Stuff@SJB - Autumn Edition - 2023 by SJBMagazine

STUFF Autumn Edition 2023

Dear Everyone, Dear Parents/Guardians,

s we reach the end of a remarkable term, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve had at SJB. It has been a term of growth, achievement, community spirit and most encouragingly a term of ‘living the values’ successfully. Well done, especially, to our Year 7 students and all the new staff members on a brilliant first term. A shining highlight was our school’s performing arts production, “The Nativity.” The talent displayed was awe-inspiring, showcasing the creativity and dedication of our students. Their hard work paid off in a spectacular performance that left us all in awe – especially during the power-cut in the middle of the Friday performance! In the midst of academic achievements, since our last newsletter, we also joyfully welcomed new members to our SJB family as some of our staff members became parents. Mrs Davies and Mrs Czaplicka both had beautiful daughters back in the summer called Ada and Freya Lucy. Mrs Clark and Mrs Fairclough both welcomed gorgeous little boys called Rory and Noah, and very recently, Mrs Correia and Miss Clay both had beautiful little girls called Esther Abrielle Chloe and Mollie Faye.

our Year 11 students on their mature attitude during the GCSE mock exams. Their commitment and focus are commendable, and it speaks volumes about their dedication to their studies. Looking ahead, we eagerly await the return of everyone on January 8th, ready to embark on the new term together. For our Year 13 students, mock exams will commence shortly after the start of the new year. We believe in your capabilities and wish you all the best in your preparations. As we approach Christmas, the entire staff at SJB wishes the whole school community a prayerful and joyous Christmas season. May this festive time be filled with love, peace, and shared moments of happiness. In the spirit of togetherness, let us continue to pray for those in need, especially those living in war torn countries. May those in power, find peace and understanding. Wishing you a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. James Granville Hamshar Headteacher

Our congratulations and warmest wishes go out to them during this incredibly special time. Speaking of academic excellence, I must commend

U ND

G R O R A

YEAR 7 YEAR 8

A been!

s I write this article the SJB Christmas tree is twinkling in our school entrance hall. September and the new term, in many ways, seems so long ago – and what a term it has

The timid and nervous children we greeted on day one are hardly recognizable. They have embraced the chance to make new friends and relished opportunities both in lessons and in extra curricular clubs. Year 7 have mastered the location of every classroom and their time keeping is fantastic. They have taken iPad technology in their stride and become increasingly organised with homework and PE kit. It was an absolute joy to read such positive grades across their ‘monitoring’ and they have impressed staff over and over again with their good manners and gratitude. They have represented SJB in matches and tournaments with determination and camaraderie. I have lost my voice (and a bit of my dignity) on the sidelines of a number of fixtures. On walkabouts, I have also witnessed some incredibly creative ‘door signs’, pizza designs, drama and artwork. Our singing is undeniably the best of any year group in the school! This unique cohort of young people have brought a palpable enthusiasm and energy to our community and are a credit to us, you and themselves. They have done their best to embody our school values of respect, aspiration, integrity, service and love. Furthermore, all this has been done with inexhaustible positivity, resilience and growing confidence. I tell them on a weekly (if not daily basis) how proud they make me and I am so excited to see their achievements and accomplishments next term! Year 7 – take time to rest…. drink hot chocolate, stay in your pyjamas, read books just for fun, play games and snuggle up and watch Christmas movies with your nearest and dearest. You are all on the ‘nice’ list and deserve a wonderful Christmas! By Mrs Alder

s we reflect on what has undoubtedly been a busy 15-week term, it is easy to forget some of the amazing achievements from our Year 8 students. Seamlessly settling into a new year group, they quickly stepped up to their new roles as SJB School Ambassadors, as plenty of willing volunteers began tours in the first couple of weeks of term. Soon after, the majority of the year group came together to deliver outstanding tours to prospective parents at the school Open Evening, showing off their school with pride and enjoyment. So many parents who received tours that evening commented on how kind, caring and professional the Year 8 students had been. I was so proud of the way they represented themselves and the School, and how they continue to do so with ad hoc tours the new normal in Year 8! This term has also seen many events, including awards evening where we were able to celebrate their ahcievements in Year 7, Nativity The Musical where we saw so many Year 8s dance, sing and act their hearts out, and the recent ‘Jolabokaflod’, where students were able to exchange books in a secretive manner through wrapping and choosing a blurb they liked. Seeing the Year 8s flourish this term has been amazing, and I am so excited for what the rest of their academic year will bring. Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the Year 8 parents / guardians for your continued support. This was evidenced through the donations made to the Christmas Hamper collection for Kingsleigh Care Home. I hope you all have a wonderful, restful Christmas break and enjoy the time spent with loved ones. By Mr Hacker

YEAR 9

he Year 9s have marched through another very successful half term. They have continued to impress across their lessons and shown dedication in their extracurricular activities. We look forward to the Winston crunch match for

the Boys Football Team in the new year, and have celebrated the Girls Netball Team victories in the local league! Business Club has also been a hive of activity with many Year 9 students raising funds at the school show. In lessons there has been a hive of activity in Science with many students mastering distillation practicals and chromatography. English has also offered the students a healthy outlet for their argumentation skills when debating the biography of Michelle Obama and studying the reflections of political activist Angela Davis. In Maths we have been working hard to apply mode, mean and range to real life scenarios giving further evidence that this year group is anything but average. Academically this year group are already half way to Year 10 and continue to rise to the ever increasing demands of more rigorous content. Parents will be pleased to hear that on our return after Christmas we will be supporting the students in their study skills ahead of the February exams. We will also continue to strive for progress over perfection, and keep a level head as we move closer to our options information evening after February half term. Thank you to everyone at home for your continued support in keeping the children happy and successful. I look forward to 2024 filled with a sense of excitement and optimism; already blessed with the knowledge of just how far this cohort has come since their first day in Year 7, I cannot wait to support them with their exciting next steps! For now though, the priority certainly needs to be taking a break and recharging! Wishing you all a restful break and a New Year blessed with family, happiness, health and success, Merry Christmas! By Miss Bates

YEAR10 What a term it’s been! The only word I can use for the Year 10s and their start to their GCSE course is incredible. The Year 10s have been incredibly busy this term and have definitely stepped up to the new challenges that their GCSE course bring. At the time of writing this, there has been over 23,000 house points awarded to the Year 10s this term, which is a testament to their hard work and dedication. Well done to all the BTEC Media students who have already conducted their first external exam with great enthusiasm and commitment. It was great to see so

many Year 10s take on roles in Nativity, and in sport the boys and girls have both seen great success. Hopefully we will get the opportunity for another cup final this year! We are incredibly proud of every single Year 10 and they should be bursting with pride for themselves for this amazing start. I’d also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all parents for your continued support. On behalf of the Year 10 team I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Year 10s, we look forward to welcoming you back in the new year and seeing what 2024 brings! By Mr Young

YEAR11

This term for any Year 11 cohort is never easy. Suddenly we find ourselves at the centre of everyones attention and the reality of the year ahead quickly settles in. It can be difficult to manage, it can be stressful and it is most certainly tiring. The way the Year 11s this year have dealt with this first term is what I can only describe as exceptional and every challenge or obstacle that has presented it self has been dealt with maturity grit and determination. In and amongst the hustle and bustle of this term we have had a chance to have some fun as well, with this term seeing the inaugural Form Cup Games! This term round Mr. Manders form took the victory in the whole year ‘Wheelie Chair Roller Derby’ in an event that truly went down to the wire. Mr. Birch and Mrs. Earl’s form however did not cover themselves in glory, limping to an 8th place finish. This years history and geography trips took us to the exotic lands of Wales and Barton-on-Sea respectively. The day was spent getting some valuable field work experience that were vital for upcoming exams, but also just a great way for the students to learn in an environment that is different and exciting. Finally, it is not Christmas at SJB without our annual Christmas hamper collection, and this year the Year 11s were really proud to be partnered with Catch-22 who are a fantastic charity that embody our own schools values. The Year 11s as always were incredibly charitable with their donations and ensured that many peoples christmas’ would be all the better. Year 11, it has been a pleasure and a privalage to work alongside you this term. Please ensure you rest, recover and enjoy a well earned

break and I will see you next year raring and ready to go. Merry Christmas. By Mr Ali

YEAR12 As this academic year kicked off, we witnessed an impressive surge of engagement and enthusiasm from our Year 12 students. The spirit of community service has been amazing, with numerous students dedicating their time to volunteer at after-school events, such as open evening and the Year 13 mock interviews, showcasing a commitment to both personal growth and SJB’s collective well-being. One standout highlight for me was seeing the trend of students mentoring the younger students. This mentorship not only fosters a sense of camaraderie within the school but also provides younger students with valuable guidance and support. The involvement extended beyond academics, with students actively coaching various sports teams, which has contributed to a vibrant extracurricular programme at SJB. The competition for Sixth Form representative positions was highly competitive, reflecting a keen interest in leadership roles and a desire to actively shape the school community. These representatives will play a crucial role in bridging communication between students and staff, ensuring a dynamic and inclusive educational environment. An exciting dimension to the year unfolded with information assemblies focusing on work experience opportunities. The inclusion of external companies, such as P&G, shows a commitment to providing students with real-world insights and opportunities to connect their academic learning to practical, professional settings. For me, perhaps the most noteworthy observation, has been the evident joy students are experiencing in their newly embarked A-levels and BTEC subjects. The enthusiasm for learning has set a positive tone, and it has been a pleasure so far to witness students beginning their sixth form journey.

YEAR13 It has been a busy term for Year 13 as they enter their final year at SJB. Moving on from the place that, for many, they have come to every day for the past 7 years can be daunting and may throw up a range of emotions; it’s the end of an era, but also a time to be excited and hopeful for the future. Working together as a year group to plan ahead has been one of our key areas of focus this term. From the Personal Statement Workshop, to careers talks from the likes of Procter & Gamble and Menzies, the students have had a range of opportunities to set themselves up for future success. The vast majority of the year group have now submitted their UCAS applications and/or have application for degree apprenticeships in progress, with many students having already received offers or interview dates. The school show was another highlight and one of many “lasts” the students will experience this year. Year 13 were well-represented in both the cast and behind the scenes and I’m sure many of them will carry memories of their last ever SJB show with them for many years to come. This was alongside several trips, our two Mock Interview Evenings, and a wide range of other extra-curricular activities, all aimed at helping students leave SJB in the very best position they could possibly be in. As we approach Christmas and the end of term, it is a time for the year group to reflect on the hard work and dedication that they have shown so far this year, while also looking ahead to the next step on their journey towards success. The January mock exams are a vital opportunity for Year 13 to establish good study habits, refine exam technique, and gain an accurate understanding of their knowledge so far; this is a very important time but, as always, we are all here to support the students. I would like to wish everyone in Year 13 a very Merry Christmas and a successful 2024. By Mr Newman

By Mr Lenton

Mock Interview Evening On Wednesday 8th November and Tuesday 5th December, we hosted our two Mock Interview Evenings for Year 13 students. This is an amazing opportunity for all Year 13 students to face an interview panel made up of experts from their chosen field. Our panelists interviewed each student for around 15 minutes, and then deliberated before inviting the student back in to receive all-important feedback. Whilst many were nervous at first, the students reported that they found it really helpful whether that be for upcoming university interviews, or the interviews they will face as they enter their chosen careers. The evening would not be possible without so many members of our school community coming in and

sitting on the interview panels. On behalf of Year 13 and the Sixth Form Team, I would like to offer a huge thank you to all the parents, governors and friends of the school who so willingly gave their time in order to support our students. If this event is something you would like to contribute to in future years, please register your interest by emailing Mrs. Drury on s.drury@sjb.surrey.sch.uk. By Mr Newman

YEAR 7 Reflection Day

ack in October we went for our Year 7 reflection days in St Dunstan’s Church. The morning began with us all walking together from school to the parish where we started our day at the church in prayer. Once we had settled in we went back to our allocated rooms and played lots of fun icebreaker games with our tutor groups. I really enjoyed getting to know more about the people in my form. We were really lucky that the weather was nice and sunny that day and we got to spend time in the church garden for our break. Afterwards the tutors led us in a variety of carousel activities based on the theme of the reflection day, friendship. My favourite was when we had to draw each others portraits on a long roll of paper so each person in the form had their picture on the paper.

After lunch we spent time reading the parable of the Good Samaritan with our form and recreated a modern day example of the story. At the end of the day we all came back together in the church to reflect on the importance of being a good neighbour in school and treating others how we would like to be treated. We all lit candles and placed them on the steps of the altar to signify our new friendships and our Year 7 community. After the great day we had we walked back to school and I went home feeling overjoyed. By Myla Cann 7HPE

CURRICULAR

EXTRA A

fter school and during lunchtimes me and my sister go to extra-curricular clubs at school. Some of these are not run by run by school like BSL (British Sign Language), Boxercise and Martial Arts. We joined British Sign Language as a way to learn a new language (and also to have a secret code that only us at home could understand!) We like doing this club as it is fun and we get to learn a new language as well as playing games. We have also joined Martial Arts at lunchtime on Tuesday’s and Martial Arts after school on Thursday’s. They are very similar and run by the same people. It is fun and we sometimes use focus pads and play games. My sister and I have enjoyed these clubs because they are fun and they’re very easy to learn/do. By Ivy Temple, Year 7

Martial Arts not only helps you get in shape, but the longer you do it, the better you get at it. Martial Arts really boosted my self confidence and that’s why I like it so much. I also go to Geography Club. I love Geography Club because it helps me understand the world around me. Doing geography club helped me become more globally and environmentally informed, making me more thoughtful, enquiring global citizens. By Nicole Akowe Noah and Georgie at Geography Club.

Gardens of !"#$!%#&'% A

fter a year of collaboration among our Year 12 students, RHS Wisley, and Ada Rose, an activist filmmaker, the accumulation of thought-provoking ideas and creativity was celebrated at the private viewing exhibition titled ‘What is a Weed’ at Wisley Gardens. The event was attended by both students and staff. Staff members were very impressed by the students deeply personal responses to the theme. We highly recommend visiting the exhibition at RHS Wisley in the Old Laboratory, which will run until January 23, 2024. Taking part in this collaborative project needed immense teamwork and communication skills, as I had to articulate my ideas for the exhibition clearly to the project leaders. I also learnt to give structural feedback to my peers, to give them an honest opinion and hear theirs in return. I was proud of my exhibition

contribution, creating a structure wire that people can interact with and shape, my main goal being to make individuals get out of their comfort zone and allow them to explore their own creativity. By Laura Panthier Seeing our final project in the exhibition was a bit overwhelming as we had spent so much time on it. It was incredible to go round and see our names on different pieces of work and how the designers had interpreted our ideas. I loved seeing how it had come together, and how much people there were enjoying and interacting with our work; it truly looked as though it made an impact. I feel that I’ve gained more confidence in myself, and my ideas, throughout the process. Ada was lovely in ensuring that everyone’s ideas were heard and explored. Overall, it was a

completely unique experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else – I’m so proud of the team and our exhibition.

has set so many standards on how we should be in which being unique loses its importance. Especially because of social media, these expectations to fit in certain standards can become overwhelming. As a team, with the help of the RHS staff, we created an exhibition which sheds a light on the importance of weeds, with a subordinate function of highlighting societal expectations. My message to those reading this is to be yourself. The one thing which nobody can be better than you at is being YOU. You may feel ‘like a weed’ at times, so embrace your difference and stay authentic to who you are. It may be difficult at times, yet you must always persevere. Here is my updated view on weeds: “Weeds are different to flowers, but never inferior nor superior.” By Daniel Alestrand

By Isabella Marzolini Going into the exhibition after the several months of work process was incredible. We as a group were given a rough view of what it would be like but when we went to see it, we never expected it to turn out so well and being able to see our names on the various pieces was so satisfying. Truly it was a great experience. By Diego Miceli What is a weed? … It was over a year ago when I first asked myself this question. My response, “Weeds are plants that should be removed, who do not fit in the flower category.” We concluded that human beings resemble weeds in more ways than we think. Talking to each other, we realised that sometimes we feel like a weed: outcasts, a burden, people who do not fit in. Hearing the people in the group express these feelings made me realise that I am not the only one who feels like this, and it is okay. The truth is that society

Design & Technology Club

ur talented Design and Technology Club consisting of Year 7 and 8 students have been on a creative journey, showcasing not only their design prowess but also the power of teamwork and perseverance, from creating their own tessellations to helping to make the school play’s props and parts of the stage. In their latest achievement, students took on the challenge of crafting a stunning handmade nativity scene from wood and plastic – a project that truly reflects their dedication. From sketching initial designs to meticulously shaping the materials, our students exhibited exceptional creativity and design skills. The collaborative spirit within the club was evident as they worked seamlessly together, following instructions, helping one another, and overcoming challenges with unwavering determination. The nativity scene not only captures the essence of the holiday season but also highlights the incredible talent flourishing within our Design and Technology Club.

We commend our students for their outstanding work,

and we look forward to witnessing more remarkable creations as they continue to explore the boundless possibilities of design and technology. Stay tuned for the next chapter of ingenuity from our talented club members! By Ms Muscat

The Musical

t’s been an amazing opportunity to take part in our school show this year. ‘Nativity’ is by far the most feel-good production I’ve been involved with; it had an amazing ensemble cast, as well as incredible leads. It was a rollercoaster, with the show itself coming together quite late – the whole cast worked so hard in the build-up to performing and it really showed with us having an audience of nearly 500 on closing night! The rehearsal process was difficult, with learning new songs and choreography every week and finalising some the week before the show. We had help from our amazing teachers, family members, some Sixth Formers and ex-students who really helped to pull the show together; without them, ‘Nativity’ would not be nearly as fantastic as it was. As a long-time fan of the film, I was thrilled that this would be my final show. Everyone enjoyed working on it, including coming up with funny characters for more minor roles, and learning dances for songs we

weren’t even in. The cast truly lived and breathed this production, and I could not be prouder of them. Our tech team was incredible, from mics to runners, and sound to stage management. Everyone put so much effort in and it made the entire process much smoother. It was a brilliant last show to be in and I’m so grateful for the opportunity By Isabella Marzolini, Year 13 The show meant so much to us all. Here is a comment from one of the cast members: “I originally auditioned for the show because I thought it would be fun (which it obviously was) but looking back on it, doing Nativity was so much deeper than that. I made so many new friends that I never would’ve properly interacted with in the first place. All the time we spent together made me feel like I belonged in one big family and I owe that all to you guys”.

Lond on LITERATURE TOUR

ast month, Ms Hanrahan and Mr Bergin took the Year 12 and 13 linguists on a fascinating trip to London with the intention of exploring how and why the English language has changed over time. We started off by visiting the home & museum of Dr Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), author of the first ever comprehensive and standardised English dictionary and the most celebrated lexicographer to this day. The workshop run by the museum gave us an insight into the difficulties of standardising and fixing the English language at this time – it took him nearly 9 years to complete! Next, we visited St Bride’s Foundation, just off Fleet Street, where we were taught about Caxton’s Printing Press and the impact that had on the standardisation and development of English as the lingua franca. We learned about graphology and why in early works printing mimicked the handwriting of scribes so people were not as intimidated by this new invention. Printing was an expensive process hence letters were knocked off in a haphazard fashion and spelling was idiosyncratic. Fonts became simpler over time as

legibility was paramount for a growing newly literate public. Finally, we visited The British Library where we spent the afternoon looking at a wide variety of historical texts from different periods and in different languages. Some of the highlights included: the Magna Carta; Shakespeare’s First Folio; the first English translation of the Bible and The Beatles lyrics of ‘Hey Jude’. Having only seen texts online or as a printed copy, it was incredible seeing these in person. We had a brilliant time and are so lucky to be only a 20-minute train journey from central London. This served as an opportunity to take a step back in time and explore how English has evolved over time, but also appreciate that English will probably never stand still - despite Dr Johnson’s best intentions to ‘fix’ the language. English is always changing, adapting and evolving to meet our hugely diverse 21st century needs. By Daniel Alestrand

lecture day

English Literature ‘Love Through the Ages’ On 20th November, Year 13 English Literature students attended an excellent lecture day to enhance their knowledge for the ‘Love Through the Ages’ exam paper. The day started with a lecture from a senior examiner, giving useful insights into what examiners are looking for in essays, and tips on how to achieve the higher marks. This was followed by a lecture on ‘Love in the novel’, exploring relationships across 4 key novels of the 19th and 20th century, including our key text ‘The Great Gatsby’. Nick Hutchinson, who has directed many Shakespeare plays, followed with a lecture on love in Shakespeare. There were lots of interesting ideas on relationships in ‘Othello’ and other texts, as well as insights into the life of an actor in Shakespeare’s time. We learnt that they only received their lines on the day of performance and had 3 hours to rehearse, and the effect this may have had on certain aspects of the plays in the Jacobean era.

The final part of the day was the most exciting: a poetry reading and Q and A session with former Poet Laureate, Carol-Ann Duffy. The class are currently studying her poetry collection ‘Feminine Gospels’, and studied another of her poems at GCSE. It was great to explore her ideas on the poems and to hear them read. She displayed her usual dry humour, commenting at one point on the fact that no one asks her if her collection can be included in the exam specification, and that she receives no monetary gain from it! A couple of students managed to get her to sign their copies ‘Feminine Gospels’ at the end of the day. All in all, it was an excellent experience, with lots of nuggets of knowledge for the students to take into their mock exams and beyond. Miss S Renn

Following a lunch break was a lecture on love in poetry, with a focus again on Shakespeare, this time his poetry with ideas on Sonnet 116.

Lourdes Pilgrimage

ourdes is an amazing place in the South of France where you can go and feel safe and loved. This year was my first time going to Lourdes as a purple shirt and, to be honest, I never thought I would enjoy it as much as I did. I used to think that Lourdes would just be a place where you just pray all the time, but it is so much more than that. My friend has been going for 8 years and each year she tells me how good it is. She has always encouraged me to go and this year, I decided to go along with another friend - we have never made a better decision! Firstly, the experience itself is amazing. I had never felt the way I did when I went to Lourdes before as you really feel the connection you have with God getting stronger. The friendships you make in Lourdes are like no other because it is somewhere you can bond with the power of God. Ever since I went to Lourdes, last summer, I have kept in touch with all of the Purple Shirts and we have met up many times since

we came back. In Lourdes, you spend around a week helping people visit the small town of Lourdes that wouldn’t be able to do it without your help. Some of the people you help might have had a difficult life having not been able to do certain things. By going to Lourdes, you can give some of the people you meet so much hope and they are so grateful for you to be there. Personally, my experience was extraordinary because I was in the Purple Shirt group and we bonded from the very first day. We had never met any of them before but we all bonded almost immediately; we had a connection. The way we all helped each other every day with almost everything was like never before and I loved every minute of it. I also loved that I was able to help people that wouldn’t normally be able to have an experience like this without my help and hearing all of the stories they told me. I am looking forward to going next year and seeing all the people there that

I saw this year and giving new people the hope that they wouldn’t have in their normal lives. Finally, I would like to encourage you to come to Lourdes this year because you will feel a way you have never felt before in the best way possible. Lourdes changes people in ways you can’t even imagine. It is also the 50 year anniversary of the A&B Pilgrimage

and the 20 year anniversary for the Red Shirts so it would be so appreciated if you could come along and celebrate this with the rest of the pilgrimage. Lourdes has been by far one of the most incredible experiences of my life and I am sure that you would love it too! By Isabella Genuardi

Tintern Abbey

n the 29th of September 2023, our Year 11 History class left for our trip to Wales. On this trip we visited Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle. We first visited the Abbey, where we saw what was left of the Abbey after it was destroyed by King Henry VIII in 1536, following his leave from the Catholic Church. The Abbey was both massive and beautiful, with many intriguing facts and a good silhouette of the original abbey. Whilst discovering the Abbey we saw a chicken just running across the floor, it was quite funny and it is quite ironic as it was seen as a religious animal back in those times. After we finished visiting the Abbey we ate lunch and went to see Chepstow Castle. It was huge! We entered the castle through a massive gateway and crossed a small bridge that was over a massive river that was used for transport. We saw the courtyard that would be used as a kitchen and then went up into the castle

and started exploring it. After we finished exploring it, we went back into the main area where there was a big yard and some rooms surrounding it. We explored it a bit more and climbed up our towers and then went to the small shop in the castles to get some souvenirs. I got a small shield. That concluded our History Trip to Wales. The trip was very fun and informative and definitely helped visualise with what we were learning. By Mat Szemanda

MADRID (#)#"#%*# GCSE LANGUAGE TRIP

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uring October 2023, thirty Year 10 and Year 11 students travelled to Madrid and Salamanca for their GCSE Spanish study trip to sample Spanish daily life, practise their conversation skills and gain some unforgettable cultural experiences. For some students, this was their first visit to Spain; a remarkable first day visit to the futuristic Santiago Bernabéu stadium, the home of Real Madrid, and its stunning trophy room, set the tone for an aweinspiring trip. Then onto Salamanca for a busy few days of intensive language classes in the morning, followed by cultural activities in the afternoon. Salsa dancing lessons, city walking tours and visits to the local decorative arts museum were enjoyed by all. Meanwhile, an evening visit to a local tapas restaurant, tasting local dishes whilst listening to a

live Tuna music group was the highlight for many. The sight of students dancing and singing with the live music band provided many with unforgettable Spanish cultural experiences. Despite the wet and changeable weather, spirits were always kept high with lots of stories and anecdotes from students’ encounters. It was also such a pleasure to see so many students embracing the local Spanish culture and trying their best to practise their spoken Spanish in role play conversations! A particular highlight was ordering hot chocolate and churros in a café one evening – a great way to end a cold and memorable day. Students commented that they appreciated having plenty of free time to explore the local shops and sights which helped build their confidence, independence and resilience. During

the weekend, day trips to the walled town of Avila and historical Segovia with its aqueduct and narrow streets gave students more opportunities to practise their Spanish when buying souvenirs and sampling local street life. The feedback from all students was overwhelmingly positive – many came back with a taste for Spain and its food and couldn’t wait to return. For others, it was making new friends and sharing common languages experiences in a new culture. At the end of an intensive five day trip, every student had a different Spanish story to tell and would recommend this study trip to others in future years. By Mr Czepukojc

n the 1st of December, we travelled to London, excited for the day ahead. As we made our way to our destination, we saw the famous London landmarks and the newly decorated Christmas streets. We arrived at the Emmanuel Centre ready to hear the first speaker who was a product designer. He talked through his many successes, but also his many failures, teaching us that success can only occur if we make mistakes and learn from them. In his career he had created many products, one of which was a donut shaped soap that could be hung on a peg next to the sink, as to not leave soapy residue on the surface. The second speaker spoke about the use of AI in building design and architecture. He uses AI generated images to help develop concepts that can later be developed into real blueprints and ideas. The afternoon consisted of an exciting workshop with the opportunity to work in groups and utilise our design skills. We created a product using three sheets of A4 paper and 10cm of masking tape. This product had to act as a tennis ball holder for a dog, with consideration given to the weight of the ball and the height of the design. The activity was engaging and challenging due to the demanding brief and short time frame. We all really enjoyed this workshop and working together in teams to invent the best possible solutions.

The third speaker had worked with huge brands such as LEGO and Dyson, employed as an engineer and a product designer. He also featured on the BBC’s “Big Little Fix” show. One of his most notable

projects was creating an alternative device for a onehanded hairdresser, changing the hairdresser’s life and making his career dreams come true. We all felt inspired and saw how design can impact people’s lives. The final speaker used smart, conductive materials to creative interactive artwork. Pottery and metals were used to make touch-sensitive pieces which made sounds as you interacted with them. Much of her work can be found in museums across the globe and can be identified by its abstract interactive features. We learnt about paths into the design industry and where our interests could take us in the future. The designers’ stories were inspiring and will support us in our future educational and career choices. By Charlotte Nicholl, Year 12

n Thursday 7th November, SJB welcomed Corporal Jay Fryer to school to speak to our Year 9 and Year 10 students about the vast range of future career roles and apprenticeships in the British Army. During a series of highly engaging and passionate 45 minutes presentations, students listened attentively to the different pathways available to them, from infantry roles to musicians, as well as the range of funding available for apprenticeships and degrees. Officer training and the Army Foundation College were also hot topics and enthusiastic students were keen to speak with Cpl. Fryer afterwards to ask their own Army career questions. Weekly “Employer Encounters”, such as our recent Army visit, and keynote speakers from Apprenticeship training providers for our Year 11-13 students form a critical part of our PSHE Careers Programme to light fires with student curiosity in their career decision making. We look forward to future visits from Samsung and other local employers in the Spring term. Similarly, we are always looking for parent speakers to visit and engage our students during assemblies about their current role and career as well as work experience across all backgrounds and sectors. If you would be interested to take part and feel that you could help, please email r.czepukojc@sjb.surrey.sch.uk for an initial conversation. Meanwhile, in our Sixth Form, Year 13 students

took part in our Mock Interview Evenings during November and December. Facing an interview panel of local employers, Year 13 students were individually put through their paces on their personal statement and interview techniques. Despite many students feeling apprehensive, many came out smiling and regarded the process as an excellent preparation for forthcoming university and job interviews. Thank you to Mrs. Drury for organising and running these outstanding interview evenings. Sixth Form students have also benefited this term from regular careers workshops and Key Skills presentations from local employers, including Proctor and Gamble and Samsung. Elsewhere in school, in keeping with our commitment to provide our students with outstanding careers guidance and tailored support when choosing their next steps after school and Sixth Form, we have been making more use of “Unifrog” in PSHE Careers lessons; an award-winning, online destinations platform. All students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 now have access to this website. Each student has their own account where they can explore all the career and next step options available to them and find information on everything from managing their workload to writing a winning CV. A reminder that parents and carers can also have their own Unifrog account. You can research careers, attend webinars delivered by employers and universities to learn more about their opportunities, and compare pathways so you can support your child in making an informed decision about their next steps. To request access, please email: r.czepukojc@ sjb.surrey.sch.uk Finally, please do visit the updated Careers pages on our school website - a wealth of information from Local Market Information to Apprenticeships and upcoming events is at your fingertips to help parents and students with making informed choices about next steps. By Mr. Czepukojc

Berlin Year 11 History Trip 25

uring October half term, 31 of our Year 11 history students went to Berlin. This was to support all the knowledge they learnt in their second unit about the Cold War. We even got to see things that we learnt about in our Year 9 Nazi Germany topic, such as the Reichstag. This really helped to enrich what we knew already about Berlin and its role during the Cold War. Day one was an early start but also a day jam packed with fun! Our day started as soon as we got off the plane, heading to our accomoation and then straight to the Brandenburg Gate. At the Brandenburg Gate we got a chance to try some German delicacies, including a cheesy pretzel. Our first activity was a two-hour walking tour which took us round the main viewpoints and things to see in Berlin. We looked at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Hitler’s bunker (which is now a car park!), the remainders of the Berlin Wall, then ending at Checkpoint Charlie. Although not the original checkpoint, it was great to see how soldiers would travel between East and West Berlin. The Topography of Terror gave us an insight into how the Terror State worked, looking at documents archived and kept safe from groups such as the Gestapo. We ended our busy, but fun day, at the Reichstag where we were able to go to the top and look over Berlin which was bright with lights. We had an early start on day 2, visiting various places of importance! We first visited the Palace of Tears, which originally was a train station for average

Berliners to go through. They even had the original passport control corridor that they used whilst the Berlin Wall was in place. Next, we visited the Berlin Wall memorial, which stretches 1.4km of the former border strip. This is where we took an opportunity for some photos. After lunch, we visited the DDR whose exhibition depicts life in the former East Germany in a direct “hands-on” way. We particularly liked the life in a tower block exhibition, which was interactive! We ended our activities by walking down the East Side Gallery, seeing an art exhibition which was commissioned to show life in Berlin whilst the Berlin Wall was up. The art is painted directly onto the few walls remaining of the Berlin Wall. We ended the day with some shopping and a very competitive game of bowling. On our last day, we visited the Jewish Museum where we got to see left over items from Jewish German citizens. This went as far as their letters to their candlesticks. The museum paid tribute to the millions of Jews persecuted, one which we feel they did in a pertinent and sensitive way. We also got to visit the Markthalle Neun to eat for lunch, which was a huge marketplace with different food stalls. It gave us the opportunity to eat food from different cultures, all in one place! Overall, the trip was a great experience and one where we could see our history lessons coming to life! We would recommend any GCSE history student to go, as we found it a fun and insightful experience! By Miss Duke

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he PE department has been blown away by the huge numbers we’ve had attending clubs this term. It’s amazing to see such a vast amount of our SJB community taking the opportunity to be physically active before, during and after school hours. We’ve seen volleyball, basketball, climbing, trampolining, netball, football, rugby, archery tag, indoor cricket and fitness club this term. With the new lunch sports, we’ve seen high numbers taking the opportunity to play at lunch by simply bringing trainers along. A brief roundup on our core and additional sports

Girls Basketball This year sees our biggest intake of girls for the school basketball team! Our Year 7s have been particularly impressive with their dedication week on week. We had such a good turnout we were able to take two teams to the district tournament. The girls have been working tirelessly on their dribbling and lay ups. Our amazing Year 10 coaches, Oskar, George and Alban have been crucial in officiating their games in practice. Their effort really paid off in the first round of tournaments. Recently in the district tournaments Year 8 came 2nd and Year 9 came 3rd place.

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Girls Football The Lionesses certainly set the standard during the summer holidays and the SJB girls have lived up to that showing an amorous amount of pride when training and representing the school this term. We’ve been so impressed with the commitment to training and eagerness to learn and work hard. The Year 7 girls have had a steaming start to the season winning both league games and placing 3rd in the District 6-a-side tournament. The girls have been playing some beautiful football and I look forward to

seeing what is to come next term. They won team of the term in their year group for the Sports awards assembly, go girls! Year 8&9 have had a tougher start to the season losing both league games but did themselves really proud at the District 6 a side tournament placing 5th out of 9. Keep pushing and training hard and we will see the results in the new year. Year 10&11 are reunited once again to make a strong side. Winning their first league game comfortably and placing 5th in the District 6-a- side tournament we can see they are creating a supportive cohesive team. They will hit the ground running in the new year when they play against Winston on 9th January.

Netball Netball started with a BANG in September with over 100 girls turning up to train regularly. These ladies have been committed members of the club. We are also really grateful to our Year 11 helpers who help to make our netball club run smoothly and get the most out of our teams. Thank you to Izzy, Natalie and Ciara! Our new Year 7 ladies have now all had the opportunity to represent the school in their first netball fixture. They’ve made a great start to their SJB sporting career and had a convincing win against Hoe Valley in their league game. The Year 8 and Year 9 squads have currently gone unbeaten in all their games. What an impressive start to the season, let’s keep it up going into the new year. Year 10 had a challenging start to the season against Woking High and Salesian but are bringing it back with more games to play next term. Year 11 represented the school in the best light,

coming 5th in the District tournament. The girls really did themselves proud and went onto win their next friendly match against BDB who we drew with last season, great progression. Onto Sixth Form netball; who are competing in the Surrey Sixth Form League. We have a talented squad of 13 students and have started the season strong with a comfortable win against Salesian School (258). Our latest game brought the girls resilience and determination against Reigate College. The team found themselves behind after every quarter, until a surprising turn of events led to a win (31-19). A massive thank you has to be said to Lillie who has been working behind the scenes to order some netball dresses sorted for the squad.

Additional Sports Alongside our core sports we’ve also seen a lot of action in climbing, archery tag, trampolining, girls fitness, volleyball and girls indoor cricket. All clubs have had a great turn out. Some special mentions must go to our amazing sixth form helpers for volleyball club (Giulia, Yzabella, Kirsten, Zach, Deon, Peter, Vincent, Mogen and Royce)! They have been dedicated coaches and have been hugely influential in the development of the student’s confidence and technical ability. The KS4 and 5 students had their first EVER volleyball game on the 6th December against Salesian School. The U13 girls have competed in the Lady Tavener cricket competition and go through to the plate finals.

Boys Football This has been a super positive start for Year 7 with over 50 boys attending club each week, which makes picking a team of 9 very difficult as competition is very high. We have played three of our league games so far, winning one and losing two, but the performance wasn’t worthy of a defeat so fingers crossed in the new year we will be able to be on the right side of the result a few more times. A highlight was a 6-0 win against Hoe Valley where we played some great passing football to create many opportunities to score. Year 8 have made a solid start to their campaign this year. They have developed as a team enormously

since Year 7 and we are very excited by their potential for the rest of the year. Year 9 won one game in the National Cup and have shown great enthusiasm and have had high numbers in training each week. They’ve had a mixed start to the season, but we will push on after Christmas and hope to finish replicating last season when they won the district football title at Woking FC. Year 10 have been incredibly committed to training this term. The B team have won both of their games and even beat BDB’s first team. There have been great performances from both A&B teams. There was an exceptional turnout of both Year 12 and 13 students at trials back in September, which meant it was very difficult to select a team. Since then, the team has been building a strong team spirit and has won 3 games, drew 3 very close contests which on another day could have all been won, and lost one fixture. The boys put on consistently good performances, but it has been Bartek and Ethan who have stood out with a number of excellent performances. Watch this space with many more fixtures to come in the new year.

Boys Basketball

Rugby

Year 7 showed the district they are the team to beat. In their recent tournament the A team came 1st and the B team came 5th. A special shout out to Carol, JT, Dela, Ryan and Andrew for their amazing refereeing which was commented on by other PE teachers in the district. The Year 7 team have been entered into the Jr NBA competition and beat both schools in their first round. The Year 8 boys are another team who have made a fantastic start to the year achieving second place in the first round of district tournaments, but narrowly lost to Woking High in the final. The Year 8 team have also been entered into the Jr NBA competition and beat both Winston and Bohunt school. Bring on the new year. Year 10 are in the district league and have started their campaign strongly. There are many more games to play for when the new year comes.

Although there have been a small number of girls attending the club, they have been committed every week and have loved every session. We hope they will be more girls wanting to play next term so we can organise some fixtures.

The Sixth Form Basketball Team have made a positive start to the season. Although being on the wrong end of some results we hope the new year brings about more positive outcomes. They’ve lost 4 and won 1, but the points difference shows how close it was. They’ve scored a total of 268 points and conceded 265. The highlight of the season so far was the game against Godalming, where we were trailing by 12 points in the third quarter and scored with the last shot of the game to tie the game. In the final play of the second overtime period, we were down by 1 point with 15 seconds to go, a time out was called, and our plan was created. Unfortunately, it wasn’t executed, and Godalming stole the ball and won the game.

Numbers have been hard to come by for Year 7 boys rugby, but we managed to get a squad together to enter the Chobham tournament where we were undefeated and hopefully rugby will now go from strength to strength for year 7. They won all of their games, a great result. At the Chobham District Tournament the Year 9 boys saw the elements were against them with boggy pitches and harsh weather, but they worked hard in all 4 of their games. Our main area of attack was sending our big hitters up through the middle of the defensive line, which worked more efficiently against some teams than others! Our back line held their depth well in all games and they realised that passing the ball wide and running the ball into the space would pay off! With a selection of well worked tries in all of their games, the boys should be really proud of their performance. The Year 10 boys have managed to attend two tournaments this academic year so far. There were four schools at the district tournament where we won 2 games and lost 1. The boys grew as they played, adapting their game to an offload style which brought more success. In November we welcomed new recruits and won 3 games and lost 1. The boys played some outstanding flowing rugby which was a pleasure to watch. By Miss Jeppeson

Graphic Novel

& Scholastic Book Fair This half term, we have been lucky enough to have two book fairs come to SJB! First, we had the Scholastic book fair in the hub and it was very exciting and very interesting as I was able to view books that had exciting storylines and interesting styles of writing. They had many different genres, of which many I liked, some of these including, murder mystery and non fiction. I think it would be helpful and beneficial for more schools to have book fairs as it can show children different genres of writing that they otherwise would not have found or even read! Another thing that is great about book fairs, is that even though I didn’t buy a book, I am definitely going to get one I saw for Christmas. I really like the book fairs at SJB and I can’t wait for the next one.

I couldn’t wait to see what kind of new stories I would discover with the luxury of having books with amazing artwork that perfectly describe what you are reading. When I got there I saw tables covered with graphic novels/Manga right in front of me, with an array of eye-catching covers that whispered into my ear; “I know you want to buy me! Why don’t you?”. Me and my friends fell head over heels at the pure sight of all the books and I treated myself to a whole series! Everyone was having a great time and people were helping newcomers to graphic novels and Manga, to find the perfect book for them at a bargain price. So I would say to anyone who doesn’t like longer books which are hard to read: get a graphic novel, maybe at the next book fair led by the Lionheart book shop!

We also had a Manga and graphic novel book fair run by The Lionheart Bookshop. I was ecstatic when I first heard the words graphic novel book fair because

By: Benedito DeCruz, Claudia Sohl & Raf Acuna Anscomb

SJB

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Think for yourself, be independent Collaborate with others Challenge yourself, don’t give up Curious and creative Participate fully Positive attitude Try your best to improve

s you will all be aware, at SJB rewarding the students for all of the great things they do day in, day out is hugely important to us. This term as always has given us lots of opportunity to reward students for all of the excellent things they do. A particular mention needs to go to Alicia Dorrington (Year 8) who has the most house points of anyone in the entire school during this term! This term also brought the very first SJB Headteachers Reward Breakfast. Two students per year group were nominated by their Head of Years for always demonstrating the SJB core values of Respect, Aspire, Integrity, Love and Service each and every day. The students were treated to a smoked salmon and scrambled egg breakfast, with pastries and fresh fruit juice to celebrate their successes with Mr Granville Hamshar and members of the school Leadership

Team. Well done to Lana Kenny, Luis Stevens, Ava Jones, Nicolas Sick, Max Canham, Christina Delos Reyes, Jack Cunningham, Oliwia Kania, Chloe Taylor, Luca Lupi, Rebecca Worley, Seb Copeman, Elena Direito, and Josh Croxford. A big thank you to all of the students who have excelled in building up their house point totals this term, keep going and aim for a place on the end of year reward trip! A massive thank you also needs to go to all parents for all that you do in promoting the values SJB holds in such high regard and celebrating the success of our students with us. By Mr Evans

B J S T

his year the Anti-bullying Committee are working incredibly hard to try and raise the visibility of SJB’s anti-bullying stance. So far this year alone, we have started to distribute posters which address the different types of bullying, including cyber-bullying, homophobic bullying, general bullying behaviours, and racial bullying. These are around the school to act as a form of bullying prevention, but also as a reminder for people to follow the school values of love, respect, and integrity. In the new year we plan to print more of these to ensure that these can be seen everywhere around SJB. We are also working hard to try and establish what new things need to be put in place to prevent bullying. Towards the end of last year, 11 students completed the Diana Award Anti-bullying Ambassador Training so that they could become ambassadors for the school. Now, they are working towards their community award. To do this, they will be working with the wider SJB community and local primary schools and care homes to spread the message and sense of community support whilst also delivering their anti-bullying message. This term we also had a talk from the charity ‘Stand Against Violence’ who came in to speak to Year 7, 8, and 9. They spoke to students about the importance of being kind to one another and the consequences of bullying behaviours. Students were encouraged to be upstanders, rather than standing by and watching unkind behaviours. This is a message that we all intend to push this year! In the spirit of kindness and preparing ourselves for advent, KS3 also completed thank a friend postcard, kindly designed by a Year 8 student, to thank their friends for their support and their kindness. We intend to make this act of kindness a regular thing so that kindness in everyday school life becomes a habit! We also had some funky socks on show for odd sock day! These showed that

everybody is different, and we should celebrate this. In Years 10-13, all students completed a petal in which they wrote kind words, quotes about bullying and never giving up. This will be made into a piece of artwork to display for all to see as a reminder. Regular discussion points regarding bullying have also been added to form time, this makes discussions about anti-bullying a regular occurrence for all students, understanding that bullying is not just a school issue!! A student recently said “At SJB, bullying is taken very seriously. Our teachers always keep an eye out for anything that might be going on so that they can then investigate both sides. They make sure that the situation is dealt with in an appropriate manner and the consequences are delivered. Teachers also realise that there can be other issues that cause problems, working not only with the victim but also the bully too so that the source of the bullying can stop.” The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) has been a transformative experience for the year 10’s who have had a very busy term starting the 4 necessary components, which are fitness training, volunteering, and improving their culinary skills.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

ahatma Gandhi once said “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Imagine for a moment, a world where everyone selflessly serves one another, where kindness and compassion are our guiding principles. This is the world that Gandhi envisioned. Gandhi, a man of peace and wisdom, believed that the path to self-discovery and fulfilment lies in serving others. He found himself by losing himself in service. He was not alone in this belief. Our own Catholic tradition teaches us the importance of service. In the Bible, Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

school events; the list goes on.

When we give to others, when we offer our time, skills, and kindness we discover our true selves. Service helps us connect and find purpose. It shouldn’t be something that you hate doing; you don’t have to engage in volunteer activities that make you miserable, because misery is contagious – you need to find something that you love doing! There are lots of different ways that our students can and do serve our community every day. They mentor younger students; they raise money for charity; they provide goods for hampers at Christmas; they advocate and raise awareness of important issues; they volunteer at local primary schools and nursing homes; they take prospective parents and visitors on tour; they help interview prospective teachers, they help at

1. Take pride in their role and act as role models.

Earlier this term we launched the new Student Council and 2023-24 Student Committees. These provide all students with an opportunity to share their views and offer the School Leadership Team advice and guidance. They help ensure that everyone is kept up-to-date and feels involved with decisions that are made; and they enable everyone to take action and to help lead change. Two Form Reps from every Tutor Group have been elected to represent their peers and sit on the Student Council. These Form Reps:

2. Gather the views and opinions of their Tutor Group ready to feedback to their Year Reps and the Head of Year. 3. Meet with their Head of Year at least once a half term to provide feedback and raise key issues affecting the year group (in a scheduled Year Meeting) From this group of 112 students, Year Reps have been elected by their peers to sit on the Student Leadership Team and meet periodically with Miss Dwyer and Mr Granville Hamshar.

Alongside this we have nine different Committees that the students can join – these are action teams that work with a member of staff to lead change within the school. The Committees for 2023-24 are:

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Anti-bullying Apple Ambassadors Chaplaincy Charity Diversity Environment House Learning & Teaching Wellbeing

There’ll be more information next term about what these committees have been up to!

Year 7 Form Reps

Year 8 Form Reps

Ellie Catania Noah Kenny Ellie Sheppard Gregory Phillips Ivana Stephen Alex Palacios Lana Kenny Noah Turnbull Giovanna Lima Morgan Wilson Luis Stevens Juliette Clark Myla Cann Dominik Szeghalmi Isobel Newman William Carnell

Lucas Arfield Ava Jones Luke Cheyne Nicole Akowe Ryan Williams Sofia Pugliese Julian Buchling Olivia Chiduza Daniel Nakha Ratnam Charlotte Frankland Rafael Acuna Anscomb Livia Joseph Francesca Johnson Deon Dominic Benjamin Cavenham Alicia Dorrington

Year 9 Form Reps

Year 10 Form Reps

Gideon Faller Millie Birkett Henry Hutchinson Christina Delos Reyes Darragh King Sophia Sole Timothy Heron Maria Phillips Patrick Healy Emmy Bell Cruz Stokes Sophie Boylan Ramona Ugowe Mark Willmott Evalyn Wills Sebastian Batorski

Rafferty Miro Sophia Kavanagh-Hall Jack Cunningham Ella Branson Medha Mallavarapu Otto Allison Ellen Lo Seb Fogarty Ben Downie Tabitha Ezzard Maximilian Watt Isabella Iannelli Loraine Labitag Emilio Fazzone Serena Blanco Montes Marco Vanotti

Year 11 Form Reps

Sixth Form Reps

Daniel Picone Daniel Alestrand Zuzanna Kulpa Jade Addo Oscar Bamuleete-Stapel Vincent Hennessy-Gibbs Vicky Mckenzie Temiloluwa Awojobi Oliver Morgan Elena Direito Elise Loader Francesca Okon Hazel Bruce Will Connatty Isaac Dommett Isabella Briley Philomena Teta Nabiel Yonas Liam Trinidad Alicia Manrique Jess Correia Darragh Murray Boris Bogdyuk Sophie Beardmore Erin Bates Shea Mitchell Antonio Carannante Isabella Wright Gianluca Squitieri Samuel Taylor Ryza Erin Panugot Julia Bidas Josh Croxford Giulia Robert Alex

PSHE/RSE Survey

he first job of the Form Reps was to conduct a tutor group survey on the PSHE and RSE curriculum. The student feedback is invaluable to us and is a fantastic way for Mrs Kern and the teaching team to improve our provision for all students. The Form Reps led a discussion and then invited all the students to complete an individual survey; over 95% of the student body responded to the survey which is phenomenal! Some of the key findings are below: 89% of students believe that the topics covered in PSHE lessons are important for young people to learn. 83% of students feel able to share their ideas and opinions in PSHE lessons. 92% of students know where to go and who to speak to if they need support before/during/after PSHE lessons. Students indicated that they would like more “Careers” and “Economics, Finance and E-safety” lessons built into the curriculum. Mrs Kern will be taking on board all the feedback received from the students, parents and staff and using it to develop the curriculum offer over the coming weeks and months. Thank you all for your support. By Miss Dwyer

Duke of Edinburgh

Award

The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) has been a transformative experience for the Year 10s who are studying it as one of their KS4 options. They have had a very busy term starting the 4 necessary components, which are fitness training, volunteering, and improving their culinary skills. Fitness Training: The students have enjoyed their fitness training in the school gym. The focus has been on enhancing their physical endurance, strength, and overall well-being. The participants demonstrated commitment and perseverance during their gym sessions, with improvements in their fitness levels starting to take shape. Volunteering with Surrey Wildlife: As part of the volunteering component, the students collaborated with the Surrey Wildlife Trust to contribute to environmental conservation efforts. We spent a lovely sunny November day clearing the heath by chopping down trees; a physically demanding and environmentally beneficial activity. The students

demonstrated a strong sense of responsibility and teamwork while actively participating in the preservation of the local ecosystem. Culinary Skills Development: Cooking skills are another essential aspect of the DofE programme. The students engaged in preparing a variety of meals, including spaghetti bolognese and gingerbread. These culinary activities instill a sense of independence and self-sufficiency in the participants. The cooking sessions also provide an opportunity for the students to bond and collaborate while acquiring valuable life skills. Physical Challenge: A significant highlight of the programme has been the physical challenges – 5km walks. The participants explored the outdoors, promoting physical fitness and mental well-being. The walks allowed the students to connect with nature, building resilience and perseverance as they completed the designated routes. Well done everyone, can’t wait until next term! Mrs McNeil and Mr Birch

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