BAROMETER THE
WETHERBY SENIOR SCHOOL WEEKLY NOVEMBER 7th 2018 | WEEK 8
Nouvelles du département de français! Noticias del departamento de idiomas! Nachrichten aus der neusprachlichen!
FROM THE HEADMASTER
Dear Parents, Just after midnight last Saturday morning, Mr Atkinson and I were gamely carrying the lectern across Bulstrode Street followed by parents and staff carrying peacock feather wreathes, orchids, easels, dressmakers’ dummies and parts of a wonderful screen covered with birds, flowers and greenery at the end of the PTA fundraiser Havana Nights. The evening was a great success and I am very grateful to all the members of the parent body who helped to set up the event, all the parents and staff who donated lots for the auction and all the parents who bid on the items in the live and silent auctions. Donations continue to come in and so the final total can’t yet be confirmed but, currently, the total is in the region of £45,000. If you would like to make a donation, please email my PA, Isabella Fateh (Isabella.fateh@ wetherbysenior.co.uk); thanks to the generosity of the Kusuma Trust all donations made this year will be matched up to a total of £25,000.
Yesterday afternoon, our Sixth Form boys took part in their first competitive debate against DLD College in preparation for a competition there with three other schools next week and our first Model United Nations conference in Manchester in January. The debate focussed on criminal justice and the boys won for presentation of argument, but could not carry the debate as a whole. Last night, I greatly enjoyed watching the Year 11 GCSE Drama devised pieces in which boys performed the short plays which they had written themselves in different genres – two groups took on the challenge of producing a piece of theatre in the style of Brecht and a third built on the work they had done in Year 10 in the production Punch and devised a piece of physical theatre. All three pieces were well-constructed and well-acted and I wish them every success in their examination performances next week. The imagination, the new ideas generated and the
problem solving on show in the Drama studio last night showed why creativity is increasingly valued in these uncertain and changeable times; indeed, the World Economic Forum has put creativity as one of the three most important skills for future employment. This afternoon is our whole school act of remembrance, this year led by Mr Warner. I am very grateful again this year to Edward Hoare in Year 8 for coordinating the selling of the poppies and I look forward to sharing with you how much he has raised in the coming weeks. Best wishes,
WEEK A MONDAY
WEEKLY DIARY 12.11.18
Talk for Sixth Form Boys - Loving the Stranger: The importance of inter-faith at Francis Holland School, Regents Park 15:00 Artist in Residence Event (Afternoon Club)
TUESDAY
13.11.18 Optional US University Talk for Year 11 & 12 Parents, Hannah House 18:30-19:30 Football ISFA Rd 3 U15A v KCS (H) 14:30
WEDNESDAY
14.11.18
Football U12/13 WSS C/D vs Fulham Prep (A) 14:30 Football U12/13 WSS A/B vs Fulham Prep (H) 14:30 Rugby WSS 1st XV vs UCS (A) 14:30
THURSDAY
15.11.18
Sex and Relationship Education- Alexandra Fryer: Year 10 & 11, Hannah House 16:45-17:45 Sex and Relationship Education- Alexandra Fryer: Parents’ Seminar, Hannah House 18:15-19:45
FRIDAY
16.11.18
SATURDAY
17.11.17
SUNDAY
18.11.17
Trib Assemblies 15:15-15:45
WETHERBY SENIOR SCHOOL WATER BOTTLE Help reduce our school's plastic consumption by using this personalised Active Bottle, emblazoned with the Wetherby Senior School logo and your own name. Made from highly durable materials, your Active Bottle is easy to open and close, won't leak and will keep your drinks hot or cold throughout the school day. Active Bottle supports our planet by donating 10% of all their proceeds to Clean Ocean and what's more, all remaining profits from selling the bottle will go straight to support your school's PTA and their selective charities. Can't get better! You can order online at: https://activebottle.co.uk/collections/wetherby
FRANKENSTEIN TICKETS Tickets for the Upper School Production are now on sale, available on Parent Pay for a limited time only.
When Victor Frankenstein plays God and builds himself a ‘Creature’ from corpses he had dug-up and stitched together, he has no idea how haunting his life is to become. Join us for a dark night of tragedy, tension and thrills as we watch The Creature on his quest for acceptance in a life of ruin. Starring Tobi A (Year 11) as ‘The Creature’ and Sean M (Year 12) as Victor Frankenstein, this twisted show is one not to be missed. Show nights: 7pm on Thursday 6th and Friday 7th December Price: £10 each’
IMPORTANT NOTICES
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
Soup: Leek & potato
Soup: Cream of broccoli
Soup: Roasted cauliflour
Main: Bolognese sauce
Main: Hot dogs/Quorn frankfurters
Main: Chicken & leek pie
Meat Free: Tomato and parmesan risotto To Go With: Sugar snap peas, warm chickpea, tomato & onion cassoulet, three coloured pasta
Meat Free: Pesto, rocket & goat’s cheese gnocchi
Meat Free: Stuffed portobello mushrooms with halloumi
To Go With: Vegetable kebabs, roasted vine cherry tomatoes, vegetable Rice
To Go With: Sautéed potatoes with thyme & cumin, roasted carrots & parsnip sticks, steamed peas
Dessert: Apple & forest berry crumble with ice cream
Dessert: Mango & passion fruit yogurt pots
Dessert: Chocolate fudge brownies
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
EVERY DAY
Soup: Roasted butternut squash
Soup: Roasted pepper & tomato
Main: Beef stir fry
Main: Pepperoni & bacon pitta bread pizza
Meat Free: Mixed vegetable stir fry To Go With: Egg fried rice, grilled bok choi, steamed bean sprouts, spiced savoy cabbage, rice noodles Dessert: Jelly pots
Meat Free: Tomato, mozzarella & basil pitta bread pizza Bread Pizza To Go With: Vegetable frittata, chips, grilled courgettes Dessert: Apple pie with custard
Freshly Made Bread Homemade Salads Vegetable Crudités With Hummus Sandwich & Wrap Selection Meat & Cheese Platters Fresh Fruit
MENU
GERMAN HOTEL REVIEWS - KATASTROPHE! Year 8 Germanists have been daydreaming about hazy summer days long since past, and we have been endeavouring to study the topic of holidays. The end of the module saw them talking about things that can go wrong on holiday – from cockroaches in the bedroom to no toilet paper in the bathroom! They have put their writing skills to the test and produced TripAdvisor reviews that would send even the most seasoned of travellers running. We hope you enjoy reading them! If there are any Lower School Germanists out there who can translate the reviews and bring them to Frau Page or Frau Eaves, they will receive an edible reward!
COMPETITION: YEAR 8 & 9 TRANSLATION BEE Following the roaring success of the Spelling Bee in recent years, this year will see the launch of a new competition – the Translation Bee! Year 8 and 9 students of French, German and Spanish will all have the opportunity to take part in the class competition, and in no time you will be translating full sentences into 3 tenses in the language of your choice! Find out more in your language lessons this term. Bonne chance! Viel Glück! ¡Buena suerte!
DIA DE MUERTOS Spooky or spectacular? You decide. The boys have been learning all about the Mexican Festival, Day of the Dead, and have even coloured in their own “calaveras”. The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the Central and Southern regions. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey.
MI INSTITUTO Year 9s have been learning about all things school related recently. Here’s what some of the boys had to say about Wetherby Senior School, en español of course!
YEAR 7 FOREIGN LANGUAGES SPELLING BEE 2018/19 To bee or not to bee? It’s that time of year again! This week has seen the launch of the MFL Spelling Bee at Wetherby Senior. All of our Year 7s will be taking part in the first round of the MFL Spelling Bee in the last week of term, and three loquacious linguists from each language will have the chance to move onto the second round. Remember, practice makes perfect, so stop stalling and start spelling. Watch this space to see who will prevail!
WHY STUDY A LEVEL GERMAN? Studying German A Level gives you the opportunity to be able to communicate with people in Germany, Switzerland and Austria as well as develop a greater understanding of their different cultures. The A Level course involves learning about a variety of different topics, including German politics and the EU, life in Germany, festivals and traditions, art and architecture and finally Berlin and its cultures. You will also develop your essay writing and analytical skills by studying German novels and German films. At A Level we encouraged to be more independent. We get more freedom during our listening practices as we get to control the recording making the listening more
accessible. We also have a ‘funkelnagelneu’ Sanako language lab that can be used for all our listening and other computer-related topics/activities. We hope that there will also be a plethora of trips available from going to Berlin to visiting Munich and much more. The A Level course will build upon your knowledge from GCSE and will be influential in supporting your other A Level subjects such as Politics, History, Economics and Business. It is a fantastic language to consider if you are interested in jobs in engineering, science and technology, teaching, business and banking – to name but a few.
I encourage people who enjoy GCSE German to take it for A Level if they believe that they can work hard and do what is necessary to get outstanding results. The German department is made up of extremely helpful as well as driven teachers to help guide you to achieve the grade you wish to achieve. As the former German Chancellor Willi Brandt put it, ‘If I’m selling to you, I speak your language, but if I’m buying, dann müssen sie Deutsch sprechen’.
A LEVEL FRENCH Sean M, Year 12 writes... I have just started my A Level French course, and in my opinion it’s much more enjoyable than at GCSE level. Firstly, the topics covered in A Level are more fascinating and rigorous than at GCSE. For example, we will be learning about the: immigration crisis, how criminals are treated and many more relevant and thought provoking topics. In my opinion, the wide variety of topics make A Level French much more enjoyable than the standard at GCSE. Furthermore, the
level of grammar and vocabulary is much higher, providing a deeper and more complex knowledge of the French language, which will be invaluable throughout your adult life. Moreover, in A-level French we will study French films and literature, and we will learn how to write analytical essays. Due to this, our knowledge of French culture will be more vast and interesting. I not only chose French as I can speak it at home, but I also found that studying a language for A Level
provides very useful skills and will benefit me greatly for University and job applications. Speaking a language such as French or Spanish will expand your job opportunities and will make you a more viable candidate. In addition, being able to speak more than one language at a high standard will allow you to be able to travel more and live in more than one country. Furthermore, I chose French as it was very different to my other A Levels, giving me greater breadth and variety of subjects.
A LEVEL PLUS SPANISH
Stepping up from the IGCSEs, the Year 12 boys can choose from a range of subjects to complement their chosen A Levels. In regards to the MFL department, Spanish and Mandarin are offered to students for two or three terms. Both subjects provide students with a basic understanding of the language and a deep
awareness of its culture. Students learn about the history, politics, art, literature, etc. in order to reinforce the importance of learning a language and be open to different ways of living. In Spanish, the boys have compared Madrid and Barcelona and have researched about the diversity found in Spain and Latin America. On the
other hand, in Mandarin the boys have learned to introduce themselves and have discussed the languages spoken in the target language country as well as some of the most important contemporary issues in China. They all seem to be enjoying both courses and we hope this inspires them to continue learning about new cultures.
ACTIVITIES: ROBOTICS With an important competition in January, the robotics crew are working hard on their two robots. A combination of best engineering minds from Years 7, 8, 9, guided by two Year 10 volunteers, Max H and Max P, are problem solving
and building a robot that can go to the edge of space. In a major First Lego League Competition, pupils have to work as a team to program a robot to navigate a space base. There are plenty of challenges to complete, including putting a rocket together, slamming
a switch with a plastic claw, drifting with the wheels to the ground - and no remote control is allowed! The challenge brings out the best in the boys, with engineering jobs including actually building the hardware parts, coding, and carryign out research on surgeries in space.
SPORTS NEWS Matthew M, Year 12 writes... Over the summer, Wetherby Senior School was privileged to have work completed on a new Gym at the Marylebone Lane site. The PE Department is now in place of the old library and music department. An incredible, new and modern facility for the School with weights, rowing machines, bikes and crosscountry ski trainer, this newly created room is painted in the School colours, black and silver, emphasizing team spirit in the fitness room. Equipping the WSS Gym with new training equipment has been the first step in getting students excited and committed to working out. We are fortunate to have the facility to work on progressive training, emphasizing correct form and this will help create the foundation for a flexible fitness programme. Strength training, cardio and body weights benefit us all and this training will establish habits that provide a healthier lifestyle for years to come. It is proven to benefit valuable physical skills, general sense of well-being, health, stress relief, cardio and body weight training. It also helps to set a pattern for lifelong fitness and is an added social area in terms of spotting and shared motivation that helps form friendships and shared interest. During a workout, students
learn to trust one another and form new bonds, allowing them to encourage one another to achieve new goals. Fitness challenges and goal trackers contributed by teachers (Mrs. Skinner and Mr. Astbury - Palmer so far) further fuel motivation and allow boys to set attainable goals to celebrate their personal and group success. It is a space for physical challenge and well-being, especially for those who don’t get a chance to engage in fitness outside of school. It increases heart rate, pulse rate and metabolism. Physical exertion helps to clear the mind and enable clearer thinking and improved focus
in other classes. It improves strength, coordination and flexibility, which also helps other athletic pursuits such as rugby, football and cricket. These physical skills in turn can increase self-esteem. Physical exercise results in the production of endorphins in the brain that also improve mood and outlook resulting in cheerful attitude, relaxed demeanour and a greater ability to rest well and focus. The new Gym has made an incredibly positive contribution to student life at Wetherby Senior School. It’s not just about competition and fixtures but laying down the foundations for a healthy lifestyle and contributing to positive mental health.
SPORTS NEWS
Rugby U15A WSS vs UCS 51-7 Man of the Match: Elias D P Football U13A vs Eaton Square Prep 1-3 U13B vs Eaton Square Prep 1-4 U13C vs Eaton Square Prep 0-1
WSS PTA 2018 - 2019
Co-Chair: Pia DeCarlucci Co-Chair: Isabelle Falkenberg Secretary: Jackie Bektas Treasurer: Kiren Virdee Year Group Co-ordinators Year 7: Stephanie Vogel Year 8: Lauren Ricotta Year 9: Diane Brazier Rima Bajpai Year 10: Aurora Perli Larissa Piggott Testa Year 11: Karen Gillingwater Year 12: Monika Thacker Sule Cairaschi
Trib Representatives: Year 7 7 Serpentine: Marika Pitt Tarina Shah 7 Whitestone: Hellen Mwangi Lisha Aquino Rooney Year 8 8 Serpentine: Lia Kazi 8 Whitestone: Bettina Fornari Year 9 9 Walbrook: Rima Bajpai 9 Tyburn: Diane Brazier Year 10 10 Ravensboune: Michelle Byrnes 10 Effra: Silvia Aruj-Haigh 10 Fleet: Lisa Giles 10 Tyburn: Tracey Bower 10 Walbrook: Raffaella Bush
Year 11 11 Effra: Elena Abrahams Karen Gillingwater 11 Fleet: Sule Cairaschi Anne Cortazzi 11 Tyburn: Megan Holberton Sofie von Graevenitz 11 Walbrook: Zina Hameed Doroteia Elliott Year 12 12 Fleet: Sule Cairaschi 12 Tyburn: Monika Thacker 12 Walbrook: Serena Fianco
To request email addresses of WSS PTA members, please contact WSS PTA on pta@wetherbysenior.co.uk.
http://www.wetherbysenior.co.uk