24^th May 2021

 

Dear Parents and Students,

A whole half term back in school - how wonderful it has been to have all of our young people on the school site for this first half of the summer term.

We are maintaining a cautious approach to the lifting of restrictions to ensure that the school continues to move forward but I am so pleased that we have been able to reintroduce year group PE activities after school.

After half term, in the week beginning the 14^th June, Year 10 Clinics and Home Learning Club for Years 7, 8 and 9 will start. A Schoolcomms will be sent out to all parents to explain the details. Year group bubbles will be maintained.

Despite the restrictions on activities and events over the last few months we have followed Covid guidelines to provide the following.

 

Year 8 Students are Brilliant!

Twelve lucky Year 8 students embarked on the Scholars Programme, delivered by The Brilliant Club, a charity which aims to widen access for outstanding students in non-selective state schools to the United Kingdom’s most selective universities.

The students underwent a rigorous process in the spring term, attending multiple university-style tutorials led by PhD tutors. The tutorials and learning were based around the French Revolution and were all at a very high level. All twelve students produced a final assessment which was a 1500 word essay and we are thrilled that they all passed with the following grades:

2 x firsts, 2 x 2:1, 4 x 2:2 and 2 x thirds, which has been a wonderful achievement for all of our students.

Mrs Naylor-Teece, Science Teacher and in school coordinator of this programme said:

“It has been a real pleasure to watch these young people rise to the challenge of the Scholars’ Programme. I have been overwhelmed by their dedication and resilience in tackling such a difficult topic – even throughout lockdown. They have done us and themselves proud!”

All of our students enjoyed the unique experience, summed up by one of our students who wrote:

‘I think the best part of the Scholars programme was taking part in the tutorials in general and learning about something I knew nothing of previously. At first, I found the course hard to understand since there was so much to know and I wasn’t used to university style work, but after a while of taking part in tutorials I overcame the challenge and the information seemed easier to understand instead. I truly had an incredible time and thank you for letting me take part.’

Having read all of the essays I am in awe of the work that our young people in Year 8 have produced. It is a delight to see them explore the complexities of the factors impacting on the French revolution, demonstrating their in-depth thinking and ability to articulate a response to university standards. I am very proud of them all.

 

Whole School Student Council

A big thank you to all the students in Years7, 8 and 9 who have applied for the Whole School Student Council. We have had over 50 applications from students all of whom are enthusiastic about making a positive impact to the wider Henry Beaufort School community.

Students had the opportunity to express an interest in a particular satellite group that they were passionate about. The ‘Satellite Groups’ are:

• School Life
• Equality
• Sustainability
• Curriculum
• Cultural Capital

The first meeting of each group will take place the first week back after half term during tutor time so that the students can begin making plans about the impact they can have. We will keep you regularly updated on their progress.

Miss Coleborn

 

News from the Science team

Two Year 8 classes have taken part in the EACH-B randomised research trial for Lifelab (based at Southampton General Hospital) and Southampton University. Students have filled out online questionnaires and worn an activity tracker for a week. It involves 50 schools, over 2000 students and repeat data will be collected in a year’s time to feed into the study.  A detailed article will be submitted to the local paper as well as being put on line through our own social media sites.

 

News for the Maths team

Our Years 7 and 8 year groups have been participating in the UKMT Junior Maths Challenge. This has given students an opportunity to take part in a national competition designed to really test students’ mathematical understanding by posing tricky questions to think in a different way than normal.

This is wonderful opportunity for them to develop their mathematical reasoning, precision of thought, and fluency in using basic mathematical techniques by solving these interesting problems.

We are hoping for some of our students to qualify for the follow up rounds! Finger Crossed!

Some of our students were able to watch and participate in a maths inspiration show all about structural engineering. This was especially encouraging for our female mathematicians hearing from a very successful female engineer.

Fun maths fact: “Eleven plus two” is an anagram of “twelve plus one” which is pretty fitting as the answer to both equations is 13.

 

We said farewell to on site working for our Year 11 students last Friday with our traditional celebration of the last 5 years of school. An assembly (which started with a walk around the school so that all other year groups could show their appreciation to the Year 11 students) was followed by shirt signing, goodie bags for all and ice cream!

Year 11 made a significant contribution to the assembly with a range of musical interludes as follows:

Musical Interlude 1

1. Clarinet Duet: ‘Allegro’ by C.A.Goepfer, performed by Abigail and Mrs Seddon
2. Vocal Solo: ‘Lost Without You’ performed by Eve  
3. Jazz Ensemble:  ‘Love is Beautiful Thing’ by Vulfpeck performed by Charlotte  and Jake
4. Vocal Duet: ‘Don’t You Remember’ by Adele, arranged and performed by Rosie and Linea

A beautiful piece of music written and performed by Rosie Wilson entitled ‘What do I do’ was played over the photo slideshow of the students when they were in Year 7 - to an equal mixture of delight and horror!

At the assembly we acknowledged the hard work and resilience that Year 11 had shown throughout these difficult two years interrupted by lockdowns and restrictions.

Referring to their ‘stickability’ which has been demonstrated time and time again throughout the pandemic we recognised that whilst our students last two years may have been shaped by the pandemic it has not, or ever will, define them.

As we approach the final half term of the year a reminder that we have a school closure for an INSET day on the 25^th of June when we will be starting our preparations for the academic year 2021/22 - our 50^th Anniversary year!

Our last day of term on Friday the 23^rd of July is a half day; students departing at midday.

Thank you to Mrs Denman for providing a delicious cake recipe below for a spot of baking over the half term break.

With my best wishes for the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend,

Miss Hearle

Headteacher

 

Chocolate loaf cake:

Ingredients:

125g plain flour
125 caster sugar
100soft light brown sugar
50g cocoa powered
1stb bicarbonate of soda
60 butter, plus extra for greasing
125g yogurt
1 egg
150ml water

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees/ 160 fan/ gas 4, then grease the loaf tin and line with baking parchment.
2. Combine the flour, sugars, cocoa powder and bicarbonate in a large bowl.
3. Melt the butter. Whisk the yogurt, egg and water with the melted butter.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients together until a smooth batter has formed. The mixture will be very runny- this is okay.
5. Place in the loaf tin and bake for 35-40 minutes. Insert a skewer or knife to check it has cooked.
6. Let it cool then enjoy.