Pipers Post | Spring 2020

PIPERSPOST SPRING 2020

SPRING HIGHLIGHTS ยง

PIPERS RADIO LAUNCH

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LITERARY FESTIVAL 2020

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GREEN WEEK

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DANCE SHOWS FOLLOW US

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FROM THE HEADMISTRESS

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aving moved to Remote Teaching and Online Learning, I feel especially fortunate to have witnessed so many of the fantastic opportunities open to our students across the school. From the launch of Pipers Radio through to creating our own Eco Group (‘HOPE’) and opening a Rainbow Crossing (to recognise

The spirit of “giving back” is one we foster at Pipers Corner in everything we do. and embrace diversity). These are just a few of the legacies our pupils have worked exceptionally hard to put in place, all of which make a difference to the

wider community and to future pupils of the school.

What makes Pipers Corner unique is its ability to enable its students to fulfil their academic potential whilst empowering them to build invaluable life skills outside of the conventional curriculum. Recently I held an assembly to showcase examples of our students volunteering and donating their own time to a variety of causes. I was deeply touched by the efforts of our students; this spirit of “giving back” is one we foster at Pipers Corner in everything we do. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a well-deserved Easter break with your family, and we look forward to welcoming you back next term (as soon as we are allowed).

PIPERS RADIO GOES LIVE Pipers Corner launched its own radio station this term, supported by Virgin Radio Early Breakfast Show Host Sam Pinkham who has been instrumental in getting this project off the ground. n the inaugural show on 26 February, members of the Sixth Form interviewed BBC Sports presenter Gabby Logan (cover image) and learned about what motivated her to succeed in her chosen career. Sam Pinkham was on hand to offer expert guidance to the crew for their exhilarating debut broadcast. Sam and the technical engineers at Virgin Radio have supported this project since its inception and guided the students on their journey from novice to live radio DJs and producers. This initiative has

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been created by the school to inspire students to develop life skills, work towards their goals and collaborate as a team. The lunchtime shows air on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1305 hours. The station also broadcasts family friendly music 24 hours a day.

In the run up to the launch, the Sixth Form radio team were lucky enough to visit the Virgin Radio studio on London’s South Bank. The team met Chris Evans and watched him host the Breakfast Show. They also met his guests who included the band Blossoms, Strictly Come Dancing’s Kevin Clifton and Susannah Constantine (of ‘Trinny and Susannah’).

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Tune in at: www.schoolradio.com/users/ pipers-corner-school/player

ECO POWER A

s part of our commitment to environmental change, we recently hosted an innovative and interactive Environmental Conference for Year 5 students, which was also attended by students from three local schools.

Run by our Environmentalist-in-Residence Mr Williams, the day involved a variety of group sessions and interactive workshops relating to climate change and the preservation of the environment. From self-portraits created from cardboard, to building a mesh whale filled with plastic bottles and covered with flattened milk cartons to form its skin, the students really engaged with the aim of the conference. Other activities included drama workshops encouraging empathy for ocean creatures overwhelmed by plastic, and group discussions triggered by a series of questions, enabling the pupils to learn more about the impact of climate change.

The conference was an incredible opportunity for the Pipers students to unite and talk about their concerns for the future of their planet and to work with members of the local community on solutions for change.

GREEN WEEK O

ur environmental group, ‘Helping Others Protect the Environment’ (HOPE) led the school to celebrate its very first ‘Green Week’ this term.

Events included eco-themed lessons across the school and Swap Shops, where students swapped or purchased second hand clothing and accessories. There was even an ‘Open Mic’ eco-themed poetry event outside the Arts Centre Café.

Pipers Corner Gardening Club kindly planted trees donated by the Woodland Trust and there were eco-themed lunch menus all week, utilising local, seasonal and British produce.

Across the week the students were also asked to focus on reducing energy usage by thinking green and minimising energy consumption around the school. Lights and other electrical appliances were used only when absolutely necessary. There was a “No Paper Day” with a ban on printing and photocopying and limited use of exercise books.

The week concluded with a ‘Save the Rainforest’ themed Mufti Day. To date, the students have raised enough funds through Green Week for the charity “Rainforest Concern” to purchase and protect a number of acres of the Amazon Rainforest.

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YOUNG ENTERPRISE

BUCKS BOOK AWARD

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his year, two groups of Sixth Form students have set up Young Enterprise companies. Reflect pride themselves on being safe, stylish and sustainable. Their 'SocPocs' are socks with discreet pockets, which have zero plastic packaging and feature upcycled t-shirt fabric for the pockets. They have also produced reflective and neon laces. Their team won the National Trade Stand Display Award recently. Reflect enjoyed a successful day out at the Eden Shopping Centre in High Wycombe in January, where they advertised and sold their products. They were joined

by Pipers' other Young Enterprise company, Treeco, who produce sustainable handmade cards.

ip hop artist and poet Karl Nova visited Pipers Corner to talk to the students about his work, as part of our Literary Festival. The CLiPPA 2018 Poetry Award Winner also announced the Bucks Book Award 2020 winner and participated in some creative workshops with the students. A number of local schools joined Pipers Corner students for his talk.

Karl was delighted to announce Holly Jackson as the Bucks Book Award 2020 winner for her novel "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder". Holly is a local author based in Great Missenden. The Bucks Book Award was launched in 2018 to promote the best books written for children and young adults, as well as inspiring young people to read more.

LITERARY FESTIVAL 2020

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ix inspirational authors delivered insightful talks open to the public as well as parents and students at our second annual Literary Festival. In addition, eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development Jonathon Porritt CBE joined our Environmentalist-inResidence Mr Williams in a fascinating Question & Answer session.

Ireland’s Laureate for Children’s Literature, Sarah Crossan kicked off the Festival with a packed audience and spoke about her new book ‘Toffee’.

Eco-journalist, naturalist and author Sarah Roberts followed, speaking about her career as well as her thought-provoking book, ‘Somebody Swallowed Stanley’. In the latter stages of the Festival, bestselling author

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and illustrator Kate Pankhurst – a descendent of Emmeline Pankhurst – introduced the stars of her new book ‘Great Women Who Saved the Planet’.

Authors Piers Torday, M.G. Leonard and Sita Brahmachari completed the line-up.

During the course of the Festival, there were also talks and workshops for students to attend. The Harry Potter Night event was hugely popular, as were the talks from authors Isabel Thomas and Onjali Q.Raúf. Bringing the Festival to a close were journalist and author Wendy Holden and Holocaust survivor Eva Clarke. Hard-hitting at times, the two women captivated their audience with their talk highlighting the resilience of the human spirit and how friendship can develop from adversity.

JUNIOR & SENIOR DANCE SHOWS

PICTURE HIGHLIGHTS

RS Trip to Rome

Informal Music Concert

Year 2 Drama – ‘The News & Weather’

Dressed up for World Book Day in Pre-Prep Pancake Day at Forest School

Pritpal Bhullar opens the Rainbow Crossing

Stokenchurch Dog Rescue visit Prep

Ski Trip to Austria

Experiments galore at Prep Science Day

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HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE

ixth Form student Emily F led a service in remembrance of the Holocaust with the planting of several trees in the Quiet Garden. A plaque beside the trees reads ‘To forget the Holocaust, is to kill twice.’

While visiting Auschwitz last year, Emily found the experience and the seminars she attended (organised by the ‘Lessons From Auschwitz’ project) made her want to do as much as possible to spread awareness. She has gone on to create a library display, an assembly (for Years 9-13), a memorial service and a video pack (for Years 7 and 8). Finally, she came up with the idea for a remembrance service and the planting of trees.

The trees are a visible symbol that hatred and prejudice cannot rule us and a reminder that life is precious. Emily's hope is that a tree will be planted every year on this date.

Childhood Tumour Trust featured six lots and raised an impressive £1,000.

PIPERS ROCKS S

ingers and musicians from across the school came together to perform at Pipers Rocks in February. The fantastic evening was full of rock and pop and topped off with an auction, hosted by Virgin Radio presenter Sam Pinkham. The auction, in aid of Nerve Tumours UK and The

One of the standout performers was Mia M, in Year 10 who performed two of her own pieces, having finished in the top three at the UK's U18 Open Mic Final earlier this year. Mia successfully beat 10,000 other contestants, singing at the grand final held at the O2 Arena in January.

PREP ART DAY P

rep had an incredible time off timetable for their annual Art Day. There was a packed schedule of different activities throughout the department including clay modelling, making huge fish and creating intricate pencil drawings.

The students not only developed new skills but also worked hard to create some stunning pieces of artwork that will be remain on display in the department.

Students and parents were invited to attend the Prep Art Day Learning Outcome event later in the term.

This allowed pupils to showcase and discuss their work undertaken on the day and to share their learning experiences in Art so far this year.

Their art will be amongst the pieces on display at the forthcoming Art Exhibition on 17 June 2020.

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SPORT NETBALL

CROSS COUNTRY

There has been a great focus on Netball this term across the school, culminating in fantastic end of season tournaments.

All Prep year groups competed in the annual Pipers Netball Tournaments, attended by local prep schools. The U11 A team won the Berkhamsted Netball Tournament, defeating 24 teams. The same team were also unbeaten in the NLCS tournament, eventually finishing in second position on goal difference out of 24 teams. The U11 B team won their section of the York House Netball Tournament.

Despite difficult conditions, the school runners have competed in several competitions producing excellent results. At the Bucks County Championships, Isobel F, Beth T and Olivia B were all placed highly in their relevant age groups and have been invited to represent Buckinghamshire in the English Schools Finals in Liverpool.

The Oratory recently hosted a Year 6 and 7 cross country event. Our runners made a huge impact with both year group teams finishing in second position. There were also individual medals awarded to Isobel F and Beth T for winning their year groups and Issy D for finishing third in the Year 7 race in only her second ever cross country event.

Senior School District Tournaments were played. The U16 A team finished in third place in their tournament with six wins and two losses, and the U13 B team finished third in their group. The Year 9 and 10 teams both had hard fought matches and were placed fifth in the district in their events.

SGO EVENTS For the first time this year, Pipers entered a series of 'School Games Organiser' (SGO) events against schools in the local area. This ranged from Years 1-4 taking part in multi-skills activities, to our Years 6 and 7 competing in football, hockey and badminton tournaments. The school hosted an SGO swimming gala towards the end of term in which some of our Year 5 swimmers competed.

IAPS UPDATE Pipers pupils continue to raise the level of their regional achievements. The U11 A Hockey team reached the Regional quarter finals and the U11 A Netball team reached the Regional Finals, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the National Finals. Our U11 swimmers finished in the top three of all qualifying events with convincing wins in the relays. We are awaiting results to determine whether they have qualified for the National Finals but the pupils are still training hard in anticipation.

SPORT RELIEF Members of the school community completed a ‘Mile In Their Own Style’ in March. Students and staff participated in activities including swimming, cycling, cross training, hockey, basketball, football and skipping, culminating in a “Walk in the Park” around the grounds.

Pupils raised nearly £500 covering 253 miles. Highlights of the week included five Year 6 pupils each swimming a mile in only 35 minutes, and three Year 12 pupils completing a three mile triathlon.

HOCKEY This term we have welcomed Mrs Woods to the school as our specialist Hockey coach. The players have been continuing to develop their skills. Years 7-9 competed in their end of term tournaments.

FOOTBALL AT CHELSEA A group of students had the opportunity to participate in a three-hour skills training session at Chelsea Football Club recently.

Hosted by the Chelsea Foundation, pupils also had the chance to tour the club museum, see the dressing rooms and walk though the famous tunnel.

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MR DEWAR

ASSISTANT HEAD OF Y7–8

WHO’S WHO

Brief description of your role I have been a teacher of Biology for nearly four years and I also teach Chemistry and Physics when required.

I am Assistant Head of Years 7 & 8, assisting Mr Cohen with pastoral issues.

What did you do before you joined the School?

I travelled around South East Asia for a year as a career break and a chance to explore. I visited Nepal with my now wife (a few months after the 2016 Earthquakes), where I discovered how woefully unfit I was/am climbing relatively small mountains. We also travelled to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

What excites you about your job?

Generating interest in the wider applications of what we learn (strange and bizarre facts are a must!), interacting with students as they learn and being able to experiment with different ways of teaching through games and activities (useful as we commence virtual learning!).

What activities do you enjoy?

For what little spare time there is amidst preparing to teach and renovating a house, I read, walk with my wife and game casually with my far

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flung friends on odd occasions.

Who has inspired you most in life?

My mother, who correctly deduced which profession my skills and personality fit and advised me to pursue a teaching career. ‘Mother is always right’?

Something we might not know about you?

At school English was my best subject (I loved reading despite being on the dyslexic spectrum, as most of my students know), but Science was my favourite. I used to spend vast quantities of time writing – fantasy, science fiction, humour, politics and general nonsense. I could have filled two ‘Lord of the Rings’ novels. I can only hope it helped develop my skills as a communicator.

Finally, the best thing about working at Pipers Corner is…

The people – little‘ns and big’ns.

BATTLE OF THE SUBJECTS SOCIOLOGY

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he study of Sociology looks into why events in society occur and why we generally conform to shared ideas and practices in everyday life.

It explores social behavior within groups, cultures, organisations and social institutions.

The subject fosters creativity, innovation, critical thinking, analytic problem solving and communication skills. It challenges students to see

the world through the lens of different cultures and communities.

Students who study Sociology will develop the ability to present coherent arguments regarding many aspects of our social world, in addition to practical skills that will benefit many chosen career paths.

PSYCHOLOGY

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he study of Psychology looks into the way people think and why people behave in certain ways – focusing on the individual. It investigates the causes of human behaviour at the individual level using observation, measurement and analysis.

The subject explores the cognitive. emotional and social means by which individuals relate to one another and to their environments.

Students develop a variety of skills including analytical thinking, improved communication and problem solving that will prepare them for an exciting future with the possibility of a range of fantastic careers.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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Pipers Corner School, Great Kingshill, Buckinghamshire HP15 6LP

01494 718255

www.piperscorner.co.uk

theschool@piperscorner.co.uk

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t the time of publishing, it is impossible to anticipate what impact school closures and social distancing may have on our planned events next term. Please be assured, however, that events will be postponed or delayed - but not cancelled. The School year is not over yet – but dates might change. Stay safe and in good spirits wherever you are.