TGS Newsletter Issue 30 27th May 2016
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Transcript of TGS Newsletter Issue 30 27th May 2016
1 Issue No 30/2015-2016
Thetford Grammar School
The small, friendly school that gets results for individuals.
27th May 2016
Dear Pupils and Parents,
It has been another very busy week here at Thetford Grammar School, particularly with the
start to all public examinations for Years 11, 12 and 13. My observation is that our
youngsters are well prepared and positive about their examinations. Good luck with the
continuation after the half-term break. Please be advised that all pupils half-term’s reports
from Pre-Prep to Year 10 will be provided today.
At the start of this week, a select group of parents and friends of TGS thoroughly enjoyed
the AS Level Drama examined performances in Williamson Hall, scripted by Edward Albee,
Dwayne Yancey and Peter Shaffer. I was, once again, thoroughly impressed by the
confidence and skills of all the Year 12 students – Ben, Alfie, Emily and Charles, and one
honorary Sixth Former, Gabby in Year 11, who is equally and highly talented. Well done to
all, particularly to Mrs Juliet Boyce, Head of Drama, on a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
We have particularly enjoyed specialist talks and presentations from two TGS parents, Mrs
Graham, former RAF Major, and Mrs White, Assistant Editor and Marketing Officer, About
Thetford Magazine, who have joined classes in Year 6 and Year 9 to provide information
about The Battle of Britain and Sikhism. On behalf of the teachers and the pupils, thank you
to both parents. Please do let us know if you are available to speak to our children about
your interest, skill or profession.
Red or Blue? Space Seeds update (cf. TGS Newsletter 26, 29th April 2016)
Our Rocket Science project here at TGS has been a great success for pupils from across the
phases and their scientific endeavours. Once all the results from the experiments have been
collected, Tim Peake will reveal which coloured packet contained the space seeds in a very
special video he recorded before he went into space. All pupils will have the opportunity to
watch the video during the week commencing 20th June with the results. In the meantime,
you can watch the video of Tim flipping a coin to decide which was which – but without
revealing the answer. The video can be found on the YouTube page:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUtH-8GIxX4.
TGS 2016 Leavers’ Day will be celebrated today with traditional games, barbeque and events
for both Year 11 and Year 13 classes. I shall wish our pupils every success in their future
lives.
Please do bear in mind that our TGS Summer Fair will take place on Saturday 2nd July. This
will be the final big whole-school event for this academic year. All pupils, parents and
friends are cordially invited. The event will start at 10.30am with the annual cricket match:
TGS vs OTA (top playing fields), then moving to Fulmerston site for music, theatre, games,
2 Issue No 30/2015-2016
special events, food and refreshments until 3.00pm (approx.). Do please come along to
support the school for a fun-filled, positive and (hopefully!) sunny day.
I shall wish you a very happy, healthy and restful half-term holiday. On behalf of all our
TGS staff, I shall look forward to seeing you back to Thetford Grammar School on Monday
6th June for the final few weeks before the end of this academic year.
Mr Mark S. Bedford
Headmaster
OVERVIEW
Duke of Edinburgh Presentation Y2 – Learning About Time
7H ‘Marathon in a Month’ Challenge Prep School Netball Club
Y2/3F – The Gingerbread Man Story Flu Vaccinations Y1-3
PSA Meeting Nearly New Uniform Shop Opening Times
Pre-Prep Friendships Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers
French Exchange 2016 Congratulations
Salters’ Festival of Chemistry Match Results
Year 6 Battle of Britain Next Week’s Fixtures
Non-Uniform Day Lost Property
Y8 Religious Studies Attachments
Y6 Smoothie Making Forthcoming letters/Letters sent home
Year 2 Science – Life Cycles
DUKE OF EDINBURGH PRESENTATION
On Monday 16th May a special 60th Diamond
Anniversary presentation was held in the
gardens of Buckingham Palace. A beautiful day
in a stunning location followed.
Gold Awards were presented to recipients and
Plaques were presented to Direct Licensed
Centres of which Thetford Grammar School is
one. The awards were presented by over 50
celebrities along with their Royal Highnesses
The Duke of Edinburgh and The Earl and
Countess of Wessex also visiting each of the 50
plus groups. Pictured is Mr Simpson our DofE
Manager receiving a plaque from celebrity chef Marcus Wareing.
Mrs Cathie Reynolds
School Secretary
3 Issue No 30/2015-2016
7H ‘MARATHON IN A MONTH’ CHALLENGE
When I first suggested to my form, 7H, that we ought to try raising some money for charity,
I did not fully appreciate the scale of the challenge that would lie ahead of us. In my mind I
had pictured a little bake sale or a ‘guess the weight of the Easter Egg’ competition, so you
can imagine my delight when the pupils suggested that we each undertake a Marathon!
Eventually the plan was agreed upon: each form member would aim to cover a total
distance of 26.219 miles worth of exercise within the space of one calendar month and we
would collect sponsorship in support of our efforts to raise as much money as we could for
our chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Support.
Our challenge began on the 18th
April when I, along with all
members of the form, started to
undertake our period of
exercise. For the next 30 days our
spare time was spent running,
swimming, cycling, walking,
kayaking and rowing towards our
target of a ‘Marathon in a Month’
each and, I am pleased to report
that we were all successful in
achieving our goal.
This challenge not only taught us
the importance of sticking to our targets, even when the weather is bad and the going gets
tough, but it also helped to build our team-working skills and form morale by unifying us
with a common aim.
Our Marathon Challenge was completed on May 18th when we each ran our final 219 metres
together, out on the school field.
So far, we have raised an impressive ‘running’ total (if you will excuse the pun) of £740
which should hopefully grow once gift aid has been added on. I know that there is still
some more money left to be collected, so please do pay up if you have sponsored any of us
in our sporting endeavours.
I would like to thank 7H for their efforts in committing to such a successful charitable
venture and must commend them all for their dedication to the cause. Several members of
the group exceeded their initial targets and William Hartley deserves a special mention since
he covered more than four times his original target distance!
4 Issue No 30/2015-2016
As a form we would like to dedicate our efforts to our loved ones who have had to deal with
Cancer. Our just giving page in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support can be found at
https://www.justgiving/fundraising/7H , so please feel free to add further donations if you
would like to do so.
Miss Karen Humphrey
7H Form Tutor
Y2/3F – THE GINGERBREAD MAN STORY
Over the past few weeks Y2 have been using the story of
'The Gingerbread Man' as a stimulus for their English
grammar and writing. They have written police reports,
interviews, newspaper articles and even their own story
called 'The Chocolate Bar Girl'. The children concluded their
work by reading a recipe to help them cook their very own
gingerbread men - but they had to keep a careful eye on them
to make sure they didn't run away...
Mrs Julie Foreman
Year 2/3 Class Teacher
Gabriel Galveias Connie Foreman Elliot Bedford
5 Issue No 30/2015-2016
PSA MEETING - SUMMER FAIR 2016
The PSA Committee had a productive meeting on Thursday 26th
May discussing the Summer Fair which will be taking place on
Saturday 2nd July from 10.30am starting with the TGS v OTA
cricket match. Once back over on the Fulmerston site, after the cricket match there will be
refreshments available including a BBQ, Pimms, Ice Cream van and Cream Teas. TGS pupils
will be performing in Drama and Music displays and there will be various stalls including
Face Painting, Bottle Tombola and a Raffle. For the more competitive of you there will be
Laser Tag and a Penalty Shoot Out. We would be grateful for any donations of bottles for
the Bottle Tombola, these can be left in the school office.
Please contact the office if you are able to help out on the day – any time you can spare is
much appreciated.
PSA Committee
PRE-PREP FRIENDSHIPS
Friendships, the bonds that
pupils develop with important
peers in their lives, bring
pleasure, comfort, and almost
always important opportunities
to learn and develop in a social
world.
Pupils in Pre-Prep are learning about Raksha Bandhan a Hindu
festival that celebrates how we care for our brothers and sisters. Each pupil made a
friendship bracelet (Rakhi) for their chosen friend to receive in our classroom ceremony.
Bracelets and kind words were exchanged followed by a party to celebrate our friendships.
Pupils thoroughly enjoyed dressing in Saris and dancing with their
friends.
Pupils have shared their thoughts on what makes a good friend and
why our friends are important to us:
Sophie ‘I wish you happiness’ Holly ‘I like you playing with me’ Iris ‘I
love you’
Miss Julie Blakemore
Pre-Prep Class Teacher
6 Issue No 30/2015-2016
FRENCH EXCHANGE 2016
On Tuesday 17th May, Mr Maringue and Miss Dunsmore
accompanied 8 pupils to France to participate
in part 2 of the annual French Exchange
programme with Collège Monod, Compiègne.
Pupils were greeted by their host families in
the early evening and had an evening to settle
in before getting to know each other as a group
during the day trip to Amiens on the
Wednesday. Brynmor Jenkins highlighted this
event as one of the most enjoyable moments of
the week. Pupils were introduced to the prolific writing of the
father of science fiction – Jules Verne – during a tour of his house
in Amiens before exploring the beautiful aesthetic of Amiens
Cathedral. The surviving stained glass work and the Gothic sculptures were, to some,
breath-taking and provoked a number of different responses. The ambition to take a
photograph that included the group, as well as the height of the Cathedral in its frame
proved too much!
A boat ride in the Hortillonages – the Floating
Gardens - gave Alice Christian unprecedented
levels of excitement in learning the pronunciation
of new French vocabulary, including references to
the Hans Christian Andersen classic, ‘The Ugly
Duckling’ or ‘Le vilain petit canard.’
Thursday allowed for pupils and staff to spend
the day in Collège Monod with their exchange
partners, followed by an official welcome by the
Deputy Mayor in Compiègne’s Town Hall. Mr
Maringue was also delighted to be able to deliver
letters written by his Y7 classes to the equivalent aged group in our exchange school – a
prelude of relationships to come. Miss Dunsmore’s
birthday also allowed for her premiere experience
of Café Gourmand – not to be forgotten!
Friday’s activities tested perseverance and
culminated in the Bradley Wiggins Award for
Cycling Perseverance being awarded to Andrew
Forbes. At 30 kilometres in total, it was a tiring but
fantastic day, taking us through the beautiful
Compiègne forest to the vast and striking château
of Pierrefonds – the filming site of the BBC’s
‘Merlin’. In the afternoon, pupils also cycled to the
Armistice Museum containing the carriage used to sign the 1918 armistice.
7 Issue No 30/2015-2016
Finally, the weekend allowed for pupils and
staff to relax with their French hosts and while
some travelled further afield into Paris, others
enjoyed the more local festivities in Compiègne.
While the visit undoubtedly offered cultural and
educative insights into French language, living
and cuisine, the social aspects of the trip
provided an invaluable opportunity for
comradery and personal development. It was not
just a special trip for pupils, but special also, for the
accompanying members of staff. Thank you to
everyone who made this visit a success.
Mr Raphael Maringue
French Exchange Organiser
SALTERS’ FESTIVAL OF CHEMISTRY
On Wednesday 18th May, Mrs Salt, Frank, Seb, Minnie and
I travelled to the UEA for the Salters’ Festival of
Chemistry challenge. The day consisted of two challenges
and a lecture for the
pupils while the
teachers had a slightly
different programme.
The first challenge, the
Salters’ Challenge, was
a crime scene and involved chromatography, test tube
reactions, conclusion
writing and code
breaking. The second challenge, the University Challenge,
tested our recipe making and reproducibility. We had to
make different colours using universal indicator and acids
and alkalis. I enjoyed this because it was more about
experimenting and working together. The final lecture on
Kitchen Chemistry was exciting, entertaining and finally
explosive! Although we didn’t win, it was a fun day out.
Thank you Mrs Salt.
Elizabeth Wright
Y8 Pupil
8 Issue No 30/2015-2016
YEAR 6 BATTLE OF BRITAIN
A big thank you to Squadron Leader Graham for
coming in to school to talk about the Battle of Britain
and the important role of the RAF during WW2. The
pupils really enjoyed the highly informative session
and were able to ask lots of questions.
Here are some of their thoughts:
‘Thank you so much for coming this morning. I learnt lots –
one of the things I learnt was that England had radars that showed when the German planes were
taking off’ by Sophie
“I really enjoyed the History lesson. I found out that you can turn a plane quicker when you don’t
have any legs.” by Ben
“I learnt today that Britain was the first country to have
radar.” by Max
‘I really enjoyed your visit to our classroom. I learnt lots of
facts. The fact I liked the most was that the hurricane planes
were really strong and hard to destroy’ by Owen
‘Thank you for coming to speak to us about World War II.
My favourite fact was about the man with the tin legs’ by
Emily
‘Your talk was really interesting and everyone learnt a lot. I thought it was really interesting when
you told us about ‘Douglas with tin legs!’ by Hamish PS ‘Enjoy the pub!’
Mrs Kathrin Elders
Year 6 History Teacher
NON-UNIFORM DAY
The final total for our non-uniform day last week was a cracking £241.60 for Jesca our
Sponsored Child. Thank you to everyone for their generous donations.
Miss Daniella Dunsmore
Head of Charities
9 Issue No 30/2015-2016
Y8 RELIGIOUS STUDIES
Y8 Religious Studies pupils enjoyed a presentation
on Sikhism delivered by Karen White. Mrs White
was fortunate to receive funding from the British
Council for a research trip to Amritsar and
Chandigarh in Punjab earlier on this year, with a
view to developing an understanding of Sikh links
to Thetford.
The session acted as a useful revision session for
pupils, but also included practical exploration of
Sikh religious artefacts. Mrs White's first-hand
accounts of her experiences were an invaluable
addition to the Y8 work. Thank you!
Miss Daniella Dunsmore
Religious Studies Subject Leader
Y6 SMOOTHIE MAKING
Following on from the lesson last week where the pupils
tasted various smoothies a small group began to plan their
own ideas to make a smoothie.
They cut up their chosen fruit before adding this to the
blender. There were various concoctions from the unusual
tomato and blueberries to the ordinary banana, raspberry and
honey. They all enjoyed this experience, even the tasting of
their own smoothie.
Mrs Renate Dimminger
D.T Teacher
10 Issue No 30/2015-2016
Y2 SCIENCE – LIFE CYCLES
Since the beginning of the Summer Term, children in Y2 have
had fun in Science lessons literally bringing their work on
Life Cycles to life. Having taken delivery of a pot of day-old
caterpillars on the first day of term the children have taken
measurements and charted the growth of their caterpillars,
named Flynn, Fiona, Florence, Fifi and Phoebe (no prizes for
guessing the phoneme of the week!).
They have recorded their observations and have investigated the
metamorphosis stage, watching the caterpillars form chrysalides and
emerge as butterflies some ten days later.
This week saw the culmination of the project
as the children released the butterflies they
had reared into ‘the wild’. It was quite
magical to witness the sheer pleasure and
pride on the children’s faces as they gently
handled the butterflies, examining them at
close quarters and allowing them to feel the wind beneath their wings
before sending them off to begin a new generation.
Mrs Philippa Weyers
Class Teacher
Y2 – LEARNING ABOUT TIME
Y2 have been learning how to tell the time, on both analogue and digital clocks. They have
been using clocks with moveable hands to learn about 'o’clock' , 1/2 past, 1/4 past and 1/4 to
the hour. They have especially enjoyed completing the time games on our interactive board."
Mrs Julie Foreman
Class Teacher
11 Issue No 30/2015-2016
PREP SCHOOL NETBALL CLUB
Since January 2015, Holly
Simpson and Suzie Hayden
(Y13) have organised and run
a weekly netball club for Prep
School pupils. As they now
move towards sitting their
exams the Prep pupils
organised a thank you gift
and cards to show both Holly
and Suzie how much they
have appreciated their
dedication to teaching them
each week.
A huge thank you from Mrs Peace and Prep School and we wish Holly and Suzie every
success in the future!
Mrs Nicki Peace
Head of Preparatory School
FLU VACCINATIONS Y1-3
In 2015/2016 the influenza vaccination was offered to children in school Y1 and Y2 in
Primary Schools in England. This year the vaccine will be offered to Y1 and Y2 and will be
extended to include children in Y3. Consent forms will be sent out at the beginning of the
Autumn term.
Mrs Cathie Reynolds
School Secretary
NEARLY NEW UNIFORM SHOP OPENING TIMES
We now have a fairly extensive range of uniform in the Nearly New Uniform
shop ranging from Blazers to PE kit being sold for up to half the
recommended selling price. If there is any uniform you need to replace then
come in and have a look. The shop will be open on Monday and Wednesday
afternoons from 3.45pm – 4.15pm manned by volunteers. If you feel you
could spare some time to help in the shop it would be very much
appreciated.
12 Issue No 30/2015-2016
Also if you have any unwanted uniform in good condition that you would like to sell on a
50/50 basis then please hand it in to me in the office and I will put it up for sale in the shop.
You can contact me on 01842 752840 or by email [email protected]
Mrs Cathie Reynolds
School Secretary
SAINSBURY’S ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS
Sainsbury’s have now stopped giving out the vouchers but we are still able to accept them in
the office until the end of term so please continue to send them in if you have any.
Last year we received some new sports equipment, games and cooking equipment for the
children to use during their break, lunchtimes and cookery lessons. Thank you for your
support in this venture.
Mrs Issy Cracknell
Prep School Secretary
CONGRATULATIONS
PREFECT TEAM
Congratulations to the following Y12 students on their Senior Prefect appointments for the
Autumn term.
Head Boy William Honeywood
Head Girl Megan Curley
Deputy Head Boy Patrick Taylor
Deputy Head Girl Clemency Wood
Heads of House
Reeds
Millingtons
Chronsheys
Coles
Ben Doyle, Rebecca Grimmond
Rachel Brown, Alfie Bloomfield
Evie Hindle, Kirishoban Sanjeevvijay
Esmé Holt, William Bower
Academic Support Lead Mentor Lewis Bucke
Charity Lead Rep Edward Taylor-Grant
Creative Arts Lead Mentor Rachel Brown
Duke of Edinburgh Lead Mentor William Bower
Head of Sport Charlie Stephens
Languages Lead Mentor Evie Hindle
Performing Arts Lead Mentors Charles Mead, Emily Scott
13 Issue No 30/2015-2016
Prep School Mentors Rebecca Grimmond, Esmé Holt
President of Cloisters Gus Altuccini
Public Relations & Marketing Harry Mayall
Science & Maths Lead Mentor Kirishoban Sanjeevvijay
Senior School Mentors Ben Doyle, Lewis Bucke
Student Voice Alfie Bloomfield
Technology Lead Mentor Nathan Smith
Congratulations to the following pupils who received certificates from Mrs Peace in Monday
morning’s Preparatory School assembly.
LAMDA certificates and badges were awarded to the following pupils:
Isobel Tod Level 3 Certificate in Performance Acting Grade 6 Duo – Bronze
Sophie Rose-Land Level 3 Certificate in Performance Acting Grade 6 Duo – Bronze
Pippa Buckley Level 3 Certificate in Performance Acting Grade 6 Duo – Bronze
Evie Pettingale Level 3 Certificate in Performance Acting Grade 6 Duo – Bronze
Phineas Humphris Level 3 Certificate in Performance Acting Grade 8 Solo - Gold
Also, well done to the pupils who received endeavours certificates from Mr Bedford during
today’s whole school assembly.
Congratulations also to the following Senior pupils who received Commendations in
assembly this morning:
Sam Jones, Zoe Kendall, Miranda Patalidis-Thomas, Charlie Trowell, Evangeline
Bedford, Franzi Elders, William Graham, Ben Jacob-Haigh, Maddy Trussell, Tom
Buckley, Seb Floyd, Sophie Jacklin, Minnie Molyneux, Frank Summers, Oliver Peace, Kai
Rourke, Elizabeth Shelton, Kate Shelton, Grace Tod, Elizabeth Wright, Kareena
Dayanand, Eleanor Pringle, Ben Trowell, Alana Wilson, James Blackman, Issy Curley,
Sophie Gornall, James Robertson, Megan Sidery, Daisy Simons, Cameron Anderson,
Hannah Clark, Brynmor Jenkins, Georgia Reardon, Emily Tomkins, Toby Culling,
Max Hanspal Connie Foreman Albert Ballard
Fearn Bourne Jiya Changela Eleanor Culling
Oscar Foreman Alexis Goodwin Arlo Greenwood
Oscar Harris Jack Hendrie Nathan Murfitt
Sarah Henry Elmer Thomas Lyes
Ben Mason Sam Sidery Thomas Hayden
George Bullen Iris O’Reilly Flynn Clinton
Connie Foreman Kit Beaven Owen Wortley
Cathy Maia Foreman Hamish Russell
Eleanor Culling Alexis Goodwin Henry Elmer
14 Issue No 30/2015-2016
Eleanor Dickens, Max Elders, Kudzi Garikayi, Chloe Garrett, James Gornall, Clarissa
Katsikides, Tomàs Morgan, Angus Russell, Chloë Sorrell
The Reading Passport scheme has been running since Christmas in the English Department;
pupils read a selection of 4/5 books which they then have to write a review on and the
following pupils were awarded their Reading Passport in assembly this morning:
Seb Floyd Christian Eade Minnie Molyneux Frank Summers
MATCH RESULTS
Wednesday 25th May U12 Rounders v Finborough Won 7 ½ - 5
U13 Rounders v Finborough Lost 14 - 24
NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES
Wednesday 8th June U13 Cricket v Glebe House (A) 1.00pm. Pick up 5.00pm
Friday 10th June U11 Cricket v Glebe (H) 1.00pm. Pick up 5.00pm
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
LOST PROPERTY
Aria MacFarlane-Kubota Y8 V neck school jumper – named
Sam White DT book is missing
ATTACHMENTS
None
Monday 6th June Back to school
A2 Public Examinations start
Y13 Study Leave starts
Tuesday 7th June Art/DT Exhibition
Y6 visit to Duxford
Y10 Music Controlled Assessment
Wednesday 8th June Art/DT Exhibition WH
Thursday 9th June Art/DT Exhibition WH
Teddy Bears’ Picnic Pre-Preparatory 10:15am – 12:00pm
Sunday 12th June Euston Show
15 Issue No 30/2015-2016
FORTHCOMING LETTERS/LETTERS SENT HOME
If you would like a printed copy of this newsletter please contact the office
Y4 - 6 Area Athletics Event at Brookes Cambridge School on 14th June
Y2 Cookery
EYFS –Y2 Gressenhall Farm Visit on 22nd June
EYFS – 10 Half term reports – with pupils