The Fortnight That Was … 30 November - 11 December 2015 T H E

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FESTIVE FUN AT CHRISTMAS FAYRE AND MARKET The Junior School hosted another successful Christmas Fayre on Friday 27 November together with a Christmas Market. The inclement weather meant that the market stalls were moved indoors, but even so there was a wonderful atmosphere inside. The children worked hard to devise an amazing array of games and Father Christmas was kind enough to visit us. A huge thank you to you all for supporting this fund-raising event by providing gifts for the tombola stalls and Christmas baskets and, of course, for spending your money at the many stalls. Very special thanks to Mrs Stevens, Mrs Grant-Salmon and the rest of the parent volunteers for devoting so much time and energy into organising this event. Thanks also to Mrs Bellamy, who made the baskets look more beautiful than ever. The total raised at this year’s Christmas Fayre was £1,210.34, from which we will purchase two new digital cameras and a docking station. The remainder will go towards improving our playground facilities.

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J4 EGYPTIAN DAY Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, came to the Junior School recently to teach the J4 pupils about life in Ancient Egypt. First we mummified Amon. We put his lungs, stomach, liver and intestines in canopic jars. Ben was the priest and it was fun! Then we did an Egyptian dance and played Mancala. I beat Isobel twice! Mancala is one of the oldest games in the world. Next we played with wooden toys like Ancient Egyptian children did. One looked like a man hitting his head on a rock but he was really doing the washing. “Ha, ha,” we laughed! Finally, we were told a story about Rhodopis, which was like an Egyptian version of Cinderella. The time finally came when Cleopatra had to go. My favourite thing was mummifying Amon. Report written by Joshua Coleman, J4

OFFICE GIRLS HEAL THE WORLD The girl band “Office Girls” performed to pupils from Year 7 upwards on Thursday 10 December. The four-piece band, comprising girls from Spain, Ireland, Wales and Sheffield, all swapped their desk for a showbiz career. The Office Girls spread their message about discrimination and anti-bullying telling pupils that it doesn't matter what age, race or religion you are, just be whatever you want to be and don't let

anyone tell you differently. A huge thank you to the Office Girls for visiting Pitsford School and speaking to our pupils.

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SCROOGE … A GHOST OF A CHANCE Scrooge… A Ghost of a Chance! is a highly entertaining version of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, although, perhaps apologies to Dickens may be in order! The play sees the transformation of Scrooge from curmudgeon to benefactor thanks to the appearance of the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come, but as always, liberties were taken with the original story! All of the children worked extremely hard to learn their speaking parts and the songs - and it was great fun to watch. We hope you enjoyed it, too! (More photos to follow in the next edition).

SECOND-HAND UNIFORM SALE

The Friends of Pitsford School will be holding a Second-Hand Uniform

Sale in the Library on Wednesday 16 December between 1.30pm and

3.30pm. Any uniform to be sold should be brought to the School Office.

Please remember that uniform must be clean and in good condition to be

included in the sale. For more information on how to sell uniform please

see our website or click on the link below.

Full details of how to buy and sell Second Hand Uniform

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INTERVIEW WITH MR TICKLE, HISTORY AND RE TEACHER

Can you tell us a little about your professional background? I grew up in

London and attended Ealing Grammar School. I studied Theology and History

at Durham University before undertaking a PGCE and Further Theology at St

Stephen’s House, Oxford. I commend to our Sixth Form pupils the value of

collegiate university experience which you find at Durham, Oxford and

Cambridge

I then spent four years’ as a Curate before taking up my first teaching post at

Tewkesbury Abbey where I was chaplain and also led the Abbey’s choral

services. The Abbey had daily choral Evensong. Throughout my teaching

career at several other independent and non-independent schools, I have

been an Officer for the Navy section of the CCF and a Divisional Officer at the

Britannia Royal Navy College, Dartmouth.

What inspired you to undertake a career in teaching and when did you

join Pitsford School? I joined in 2002 and embarked upon a teaching career

because I wanted to encourage young people to feel they can achieve things

and was inspired by the thought of spreading new ideas. I also liked the idea

of the school holidays!

What changes have you seen over the years? Many positive changes

including the opening of the Junior School and more use of IT but, I am

pleased to say, many traditions still remain.

Can you tell us more about the extra-curricular activities you are

involved in? I have always had affection for radio, ever since I was a child

when I used to listen to propaganda broadcasts on shortwave. I now run an

after-school radio club.

I’m involved in quite a number of other activities including leading the School’s

debating club as I enjoy current affairs, running a religious studies after-school

GCSE group, being responsible for assemblies and supporting school musical

events as I also play the organ.

How would you describe Pitsford School? It’s a school where we value

individuals and help them to pursue their interests and flourish.

What words of wisdom would

you pass onto pupils? If you

fall, you can always pull yourself

up. As Winston Churchill said:

“Never, Ever Give Up.”

What are your hobbies?

Photography, music, travel,

architecture, and trains.

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Debating and Public Speaking

Thomas Goodwin and Matthew Wainwright

formed our team in the first round of the

English Speaking Union Mace Debating

Competition. The boys competed against

two teams from Caroline Chisholm School

as Wellingborough School had to pull out.

The proposed motion was: “This House

believes that custodial sentences should

only be given for violent offence.” Pitsford are through to the next round.

The School also entered three teams in the Rotary Public Speaking

Competition. Each team comprised a main speaker and a person to propose a

vote of thanks. Oscar Powell, (senior section), gave a talk on “Silence is not

always golden but can sometimes be plain yellow.” Oscar spoke with

characteristic wit, acuity and depth. He and his running mates, Samuel Gibbs

and Lily Hagenberg, suffered an honourable defeat by an Upper VI team from

NSB.

Christopher Leeke spoke persuasively on the topic: “Was Henry VIII a true

Renaissance man or a Machiavellian Prince?” He interestingly argued that the

year 1536 saw the tipping point from one of these characteristics

predominating to the other. He and his running mates, Robert Carter and

Peter Smith, spoke with clarity and lively

articulation.

Alex Smith gave a lively, articulate and well

argued speech on the migrant crisis. She

and her team comprising William Carter and

Lucy Rathe are now through to the next

round.

JUNIOR SCHOOL NEEDLEWORK CLUB This term’s needlecraft was fantastic and I really enjoyed it. We had the option of making a star, a Christmas tree, a snowman or a Christmas pudding. The materials we could choose from included felt, cotton, buttons, sequins and thread. Mrs Walker was very helpful and explained what we had to do. She is always kind and makes us giggle, especially when we find something quite tricky. Review by Emily Montford J5

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LUNCHTIME CONCERT REVIEWS The concert at lunchtime on Thursday 3 December, was given by William Kimbell (Year 8) Francesca Li (Year 10), Teresa Ma (Year 11) and Olly Walker (Year 7). William started the concert with a strong performance of an unaccompanied piece for flute. Francesca then performed Fur Elise on the guitar, with precision and delicacy. On the electric guitar, Olly performed a rousing piece, well known from the film Pulp Fiction. The finale of the concert was pianist Teresa with one of her Grade 8 pieces. Another excellent concert. Well done to all the pupils who performed. This week’s lunchtime concert featured two ensembles and two soloists including the senior string ensemble performing Offenbach’s famous Can-Can at a steady pace and with a smile! Emma Briggs (Year 11) played the piano performing a piece she is preparing for an exam whilst Year 9 pupil, Freddie Barker, performed a sonorous piece on the alto saxophone demonstrating his skills on the instrument. 8G performed Old Crow Medicine Show’s, Wagon Wheel as a class, all singing and playing the ukulele. This was a fantastic last lunchtime concert of the year. Next week it’s the turn of the School staff who will be performing some Christmas-themed numbers to Pitsford pupils!

PARENTS’ NOTICEBOARD If you have a message for Pitsford School parents please email skendrick@pitsfordschool.com

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SPORTS ROUND UP… On Thursday 3 December,all Year 7 girls and boys, together with Year 8 boys represented Pitsford School in sports fixtures. The U12 Rugby team lost 38-5 against Welland Park in a hard fought muddy battle on the pitch. Player of the match: Oliver Walker. Our U12 Netball team was also in action, losing 5-3 against Welland Park. This was a game in which all the girls played in a variety of different positions and it was encouraging to see the players enjoying their new challenge. Player of the match: Ruby Hamlyn. The U13 Netball team also played against Welland Park on the same day. With good positivity and a great team spirit, we came out with a successful win. The end score was 7 to Pitsford and 3 to Welland Park. Congratulations to everyone who played and represented the School including Lucy Rathe for having a fighting spirit as she played with aggression and determination. Well done also to Beth Parker for helping boost up our ending score with lots of her goals. Thanks also to Mrs Chacksfield and Mrs McNally. On Tuesday 08 December, our U14 Netball team beat Northampton School for Girls (NSG) 25-11. This was a fantastic result seeing the team undefeated so far this year in the league. The players of the match were: Isha Schofield and Molly O’Connor. The U15 Netball squad also played NSG on the same day winning 16-11. The girls made an amazing come back after a lacklustre first quarter. Player of the match: Temi Ajayi The girls then played a very physical game starting to believe and fight for every ball before eventually winning the final 4-1. Player of the match: Georgia Boffey. On Thursday 10 December, the Year 7 Netball team played a tough match against Northampton Academy, only managing one goal in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Charlotte Ferguson and Molly Parry scored three brilliant goals between them. In the third quarter, Pitsford quickly scored two more goals and to finish off in the fourth quarter, the girls scored another. The final score was 7-0 to Pitsford School. Thank you to our amazing shooters: Molly Parry, Charlotte Ferguson and Olivia Butler as well as our great defence: Eva-Mae Hart, Annabelle McCallum-Toppin and Sophie Hulme. The player of the match was: Tianna Chacksfield. On the same day, the Year 8 Netball team played an incredibly intense, but incredibly fun, game of netball against Northampton Academy. With an ending score of 7-1 to Pitsford, we ended with a great team spirit and positivity. Congratulations to Beth Parker, our player of the match, and everyone who played on court yesterday. Well done!

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Menus As all our produce is sourced locally, menus are subject to change and older pupils will be offered additional options which are not shown here.

Monday 14 December Chicken myers served with boiled rice and sweetcorn (V) Cheesy omelette, hash brown and mixed salad Chocolate brownie Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Tuesday 15 December Christmas Lunch for Junior School pupils: Traditional roast turkey with gravy, sage & onion stuffing ball, chipolata sausage with bacon or Mushroom, feta and cranberry tartlet Golden roast potatoes, fresh glazed carrots, garden peas Chocolate fudge cake with cream Fresh satsuma orange Wednesday 16 December Sausage hot dog in a roll served with herby diced potatoes and spaghetti hoops (V) Vegetarian hot dog roll Homemade flapjack Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Thursday 17 December Battered cod fish finger served with chips and garden peas (V) Cheese and onion slice Christmas fairy cake Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Friday 18 December Christmas Lunch for Senior School pupils: Traditional roast turkey with gravy, sage & onion stuffing ball, chipolata sausage with bacon or Mushroom, feta and cranberry tartlet Golden roast potatoes, fresh glazed carrots, garden peas Chocolate fudge cake with cream Fresh satsuma orange

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What’s On Looking Ahead?

Monday 14 December No Junior School Clubs this week 4.20pm Senior Choir

Tuesday 15 December 9.30am Kits-J3 Christmas Play Junior School Christmas Lunch No Senior School Tuck Shop Year 8 HPV Vaccination 3.15pm U15 Netball (a) Duston

Wednesday 16 December

Christmas Craft Morning 1.30pm Pitsford Run (Junior School) 10.10am Senior String Ensemble 1.30pm-4.00pm Second Hand Uniform Sale

2.00pm Pitsford Run (Senior School) 4.15pm Buses leave

Thursday 17 December Junior School Class Christmas Parties 1.20pm Senior Guitar Ensemble 3.00pm U12 Rugby (h) Campion 7.00pm Senior School Christmas Concert at All Saints Church

Friday 18 December 10.45am Junior School Carol Service at All Saints Church 12.00Noon Term ends for Junior pupils

1.00pm Sixth Form Christmas Lunch 2.30pm Senior School Carol Service at All Saints Church 4.00pm Term ends for Senior pupils 4.15pm Buses leave

Monday 11 January Spring Term begins J1-J6 Football Club (Lunchtime) J3-J6 Netball J3-J6 Cross Stitch J3-J6 Rugby Year 11 Mock Exams Year 11 Futurewise Assessments

Tuesday 12 January J3-J4 Dance Club (Lunchtime) Recorders (Beginners - Lunchtime) J3-J6 Art J3-J6 Multisports Year 11 Mock Exams

Wednesday 13 January Junior School Council (Lunchtime) Squirrels-J2 Tiny Tag Rugby J4 Cookery 8.30am Parents’ Pilates Class (Junior School Hall)

Year 11 Mock Exams 4.20pm Music Rehearsal

Thursday 14 January Recorders (Intermediate - Lunchtime) 3.00pm-3.30pm J1-J2 Dance 3.30pm-4.10pm J1-J2 Tennis 4.10pm-5.00pm J3-J6 Tennis J5-J6 Drama (for Easter production) Junior Swimming (J6, J5 and J4) Year 11 Mock Exams

Friday 15 January J3-J4 Music (Lunchtime) J5-J6 Dance (Lunchtime) 3.00pm-3.30pm J1-J2 Choir J4-J6 Chess Junior Swimming (J1, J2 and J3) Year 11 Mock Exams Blue text denotes Junior School events

For the complete list of Senior Activities, see the

Activity Booklet on www.pitsfordschool.com