Co-Curricular Opportunities at RMS - Senior School 2019-20

CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES AT RMS SENIOR SCHOOL 2019-20

CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES AT RMS Throughout your time at RMS Senior School, you will have the opportunity to broaden your knowledge by studying a wide range of subjects, but will also be able to develop skills and interests in many co-curricular activities.

Our extra-curricular offering is far from an afterthought; it is an integral part of school life and every girl is encouraged to take part, and in so doing, hone a skill, discover a passion and most importantly, have fun!

From Debating to the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and Astronomy to Aerobics, there is something for everyone – and if it does not exist, girls are encouraged to start up a new club that reflects their interests.

Some clubs run throughout the year, whilst others are seasonal. There is plenty of choice and students in the Senior School sign up for co-curricular activities using our on line system SOCS, stating first, second and third choices; the School strives to allocate each girl at least one of her preferences.

Timetables are made available at the start of each term, along with instructions as to how to book. I am sure you will find plenty to capture your imagination!

You can see a full range of our activities on the following pages...

Mrs Z Sears, Co Curricular Co-ordinator zsears@royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk

WHAT IS ON OFFER? Enrichment

Visual Arts

Sport and Activity

The Performing Arts

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES YOUNG ENTERPRISE Young Enterprise gives Year 12 students the opportunity to set up and run their own business with guidance from a member of staff and business advisor. RMS students have a great track record at Young Enterprise, reaching the Regional Finals for the last three years.

BOOK CLUBS An opportunity to relax and read with friends in your year group JUNIOR DEBATING Debating Club provides a time to improve their speaking, listening and thinking skills through debate, as well as a chance to develop skills in logical argument in preparation for competitions and to learn and practise debate and public speaking skills RMS DRILL A unique programme to RMS based on school traditions. Practice sessions take place twice a week to prepare for performances at October Prize Day and Remembrance Sunday each year.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES ACF Army Cadet Force Rickmansworth section meets at RMS If you are interested joining and becoming a cadet please come along to one of the first sessions and talk to Lauren Williams REACH FOR THE STARS This club offers students the opportunity to come and discuss their many and varied interests and, if they choose, undertake project work. Able students in Years 7 to 9 are encouraged to complete mini EPQs on a subject of their choice. Previous projects have included designing and making a wind turbine, creating FanFiction, and works on Greek Mythology CLASSICS FILM CLUB A chance to choose, watch, discuss and review a diverse range of films from mainstream blockbusters to little-known classics CRITICAL THINKING Designed to help pupils in Year 12 assess the validity of argument. Starting with basic forms of reasoning and moving, via an investigation of the soundness of different kinds of evidence, to more general analytical topics, the course concludes at ...

FIRST AID A 12-week first aid course delivered by St John Ambulance staff including theory and practical assessment at the end. Available to all interested in First aid, GUIDES National programme of Guides for girls aged 10+, sessions led by Abbey Joseph. Applications should be addressed to the Guide Leader through the Girl Guiding website.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES READ ALL ABOUT IT Are you interested in current affairs? Would you be willing to write an article on something you are passionate about? A new half-termly newspaper is coming to RMS and we want you to be involved. Whether your article is about Brexit, Hurricane Florence or Holly Willoughby's latest M&S fashion range, we want to READ ALL ABOUT IT! LGBTQA+ SOCIETY All pupils, regardless of gender identity or sexuality, are welcome to attend LGBTQA+ society. We will be having debates, presentations and general discussions.

MACHIO SCHOOL MAGAZINE Come along and help design the school magazine. Everyone is welcome and we hope to see plenty of budding journalists, photographers and designers joining the team.

GeogSoc If you're interested in wildlife, conservation or geography - come alongto Geography Society. Topics include plastic in the ocean: investigating why it has got so bad, what impact is the plastic having? What can we do to help?

SCHOLARSHIP CLUB Extending and challenging. Out of the box thinking and looking at problems from a different perspective.

CODING AND ROBOTICS CLUB Building and programming robots FORUM A discussion group open to all; any and every sort of topic is up for discussion, assisted by weekly supplies of chocolate biscuits.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES

MODEL UNITED NATIONS Year 12 students take part in the annual Haileybury Model United Nations Conference.

Delegates are assigned to a country and a committee, and are required to play the roles of diplomats. At the conference itself, they have to lobby for support with the delegates of other countries and then debate the issues according to their country's standpoint.

The Model United Nations programme gives pupils increased confidence and develops abilities which will be of great use at university and beyond. It is also a fantastic opportunity to meet students from different countries and cultures.

FLASH PHILOSOPHY Fifteen fun minutes of philosophical discussion COOKERY CLUB Prepare for university or cook your first meal - different classes for different occasions.

DIGITAL LEADERS Do you want to become an e-safety ambassador for RMS? Try out and review new technology? If so Digital Leaders is the club for you.

STEAM CLUB The club uses the expertise of staff members from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, DT, Art and Mathematics and the club members to enjoy making their own fidget spinners, growing crystals, building geodesic domes, making slime and learning about the unusual properties of non-Newtonian liquids, just to mention a few projects.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES DESIGN VENTURA Design Ventura challenges students to design a new product for the Design Museum shop. It is an opportunity for students to develop design thinking, creative and business capabilities and employability skills.

DT FOR FUN A range of skills based practical tasks at first, followed by activities tailored to the group.

ASTRONOMY CLUB Astronomy topics and projects using the School's Observatory and Planetarium.

CHINESE DANCING An opportunity to learn to appreciate traditional Chinese music and learn to dance it.

MFL DISNEY CLUB Come and enjoy Disney classics in French or Spanish to improve your language skills.

MFL UNUSUAL GAMES Get to know how other children around the world play. Enjoy outdoor games such as "Goma", "Petanque", "Panuelo" and many others. This club is run only during the Trinity term and the first half of the Michaelmas term.

MANDARIN CLUB An opportunity for total beginners to learn some basic Mandarin and get to know how to write some amazing Mandarin characters. Room 5, Fridays at lunchtime.

MFL SPELLING BEE An exciting competition by year groups. This is played in Houses and can get your House points for the House League.

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD Available for years 10, 11, 12 and 13 only, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is a very prestigious activity and participation is highly regarded by universities (and later, employers).

The award consists of three levels: Bronze: Year 10 and above Silver: Year 11 and above Gold: Year 12 and above At each level there are four sections: Service: to encourage service to individuals and the local community.

Skills: covering almost any hobby skill or interest.

Physical Recreation: sport, dance and fitness.

Expedition: training for planning and completing a journey on foot.

Residential Project (Gold Award only).

Students who successfully complete the Gold Award are invited to Buckingham Palace to receive their award.

VISUAL ARTS

CLAY CLUB Open to all Senior School students, this club enables girls to learn basic skills in sculpting.

PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB How to take great photographs using a range of cameras from pinhole to digital. The School grounds are the perfect location for some fantastic photo shoots!

TIE DYE CLUB Learn how to tie-dye and turn your creations into masterpieces!

BAG MAKING CLUB Design and create a fab and funky bag!

TEXTILES OPEN STUDIO This offers students an opportunity to build independence and develop their work further PORTFOLIO PREPARATION Aimed at Sixth Form students applying for creative subjects at university PAINTING CLUB Students will have the chance to work with different materials on group projects in this fun lunchtime club. Current examples include a Remembrance Day installation for the School Chapel, Christmas Card making etc.

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Sport and physical activity is an important feature of life at RMS and we promote excellence in sport along with sport for all.

Our indoor facilities are superb, and the 315 acres of parkland are ideal for running and adventure-based learning. Traditional sports including netball, hockey, swimming, gymnastics, badminton, tennis, rounders and athletics are delivered throughout as well as cricket, football, rugby, volleyball, basketball, squash and sports leadership. Senior girls may also opt for further activities such as Bounce, Pilates, Trampolining, Cheer-leading and fitness. This year, we are excited to open the new 'RMS TRIM TRAIL' and will be using this widely in lessons and co-curricular activities to provide a different approach to physical activity.

Girls are encouraged to take part in leadership and coaching activities within school and links with many external sports clubs provide them with opportunities to pursue their interests. Individual coaching in some sports can also be arranged on request.

RMS girls feature regularly in district, county and regional competitions. Many girls represent the county in a variety of sports including netball, gymnastics, hockey, swimming, athletics, squash, cricket and badminton to name a few.

RMS teams have recently competed at national level in swimming and gymnastics.

We aim to provide three levels of involvement where possible: Squad, Club and Recreational. So all girls have an opportunity to take part in an activity if they wish in order to promote a lifelong love of physical activity that they carry forward beyond their time at RMS into adult life.

SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES Team training sessions run in the following sports: Netball - Year 7 A, B & C , Year 8 A, B & C, Year 9 A, B & C, Year 10 A & B, Year 11 A & B & Senior A & B. Hockey - Year 7 A, B & C, Year 8 A & B, Year 9 A & B, Year 10 & Senior Badminton - Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 & Senior Football - Years 7 - 10 Swimming - Years 7 - 13 Gymnastics - Years 7 - 13 Rounders - Year 7 A & B, Year 8 A & B, Year 9 A & B, Year 10 A & B & Senior Tennis - Year 7 A & B, Year 8 A & B, Year 9 A & B, Year 10 A & B & Senior Athletics - Years 7-13.

Cross Country - Year 7-13 Rugby - Year 7-13 Also available on a recreational level are : Golf, Badminton, Swimming, Taekwondo, Kick Boxing, Trampolining, Fitness, Basketball, Volleyball, Running, Trim Trail, Gymnastics and Squash

ADVENTURE SPORTS Sailing Club HOAC - Trinity Term Sailing Club is open to a maximum 40 Year 8 to 11 pupils, in our advanced, intermediate and beginner fleets. Complete beginners are welcome; they can complete their RYA Level 1-2 award if they wish; intermediate sailors will be working towards Level 2-3 and advanced sailors on Level 4 or concentrating on improving their skills/ race practice. Participants sail in Picos, Toppers and Bahias and wetsuits and life jackets are provided.

Scuba Club - Hilary Term These fun sessions include all equipment hire and tank refills and will allow pupils of all abilities to practise their diving skills. Scuba Club runs for five sessions after school in the school pool.

These sessions run over multiple times, days, and weeks, which allows as many girls as possible to participate.

Skiing & Snowboarding Club - Michaelmas Term The club proves very successful with about 50 girls attending each week with qualified instructors at the Hemel Hempstead Snow Centre. The club offers a choice of either skiing or snowboarding, for either complete beginners or experienced skiers/boarders. Ski & snowboarding classes are in groups of 10 or 6 respectively with an instructor for one hour on the slopes. All equipment is provided. Girls will need warm clothes (i.e jacket, warm/waterproof trousers, gloves, and thick socks). Transport by coach is included to and from the slope.

THE PERFORMING ARTS Every year we put on an ever more diverse programme of events and we watch the girls as they step up to new and challenging roles. As a School we are very proud of their achievements, and their performances are watched and appreciated by parents, pupils, staff and the outside community.

There are plenty of opportunities for the girls to become involved either in performing or in supporting backstage. Our thriving after school clubs, choirs and orchestras welcome any girl who wishes to be involved and hidden talents are often uncovered.

CHINESE DANCE An opportunity to learn traditional Chinese dances with Miss Xue, our Mandarin teacher, who is a professional Chinese dancer.

FUSION DANCE Great fun session working towards various performances over the school year. The annual school Dance Show is always a highlight of the year! Dance or PA kit required!

THESPS Drama games, workshops and performances for students in Years 7 to 10.

No audition or previous experience necessary - just turn up and have some fun!

SCHOOL PRODUCTIONS The students in Years 10 - 13 are currently rehearsing a production of 'The House of Bernarda Alba', which will be performed in The Space in November.

Years 7 - 9 will get their chance to take part in a musical performed in Trinity Term.

THE PERFORMING ARTS CHOIRS We have a number of choirs for students of all ages: RMS Chorus is a non-auditioned choir for students in Years 7 to 9 who just want to come along and sing! RMS Voices is open to students in Years 10 to 13, without audition. we sing a variety of contemporary and popular songs, and we perform several times a year Choro is an auditioned Chamber Choir for students in Years 10 to 13. Chapel Choir, an auditioned choir for singers in Years 7 to 13 performs at the School's major Chapel Services e.g. Remembrance, Advent.

COMMUNITY ARTS CHOIR Community Arts is a fantastic opportunity for those who like to sing and give something back to the community. The girls find the experience extremely rewarding and fulfilling and sometimes quite emotional. One such experience was when the students and staff put on an Old Time Music Hall show which was taken to many venues and included a nostalgic "sing along". The final performance was at The Royal Hospital, Chelsea which proved to be a huge success with the Chelsea pensioners. This year we will be doing a set on the theme of "colours" and will be raising money for the School Charity "Rainbow Trust".

ORCHESTRAS AND BANDS RMS Big Band (Years 7 to 13), RMS Orchestra (Year 7-13 all grades), RMS Concert Band (Year 7-13) Sinfonia (Grade 5 and above only). Both RMSO and Sinfonia are auditioned. Recent repertoire for Sinfonia includes Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 2, Saint-Saens' Dance Macabre and Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Our musicians undertake regular foreign tours, most recently to Berlin, New York and Boston, Canada and Moscow.