Luckley Life - Spring 2024

LUCKLEY LIFE

SPRING 2024

THE NEWSLETTER FOR LUCKLEY HOUSE SCHOOL

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ROTARY YOUNG CHEF

We are pleased to announce the launch of our new Instagram channel @luckleyhouseschool – can you help us to reach 500 followers?

Libby L and Flo M participated in this year's Rotary Young Chef final alongside six students from local schools.

Our Instagram account provides an alternative avenue for you to keep abreast of events and activities happening at School with unique insights into the school day.

Luckley Limelight is our new weekly Instagram feature where we will highlight pupil successes. Feel free to share your child’s achievements outside of school (with a good quality photograph and short paragraph) – it doesn’t have to be a sporting achievement, although these are welcome – by emailing charlotte.grand-scrutton@luckleyhouseschool.org.

Please note it may not be possible to feature every submission.

The challenge was to plan, prepare, and cook a two-course healthy meal within two hours, catering for two people, all within a budget of £18.00. Additionally, contestants were required to provide detailed costing information for their meal.

The competition culminated in facing a seasoned judging panel, featuring Mr Adam Fisher, Head Chef at Pennyhill Park, and his sous chef Goncalo Canto. Mr Graham Smith, representing the Ascot Rotary Club, organised the local heat and commended the enthusiasm and competency displayed by the competitors.

He remarked, "Once again, we were impressed with the cooking skills and organisational abilities of the entrants. Their enthusiasm and competence were evident, making the judging process quite challenging."

Congratulations are due to Libby and Flo for their achievements, with gratitude extended to Mrs Gibson and Mrs MacDonald for their invaluable support throughout this enriching experience.

ISA PUBLIC SPEAKING

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Brandon S, Mieja Y, and James B represented Luckley in the ISA Public Speaking Finals held at Gonville and Caius College at the University of Cambridge. Each of our pupils delivered exceptional speeches, earning placements in the top 15 out of over 120 participants.

Congratulations to Brandon, Mieja, and James for their outstanding achievements, and sincere thanks to Mrs Angie Chick for her dedicated preparation of the students.

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SPRING 2023

SCIENCE WEEK

By Dr Rachael Jones, Head of Biology Science Week is a great opportunity to ignite curiosity and inspiration amongst the school community, and our pupils engaged in a diverse array of activities.

Investigating which type of chocolate melted the quickest was a tasty way to end the week.

Pupils participated in a rat dissection, fostering hands-on anatomical learning.

Building and racing bristlebots brought out pupils' competitive edge and tested their construction skills. Science puzzles using portals and Minecraft challenged their problem-solving skills.

A tour of the Science prep room provided insights into laboratory practices.

However, the highlight of the week was when Steve Ringler, a former NASA scientist gave an enthralling talk on space suits and meteors. Adding to the excitement, Head of Science Mr James Boyce donned a replica space suit.

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YEAR 7 ENRICHMENT DAY Our Year 7 pupils were accompanied by 16 visiting Year 7s for an engaging enrichment day organised by The Problem Solving Company. Split into three groups, the pupils participated in various team-building exercises, including a stimulating Escape Room challenge. The day offered an ideal occasion for forging new friendships and providing all pupils with a preview of their potential cohort in 2025.

ECO-SCHOOLS CLUB NEWS With a focus on our Marine topic we have been very busy.

Years 7, 8 and 9 pupils were able to find out about sustainable careers when alumni, Jess Vevers and her colleague Barney spoke to them about what it was like working as an Ecologist and Geomorphologist for a large sustainability consultancy.

Pupils from across a range of year groups entered a competition to design our new Luckley Eco-Garden. The designs were creative and well-researched and most included a pond, flower beds for bees and butterflies, raised beds for vegetables and flowers and homes for mammals and insects. The winner will be announced shortly. In the meantime, the fabulous maintenance team have dug the pond! Pupils priced and chose the liner, and have researched suitable plants to fill it with. We look forward to planting the garden up after Easter.

We have also taken part as a school in the Big Plastic Count and the RSPB bird watch!

Mrs Katie Clutterbuck, Eco-Schools Club Co-ordinator

Great British Bird Watch

MAYA'S REFILLABLES A group of pupils and staff from the Eco-Schools Club walked into Wokingham to visit Maya's Refillables shop.

The purpose of this trip was to learn out about the effect that plastic is having on the environment, have the chance to buy some refills of things and to support the local community.

Maya gave us the brief story of what inspired her to start her business and gave us a tour. We then explored the shop and made a few purchases. I brought along three empty water bottles and a glass jar to fill and ended up using them all! There was a wide range of things to buy, from dried mango and bananas to reusable makeup remover pads and body wash.

The highlight of the trip for me was seeing all the different supplies in the shop. It was incredible to see how many things you can get for only a small cost.

Evelyn B, Year 8, Eco-Schools Club Find out more at https://mayasrefillables.com/

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CULTURAL TRIP TO MUNICH

NEWS FROM LUCKLEY LIBRARY

Over the spring half term break, a group of Year 8, 9, and 10 pupils embarked on a journey to Munich, where they immersed themselves in history, culture, and language development. The itinerary included visits to bowling alleys, stadiums, shopping districts, cultural landmarks, BMW facilities, dining experiences, and exploring magnificent castles.

Year 10 pupil Lara commented: "We were surprised by the big carnival celebrations - but the most famous carnival celebrations take place in Cologne.

There were lots of colourful decorations and a big stage full of dancers playing loud music."

Mrs Holly Hinz, Teacher of German

AUTHOR VISIT Author and former Head of English, Mrs Clare Rees, returned to talk to Luckley's Year 9 pupils about the making of one of her books, 'Jelly'. This book has an interesting history, as it developed from writing lessons with Luckley pupils.

After the talk, Clare delivered an engaging writing workshop for a group of Year 9 pupils, who were encouraged to create their own literary monster. The imaginative results were truly spinetingling, and attendees were treated to a signed copy of 'Jelly'.

As always, Clare captivated pupils with her storytelling and inspired many to continue their love of reading, while cultivating their writing skills.

Mrs Debbie Godfrey, Librarian, Mrs Clare Rees, Author and Ms Charlotte Mesley, Senior Librarian

HOUSE READING QUIZ On World Book Day the popular annual House Reading Quiz took place in the Library, with brain-teasing book questions and plenty of treats. A huge thank you to all the competitors for making the event so enjoyable and special congratulations go to Cornish who won the event.

HOUSE READING CHALLENGE This year’s House Reading Challenge competition may be our best yet, with some fantastic recommendations and a superb standard of reviews across the school. Galloway reigned supreme, with the highest number submitted, and Elliot V scooped the prize for 'outstanding contribution'. Highly commended for their participation were Ava S-T, Isla B and Catherine A. Huge congratulations to everyone who submitted reviews – it has been a fantastic effort.

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LUCKLEY HOSTS ISA DRAMA FESTIVAL

YEAR 7 VISIT THE GLOBE THEATRE

Luckley proudly hosted the esteemed ISA National Drama Festival at The Whitty Theatre, featuring performances from ten independent schools across the southern region of the UK, showcasing a diverse array of genres for the adjudicators.

Year 7 pupils enjoyed a captivating excursion to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. Embarking on a coach journey to London, they enjoyed delicious pizza overlooking the scenic River Thames before immersing themselves in an enthralling adaptation of Hansel and Gretel. Delighting in the unique ambience of theatre in the round, the pupils relished the experience, fully embracing the elements of nature.

Representing Luckley, a group of Year 11 Drama students presented their GCSE exam piece, 'When They Go Low', skillfully directed by Mrs Stark-Ordish.

I was so impressed with their professionalism in performance and they received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the adjudicators who gave praise for the piece's strength, subtlety, characterisation, pace, and maturity.

It was truly an amazing day with Luckley showcasing its flair as the host. We eagerly anticipate the results, set to be announced after the Easter holidays, and keep our fingers crossed for success.

Mrs Esther Brown, Director of Drama

WORLD BOOK DAY CAKE COMPETITION We were wowed by the fantastic submissions for our World Book Day Cake Competition!

Participants were challenged to design a cake that featured a beloved literary character or was inspired by a book cover.

We received a delightful array of entries from both individuals and teams across different year groups.

The creations were inspired by a diverse selection of titles, including Percy Jackson, Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Mr. Bump, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (with two entries), Stick Man, The House with Chicken Legs, Wings of Fire: Winter Turning, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Rebecca, Little Red Riding Hood, The Hunger Games, Murder Most Unladylike, Dread Wood, The Gruffalo, and Peter Rabbit.

Well done to all who took part and congratulations to the 'top ten cake' winners.

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HOUSE DEBATE

GCSE TEXTILES TRIP

Congratulations to Cornish House on winning the House Debate, proposing the motion “This House believes all students should have to complete a year of community service”.

Dylan M-H, Sarah-Jane B and Simisola A gave a captivating and convincing proposition for Cornish House which was opposed

by Akshaj J, Henry B-H and Penelope G from Randle House.

Huge credit must go to all the pupils who so willingly stepped forward to represent their Houses; the challenge of speaking in front of a full hall should not be underestimated!.

Year 9 Textiles students went on an exciting trip to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. They had a great time looking at all of the fascinating work in the fashion and jewellery galleries.

They also took part in a fun workshop where they designed outfits inspired by a random product - such as a torch, a tea pot and a lamp. They then modelled these as little outfits made out of card, plasticine and fabric scraps on mini mannequins.

They only had 10 minutes for the final challenge and it was very impressive to see what they managed to produce in that time!

Year 9 pupil, Amani K said " From glamorous gowns to edgy streetwear, each piece seemed to tell a story, reflecting the unique personalities and artistic visions of the divas who wore them and how they have used fashion as a form of self-expression and empowerment. It was an unforgettable experience that has left me inspired with many ideas and techniques to use in my own textiles project moving forward."

Mrs Maeve Mascarenhas, Teacher of Textiles

YOUTH SPEAKS On Thursday 7 March the Senior Debate Team competed at the district finals for the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition, against six outstanding other teams, debating a widely fascinating range of topics. The Luckley Team, consisting of Dylan M-H, Tara T-K and Ella D won with a unanimous regard from the judges and moved on to the regional finals on 23 March.

Although the team did not win the final stage, Ella did achieve a special award for the Best Senior Opposer.

This is a fabulous achievement, congratulations to you all.

Thanks must also go to Mrs Angie Chick for supporting the students through this process.

The School community celebrated Neurodiversity Celebration Week in March.

Pupils participated in discussions during form time and watched videos which aimed to educate, while inspiring conversations about neurodiversity.

We also enjoyed delicious cupcakes celebrating the Neurodiversity 2024 theme, and a wide array of informative posters around School promoted the achievements of highly successful neurodivergent celebrities.

This annual event challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and to celebrate the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, especially within the world of work.

Tara, Dylan and Ella

Mrs Paula Bell, Director of Pupil Progress

Harry Styles’ cardigan

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HOUSE DRAMA

RELAXATION FOR YEAR 11 After their final mock exams, Year 11 pupils went on a trip to Bracknell, accompanied by the upper school staff team.

The purpose was to treat them to a well-deserved wellbeing afternoon, and the Lexicon Shopping Centre provided the perfect setting for lunch, retail therapy and a fun-filled session of strikes and spares at Hollywood Bowl.

It was so satisfying to see the pupils come together in a relaxed and sociable environment. Having just completed their mock exams, there was a deep sense of relief and camaraderie among the group and the trip served as a valuable reminder of the importance of taking time to relax and connect with friends, especially during busy and challenging times.

Mrs Jenny Hayden, Assistant Head of Section (Upper School)

CAREERS WEEK During National Careers Week, Luckley's Careers Fair welcomed a diverse array of local businesses, parents and alumni, providing Year 9 to 13 pupils with a glimpse into various career possibilities. Pupils eagerly engaged with potential employers, seeking advice and insights into different industries, gaining knowledge about emerging occupations and the requisite skills for their chosen career paths.

This term marked the inaugural House Drama competition; a spectacular event that showcased the remarkable talents of our students.

We were privileged to have Jane Trainer as our adjudicator for the event. Jane, a RADA-trained actor and recipient of the esteemed Dalziel Scholarship, has graced stages worldwide, including performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre. Her extensive experience spans television, film (including "First Knight" alongside Sean Connery and Richard Gere), radio and commercials, as well as directing and producing. Jane's accolades include a BAFTA for Best Short Film, which she produced and starred in alongside her RADA colleague Michael Sheen. Her current students attend prestigious institutions such as RADA, Bristol Old Vic, and Juilliard in New York, with many former pupils pursuing successful careers in theatre productions, feature films, and popular television series.

The competition was fierce, with exceptional performances from each House's representatives. Congratulations to the winners: Junior – Matthew P (Galloway) Intermediate – Otis H (Randle) Senior – Tara T-K (Randle) and James B (Blake) Contemporary – Eve O (Blake) Winning House: Blake.

One volunteer remarked about the pupils, "They were without exception, extremely articulate, self-confident and fully engaged.

The event was uplifting, showcasing the positive future ahead when students like yours enter the workforce."

The fair highlighted that career trajectories are not always linear, with many individuals pursuing dual occupations and multiple careers. This exposure broadened pupils' perspectives on the realities of professional life.

The success of the fair was owed to the active involvement of Luckley's vibrant community. Our heartfelt thanks to all contributors for sharing their expertise and passions with Luckley's pupils.

Mrs Fiona Lennon, Head of Careers

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SIXTH FORM UPDATE

LOCAL MP VISIT

EDINBURGH TRIP Year 13 students commenced 2024 with a short residential trip to Edinburgh. We travelled by coach, thankfully with no traffic jams or hold ups. Several box sets were consumed on Netflix whilst Mrs Rumble commenced crocheting a blanket.

After checking into our hotel and having dinner, we caught a bus into Edinburgh city centre and walked up to the castle, the perfect opportunity for photos.

Politics students at Luckley were delighted to host local MP John Redwood. Representing Wokingham since 1987, he has served in various capacities within the cabinets of both Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

The students had the opportunity to question him on topics ranging from the intricacies of cabinet operations to daily life within the Houses of Parliament.

Friday started with a trip to the Real Mary Kings Close, some free time to explore, a trip to the Edinburgh Dungeon, followed by a 4D film experience.

Saturday involved exploring the Castle, National Museum of Scotland and for some, the hike up Arthur’s Seat, while Dr Jones and Mrs Rumble ate haggis with Dylan.

It was an amazing trip and both staff and students thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

JAMES WINS SHAKESPEARE TITLE We are delighted to announce that Lower Sixth student, James B was the overall winner of the KS4/5 ISA Shakespeare Monologue competition, surpassing over 290 other entries.

Professor Charlotte Scott, the adjudicator, praised James' performance, stating: “A brilliant Richard II, introspective, entitled, emotive and authoritarian. A wonderful range of emotions and attitudes as well as beautifully spoken.”

PILLARS OF WELLBEING A small group of Year 12 students, accompanied by Mrs Rumble and Mr Crosley, went to ‘The Pillars of Wellbeing’ event at Queen Anne’s School in Caversham.

We attended some enthralling lectures and were able to ask questions and interact through questionnaires and other interesting tasks. We then had a ‘working lunch’ where we were given a challenge to create a presentation on how we could help improve wellbeing at our school using what we had learned from the lectures.

James has been invited to present his monologue live at Mary Arden’s Farm in Stratford-upon-Avon, courtesy of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in April. In addition to his performance, James will have the opportunity to explore the site and participate in a workshop organised by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust team.

Throughout the visit, we engaged in discussions, listened to presentations and learned so much about how mental health impacts our lives. One of the highlights was when we shared our newfound knowledge with students from other schools.

It was empowering to have meaningful conversations and exchange ideas with them.

This experience reinforced the importance of prioritising mental well-being and supporting one another. We returned from the trip feeling motivated and inspired to make a positive impact in our community by promoting mental health awareness and fostering a supportive environment for everyone.

Tabby W and James D, Year 12 students

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BOARDING NEWS It has been another very successful term in the boarding house.

Flexi boarding is becoming more and more popular as the pupils see the great activities that we have on offer.

The boarders have again taken advantage of the sports facilities at school and baking has been a big favourite. The highlight for many of the boarders has been Tuesday ‘Big Pete’s film night’ where the 'Back to the Future' trilogy has been enjoyed by the whole boarding house, with nachos, sweets and popcorn provided.

The weekends have again been action-packed. Boarders have enjoyed trips to the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace and have eaten well after a Japanese cookery school gave them a masterclass in gyozo making, and a trip to the chocolate workshop appealed to their sweet tooth!

Mr Dave Rose, Head of Boarding

OUTDOOR EDUCATION THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME SILVER Three intrepid Silver DofE groups tackled their practice expedition in the Pangbourne area this term. They displayed excellent navigation skills in following their routes, tested their campcraft skills by cooking a formidable amount of pasta meals, and embraced every aspect of the expedition, not least the mud.

Well done Silver groups!

BRONZE Nearly thirty Bronze DofE students put their navigation and camping skills to the test this term, tackling an impressive ten-mile hike from Hartley Wintney back to school, carrying their packs, before preparing an evening meal and camping out.

They demonstrated great resilience and should be proud of their accomplishments, especially packing up in the rain on the Sunday!

Mrs Laura Simmonds, DofE Coordinator

COMBINED CADETS FORCE The spring term was a busy period of activity for the cadets, particularly our junior cadets who completed their basic shoots on the Cadet Small Bore Target Rifle, as well as their basic first aid training. For both our junior and senior cadets Exercise Swift Bugle 3 gave them the opportunity to develop their field craft, spending two days and a night on exercise, and engaging in blank firing. As we go into the Easter break, 14 of our cadets will head up to Snowdonia for a week of adventurous training including gorge walking, mountain biking, high ropes, a mine tour and summiting Snowdon.

Mr Adam Hartley (2Lt CCF Rifles)

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MUSICAL INTERLUDE

WOODLEY FESTIVAL

Mrs Janice Ellwood, Director of Music

The Junior Choir took part in the Woodley Music Festival again this year and gave a great performance of two songs ‘What Will I Be?’ and ‘This Is Me’. They were awarded first place, winning the 'Walker Cup'.

SCHOLARS' CONCERT At the beginning of the term our young music scholars enjoyed an evening of performing solos. The concert showcased such talent and the programme included many different instruments, voices and genres of music. It was lovely to see how everyone was progressing and for the younger pupils to listen to the older pupils perform.

PANGBOURNE PIANO FESTIVAL Our pianists took part in the Pangbourne Piano festival. Elliott V, Aurelia B and Aidan H represented Luckley with Aidan winning the '12 and under Solo Class' and Aurelia placing runner up in the '18 and under Solo Class'.

NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MUSIC FOR YOUTH

HOUSE MUSIC This was a fantastic way to end the first half of term. All four Houses had a junior and senior instrumentalist and singer representing their House. There was so much talent and the competition was fierce. Each House also had an ensemble led by the Year 13 House Captains and then the whole House took part in a Karaoke contest. The afternoon had a fantastic atmosphere and the overall winners were Cornish.

The Luckley Chamber Choir, Junior Choir and Swing Band took part in the regional competition of the National Music for Youth Festival in Oxford. The event was extremely competitive with performances by county choirs and ensembles and a fantastic experience for our pupils. They all gave great performances and received some very positive feedback. We now wait to see if they are selected for the National Festival in the summer.

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MUSICAL INTERLUDE continued..

JOSEPH - SIMPLY AMAZING! This year’s whole school musical was 'Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. The show involved pupils from Year 7 to 13. It was a fabulous and extremely colourful production, full of energy with dancing, acting, some big chorus numbers and many outstanding solo performances, as the main roles were shared across the years. The show included a band which was made up of Luckley pupils and peris.

EASTER CONCERT On the evening of the penultimate day of term, The Whitty Theatre was alive with music during our Easter Concert, highlighting the remarkable skills of budding musicians from various year groups. Music ranged from beautiful voice and instrumental solos, to stunning choir and ensemble performances, covering an eclectic mix of musical genres.

Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this memorable event!

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SPORTS UPDATE Mr Matt Humphrey, Director of Sport It has been another bumper term for Luckley Sport; we have put out 28 different teams, across eight different sports, with over 240 pupils representing Luckley House since Christmas.

We are extremely proud of all our pupils for the dedication and development they have shown, wearing the Luckley badge with pride. In the summer term we will play host to more fixtures, particularly in cricket, tennis and athletics.

UNDEFEATED YEAR 7 NETBALL A TEAM

YEAR 7 BOYS RUGBY TEAM SENIOR GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM

GEORGE P (LEFT) - SILVER MEDAL AT ISA CROSS COUNTRY

INTER-HOUSE JUNIOR NETBALL

YEAR 7 AND 8 RUGBY TEAM

SENIOR BOYS FOOTBALL (COLLABORATION WITH SHERFIELD SCHOOL)

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LUCKLEY HOUSE FRIENDS “Parents working together for our children” Luckley House Friends have been busy again this term holding events and raising funds to enrich our children’s experiences at Luckley.

EASTER EGG HUNT As ever, the infamous end of term Easter Egg Hunt was enjoyed by pupils in all year groups. Our thanks to all parents who came to help the Easter bunny hide the eggs and control the chocolate rush!

The highly popular Bingo and Chilli Supper night was a sell out and raised over £1,300.

INVITATION TO ALL! Monday 22 April, 7pm Come and meet the Luckley House Friends team!

Join us for drinks and nibbles to find out more.

If you are interested in joining the Luckley House Friends committee, or are able help at an occasional event, we would love you to join us for drinks followed by a very informal meeting to discover more.

SUMMER FESTIVAL Friday 21 June, 5pm onwards

Luckley House Friends supports and funds non-academic events and projects at Luckley. The Committee, a group of parents and Luckley staff, are always keen to hear from other parents, so if you would like to find out more or get involved please contact us via email at Luckleyhousefriends@ luckleyhouseschool.org.

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Our summer festival is a great chance to get together with friends, old and new, and chill out with drinks, food and exceptional Luckley House music.

Do save the date and come and join us.

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