Autumn Newsletter

Autumn 2017

The Little Shop of Horrors performance during the summer term

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER The term is now fully underway and it seems an ideal time to update you on developments at the School and on our plans for this year.

The A Level and GCSE results arrived in August and were much as we had expected. You will be aware that many courses have changed at A Level, and that the 2017 examinations bore the first fruits of these new curricula. The overall results were pleasing with just short of two-thirds of the grades ranging from A* ― B. As with previous years, these excellent results enabled the majority of students to obtain places at their first choice of university, although an increasing number appear to be taking their time and considering either gap years or the merits of working for a while before perhaps opting in to Higher Education. You may well have read about the many institutions that prevent candidates from continuing with their courses unless top-grade outcomes are guaranteed. Our results, by contrast, are not engineered by “ejecting” weaker students; our A Level results were strong but could have been made to look even better had we compromised our principles and restricted entries – as we would not consider doing.

At GCSE, the results were again in line with predictions. The pass rate, at what used to be termed C and above, was 92%, while 41% achieved top grades, the equivalent of A* and A. There are still some unsatisfactory outcomes: we were concerned by exam-boards’ marking of some of the examinations and coursework.

We queried a number of grades where we felt that our knowledge of the students did not match the results declared, and we have seen over 50% of the GCSE grades we challenged overturned. In one case, on a paper marked out of 64, 10 additional marks were found in the remark. This is clearly unsatisfactory but as the new result for this paper arrived some 10 days after the deadline to contest marks, we are unable to press this enquiry any further. Despite these concerns, candidates at the school achieved the new top grade of 9 in all subjects examined, which once again affirms the quality of teaching at LOGS. Extrapolating from these results, and given the strength of our present Also in this months edition Story 1 - 12/14pt

Year 11 cohort, of which we have high expectations, we look forward to even better results in 2018.

Our commitment to increasing international awareness remains strong. Over the summer, a successful trip to the Mediterranean enabled students to work with a group of scientists to help monitor and conserve various marine species. The students’ learning and experience were broadened by their encounters with creatures they might never have seen in their lives without the expert tracking knowledge of the scientists leading the expedition. Some pictures of this rare experience are shown with the report below.

This year, the school will be organising trips to Finland, South Africa, Germany, France and Costa Rica, with Borneo also on the horizon. We hope that what we organise rewards our students for their commitment to the school and offers them experiences which they otherwise might not have.

Each trip provides the opportunity to both enjoy and learn from a unique encounter with people and place.

Turning, finally, to domestic arrangements, the school has secured planning permission to build a new classroom block in the area behind the YMCA. The proximity of this build to the castle, which generated associated concerns over possible archaeological implications, complicated and delayed the planning process, and various redesigns have been required to avoid having to dig deeper foundations. It is hoped that construction will begin before Christmas and that the building will be completed before the end of the summer. This will enable other buildings to be repurposed for alternative use in the best interests of the students.

Further information regarding planned development will be available via our new website which will be launched over the half-term break.

Robert Blewitt Headmaster

SIXTH FORM OPEN MORNING

SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER

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A MEDITERRANEAN ADVENTURE

Students stepped out of the classroom and onto a boat recently, as they sailed across the Mediterranean Sea in search of marine life.

Year 9 pupils were enlisted to help four cetacean researchers at the port of Sanremo, Italy, where they helped to collect valuable data about whales and dolphins in the Mediterranean region while living on a 72-foot research sailing boat.

Over the course of the trip, students and those of us teachers accompanying them, saw more than one hundred striped dolphins, a loggerhead sea turtle, two sperm whales, and two fin whales. We also spotted bottle-nosed dolphins, only the fourth sighting of the pod for the entire season. The most incredible discovery came later: we saw one sperm whale called Erico twice in the course of the week – which was incredible considering he

hadn’t been seen by researchers in the entire Mediterranean Sea for more than a decade! Best of all, though, was when we came across another sperm whale.

We soon realised he had never been seen before and had the unique privilege of naming him Lewis, in honour of our school.

Students were put through their paces as amateur sailors on the expedition, and tasked with cooking, cleaning and maintenance duties, while also spending one hour shifts each day working with a marine biologist on the sighting platform. Pupils had the chance to jump from the boat into the water to swim and snorkel in the middle of the ocean.

This trip was really about offering students something different.

After we went to Costa Rica last year, we wanted to give Year 9 students a similar chance to do conservation work in an inspiring setting. The expedition gave

Lewes Old Grammar School 140 High Street, Lewes Sussex, BN7 1XS

them an insight into marine life which they could never have experienced had they just studied it within a Sussex classroom. It was quite literally a chance to expand their horizons by sailing into the vast expanse of the ocean and we are so grateful to the Tethys Institute for being a visionary organisation.

The trip marked LOGS’s third collaboration with WorkingAbroad, which has worked with the Tethys Institute for almost a decade to send volunteers to the Dolphin and Whale Project in Italy to research the ecology, behaviour, feeding habits and conservation of cetacean species living in the Mediterranean.

Vicky Kornevall-McNeil, co-founder of WorkingAbroad, said: “The feedback from students has been wonderful. This experience will stay with them for the rest of their lives – nothing beats the excitement of being on the top, looking out, and suddenly sighting a sperm whale, and we’re delighted to now offer this trip each year to LOGS to help inspire and reconnect them with nature.”

Abbi Nagamootoo Teacher of Geography

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SINGING SUCCESS It might not be Fame Academy, but Lewes Old Grammar School’s students hit all the right notes this summer in a series of some of the toughest music theatre exams.

Staged by the London College of Music/University of West London, at Grade 8 and Diploma level, the exams demand not just outstanding performances, but full costume and props, and entrants are quizzed on their musical theatre knowledge and characterisation.

Five students and one former student from LOGS didn’t just shine on stage – their polished performances earned one a merit and five a distinction.

Ella Prior-McIntosh and Iona Foster-Gandey, both 14, Honey Mooncie, Ellen Richmond, and Millie Long, all 16, and Gus

Heydon-Corrie, aged 18, all studied under my guidance ahead of the examinations, which are among the toughest for secondary students: pupils have to prepare three or four songs, wear the appropriate costume with props and perform from memory. They are also required to answer questions about the history of musical theatre as well as about dramatic and vocal techniques used, and they must know the narrative contexts of their chosen pieces.

To achieve these grades at such a high level across the board is outstanding. When I first started working at LOGS 10 years ago there were only two singing students and no choir.

Now there are 22 students and we’ve had to employ a second singing teacher to cope with

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demand. We also run four successful school choirs, including the hugely popular Vox Showchoir who recently performed at Love Supreme Jazz Festival where they shared the bill with none other than The Jacksons and Herbie Hancock.

Although exams can be stressful, singing should always be enjoyed, whether you’re listening or performing. Studies have found that singing can enhance academic achievement and I have seen how it can help children’s confidence grow, so it’s important that we continue to encourage children to take it up.

Rachel Munro Singing Teacher

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LOGS CHARITY BALL We are delighted to announce that, with your help, the LOGS Ball, which was held in July, raised over £4,600 for The Enthum Foundation.

Enthum House is a specialist-supported home for unaccompanied refugee minors affected by complex trauma and trafficking, and was inspired by our volunteering work in the Calais Jungle in 2015-16. Its doors will be opening in East Sussex next year and we are very excited to be welcoming the first group of asylum-seeking boys into our community. Enthum House is more than just a safe house ― it will offer person-centred 24-hour care, and vocational

KEY DATES Pupils Return 30th October

Year 12 & 13 Parents Evening 2nd November Year 8 Parents Evening 8th November Morley House Parents Evening 14th & 15th November GCSE Mock Exams 20th - 24th November Morley House Carol Concert 13th December Senior School Carol Concert 14th December End of Term 15th December (12.45pm) Pupils Return 9th January

MORLEY OPEN MORNING

8th NOVEMBER

therapeutic and legal support to provide its young people with a chance to rebuild their lives, explore their individual potential and become empowered to contribute positively to UK society.

The Enthum Foundation would like to thank Lewes Old Grammar School, its staff, parents and students for their gracious and generous support.

Your involvement made a huge difference to Enthum Foundation’s work in support of vulnerable young people who have had to leave their parents behind and survive treacherous journeys in hope of a safe future and in pursuit of their dreams.

LAMDA RESULTS LAMDA exam results are in and we are delighted to be able to tell you that everyone passed with a Merit (6 students) or a Distinction (23 students).

Sasha Budnik Grantham and Beatrice Scott passed their Grade 8 LAMDA Gold with Distinction and so earned themselves many valuable UCAS points

TECHNOLOGY CAREERS EVENING On Wednesday, 29th November a number of current parents are giving presentations about their careers linked to the world of technology. You can book your places for this event via SIMS Agora.

Catherine Hoff is the Client Service Director at Grampy, a digital product design studio.

Grampy helps clients to build the best possible digital solutions - be it a website, mobile app, or any digital interface. Working across a number of sectors including finance, leisure, insurance and travel, Grampy specifically offers strategy definition, alignment of brand to strategy and users, intelligent design, rapid prototyping and evolving the digital experience which is

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underpinned by a strong content architecture. Grampy has recently been acquired by IBM. Andy Warren is the MD of a creative agency in Brighton called Blue Edge, which develops advertising campaigns for high value bids, a very niche market segment.

Blue Edge helps clients win multi-billion-pound projects that often last 20 years. The projects cover a diverse range, such as HS2 (the new high-speed rail programme), Apple’s new headquarters in Cupertino (California), new hospitals and even spy stations for the MOD. Blue Edge designs brands and booklets, creates films and CGI, and makes apps and VR experiences.

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SPORT

BASKETBALL

Keep up to date with fixtures and results at sports.logs.uk.com

TRAMPOLINING

BASKETBALLER LEADS HER TEAM TO NATIONAL VICTORY

Amelia Sandie, an England Under 15 basketball player, led the south-east regional team to national triumph by steering their victory in all six of their games in a national contest.

LOGS has been commended

by Amelia’s mother, Claire Martin, for its continued support and enthusiasm for her progress with the sport. “It was a fantastic atmosphere,” explains Claire. “We are all over the moon – and it was an honour for her to captain this brilliant squad.”

Amelia is also captain of the LOGS netball and rounders teams. But she was encouraged to take up basketball by her dad, Hugh, a former Australian player, who eventually became her club coach.

Amelia is an outstanding student across all the sports we play and an excellent role model for sport at LOGS. Hannah Thorpe Teacher of PE

A LOGS student has somersaulted to success at the 2017 Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT British Championships.

Year 9 pupil, Daniel Bradford, attended the Echo Arena, Liverpool, last week to compete with the top seven athletes at the finals of the national championships.

After completing his qualifying trampoline routines in the U14 Men’s category, Daniel advanced to the finals and scored several personal bests before placing 6th overall.

During the tournament, contestants also had the opportunity to meet TeamGB athletes who had competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, including silver medallist Bryony Page.

“It was really exciting to take part in my first British

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Championships,” Daniel said.

“I’m really pleased to place sixth, and I’m looking forward to building on my performance and hopefully placing even higher in future. Meeting the Olympic athletes was just the icing on the cake – their achievements are inspirational and it really gave me something to aim for.”

We are really proud of Daniel.

He is a fantastic sportsman in his PE lessons and he is clearly destined for great things with his trampolining talents. We’ll be following his progress very closely.

Daniel’s success means that he qualifies for the English Championships at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, which take place next month.

Murray Heywood Head of PE

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MACMILLIAN COFFEE YEAR 13 TRIP TO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT On Wednesday, 11th October, over recent years in the MORNING

On Saturday, 30th September, Year 10 students opened their Macmillan Café to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Many students volunteered to bake cakes at home and brought them into school on Friday. Special thanks go to Debbie Russell, our lovely HE technician, who baked throughout the week and produced delicious flapjacks, cupcakes, banana loaves, lemon drizzle cakes, Victoria sponges and many other crowd pleasers.

The café opened early on Saturday morning and closed at 1.30pm, with students acting throughout as waitresses for the steady flow of welcome customers. Some students took the initiative to take and sell cakes in the town centre, spreading the word about the café.

A huge thank you and well done goes to the student volunteers, the staff helpers, Mrs Ticehurst, Ms Rosin and Mr Bioletti, and to all students and parents who donated cakes from home. A special thank you, additionally, to Polly Sweeney for her generous help.

We raised £445.44!

Louise Webster Head of Year 10

Government and Politics students in Year 13 took up an invitation to visit the Houses of Parliament.

We were given a personal tour of the Palace of Westminster by Baroness Uddin and were fortunate to join her for a discussion about politics in one of the traditional committee rooms. Among the urgent and fascinating topics we focussed on, was the question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16, a possibility that has been hotly debated

contexts of the Scottish and Brexit referenda.

Rounding off a memorable experience, we were given an opportunity to watch the House of Lords at work from the public galleries; it was exhilarating to be at the heart of British power and democracy. We are very pleased to announce that this tour will be an annual feature of future Government and Politics A-Level courses.

2017/18 TERM DATES

2018/19 TERM DATES

Lawrence Wakeham Head of Politics

Half Term 13th October

Start of Autumn Term 7th September

Pupils Return 30th October

Half Term 19th October

End of Autumn Term 15th December (12.45pm)

Pupils Return 6th November

Start of Spring Term 9th January

End of Autumn Term 14th December (12.45pm)

Half Term 9th February

Start of Spring Term 8th January

Pupils Return 19th February

Half Term 8th February

End of Spring Term 29th March (3.30pm)

Pupils Return 18th February

Start of Summer Term 23rd April

End of Spring Term 29th March (3.30pm)

Half Term 25th May

Start of Summer Term 23rd April

Pupils Return 4th June

Half Term 24th May

End of Summer Term 6th July (3.30pm)

Pupils Return 3rd June

Term dates for 2018/19 are subject to change. Please keep an eye on the

End of Summer Term 12th July (3.30pm)

website for updates.

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