Talbot Heath Connect Newsletter Sept 2018

Full STEAM ahead!

TA L B OT H E AT H SCHOOL, K E E P I N G YO U I N F O R M E D.

Dear Pupils, Parents and Staff, I hope that you and your families enjoyed the glorious summer and are still holding onto that ‘glow.’

Talbot Heath has had the busiest summer period since I took on the role of Head eight years ago.

I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the progress that has been made and the exciting initiatives that we will be launching this year.

Our Design Hub build continues apace with floors, roofs and walls taking shape. It is tremendously exciting to see the vision becoming a reality. Pupils from every age group will be shown the site to spark their imaginations and plant those seeds of creativity.

Junior School has been transformed with a brand new combined Pre-prep and Junior Department

library, repainted staircases, new cloakrooms, a new joint staffroom and office spaces. In addition, we have started our phased programme of window replacement.

Additionally, we have a new roof on the sports hall, new windows and doors in our Food and Textiles block and the foundation for the lift that we are installing in the main building.

Our grounds team have done a fantastic job, pruning, planting and trimming throughout the summer to ensure that our beautiful site is looking its best.

I would like to welcome all who are joining us this September- staff, pupils and parents, and assure them that a warm reception awaits.

We are raring to go and embrace the new academic year, aiming to fly further and higher than ever before.

Wishing you and your daughters a very happy and successful term. Warm regards Angharad Holloway

THE BEST IN DORSET We were delighted with our public exam results.

The hard work and commitment of our staff and pupils was evident in the superb results achieved at GCSE and A level.

The expertise and dedication of staff, our nurturing and positive learning environment, combined with motivated and diligent pupils, resulted in the best A level results in Dorset.

Our pupils and staff had worked closely together to rise to the challenges of the new specifications, and were thrilled with the results of their efforts.

At GCSE 34% of all grades were at level 8 or 9 (the equivalent to an A*), 60 % of all grades were a level 7 or above ( A-A*).

At A level, 22% of all grades, including the Extended Project Qualification, were at A*, 54% were A*-A, 81% were A*-B. Our overall pass rate was 100%, with 100% of pupils attaining their chosen university place, including our many applicants for Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. It was an absolute pleasure to share in their joy on results’ day, having prepared them to take their next step into the world of Higher Education and work.

Run for Rwanda MEET BRUNO

October 6th/7th will see a huge team of TH pupils, staff and parents taking part in the Bournemouth Running Festival to raise funds for our partner school in Rwanda. The 5k is always popular and is good fun! Sign up here www.bournemouthmarathon.com/ If you would like to donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/RUNFORR WANDA2018

THIS IS HIS ONLY TOY

We are also looking to set up a whole school committee to support the fundraising efforts. Please contact Madame Klemz if you would like to get involved in any of the projects or help with the committee.

Bruno, and many children like him, will be so grateful.

A level girls, jump for joy!

Connect

Hold on to the glow!

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Welcome to team THe team!

1) ANDREW MORRIS HEAD OF DESIGN Prior to teaching I have worked in construction, achieved a first class degree in Furniture Design BA (Hons) and worked as a cabinet maker. I relish creative design challenges and I became a teacher because I am passionate about enabling, equipping and enthusing future generations in the design field. In today’s world there has never been a more important time to educate children about the importance of STEAM in their lives as society seeks an increasingly technologically advanced future. I have a wide range of teaching experience having taught DT for a decade in a mainstream secondary (also as Assistant Head of Sixth Form for the latter years), and most recently leading DT, ICT and STEM at a special school.

Outside of school I love to spend time with my wife and our two children. I also enjoy designing and making in my home workshop, playing the drums for my church, learning the guitar, cycling, cooking and eating Italian food, listening to music and going on holiday!

2) CEREANGEL URBANEJA LANGUAGE TEACHER Hi! I am Mrs Urbaneja and I am originally from Venezuela. I speak four languages, including Spanish, Portuguese and French.

I taught in Spain for two years. I am passionate about languages and how they can bring down barriers between people and different cultures. It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to explore beyond

our own comfort zone. My interests include sports (mainly volleyball) and Latin dancing. I also play the piano and sing at church choir or wherever I am asked to do so. I am looking forward to being able to share what I have learned so far with the girls at Talbot Heath School.

3) CHARLOTTE JONES CLASSICS & U41P Form teacher I studied a BA in Ancient History and an MA in the City of Rome at Reading University and, since graduating, I have gained 8 years experience teaching Latin at Bournemouth School. I am very passionate about Classics, especially the study of early Roman history and I enjoy infusing others with the same zeal for the ancient world even my 16 month old daughter has access to a 'Baby's First Latin' book! In my spare time I like cycling and running in the New Forest, but I can also often be found with my feet up reading the latest Lindsey Davis novel!

4) IVAN NICHOL HISTORY TEACHER Mr Nicholl holds a BA (Hons) degree and MA in History having previously taught in Bishop Wordsworth Grammar School in Salisbury. Prior to working in education, Mr Nicholl held senior management positions for two multinational companies and ran a successful international property business.

He encourages independent and critical thinking in the classroom and is always attempting to adapt and incorporate new methodologies into lessons to help inspire

and motivate students to achieve their full potential. Outside of history and politics, Mr Nicholl’s interests include football, rugby and tennis and (being Irish), he enjoys nothing more than a good debate!

5) LAETITIA SHOPLAND LANGUAGE TEACHER I am a French national. I hold a PGCE in Modern Foreign Languages. I have been teaching French in England for 22 years. I have worked at Corfe Hills School for the last 16 years.

I am committed to providing a stimulating learning environment by using a full range of methodologies and resources in my classroom. The students are provided with a good range of challenging activities.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling, reading and I have recently taken up running.

6) STACEY EDWARDS MATHS TEACHER Mrs Edwards graduated from the University of Warwick with a BSc Honours degree in Economics. She has taught Mathematics for 10 years at Avonbourne College in Bournemouth, specialising in A Level Maths and Further Maths in the more recent years. She is now married and has two young children. Mrs Edwards is thrilled to join the TH team and excited for her years ahead.

7) MARINE VANCO LANGUAGE TEACHER Miss Vanco received her BA in English

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13 Literature, Language and Civilisation from the Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis in France. She is a native French speaker and took great pleasure in studying French and English, as well as Italian and Portuguese at school. Growing up in Monte-Carlo, she is used to an international community and strives to include this open-minded perspective into the classroom. She aims to create innovative and inspiring lessons, often using ICT, and is thrilled to join the dynamic MFL team at Talbot Heath School.

In her free time, Miss Vanco is passionate about dance, reading and cinema. She develops her artistic fibre through performing as well as watching classical and modern ballets. She has been part of an African dance company for the last eight years and has used this experience to lead dance workshops at school.

8) CLAIRE OKUSANYA JUNIOR SCHOOL CLASSROOM ASST. My love of school started when I came to Talbot Heath at the age of 11, and it’s really true what they say ‘school days are the best days of your life’ I have previously worked in a couple of different positions, all of which, I felt unfulfilled in. This led me to a career in education. I am currently just finishing off a BA honours degree in Arts and humanities, which I have been studying part-time, as I also have 3 of my own children and a cat. I completed my TA course at Henbury View first school, whilst working in Reception, Year 1, Year 3 and Year 4.When I do get any spare time, I love reading and anything to do with arts and crafts. Now I’ve joined Talbot Heath, I feel I’ve finally come back home. It’s a fantastic place to be, whether you’re a pupil or a staff member and it’s definitely as good as it was all those years ago!

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9) SCOTT McDONALD CLASSICS (maternity cover) Passionate about the 4 Cs- Classics, Classical Russian Music, cricket and cars (sometimes in reverse order).

10) MICHELLE PALMER LEARNING SUPPORT Michelle is a new addition to Talbot Heath as a peripatetic teacher. I studied a BA in Ancient History and an MA in the City of Rome at Reading University and, since graduating, I have gained 8 years experience teaching Latin at Bournemouth School. I am very passionate about Classics, especially the study of early Roman history and I enjoy infusing others with the same zeal for the ancient world - even my 16 month old daughter has access to a 'Baby's First Latin' book! In my spare time I like cycling and running in the New Forest, but I can also often be found with my feet up reading the latest Lindsey Davis novel!

11) CHARLOTTE COWGIL MATHS TEACHER I moved down to Dorset 14 years ago with my husband and have continued to teach maths in Poole and Bournemouth. The move to Talbot Heath is an exciting one for me; I have only heard positive comments about the school and, from my visits that I have made since getting the post, have seen first hand what a truly marvellous place it will be to work. I have already been welcomed into the fold of the maths department, who have shown themselves to be the most dedicated and supportive staff possible. I am raring to take on the role of maths teacher and look forward to guiding students to achieve their potential.

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12) SEAN O’CONNELL FLUTE TEACHER I am a great believer in investing heavily in the youngest players and making learning fun. The age group of 8-12yrs is a goldmine of possibilities and there are constant new challenges, lots of laughs and rapid forward momentum. An earlier job was being an assistant organist at the University Church in Cambridge alongside Jonathan HellyerJones (who was later to become the ‘love interest’ choirmaster in the Stephen Hawking film ‘The Theory of Everything’). I am often to be seen doing sketchy watercolour portraits of friends and players during concerts and masterclasses. These seem to make good presents, judging by reactions.

13) GEMMA ROGERS Y1 TEACHER To me, teaching is acout inspiring excitement and developing curiosity. I am in the privileged position to be a part of the journey which a child goes on, academically but also peronally. I relish the challenge of finding new and creative ways to engage my class in and to enthuse the same passion for learning which I myself have. I enjoy reading, going to the cinema, singing and vintage fashions!

14) JODIE POWELL BOARDING HOUSE Hello, my name is Jodie and I come from a small town in Yorkshire called Filey. I studied events management and tourism at the University of Chester, with a year out working at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I am thoroughly excited and looking forward to this new adventure with the Talbot Heath boarding house team.

15) ROBERT TAYLOR BRASS TEACHER I hold a BA (Hons) degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in Classical Performance, Tenor Trombone.

During my time at Trinity, I formed part of the Performance Operations Crew involved in the logistics and stage management of concerts, shows and classes. I have also worked as a professional musician on cruise ships before moving into the instrumental teaching of trombone and drums.

Talbot Heath Connect, Sept 2018

DREAM TEAM The new Senior Leadership Team in Junior School are definitely not only dreaming, but THINKING BIG and working hard to make the Junior and Pre Prep departments THE BEST they can be! The three new appointments, Mrs Pugh, Head, Mrs Breeze, Assistant Head Academic and Mrs Marks, Assistant Head Pastoral were all dedicated TH teachers and so are now using their deep knowledge and understanding of our school in order to shape and guide the way forward. Together they each bring

vast and varying experience to form a triangle of commitment to, vision over and aspiration for each and every pupil. (As Mrs Breeze, our Maths Lead, pointed out, a triangle is the strongest shape!)

Together, alongside Mrs Pidgley and Mrs Diment from Pre Prep, they will ensure the department not only flourishes, but evolves and adapts for an exciting future, whilst remaining true to all that TH stands for.

Design Curriculum We are delighted to be welcoming Andrew Morris as our new Head of Design this September. Andrew will be teaching pupils across the school from Reception to Sixth form, embedding a curriculum that covers design-thinking, material science, engineering and problem solving. He will be teaching Reception to Year 2 on a fortnightly basis, bringing the principles of design to life in wonderfully creative ways. Junior pupils will be working with him through their CDT, Art and Computing lessons. Upper 3 will all be taught Computer Aided Design, Lower 4 will be able to bring their Dragons’ Dens projects to life and all of Upper 4 will receive a fortnightly ‘STEAM’ lesson. GCSE and A level students will be able to work on a number

of exciting STEM projects, led by Mrs Luke, and will have the opportunity to attend workshops on architecture, design, engineering and material science.

Andrew will be working closely with our partners from Bournemouth University, and the Arts University. We cannot wait for our new Design Hub to open to enable us to let our imaginations fly.

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Dates for your diary!

YMCA Sleep Out This year TH is supporting the YMCA Homelessness Project on 28th September. More details to follow.

We will be hosting an autumnal Festival ‘Nature by Design’ on Fri 9th November this will be an interdisciplinary event for pre prep right through to 6th form.

A wonderful event, set in the woods including a stunning light installation.

The Messiah from Scratch Sat 10th November, we will be attempting to perform "The Messiah" from scratch. There will be a 2 hour rehearsal in the afternoon followed by the 1 hour performance later that day.

All staff, pupils, parents, governors are welcome to come along to watch. If you wish to get involved and be part of the performance, please contact Andy Hill ahill@talbotheath.org The Great Gatsby Our Senior School drama performance this year is the Great Gatsby which takes place at 2pm on 21st November and at 7pm on 22nd and 23rd November. All welcome!

No. 1 in EUROPE! 1500 children from 57 different countries competed in the Junior Division of the prestigious World Scholar’s Cup. Hannah, Ellie and Emilia did extremely well, placed as 5th best writing team in the whole competition and the 1st team from Europe. The team secured a place at the next round of the competition in Yale in November 2018. Amazing!

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