School News

EXAM RESULTS 2020

The cancellation of public exams due to the Covid-19 pandemic means that 2020 I/GCSE, SARAH WADDINGTON retires Staff, pupils and parents at The Pelican came together in July to wish Head Sarah Waddington

A Level and Pre-U results were calculated using the higher of centre-assessed (teacher) grades or the exam board standardised grades.

At A Level, 144 (83%) of Perse students achieved three or more grades at A or A* (or Pre U equivalent) and 75 Perse students obtained 3 or more A* grades (or Pre U equivalent).

At GCSE, 87% of Perse entries were graded 9 or 8, which is broadly equivalent to the former GCSE A* grade. The 9–7 rate (broadly equivalent to A*A) was 97%, while 67% of entries were graded at 9. Congratulations to all students who have worked hard over many months in extremely trying circumstances.

Final 2020 A Level and Pre U grades will not be known until January 2021, as students who are not satisfied with their exam board standardised grades were able to appeal and/or sit public exams this autumn. all the best for her retirement after a decade of outstanding and inspirational leadership. The new Head, Francesca Heftman, took over in September 2020.

BRITISH INDOOR ROWING records broken by Perse student Ed Gaskarth (Lower Sixth) has rowed his way to record-breaking brilliance – without taking to the water. In April, he clinched the British indoor rowing record for distance covered in 30 minutes in the men’s heavyweight (above 75kg) 17–18 age category. Using a machine with slides, in which the movement is more akin to regular rowing, Ed chalked up 8,257 metres while competing in the virtual Concept 2 Spring VIII Series. Not content with setting one standard, Ed has since added three more national records to his tally, including 1,290 metres for distance covered in four minutes, rowing 10,000 metres in 35min 25.6sec and 2,000 metres in 6min 20.2sec.

Ed, who rows for the Cambridge ’99 club, said: “I’ve used trying to break the records more as motivation and goalsetting without the racing season rather than as a replacement or consolation for not being able to go on the river. However, it is nice to be able to feel like I have pushed myself as much as possible on a piece and records are a bonus.” COVID-19 TESTING at The Perse To reduce any further disruption to teaching and learning at The Perse, we have acquired a Samba II testing machine, enabling us to test pupils and staff with Covid-19 symptoms. Pupils and staff who test negative for Covid-19 symptoms are able to quickly return to school, assuming they are well and no one in their household has symptoms.

FUNDRAISING FOR Jamie's Wood In October we held a non-uniform day to raise money for Jamie's Wood – a rewilding project on the Glenlude Estate on the Scottish borders planted in memory of Jamie Gardiner (2013). Will Aitchison and other members of the Class of 2013 put together a video assembly about Jamie for pupils to watch, and the day raised £2,046.77. You can find out more about the project, or make a donation, at jamieswood.carrd.co.

LOCKDOWN music During lockdown, The Perse music department embarked on a number of virtual projects. The Lockdown Classical Choir performed the first and final movements of Vivaldi’s uplifting Gloria, whilst pupils from the Pelican, Prep and Upper schools joined with parents and OPs to create a 72-musician strong Lockdown Orchestra, performing Trepak (Russian Dance) from The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky. More modern ensembles performed Coldplay’s Adventure of a Lifetime and Lovely Day in remembrance of the late Bill Withers. You can watch all of the performances online via The Perse’s YouTube Channel – youtube.com/ ThePerseSchoolCambridge.

KIERAN GALVIN

PERSE CRICKETER delighted to make Essex debut Talented cricketer Bella Howarth (Year 11) made her 1st XI debut for Essex women’s team at the age of 15. Bella played for Essex as they lost by 10 wickets in their final London Championship match of the season, away to a strong Kent side featuring internationals such as England’s Tash Farrant and Scotland star Sarah Bryce. Bella said: “Kent are probably the strongest side in the country in women’s cricket and they definitely proved that on the day. Playing against them showed me the standard I need to achieve if I want to go further. It was definitely a learning experience for me and I will try to take the professionalism that was shown on the day into age-group cricket.”

PERSE PUPIL has a brush with success Grace Hutchinson (Year 7) has double cause for celebration courtesy of her artistic talents. One of her paintings, Self Portrait: Me and the Blue-Footed Booby Chick, was chosen to feature in the Royal Academy of Arts’ Young Artists’ Summer Show, while another has won The Perse’s prestigious Heller Prize for Creative Arts. Grace, whose favourite artists include JMW Turner for “the incredible detail and vagueness of his paintings” and David Hockney for his use of “very cheerful and vibrant colours”, added that she had long had a passion for art. She said: “I love drawing and painting because it’s surprisingly calming. It’s really fun and I think it’s amazing when you get to see the final piece.”