Sexey's School's Summer Newsletter 2019

The Sexeian Summer 2019

CHARLIE COOL’S

SPORTS STARS www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

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Image courtesy of Paul Goodman

MEET MRS OWEN, MATHS

WELCOME There’s no doubt that it’s been a tough term for us all - staff, students and parents alike - so we wanted to share with you some of the positive highlights of our wonderful community as we look forward to the new school year in September.

While our GCSE and A Level students have been working hard on their exams, the rest of the school has been busy with a multitude of extracurricular activities. I’ve been blown away by the talent on show in the End of Year performances on stage and in the (music) pit, on the walls in the art and photography studios. I hope you have too.

Our Sports Stars have been overperforming, with special congratulations going to Will in Year 9 for his place in the National Athletics Finals in September and Milo (Y12) for his equestrian prowess.

It has been a pleasure seeing so many parents at the Parent Forums we held this term. I have been encouraged by the conversations that we’ve had and look forward to coming back in September well rested and raring to go for a bright new school year.

Helen Cullen, Headteacher

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Congratulations to our new Lower School Senior Team!

Congratulations to Adam and Rebecca, who have been appointed as LS Head Boy and Head Girl. They are supported by the Senior Team, who each have a specialist area of focus: • House Leadership – Ben Miller • School Council – Elijah Taylor • Community – Rose Beedle • Environment – Holly Stokes • Student Voice – Alice Saxton • Charities – Ruben FitzGerald All students vying for a place on the team submitted letters of application and were interviewed for the posts by the Senior Leadership Team. Everyone did so well, so it was a very tough choice!

We will remember them...

FLYING the FLAG

Congratulations to Macmillan boarder, Thor (Y7), who took part in the D-Day anniversary ceremonies in Normandy. Here he is photographed at 0530 on Omaha beach, in commemoration of the landings.

We were proud to fly our Ai Weiwei-designed flag to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, for the week of 24-30 June. We ran assemblies in school and had tutor time activities focused on this important national commemoration, celebrating that human rights are for everyone, every day. www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

YEAR 11 PROM After a year of hard work and tremendous focus it was a joy to see our Y11 students celebrating at their end of year ball at Northover Manor in Ilchester on 14 June.

As usual, there was a fantastic display of vintage and sports cars - not to mention the odd tractor - during the arrivals, as well as many happy faces.

Thank you to Sixth Formers Georgie Bewley and Lucy Richards for taking photos (published in Western Gazette on 27 June), and to everyone else involved in making it such a special event, especially Mrs Nurse and the Ball Committee including Ollie Perkins, James Philp, Louis Tether, Lydia Day and Lola Plosko, and of course Mrs Perkins, who provided the most beautiful flowers!

KARTING REGIONAL FINALS

Salter’s Festival of Chemistry Eight of our Year 8 & 9 students took part in the Salter’s Festival of Chemistry at the University of Bath this term, with our Y8s - Alex, Domini, Milo and Romy - coming second place in the prestigious ‘Bath University Challenge’ in a competition of independent and state schools from across the South West.You can read Milo’s account from the day on our website. www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

Following their success at the local heats in February, the Sexey’s Karting Club team made it through to the South West and South Regional Final at Thruxton Kart Centre in May, narrowly missing out by only a few points to qualify for a place in the National Final. Well done Archie, Edward and Theo!

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END of YEAR ART & PHOTOGRAPY SHOW

We hope that you were able to join us for our tremendous End of Year Art and Photography Exhibition on 27th June, showcasing thought-provoking, challenging, and well-researched art from across the school. Congratulations to all students involved for their hard work and extraordinary talent.

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www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

PUPIL PREMIUM

MEET MRS OWEN, NEW HEAD OF MATHS We are delighted to be welcoming Mrs Jacquie Owen as the new Head of Maths from September. She has been Head of Maths for a decade, working most recently at Preston School, where she was also Gifted and Talented Lead. Hear what she has to say!

Q: You have a tremendous amount of experience of teaching secondary school Maths. What are your main philosophies?

A: I think it is important to focus ideas on ‘high expectations of all’, building a curriculum that gives all students equal opportunities to succeed. I offer additional Maths and Statistics as an after-school option for the Most Able, and aim to inspire curiosity among all students, so that they learn to enquire, rather than feel that they are being told what to do. This leads into growing students to be independent learners who will succeed because they have taken charge of their own learning. I also work closely with the exam boards, which enhances my team’s teaching through a better understanding of what is needed to achieve the best pass in exams.

Q: What about outside of the classroom?

A: Out of class, I have organised trips for students to competitions and to universities for presentations and conferences and look forward to continuing this at Sexey’s. These include the FMSP Maths Feast and talks, the UKMT team and individual challenges and the Millfield team challenge. I have also forged a link with Exeter Maths School, which has accepted students on their Years 8 to 11 extra Maths courses.

Q: What are your plans for Maths at Sexey’s?

A: I’m looking forward to meeting all of the students, parents and staff first of all! This will help me to get a better sense of plans to be made, but I will spend the first term ensuring that students are placed in appropriate sets for their ability and that teaching is the very best it can be.

Four of our Year 8 students - Alex, Domini, Milo anddo Romy took the Salter’s Q: What you- do in part yourinspare time?

Festival of Chemistry at the University ofmy A: What spare time?! *laughs* When not with Bath this term, coming second place in large family, I enjoy walking and have helped the to prestigious ‘BathofUniversity support the Duke Edinburgh Challenge’ programmeinfor several years. I know that Sexey’s isand onestate of the a competition of independent largest providers of DofE the South West, schools from across thein South West.

Youso I’ve the right place!from the day on our cancome readtoMilo’s account website. www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

This year, we arranged for motivational guest speakers to address our Pupil Premium students, including Old Sexeians Col. Lucy Giles and Tom Frankland (pictured), who spoke to our Service Child community.

For a full report of our support of our Pupil Premium students, please see bit.ly/ PPUpdate19

Mrs Day

FOOD TECH BAAA-STERCHEF We took a group of Year 10 GCSE students up to Bruton School for Girls at the end of June, to join forces for a Butchery workshop.

Bruton’s very own Bill the Butcher (@BilltheButch on twitter) brought a lamb reared on a local Pitcombe farm, talking to the students about provenance of food and the impact of air miles. He showed us how the lamb is divided into different cuts of meat and explained appropriate cooking methods for each.

Partnering in pairs with BSG, Sexey’s students were then given some minced lamb and invited to select their choice from a broad range of ingredients, for a Masterchef-style cook off competition.

We were delighted with the results, ranging from Moussaka to lamb koftas served with rainbow couscous. Would ewe believe it?!

Mrs Waller 5

REPO A HIG RTS FRO M H SC HOO L MUS ICAL Charlie Cool’s is a café in the centre of a small town, somewhere in Britain during the 1950’s, where you can enjoy a milkshake (or can you...?!) and a laugh away from nagging parents and the pressures of school. It’s where friends chat, hearts break and the elusive love of your life is an ever-changing, eternal possibility...

This brand new musical with libretto and lyrics by Mrs Kiddell and music by Mr Badley, was an absolute tour de force. From the striking set design (by Alice Saxton and Mrs Kiddell) to the carefully prepared props, superb acting and spot-on band performance, Charlie Cool’s was a superb and original night out.

Liv Reid, Lisbury boarder, spoke about her experiences of working behind the scenes: “We’ve been working on the props and practising hair and makeup for the last three weeks in the boarding house, with Mrs Scannell. I’ve loved it - I’d definitely like to do more backstage work in the future. My favourite thing was making the coca cola bottles from old orange juice bottles, which we painted brown with acrylic paint. Great to see it all to life in the show!

Well done to Four of come our Year 8 students - Alex, Domini, everyone Milo andinvolved!”

Romy - took part in the Salter’s Festival of Chemistry at the University of Charlie Cool’s ran coming from 10th-12th July 2019.

Bath this term, second place in the More photos can be seen on the school website. prestigious ‘Bath University Challenge’ in a competition of independent and state schools from across the South West.You can read Milo’s account from the day on our website.

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www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

DUKE OF EDINBURGH

This term has been full of hiking, map reading and creative trangia cooking with Bronze, Silver and Gold expeditions all successfully completed. Congratulations to all the students taking part as they showed great resilience in sunshine, rain and windy weather! 31 Year 10 students completed their Bronze DofE expedition at Cranborne Chase, while we saw 15 complete their Silver expedition on Exmoor and 16 Sixth Formers complete their Gold at Cadair Idris, Southern Snowdonia.

Mr Hamlin

From our library...

To aid their A Level revision, our Year 13 Religious Studies students took part in Charlotte Vardy’s Candle Conference webinars in May, revisiting core topics and developing essay responses.

REPORTS FROM RELIGIOUS STUDIES Elsewhere in school, RS students have also been writing poetry for the NATRE Spirited poetry competition, with results coinciding with National Poetry Day on 3rd October 2019. Fingers crossed!

Mrs Nurse www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

We were pleased to see how much students embraced our library displays in Pride month (June) the books have been flying off the shelves with some lovely feedback on support felt.

Mrs Sargeant 7

SEXEY’S SPORT Two softball cricket teams went to Millfield to play in a friendly softball cricket tournament this term, facing many schools from across the county. They had a lovely day out in the sun practising their batting and bowling skills!

HOLIDAY SPORTS CHALLENGE! Year 7, 8 and 10 Rounders League Finals

MATCH REPORTS

All three teams made it to the league finals but narrowly missed out on heading to Millfield for the County Finals. All teams have worked hard this year to improve their batting and fielding skills. Thank you to all who were dedicated throughout the season and to captains for assisting in the team organisation:Y7- Matilda C,Y8- Alex E,Y9- Rosie S,Year 10- Charlotte H.

Cricket We’re still celebrating a notable win for Year 9 at Millfield this term - well done boys! Mr Bomani would like to thank captains for their help in organising the teams: Y7- Will W,Y8- Freddie G,Y9- Tom K-B,Y10- Harvey S.

Get active over the summer, be it a run, cycle, swim or exercise class! Post your pics on Twitter and tag @SexeysSport, with details of the activity involved. A winner will be picked at random and the prize will be a piece of PE clothing of your choice from the Stevenson’s website. The more creative the photo, the better!

SEXEY’S SPORTS STARS It’s a great privilege to be able to give a big shout out to our Sexey’s Sports Stars. This term it’s a huge congratulations to Will H,Y9, who has been invited to compete at National Finals in September in the Pentathlon; and to Milo K, Y12, chosen to represent Great Britain at the 2019 FEI Junior European Championships in Maarsbergen, in his chosen equestrian sport of eventing. Well done!

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CROSSFIT This term, our Year 12 women have been going to Affinity Wellbeing in Frome for CrossFit sessions.

These have been awesomely run and the girls have madewww.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk a huge amount of progress.

F RO M TH E BOA R D I N G HOUSES...

This term has been a busy one with trips

Martin, her dog Pomme and her two cats

to Thorpe Park, Stourhead, Longleat,

in Little Cumery. Mrs Davidson is looking

paintballing and the New Forest Aquapark

forward to bringing her love of music and

among many other activities. Boarders Iain

writing to the boarding houses.

Kirkwood and Alexander Arnot said, “It was our first time at Thorpe Park and it

Our site team will be extremely busy

was amazing. Stealth is definitely the best

this summer as preparation work for

rollercoaster, though the smoke effects

Lisbury’s renovations begins. There’s a lot

made some of us a bit concerned about the

of anticipation among the boarders to see

ride! We can’t wait to go again.”

what’s coming, and excitement too.

Paintballing was met with similar enthusiasm

We look forward to hearing the accounts

by Rory Parnell, who said, “We had exams

from the school trip to Nepal, many of

that week so it was really good to be able to

whom partaking are boarding students -

go and let off steam.” Boarders have all been

best of luck to everyone involved!

Fun times in Coombe’s back garden - this summer has seen good use of the water slide too!

given the opportunity to vote anonymously about their favourite trips and to suggest

We appreciate that living so far away from

additional ones that they’d like to try, and

your sons and daughters can be difficult and

we’ll be acting on those suggestions in the

hope that you find our boarding newsletters

new school year. Cinema trips are always a

and social media updates useful. We

favourite!

welcome your feedback and should you have any ideas for further communication, please

We say a very fond farewell and thank you

don’t hesitate to contact us.

to Mr Kiely and welcome Mrs Amanda Davidson as Boarding Manager. She comes

We wish you all a wonderful and restful

with a wealth of care sector and school

summer break and look forward to

experience, to support the focus of our

welcoming old faces and new in September.

work in that regard for Ofsted. Mrs

Swimming continues to be a favourite boarding activity

Davidson will be living with her husband

www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

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SIXTH FORM

CAREERS WEEK Despite falling after the exuberance of the Glastonbury weekend, our Year 12s fully embraced this year’s Careers Week (1-5 July).

Students heard from business leaders in a range of fields, from engineering and marketing, to business, design, and military services.Visitors from the Citizens Advice Bureau and Abersystwyth University gave briefings on student finance. Helpful advice and consultation was provided on UCAS, EPQ, Gap years, working abroad and personal statements.

We welcomed Rob Giles, Old Sexeian (1980 - 86) and Director for Toyota (GB) back in to school for a keynote speech about the misconceptions of working in the automotive industry, and the range of jobs available (to men and women), not to mention the varied skills required. “Most of all, we need young people with ambition, creativity and enthusiasm,” he said.

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“Where I am today, I believe is a result of the great education I had as a boarder at Sexey’s” he continued. “It taught me to have imagination and motivation - key things that have helped me in my career.”

Our Y12s also took part in an Apprentice-style panel, judged on their original business idea, presentation and marketing nous. On the final day, the whole year group went on a visit to Exeter University.

Our Y12s also conducted a series of mock interviews with potential employers ranging from Leonardo Helicopters and architects, to HR professionals. Commenting, Freya Applegate said, “It was especially helpful to get constructive feedback on my presentation in interviews. Thanks for organising!”

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the planning and execution of what turned out to be a wonderful, fun and productive week! A full list of presenters can be found at: bit.ly/ SFcareers2019 Mrs Careless-Elliott & Mrs Watson, External Careers Consultant

www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

Farewell Y13!

After months of revision and exams, we bid a fond farewell to our wonderful Year 13 at their end of school prom at Northover Manor.

We wish everyone the very best with your future endeavours remember to stay in touch with your news!

NEW HE ADS OF UPPER SCHOOL APPOINTED Congratulations to our new Heads of Upper School - Camilla and Erin.

They are joined by Senior Prefects: Jacob (School Council President), Sam, Lauren and Amy. Commenting, Camilla and Erin said, “We’re looking forward to building on the sense of whole school community, through peer mentoring, pastoral outreach and focusing on a family atmosphere, in the boarding houses and beyond.

Congratulations also to the Prefect team: Will, Frank, Ellie, Tilly, Arthur, Bella, CharlotteLucy, Tilly and Brigitte.

www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk

ALUMNI Tom Dymond-Andrews and James Haggett (both 2003-2010) met in Y7 on a school trip. Now they have been sailing the world in a 10m boat since 2016. Thankfully for us they’ve been filming and blogging about their adventures - check out their blog at sailingblueeye.com. Tom is writing a book on their circumnavigation so watch this space for more!

We enjoyed reading OS Sixth Former Rachael Palmer (201517)’s NHS Twitter takeover in June.

Definitely one to look up if you’re interested in tips on the reality of student nursing!

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After school HOURS

In our parent forums, we heard that you wanted better communication from us around the school clubs and activities. Boarding specific activities are communicated via the Houses, but we have begun the job of timetabling extracurricular clubs for September, which will include those listed below. We will be emailing again at the start of the new term with any additions or amendments from new staff members, so watch this space!

Arabic Club, Mrs Harris-Urwin (day TBC)

Art Clubs (Thurs) and Photography (Tues)

Badminton Clubs (£) (Mon)

Book Clubs (Days TBC)

Chess Club, Library (Mon)

Coding Club, Mr Fauceglia (Thurs)

Cookery, Mrs Waller (Thurs)

Cross Country Club (Day TBC)

Duke of Edinburgh (Day TBC)

Feminist Friday, Mrs Carpenter (Fortnightly)

Fencing £ (Monday), Mrs Hazelgrove

Hockey (various days) Mr Fauceglia and PE

Magazine Club (Wed lunchtime), Mrs Simms

Prep Club (Days TBC)

Rugby, Mr Bomani, Tues

Swimming £, Mon

UPCOMING...

• Tuesday 3 September: Boarders return to the Boarding Houses (4pm for new joiners, 6pm drop off for all others • Wednesday 4 September: School term starts at 08.40 • Thursday 19 September: Lower School Open Evening, 6pm - Spread the word!

• Wednesday 13 November: Sixth Form Open Evening, 6pm - Please invite your friends!

Stay in touch! Find us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram, and of course online.

Term dates can be found at: www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk/parents/term-dates/ 12

www.sexeys.somerset.sch.uk