Issue 236

Friday 21 June 2013 IS S U E 23 6

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

In this issue, Summer Concert P.2 Year 12 Biology Trip P.2 Swimming Success P.3

Forthcoming

Events MON 24 JUN 5.00pm ‘Moving Pictures’ Dance Show at Chelmsford Civic Theatre TUE 25 JUN 2.30—6.30pm U12A Boys Cricket Essex Cup Semi Final v St Aubyn's Preparatory School (A) TUE 25—WED 26 JUN 7.00pm ‘Moving Pictures’ Dance Show at Chelmsford Civic Theatre WED 26 JUN 2.00—4.00pm NHVS Strawberry Tea THU 27 JUN 6.00pm Sixth Form International Quiz FRI 28 JUN U12 Boys Cricket ‘Joe Hussain’ T20 Trophy

Year 7 Spiritual Afternoon SHAPE THE FUTURE

On Wednesday 19 June, Year 7 students took part in a spiritual afternoon, which started with Mass in the school Chapel for the students and their parents.

Both students and parents then enjoyed a picnic lunch before the students took part in sessions throughout the afternoon. During the afternoon, the students reflected on their first year at New Hall Senior School, explored their faith and learnt about the school’s history and founding Religious Community. The afternoon finished with a short liturgy and all of the students were presented with their own bible and a copy of the ‘Footprints in the Sand’ prayer.

During the Lent Term, Jake Powell (Year 8), Silas Powell (Year 8), Oliver Wright (Year 9), Alice Talbut (Year 9) and Elena Holt (Year 9) took part in the ‘Shape the Future’ national competition, for which the students created a video entry of suggestions on how to update the current ‘Millennium Development Goals’ for a post-2015 world.

They investigated the current goals and explored the different challenges with new solutions.

DRAMA ALICE IN WONDERLAND

In recognition of the quality of the entry, we are delighted that the Secretary of State for International Development, Rt. Hon. Justine Greening, has decided to award New Hall School a certificate of commendation.

On Tuesday 18—Friday 21 June, the drama production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ took place. The drama studio was filled to capacity with an audience of family, friends and fellow students who all enjoyed the theatrical adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic. Well done to all of the students who made the show a success.

To view the New Hall video entry, go to: https://vimeo.com/62703746

1

YEAR 7 THEOLOGY

MUSIC MUSIC FOR A SUMMER’S EVENING

Year 7 students are currently exploring different elements of Hinduism in their Theology lessons and in preparation for ‘World Religions Day’, which takes place during activities week. Miss Kay has particularly enjoyed sharing her experiences of the religion from the India trip, which took place last October, and the boys enjoyed dressing up in her sari. The boys realised how complicated it was to put a sari on, but Thomas Hughes, Lean Dougan and Daniel Skells (all Year 7) mastered it quite quickly!

On Monday 17 June, on what turned out to be a very warm summer’s evening, the annual Music for a Summer’s Evening concert took place in the Eaton Theatre. Thank you and congratulations to all of the performers who took part.

HEAD CHORISTER William Keeler (Year 7) has been made head chorister at Chelmsford Cathedral. Congratulations to William on this recognition of his exceptional talent.

INTER-HOUSE COMPETITIONS

BIOLOGY TRIP TO FLATFORD MILL

On Monday 17 June, the inter-House Sudoku and Year 910 cookery competitions took place. Owen House came first in the Sudoku competition; with Pole House in second, Southwell House in third and Fisher House in fourth. In the Year 9 and 10 cookery competition; Fisher House were the winners; with Pole House in second and Southwell House and Owen House in joint third place.

Well done to everyone who took part.

Last Friday, Year 12 Biology students went on a fieldtrip to Flatford Mill to support their ecology studies. The course, organised by the Field Studies Council, was extremely informative and allowed students to investigate various habitats such as freshwater, meadow and forest.

Investigations included comparing freshwater invertebrates in still and flowing water and the effects of coppicing on ground flora. All students then statistically analysed their data back in the classroom. The students were fortunate enough to stay in Willy Lotts House, made famous in John Constable’s Haywain painting.

TRAFFIC REMINDER Please could parents, students and staff ensure that they drive slowly as they leave the site, particularly at the corner of General's Lane. When leaving New Hall School, via General's Lane, you are required to give way to oncoming traffic, particularly at the General's Lane bridge.

Residents of the surrounding properties and businesses, coming in the opposite direction, have priority along General’s Lane and should be given way to.

SPORTS DAY INFORMATION All students are required to wear a House polo top for Sports Day on Saturday 22 June. These can be purchased from the Uniform Shop. Professional photographs will be taken on the day by PH20. Orders can be made after the day via their website, for which details will be available from the refreshments tent on the day.

2

have a positive influence on their academic achievement – not to mention being fun! Should you have any enquiries about Library issues, please contact Miss Tait by telephone or by emailing library@newhallschool.co.uk.

370TH CELEBRATION OF THE VISUAL ARTS On Sunday 30 June, the Community and School are hosting an exhibition and series of workshops at New Hall to celebrate our rich heritage in the visual arts. For full details, and to book your place on a workshop, please visit the Canonesses’ website: www.canonesses.co.uk. Visitors are welcome to come and see the exhibits on the day without booking.

NHVS CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY APPEAL Plans are well under way for this summer’s NHVS Children’s Holiday in July when 24 senior students will remain at the end of term, to host 20 primary school children, from North London and Chelmsford. The children are nominated by their Headteachers on the basis that they are living under difficult conditions and would not expect to have a holiday. As in previous years, we are appealing for donations of clothing for boys and girls aged 6 – 8 years old. We would welcome all items of clothing including swimwear and footwear. We are also grateful for donations of biscuits and bottles of squash for snack times. Donations can be handed in (as soon as possible, please) at main school reception, marked for NHVS, with your son / daughter’s name and tutor group. Thank you in advance for your continued generosity.

Old Fishes who will be coming to host workshops and exhibitions include: Sioban Coppinger (sculpture), Sarah Stokes (textiles), Mary Anstee-Parry (carving), Sue Coffey (graphic design), Cindy Buxton (BBC wildlife photographer), Molly Clare O’Donnell (painter) and Brenda Gosling (French polishing). Mr Hughes, Mrs Beard and Mrs Minnis will also be running workshops with other artists and friends of the Community including: Anna Burbidge (screen printing and fabric design) and Amy Johnson (a young milliner who will have some new hats designs on display).

The exhibition will include work by the artists running the workshops, the Art Department and SM Stephen, along with items from the Community Archives and work by Anya Hindmarch, Alexandra Walker and Louise Simson.

Debby Colchester (former Head of Art) will return to New Hall to help co-ordinate the exhibition. There will also be some items for sale.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY—NHPA CHRISTMAS BALL The date for this year's New Hall Parents' Association Christmas Ball will take place on Saturday 7 December at Stock Brook Manor Country Club. Tickets will be £80 per person and tables will be for 10 people. If you would like to reserve a table, please email Annette Cotton (annette@suncoapartments.com).

370TH ANNIVERSARY CD ‘A Chapter in the Story’, a CD recording of music to celebrate the 370th anniversary of the founding of the New Hall Community and School, is now available to buy for £10.00 from Mrs Warren. To purchase a copy of the CD, contact Mrs Warren on a.warren@newhallschool.co.uk or 01245 467 588.

Sport For full sport results, match reports and team lists, go to newhallschool.co.uk/teamlists.

SWIMMING NATIONAL QUALIFICATION FOR CHARLIE Congratulations to Charlie Boden (Year 7) who has achieved five national qualifying times and will compete in the ASA National Swimming Championships at Ponds Forge, Sheffield in July. It will mark the culmination of a successful season for Charlie, who became Essex AgeGroup Champion in March and has since been selected for the Essex squad that will compete at the forthcoming intercounty championships.

UNIFORM SHOP SUMMER HOLIDAY APPOINTMENTS To reduce the possibility of queuing, an appointment system is in place at the Uniform Shop during the summer holidays. The service operates as a priority over drop-in customers and can be used for either full or part uniform requirements.

CLOSURES The Uniform Shop will be closed on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 June between 2.45 - 4.30pm due to the Year 7 Inductions.

ETHAN THROUGH TO NATIONALS Ethan Harrington (Year 10) has qualified for the youth nationals in the 200m backstroke, in the 15/16 age category, which takes place in Sheffield during the summer. He is currently rated 6th for this event for 15 year olds.

Ethan has also been selected for two talent programmes; one run by Essex Swimming and one run by ASA East Region. Congratulations to Ethan on these outstanding achievements.

BRING BACK YOUR BOOKS! Our records show that there are a large number of library books still on issue, many of them overdue. The Library does not charge fines, but if books are very overdue we consider them to be lost. In this case, students are charged a replacement cost. To avoid such a charge being added to your next bill, please assist students to find and return their outstanding books. Miss Tait will gratefully accept all returns, no questions asked!

Should returning students wish to borrow books over the summer holiday, this can be arranged. We strongly encourage students to read every day, as this is known to

3

PICTURE OF THE WEEK This week’s picture is by Phillipp Gazmanov (Year 10).

BRAIN CHALLENGE There were no winners this week, so last week’s challenge is repeated for everyone to try to solve again this week: What do the following words have in common? current, by, dew, faze, loan, ate Please submit your answers to Miss Tait, in the Library.

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.

4