Volume 5, Issue 10 | Thursday 21 November 2019 Page | 1

‘Wired for Sound’ Concert

Thank you to everyone who performed and attended last Thursday’s ‘Wired for Sound’ concert. It was a fantastic evening with over 100 performers from all year groups. Some of the highlights were the first performances of the Year 7 bands, the orchestra playing Avengers Assemble, and the spectacular finale involving everyone together in Bohemian Rhapsody. Thank you to Mrs Wilson and all the peripatetic music teachers for a brilliant and inspiring evening.

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Trip to Oxford University

Fifteen Year 11 students visited Oxford University on Monday 18 November. The trip was to encourage them to aspire to Russell Group universities at the end of Year 13. They enjoyed a presentation from a University representative explaining what life was like at university. The speaker emphasised how much GCSEs can affect future choices. The presentation was followed by a tour of the college; a tutored maths session from the most enthusiastic person about numbers that they had ever met; and a lovely lunch in the 19th Century Grand Dining Hall of Balliol College. The students found the trip very useful in helping to clarify their thinking about whether or not to apply for university. Thank you to Mrs Jenkins for organising. Trip to Elstree Studios Year 9 visited Elstree Studios as part of their Careers education on Monday 18 November. Mount Grace School was one of only a few schools invited to take part in the studio’s Creative Careers Week, which offered the opportunity to explore careers in TV and film. There were career talks, showreels, and interactive stands covering a range of careers including production, lighting, prosthetics, screen skills, audio and facilities. Thanks to Ms Indra for organising the trip. PTFA – Non Uniform Day for Christmas Market

It is now only a couple of days until the Christmas Market and we need your support. On Friday 22 November, students will be able to wear non-uniform in exchange for items that can be used as prizes for the raffle, tombolas and other gift ideas. Please send into school any NEW items or unwanted gifts that would be suitable as a prize. There is a bottle tombola, a chocolate tombola and a general tombola, so chocolate in any shape or form would be welcome! We are also in need of raffle prizes. Suggestions include: • Mince Pies, Home-made cakes, tins of biscuits • Wrapped Sweets; Boxes or cartons of chocolates • Bottled Toiletries - Shampoo, Bubble Bath etc • Bottle Bags – empty or full!! • Bottles of drink (*Any alcoholic drinks should be brought to Reception by a responsible adult) • Unwanted gifts • Gift Packs of Toiletries; gift vouchers

Whilst we prefer items to be sent into school, we are also happy to accept money, which should be put into an envelope and marked with your child’s name and form. (Minimum £1.00)

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Please bear in mind when choosing an outfit to wear on non-uniform day that school will run as usual and so the clothes that are worn need to be practical and comfortable. A gentle reminder that extra help would be most welcome from 1.00-2.30pm on Saturday. Old Folks Party If you know of any older folk from Potters Bar who would enjoy an afternoon of music, food and entertainment to celebrate Christmas, please contact Mrs Brown by 2 December.

Year 10 Basketball Dame Alice Owens 39 - 51 Mount Grace Congratulations to the Year 10 Basketball team for winning their first game of the season. The team were able to dominate the game from start to finish, maintaining a six-point advantage through the first three quarters. With DAO chasing the game in the final quarter, Mount Grace were able to control the clock and catch them on the fast break to extend their lead to 12 points. This was the most disciplined performance that the Year 10s have put together to date with all members of the team taking real responsibility for their role within the team and sticking to the game plan. Luka F, Joe T, Stanley H, Ahmed AH, Brynley M, Lewis H and Louie M formed the team. Well done on an inspiring and controlled performance. The next game is the Year 10 Basketball Rally being held at Ridgeway Academy on tonight. Netball Year 7 netball vs Stanborough @home – a very close game, MGS won 11-9. Player of the Match was Vrusti P. Brilliant determination from all the team. Year 10 netball vs Stanborough @home - lost 8-7, did very well to nearly catch up with Stanborough. Player of the Match- Keira W

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Cross Country

Congratulations to the Year 7 & 8 boys and girls who took part in the District Cross Country event on Tuesday 12 November. This event brings together the best cross-country runners from schools across the district so the competition is very fierce. Cross country can be a gruelling event and really requires students to have a tough and determined mindset to be successful in the race. This was particularly important on the day of the race as the conditions were wet, windy and very cold. Our students were fantastic and did themselves and the school proud. Both the Year 7 boys’ and girls’ squads finished 4th overall out of 10 schools in the team event. We also had some fantastic individual performances with Jake B in Year 7 finishing fifth overall out of 50 runners in the boys’ event, and Luna DS from Year 7 finishing eighth out of 50 runners in the girls’ event. It’s on days like these that the students learn so much about themselves and can take away so much satisfaction and confidence from their performances. Really well done – they were all awesome! Isn't sport GREAT!!! Year 7 Boys Team: Jake B, Leo P, Alex C, Conor D, Anton K, Dylan D Year 7 Girls Team: Isabelle P, Jorja H, Luna DS, Sophia T, Annie M, Jaya T Year 8 Boys: Freddie B, Kvintas B, Jack L Upcoming music events Mount Grace School invites you to a Chamber Concert - a feast of solos on 26 November @ 6.00pm; and a Christmas Celebration — an evening of Seasonal music and drama, a bit of a sing, mulled wine and a mince pie on 11th December @ 7.00pm. French and German ‘Words of the Week’ For an extra Merit, why not see Mrs Baker in N13 with the meaning of any of the words below, or putting the words into a sentence. Excellent sentences will get a bonus prize! Last week you were given all the words for the term which was a bit daunting – so this week we’re just giving you two words for each language. FRENCH GERMAN

phoque Wunderkerze chouette Angsthase

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Notice A polite reminder that all parents are required to report to Reception when entering the school site. Due to teaching commitments, it is unlikely that staff will be able to meet with parents who do not have an appointment.

Workshops

Families Feeling Safe are running a course: ‘Families Feeling Safe Protective Behaviours programme for Dads & Male Carers of children 0-19 years old’, starting from Thursday 16 January to 19 March 2020 (excluding half term) 7.00pm – 9.00pm at Cranborne Primary School, Potters Bar. There is no cost for parents /carers to attend.

Sessions cover: Feeling Safe; The link between Feelings, Thoughts & Behaviour; Building a support network; Unwritten Rules; Communication; Problem-solving; Staying in control and making safe choices

The leaflet explains more about the service. Dads can either self-refer or if they would prefer to contact Mrs Marshall at school she can support the referral. Visit: https://familiesfeelingsafe.co.uk/event/families-feeling-safe-programme-for-dads-male-carers-potters-bar/2020-01-16/

Merit Points Congratulations to 7B who were again the highest achieving form last week.

Year Week commencing 11 November Conduct 7 Eva F 46 8 Sonia U 47 9 Deyako B 49 10 Donnie G 42 11 Annabella V 40

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Another Workshop for Parents

Diary dates for this term For details of upcoming events please see the School Calendar by using the following link: http://www.mountgrace.herts.sch.uk/calendar/3384.html Friday 22 November: Non-Uniform Day for Christmas Market (donations or £1 – see above) Saturday 23 November: Christmas Market 11.00 – 2.00pm Tuesday 26 November: Chamber Concert 6.00 to 8.30pm Wednesday 27 November: Year 7 Learning Review Evening 4.00 to 7.30pm Friday 29 November: Occasional Day Tuesday 3 – Friday 6 December: Year 8 Cologne trip Wednesday 11 December: Christmas Concert at 7.00pm Friday 20 December: Last day of term – students finish at 12.40pm Monday 6 January 2020: First day of Spring term for students Thursday 16 January: Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 23 January: Year 9 Learning Review Evening Thursday 30 January: Year 10 Learning Review Evening And finally… Fact of the week! (thank you Mrs Parsons) One of Hawaii’s five active volcanoes, Kilauea, has been continuously spewing lava since 1983. It is the longest-lived volcanic eruption anywhere on Earth. Best wishes – have a lovely weekend The HEADlines Team You can also view this newsletter at http://www.mountgrace.herts.sch.uk/headlines/4084.html GOOGLE CLASSROOM CODE FOR STUDENTS: 231oxa