of ‘Bring Back the King: the Science of De-extinction’. We joined Helen on a journey through geological time as she explained how the advancements in genetics and cell biology have already made de-extinction a reality. Dr. Stephen Ashworth, University of East Anglia, put on a demo-packed session of kitchen chemistry, using materials available in a supermarket, pharmacy or hardware store to illustrate the wonders of chemistry. Stephen takes this performance all around the world and has even demonstrated this underneath a tree in Nairobi. What a wonderful thing to be able to do and an amazing job to have! Finally, Dr. Marty Jopson, TV presenter, live show
performer, writer, strange prop builder and all round Science Bloke, took us out with a Bang in his “Dangerous Equations” show. Marty demonstrated how to use the Laws of Physics to avoid probable death, placing himself in grave personal danger for the boys’ entertainment. A lot of fun! In addition, the boys were given a 20 minute session on examination and revision success which will definitely come in useful over the next couple of months. Big thank you to Miss. Hoskins for organising such a great day, all the science department for helping out and also the boys for being a pleasure to spend the day with. Nice work team!
On Friday 3rd November the Year 9 boys travelled to The Ambassadors Theatre to watch a modern-day adaption of Jekyll & Hyde. The play follows Mrs Jekyll in the year after her husband’s death as she tries to continue his work- research on human duality. Throughout this process, she begins to test his potions and realises their very striking effectturning her into the far more violent and brazen version of herself, named Hyde. Hyde helps her to stand up for her rights in Victorian England, a time when women were refused jobs, property ownership and the vote. The play then took an interesting twist as we realised that this was metatheater- a play within a play.
The end of Act One saw a young woman writing out the story as it was acted, and in Act Two we learned that this was her blog: a modern ‘Fan Fiction’ take on the original tale. It turns out the characters had significance as real-world figures who stood up for the furthering of women’s rights in the 21st century, highlighting examples of ongoing sexism and how important it was that future generations should keep standing up for equality across the world. The play had many exciting twists, showing how the two stories were interlinked. There was also an extremely climactic ending. What an exciting afternoon at the theatre!
JEKYLL AND HYDE THEATRE TRIP
MATCH REPORT Football U12 WSS A v Notting Hill Prep 1-5 Man of the Match: Raphael LeB U12 WSS B v Notting Hill Prep 0-5 Man of the Match: Isaac E and Oscar T Rugby U16 A WSS v Tiffin School 5-45 Man of the Match: Joshua G-O U14 A WSS v Ark Burlington Danes Academy 25-22 Man of the Match: Jacques O and Pierre-Alexander Z
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