Croydon highlights autumn 2016 (2)

Croydon Highlights

Autumn 2016

CROYDON HIGH SCHOOL Old Farleigh Road, Selsdon, South Croydon, Surrey CR2 8YB Tel: 020 8260 7500 Fax: 020 8260 7461 E-mail: info2@cry.gdst.net

ALUMNA & MAYOR HELP CELEBRATE EXAM SUCCESS

Welcome to the 2016 Autumn Highlights

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t is with great pride and excitement that I write to you after my first half term as Headmistress at Croydon High School. What has struck me most about the School, and what I am sure many of you will cherish as your prevailing memory of the School, has been the genuine warmth of the welcome I have had and supportive atmosphere created by both girls and staff. Our girls are – they always have been – confident and compassionate, engaged and ambitious and it has been a privilege to get to know so many of them in such a short time.

I joined Croydon High in September having left St John’s School in Leatherhead where I was the Deputy Head (Academic). Prior to that I was Head of the Faculty of Languages at the prestigious girls’ school, Guildford High, where I taught and lead languages in both the Junior and Senior Schools. Before that, I was Head of Year and teacher of French and Spanish at Caterham School and prior to that worked in Paris and in a state school in Leicestershire. I loved teaching from my first moments in the classroom and feel very lucky to have worked in such excellent schools with talented and dedicated colleagues.

It will come as no surprise to you to learn that my first half term has been a very busy one and I am assured this is very typical of a Croydon High calendar! However, it has been made even more so as I have tried to meet with as many members of the community as possible and I have been delighted to meet with so many alumnae.

As you will know, Karen Roe is our very able and exceptionally welcoming Ivy Link Co-ordinator and it is through her that so many of you are involved with our school community in so many various ways; your continued commitment to and support of the School is most impressive and I thank you very much for this.

I have also met with numerous parents, current, new and prospective who have all been very open – and positive - in our discussions regarding the School’s current position and my ambition for it. My predecessor, Debbie Leonard, knew that she was leaving the School in a very strong position to face the challenges of the future.

My desire is to achieve excellence across the board, in all that we do, to become unequivocally the very best school in the area. It is thanks to Debbie that we are very well placed to achieve this.

I would encourage you to pop in, if you are ever in or around the area. Many of you have done so already and it has been a real delight to meet you. Do, please, consider yourselves very welcome to attend any school functions, in particular some of the Ivy Link events which are designed to help you keep in touch with each other and with us. Even for those of you who fondly remember the Schools’ Wellesley Road site, I am sure you will still find plenty on our campus to remind you of your time at Croydon High and agree that the ethos and ‘feel’ of the School have not changed.

I hope to be able to meet as many of you as possible in the future and encourage you to stay in touch.

With very best wishes Emma Pattison Headmistress

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JUNIOR LAMDA GIRLS

large number of certificates went to our very successful LAMDA girls who took exams recently. Mrs Broyd (alumna 1973, Willey ) has maintained extremely high results for many years, but this year’s 100% distinction rate takes the biscuit.

The skills of voice projection and presentation as well as the confidence required to perform at a distinction level, will stand these girls in good stead for future drama work and public speaking in all forms. Well done to all our girls.

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GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH

he last Duke of Edinburgh trip of the year was the joint Gold assessed and practice expedition. The established team of Miss Kermani, Miss Newman, Paul Wheeler, Charlotte Rhoades and assessor Peter Mizen met the 11 girls at Abergavenny Station, for transfer to Llanthony bunkhouse next door to the beautiful ruins of Llanthony Priory. The expedition of four days walking and three nights camping was to begin the next day so the group were able to relax and enjoy the surroundings before being briefed on their routes and what to expect over the next few days.

The first morning saw the staff team cook up a fried breakfast for the girls. This was needed as the following days were to be long and challenging; each day the girls had to tackle varied terrain, steep climbs, wild camping (no toilets or running water) persistent wet weather and puzzling navigation. This certainly tested their resolve and endurance. In true Croydon High style, the groups showed grit and resilience to complete the four days, ending with a climb to the top of Pen y Fan (886m) where they were met by staff and treated to champagne to celebrate their amazing achievement.

CAREERS NETWORKING BREAKFAST 1ST DECEMBER 8.15-9.15 We would like to showcase a range of careers in the areas of Creative Arts, Media, Journalism, Law Marketing and Advertising. We are looking for volunteers who would be happy to spend about 1½ hrs discussing their career journey with some of our Year 9-13 girls. The Networking Breakfasts are designed to be short and early in the morning, in the hope that they will allow more people to be involved, with minimum impact on the rest of the day. We introduced the Networking Breakfast last year and the biggest involved 12 alumnae, parents and friends and highlighted STEM related careers. It was a huge success. These events are lively and well attended by our girls, who enjoy discussing and exploring careers, whilst eating a croissant with their orange juice or cup of coffee! Please send an email to sgower@cry.gdst.net) if you are able to support this worthwhile event or if you would like to help at any other similar events.

Thank you. Mrs Gower, Head of Careers

CROYDON HIGH DRAMA QUEENS REACH NEW HEIGHTS AT EDINBURGH FESTIVAL!

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he CHS Drama Queens ‘stormed’ Edinburgh Festival in August with their production of “Jason and the Argonauts” by Kerry Frampton. “This was a really exciting opportunity for the girls to perform in front of a real audience,” said Mrs. Webb, Head of Drama. “They have worked incredibly hard, some of them taking time during their GCSE period to make this a success.” Eleven girls from Years 1113 were involved in the production and they also took in some of the performances and atmosphere at this, one of Europe’s longest-established comedy and arts festivals. The whole trip was a great success for all involved and appreciative audiences, including some members of staff who made the trip north to support the girls, were hugely impressed by the girls’ talents and professionalism. As always, our girls also acted as perfect ambassadors for their school and we are tremendously proud of them. A huge thank you to Mrs Webb for all she does to inspire our Drama Queens and to Mrs Gower who accompanied the group with such enthusiasm.

SPORTING SUCCESS Congratulations to...

Y11 Flora - selected to play for the South East Regional Hockey and Netball Teams play

- selected to Y11 Canice st won the We d n a y e r r u for S ls Open Golf ir G r io n u J t Byflee

South East Schools Y5 Biathlon Team Winners

South East Schools Y7 Biathlon Team Winners

U16 Netballers – qualified for Surrey Finals

Y8 Kaylin - tied first place in England Golf’s Grand Medal Final

South East Schools Y8 Biathlon Team Runners Up

Y11 Rheanna selected to pla y for the South E ast Regional and the Super League Netball Team, Surrey S torm

Croydon Schools Y10 Cross Country Team Winners

Croydon Schools Y8 Cross Country Team Winners

Croydon Schools Y7 Cross Country Team Winners

Year 7-8 Cross Country Team – qualified for Regional English Schools Finals

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WELCOME BACK TO DR KETTLE

e recently welcomed back Dr Louise Kettle (Sullivan) who left Croydon High in 2002 and is now Assistant Professor of Politics at Nottingham. Louise gave a talk to Years 12 and 13 in their tutorial session on the rise of Daesh (otherwise known as ‘Islamic State’) in the Middle East and then took questions from a very attentive audience.

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IN MEMORY OF NICOLE

ongratulations to alumna Jennifer Favre (2015) who completed the National Three Peak Challenge and raised £2,349.79 for the charity, Bloodwise. This was in memory of her sister Nicole, who, as some of you will know, died from leukaemia in 2004 when she was just 8 years old. If you would like to support... https://www.justgiving.com/Jennifer-Favre/

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CONGRATULATIONS BARONESS BERTIN

ou may be aware that one of our alumnae, Gabrielle Bertin, was nominated for a life peerage as part of David Cameron's Resignation Honours list.

Gabrielle formally took up her seat in the House of Lords as The Baroness Bertin of Battersea on 2nd September. In doing so, she became the youngest member of the Upper House of Parliament. Gabrielle left Croydon High in 1996 and joined Mr Cameron’s team before he was made Conservative leader in 2005, originally working as his spokesperson. Gabby was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Director of External Relations in 2013. Throughout her career, she has offered valuable support to the school; staying in contact with her teacher Jonathan Vickery, Gabby has enabled successive groups of Politics students to benefit from trips to No. 10 as well as returning as an inspirational Prize Giving speaker.

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A CELEBRATION OF GCSE AND A LEVEL SUCCESS

he hall was packed to capacity on Thursday evening, 8th September, as we celebrated this year’s GCSE and A Level successes. There was a marvellous atmosphere of pride and anticipation as girls received their certificates and awards in front of a proud audience of parents, grandparents, relatives and friends. We welcomed back Alison Maguire (CHS 1994 and GDST Alumna of the Year 2015). Alison spoke movingly and inspiringly of her work with “The Lily Foundation” which is championing research and support for those affected by Mitochondrial Disease. What she has achieved since leaving Croydon High has had an impact on so many lives and her international involvement in this sphere is truly life changing. The girls were inspired by her central message that life will present many turns along its course but it is their response to these challenges and experiences that will really shape the people they become. Mrs. Pattison was ably supported in her annual report with accounts from Elizabeth on Careers Education and Guidance in the school and Charlotte who re-lived the amazing experience of the girls’ performances at the Edinburgh Fringe. We also enjoyed some excellent musical contributions from Abigail who sang the stunning “Pie Jesu” and Alita who perfectly captured all the emotional turmoil of Nancy with “As Long As He Needs Me”. A touch of drama was added with a vignette from “Jason and the Argonauts” as performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We wish the class of 2016 the very best as they move on to the next exciting stage in their education and look forward to welcoming them back to hear all their news at the Ivy Link New Year reunion Thursday 5th January.

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CHS FIRST GIVE

n Tuesday morning, 13th September, Croydon High welcomed the Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Wayne Trakas-Lawlor. Mr Mayor led Year 10 and 11 in a very moving, honest and frank discussion about the social issues that our local community faces, including; homelessness, poverty, FGM, domestic abuse, human trafficking, racism and discrimination. Perhaps the most powerful message that he left the girls with was, not only of his own experiences, but also that we must value every single individual. He stressed to the girls that in order to improve our local community we must get out into it, communicate and work with those around us. The assembly marked the launch of CHS First Give and the Year 10 and 11 students have clearly been inspired to get started on their projects!

UN WOMEN

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n October, the girls in Years 10-13 had the amazing opportunity to meet the inspirational Amra Naidoo. Amra works with an organisation in Singapore called: UN Women. This organisation aims to raise awareness of women's rights in education, work and in the home. UN Women also help women who have fallen victim of physical, mental or sexual abuse. Amra spoke about her journey; how she left school with few ideas about her future. How fortunate, that an internship with UN Women in Singapore secured her a job that combined two of her favourite subjects: business and social impact. After her speech several girls, including myself, were given the opportunity to talk with Amra. We discussed many local and foreign issues surrounding sexism and the implications that it can have.

The girls in Years 10 and 11 discussed their First Give campaign ideas and we talked about our work for Free the Children and the WE movement. Amra was so enthusiastic in her support for every campaign. I think I can speak for everyone when I say that her passion for what she does is truly inspirational. Overall the experience was great. We learned that changes come from ordinary individuals who are willing to be extraordinary, and Amra made everyone believe that we could all be one of those individuals. Report by Y12 Carys

GOOGLE HAS THE WOW FACTOR

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oogle visited the school recently and amazed the girls in both Juniors and Seniors with their virtual reality platform. The technology provided a real wow factor and enabled the girls to take virtual reality expeditions to a wide range of exotic locations. During the day the girls visited the Palace of Versailles, the Namib Desert, the Rainforests of Borneo, Gallipoli, The Statue of Liberty, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the Human Digestive System, the Great Barrier Reef and many other places. One class from Year 9 even climbed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. It was an action packed, engaging and fun day for all and a great opportunity to see a glimpse into the future of classroom technology.

OCTOBER HALF TERM TRIPS

USA

SPAIN

SOUTH AFRICA

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2016-17 Thur 1st December 8.15am - CHS Careers Networking Breakfast Sat 3rd December 12.00-4.00pm - CHS Winter Fair Tues 13th December 7.00pm - CHS Carol Service at All Saints, Sanderstead Thur 5th January 4.00pm - Ivy Link Class 2016 New Year Reunion Thur 2nd & Sat 4th February 7.00pm - CHS production - The Wizard of Oz Wed 8th February 7.00pm - CHS Careers Masterclass Thur 8th March 1.30pm - Ivy Link Open Doors Thur 30th March 3.00pm - Ivy Link Tea Party (Class of 1965 and all years prior to this) Thur 11th May 6.00pm - CHS Open Evening for prospective pupils Thur 8th June 1.30pm - Ivy Link Open Doors Wed 14th June 6.00pm - CHS Art Exhibition Fri 16th June 7.00pm - CHS Summer Production Fri 23rd June 7.45am - CHS Golf Morning (venue tbc) Sat 24th June 12.30pm - Ivy Link Summer Lunch Wed 28th June 7.00pm - CHS Summer Concert For more details please contact Karen Roe on 020 8260 7531 or email ivylink@cry.gdst.net

The Ivy Link is a way of bringing together the alumnae, parents, teachers and other friends of our school.

If you have email and do not already receive news emails from the Ivy Link please contact Karen Roe - ivylink@cry.gdst.net