Issue 239 New Hall School Senior What's New Newsletter

Friday 6 September 2013 IS S U E 23 9

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

In this issue, Messing Academy P.2 Charley Spriggs P.2 South Africa Trip P.2 Triathlon Success P.3

New Year 7 Students pictured on their Induction Day this week

Forthcoming Events

MON 9 SEP Year 7, 10 and 12 Photos WED 11 SEP 6.00—8.00pm Riding Social THURS 12 SEP 8.00—10.00pm Year 7 Scholarship and Special Talent Awards Evening WED 18 SEP 1.40—1.55pm Lunchtime Concert SAT 21 SEP Fishes Formal 6.00—10.00pm

Welcome!

EXAMINATION SUCCESS

There have been lots of developments on the campus over the summer holidays; we are sure parents will have already heard about these from your sons and daughters.

Congratulations to all students in their examination success over the summer. We were delighted to announce record results at GCSE including a 50% increase in A* grades. As well as 21% of all GCSEs being awarded A*, a record 52% of grades were at A*/A and a record 28 students achieved at least 9-12 A*/A grades.

Over the summer, we were delighted to hear the news that we have been shortlisted in three categories in the Essex Business Excellence Awards 2013. We are finalists in Best Growing Business, Community and the Excellence in Marketing categories. The award ceremony is to be held on Thursday 12 September; we will report on the outcome in due course.

The outstanding results at New Hall were in contrast to the national picture, where the grades fell overall.

At A Level, 76% of grades were at A*-B and 94% of grades were at A*-C. The outgoing Head Girl and Boy, along with their two Deputies, led the celebrations after achieving a remarkable 14 A*/A grades between them.

We were also pleased to feature in the Tatler Schools Guide for the third year running. This prestigious guide of the top independent schools in the country is available to buy now; you can read their review of New Hall on our website.

Every student should be proud of their success and we look forward to hearing of their future endeavours. Full results information is available on our website.

A warm welcome to all new and returning students. We hope you are looking forward to the Michaelmas Term.

What’s New? will be published each week during term time and sent to parents via Clarion Call. For the first few weeks we will send a paper copy home with each Year 7 student. If you wish to continue to receive a paper copy after this, these will be available to collect from Reception.

MESSING PRIMARY SCHOOL We are delighted to announce that on 1 September 2013 New Hall School became the Academy Sponsor of Messing Primary School through the newly created entity of New Hall Multi-Academy Trust. As an Academy, Messing Primary School will remain fully funded by the Department for Education but will enjoy increased independence to run the school in the way it thinks best.

Through its partnership with New Hall School, as part of our charity work, Messing Primary School will be able to draw upon New Hall’s excellent educational record and share sporting, music and community ventures.

This is a pioneering project: New Hall School is the first independent school nationally to sponsor a maintained primary school and we look forward to working together for the benefit of the children’s education. We will be delighted to join with Messing Primary School to celebrate its centenary year in 2014, as our own 370 th anniversary celebrations draw to a close this October.

OPERATION WALLACEA RESEARCH EXPEDITION Sixth Form students from New Hall School have spent some of their summer holidays on a research expedition in South Africa getting up close to some of the world’s most wonderful wildlife including: Cape buffalo, warthog, elephant, giraffe, zebra and crocodiles.

The nine young scientists, accompanied by Miss Gayler and Mr Melloy, had spent two years fundraising in order to pay for the two week trip with the school’s Biology Department, which saw them staying at the stunning Greater Kruger National Park. Their camp was situated next to the Olifants River, which is home to a pod of twenty hippos and where a variety of animals would visit daily. At one point the students witnessed hippos, waterbuck, baboons and crocodile all together on the river bank!

SPRIGGS’ SWIM Congratulations to Charley Spriggs (Year 8) who has become the youngest person to ever swim the English Channel in a six-person relay.

Charley, who swims for Chelmsford as well as the school team, completed her successful swim on Thursday 1 August with her relay team ‘The Old Speedos’, in 12 hours and 15 minutes. She raised an extraordinary £15,000 in aid of Papworth Hospital, who recently performed life-saving surgery on her grandfather. Charley’s father, Jon, also took part in the race, having previously competed three years ago.

Papworth Hospital are delighted with the news of Charley’s achievement and are hoping to hold a presentation in her honour.

Well done Charley!

During the trip, students attended lectures about common species found in the area and current conservation issues.

They took part in a bush walk and completed bird point counts and habitat assessment surveys. The data the students collected will be used by university scientists to assess the impact that the reserves’ elephants are having on trees and will give measure for habitat destruction.

Students also had the opportunity to complete their scuba diving qualification whilst spending their second week in Sodwana Bay, located along the Indian Ocean. This

allowed them the unforgettable experience of swimming alongside dolphins, a whale shark and witnessing humpback whales which they were lucky enough to swim alongside for 10 minutes. There were further lectures, where students learnt about the coral reef ecosystem and its vulnerability.

Alex Bird (Ex-Year 13) from Basildon, said: “It was an absolutely amazing two and a half weeks. From seeing the game at Kruger and the coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, I have learnt an awful lot about the animals in South Africa over the course of the trip, both terrestrial and marine species; alongside the significance of conservation in such pristine environments. A truly awesome experience with great people, places and things to see; buffalo, elephants, humpback whales and turtles being the highlights. I will definitely come and visit again!”

Sport TRIATHLON SUCCESS Jemima Walker (Year 10) represented our region on Saturday 31 August, at the National Championships for British triathlon.

At the event, held at Eton, Jemima placed 11th in the country within her age category, also achieving the status of highest scoring athlete for our region out of her fellow female competitors.

In addition to this, Jemima also won the eastern region championship race at Framlingham. With the standard of triathlon in the UK being very high, we are extremely thrilled with her performance.

NHVS CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY I am delighted to say that Children’s Holiday 2013 was a great success. A big thank you to Mrs Rebecca Leslie for organising the week and leading a strong team of volunteers and students.

Thank you for all of the donations we received last term which went towards making a very happy holiday for the visiting children. A special thank you to everyone who helped during the week and gave up their time so generously - we couldn’t do it without you.

Abbey Wilson, NHVS and Duke of Edinburgh Secretary RIDING Riding Social—Wednesday 11 September 2013 We would like to invite any families with an interest in either the school’s Equestrian Team or in co-curricular riding lessons to attend a social evening on Wednesday 11 September in the North Room, between 6.00-8.00pm.

The aim of the evening is to introduce Michael Paveley, our Director of Riding, and Ruth Dowie, the Proprietor of Runningwell Equestrian Centre as well as to providing an opportunity to meet with other students/families involved with the school’s Equestrian Team or who attend cocurricular riding lessons. Further details can be obtained on both aspects of riding from the Riding Administrator by email on riding@newhallschool.co.uk.

It would be helpful to know in advance if you are planning to attend so that appropriate levels of catering can be ordered. Please confirm your attendance to Gill O’Riley, Events Manager on g.oriley@newhallschool.co.uk, by Friday 6 September.

As well as Jemima, Mrs Staines, swimming and triathlon coach at New Hall, has also had an extremely successful summer in triathlon.

Mrs Staines competed in the Ironman competition and has qualified to represent Team GB at the European and World competitions in 2014. The competition saw her complete a 2.4 mile swim in the North Sea, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run in just 11 hours, 26 minutes and 27 seconds, becoming the first place female overall.

Arran Rae (Year 13) and Oliver Swallow (Year 11) have been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Hyde Park, London on Friday 13 September.

JUNIOR GOLF Ralph Carroll (Year 7), who previously attended New Hall Preparatory School, took part in the Junior Open Golf Competition, held at Chelmsford Golf Club this summer.

Ralph who has been a member for the past year, had to cut his handicap from 36 to 24 in order to be allowed to take part. Playing against 42 cadets from other golf clubs, he finished with a score of 86 gross and 62 net, which won him the overall handicap prize for the day. He won £100 and his handicap has now been cut to 22.

TERA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

After a truly amazing day of being treated to a 5-star Wimbledon experience, Tom Styles was a great credit to the school and conducted himself brilliantly both on and off court. The final score was 5-4 to The All England Club, although Tom and his partner Bernard Torreggiani from Culford School won 2 out of their 3 matches.

Music Congratulations to the following students on their recent Associated Board music examinations:

New Hall sailing students once again did themselves and their school proud by competing in the Tera World Championships.

In an ever-changing week of conditions where it went from too much wind to very little, with a scattering of grey skies and choppy seas thrown in for good measure, it is safe to say the sailors experienced a good range of challenges.

Name

Examination

Result

Connor Selby

Grade 4 Guitar

Merit

Teresa Guerrero

Grade 7 Singing

Distinction

Emily Royce

Grade 7 Singing

Pass

PICTURE OF THE WEEK This week’s picture is by Liam Merrigan (Ex-Year 13), who recently gained an A* in his Fine Art A Level.

This was the largest ever Tera World Championships with over 120 entries from nine countries taking to the water at Weymouth on the anniversary of the Olympic Games.

Kathryn Hutton-Penman (Year 11) competed against World Champions in a very strong Pro Fleet category, achieving 3rd placed girl and 18th overall—a repeat of her success in 2012.

Lucy Greenwood (Year 9) achieved the 4th placed girl position (22nd overall), after only having been using the Pro rig for less than two months—a great result for her.

SWIMMING Charlie Boden (Year 8) competed at the ASA National Competition in Sheffield this summer to take the Bronze in the 100m Backstroke and the Silver in the 200m Backstroke.

In both events he went in to the competition ranked 5th.

He also made the finals in his other events, finishing 6th in the 400m Individual Medley (from ranked 13th) and 7th in 200m Freestyle (from ranked 8th). All of his times were significant personal bests and all are new Chelmsford records. As well as this, three of the times he achieved will be good enough to ensure he qualifies for the 2014 nationals. Congratulations Charlie.

BRAIN CHALLENGE Where in the body would you find less than a quarter of the weight but over half of the bones?

Please submit your answers to Miss Tait, in the Library.

TENNIS—ISTA vs. ALL ENGLAND CLUB During the summer, Tom Styles (Ex-Year 13) had the privilege of playing at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, the home of the Wimbledon Championships.

We encourage parents to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news and updates throughout the week. www.facebook.com/newhallschool www.twitter.com/newhallschool

What’s New? is issued every Friday during the school term. If you have any news which you would like published in an edition of What’s New?, please contact the t.warmington@newhallschool.co.uk before 4.00pm on Wednesdays.