Parent Newsletter 09/10/15

SENIOR SCHOOL NEWS UPDATE Friday 9th October 2015 This Half Term at a Glance…

Absence Line unforeseen absence

Here are just a few important forthcoming

We expect a call before 8.30am on each day

events—for our full calendar, click www.royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk/media/ calendar

of absence for day girls unless previously agreed with the Head of Year. Please leave a message on the dedicated pupil absence voicemail 01923 725328 or email:

Sunday 11th October WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN DAY— ATTENDANCE IS COMPULSORY FOR ALL GIRLS Wednesday 14th October New Parent Social Evening (Years 7-10) Thursday 15th October CEM Information Evening (Years 7-9)

absence@royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk An unexplained absence will be followed up.

Mr Cox’s Surgery Mr Cox, Assistant Headteacher, is making himself available every Friday from 8.15am and in periods 1 and 2 to meet with any

Saturday 17th October School/Community Arts Concert

parents who would like to come and have a short chat over any Senior School

Monday 19th October Life Skills Evening (Years 6-11)

question, issue or concern they may have.

Please contact Mrs Hamoudi in the

Friday 23rd October Senior School Prize Day (am)

School Office to make an appointment.

Friday 23rd October—Sunday 1st November Half Term

chamoudi@royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk Parents who would like a longer appointment can, as ever, ring to

Friday 6th November

arrange a mutually convenient time.

FORMS Fireworks Night ‘Cox’s Surgery’ appointments are Sunday 8th November

intended for a quick discussion only, which

Remembrance Sunday Service

may lead to a further meeting if the issue

Tuesday 10th—Friday 13th November

needs some further thought or

Sweet Charity at Watersmeet Theatre

investigation.

Tuesday 24th/Thursday 26th November Year 7 Meet the Tutor

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INFORMATION Emails Sent this week If you have not received any of the emails listed below, please contact Pippa Hopkins phopkins@royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk Year 7,8,9

Letter regarding 2017 Sports Tour to Australia

Year 13 Physics

Trip to Culham Centre for Fusion Energy

Year 7

Meet the Tutor letters

Year 11

Sixth Form Preview information

Years 10-13

Information regarding administration of Duke of Edinburgh scheme

Year 7

Letter regarding Textiles/Art trip to Tring Natural History Museum

Parent Portal queries & updating contact details To advise us of any changes to your contact details, change of boarding status etc., please contact changeofdetails@royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk . This is a group email address and your communication will be sent to all the relevant parties within the School.

If you have any other questions relating to the Parent Portal, please contact our Data Systems Manager Mrs Bulow on bbulow@royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk

Harvest Festival Many thanks for all the donations for the Harvest Festival this week. After the services, the donated goods were distributed amongst local charities, including the Citizens Advice Bureau, Hertfordshire Young Homeless Group, and the Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership.

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SCHOOL NEWS Debating Society Trip to Westminster One evening, a handful of keen RMS debaters ventured out to Westminster to witness a live debate about whether we should ‘end the tyranny of the test’ which ‘demeans education’. As well as this being an incredibly relevant topic, the debate was further enhanced by the esteemed speakers, all of whom share ties to the education system. Tristram Hunt and Toby Little supported the proposition, in favour of fewer exams, more extended project assessments, and the development of broader analytical skills and creative arts. For the opposition stood Daisy Christodoulou and Toby Young who spoke in favour of a wiser and more extensive use of exams.

As a student, I think it is true that, for many of us, exams place an insurmountable amount of pressure on such young shoulders, which can be challenging to bear. As well as this, it is important to recognise the fact that although children of the developed world are relentlessly examined – with the average pupil taking 70 formal exams in their school career – Britain still falls short in the international rankings of results. We, as a nation, are guilty of obsessing over league tables which in turn serve only to feed the ferocious ‘exam factory’ culture that we have cultivated.

On the other hand, I recognise the fact that exams are an important means of measuring students’ capabilities, as well as those of teachers and schools. I also agree that exams prepare us for the world of work, in which we will be confronted with tasks, deadlines and pressure. It is undeniable that tests serve a purpose in our society, and one which cannot be eradicated overnight. However, it could be said the means by which they are implemented propose some room for change. As Toby Little mentioned, even the Chinese head teacher of a top school in Shanghai admitted that ‘our monolithic exams structure is a juggernaut heading for the edge of a cliff’.

This haunting image seems to confirm that the education system may be due for a reform of some sort.

After going to this debate, I have had a lot to mull over. It was incredibly interesting to witness such professional public speaking prowess, supported by the convincing and informative proposals that were put forth. The main message that seemed to dawn on me however was that, unlike the majority of Britain’s schools, RMS manages to obtain a balance between both ends of the debated spectrum; they find a middle ground between excellent exam results and a diverse range of opportunities. I realised how fortunate I am to be educated in a way which combines effective learning and quality teaching with the opportunity to branch out into the creative arts as well.

Unlike many schools, RMS succeeds in steering clear of the ‘hothouse’ environment, favouring one which nurtures and encourages. In the words of Toby Little, ‘We need exams, sure, but we also need to let the heart sing’, which is something that every RMS girl is given the opportunity to do.

On behalf of everyone on the trip, I would like to thank Ms Gunn for organising and accompanying us on the trip. It was an excellent opportunity, which not only gave us the chance to develop our debating and analytical skills, but also allowed us to ‘let the heart sing’ in true RMS style.

By Katie B, Year 12 www.royalmasonic.herts.sch.uk

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CHARITY NEWS RMS School Charity 2015-16 This year’s Deputy Head Girls for Charity hope to raise at least £9500 for the Sohana Research Fund (SRF).

The SRF is dedicated to finding effective treatments and a cure for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa (RDEB). It was set up in Highgate London, in late 2010, by the parents of Sohana Collins, a young child with a severe form of the condition. RDEB is considered a rare condition and as such does not attract government funding. This means that all research is private donor and private company led. With the real hope of safe effective treatments and possibly a cure within sight, it would be travesty not to be able to undertake the research necessary. When Sohana was born in 2002, there was very little prospect of an effective treatment let alone cure, but breakthroughs in research underpin the significant hope that this is no longer the case.

Sohana recently received the Teenager of Courage Award at the Pride of Britain Awards—presented by David Beckham!

How will we raise this money?

Form groups will be encouraged to run their own events and plans already include a year 8 movie night and lucky dip run by year 11. Staff are getting involved too with a showing of ‘The Restoration’, a film by Miss Malan to raise funds for Sohana Research Fund and a Rugby World Cup sweepstake. Big events coming up include the School Concert on the 17th October, a Year 7 and 8 disco in December, a stall at the Christmas Fair, hopefully a Colour Run and car boot sale in the Hilary term. Watch this space for many more exciting ideas!

To keep up to date with charity fundraising and other related topics, please follow the Charity Prefects on twitter: https://twitter.com/RMSCharities

Charity Bike Ride On the first Sunday of the term Hannah C completed the London to Brighton cycle ride within four hours: she raised £360 for Breast cancer Well done Hannah.

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SPORT NEWS Congratulations to Amelia D (Year 8), who achieved Bronze at the British Gymnastics TeamGym Championships at the Liverpool Echo Arena in August.

After qualifying at the regionals earlier in the year, the level 3 National Youth team from Heathrow Gymnastics Club of which Amelia is a key member, competed against 13 other qualifying clubs from across Great Britain in the British Gymnastics TeamGym Championships at the Liverpool Echo Arena in August. Their hard work paid off with the girls achieving the highest tumble score of the competition, 3rd place on trampette and 4th place on floor resulting in a Bronze medal overall.

As a result of their medal win, the team will now go on to compete in the TeamGym European Cup which takes place in Gran Canaria in November.

Sophie and Maddy, Deputy Head Girls for PR, spoke to Amelia this week to find out more about her love of gymnastics…

Amelia started gymnastics at the age of 5, and competes regularly both for the school U14 team and for her club (Heathrow Gymnastics Club) in trampette, vault, floor and tumble. When asked what her favourite discipline is, Amelia answered “tumble, as it is less pressure than the other sections”; and favourite “trick” is a double front somersault on the trampette.

Amelia admits to being both “nervous and excited,” ahead of the competition, her first out of the UK, but is feeling more confident because she will be accompanied to Gran Canaria by her mother, Madelaine, who Amelia says is her “biggest supporter.”

Everyone at RMS wishes Amelia lots of luck, and can’t wait to hear how she and the team get on.

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SPORTS NEWS This Week’s Sports Results

STOP PRESS!

Netball

Gymnastics

RMS vs Dr Challoners Year 10 A team lost 18-10 Year 10 B team won 12-3

U15 gymnastics team came 3rd in the 2 piece competition

RMS vs Dame Alice Owens Year 9 A team won 19-13 Year 9 B team won 16-10

Swimming

Congratulations to Gaby R in 6H2 on becoming the FIRST FEMALE JUNIOR GOLF CAPTAIN for Hartbourne Country Club —well done Gaby!

Hockey Friendly hockey match RMS vs Aldenham: Seniors won 3-1 Year 8 A Team lost 6-0 Year 8 B Team won 3-0

RMS vs Godstowe RMS Year 7 won 66 to 32 RMS Year 8 won 60 to 38 Total RMS won 126 to 70

RMS vs JFK Year 10 won 2-0

New “Kickfit” Class—starting Saturday 17th October 10.30-11.30 Templar Martial Arts have been teaching extra-curricular classes

Congratulations to Sixth Formers Hannah C and Emily B who took part in the Moor Park 10k. Both completed the course within an hour, coming second and third in the Under 18 girls category

at RMS for nearly 10 years and run classes in Kickboxing and Self Defence at the Sports Centre. Chief Instructor Andy Pilborough-Skinner holds a 7th Degree Black Belt and has trained British and World Champions including his daughter Ruth, who left RMS in July.

From Saturday 17th October, the club will be launching a new exercise session “Kickfit”, an aerobic class based around martial arts skills offering the opportunity to improve fitness, balance and co-ordination in a friendly class. The class is suitable for all ages (7+) regardless of current fitness level. Girls, parents, siblings and friends are invited to come and try a free session.

No contact or fighting involved!

For more information, contact Andy on andy.ps@ntlworld.com or call 07954 601628

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FORMS NEWS Fireworks night – tickets now on sale!

The next exciting event in our calendar is our annual Fireworks Night on Friday 6th November.

Doors open at 6.15pm with the fireworks taking place around 7.30pm.

This is an amazing family night with a great atmosphere. Advance tickets are just £5 for and adult and £3 for a child, plus £3 for a meal, should you wish to include it.

Tickets on the night will be £8 per adult and £5 per child and food will be subject to availability – therefore we highly recommend you book in advance by emailing forms.fireworks@gmail.com or visiting www.facebook.com/FORMSRMS. Remember, if you are interested in sponsorship opportunities at the Fireworks night, or any of our other events, please email forms.communications@gmail.com

Facebook and Twitter Don’t forget to ‘like’ our Facebook page to find out details about our events and news from the community. You can find us at www.facebook.com/FORMSRMS. You can also follow us on Twitter @FormsParents

Other dates for your diary Fireworks – Friday 6th November (tickets now on sale) Christmas Fair – Saturday 28th November Burns Supper – Saturday 23rd January Quiz Night – Saturday 5th March

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FORMS NEWS

Bingo night Thank you to everyone who attended the fantastic Bingo Night on Saturday – much fun was has by all, as these pictures show….

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FORMS NEWS

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