Leweston Life Winter 2012

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Leweston Life

Winter 2012

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Page 10 Page 26

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Contents

Heads’ Welcome

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Results 2012

4

Leweston Adds Value

5

Academic Awards and Successes

6

Creative Pursuits

8

Concerts, Choirs and Carols

10

Moroccan Gold: Duke of Edinburgh News

12

Senior Sport

14

Prep News

18

Prep Sport

24

Boarding Bliss

28

Other News from 2012

31

Dates for your Diary

32

www.leweston.co.uk Cover image: members of Leweston’s Schola Cantorum

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Welcome from the Heads With the end of another year upon us it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the accomplishments of 2012.

Academically Leweston has once again had a record breaking year with more girls than ever before achieving 9 or more A or A* grades. In the last few weeks we have had a record number of girls interviewed for places at Oxford and Cambridge and we were delighted to learn from our value added statistics that we are in the top five percent of schools nationally (page 5).

We ended this term with two of the highlights in the Leweston calendar, the Prep and Senior School Carol Services which rounded off another busy and successful term in the music departments (pages 10 -11). We look forward to the Choral Society Concert in March which, this year, is in aid of the 2013 sports and music tour to South Africa. This is an incredible opportunity for the 30 musicians and sports women who will get to perform and play in schools, churches and charities in and around Cape Town.

We look forward to updating you on the tour’s progress on our website and in future editions of Leweston Life.

We were delighted for the four girls who have passed their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award this term following their expedition in Morocco in the summer. Details of their

Adrian Aylward Headmaster

adventures can be read about on pages 12 and 13 and we look forward to the new Duke of Edinburgh season starting in full in the spring.

It has been a busy term in the sports department with much success (pages 14–17 and 24-27). It was with eager anticipation that we welcomed Mick Flaherty to Leweston in September and we look forward to the development of an ‘athlon’ sports programme at Leweston (page 14).

We were also delighted to welcome Lorraine Roberts as the new Housemistress of Junior House at the start of the academic year. She has had a busy term and her first impressions and plans for the future can be read about on page 30. With a record number of girls boarding at Leweston we are delighted to be opening extra accommodation in Middle House, Leweston’s boarding accommodation for girls in Year 9-11, in the summer term. This will allow us to increase our boarding for a further 8 girls next year to keep up with the increasing demand for space.

This academic year has already seen so much to celebrate but as we reflect with pride on the many achievements we also look forward with anticipation and confidence to all that 2013 has in store.

James Savile Head of Leweston Prep

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GCSE, A Level and Pre-U Results 2012 2012 has been yet another record breaking year at Leweston. The School is delighted to be celebrating its third set of record GCSE results in four years with an unprecedented 47% of all candidates achieving 9 or more A or A* grades. 64% of all entries were passed at A* or A with 88% of examinations passed at A*, A or B. Congratulations to the 13% of girls who got 9 A* grades or more.

Leweston is also celebrating another year of excellent results for its Sixth Form leavers.

Students achieved a 100% pass rate in both A Level and Cambridge Pre-U subjects. 71% of the examinations were passed at A*, A or B grade or Pre-U equivalent, with 51% at A* or A or equivalent - nearly double the

national average. An impressive 30% of students achieved 3 or more straight A* or A grades across a range of subjects with more than 10% of girls achieving 5 or more A* or A grades. Average UCAS points per candidate were 402, the equivalent of over three A grades per candidate.

This year has also seen the third set of strong Cambridge Pre-U results. 100% of candidates passed at Distinction or Merit.

IN BRIEF… • Record breaking GCSE results: 47% of candidates achieved 9 or more A or A* grades • A Levels: 71% passed at A*, A or B • Cambridge Pre-U: 100% passed at Distinction or Merit

DID YOU KNOW...

These results have enabled Leweston’s leavers to win places at their chosen universities or specialist colleges.

Congratulations to Hebe Stanton and Isabelle Barber who won places at Oxford and Cambridge respectively to read English.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS OVER

95%

OF OUR LEAVERS HAVE WON PLACES AT THEIR FIRST CHOICE UNIVERSITY LEWESTON HAS A

90%

SUCCESS RATE IN MEDICINE

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“Once again the hard work and commitment of the girls at Leweston has been rewarded with record breaking success.

These achievements pay testimony to the support that the staff have given to the girls and to the effectiveness of single sex education which underpins the serious work ethic of the school.”

Headmaster Adrian Aylward

AND VETERINARY APPLICATIONS OVER THE LAST 5 YEARS, FAR ABOVE THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL AVERAGE

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Perhaps a more telling indicator of academic success on an individual level is a school’s ability to add value to each girl’s progress. Leweston was delighted to learn that the Yellis feedback produced by Durham University has placed us in the top 5% of schools nationally for value added.

Leweston achieved an average score of +0.8 of a grade at GCSE and this high ranking demonstrates Leweston’s ability to add value to each girl’s education and encourage them to perform above original expectations. The Yellis system measures performance to GCSE and is used by almost all independent schools.

This top 5% ranking builds on Leweston’s performance over the last few years when it has consistently been placed in the top 10% of schools nationally.

Value added is a measure of the progress pupils make between different stages of education; if girls perform beyond expectations this is reflected in a high ‘value added’ score.

At A Level Leweston achieved further value added with an average of +0.3 of a grade measured from a pupil’s GCSE performance using Durham University’s Alis system.

Of course, A and A* grades are only part of the picture. Leweston’s 2012 results put it in the top 5% of schools for value added…

“We are delighted with this external verification of the outstanding performance of our pupils which reflects the dedication and hard work that they have put into their studies. It highlights the exceptional work ethic of the school, the benefits of Leweston’s excellent staff to pupil ratio and our ability to help every girl fulfil her potential.”

Director of Studies, Geoff Smith

LEWESTON IS PLACED IN THE TOP 5% OF SCHOOLS NATIONALLY FOR ‘VALUE ADDED’ IN LATEST DURHAM UNIVERSITY ANALYSIS

Leweston Adds Value...

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Academic Awards and Successes

MATHEMATICIAN MONIKA IS PLACED 3RD NATIONALLY! Congratulations to Year 13 pupil Monika Dec who has been placed 3rd nationally in the 2012 UK Maths Olympiad for girls, a national competition designed to enable young women to have an opportunity to demonstrate excellence in mathematics.

This outstanding achievement is the latest in a string of mathematical success for Monika. She achieved top 25 places in both BMO2 and BMO1 earlier in this year winning a silver medal. Monika has already achieved A* grades in Maths and Further Maths, as well as a Distinction in AEA Maths. She is studying for A Levels in Additional Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics, German and Polish and is applying to study Mathematics at Cambridge on completing her Year 13 studies.

Memories Tested in World Record Attempt 40 Leweston biologists joined people from around the country to help the Society of Biology set a new record for the world’s largest memory game as part of the first ever national Biology Week in October.

The game involved students memorising a list of words and the results will be used as part of a nationwide study to help improve our understanding of conditions such as Alzheimer’s. The game itself was devised by the renowned experimental psychologist Prof. Bruce Hood and earned air time on BBC Breakfast and Radio 1. We look forward to seeing the event in the Guinness Book of Records soon!

PROLIFIC POETS Congratulations to the Leweston pupils who took all three top spots at the 2012 Sherborne Literary Festival Open Poetry Competition.

Connie De Pelet (Year 9) took first place with her poem ‘Crinkled Eyes’. Tessa Broadbent (Year 9) and Emily Brown (Year 8) came second and third with their entries ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Music is Real’. Well done also to Beth McMillan (Year 9) who won the Short Story Competition.

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A Term of Inspiring talks from

Leading Professionals

Reverend Nicholas Mercer

Andy Fussel

Dominic Greave, MP

IT HAS BEEN A BUSY TERM FOR THE SIXTH FORM STUDENTS AT LEWESTON WHO HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO HEAR FROM SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING PROFESSIONALS. In October Leweston was delighted to welcome the Reverend Nicholas Mercer, human rights lawyer and former Human Rights Lawyer of the Year, who gave a cross-curricular talk to the Sixth Form Global Perspectives, Philosophy and

Politics students. Rev Mercer explained the 15 articles that covered the Human Rights Act and touched on some of the high profile cases that have been in the news recently, such as the cases of Gary McKinnon, Abu Hamza and Prince Harry, leaving the girls with much to reflect on and consider.

Not to be left out the Government and Politics students heard from Dominic Greave MP, the present Attorney General when they visited the Houses of Parliament this term.

Mr Greave explained his role and answered a variety of questions on devolution and reform of the House of Lords as well as his role in guiding the Government through the many intricacies of the development of British common and statute law from the Magna Carta and habeas corpus to the Bill of Rights. He also answered questions on the current challenges facing the European Convention on Human Rights. The girls found the experience extremely informative and exciting. It was an incredible opportunity to be able to meet Dominic Greave and to hear his views.

entrepreneur Andy Fussel of Fussel Fine Foods. The girls were delighted to tuck into his delicious products and with the audience captured, the group discussed his new TV advert and his ideas behind capturing brand loyalty including the use of celebrity endorsement.

The Science and History students also had a chance to hear from Dr Geoffrey Guy, Executive Chairman and founder of GW Pharmaceuticals in November.

Dr Guy talked about the history of herbal medicine and the impact of the use of plants on medical advancement today. It was an informative and thought provoking visit.

Leweston works continuously to give its pupils exposure to professionals working in the ‘real world’ to help inspire, broaden horizons and answer questions. These experiences offer the girls a chance to bring to life the theory they cover in the classroom and are an invaluable addition to the curriculum at Leweston.

Meanwhile Leweston’s Economics and Business students were visited by local

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Creative Pursuits

Dramatic Double The autumn term Senior School production featured an amusing double bill of two short plays by the lesserknown playwright Arthur Lovegrove – ‘Her Grace Will Be Here’ and ‘Clara’s on the Curtains’. An entirely female cast of Year 11 and Year 12 girls performed the comical antics of the Wickley Women’s Guild as they tried to prepare for a VIP visit and their frustrations and interactive dialogue made for some very entertaining viewing. Some superb characterisations were realised and the audiences were charmed. This was a wonderfully rendered performance with an excellent set and back stage and production team. The dance at the finale to the tune of ‘There’s No Business like Showbusiness’ was truly astonishing. Another theatrical triumph!

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LAMDA RESULTS 2012 IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER BUMPER YEAR OF LAMDA SPEECH AND DRAMA RESULTS AT LEWESTON: 25 DISTINCTIONS AND 15 MERITS. WELL DONE GIRLS!

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Concerts, Choirs and Carols...

Director of Music Claire Hawkes comments on a busy term’s work in the Music Department...

As always it has been a busy start to the academic year for Leweston’s Music Department, and one littered with much success.

The year started with an excellent haul of Associated Board results including 3 distinctions and 8 merits in a variety of instruments.

Three girls are eagerly waiting to hear the results of their ATCL (Associate Trinity College, London) Performance Diplomas which they took at the end of November.

This is an advanced exam, and equivalent to the first year of a music conservatoire degree course. An invited audience got to hear the girls’ examination pieces at a practice recital earlier in November and they were not disappointed… good luck to year 13 pupils Ellie Byfield on the saxophone, Emily Yang on the piano and Imogen Massey on the flute.

In addition to the Junior Choir and Schola Cantorum, the department has seen the formation of an independent Sixth Form Choir.

This new choir has been working

on cappella music, a challenge for them musically, and performed at the Christmas Concert held at Chideock Church in December and the Carol Service at Sherborne Abbey. We look forward to their continued development.

Leweston has also seen the formation of a new Wind Quintet.

This ensemble is formed of Leweston’s advanced Sixth Form musicians and delighted audiences for the first time at the Christmas Concert in December.

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Carol Service in Sherborne Abbey

It has also been an exciting term for Junior Choir who prepared songs from the ‘Sound of Music’ for their performance at the Joint Schools’ Concert held at Sherborne School in November where Leweston’s Joint Schools Orchestras also performed music including ‘Night on a Bare Mountain’ by Mussorgsky.

ATCL Performance Diploma Candidates

Christmas Concert in Chideock Catholic Church

Another busy term was completed in style with the Carol Service in Sherborne Abbey, a real highlight in the Leweston calendar and the perfect way to finish the year. We look forward to more musical success in the spring.

Choral Society 2013 After a year off, Leweston is delighted to be working towards its Choral Society Concert in March. The concert will be supporting Leweston’s music and sports tour to South Africa planned for 2013 (see page 31) and the Society will be performing ‘Zimbe!’ by Alexander L’Estrange. The work is made up of African folksongs and is scored for SATB choir, Semi Chorus and Children’s Choir. This gives Leweston’s Prep School the opportunity to be part of this year’s event. The composer of the work visited Leweston in November to take the first rehearsal which was a fabulous experience for the girls involved. The concert will take place on Sunday, 3rd March at 7.30pm and will be accompanied by Leweston’s Jazz Orchestra – watch this space!

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Moroccan Gold

AT THE START OF THE SUMMER BREAK, THE GIRLS PARTICIPATING IN THEIR GOLD DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD GATHERED TO COMMENCE THEIR 12 DAY TRIP TO MOROCCO...

The trip had been planned over a year and a half in advance with the girls completing their training, both in the Brecons and the Lake District and inventing creative ways of raising the funds to get themselves there.

We arrived in Marrakesh to a completely different world. The souks were fascinating and the girls practised their bartering but we were soon on our way to the Atlas Mountains, arriving at a campsite surrounded by mountains and the green floor of the valley.

Facilities were sparse and we all got to know the meaning of squatting in a tent and sleeping on rough ground but the experience of working with the local community was outstanding. As part of their residential section, the girls were split up to join local families, helping with the daily chores and seeing just how basic their lives were. I have no doubt that the girls came away with a sense of respect and understanding for a community that has few luxuries yet appears very content.

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Other Duke of Edinburgh News‌ Congratulations to the girls completing their Silver Award. Their trip to the New Forest was very successful with all girls passing the expedition. Leweston is looking forward to its new Duke of Edinburgh season commencing in full in the spring – keep up to speed with developments at www.leweston.co.uk

The expedition in the mountains was arduous in many ways and the girls did a fantastic job of dealing with their own personal challenges and I was immensely impressed with every one of them.

The heat and inhospitable environment was a complete change for each of us and both students and teachers had their moments but ultimately, we all arrived back safely!

The last year has seen some very memorable experiences and I am sure that this will continue - congratulations to all those who have managed to achieve their Awards this year, especially to the 4 girls who completed their Gold Awards this term, quite an achievement.

Keith Whitehead, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator

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Senior Sport

Leweston Welcomes GB Biahtle Coach to the Sports Department It was with great delight and much anticipation that we welcomed Mick Flaherty to Leweston in September. As well as running the swimming pool operation throughout the year Mick has set up a swimming and ‘ahtlon’ sports programme at Leweston which covers modern pentathlon (swimming, running, fencing, shooting and show jumping), triathlon and biathlon.

Mick is also organising a number of swimming and ‘athlon’ camps at Leweston during holiday periods – these will be open to the general public and more information will be available at www.leweston.co.uk in due course.

As well as competing at water polo, swimming and triathlon at a

national level, Mick has coached at an international level. He served as part of the GB triathlon coach team from 1994-1996 and has been the Great Britain biathle coach since 1999. Mick also works with Pentathlon GB. His expertise and coaching experience has opened up a variety of opportunities for the pupils at Leweston through enhanced swimming programmes, involvement in aquathlons, biathles, biathlons, triathlons and, in the future, once the training programmes are more established, the modern pentathlon.

His work has already seen many tangible results. The new early morning swim training sessions have seen record turnouts

(despite the early hour) and Leweston has enjoyed much success in its competitive swim fixtures this term. Leweston also hosted the staggeringly successful Dorset Schools’ Biathlon competition in October with over 320 competitors taking part (the largest ever entry) and Mick will be running a biathle/tetrathlon/triathlon training camp for athletes from around the country during the Easter break. We look forward to the planned introduction of the ‘athlon’ training programme which will give the girls the opportunity to take part in biathle/biathlon/triathlon/tetrathl on/Pony Club tetrathlon, and pentathlon events.

Watch this space!

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World Class Year 11 pupil and sports scholar Victoria Halford assured her status as an international athlete when she came 4th whilst representing Great Britain at the World Biathle Championships in Dubai in November.

Victoria’s individual performance helped Great Britain to win the gold medal in the U16 team event and was especially impressive as she was competing with girls a year older than herself. Last year Victoria brought home a gold medal for team GB and this year’s gold builds on her international success. This was Victoria’s 6th successive year representing Great Britain at these World Championships where she first competed in the U10 category.

The event consisted of a 1000m run, 200m swim, followed by another 1000m run, and the British biathle team took home a total of 21 individual and 11 team medals. The Great British medal haul placed the team first in the medal table, their best ever performance and an outstanding result.

Earlier in the year Victoria was selected for the Pentathlon GB England Talent Pool Programme.

This is the first formal stage of the talent development pathway for athletes in the sport of modern pentathlon, which has the ultimate aim of developing athletes to progress through to the world class pathway.

“It has been a pleasure to work at Leweston with some outstanding athletes such as Victoria who I have been coaching since she was 10. To be more directly involved with her coaching programme at school and with other up and coming athletes who have the talent and opportunity to follow in her footsteps is a rewarding experience.”

National Biathle Coach and Biathle Coach at Leweston, Mick Flaherty

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JRPC Hockey success!

Congratulations to Siobhan Stewart (Year 13) and Freya Logan (Year 10) who have progressed into the Tier 1 Junior Regional Performance Centre (JRPC) team.

As part of this team the girls will receive regular training sessions and high level coaching on the core skills of hockey from JRPC coaches, with additional input from England Hockey Board’s Centrally Contracted Coaches (CCCs). Good luck to both girls.

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National Honours for Siobhan There was international recognition for Sixth Former Siobhan Stewart when she was selected to form part of the England Independent Schools U18 football team over the October half term. Siobhan is the second Leweston pupil to be selected for the squad in the last two years and we wish her continued success.

National Success for Leweston’s Riders

U15 Footballers Strike Gold!

Leweston has enjoyed yet more success at the 2012 National 7-ASide Football Tournament held at Charterhouse this term. The U15 team finished in 3rd position after passing through the group stage unbeaten. They were eventually knocked out in a closely fought semi-final losing in a penalty shootout. A frustrating end to their exceptional performance but a fine result for the team!

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Congratulations to Leweston’s Intermediate riding team who finished in 5th position at the National Schools’ Show Jumping Championships at Addington Manor this term.

The team of Tillie Newman, Georgia Buckland (Year 11), Lydia Hannam (Year 9) and Lucinda Elwood (Year 10), jumped strong clear rounds against 30 other teams making Leweston the team to beat after the first round and winning them a place in the jump off! Each rider put in a fantastic performance in the jump off, securing the team 5th position – a fantastic result.

Leweston Reigns Supreme at the 2012 Interschools’ Show Jumping Competition The sun shone for the sixth Leweston Inter-Schools Show Jumping Competition in September. This ever popular event saw over 190 riders represent schools from all over the South West with hosts Leweston School doing exceptionally well in the team results coming third in Class 1, sixth in Class 2 and first of 16 teams in Class 3. Well done to all ponies and riders.

Swimming Sensations!

Congratulations to the swimming teams who competed for the first time in the South West Championships at Millfield, competing against some of the strongest swimmers in the area.

Impressive swims by Leweston’s Senior Team placed them as the best team in Dorset with the Intermediate Team finishing 2nd and the Juniors 3rd. Those early morning swim sessions certainly paid off!

Host Leweston Enjoys Much Success at the 2012 Dorset Schools’ Biathlon Congratulations to the Leweston teams and individuals who put in exceptional performances at the Dorset Schools’ Biathlon Competition held at Leweston in October. A record 320 athletes were competing, not only to win but to secure times to enable them to qualify for the National Schools’ competition and the World Schools’ Biathlon later this year.

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It was a bumper year for Leweston with the Year 10/11 team winning their event and the Year 9 team coming second. Well done also to the Year 5, Year 7 and Year 8 teams who came third.

Congratulations to the individual medallists: Victoria Halford (Year 11) came 1st in her event, Tiffany Luk (Year 13) came 2nd in her event and Gabriella StrachwitzHamilton (Year 6) came 3rd in her event.

All outstanding achievements against so many talented competitors.

Record Numbers of Girls Qualify for National Schools’ Biathlon Semi-Final Congratulations to the 14 girls who have qualified for the semifinal of the National Schools’ Biathlon Competition in January.

This is the largest number of Leweston girls to ever qualify for this event with pupils from Years 5 to 13 selected to compete. We look forward to reporting on their progress next term.

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Plain Sailing

rumour of international honours amongst the Australian team only adding to the tension! England emerged victorious in the pool with Australia clinching a close fought victory on the football pitch. The teams drew on the netball court with one win each.

This was a fantastic sporting experience for both sets of girls and as the series resulted in a draw the Ashes are retained by Leweston – well done all!

Regional Rugby Selection Well done to Year 11 pupil Maddie Kirby who has been selected for the Dorset and Wiltshire U18 woman’s rugby team. A phenomenal achievement after a relatively short rugby career – no doubt more success awaits Maddie on the rugby pitch.

IN OTHER SPORTS NEWS…

Ashes Retained in Closely Fought MultiSport Battle The enduring rivalry between England and Australia’s sportswomen was played out at Leweston this term when the school hosted girls and staff from Firbank Grammar, Melbourne as part of their UK sports tour.

Leweston (England) competed against Firbank (Oz) at swimming, netball and football with the

Congratulations to Sixth Former Ellie Mules who has now passed her RYA Dinghy Instructors course. Ellie is now qualified to deliver RYA courses in dinghy sailing to children and adults.

Mendip Cross Country

Podium Finish Well done to Year 10 pupil Immie Jones who finished 3rd at the National Riding Club Championships, a tremendous achievement.

Congratulations to Year 8 pupil Otterlie Gibbs, who was the first girl home in the U13 Mendip League Race this term. In the U14 Race her younger sister Elsie Gibbs (Year 7), together with Year 9 pupils Olivia Manson and Lettie Worrall (pictured), helped secure silver medals for the team. Well done all!

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Prep LOCAL AUTHOR OPENS NEW PREP LIBRARY Leweston was delighted to welcome local author and artist Paul Stickland as guest of honour at the opening of the new Prep School library in October. After the official opening Paul spent the morning with the pupils explaining his craft and reading some of his most famous books, such as ‘Dinosaur Roar’. The children also got to enjoy a pop-up workshop and enjoyed trying their hand at making their own pop-up literature.

The new library is already proving to be a fantastic resource for the school and of great benefit to the pupils.

Thank you to Paul who has also added to Leweston Prep’s ever expanding shelves, kindly donating several signed copies of his books.

Autumn Term Concert Congratulations to all the children in Years 3 to 6 who put on an outstanding autumn term concert for an invited audience. The school theatre was packed with family and friends who were blown away by the plentiful singing, acting, presenting and musical talent that was on display.

Well done all!

OUTSTANDING LAMDA RESULTS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2012 LAMDA CANDIDATES. ALL EXAMINATIONS WERE PASSED AT EITHER MERIT OR DISTINCTION!

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African Fun at Leweston Prep!

Leweston Prep could have been mistaken for somewhere far more exotic in October when African Chief Kofi Leo visited Year 2 pupils to give them a taste of Masai culture! The school hall was filled with the traditional sounds and songs of the Masai as Chief Kofi Leo taught pupils the Masi warrior leaping dance and how to play the African drums. The pupils even learned to sing some Masai songs in Swahili and made their own traditional costumes. The group finished the day by performing what they had learned to an audience of family and friends. A wonderful experience for the children and the audience!

Blessing of the Padua Building Leweston’s newly renamed Padua Building was blessed

by Fr Peter Clarke in September. The building has been named after St Antony of Padua, Leweston’s patron saint and contains the Year 5 and Year 6 classrooms, the school music room and newly refurbished school hall. We look forward to the many lessons, performances and assemblies that will take place in the Padua building this year!

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Scientists Explore ‘Flight’ at @Bristol Children in the Prep enjoyed a fascinating trip to @Bristol, one of the UK’s biggest and most exciting interactive science centres in November. The group were able to explore the many scientific exhibits on offer and had the exciting opportunity to take part in a ‘flight’ workshop. The children were given an interactive presentation on the effects of thrust and air resistance on an aircraft and then tasked with making their own parachute!

Congratulations to Alexander Dobson, Toby GosseFordham, Robbie Wingfield-Digby and Jamie Baker who won with their parachute which floated to the ground in the slowest time. Some comments from the participants can be seen below…

The iron filings and magnets were spectacular.

I really loved going to @Bristol. My favourite thing was making the rockets and parachutes. It was so fun!

I really enjoyed the whole experience of being at @Bristol. I enjoyed the fact that everything was interactive and we could have a go at creating an animation, tracing a cartoon, making rockets and trying to present the weather.

Grandparents’ Celebration Day On a sunny Friday back in September grandparents went back to school for the morning when they joined their grandchildren in the Prep. The morning saw all sorts of activities and adventures as well as a service in the School Chapel which featured special hymns and prayers selected and created by Leweston Prep pupils.

Tired grandparents enjoyed a revitalising lunch before heading home. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Children in Need Leweston Prep was delighted to raise money for Children in Need again this year. The children in the Prep dressed in their home clothes, some choosing pyjamas as their attire for the day as pictured. Their efforts resulted in over £50 being raised for this deserving cause.

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Fun, Food and Fireworks!

Pupils, parents, staff and friends of Leweston celebrated Bonfire Night on Monday 5th November with the traditional bonfire, fireworks and a hog roast. The audience of both Prep and Senior School families enjoyed the most elaborate and impressive firework display yet and the toffee apples went down a treat!

‘Horrible Histories’ Pupils in Years 4 and 5 travelled to Poole’s Lighthouse Theatre in November to watch a touring production of the highly acclaimed ‘Horrible Histories’ stage show. This particular production focused on the Vile Victorians, a time period that Year 5 children are studying.

From the outset the show was very humorous and visually stunning. The professional actors highlighted key events and themes from the Victorian period.

Famous characters such as Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and Florence Nightingale were examined in closer detail alongside events such as the Crimean War and the Charge of the Light Brigade. Themes including children’s jobs, schools, factories and industrialisation were also given the ‘Horrible Histories’ treatment with the outcome being highly memorable scenes, songs and jokes.

The children in both Years 4 and 5 laughed out loud and screamed at the gruesome parts of the show. They left the performance at the end with many saying it was the best theatre show they had ever seen.

High praise indeed for a history lesson in disguise!

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Year 1 and 2 Visit Sherborne Fire Station

Pupils Donate to Lord’s Larder Leweston Prep was delighted to welcome Matt, a representative from the Lord’s Larder at Harvest time. The Lord’s Larder Food Bank is a local ‘bank’ of nonperishable food operated by volunteers from churches in and around Yeovil. Leweston Prep families have been collecting food and money for the charity who last year delivered over 33,000 items of food to 1200 adults and 737 children.

Leweston Living and Christmas Fair Pupils from Leweston Prep once again enjoyed the annual Leweston Living and Christmas Fair in November. Pupils enjoyed trawling the 45 stands looking for Christmas presents with the sweet stall remaining the star attraction! A number of Prep musicians also delighted the vast crowds with their musical talents.

We are delighted that this year’s fair has raised over £2000 for Dorset based charity Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

The children in Years 1 and 2 visited Sherborne Fire Station in December to help with their understanding of fire safety. The group were very well looked after by the fire fighters who showed them around the station explaining what all of the equipment was used for. The children even got to enjoy a ride in a fire engine – what a treat!

Wondrous Willow Weaving Pupils in Years 3 - 6 enjoyed the company and creativity of Maurice Fawcett, also known as ‘The Willow Birdman of Somerset’, in December. Inspired by Maurice’s creations the children were extremely keen to have a go at making their own creations including Christmas wreaths, swords and angels! Everyone found it a challenge to keep the weaving tight and to secure the tips of each piece of willow, however all rose to the challenge and some masterpieces were produced!

An Early Visit From Father Christmas!

Christmas came early at Leweston Prep when Father Christmas dropped in to visit the children at the Prep School at the start of December. The reason for this early visit was so that he could collect the shoeboxes that the children from the Prep had filled with goodies for the Samaritans Purse Charity – Operation Christmas Child.

These shoe boxes will go to other less fortunate children across the world. Thank you to Father Christmas for sparing some time in his busy schedule. We hope that the children will continue to celebrate the importance of giving to those who do not have such wonderful opportunities available to them at Christmas time.

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Christmas at Leweston Prep The children in the Pre-Prep delighted the audience of family and friends with their Nativity play at the end of term. The performance featured narration delivered with confidence and clarity, stunning musical performances and some inspired acting – no doubt we have plenty of stars in the making!

The autumn term was brought to a close with the Prep Carol Service in the School Chapel.

The school choir sang a mixture of well-known and less well known carols and the service also featured a beautifully performed solo by Year 6 pupil Eliza Harwood (pictured below). A fitting end to another successful term at Leweston Prep.

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IAPS Inland Sailing Regatta 2012 An intrepid and enthusiastic team of Leweston Prep sailors travelled to Farmoor Reservoir in November, home to Oxford Sailing Club and venue for the first IAPS Inland Sailing Regatta!

Organised as an additional event to the established summer IAPS National Sailing Regatta (hosted by Leweston Prep) this new inland location proved a tempting challenge for the newly formed Year 6 sailing team. The two Leweston crews comprised of Year 6 pupils Daisy Pilkington (helm) and Poppy Bailey (crew) in one boat with Gabriella StrachwitzHamilton (helm) and Scarlett Cole (crew) in another.

The girls’ main objectives were to gain racing experience and confidence in preparation for the summer regatta and the day was to prove a great success for all involved with our two crews developing their racing skills considerably against a high standard of opposition from schools across the UK. This extra regatta should lift our U11 crews into a strong position to improve on past results at the forthcoming summer regatta in Weymouth.

Congratulations to the four girls involved.

Leweston Prep Receives Mini Olympics Cheque for Sports Equipment

Leweston Prep was delighted to receive a £200 cheque from Peter Rhodes, Mayor of Sherborne for their participation in the Sherborne Mini Olympics held in the summer. The event raised over £2000 which has been shared out between the 24

participating schools for the purchasing of sports equipment.

Leweston was delighted to take part in this Olympic event and came away with several medals.

Well done to former Year 6 pupils Ana Downing who took gold in

the 600m, Fleur Crittall who won silver throwing the vortex and to Portia Manson who won bronze in the 200m. The Leweston Prep 6 x 100m relay team of Portia, Ana, Elsie Gibbs, Gabriella Strachwitz-Hamilton, Fleur and Alice also won gold!

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Testing Triathlons and Aquathlon Antics!

It has been a term of firsts at Leweston Prep with pupils competing in the inaugural Leweston aquathlon and triathlon competitions in October. In the aquathlon pupils in the U9 and U11 categories swam around an inflatable buoy in the newly enclosed swimming pool before running the 300m running route around the orchard. Well done to Year 4 pupil Anya Evans who won the U9 event and to Gabriella Strachwitz-Hamilton who won the U11 event. Twelve competitors took part in the triathlon event the following week completing a testing 50m swim, 300m run and a 600m cycle. The competition was stiff and the final times only a few seconds apart. Both events were great preparation for the Dorset Schools’ Biathlon, also held in October, which saw much success for Leweston. We look forward to many more ‘athlon’ events in the coming terms.

Former Olympian Delivers Hockey Clinic for Prep Pupils Over twenty girls from the Prep School took full advantage of the series of hockey coaching clinics delivered by Rob Hill on Saturdays during the autumn. Rob has 72 caps for England and Great Britain and played in the 1992 Olympic Games. He was also Head Coach for the West U21 hockey squad and is currently Director of Sport at Lingfield. He taught the girls 3D skills and wowed them with his lightning quick reverse stick ability. The girls worked with great enthusiasm and will undoubtedly benefit from his expertise.

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Rugby Rules!

PAUL MILES, DIRECTOR OF SPORT AT LEWESTON REFLECTS ON THE SEASON OF RUGBY AT LEWESTON PREP‌ I can only describe the first full season of rugby at Leweston Prep as an outstanding term’s work. The enthusiasm the pupils had for the sport was infectious from the beginning and their boundless energy a pleasure to watch and work with. There is a willingness to learn and no shortage of innate ability and with these attributes abundant in the Leweston Prep squad I had no doubt that the season was going to be a good one.

The season started with a trip to All Hallows and Sherborne Prep and although many of the Leweston team were a year young, the focus was always on the basic skills of evasive running, passing and catching and team organisation. With these key elements in place the results looked after themselves and although score lines were not often recorded by the opposition as they were essentially training games, more tries were scored by Leweston.

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We continued with wins and draws against other local and regional opposition and it was evident that the skill level of the Leweston team was so good that they were beating teams consisting of boys who were two years older than themselves.

The final game of the season proved tough with one opposition player scoring 12 tries on his own but in true Leweston fashion there was no panic, simply a systematic execution of the skills they had learned leading to a convincing win of over 7 tries!

In reflecting on the achievements of the team I have purposefully not mentioned individuals as none of the above could have been realised without the players working together. All the players contributed and all the players should be justifiably proud of the season they have had. The future is bright for many of the boys and it will be as much a pleasure to watch their progress as it has been to coach them.

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Boarding Bliss!

ASPIRING BOARDERS ENJOY A ‘COMMOTION IN THE OCEAN’ After the success of Leweston’s 2011 Junior House boarding taster weekend, this year’s event was met with eager anticipation.

The weekend did not disappoint and record numbers of girls took part with every bed in Junior House full! Dorms were decorated in line with the nautical theme featuring mermaids, shoals of fish and even an octopus or two.

During the first evening the girls enjoyed art and craft activities along a fishy theme and a pizza supper followed by a game of ‘shark attack’ in the school theatre. The following morning the girls took part in a session of creative dance based on ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ before they set off for their seaside adventure to Weymouth Sealife Centre. The girls then headed to the beach where getting wet

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seemed to be the order of the day. Also popular was the Crocodile Creek water ride which made sure that the rest of the group all got a soaking!

It was soon time for the happy mariners to be collected – some wishing that their parents might just forget them so they would be able to stay another night ‘testing the water’ in Junior House!

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Record Boarding Numbers!

We are delighted that this term has seen a record number of girls choosing to board at Leweston. There are over 110 pupils full or weekly boarding at Leweston with more girls flexi boarding than ever before as well.

Boarding Skills Award Update Following Leweston’s selection as of one of only 10 schools in the country to trial the new BSA Boarding Skills Award in 2012, we are extending our provision in 2013 by running two levels of the qualification. All Year 7 boarders will be completing the basic level course, with all Year 9 girls completing the standard level.

The course is designed to evidence the soft skills learned by boarders that employers can use as currency for employability alongside academic results in an ever more competitive jobs market. We look forward to the continued success of this course at Leweston and to the benefits it will bring to the girls.

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Bedding In ...

Lorraine Roberts, Housemistress of Junior House at Leweston since September, reflects on her first few months in the job‌ It occurred to me as I first walked through the Manor House doors and up the newly carpeted stairway to Junior House, that the feelings I was having of excitement, trepidation and anxiety were probably the very same feelings that the girls would be having, whether they were new to boarding at Leweston or returning after the summer to meet me, their new Housemistress, for the first time.

I am happy to say that at the end of my first term in the Boarding House, surrounded by tinsel and fairy lights and listening to Christmas songs and happy chatter coming from the common room, I feel very much part of the Leweston family. Living and working here has kept me very busy; it has been fulfilling, exciting and enjoyable. The staff, the girls and their parents have

shown me great kindness and support and along with Miss Fielding, Mrs Robson, the fabulous Gappies, Miss Sozuo and Miss Bullock and Graduate Assistant Miss Penn we are quickly developing as a strong team.

I, like the girls new to boarding at Leweston, found my first day nerves quickly alleviated when I discovered that Junior House is an incredibly happy, harmonious and special place. There is a genuine family feeling and a positive and relaxed atmosphere which generates compassion in all its residents and strong bonds between the girls and staff. The youngest boarders benefit from and enjoy the company of the older Year 7 and 8 girls who are good role models and behave very much like older sisters (without the sibling rivalry!).

The busyness of the boarding house has certainly kept me on my toes, there is not a second to get bored‌ the girls (and the staff ) are kept continually busy with the vast array of evening and weekend activities, socials, trips

and sports fixtures on offer.

Occasionally there is time and opportunity for the girls to relax, enjoy the beautiful grounds here, or watch X Factor or Strictly in our lovely new sitting room, Cedars.

Of course work must also be completed and the boarders in Junior House take a mature attitude towards balancing their extra-curricular and social commitments with their academic lives. I have been impressed by the way the girls support each other, working together to help each other to succeed.

It has been a busy and fulfilling term but I am looking forward to a new challenge in January when I embark on a two year BSA in Boarding Practice qualification with Roehampton University. I am sure Junior House will be the guinea pig for some new ideas and activities but I promise not to tamper with the truly special ethos we have here and look forward to many more happy terms in Junior House!

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STOP PRESS... Sports and Music Tour to South Africa LEWESTON IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE ITS EXCITING PLANS FOR A 2013 SCHOLA AND NETBALL TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA. The tour, involving 30 girls, will take place in July and the action packed itinerary will keep Leweston’s sports women and musicians busy for its 12 days duration. The girls will be visiting schools in Cape Town and will play over 15 sports fixtures against schools and local teams.

The trip will also involve 5 public performances by Leweston’s Schola Cantorum, the first at Goedgedacht Trust, a rural run

development centre which helps local children and where the members of Schola will also run an afternoon workshop. The 4 other performances will be at host schools, local parish churches and the V and A waterfront Amphitheatre in Cape Town. The trip will also offer some time for rest and relaxation with a one night stop over at the Addo Elephant Parka and Kariega Game Reserve.

Sixth Form ‘Games Maker’ Receives Thanks from the Prime Minister Year 12 pupil Issy McGowan, along with fellow Sixth Formers Laura Bowker and Imi Massey, enjoyed volunteering as a Games Makers at the 2012 Olympic Games and/or the Paralympics at the sailing venue in Weymouth over the summer. Issy has since received a letter of thanks from the Prime Minister for her role, along with the 1000s of other volunteers, in helping make the games such a success. David Cameron particularly praised the spirit, warmth and friendliness of the volunteers. Well done all!

This promises to be a life changing trip for the girls who take part and we look forward to reporting on the tour in future editions of Leweston Life. We will also have a blog up and running on the Leweston website and Facebook page to keep you up to date with the tour’s progress as it happens!

Culinary Prowess Congratulations to Hollie Clarkson (Year 9) and Aoife McCarthy (Year 10) who both qualified for the South West Regional Final of the 2012 Make it with Mince Young Chef Competition, where they cooked the dishes they had designed for celebrity chef James Martin.

Congratulations to Hollie who achieved 2nd place, coming in the top twelve in the country and to Aoife who was highly commended. Both girls received certificates, James Martin cookery books and chef whites. Very well done to both girls.

James Martin said of Hollie:

“The seasoning and spicing of her samosa dish was ‘spot on’ and that for someone so young to have so many elements to prepare - making her own samosa pastry and making a fresh mango chutney - was an achievement in itself.”

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Open Days Friday 15th March Nursery and Prep Open Morning 10am – 12noon

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May Joint School Open Day 9.45am – 2pm

Friday 4th October Joint School Open Day 9.45am – 2pm Sixth Form Information Evening 6.00pm

Thursday 5th December Pre-Prep Open Morning 10am – 12 noon

Dates for your Diary…

Monday and Tuesday 28th and 29th January 11/12/13+ Scholarship Days. (Closing date for applications Monday 21st January.)

Friday and Saturday 1st and 2nd February Middle House (Year 9) Boarding Taster Weekend Friday 1st March Careers Day for Years 11 and 12

Leweston is a registered charity number 295175

Sunday 3rd March 7.30pm Choral Society Concert ‘Zimbe’ Saturday 4th May Catholic Confirmations Saturday 11th May Gaudy Reunion for various leaver years (please see www.leweston.co.uk for more information.)

Friday 7th - Thursday 13th June Summer GCSE and A level Art and Design Exhibition Saturday 1st June Reunion dinner for the leaver year of 1993.

Parent and Toddler Music Group Thursday mornings during term time from 9am to 11am (for newborns to 4 years) – just drop in! Watch this space for more news about our AquaTots group due to start in the spring.

For more information about any of these events, or to register your attendance, please call 01963 210783 or email office@leweston.dorset.sch.uk

LEWESTON SCHOOL, SHERBORNE, DORSET DT9 6EN 01963 211010 ADMISSIONS@LEWESTON.DORSET.SCH.UK WWW.LEWESTON.CO.UK