Th 2017 Think BIG newsletter prosp parents Feb 2017 by Talbot Heath School

GETTING PREPARED FOR THE FUTURE We will offer an education that prepares pupils for the future world. The professions may not yet be known. But the skill sets are.

CREATIVE / PROBLEM SOLVING / DIGITALLY PROFICIENT / ADAPTABLE / COLLABORATIVE / INDEPENDENT

THINK BIG Dear Prospective Parents,

Bournemouth, Bournemouth and Southampton universities, pioneering schools and institutes across the globe, as well as local technology companies to provide unique learning opportunities for your daughters that will prepare them for the exciting future they will face.

I write with exciting news of changes and plans for Talbot Heath as we look ahead to 2017/18. We welcome four new members to our Senior Leadership Team who bring with them expertise and experience. I know that they are looking forward to their new positions and will approach their roles with great commitment and energy. Read about them on page 2. You may well have seen our THINK BIG campaign which ties in with our strategic vision for the school looking ahead.While retaining high standards and rigour, Talbot Heath will be introducing a groundbreaking new interdisciplinary approach across the whole school, focussing on the creative and digital arts, as well as STEAM (Science,Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics). We will work in partnership with the Arts University

N E W S

At the heart of the vision lies a new state of the art flexible learning centre which will incorporate a large auditorium, gallery space, studio space for Drama, Art, Textiles, Design Technology, Computing and Robotics, as well as Food and Nutrition. In addition we will be creating a covered swimming pool and linking this facility to our sports hall. Having just received governor approval, the strategic vision is being put into action, with all facilities going live within a two year period.

U P D A T E ,

It is a tremendously exciting time for Talbot Heath School as it grows and develops. We look forward to welcoming you to a launch event about the vision which will take place in the main hall on Wednesday 1st March, 7pm. I hope that you and your daughters will be excited by our vision and the opportunities that it will bring. Talbot Heath was founded with the aim of being liberal, progressive and pioneering. Mary Broad believed in inspiring the girls and preparing them for futures without boundaries. Our THINK BIG vision will ensure that we stay true to our original aim. It is perfectly fitting that we should announce that Talbot Heath has been selected to be an Apple Regional Training Centre at the start of 2017. We will become a lead school in the region with regard to the development of digital learning and proficiency. See page 3.

J A N U A R Y

2 0 1 7

MEET THE NEW SLT INTRODUCING OUR FOUR NEW MEMBERS LIZ PUGH - JUNIOR SCHOOL DEPUTY HEAD I am thrilled and very privileged to have been appointed to the SLT as Deputy Head Junior School. I am passionate about education and see the primary phase as fundamental in shaping a child’s attitude to life and learning. I started my teaching career in 1990. After teaching from Reception to Year 7 in a variety of settings, I joined Talbot Heath as a Year 2 teacher in 2007. After three very enjoyable years I moved into the junior department as Send coordinator, Gifted and Talented coordinator and a Year 5 form tutor. As Deputy Head and Pastoral Lead I see a crucial element of my role as one of support; for Mrs Weber-Spokes, the staff of junior school and of course, the girls. Being a caring, empathetic person I am looking forward to using my skills in the service of

the Talbot Heath community. My role also involves the overseeing of many of the day to day aspects of the junior school and I am excited to be looking at these with a questioning mind, in order to ensure we develop interested, inquisitive and resilient learners who are fully prepared educationally and emotionally for senior school and all the opportunities that offers. Having come to Talbot Heath as a child to swim in our pool, watched my daughter pass through the school, and teaching here for almost ten years, I am committed to treasuring the traditions of TH, whilst having the passion, dedication and drive to help ensure TH remains innovative in order to create confident young women who are able to contribute positively to society.

The TH Senior Leadership Team: Chris Evans, Martin Gibson, Helen Chapleo, Ian Cradick, Gerry Ives Sally Weber-Spokes, Angharad Holloway, Cat Stone, Liz Pugh.

HELEN CHAPLEO, ASSISTANT HEAD TEACHING AND LEARNING 8 years ago I started at Talbot Heath as a teacher of Geography and was promoted to Head of Geography/Humanities the following year. My daughter, Katherine, is in year 4 and is loving her sixth year at the school, having been a pupil since Kindergarten. I have enjoyed seeing Geography grow in popularity in recent years and was consequently extremely proud to collect the Geographical Association's SGQM and Centre of Excellence Awards on behalf of the department last March. In my new role I aim to build on Talbot Heath's strengths, supporting staff in the delivery of new specifications, whilst encouraging reflective practice and effective pedagogy. IAN CRADICK – ASSISTANT HEAD (ACADEMIC MANAGEMENT) My first position of responsibility at Talbot Heath was the Physics Coordinator. This proved to be a highly rewarding role and a post I held with pride. Four years ago I took on the additional responsibility of Examinations Officer which has given me a thorough insight into the whole examining process. My new role as Assistant Head (Academic Management) presents many new and exciting opportunities. I look forward to managing the school’s database system and producing the whole school timetable, meeting the needs of the Junior and Senior Schools. Above all I am delighted to be joining the Senior Leadership Team, working to continue to provide a first class education for our students. MARTIN GIBSON - ASSISTANT HEAD CURRICULUM AND PROGRESS Having been Head of Science for the past 17 years I have become one of the oldtimers of the School. Both my children have spent time at the School with Lucy leaving the Upper 6 last summer. In my new role I am looking at curriculum and progress across the school. In terms of curriculum I shall be looking at provision across the entire school liaising with Junior School, HoFs and other relevant staff. I will be particularly interested to be involved in adapting the curriculum to best suit pupils' needs in an ever-changing world. I have also been tasked with developing interdisciplinary learning to ensure effective teaching and learning across the school and also the development of e-learning as we continue to move into a digital age. In terms of monitoring progress, I am looking to develop a more pupil centred system for tracking the progress of pupils across the entire school

Genius bar pic

Our Digitus Geniuses pictured with Mrs Wakeling and Mrs Maule

This year Talbot Heath is proud to announce some exciting developments in IT, indeed. On the 16th January we launched our Genius Bar. Our Genius Bar is similar to the helpdesks found in Apple stores. This is a designated area in the Senior school where both pupils and staff will be able to receive help and training on a range of topics, related to both iPad and apps. Our specially selected Digital Geniuses will be staffing the the bar and will be trained on using a plethora of essential educational apps. The can be recognised by their distinctive badges. The Digital Geniuses are also available within lessons to assist other pupils and staff and receive special training, equipment and educational visits to help them to fulfil their role. The third application period to apply to become a Digital Genius will be open between 23rd January - 6th February. Pupils need to submit a written application (using the form available on the school intranet live 23rd January), and upload an instructional video on how to use a specific iPad app. Applications will be judged by Mrs Maule (ELearning Manager) and Mr Reidy (Head of ICT) and successful applicants will be announced in assembly w/c 6th February.

Talbot Heath Apple regional training centre Perhaps our most exciting announcement is that we have been selected as an Apple Regional Training Centre! This means that we are one of only a few schools in the UK and the only secondary school in Dorset to receive this accolade. It displays our commitment to pedagogy, sharing best practice and displays our position in the the local community to support, enhance and transform teaching and learning outcomes, both at our school and other schools in the local community.

We look forward to continuing and enhancing our relationship with Apple and local institutions to develop our facilities further to mark our place at the forefront of educational technology and look forward to working with pupils, parents, peers at other institutions and eventually the general public in future.

NEW WEBSITE Our new website will go live this term with the aim of providing pupils, parents and staff with a ‘ one stop shop’ contact and information point that is up to date and captures the variety of life at Talbot Heath. Our combination of heritage, tradition and future vision can be seen in the holographic animations that will be embedded into our new site. We are working on one more of these shots featuring the arts, soon to be released. We hope that you like our website’s new look and format.

LAUNCHING!

In the words of Mary Broad.

LIBERAL, progressive, pioneering

Artist’s impression of our new site development

Event dates for your diaries FRENCH PLAY 24th March, 7-9pm JAMBO AFRICAN Junior School African Production 29th March 2 - 3.30pm 30th March 6 - 7.30pm EASTER FAYRE 31st March, 3.30-5pm FRENCH PLAY Senior School Performance 10th April, 7-9pm JUNIOR SCHOOL SUMMER FETE Fri 26th May, 3-5pm PSS BALL Sat 17th June, 7pm - midnight CARNIVAL OF THE SEA PARADE Sun 25th June, 4pm CHILDREN’S LITERATURE FESTIVAL Sat 1st and Sun 2nd July

tal botheath. org/ cal endar/ 2017-07-01/ Spel l Bound/