What's New? Issue 226

Friday 15 March 2013 IS S U E 22 6

What’s New? Weekly Newsletter from New Hall Senior School

In this issue, Extended Projects P.2 Sailing Success P.3 Hockey Wins P.4

Forthcoming

Events MON 18 MAR 4.00—6.00pm U14XI Girls Hockey Essex Plate Semi Final v Great Baddow School MON 18—TUE 19 MAR Year 11 GCSE Art & Photography Practical Examination WED 20 MAR Year 12 Human & Spiritual Day THU 21 MAR 5.00—6.00pm Parent Information Evening—Operation Wallacea Expedition THU 21—SAT 23 MAR 7.00pm ‘Othello’ Production SAT 23 MAR 6.00pm Girls Hockey & Netball Awards Evening & Dinner

Festival of Fashion The annual New Hall Voluntary Service Fashion Show took place on Wednesday 13 March in the Jubilee Hall and Eaton Theatre. There were Mojito cocktails, pink lemonade and hot dogs on offer before the show. Clothing was kindly donated by Mrs Susan Brennan at Bravado. After the catwalk show, everyone was treated to a preview of the forthcoming New Hall Dance Show and an electrifying vocal and guitar performance by Kieran Eldridge.

The models’ hair was professionally styled

by Old Fish, Hayley and her creative team, led by Philly, at David John, Chelmsford.

The clothes were sold at the end of the show and there were fantastic prizes on offer in the raffle. A special thank you to the Ellice family for their generous contributions of raffle prizes.

Most importantly, the evening raised over £3,500, which will go towards supporting the NHVS Children’s Holiday. Thank you to everyone who helped to organise this wonderful event, in particular: Mrs Ashfield, Mrs Wilson, Imogen Ovenden, Alex Bird, Mrs Mead, Mrs Panayiotou, Mr and Mrs Treacher, and all of the Sixth Form students who worked so hard on the night.

Thanks also go to the Cookery Department, who produced 200 individual cakes with a festival theme. To see more photos of the night, visit newhallschool.co.uk/gallery.

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POPE FRANCIS On Wednesday 13 March, at 7.15pm GMT, everyone was very excited to hear of the announcement of the new Pope—Pope Francis. Students and staff across the school joined together in the following prayer:

and the success of coastal management in particular.

When they returned to the field centre, they took part in some outdoor activities such as archery and a leap of faith, whereby students had to climb and jump from an 8 metre high pole and catch a trapeze. These activities enabled students to work as a team and to develop group-work skills that are essential to field work. The next day, the students investigated the rebranding of rural areas and visited three rural villages in Norfolk: Stalham, Wroxham and Holt. The rural rebranding field work involved investigating how these villages have changed and what is being done to attract more people to the area. On the third day of the field trip, students travelled to Norwich to look at urban rebranding. Students were given field work tasks to complete to see what rebranding strategies were in place and how successful rebranding in Norwich has been.

Evening activities on this night consisted of the largest game of twister anyone has ever seen! On the final day of the field trip, students visited Cley Marshes, which are beautiful salt marshes, full of wildlife. Overall the trip was good fun and informative for everyone involved, and a brilliant example of learning outside the classroom.

“We pray for Pope Francis that he will be a Good Shepherd to the Church and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, will guide and support us in a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.”

EXTENDED PROJECTS

Congratulations to Jack Richardson (Year 13), who achieved an A* grade and a special commendation from the AQA examination board for his Level 3 Extended Project on the nature and presence of social commentary in five of HG Wells' novels. Jack noted that science fiction can seem to be intrinsically escapist in its nature. Typically set in the near or far future, modern novels of this genre tend to deal with technology and situations far removed from normal lives. However, the "scientific romance novels" at the turn of the century had a format and subject matter much closer to home. Jack identified several pervading themes in the five novels.

Firstly an emphasis on education and scientific progress. Secondly the view that certain things are not to be meddled with for reasons of practicality and safety. A final theme is the sense of inevitability and humanity’s lack of control.

BRITISH ARTS DANCE COMPETITION From Mrs Molina, Head of Dance Congratulations to all those who competed in the British Arts Dance Competition on Sunday. Gregor Petrikovic (Year 12) received a gold medal for his Tap Solo and his duet with Darcie Playle (Year 10). Darcie also received a gold medal for the duet. The ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ’Skyfall’ dances were awarded a certificate and are on the list for the finals. News of finalists will be received following the remaining regional semi finals. New Hall Dance School were the only academic school who entered the competition and were against some of the best dance schools in Essex.

370TH MUSICAL EVENT Music has always been an important part of life for the Community and thus also at New Hall. This was recognised on Saturday 9 March, when a ‘Come and Sing’ day was held in the Chapel. Old Fish, current staff and students, members of the Community and friends of the school and Community spent an afternoon working on Fauré’s Requiem. Solos were admirably performed by William Keeler (Year 7) and Mr Giles Davies (with Mr Castell providing organ accompaniment). As always, Mr Fardell’s conducting challenged the choir to pay real attention to detail, leading to a performance which was enjoyed by an appreciative audience in the evening.

Speaking as it does of the promise of Paradise, the Requiem was an appropriate piece both for a Lenten afternoon and as part of the prayers of thanksgiving for the 370 years that have passed and of hope for the years to come. We thank all those who helped to make it possible.

LUNCHTIME CONCERT Many thanks to the distinguished vocalists who entertained everyone at a Lunchtime Concert on Wednesday 13 March. Sophie Bolwell-Davies (Year 7) sang the ‘Nightingale’, Elizabeth Read (Year 7) sang ‘Linden Lea’ and Caitlin Murray (Year 7) sang ‘She’s Like The Swallow’. William Baird (Year 9) performed ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head?’ before Mariella Dyckhoff (Year 9) concluded the concert with ‘Dancing Cheek To Cheek’.

GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP From Miss Lucey, Trip Leader On Wednesday 6—Sunday 10 March, Year 12 Geographers enjoyed a field trip to North Norfolk as part of their AS Level Geography course. On their first day, they carried out some field work investigations along the North Norfolk coastline; looking at the impacts of coastal erosion

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Sport

RUSSIAN SPEAKER On Thursday 7 March, Mr Yaroslav Timofeev, a Russian journalist and reporter for the leading newspaper Izvestiia (an equivalent of The Times), gave an inspiring and thoughtprovoking presentation on the current political and cultural situation in Russia for students from Years 12 and 13, as a part of their Horizons programme. The talk was warmly received by the audience and the students challenged the speaker with interesting and unpredictable questions that spanned from the true hobbies of the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the cost of the reconstruction of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow to the effect of the meteorite that hit the Cheliabinsk region of Russia a few weeks ago.

FENCING PARIS MARATHON U15 INTERNATIONAL

Miss Artamonova will be speaking at the International Conference ‘Orthodoxy, Music, Politics and Art in Contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe’, organised by the University of London, together with the University of Eastern Finland, in London on Saturday 16—Sunday 17 March. For more information visit: www.gold.ac.uk/crm/ newsandevents/conference-march-2013.

Felix Fardell (Year 9) had a successful debut for England in Paris over the half term. He finished half way up the field, reaching the second round of the Direct Eliminations after two rounds of poules. Felix is also attending the 2013 Public Schools Fencing Championships at Crystal Palace on Wednesday 20 March.

PHYSICS OLYMPIAD

SAILING RS TERA NATIONAL SQUAD SELECTION

Last week, Year 11 Triple Scientists took part in the Physics Olympiad Challenge for the first time. The British Physics Olympiad aims to encourage the study of Physics and recognise excellence in young physicists through annual Physics competitions. Congratulations to the students who took part, in particular to Hannah Gardner, Pippa O’Riley and Felix Fechtner (all Year 11), who all achieved a Bronze Award and Oliver Morgan (Year 11), who achieved a Silver Award.

After some testing conditions at training over the Winter, in various locations around the UK, Lucy Greenwood (Year 8) has been selected to be part of the RS Tera National Squad for 2013/14. Congratulations to Lucy on this outstanding achievement.

CAREERS TALKS During the Lent Term, speakers will be visiting New Hall to talk to students in Years 9—13 about a range of career options. Parents are welcome to attend these talks with students.

The presentations will take place on the following Wednesdays at 4.45—5.45pm:

RUGBY U13 ENGLAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS Congratulations to Ollie Bluck (Year 8), Rory Inwood (Year 8) and Gregory Oxlade (Year 8) who all made it through several trials to gain selection and play for the Midlands group in the final England trials against the North, the South East and the South West. There were just under 200 boys involved in the final stages of the group trials. Gregory Oxlade then became the second New Hall player this term to gain national recognition, as he was rewarded with selection for the full England Independent Schools U13 team to play in France next month.

20 March—Renewable Energy Chris Streatfield (Director, Renewable UK) 27 March—Finance Jenny Barber (Financial Skills Partnership & Directions Online Careers Service) Places are limited, so if you wish to attend, please advise Miss Haddrell by email: s.haddrell@newhallschool.co.uk.

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ALUMNI NEWS Congratulations to George Perkins, who left New Hall last year, for recently gaining selection for the England U17 rugby squad. George will play against Romania and France later this month.

NETBALL RESULTS

ESSEX U14 Congratulations to William Baird, James O’Grady and George O’Flaherty (all Year 9) who were selected for the Essex U14 rugby team and played against Eastern Counties on Sunday 3 March. Essex won the game 22-0.

CROSS COUNTRY CROSS COUNTRY CHALLENGE

Team

Opposition

Result

Player of the Match

U12A

Saffron Walden High School

Won 31-8

Louisa Davison & Anya Cook

U12B

Saffron Walden High School

Won 15-2

Mia Worsdall

U13A

Saffron Walden High School

Won 29-14

Tara Durkan

U13B

Saffron Walden High School

Won 33-4

Rose McQuillan

U14

Coopers’ Company & Coborn School (Essex Cup Quarter Final) Royal Hospital School

Lost 27-15

Chloe Thurgood

Won 22-13

Phoebe Allen

U14A

Saffron Walden High School

Won 35-7

Daisy Dougall

U13A

Holmwood House School

Won 24-14

Phoebe Wickham

U14A

Bishop Stortford College

Lost 19-18

Lydia Allen & Kirsty Thomas

U14A

TENNIS GLANVILL CUP Congratulations to the boys tennis teams who have had some great results this week, and progress into the next round of the National Knockout competition of the Glanvill Cup. The A team beat Felsted 12-0 and the B team beat Royal Hospital School 12-0. Well done to all of the students on these outstanding results and good luck to them in the next stage of the competition.

Last weekend, Max Williams (Year 8) came 56 th out of 311 runners in the 3000m, with a time of 11:11, whilst representing Essex in the UK inter-counties Cross Country Challenge.

HOCKEY COUNTY WINS FOR U12 & U16 TEAMS On Thursday 7 March, the U12 hockey team won the MidEssex Secondary School Sports Association (MESSSA) tournament. They were joint winners with Brentwood School. Congratulations to all of the players for this excellent achievement.

BRAIN CHALLENGE The solution to last week’s brain challenge was:

Also on Thursday 7 March, the U16XI hockey team faced King John School in the semi final of the Essex Cup and won 2-1. Players of the Match were Annabel Gardiner, Hannah Gardner, Samantha Howe (all Year 10).

You can keep a SECRET but you can’t share it.

There was one winner: Alex Putney (Year 8).

This week’s challenge is:

For full match reports, see the Team Lists page on the New Hall School website.

By moving one of the following digits, make the equation correct.

SWIMMING ESSEX COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS Congratulations to Courtney Sanders (Year 10) for her success in the second round of the Essex County Championships 2013. Courtney is now the Essex County Champion for 15 year old girls in the 100m backstroke and 400m freestyle, winning a Gold Medal in both events. Courtney also won Bronze in the 100m Butterfly.

62 - 63 = 1 Be patient and think laterally. Good luck!

Give your solution to Miss Tait in the Library, by the end of the day on Tuesday.

What’s New? is issued every Friday during the school term. If you have any news which you would like to be published in an edition of What’s New?, please contact Miss Powell by email to e.powell@newhallschool.co.uk before 4.00pm on Wednesdays.

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