Dear Parents...Any questions, call Miranda Ponek 07508 654543 or email [email protected] Please note...
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1 @SPFSchools senior.stephenperse.com 26 May 2017 Issue 12 Senior School news Dear Parents In the midst of the hive of activity that is a school in exam season, we were privileged last week to literally rise above the hubbub and take part in a momentous event in the history of the building project: topping out. Just before the highest part of the building was lifted into place we stood, with students from all schools in the Foundation, looking out over the rooftops of Cambridge and finally got a feel for how the school would change shape in the next few months. The students were told that they were going to be the only students ever to set foot on the roof and then we all, rather glamorously, got to sign the top of the lift shaft. There is a growing excitement that sketches are becoming reality and the artists’ impressions may take a more human form sooner rather than later. Read more about the topping out below. Almost at exactly the time that we were enjoying the growth and expansion of the Stephen Perse Foundation, we heard the sad news that Walden School, previously known as the Friends’ School, would be closing at the end of this term. Schools are much more than just businesses, although we have to play by the same rules, and the emotional fallout from the announcement reminded us all of the importance that we have in the lives of the young people and their families who are part of our community. Having the opportunity to view a thriving, ambitious and innovative school from its very highest point reminded me that we are very fortunate indeed to be in this position. David Walker Head of Senior School News Sport in the Sky The Stephen Perse Foundation reached new heights last Tuesday as the tallest part of our new sports hall building was put into place at a ‘topping out’ ceremony. Students from across the Foundation’s six schools gathered at the Senior School site on Union Road to make their mark permanently on the building. Pupils signed the final piece of timber before it was hoisted into place to celebrate the key milestone of the building reaching its highest point. Continues on next page...
Transcript of Dear Parents...Any questions, call Miranda Ponek 07508 654543 or email [email protected] Please note...
1@SPFSchools senior.stephenperse.com
26 May 2017Issue 12
Senior SchoolnewsDear Parents
In the midst of the hive of activity that is a school in exam season, we were privileged last week to literally rise above the hubbub and take part in a momentous event in the history of the building project: topping out. Just before the highest part of the building was lifted into place we stood, with students from all schools in the Foundation, looking out over the rooftops of Cambridge and finally got a feel for how the school would change shape in the next few months. The students were told that they were going to be the only students ever to set foot on the roof and then we all, rather glamorously, got to sign the top of the lift shaft. There is a growing excitement that sketches are becoming reality and the artists’ impressions may take a more human form sooner rather than later. Read more about the topping out below.
Almost at exactly the time that we were enjoying the growth and expansion of the Stephen Perse Foundation, we heard the sad news that Walden School, previously known as the Friends’ School, would be closing at the end of this term. Schools are much more than just businesses, although we have to play by the same rules, and the emotional fallout from the announcement reminded us all of the importance that we have in the lives of the young people and their families who are part of our community. Having the opportunity to view a thriving, ambitious and innovative school from its very highest point reminded me that we are very fortunate indeed to be in this position.
David Walker
Head of Senior School
News
Sport in the Sky
The Stephen Perse Foundation reached new heights last Tuesday as the tallest part of our new sports hall building was put into place at a ‘topping out’ ceremony. Students from across the Foundation’s six schools gathered at the Senior School site on Union Road to make their mark permanently on the building. Pupils signed the final piece of timber before it was hoisted into place to celebrate the key milestone of the building reaching its highest point.
Continues on next page...
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The sports facility is part of an ongoing development of the Foundation which will bring superb new facilities within a brand new five-storey sports building, including Cambridge’s first rooftop Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), a Sport England standard four-court sports hall, an activity space with viewing area and nine additional classroom, as well as innovative hub spaces supporting the creative curriculum.
The new, state-of-the-art facilities will provide onsite indoor and outdoor sports facilities for all students within the Foundation to further enrich the curriculum, in addition to the facilities they currently use in Cambridge.
Tricia Kelleher, Principal of the Stephen Perse Foundation, said: “This is such an exciting milestone for the Foundation and brings much needed sports facilities to our central Cambridge site. “Participation rates for sport across our schools is extremely high and we have enjoyed huge success in rugby, hockey and netball this year already. We all look forward to enjoying even more sporting engagement and success in the future using these new facilities.”
Robin Dryer, from Chadwick Dryer Clarke, said: “At this landmark point in the build, it is a time to reflect on the past three years of activity and conversation with the Stephen Perse Foundation. It has been extremely rewarding to work with the governors, staff and pupils who have always sought creative solutions to match their aspirations, and with the expert project team guiding this challenging project through to fruition. Looking forward, the construction is already revealing a stimulating sequence of new learning spaces, and the rooftop pitch, a first for Cambridge, and the multi-purpose sports hall will be fantastic new resources for the school and the wider community.”
Ben Hayek, of Bidwells Project Management, said: “We are delighted to reach another important milestone in the delivery of this exciting and transformational project for the Foundation. It has been hugely challenging to construct within the operational school environment, and we are always pleased to make sure opportunities such as this ceremony recognise and involve the staff and pupils who have lived with the project for this past year, and will use it for many years to come.”
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Dennis Cotton, Operations Director for Kier, said: “Kier has long been at the forefront of sustainable construction in East Anglia. As experts in Cross Laminated Timber structures we are very proud to be delivering these innovative new facilities for The Stephen Perse Foundation. We look forward to celebrating, with the Foundation.
Sport in the Sky (continued)
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Sport in the Sky (continued)
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Cambridgeshire Track and Field Championships 2017-05-24
On Saturday 13th May, 11 of our students headed to The Embankment Stadium, Peterborough for the Cambridgeshire Track and Field Championships which is also the ESAA Cambridge District qualifying event for U15 students and above.
As such the standard is extremely high but The Stephen Perse Foundation students rose to the challenge and performed exceptionally well and had great success with several podium finishes. For many of our younger competitors this was their first time competing at this level of competition and proves they have great potential. Results as follows:
U20 age group
1500 metres – Emma S – 3rd place
U15 age group
High Jump – Sarah M – 2nd Place
Discus – Ella M – 4th Place
Shot – Ella M – 4th Place
800 metres – Lily R – 5th Place
Bethany B – 6th Place
Lily S – 7th Place
1500 metres – Ella M – 10th Place
Mariam A – 12th Place
Milly H – 13th Place
U13 age group
1500 metres – Iona C – 3rd Place
Lauren C – 6th Place
Long Jump – Emily B – 6th Place
100 metres – Emily B – 8th Place
Congratulations go to Ella M, Sarah M and Francesca T who have now all been selected to represent the Cambridge District at the County Track & Field Championships on 27th May.
We wish them well.
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We have had a successful start to the cricket season with our U12A and U13A teams both winning their age group at the Wisbech Cricket Tournament. Well done to all those who took part.
Wisbech Cricket Tournament
On Thursday 4 May we had a fantastic day in London with our Year 10 Drama students. After a really interesting backstage tour of the National Theatre (and a quick bite to eat in Covent Garden!) we watched the matinee performance of ‘Half a Sixpence’ at the Noel Coward Theatre.
Our students really enjoyed this feelgood production! We particularly liked the very well-chosen colour schemes of the costumes for different scenes and the clever way the set was changed to portray the various locations in which the play is set. Our students were also charmed to discover that the two romantic leads have also fallen in love with each other in real life whilst working on this show!
Year 10 IGCSE Drama Trip
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This term, students of all ages are enjoying taking part in trips and workshop sessions with some of our alumni who are currently working in theatre.
Visits, Talks and Workshops with Drama Alumni
Musical Theatre Workshops with Alumna Helen Petrovna
On Thursday 27 April we were delighted to welcome alumna Helen Petrovna who is currently performing in ‘Starlight Express’ in Germany and soon to be touring in the UK as Brooke in ‘Legally Blonde’. Helen ran two musical theatre workshops for us, one for Years 7-9 and one for Years 10-12. She also shared some of her experiences of working on a physically demanding show like ‘Starlight Express’ and talked about her career in musical theatre.
Gem Bowes - Graduate in Theatre Practice, Set Construction
Our first alumni visit was on Monday 24 April when we were joined by Gem Bowes who recently graduated in Theatre Practice, Set Construction from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Gem has built two large trucks for us which will make up a large part of the set for this term’s main production of Emil and the Detectives. Gem spoke with students in Year 9 about the construction process - you can watch a timelapse video of her building the set here: https://youtu.be/ccpYgHz_ZE0
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Year 9 parents and guardians, please come to have a chat and catch up with one another!
Thursday 18th May from 8.30am onwards in Trumpington Waitrose
Wednesday 21st June from 8.30am onwards at Fitzbillies, Bridge Street
Look forward to seeing everyone! Any questions, call Miranda Ponek 07508 654543 or email [email protected]
Please note this is not an SPF event
Year 9 Coffee Morning
On Tuesday 2 May some of our KS3 Backstage and Tech Club students visited the ADC Theatre in Cambridge where alumna Milly Parker was stage managing a production of ‘Birdsong’. We were treated to a talk from members of the creative and production team of the play who gave us an insight into their various individual roles behind the scenes. We then had a tour of the set and wings and a demonstration of some of the lighting used in the production.
Backstage Trip to ADC Theatre, Cambridge
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Summer Exhibitions
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Summer Exhibitions (continued)
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Summer Exhibitions (continued)
