Inside Heathfield enews issue 32

Issue Number 32 w/c 19th January 2015 & w/c 26th January 2015 Poetry Declamation 2015 Twenty girls from the First, Second and Third Forms participated in the Poetry Declamation: almost double the number in comparison with previous years, they provided their audience with a series of memorable readings reinforced by sensitive slides depicting striking images from each work. In another innovation, we also listened to a variety of texts read in languages such as Russian, Spanish and German. Our international students enhanced a delightful celebration of the power and beauty of the written word. It was very pleasing to hear an ambitious selection of poets: Matthew Arnold, Robert Frost and Pushkin were notable choices. Hermione gained the Second Form prize for her vivid interpretation of John Masefield’s Cargoes. The Third Form winner, Daisy, captured the bold tone and statements at the heart of her chosen poem, I Choose the Mountain, with vigour and verve. The overall award for an outstanding performance was given by our visiting judge to Florence in the First Form. She delivered Excuses with a wonderful mixture of panache and precise timing; a blend of ebullience and measured confidence animated every moment of the dialogue between teacher and pupil and, like all of the best poetry, Florence turned an ordinary occurrence into an extraordinary event.

Mr A Grey, Subject Leader: English

Form V into Sixth Form Talk The Form V into Sixth Form talk took place on the afternoon of 23rd January to give the girls an overview of A Level subject choices and the other opportunities available in the Sixth Form. The Director of Studies outlined the changes that are taking place to GCSEs and to A Levels and underlined the importance of choosing subjects that the girls enjoy. The Director of Sixth Form talked about the other aspects of Sixth Form life that make it such a rewarding time for the girls. The girls and their parents then moved to the SMaT where a parents’ meeting took place to talk to academic staff about their subjects at A Level.

Mr J Hart, Director of Sixth Form

Issue Number 32 w/c 19th January 2015 & w/c 26th January 2015 ARTiculation Competition 2015, The Roche Court Educational Trust I was delighted when Anna (LVI Form) told me she was eager to enter the ARTiculation competition this year. Anna presented her excellent talk on the Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch at the regional heat held at Modern Art Oxford on 21st January. There were 10 girls from different schools presenting on a variety of subjects from Rembrandt and Vermeer to Damian Hirst and Cindy Sherman. The adjudicator was Dr Alexander Sturgis, Director of the oldest museum in the world, the Ashmolean in Oxford. Although Anna did not win the heat, she said she really enjoyed presenting and meeting the other competitors. Dr Sturgis complemented her on her elegant presentation of the work, incorporating details that one can easily miss, presenting such a complex work from start to finish within the ten minutes. He said that it was no easy task taking on such a work and presenting it with such clarity. The Director of the Roche Court Educational Trust, Lucy Salisbury, told Anna she was a very competent and engaging speaker, popular with the audience for her detailed and informative talk on The Garden of Earthly Delights and that she was a wonderful competitor. Well done Anna!

Miss J Meeson, Teacher in Charge of History of Art and Old Girls Coordinator

LVI Psychology visit to The Colleton Primary School, Twyford On Friday 30th January the AS Level Psychology students went to the Colleton Primary School, in Twyford. We were welcomed by Mrs Trinh-Frost, one of the teachers there, who initially gave us a tour of their facilities and educational support. This insight into the school’s dynamics enabled us to produce more accurate and reliable data when observing. Our focus during the trip was to put our knowledge of observational research into practice. When divided into groups and allocated to our classrooms we began to collect our data, through unstructured observations, and time and event sampling. Due to the variety of year groups amongst the school, we were able to collect data from different ages and abilities which allowed us to see further differences in behaviour of children. As we ourselves had to collect the data, we began to recognise the difficulties and problems associated with the different types of observational research, which is essential in research methods. As a whole the trip gave us a useful insight into our psychology course, and it was a productive way to learn about the role of observation in research methods as a way of collecting data.

Elinor, LVI Form Student

Issue Number 32 w/c 19th January 2015 & w/c 26th January 2015 UVI History of Art Study Day at London Galleries On Tuesday 27th January the UVI Art History girls set off for London. Notebooks in hand we arrived at the Courtauld Gallery, ready to immerse ourselves in the 19th and 20th centuries. We were very lucky to have booked a study session directed by a lecturer from the Courtauld Institute. Together we explored the role of women in society within the 19th century, looking at La Loge by Renoir and Bar at the Folies Bergere by Manet. We discussed the research on the paintings, looking at who the ladies were and how Renoir and Manet were engaging us with their paintings.

In contrast, we looked at modernism in Cezanne’s Mont St Victoire. We explored some of the Expressionist works before walking down to the National Gallery. There we revisited Ingres, Monet, Degas and Van Gogh. The minibus driver, Steve, kindly picked us up and dropped us off at Westminster to see Rodin’s Burghers of Calais. It was wonderful to be able to feel his modelling. Our last stop was Tate Britain where we looked at Turner, the Pre Raphaelites, Henry Moore, Hepworth and Epstein. Exhausted but satisfied, unsurprisingly, the girls fell asleep on the way home!

Miss J Meeson, Teacher in Charge of History of Art and Old Girls Coordinator

Relationships: Tate Modern To launch the externally set unit for the LVI Form we went to the Tate Modern and sought out pictures to fit in with the theme given this year by the examination board: 'Relationships'. One interesting point that came up in the tea break we had at one of the museum's cafes is how we all look at pictures according to our personal experience and cultural background and that this can radically differ to the artist's intentions. Both interpretations are valid but it is important to understand the original context in which a piece of work was done. All girls came away with drawings and a greater understanding of context.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable and productive trip.

Mrs J Leibovici, Subject

Issue Number 32 w/c 19th January 2015 & w/c 26th January 2015 Eco Schools Update The school’s student led Eco Committee held their first meeting of 2015 where ideas for activities within school and forthcoming projects were discussed. Over the coming weeks the girls will be around school and the Heathfield grounds updating our Eco-Schools Environmental review and delivering a whole-school Assembly on their plans and vision for all things Eco over the next 12 months as the whole school works its way towards our application for Eco Schools Green Flag status.

The Eco Committee will shortly be unveiling their plea for unwanted girls’ clothing donations to students, parents and staff. The donated clothing will be sold at an afterschool sale with all profits contributed to a charity nominated by the committee. Any remaining clothing will be collected by the ‘Phil’ the Bag recycling scheme who reuse on both a local and global scale and provide clothing for people in developing countries.

The Heathfield Eco Committee is eager to promote activities which embrace the Three Rs of the environment: REDUCE-REUSE-RECYCLE and want to ensure that this message is heard in all areas of school and boarding life at Heathfield.

Miss L Champion, Form III Housemistress

Austen Weekend - 31st January 2015 & 2nd February 2015 Austen weekend came at a busy time with a majority of girls representing the school at the South West Schools lacrosse tournament whilst some had enrolled in the highly acclaimed Debretts course. The rest of the girls from Forms I-IV visited Basingstoke for some bowling followed by some free time in the city centre. Those weary lacrosse players were eventually welcomed home with pizza to reward their labours and the whole school was treated in the evening with the SMaT converted into a home cinema.

On the Sunday Forms I-III took part in a range of activities. Some braved the pain of Tag Archery, donning masks and shooting polystyrene arrows at the opposition, learning to dodge, dive and even catch the projectiles as they hurtled towards them. The other activities took a gentler pace with the girls designing their own bracelets and crafting decorative pillows for charity for those recovering from breast cancer; well done to the girls who managed to create 35 pillows, all for a great cause!

After the pool was opened up for some free swimming time, it was time for White Chapel where the girls celebrated the service by candle-light. Thank you to all who took part, especially the Austen staff and Housemistresses as well as the hard-working and dedicated Austen House Captains Beatrix and Cesci (both LVI Form).

Mr A Valner, Head of House – Austen

Ski Racing Emily R (UVI Form), Emily S (UVI Form) and Catharine (Form III) took part in the British School Girls’ Ski Racing competition. The girls performed solidly and achieved impressive times. Despite a fall from Catharine during her last slalom race, she rapidly got up and continued the race to be placed third, having only lost a few seconds.

Catharine won silver in the U14 Giant Slalom and Silver in the U14 Combined Slalom. She was also awarded the Kandahar Prize for Racing Potential which gives her one week’s training at the Kandahar Race Camp in Austria.

Both Emilys skied incredibly well and supported each other admirably throughout. Congratulations to all.

Ms W Reynolds, Director of Sport

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