Heart of Herts Newsletter October 2012 - The Hertfordshire & Essex ...

T H E H E R T F O R D S H I R E & E S S E X H I G H S C H O O L A N D S C I E N C E C O L L E G E
4 October
2012
H e a r t of H e r t s
Heart
of
Herts
From the Headteacher
Dear Readers,
Welcome to our first of eight newsletters of the
academic year. In particular, I extend a very
warm welcome to students, staff and parents
who are new to Herts & Essex. I am sure you
will enjoy the years ahead as you settle in and
become part of our community. We have a
number of new staff this term, and staff moving
to new posts as follows:
Mr Brian Carroll Science
Mr Darrell Chart Faculty Leader:
English & Media
Mrs Emily Church Science/Chemistry
Mrs Lydia Dean Faculty Leader: MFL
Mr James French Faculty Leader: CEA
Mrs Nicola Horn Science/Physics
Miss Sophie Jordan Office Assistant
Mr Thomas Thwaite ICT Technician
Miss Charlotte Pennell Learning Support
Assistant
Mr James Powell Latin & Classical
Civilisation
Miss Joanne Watson Mathematics
New Posts
Mrs Claudia Charles Year Leader: Year 9
Miss Leah Dixon Year Leader: Year 8
Mrs Lucy Gray Communications
Officer
Mrs Sally House Assistant
Headteacher: KS3
Mrs Joanna Jurd Year Leader: Year 7
Mrs Sarita Mistry Careers Co-ordinator
Dr Ellen Leggate AG&T Co-ordinator:
Science/Whole
School
Mrs Nicola Palmer Learning Support
Assistant
Mrs Melanie Seward Assistant
Headteacher: KS4
Mrs Dee Whittock DofE Co-ordinator
Bronze
Mrs Susan Woodbridge MFL
We were delighted in August with our students’
examinations results. Year 11 achieved recordbreaking
outcomes, with more students than
ever attaining all A/A* grades, placing us again in
top position locally and in a very high position
nationally. At A Level, results were the best ever
achieved in the school by far, enabling even
greater success for students in relation to gaining
the prestigious Russell Group/1994 Group
University places. We are incredibly proud of our
students’ wonderful achievements.
You will undoubtedly be aware of the news this
term with regard to our potential move to a new
site; we are relieved that the wait is over and we
now know that we shall be staying in our
Warwick Road premises. I know that parents’
minds will now be at rest: a few concerns had
been raised over possible disruption to continuity
of learning. We enjoy a beautiful location in the
town and some wonderful historic buildings. It is
good to know that many future generations of
students will learn in them.
Finally, I will make a quick comment about
communication. We have started to send all
parents for whom we have an e-mail address a
‘Weekly Update’ which lists a few notices of
interest such as sports fixtures, rehearsals, trips,
evening events, PTA, Parental Forum matters
and similar items. We do hope it will be useful.
We are also about to update and upgrade our
website so watch this space! If you have any
useful comments or observations to make on the
topic of communication, please do let me know
via my PA, Mrs Wyatt. I am very interested, as
ever, to hear your views on any aspect of our
school.
With my very best wishes to you all.
In this issue:
Cathy Tooze
Headteacher
Prize-winning author, Pauline Francis,
was our guest speaker at Junior Prize
Giving in July. Full details on page 2.
A,G & T Summer 2
Peace One Day 3
German Exchange 5
Uganda 2012 7

Setting a High Price
Prize-winning author, Pauline Francis, was herself
handing out prizes at the Herts & Essex High School’s
Prizegiving ceremony on Tuesday 17 July. The event,
which awarded prizes to students in Years 7 – 10 and
celebrated their successes, took place on an unusually
sunny day, allowing us to provide guests with
refreshments in its courtyard for the first time in a
number of years.
Mrs Francis also spoke to the assembled students,
parents, staff and governors, giving a very personal talk
in which she spoke about the common etymological root
of the words “prize” and “price”, speaking of her
authorship as a prize, and urging students to put a high
price on their own value.
Students related well to Pauline Francis’ inspiring talk;
Able, Gifted & Talented Summer School
When we all
t h o u g h t
school was
finally over for
summer, 19
Year 8 and 16
Y e a r 9
s t u d e n t s
returned to
school to
participate in
the Able,
Gifted & Talented Summer School workshop. On 23
and 24 July, the 35 selected students became involved
with activities set by Tom Barwood, who is a part of
‘Likeminds Consulting’ which challenged us to think
‘outside of the box’.
On Monday, we
had to find a way
of balancing ten
nails onto one
that was standing
in a wooden
block, as well as
being guided
t h r o u g h a n
obstacle course
with s ounds
alone, and see
how far we could throw an egg which was protected by
the resources which had been given to us to use in any
way: tape, paper, card and string; all of these
challenged our ways of thinking and learning. There
were a couple of egg accidents, but on the whole, little
yolk was spilled!
P A GE 2
she spoke from the heart, giving our Prizegiving an
even greater validity in their eyes. We were delighted
to have Mrs Francis join us; she is a good and kind
friend of the school.
Editor
Being Summer School, we were set a little homework
in the booklets we had been given: to write briefly
about any successful person we wanted.
On Tuesday, we came back, ready to battle it out
between ourselves as to whose successful person
was the best. Not all of this was necessarily to do
with the person, but also with how we put across our
speech and arguments. This also helped us to think
about the different elements of success and what it
actually was. We then felt the frustration of being a
teacher trying to
teach, through the
art of origami and
juggling. After
lunch we were
given the task of
creating clothing
o u t o f o n l y
newspaper and
tape and we did not
disappoint! This
was a fun way to
end the two day
w o r k s h o p ;
throughout which
there had been a
competitive aspect
which made us
work harder for the
chocolate prize!
Overall it was a successful two days which allowed us
to work with everyone; definitely something for next
year’s A,G & T students to take part in!
Nehal Ravaliya, 10L
H E A RT O F HE R T S

Still Life
Henry Robinson, 13E, has received a special award from
the Bishop's Stortford Decorative and Fine Arts Society
(BSDFAS) for a still life painting, exhibited at the Rhodes
Gallery in June of this year as part of his AS display.
Henry was given a cheque for £50 in recognition of the
quality of his work. Henry was presented with his award
on 11 September at a meeting of the BSDFAS.
Senior Dance Leader
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2
Editor
Introducing our new Senior Dance Leader, Katherine
Baker, 13B.
Katherine is taking A level Physical
Education and is a committed student
who has performed in all our Evening
of Dance productions since starting at
the school in Year 7. She helps out
with school Dance Clubs and attends
dance classes outside of school.
Katherine will be performing in our
Evening of Dance in March, as well
as supporting other students with
their performances. She will also be accompanying the
Year 7 theatre visit to see ‘Stomp’ at the Ambassadors
Theatre, London in November.
Year 7 will be following a half term module of dance and
music where they look at the creative work of ‘Stomp’.
‘Stomp’ is a multi-award-winning show that has a
universal language of rhythm, theatre, comedy and
dance. Eight performers use everything from Zippo
lighters, to plastic bags, bin lids and other kitchen
utensils.
We hope Katherine enjoys her new role in school and
wish her every possible success.
Sue Everett
Subject Leader: PE
A Message from Moses
Drama trip
The following message was sent to
Herts &Essex from Moses Sizomu at
Eden High School, Uganda on 21
September 2012, International day of
peace.
Our esteemed friends at Herts & Essex:
we all know that war kills, maims,
plunders and destroys years of progress and hard
work in seconds. So often in recent times the victors
in battle have then subdued, supressed and
dominated so that war remains in people’s hearts
rather than peace. War cannot be won by inventing
more sophisticated guns that cost a fortune when
ordinary people do not have basic necessities such
as food, water and shelter.
War can only be won through sowing seeds of love in
the younger generation through activities such as the
partnership between our two schools. May everyone
involved on our partnership know that they are
contributing to the construction of the foundations of
lasting peace in the world.
Moses Sizomu
Director and Founder of Eden High School,
Uganda
"Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious
summer by our Year Thirteen students."
The A Level Drama and Theatre Studies trip to
Stratford-Upon-Avon on 14-16 September was a huge
success.
We saw performances of Shakespeare's Richard III at
the Swan Theatre, and The Comedy of Errors at the
newly refurbished Royal Shakespeare Theatre, which
were both fantastic.
We also enjoyed the view from the theatre's tower,
boating on the Avon and a spooky haunted house
tour which had students shaking in their boots!
It was a lovely weekend, from which everyone greatly
benefited. The students are now well stocked with
ammunition for their examination, and it was definitely
a good start to their final year.
Grateful thanks to Mrs Barker and Mrs Blyth for taking
this trip.
Helenelaine Blyth
Teacher of Drama
P A GE 3

Where are they now?
This lovely piece was written for the school magazine by
Pamela Easter in 1949. We wonder where her interest
in French took her. Any ideas?
PAGE 4
Film Studies
The Year 13 Film Studies’ students are completing a
project for their coursework. They have to conduct
primary and secondary research and collate it for a
university style lecture on a topic of their choice. A
very useful method of research is to conduct an
interview, so if any fans of films would like to help
individual students, please contact Ms Harland; study
titles are listed below. If you have seen every Rachel
McAdams film or are a Marilyn Monroe fan we could
use your help! Informed comments or opinions are
welcome. The students will also be visiting the
British Film Institute Library in London to aid their
studies. This library holds the largest collection of
film based journalism and books in the world.
Students will be reading magazines from all eras,
academic journals and using microfiche to gather
evidence for their lecture.
Timothea
Megan
Dani
Max
Georgia
Elle
Lauren
Charlotte
Ellie
Alannah
Shobha
Lucy
Luke
George
Catherine
Jed
Frankie
An investigation into the qualities that make
Vin Diesel a Star.
Anne Hathaway’s rise to stardom.
An investigation into Will Smith’s role as a
hero across different genres.
James Franco’s maturing into stardom.
An investigation into how Reese
Witherspoon has adapted her roles over time.
The development of 3D effects in films over
time.
An investigation into how Rachel
McAdams’ roles change as she matures.
How Marilyn Monroe personified the
Hollywood icon through her films.
An investigation into Ewan McGregor’s romantic
roles.
An investigation into Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s
rise to stardom.
An investigation into Julia Roberts’s roles
under different directors.
A study exploring the representation of
women in recent action/adventure films.
How Tarantino uses music to establish himself
as an auteur.
An investigation into the use of scare tactics in
modern horror films.
An investigation into how comedy conventions
have changed over time.
An investigation into Meryl Streep’s
Oscar winning roles over time.
An investigation into the versatility of Johnny
Depp’s film roles
The Year 13s had a free rein in deciding on topics for
their study. If you had an opportunity like this, what
would your topic be? Who is your favourite film star?
Who is the best director? What do you like about
film?
Jo Harland
Subject Leader: Media & Film Studies
H E A RT O F HE R T S

A Meeting of Like Minds
A group of students from the Maria-Ward Schule – a
gymnasium (rather like a grammar school) – in Mainz
arrived at Stansted to spend a few days from 12
September with their English counterparts from Year 10
as part of a scientific exchange programme. This
exchange has been running for over 25 years, enabling
students to enjoy the cultural and social benefits of
close interaction with students from abroad.
In addition to this, the programme of events, taking in
visits to the Sanger Institute and Botanical Gardens in
Cambridge, and the Royal Conservatory at Greenwich
allows students to develop their love of science and
their scientific knowledge beyond the curriculum. The
exchange is instrumental in affecting the motivation and
aspirations of students in this critical area. The results
of this and similar programmes can be seen in the
numbers of students who want to study science in the
Sixth Form – a much higher percentage than is the
trend nationally.
Dr Leggate, exchange organiser said, “Students have
gained so much. They have established new
friendships and really developed their appreciation of
the world of science.” Year 10 student, Georgina Trow
commented, “The whole exchange has been amazing.”
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2
Herts & Essex is twinned with the Maria-Ward School
in Mainz, Germany so for five days 17 of their
students came to stay with us for a Science
exchange. On Wednesday we picked up our
exchange partners from Stansted airport. Thursday
was the first day of activities, which we spent in
school. Until lunch we investigated the effect of
enzymes through several experiments. After lunch
our exchange partners came with us to our normal
period five lesson which, for everyone, was Maths.
On Friday we visited the Sanger Institute in
Cambridge. There we had the chance to find out
about DNA and genome sequencing.
In the afternoon we went to the Botanical Gardens
before returning to school. Saturday was our day in
London. Firstly we visited the Greenwich Observatory
and the Planetarium which were very interesting.
The final activity of the exchange was shopping in
Westifield which, despite being significantly less
scientific, was very enjoyable! At midday on Sunday
we said good-bye to the German students until we
see them in November!
Abigail Fryer, 10C
P A GE 5

Uganda 2012
PAGE 6
“I will remember this trip for the rest of my life” -
Katherine; “Uganda has completely surprised
me, the whole nature of this country is one of
warmth and welcome” - Rachael; “This trip has
really changed the way I think about the world
in general, it has shown us how lucky we are
and how much we can learn from the
Ugandans who are some of the most
welcoming people that I have ever met.” -
Maisy
The above comments are just some of those made by
the group of 24 students and 3 staff who visited Uganda
and our partner school, Eden, in July. This, our 11 th
annual visit, included safari (elephants, zebra, hippo,
leopard, to name but a few),
sightseeing (e.g. the source
of the river Nile) and most
importantly activities with
students and staff at Eden.
Many of the students in the
group have been looking
forward to this trip since
joining Herts & Essex in Year
7! They have supported the
development of Eden High
school throughout their time
here by a huge range of
fundraising events including
our annual 10 mile sponsored walk to Hatfield Forest,
and it is this personal connection with Eden that makes
our annual visit to Uganda unique. Our partnership with
Eden is interwoven into everyday life at Herts & Essex
and strengthened by the yearly visit of two staff from
Eden who become part of our school community for
their three weeks here.
“Eden has been a big part of our lives at
Herts & Essex for seven years and it is great
to see how many lives have benefited
through our partnership. I have been able to
appreciate how it has taught us as much as it
has helped Eden. I feel privileged to have
been able to meet so many welcoming and
kind people.”
Jenny
The students at Eden will be taking GCSE and A Level
exams in November (their school year begins in
February) and many will go on to further training and
university thanks to their own hard work and motivation,
coupled with the financial
s u p p o r t f r o m o u r
partnership. Our students
came back to superb A
Level results and they will
move on to university with
a deeper experience of
what really matters in life.
“I have gone from being
unable to stay in the same
room as a dissection in
Biology, to watching a bull
be slaughtered!” (This
provided a celebratory
meal for the Eden
community and all of us, about 600 people in all.) Now
that is what education is all about!
I found Uganda to be the most beautiful country with the
kindest, politest and most gentle people that I have ever
met.
Sarah Beales
Accompanying teacher on the visit to Uganda
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2

Uganda 2012
Each year there is a full day of singing and dancing to celebrate the partnership between our two communities.
Typical market scene in Gayaza, the nearest town to
Eden.
Maisy Fuller and Madeleine Foster help Dorcas to cook
lunch for the group using fresh vegetables bought from
the market in Gayaza.
The annual football match between Eden staff and Eden and Herts & Essex students is fast and furious, with an
after-match photo shoot.
H E A RT O F HE R TS
Page 7

Eden High School, Uganda
PAGE 8
M s B e a l e s a n d
students brightened up
the wall of the Eden
boys’ bathroom with
our 2012 group mural.
Queen Ellizabeth National Park
Our fundraising means that Eden students get their
water on site from large underground tanks which store
rainwater.
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2

Eden High School, Uganda
We visited two rural primary schools and provided funds
for the children to have a meal of rice with some meat on
that day, for most of them it is the only day of the year
where they eat a midday meal. This photo was taken at
Nabolongo Primary School.
H E A RT O F HE R TS
Queen Elizabeth National Park
Queen Elizabeth National Park
P A GE 9

Belgian Battlefields Visit 2012
Year 10 History
students visited
the World War
One battlefields
and cemeteries
of Belgium and
France in July.
At Notre Dame
De Lorette and
T y n e C o t
(pictured left),
the French and British military cemeteries gave the
students something of a sense of the horrific scale of
the killing that occurred in World War One. To add to
the poignancy of the experience some of the students in
the party had relatives who died in the Ypres area and
were buried in the Tyne Cot graveyard. When the scale
of the war is combined with direct personal connections
such as these one can begin to grasp the magnitude of
the suffering the war involved.
The visit included tours of famous battlefield sites at
Passchendaele, Vimy and Sanctuary Wood. Walking in
the footsteps of World War One soldiers gave one an
eerie awareness of the dangers of trench warfare. The
two sides’ frontline trenches at Vimy were so close as to
be in calling distance, so close that you could clearly
have observed the features of your enemy. Sanctuary
Wood led the students to discover another aspect of the
soldier’s wartime lot. The trenches at Sanctuary Wood
(pictured above right) were filled with muddy water. The
idea that the trenches were also the living quarters of
What’s Happening in Maths?
We are pleased to welcome Joanne Watson to the
Faculty this term. She replaces Inger Kisby, who retired
at the end of last year. We shall see Mrs Kisby from
time to time, as she will be back in school undertaking
some one-to-one tuition with students.
We were delighted that three of our students took up
places to study Mathematics at university after their A
Level success in the summer: Alice Kirrane (Bristol);
Elizabeth Langley-Jones (Bath); and Olivia Heath
(Leicester).
Several other students went to universities all over the
country to study Maths-based courses, such as Finance
and Accounting, as well as Physics and Economics,
which rely heavily on Mathematics A Level.
The Senior Mathematical Challenge will take place on 6
November, in which nearly 50 of our Sixth Form
mathematicians will compete against students from
other schools, answering some fiendishly difficult
problems which really do test mathematical skills. One
example of an easier question (at least easier to
understand for non-mathematicians) is:
PAGE 10
the front-line troops was
brought vividly to home. Part
of the site at Sanctuary
Wood involved walking in
pitch black along some long
underground communication
tunnels. To the students this
was an oddly compulsive
thing to do. They were
f r i g h t e n e d b y b e i n g
immersed in total darkness
with no obvious end to the
tunnel but then they
remembered that the
communication tunnels would have been looked on as
the safest place to be on the battlefield for the actual
soldiers and not remotely terrifying at all. Realisations
such as these only heightened the students’
understanding of the vast gulf between ourselves as
visitors to the battlefields and the soldiers who fought
and lived and died there in 1917.
As ever, the visit finished with the Last Post Service,
where the fallen at Ypres are remembered in a short
ceremony that is repeated every night, all year long.
The students had time to reflect on their good fortune in
being visitors to the area when compared to the many
tragic stories of the individual soldiers who served in
France and Belgium just over 100 years ago.
Liam Biggins
Subject Leader: History
Each of the Four Musketeers made a statement about
the four of them, as follows:
D’Artagnan: “Exactly one is lying.”
Athos: “Exactly two of us are lying.”
Porthos: “An odd number of us is lying.”
Aramis: “An even number of us is lying.”
How many of them were lying (with the others telling
the truth)?
A: one; B: one or two; C: two or three; D: three; E: four
We shall reveal the answer in the next issue of the
newsletter.
_______________________
The Intermediate and Junior Mathematical Challenges
will take place after Christmas. We also have a group
of Year 9 students who are due to attend Maths
masterclasses at the University of Hatfield later on this
term.
Andy Stuart
Mathematics Faculty
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2

Poetry Corner Young Carers
Home is….
Home is a cosy bedroom
Home is sitting in front of a TV
Home is where your laundry always smells freshest
Home is freshly baked cookies on a Sunday afternoon
Home is time to spend with my family
Home is where I can escape from the outside
Home is a happy, warm and cheerful place
Home is my family and pets
Home is where my hamster is
Home is where I can relax and be calm
Home is playing on the trampoline
Home is a place to flop after school
Home is where we come back to after our holidays
Home is where I can sit and play my guitar
Home is where I practise the violin
Home is somewhere safe and fun
Home is cuddling up on the sofa with my family
Home is my favourite place
Written by Year 5 and Year 6 pupils who visited the
English Faculty on Open Evening.
Triumph on the Humanities Trail
To which religion does the Arti lamp belong?
In which year did Mount Vesuvius erupt, destroying the
Roman city of Pompeii?
Can you identify the war which is featured in the wall
display in H2?
Can you name the layer of the rainforest displayed on
the interactive whiteboard in H9?
How many of our readers are able to answer the first
two questions? A visit to the Humanities Faculty last
Thursday (Open Evening) would have enabled keen
researchers to complete the Humanities trail, by
undertaking a series of visits to rooms filled with
artefacts and displays.
Enthusiastic Year 6 students were buzzing with
excitement as they proudly clutched their prizes, “I love
doing detective work; that was great!” summed up the
general response. Staff were delighted that their
innovative method of allowing youngsters the
opportunity to discover a little of what studying in the
Humanities area involves, proved so successful.
Humanities Faculty (Classical Civilisation, Geography,
Government & Politics, History, Latin, Religious
Studies, Sociology, Psychology)
H E A RT O F HE R T S
On 18 September members of
the Tuesday lunchtime Young
Carers’ Drop-in ambled down to
Lakeside Superbowl in Bishop’s
Stortford to spend some carefree
time with friends and fellow
Young Carers.
There was much hilarity as the physically smaller
students attempted to mimic professional throwing
technique, eventually abandoning it for their own
eccentric approaches: legs akimbo with both hands on
the ball, nearly following the ball bodily as it veered
towards its destination. This technique was not to be
sniffed at, however, as it did eventually achieve a strike
for one elated member of the party!
We welcome new members to the Tuesday lunchtime
drop-in sessions, which run from 1.20 to 2.15 pm in the
rear classroom on the ground floor of The Lodge. Please
see Mrs Moore in Reception to obtain a lunch pass.
Laura Anthony
Helvi Moore
Young Carers’ Group Co-ordinators
Parental Forum
Please come and support The Parental Forum
The Parental Forum meets three times a year and is
open to any parent who would like to attend. The
purpose of the forum is to provide an opportunity for
the senior management team of the school to get
direct feedback from parents on many varied school
related items.
I have been involved with the forum for over two years.
I find it refreshing that the school is interested in
parents’ views on current school initiatives and wants
to make sure that communication with parents is being
received effectively. I feel that this forum is taken
seriously and gives parents a real chance to affect
what happens at the school.
It is pleasing to see that feedback from the forum has
resulted in the recent improvements to electronic
communication to parents with the weekly update emails
and attachments being directly available from emails
sent out by Frog. Also feedback from the forum
on what parents wanted at information evenings has
resulted in the excellent leaflet with the Creative and
Expressive Arts dates and ticket ordering form.
Other benefits of attending are that parents get an
early view of what the school is planning, a more in
depth explanation of decisions, and the opportunity to
network with other parents.
Come and join us!
Wendy Grafton: Year 9 parent
PAGE 10

A Level Textiles Visit to the V&A
On Tuesday 18 September the A Level Textiles students
and Mrs O’Hagan visited the Victoria and Albert
Museum in London.
We started the day off by
heading down to South
Kensington on the train and
arrived at the V&A around mid
morning. The aim of the trip
was to collect inspiration for
their coursework.
We first looked at the main collection, beautiful dresses
from different fashion decades from this collection, to
help the students to pick out trends that they liked and
could use to explore different ideas for their own
products. Next we went to the costume section of the
museum which had the most elaborate and extravagant
costume designs, including Punch and Judy outfits. We
found some very old play costumes which we had a lot
of fun dressing up in. Also displayed here was a replica
of Kylie Minogue’s dressing room, which was absolutely
amazing; there were so many sequined dresses and
gorgeous shoes to match, not forgetting her endless
supplies of make up and perfume!
We then visited the special Ball Gowns: British Glamour
since 1950 Exhibition which was filled with the most
memorable ball gowns charting 60 years of stylish
evening wear. The exhibition highlighted the styles,
silhouettes and colours that have been perennial
favourites for many years. The ball gowns were mostly
couture pieces, handmade for a particular client. They
would have been shown as part of a designer’s
collection and then chosen by the wearer to be made up
in their size.
After lunch we visited Harrods to look at the
contemporary designer’s collections for inspiration and
ideas for the students’ projects for this year. This was a
fantastic trip to go on. The students are really enjoying
Textiles A Level, they would thoroughly recommend a
visit to the V & A to all GCSE Textiles students.
PAGE 12
Mrs Jane O’Hagan
Faculty Leader: Technology & Enterprise
Year 7
Busy Busy Busy…..
Year 7 have had a hectic start to term. Not only have
they had to get used to Herts & Essex routines for the
school day: lunch queues, and homework to name but
two, but they have sat CAT tests, completed the Pupil
Attitudes to Self and School survey, been to Cuffley
Camp and as I write this are preparing for Open
Evening. They have all risen to the many and varied
challenges they have faced and have settled into life at
Herts & Essex.
The montage below gives a flavour of our visit to
Cuffley. This was a very special visit as the Year 13
students who joined us were the first year group ever
taken to Cuffley. The students participated in a range of
activities from deciding on the characteristics of a good
team to shelter building, problem solving and an
obstacle course. The weather was very kind to us and
everybody involved had a great day. If you look very
closely at the photos you may see how much the staff
enjoyed their trip……!
Please can I take this opportunity to remind you that if
you do have any concerns the first point of contact for
pastoral issues should be your daughter’s form tutor and
for curriculum matters your daughter’s class teacher.
Mrs Sally House
Assistant Headteacher: KS3
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2

Year 8
It has been a great start back for Year 8! Following an
extremely successful Year 7, the new Year 8 have
returned to Herts & Essex raring to go. The students
have settled into their new classes well and have made
a great start on their Year 8 studies.
Year 8 have also thrown themselves back into the extracurricular
life of Herts & Essex in force! Many students
have already put themselves forward for leadership
roles and responsibilities within their tutor groups such
as Form Captain, Charity Representative and Sports
Captain amongst others, and elections are currently
taking place. Students have also volunteered to be
Student Librarians and are getting involved with
‘Learning to Lead’ teams.
Extra-curricular turnout has also had an impressive
start, with over 90 students attending various
extra-curricular activities during this week alone (the
extra-curricular timetable is available on the VLE).
We will also see over half of our year group represent
the School as tour guides for the Year 6 students and
parents during our Open Evening on Thursday 27
September, and I know they will set a fantastic example.
Keep it up Year 8!
Year 10
Miss Dixon
Year Leader: Year 8
Year 10 have by now completed the first three weeks of
their GCSE courses. Here is an insight into how it feels
to be a student starting out in Year 10 at our school.
“I am excited moving into KS4 as I am now studying the
subjects that I have chosen. This encourages me to be
a lot more interested in the work that I have to do.
There has been an increase in the workload, and more
homework is set, as well as the work being more difficult
although it is far more interesting. There are also things
such as doing the Duke of Edinburgh award, a variety of
sports and opportunities in Creative and Expressive Arts
that I’m sure will make KS4 very enjoyable.”
Katherine Tiller, 10F
I would like to extend a huge thank you to all the Year
10 parents and carers who attended the Information
Evening at the beginning of the term. The key
information from the presentation can be accessed
using the VLE. The turnout was fantastic and the Year
10 Tutor Team looks forward to working with both
parents and students. We will be encouraging the
students to get involved in extra – curricular activities as
well, enabling them to make a great start to their studies
by exploring key elements of Study Skills.
H E A RT O F HE R TS
Melanie Seward
Assistant Head: Key Stage Four
Year 9
Thank you to all the Parents who attended the Year 9
Information Evening on the 12 September, if you would
like to relook over information given on that evening the
slideshows are on the Parental area of the school
website.
Welcome back to all of the Year 9s, and what an
exciting year they have in store for them. Choosing
their GCSE Options and Residential trips are two major
decisions they will be making this year. Also, for many
of them Arts Award is going to be a new challenge, as
they will be starting either their Bronze or Silver Award
at the end of September, so watch this space!
On Thursday 20 September the Year 9 forms elected
rounders teams who took part in their Inter Form
competition (which had to be postponed last year due to
bad weather). I would like to say thank you to all the
girls involved, what a fun and competitive event, it was
fabulous to watch and be part of. Thank you to Miss
Bellinger and the Year 10 students supervising the
event, and also the Tutors that attended.
Lastly, congratulations to the Form Captains and Vice
Captains who have been elected this year, I am sure
they will do a sterling job! They are as follows;
Castle
Captain Amy Morgan
Vice Alice Dyer
Forest
Captain Eleanor Gooch
Vice Olivia Smith-Lal
Hart
Captain Vicky Markham
Vice Eleanor Savage
Lea
Captain Natasha Atkinson
Vice Eve Medlycott
Seaxe
Captain Olivia O’Neill
Vice Jessica Robinson
Claudia Charles
Year Leader: Year 9
P A GE 1 3

Year 11
Year 11, as I predicted, have started the year with their
best foot forward!
I have already had good reports of their commitment and
determination to succeed.
At the end of last year, 20 students were selected to be
Buddies to the new Year 7 students and I know that they
have already been active in reassuring our newest
recruits to Herts and Essex.
The Buddies for 2012-2013 are: Erin Edwards, 11F,
Gemima Ollig, 11S, Katherine Hobson, 11S, Fahmida
Mannan, 11F, Megan Street, 11H, Ria Ellis, 11F,
Rebecca Atkinson, 11L, Julianna Brown, 11S,
Samantha Green, 11H, Lucy Bonner, 11C, Laura
Barclay, 11F, Emmeline Gee, 11H, Megan Woods,
11L, Jessica Roach, 11H, Alex Terris, 11H, Hannah
Carney, 11S, Christy Marshall, 11S, Suzanna Howe,
11F, Lydia Campbell, 11L, Poppy Hemmingway, 11F.
On Monday of this week, during the Lower School
assembly, the Buddies were awarded their badges by
Mrs Tooze.
Tuesday’s assembly for Years 11, 12 and 13 saw the
Student Leaders receive their badges. The team for
this year are;
Sophie Drage, 11L, Charllotte Ellis, 11H, Elizabeth
Massie, 11S, Vicky Tee, 11F, Emily Rush, 11C,
Helena Davey, 11C, Imogen Whiteley, 11C,
Katherine Harding,11H, Rachel Nash, 11S, Naomi
White, 11C, Abigail Mole, 11C, Louisa Marriott, 11S,
Madeleine Prow, 11S, Olivia Tait, 11C, Verity
Moring, 11C, Hayley Wilson, 11C, Tilly Grant, 11H,
Gemma Myers, 11H, Josie Lupprian, 11C, Emily
Pratt 11C and Maisie Humphreys, 11L.
The Student leaders have already been busy at
Information Evenings, meeting and greeting parents
and helping with refreshments.
In addition, Emily Day, 11F and Amelia Gladstone,
11F have been elected to the posts of Editors of the
Year Book, while Shannon Trimble, 11F is Key stage
4 Sports Co-ordinator. Emily and Millie have begun
the important and exciting task of creating a year book
team with each form being asked to provide two
members. They have also been looking through
hundreds of photographs of the year group. The
photographs span the past four years. We unearthed
some which were taken during the Taster Day when
the girls were in year 6!
Shannon will liaise closely with the PE Department and
the Sports’ Captains in each form.
We wish these students well in their roles this year and
are confident that they will support the school and their
year group in their many tasks.
Marjorie Callander
Year Leader: Year 11
P A GE 14 4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2

Sixth Form
Starting Year 12
After being at Herts & Essex for the last five years I
didn’t think that moving into the Sixth Form would be
very different. However, as I got into my first week I
realised I had been very wrong. The respect that I
found between Sixth Form students and teachers was
very strong. I now have more freedom to explore my
subjects and to get the work done. I can definitely see
that there is a lot more expected of you in the Sixth
Form which makes you work more independently. The
expectations are high at Herts & Essex so keeping on
top of the work is essential, but having study periods
means most of it can be done in school. I am really
enjoying all of my A level subjects; English Literature,
Media Studies, Textiles and Law. Having more
freedom and respect in the Sixth Form really changes
your attitude towards working; it gives you motivation
and makes it seem there’s a lot less pressure. Even
though it has been a big leap from Year 11 to Year 12, I
love having more independence and meeting new
people and can’t wait to continue with the year.
Kathryn Reynolds, 12C
My first two weeks at Herts and Essex Sixth Form have
allowed me to settle into a new school very quickly.
This is thanks to the friendly and welcoming students
and staff. I moved from Mountfitchet Mathematics and
Computing College and visited the school in July for a
two day induction. During this visit I was able to sample
my chosen subjects and get to know my teachers, as
well as mixing with people who would be going to the
Sixth Form with me. Once I had my GCSE results I
was able to accept a place in the Sixth Form. I then
started on 3 September with a great introduction. We
were placed in our forms and given time to get to know
one another. We also produced presentations to give
in our forms to boost confidence and develop essential
study skills. We then had a second teambuilding day
when we worked in our forms, allowing us to gain trust
and understanding of each another. After these two
days we began our lessons. We weren’t just dropped
in at the deep end with our subjects but rather
introduced gradually to them allowing us to get back
into the swing of learning after a very long summer
holiday. We have revised some GCSE work and we
are now well on the way with our AS lessons. I am
thoroughly looking forward to the next two years of
Sixth Form.
Jacob Walker, 12B
I am really pleased that all of our Year 12 students have
settled into Sixth Form life at Herts & Essex. They have
joined an outstanding Sixth Form and will continue to
raise standards and aspirations. I wish them all the
very best for the next two years.
H E A RT O F HE R TS
Mr R Vaughan
Assistant Headteacher: Sixth Form
Year 13 Class of 2012
Congratulations and Good Luck to the Class of 2012!
I wish the class of 2012 the very best of luck as they
embark upon the many and varied paths to their
futures. From future Economists to Vets, and
Psychologists to Doctors, they leave Herts & Essex
with an excellent grounding for their careers.
With approximately 40% of students going on to
Russell Group or 1994 Group Universities, these
students have many opportunities ahead of them.
Successful applications include Veterinary Studies at
the University of Cambridge, Mathematics at Bristol,
Biological Sciences at Edinburgh and History and
Politics at Warwick.
Not only were our results excellent, but the number of
additional activities undertaken have given these
young men and women the range of skills and
qualities that are most sought after. The Extended
Project Qualification and Arts Award enables them to
research, collate, précis and analyse information,
whilst Interact, the student run, rotary supported,
charity committee enhances leadership, time
management and people management skills. Young
Enterprise identifies the new wave of Richard
Branson’s and Richard Reed’s whilst discussion
groups and debating societies offer the highest quality
enrichment.
I look forward to seeing their future success.
Mr R Vaughan
Assistant Headteacher; Director of Sixth Form
P A GE 15

Physical Education
On Sunday 8 July 2012, seven girls from Herts & Essex
were selected to represent East Hertfordshire in the
Herts Youth Games.
Beforehand, we had to attend trials at Wodson Park.
The seven girls from Herts & Essex made up over half
the team that consisted of seven players and two
substitutes. This was a mixed age group of Year 7s and
8s. The Herts & Essex Year 7s did very well to get in,
these girls were, Lucy Webber, 8F, May Fox, 8H and
Elizabeth Lafferty, 8H. The Year 8s involved were as
follows; Lisa Cooper, 9C, Fiona Lemon, 9C, Francesca
Limmer, 9H and Madeline Rowe, 9L.
We played five matches and only lost one of them and
this was to the team that came 1 st overall. We drew two
and won two. Considering that we had never played
together as a team before, we all thought that this was
quite good.
The five teams that we played were; Dacorum, North
Herts, St. Albans, Hertsmere and Welwyn Hatfield.
Each team wore a different
colour t-shirt with their own
logo. East Herts were Lime
Green. The other colours
were; Purple, Royal Blue,
Black, Forest Green and Light
Blue.
Half way through the afternoon we were lucky enough to
see the Olympic Torch up close. As the Torch Relay
came through Hatfield, it stopped to run round one of the
fields at the Games.
In the Hockey Tournament, East Herts came 3 rd . But
overall, with all the scores from each sport added up,
East Herts Came 2 nd .
We all really enjoyed the day and would like to go again,
next year. Sadly this is not possible for the Year 8s as
we are too old! But we hope that the Year 7s do the
trials and can compete again next year.
P A GE 16
Lisa Cooper and Fiona Lemon, 8C
Term Dates
School Term and Holiday Dates - Academic Year
2013/2014
Autumn Term 2013
Begins
Monday 2 September Year 12
Wednesday 4 September Year 7
Thursday 5 September Years 8 - 11 and 13
Open Evening Thursday 26 September 2012 (school
closes 1.30 pm)
CPD Day Friday 27 September (no students in
school)
Half term Monday 28 October - Friday 1 November
Open Evening (Sixth Form)
Wednesday 6 November (school closes 1.30 pm)
Ends Friday 20 December (school closes
1.30 pm)
Spring Term 2014
Begins Wednesday 8 January
Half term Monday 17 February - Friday 21
February
Ends Friday 4 April (school closes 1.30 pm)
Summer Term 2014
Begins Wednesday 23 April
May Bank Holiday
school)
Monday 5 May (no students or staff in
Half term Monday 26 May to Friday 30 May
Awards EveningWednesday 9 July
Ends Wednesday 23 July (school closes 1.30
pm)
The days prior to the beginning of each of the school
terms, Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 September 2013,
Tuesday 7 January 2014 and Tuesday 22 April 2014
are designated CPD (Continuing Professional
Development) days, as is Friday 27 September 2013.
Students are not required to attend on these days.
The school’s occasional day this year will be Monday 6
January 2014.
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2

Trip to Boulogne
You may remember the write-up in our last newsletter
about the popular visit to Boulogne enjoyed by Year 7
Sisters joining the school
If you have a daughter for whom you are looking for a
school place in Year 7 in September 2013, and you
already have a daughter/son at the school who will be
in Years 7 – 12 next year, please do not
forget that you will need to complete a
supplementary information form (SIF), available from
Governor Information
Shanti Boodhun
I am employed as a Cognitive Behaviour
Psychotherapist by a local NHS Trust and have worked
in the field of Mental Health for 22 years. I am married
and have three children. My daughter Jessica is in
Year 8 at Herts & Essex and my two sons are at other
local schools.
It is so exciting to be part of such a vibrant and active
school with such high standards.
In my spare time I enjoy cooking, dancing and keeping
fit. I am also an active member of my local church
through which I do volunteer work.
H E A RT O F HE R TS
students last term. One of the students, Kim Tang, 8H
used the visit as the inspiration for this wonderful
drawing.
the school after the Open Evening on
27 September 2012.
If you have any queries about this, please ring the
Admissions Officer, Ann MacRae.
Work Experience
We would be extremely grateful to hear from any parent
who think that they, or their employer might be able to
offer a work experience placement to one of our Year 10
students for the week commencing 24—28 June 2013.
Dany Atkins
Work Experience Co-ordinator
Safeguarding our Students
The Hertfordshire & Essex High School
and Science College …
… recognises that the welfare of the child is
paramount. The school takes its responsibility to
safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people
in its care seriously, and is proactive in ensuring this.
Governors, staff and volunteers at Herts & Essex
understand the importance of working in partnership
with children, their parents/carers and other agencies in
order to promote children’s welfare.
P A GE 17

Forthcoming events
Oct 5 Year 7 Get together
Oct 14
Oct 15
Parking
Please could we remind parents dropping off/picking
up their children, in either the morning or the
afternoon, that they are asked not to drive further up
Warwick Road than the Pine Grove turning, to avoid
congestion outside the school gate and the risk of
accidents involving students crossing the road
between Firlands and the main school buildings.
We should also like to ensure that all parents know we
are unable to provide parking on the school site for
school events. In this respect we would particularly
ask that parents do not use our Dunmow Road staff
car park, nor the car park at the front of Hockerill
Anglo-European College. If parking in Pine Grove or
in Warwick Road, please ensure that our neighbours’
driveways are not blocked.
Many thanks for your support.
4 O C T O BE R 2 0 1 2
Sponsored Walk for Eden High
School
Salon International visit
(Hairdressing)
Oct 17 Year 12 base test tracking Frog
Oct 18 Year 7 tracking on Frog
Oct 19 Year 8 tracking on Frog
Oct 24 Year 13 reports on Frog
Oct 24 Tea Time Concert 4 - 5.30pm
Oct 26 Year 10 tracking on Frog
Oct 26 Year 7 Honour Roll breakfast
Oct 29 - Nov 2 Half Term
Nov 5 Primary cluster festival
Nov 6
Senior Maths Challenge
(Years 12/13 )
Nov 6 Curriculum Extension Day
Nov 7
Sixth Form Open Evening
(school closes 1.30pm)
Nov 8 Chamber Concert 7 - 9.30pm
Nov 9 Year 8 Honour Roll breakfast
Nov 13
Year 7 Interhouse music competition
8.55am
Nov 13 Year 8 HPV vaccinations
Ann MacRae
HR & Admin Manager
Head on the Blog ...
Students and parents alike will be interested to know that
Mrs Tooze has a regular blog on the Herts & Essex
Observer website. Control + click on the photo to access
the blog.
Our Learning Community
The Hertfordshire & Essex High School is a strong
and vibrant learning community, which inspires high
aspirations in the people within it. We are a centre of
excellence at the cutting edge of education. We use
innovative technologies and teaching methods, which
enable everyone to both give and achieve the best
they can. We value the success of every individual,
as well as their honesty and integrity. We celebrate
creativity, foster resilience and compassion and
encourage initiative and independence. We expect
each person to respect others and have a sense of
responsibility towards the community in which they
live and work.
Our Values
P A GE 1 8