Portland Place School Newsletter 3rd July

Portland Place School

Weekly Buzz

3rd of July 2017

Extensive coverage of PPS end of term events. It all starts on page 4 Arrangements for the last day of term

What’s happened in the week and key dates in the diary

Academic and Sports fixtures 1

Letter from the Headmaster Dear Parents, Yesterday was our annual Celebration Day and it was an excellent event, held in the Salvation Army hall on Oxford Street. It was a day that reaffirmed, for everyone involved, their real pride in being part of our school and community. The range and depth of our pupil’s achievements across the year was inspiring to hear. My huge thanks to all involved in organising and running the show.

Portrait of Editor

By the time you read this we will have run our 2017 Sports Day. This seems to have such legendary status here at PPS I have great anticipation for the day as I type this. And the weather looks to be holding for us.

The end of the school year is a great time for the celebration of and reflection on successes. It is also a time when thoughts begin to turn to the next school year. Next week your daughters and sons will receive their reports and there will be pointers to areas of focus for next year. Between now and then is the eight-week summer holiday. Of course this is a time for family, a time to rest and recharge batteries after the hectic school year. But it is important that within this our pupils do not have a complete break from study – keeping some regular contact with their academic work is important to a . good start in September. Moving from Year 11 to Year 12 we now have our transition work booklets, guiding pupils on their reading and preparation to begin A-level study. We are trialling this in the Humanities faculty for pupils moving from Years 9 to 10 and beginning GCSEs. But whatever the transition there are recommended reading lists from the English department and work that can be done through MyMaths online to keep those skills sharp. Summer is also a great exhibition time in London, many of them free, and I would encourage all our pupils to make as much use of those as they can in the long break.

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David Bradbury, Headmaster

Notice board Arrangements for the last day of term: Friday 7th of July Ms Findlater, Deputy Head (Academic) Y4, 5, 6 Assembly PPS HALL – 11.00 am. Parents welcome. Dismissed at 11.40am Year 7 Dismissed on return from Norfolk 12pm (Head of year will confirm on the day) Year 8 Dismissed 12.25pm Year 9 Dismissed 12.10pm Year 10 Dismissed 12.25pm Year 12 Dismissed 12.00pm

Duke of Edinburgh Award Guest Piece by Jasmine Kermoud, Year10 Duke of Edinburgh is a youth awards program founded in the UK by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

The awards (bronze, silver and gold) recognise adolescents and young adults for completing a series of self-improvement exercises. This year, some of my classmates and I decided to take part in the bronze award. What we had to do was choose one activity that to undertake for 3 to 6 months. The activities must be: physical, skill driven and volunteering. In the physical section you can try some new sports such as Thai boxing or horse riding, for skill you can learn a new language or how to play a new instrument and for volunteering you could help in a charity shop or at help at your local library. In addition to this, in order to get your award you will also need to go on an expedition where you will have to walk 15km for two days, camp outside and cook your own food. It was definitely an interesting experience. If I were asked to do it again, I would definitely do it. During this wonderful adventure, you are able to experience sleeping outside at night and walking in beautiful scenery and learning how to navigate with a map and a compass; and these are skills that will help you in life as you get older. All students that completed their assessment expedition were successful!

Duke of Edinburgh bronze award 2017/2018 Ms Pym, Teacher of PE Duke of Edinburgh bronze award for years 9 and 10 will start in September 2017. If your child is interested in taking part in the programme please take a look at the link http://www.dofe.info/.

There will be a introductory meeting on Tuesday 13th September 2017 at 4.00pm in PPS. There will be 40 places available on a first-come first-served basis. Places will be available from Tuesday 13th September 2017. If you have any questions regarding the programme please do not hesitate to contact Sophie Pym. 3

News KS2 Charity Construction Challenge, Ms Magniez, Charity Committee Coordinator/Teacher of MFL Last Monday, our KS2 students took part in a construction challenge organised by the Charity Committee. They had one week prior to the event to get sponsored and raise as much money as possible for the Tanzania Livingstone Trust, a charity that supports local communities by building school facilities. We tested our students construction skills with two challenges, but unlike the LC trust the students did not have bricks but…marshmallows to complete their challenges which they found out on the day of the event! The first challenge, won by Lucas Henrekson Watson, Ronan McCarthy and Johnny Aleong, consisted in building as many African animals as possible in a limited amount of time and the beautiful lion and boa of the team made an impression on our judges. The second challenge, building the highest tower of marshmallows, was won by Victor Calbucci, Gordon Turnor and Max Hubert with an impressive 62 cm construction! A final series of prizes was given to the three best fundraisers of the group: Gordon Turnor, Grace Gosling and finally to our top fundraiser: Leanne Nixon with an incredible amount of £160. Lucas Henrekson Watson made a donation later on this week and became our second best fundraiser with £85.

We are delighted to announce that we raised £800 for our charity, a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the challenge! For more photos of this event, please check our Charity Committee Twitter account: @PPSCharity’

Grace Bradshaw

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Charity Committee

News Year 10 visit to Imperial War Museum Ms Butler, Head of History On Tuesday Year 10 History students visited the Imperial War Museum to explore the ‘People Power: Fighting for Peace’ exhibition. This examined how peace movements have influenced perceptions of war and conflict. From conscientious objectors to peace camps and modern day marches, Fighting for Peace tells the stories of passionate people over the past one hundred years and the struggles they have endured for the anti-war cause. This was an evocative and engaging visit which the students gained an enormous amount from.

Year 8 Geography Trip to London Zoo Ms Johnston, Teacher of Geography On Tuesday Year 8 traveled to the Zoo to take part in 'Wildlife Under Threat' workshops and see how different animals have adapted to their environments. The students really enjoyed the workshops where they were able to see products that had been illegally trafficked, including a handbag made out of a crocodile. All students were really engaged and made some brilliant points about how ZSL can help conserve the natural environment and how climate change is having an impact on animal habitats. Following the workshops students were given the opportunity to see around the Zoo. The sloths, gorillas and reptile house proved particularly popular. Well done to all Year 8s for representing the school so well.

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News Poetry Recital 2017 Ms Baig, Teacher of English On Tuesday 27th June 2017, the English Department organised a poetry recital evening. The students performed a mixture of their own compositions, as well as recited famous poetic works and the standard of each performance was outstanding. Thank you to all the students for their invaluable contribution to the success of the evening, the staff and parents who supported the show and to Mr Tasic who compered the whole proceedings in such a charming manner. We hope you continue to nurture your passion for poetry and become ambassadors for poetry in the future. The following talented students performed during the evening: The following talented students performed during the evening: Walter Cole Wire Elliott Greenfield Darya Davidovich Sam Ingram Nicholas Lepart Sumaya Al Thani Vitan Kostomaj Talitha Gordon Nooy Jay Sampson Arturo Grandi Rio Redwood-Sawyer Milan Luther Stella Johnston Polina Zaluzhskaya Lucas Martin Audrey Hammer Ezra Button

Shape Poetry (Own work) I Forgot my Homework (Own poem) The Unknown by Patric McHale Walking Home (Own poem) Half-Caste by John Agard Conscience (Own poem) The Man in my Basement (Own poem) I Shall Paint my Nails Red by Carol Satyamurti My Friend’s Dog (Own poem) Kate or Mary (Own poem) Discrimination (Own poem) Red (Own poem) The Girl at the Foot of the Tree (Own poem) Kite (Own poem) The Pied Piper (Own poem) Resisting Death (Own poem) I Am Very Bothered by Simon Armitage

UKMT Junior Challenge Dr A.Aggarwal, Teacher of Maths

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The largest United Kingdom Mathematics Trust competition, the Junior Mathematical Challenge, took place on 27 April.

Over 250,000 pupils from across the UK, aged approximately 11 – 13, sat the Junior Maths Challenge with roughly the top 6% receiving a gold certificate, the next receiving 13% receiving silver and the next 21% bronze. This involved answering 25 multiple choice questions in one hour. I am proud to say that Deniz Goy (Year 8) achieved Gold, Amy Cooper (Year 7) achieved Silver, Audrey Hammer (Year 8), Lola Martinez (Year 8) and Arthur Quairel (Year 7) all achieved Bronze certificates.

News MFL Trip to Aubaine Restaurant Mr Lalande, Head of French On Thursday the MFL department went to French restaurant Aubaine with French, Spanish and Italian Year 10 students, as well as students attending the French club. Students seemed to love sharing experiences of studying languages together and try out some French gastronomy.

They ate mussels, steak, or lamb for main and dessert was the highlight with lemon tarts or chocolate eclairs. Well done to all our linguists at school, you deserve a good break now!

Year 10 Oscars Extravaganza Ms Keen, Teacher of Media Year 10’s exhibited their spectacular film trailers in an Oscar Extravaganza on Wednesday 21st June.

Oscars’ were awarded for many categories with Best Film going to Angel (Ruben Ticehurst-James, Max Needleman, Louis Chalupa, Freddy Pertwee and Joe Perez scooping up those Oscars. Albie Marber won best actor in a leading role for his phenomenal trailer and Carola Profeta scooped best actress for her performances in Broken and Seized.

Many awards were won and year 10 should all feel incredibly proud of their accomplishments.

To see their work, please see below link. PLEASE NOTE: It is 793MB. Download link https://wetransfer.com/downloads/1efa8b7dbb6a845edd229eab992c887220170623064041/509bc 3cc453277ef312d2945bbd32d3420170623064041/0c842e

Year 10 Practical Chemistry Exam Ms English, Teacher of Chemistry

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Year 10 planned and then carried out a GCSE required practical in Chemistry this week

News Carla Mora’s Design Triumph Ms Birtles, Design and Technology Teacher Carla Mora in Year 9 made this fantastic rucksack – It’s a technically complex product to make and a great reflection of her hard work and ability. Carla’s taking DT next year, and I have no doubt that she will continue to create more excellent pieces of work!

National Writing Day Ms Nelson, Teacher of English Extract from Stella Johnston, Year 8:

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Villains and Demons Athea: 3rd June 2034 He could remember seeing the lights in the distance flicker and smoulder on the horizon, bright yellow sparks that darted in and out of focus dancing on an imaginary line between the sun and stars, their frail figure lighting up the red sunset and growing as he drew close. He could remember seeing those beautiful flames and being struck with sudden horror and fear as the realisation sunk into him, the dread as he saw house go up in flames and the terror as he saw the feathers by his feet. …

That was ten years ago when the angels took over the capital city Cesarus and created a stronghold, soon wiping out all the other towns and villages including his hometown Fenir, that’s when Jake swore to take action. This is 2044: the revolt against the angels.

Hana Husaini, Year 7

News Year 12 Trip to Cambridge Ms Price, Deputy Head of 6th Form The Anglia Ruskin and Cambridge Trip was organised so that we met at 8.30 in the Common Room. We took a lovely train ride from Kings Cross to Cambridge. We then walked from the station to the Anglia Ruskin University, from there we got our tickets scanned and were given the independence to explore the different universities’ stands and ask questions. We had lunch in the centre and had a nice boat trip through Cambridge while our punting guide told us interesting information about the university buildings.

We learnt that Kings College was built by Henry VI initially but the Chapel was added to by Henry VIII after the dissolution of the monasteries. It was fascinating that there were two buildings which were university accommodation and academic buildings that were built only ten years apart but one was modern and the other built in the traditional 18th century style. After the boat trip we got ice cream and we walked to the station. I was a really informative and fun day (George Sayles).

I enjoyed the boat trip, it was relaxing and we looked at the beautiful buildings. The city was atmospheric, alive and busy. There was a sense of excitement and it was a very student centred place; a place I could see myself being at university here (Marina Diaz Junco).

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Sports Athletics Mr McLoughlin, Head of PE

London Schools Senior Athletics Championships On Saturday 10th June several PPS athletes were selected to represent Westminster schools at the annual London Schools Senior Athletics Championships. These were held at the Millennium Stadium in Battersea Park and were a precursor to the English School’s Athletics Championships that are being held in July. London is one of the most competitive counties in the UK and the competition in some events was of the highest calibre. Highlights included, Spike Barnes (Yr 10) who won PPS’s only medal with a bronze medal in the inter boys 100m hurdles final in a time of 16.91 seconds. Ben Doll-Steinberg (Year 10) also performed very well and finished 4th in the inter boys discus final with a throw of 27.60m.

Both boys have another year in this age group and will hopefully build on their success next year.

Well done.

Rounders U13 Portland Place 23 Northbridge House 15½ The U13 rounders team knew that playing Northbridge House was going to be tough especially as a few of our girls were absent. However, the girls were determined and excited about the match ahead. The first ball was hit by player of the match, Lola De Luco Martinez who hit and placed the ball into the outfield, making it impossible for Northbridge House to field and thus resulting in Lola De Luco Martinez scoring our first rounder. More rounders came from Laura Logan, Marielle Staunton and Carolina De Luco Martinez. Portland Place girls started the fielding innings strong, with some fantastic bowling from Ava Jones, making it difficult for Northbridge House to strike the ball and score any rounders. When Northbridge House placed the ball high in the air, there were some great catches from Carolina De Luco Martinez and Lola De Luco Martinez which saw five of Northbridge House strongest batters out. It was a close match after the first 2 innings with the score 9-7 to Portland Place. The communication between the girls when fielding in the final innings meant all players from Northbridge House were caught out, with some great catches from Dolly Gosling and Amy Cooper and deep fielding from Stella Johnston and Tula Daisley.

The final score was 23 – 15½ to Portland Place. Well done girls!

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Calendar and Contact

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Thanks for reading!

Look for our next issue at www.portland-place.co.uk/ @PortlandPlaceHD