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HITCHIN GIRLS’ SCHOOL<br />

A Specialist Science College<br />

Spring Term 2012<br />

Term ends at 3.40pm on Friday 30th March 2012 and students return at 8.40am on Tuesday 17th April 2012.<br />

We would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter.<br />

I am delighted to report that our new build is shaping up well<br />

on the Highbury site, with the classroom and changing rooms<br />

in place. This, along with the enlargement of the playing<br />

surface will make a considerable difference to both the PE<br />

department and the school as a whole and I am delighted that<br />

work is progressing so well.<br />

Events this term have included Fairtrade Fortnight, the Drama<br />

A level performance, the Classics play, Science Fair and<br />

Science week, all of which are mentioned in this newsletter in<br />

greater detail. I would like to thank the staff and students<br />

involved in these for their time and energy in producing<br />

fantastic events for the school.<br />

We have also held two Parents’ Evenings this half term – Year<br />

7 and Year 10. The atmosphere at these evenings is always<br />

so positive and the attendance from parents is outstanding.<br />

Thank you for supporting your daughter by attending and for<br />

your continued support in their education.<br />

The PE department have had a major success this term with<br />

the receipt of two Comet Sports Awards. We were awarded<br />

with ‘Youth Team of the Year’ for the Under 16 Hockey team<br />

and the overall award for ‘<strong>School</strong> of the Year 2011’. The<br />

‘<strong>School</strong> of the Year’ Award reflects our commitment both to PE<br />

within the curriculum and also through our extensive extracurricular<br />

programme in which so many girls participate. These<br />

Awards are a testament to the hard work of the PE staff, the<br />

commitment of the girls who turn out to play, both for teams<br />

and at school for Inter-House and other competitions, and the<br />

ongoing support of parents who run the girls to fixtures.<br />

I am delighted that Ayo Awokoya, Nikki Lau and Rebecca<br />

Hankin have been selected to represent the school in Hawaii<br />

during the summer as part of the Student Global Leadership<br />

Institute Summer <strong>School</strong>.<br />

The second half of the Spring Term, as always, heralds the<br />

start of the final preparations for public examinations.<br />

Following the January module results at the start of March<br />

students have now made their final entry selections for the<br />

Summer exam season and, with the majority of examination<br />

teaching completed, the big push for revision and final<br />

preparation is underway. The examination season starts just<br />

four weeks into the Summer Term and I would ask you to<br />

encourage your daughter to attend any revision or catch-up<br />

sessions offered if they are sitting exams this year.<br />

The importance of breakfast every day and particularly on the<br />

days when students are sitting exams is huge and with this in<br />

mind we are again running our Exam Breakfast Club. This<br />

takes place every day when exams are on and your daughter<br />

can buy a subsidised breakfast and hot drink. Many students<br />

in the past have valued the opportunity to sit quietly at school<br />

and compose themselves for their exams, and subject teachers<br />

value this time for offering last minute tips.<br />

I would like to remind parents of the rules regarding mobile<br />

phones and electronic devices. Please continue to support us<br />

by reminding your daughter of the importance of having these<br />

devices switched off and in bags whilst at school.<br />

As the weather is improving I would also like to remind Year<br />

12 and 13 that there is a requirement for them to wear their<br />

suit jacket at school every day. They will, of course, be able<br />

to remove them in class if the weather is very warm, but they<br />

are required to wear their suits for school.<br />

Finally I would like to send best wishes to two staff who are<br />

leaving us at Easter. Mrs. Walker (English) is going on maternity<br />

leave and will be returning to us later in the year. Mrs. Lodge,<br />

Deputy Headteacher, has been appointed to the post of<br />

Principal of the Da Vinci Studio <strong>School</strong> in Stevenage, which is<br />

due to open this September. It is always sad to see staff leave,<br />

but it is particularly difficult to say goodbye to Mrs. Lodge as<br />

she has played such a pivotal role in the leadership and<br />

direction of the school for the past four years. She has also<br />

provided an immeasurable support to me as the Headteacher<br />

and I would like to wish her every success in her new post. I<br />

am delighted that she will be working in the local area and that<br />

we will still be able to work closely with her in her new role.<br />

Frances Manning, Headteacher<br />

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<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

SCIENCE FAIR<br />

SCIENCE WEEK 2012 - SCIENCE FAIR<br />

Our annual Science Week went off with more than a bang<br />

this year with exciting and inspiring activities throughout<br />

the week from 5th–9th March. Part of the national Science<br />

and Engineering Week our fantastic Science department<br />

provided many different experiences for our students.<br />

This year, with London 2012 not far off, our focus was<br />

‘What Science has done for Sport’. The week started with<br />

Years 10 to 13 hearing a fascinating talk by Matthew<br />

Furber on ‘Science and Sport’, ranging from biomechanics<br />

to drugs testing. This was followed by our 4th annual<br />

Science Fair where teams from Years 7 to 9, together with<br />

teams from our family of primary schools, who researched<br />

and presented their findings on ‘The Effect Science has had<br />

on Sport’ to staff, fellow students, parents and our expert<br />

panel of judges. Ranging from the Science behind sports<br />

drinks, to that used in prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs, the<br />

teams had undertaken some in-depth and interesting lines<br />

of enquiry.<br />

Teams were judged on their scientific content, detail of<br />

research, analysis and presentation. Our expert judges<br />

were hugely impressed with everyone who entered and we<br />

would like to say a huge thank you to each of the 14 HGS<br />

teams and 5 primary school teams.<br />

The winning HGS team, ‘The Electrolytes’ and the primary<br />

team from Mary Exton <strong>School</strong> both win a trip to go indoor<br />

skydiving at Airkix in Milton Keynes. The runners up from<br />

HGS, ‘Team Gold’ and the primary team from William<br />

Ransom all won iTunes vouchers. The 3 top teams from<br />

HGS, ‘The Electrolytes’, Team ‘Gold’ and ‘Airos’ will also<br />

go forward to represent HGS in ‘The Big Bang Fair’ in<br />

Duxford in June. Well done to everyone who was involved!<br />

Tuesday saw Year 8 enjoy Mr. Jackson’s infamous<br />

‘Reactions Roadshow’ with bangs, fizzes and even the odd<br />

suicidal jelly baby!<br />

Robin Mobbs then gave a fascinating talk to Year 9 on ’The<br />

Space Shuttle’, discussing space travel, with an in-depth<br />

focus on the NASA Space Shuttle.<br />

On Thursday we welcomed 160 Year 5 and 6 students<br />

from our family of primary schools to enjoy Vicky Hodges’<br />

enthralling talk on ‘What has Space done for me’ which<br />

explored why space is relevant to us in everyday life.<br />

Looking at what the students understood about the various<br />

different uses of satellites it went on to explore in more<br />

detail how satellites are directly being used by us day to<br />

day. The talk also touched on space programmes of the<br />

1950's & 60's and items which are common place in our<br />

homes and daily lives to items which we all know of but<br />

never realised where they came from. This talk was also<br />

enjoyed by Year 7.<br />

We would like to thank everyone who took part in Science<br />

Week, particularly to our great Science department, their<br />

fabulous technicians and all the Sixth Form Ambassadors<br />

who helped make the week such a huge success.<br />

HGS COMMUNITY AMBASSADORS<br />

Our girls continue to make a significant impact on the<br />

learning and lives of others; here are just a small selection<br />

of their comments…<br />

Rebecca and Bethany are both doing well, they are<br />

enjoying themselves and are confident in supporting the<br />

children where and when needed. The children enjoy the<br />

extra support and there is a good feeling when the girls<br />

are here. The Ambassador scheme is working so well this<br />

year and we are enjoying the girls' enthusiastic attitude.<br />

Mr. J. Rogan - Year 6 - Samuel Lucas <strong>School</strong><br />

This term the Year 7's started on a new topic about space,<br />

something they (and I) were very excited about. It's really<br />

great seeing how quickly they all progress, and I love<br />

getting to know them all individually.<br />

Poppy Allen Quarmby - Year 7 Physics<br />

Last Wednesday I stayed in school until 9pm, helping out<br />

with the Year 9 Options’ evening. It was a good<br />

opportunity to finish my work as well as answering<br />

questions parents had about the GCSE course. I was able<br />

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<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

to talk about my love for Art and encourage students to<br />

take the subject.<br />

Olivia Durley - Art Department<br />

Someone asked if they could bring a friend along from<br />

Fearnhill <strong>School</strong> so we're going to see if we can open it<br />

up to other Sixth Forms outside the consortium. I booked a<br />

speaker for our March meeting and we're discussing the<br />

possibility of inviting Year 11 along to our last meeting of<br />

the year as part of their Sixth Form induction.<br />

Abi Bevan - Sixth Form Science Society<br />

This is my third year being a young leader at Brownies.<br />

Last night I helped them make thistles (the flower of<br />

Scotland) to celebrate Burns' Night. We then played<br />

Scottish themed games; they seemed to have a lot of fun.<br />

Claire Hogg - 2nd Knebworth Brownies<br />

Sian Adams and I have been going to the charity shop<br />

every Tuesday since September. Over the past few weeks<br />

we've helped by sorting clothes and working on the shop<br />

floor. We're finding volunteering very enjoyable.<br />

Sian Adams and Phoebe Allard - Cancer<br />

Research Charity Shop<br />

Every Thursday lunchtime, I help at Maths Club. I<br />

particularly enjoy watching them progress each week as it<br />

feels as if I am really making a difference. As Maths is a<br />

subject I like I feel that it is a good use of personal skills.<br />

Lucy Rosser - Maths Club<br />

Well done to all our wonderful girls, we look forward to<br />

sharing more of their news with you in the summer. Our<br />

current Year 11 students are now in the process of deciding<br />

on what their Ambassador role will be for September and<br />

we know that they will continue to develop<br />

this scheme.<br />

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL AWARD<br />

We are very excited to have been invited by<br />

our partners at Chapin <strong>School</strong>, NYC to create<br />

a joint <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong>s’ team for the highly<br />

prestigious Student Global Leadership Institute<br />

that will take place this Summer in Honolulu.<br />

Three HGS and three Chapin girls will form one<br />

team that will participate in this intensive two<br />

week Summer <strong>School</strong> which this year will focus<br />

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<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

on the issue of Health. HGS will not only be the first British<br />

<strong>School</strong> to take part in this exciting event but in fact will be<br />

representing the whole of Europe as the first European <strong>School</strong><br />

ever to be involved.<br />

The purpose of the Institute is to develop a community of<br />

international youth leaders who understand, are engaged<br />

in shared global challenges and who galvanize positive<br />

social change. The Institute explores leadership<br />

development characterized by creativity, a capacity for<br />

problem-solving, collaboration, communication and<br />

multicultural perspectives. After completing the two week<br />

Summer <strong>School</strong> our girls will return to both HGS and the<br />

<strong>Hitchin</strong> community with a project that they will initiate to<br />

create change. With this year’s theme of ‘Health’ we<br />

anticipate that this project will have a real impact on the<br />

lives of those living in the <strong>Hitchin</strong> community and our girls<br />

will be available to take assemblies/talks with primary<br />

schools, youth groups and other organisations.<br />

After a very difficult decision process we were able to<br />

select three girls from the sixteen fantastic entries that we<br />

received. We are very pleased to announce that the HGS<br />

representatives this year will be Ayo Awokoya A2, Nikki<br />

Lau B2 and Rebecca Hankin T1.<br />

If you would like to find out more about the SGLI and what<br />

our girls will be doing please visit www.punahou.edu (you<br />

will find SGLI under the initiatives tab). While we are in<br />

Hawaii our accommodation is funded by the Edward E.<br />

Ford Foundation. We do however need to fund our flights<br />

which are likely to be pretty expensive. If you, or anyone<br />

you know would be interested in sponsoring our team<br />

please contact Ruth Cooper at school. We would love to<br />

hear from you.<br />

Meanwhile our Learning Partnership continues to blossom<br />

with our friends at Chapin <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong>. The Art<br />

department have been busy creating their portraits for the<br />

Memory Project and the children in Honduras. We were<br />

very excited to receive a film from our partners in Chapin<br />

<br />

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<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

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<br />

who are also busy<br />

making portraits for the<br />

same orphanage. We<br />

have sent our finished<br />

portraits to the Head of<br />

Art at Chapin who is<br />

going to put them<br />

together with his students’<br />

before sending them all to<br />

Ben Schumaker in<br />

Massachusetts who will then take them to the children. We<br />

very much hope to receive video footage of the students<br />

receiving their portraits. If you would like to learn more<br />

about this wonderful Art Scheme please go to<br />

www.thememoryproject.org. We look forward to sharing<br />

their portraits with you in the summer.<br />

Following the Art book that our Year 7 students sent to<br />

Chapin, we were very excited to receive a disc of beautiful<br />

Art work created by their Sixth grade girls. Focusing on<br />

the synthesis between Art and Music they had produced<br />

some amazing work that they had animated to play in time<br />

with the music from which they drew their inspiration. We<br />

very much look forward to continuing to grow this<br />

partnership for the benefit of all our students.<br />

WINTER PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION<br />

WINNERS<br />

Congratulations to the winners and runners up for our<br />

Winter Photo Competition. Again we had a large number<br />

of entries from HGS students and families. It was great to<br />

share in everyone’s travels and see where people had<br />

been over the Christmas holiday. The following winners<br />

and runners up have received certificates and House<br />

points. Well done girls!<br />

1st Prize<br />

VIEWPOINT<br />

SETTING<br />

LIGHTING<br />

TEXTURE<br />

INTERACTION<br />

ELLEN O'BRIEN<br />

OLIVIA ABBISS<br />

NICKI SISSONS<br />

OLIVIA PASTOR<br />

LIZZI SHEARING<br />

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<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

RUNNERS UP<br />

VIEWPOINT<br />

SETTING<br />

LIGHTING<br />

TEXTURE<br />

INTERACTION<br />

ELLEN ROBERTSON<br />

LAUREN BELLINGER<br />

BETH BARNETT-SANDERS<br />

ANNA HOGG<br />

CERIAN SISSONS<br />

bird’s eye or worm’s eye view?<br />

LIGHTING – there will be flags wherever you go –<br />

perhaps you might capture them at night seen in floodlights<br />

or during the day fluttering in the wind.<br />

TEXTURE – the flags might be folded, twisted round the<br />

flag pole, crumpled on the floor or made of paper and<br />

sticking out from sandcastles. You may want to ZOOM in<br />

and capture the details rather than focus on the whole<br />

structure such as the rope tying a flag pole or the brass<br />

eyelets.<br />

SETTING – try to include something within the photograph<br />

that lets us know where the FLAG is from or is positioned.<br />

There may be a sign, lettering or landmark near or behind<br />

the flag.<br />

INTERACTION – You may want to capture yourself or<br />

your family looking past the flag, wrapped up in the FLAG<br />

or playing with it/them.<br />

BE IMAGINATIVE – BE CREATIVE - SEE THE WORLD<br />

AROUND YOU AND CAPTURE IT FOR US ALL TO SHARE<br />

Some images to inspire you…<br />

EASTER<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

COMPETITION<br />

WINNERS<br />

Following the great success of our Summer and Winter<br />

Photography Competitions I am very pleased to announce<br />

our next theme:<br />

This Easter our theme is: FLAGS<br />

As you go on your travels this Easter your challenge is to<br />

take photos of the most interesting, varied and hidden<br />

‘FLAGS’ that you discover during the Easter break; whether<br />

you are jetting off around the world on holiday or staying<br />

in <strong>Hitchin</strong> and the UK there are flags everywhere!<br />

Using a camera – try to capture them in the best way that<br />

you can. As with the last competition here are some visual<br />

elements to consider:<br />

VIEWPOINT – Will you be looking up at a flag? Will you<br />

be looking down upon it? Can you take a photo from a<br />

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<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

What to do next:<br />

• Once you have taken your photos decide on the best 3<br />

that you would like to enter.<br />

• Print them out to all fit on a piece of A4 paper and<br />

return them to the box in reception during the first week<br />

of term.<br />

• Please ensure that you CLEARLY PUT YOUR NAME (&<br />

FORM) ON THE BACK OF YOUR ENTRY and WHERE<br />

THE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN! If you are a parent<br />

entering please also include your daughter’s name and<br />

form.<br />

We look forward to seeing everyone’s entries in April and<br />

celebrating all of the wonderful things that HGS sees this<br />

spring! A display will go up in the long corridor and the<br />

winners will be announced with House points and<br />

certificates for the 1st prize and runner up in each<br />

category.<br />

Mrs. R. Cooper - Head of Specialism<br />

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS!<br />

Amidst the snow, February saw the arrival of our whole<br />

school production of ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’. Cast,<br />

crew and band worked very hard since December to<br />

ensure a fantastic show. Their energy and enthusiasm was<br />

limitless and rehearsals were very enjoyable, if a little<br />

fraught at times!<br />

We think that the girls’ words speak for themselves…<br />

After months of rehearsals, countless hours spent in the<br />

Drama room after school and then performing in front of<br />

parents and faculty, it was really hard not to be sad that our<br />

‘The Little Shop of Horrors’ experience was over. The show<br />

itself, was phenomenal, even after all of those rehearsals I<br />

don't think anybody was expecting the level of excitement<br />

and energy every person in the cast had on the night. The<br />

choir worked harder than I had ever seen them work and<br />

everyone was buzzing from all the adrenaline! When we<br />

finished our bows and our last song, I have to admit I was<br />

really disappointed that we wouldn't be able to get up there<br />

and do it all over again. Something I have taken from it all,<br />

though, is that a lot of people I would just pass in the<br />

hallways are now my friends and I think the show really<br />

brought something great out of the whole school. The cast’s<br />

trip to ‘Wicked’ and meeting some of the cast was not too<br />

bad either!! I don't think I'll ever forget the laughs and<br />

memories of ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’ 2012! Jade Johnson,<br />

Year 10.<br />

I am a Year 7 pupil and this was my first production at<br />

HGS. Being part of ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’ was great<br />

as it made me feel part of a team. I made lots of new<br />

friends across the school and had fun performing to such<br />

a large audience. I especially enjoyed playing the part<br />

"Skip Snip" because his character had a comical influence<br />

which made the audience laugh. We also had lots of<br />

laughs backstage in the Drama room whilst getting ready<br />

to perform. Now I know the Sixth Formers they don't seem<br />

so scary! Amy, Year 7.<br />

It has been an absolute pleasure working with all of our<br />

amazing young ladies and as the curtain fell on the last<br />

night there was a real sense of sadness that the experience<br />

was over. We would like to say a massive thank you to all<br />

and for even getting here through the snow for the dress<br />

rehearsal! But, as anyone who saw the finished product<br />

will agree, it was all worth it! Congratulations go to both<br />

casts for their two superb performances. A huge thank you<br />

to Mrs. Cooper’s Year 9 Art class who worked on the large<br />

plant in lessons; to Mr. Chambers and Miss. Scott for the<br />

amazing music; to Mrs. Maydom and Mrs. Cornell for<br />

choreography and costumes; to James & Liam for our<br />

sound and lighting set up and for training our girls who<br />

ran the show every night and to all our wonderful staff and<br />

helpers in costume, hair and make up, props and our great<br />

backstage team. A special thank you must go to our<br />

fantastic band and Lou Wallace our Director without whom<br />

the show would not have been possible.<br />

To celebrate the fantastic achievement of LSOH the cast,<br />

crew and band went to see ‘Wicked’ in the West End. It<br />

was a wonderful evening and lovely to share after<br />

everyone’s hard work.<br />

Mrs. R. Cooper & Mr. B. Chambers<br />

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<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

HEAD GIRL’S REPORT<br />

Although it feels like an incredibly short term, it has again<br />

been an action packed roller-coaster full of excitement,<br />

exhilaration, panic, relief, achievement and occasionally<br />

a sneaky bit of sadness as the weeks become less and less<br />

until I leave <strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong>.<br />

The Leavers’ Hoodies can be seen scattering the school<br />

and my next project of Leavers’ Year Books is in full swing;<br />

all profiles have been written and some brilliant photos<br />

from the past seven years are re-emerging!<br />

With the help of the <strong>School</strong> Council Body, we have carried<br />

out some intense interviews for new Assistant Head<br />

Teachers which was a great experience where we really<br />

grilled the applicants!<br />

Within the Year 13 Consortium this term, we are due to<br />

compete against The Priory and <strong>Hitchin</strong> Boys’ at both<br />

Football and the University Challenge (whilst writing this I<br />

don’t know the results as the games have not yet been<br />

played but I do hope HGS can carry on their winning<br />

streak and I know the girls will do us proud as they always<br />

do!). My House Captains and I are also beginning one of<br />

our next missions which is to re-decorate the Sixth Form<br />

Study Room, hopefully by the time the next newsletter<br />

comes I will be able to attach some photos with the results!<br />

Again I would like to thank everyone for their help this<br />

term; my prefects, all the members of the prom and yearbook<br />

committee as well as my fellow Head Girl and Boys.<br />

However there is someone in particular that has been there<br />

supporting me every single day of the past year and I<br />

cannot thank her enough; Mrs Lodge. Any problem or<br />

panic I have, she will take care of it and is a true<br />

inspiration. Thank you for everything; you will be truly<br />

missed but huge congratulations on your new job!<br />

I hope you all have a lovely break over the holidays and<br />

to those of you who are revising, don’t let it get you down!<br />

Take care and have a great Easter.<br />

Ambir Mann, Head Girl<br />

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<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT<br />

NATIONAL MANGAHIGH MATHS<br />

CHALLENGE<br />

As part of the National Science and Engineering Week,<br />

<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong> took part in the first National<br />

Mangahigh Challenge. The event ran over ten days from<br />

Friday 9th until Sunday 19th March. All of the KS3 classes<br />

enjoyed preparing for the challenge by completing tasks<br />

such as Flower Power, Sigma Prime, Transtar, Bidmas<br />

Buster and Pyramid Panic and even KS4 classes became<br />

involved and slightly addicted to the activities. At 12pm on<br />

the Friday the dashboard was set to zero and it was time<br />

for the challenge to begin! The girls were phenomenal and<br />

we finished the challenge in 2nd place. This is an amazing<br />

achievement, well done to everyone who participated.<br />

The Mangahigh website is a useful resource for practice<br />

and revision throughout the year-please visit<br />

www.mangahigh.com<br />

INTERMEDIATE MATHS CHALLENGE<br />

The Intermediate Mathematical Challenge (IMC) took place<br />

this February, with girls in Years 9, 10 and 11 taking part.<br />

The IMC is a national problem solving competition which<br />

is made available to our strongest Mathematicians.<br />

Congratulations to the girls who between them managed<br />

to achieve; 19 Bronze medals, 20 Silver medals and 4<br />

Gold medals. The Gold medals were gained by Aamani<br />

Jamil, Hina Awan, Choong-Ling Liew-Cain and Katherine<br />

Newbery. In addition to attaining the Gold medals<br />

Aamani’s score was the best in school and, along with<br />

Hina, has qualified to take part in the Pink Kangaroo,<br />

which is an extension to the IMC and is sat on an invitation<br />

only basis. Well done ladies!<br />

We hope to continue with the level of success when the Junior<br />

Mathematical Challenge takes place at the start of next term.<br />

EASTER CHALLENGE<br />

I have 6 Easter eggs. Each one contains a different number<br />

between 1 and 15. The numbers follow these rules.<br />

• All the numbers are in order (lowest first)<br />

• There are only 3 prime numbers included<br />

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• There is one multiple of 5<br />

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• All the factors of 14 are<br />

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• The numbers all add up to<br />

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Answers on page 11<br />

Mr. B. Alison - Head of Mathematics<br />

SPORTS’ REPORT<br />

It has been a very motivating start to this term, as day by<br />

day, we have been able to watch the new sports facility<br />

being built at Highbury courts. Both students and staff who<br />

regularly take part in clubs and fixtures have watched the<br />

progress of this building with great excitement. We look<br />

forward to the increased chances and motivation that this<br />

new facility will provide.<br />

Once again our students have excelled themselves this term<br />

in a variety of activities. They have been fully committed<br />

to a number of sports and attendance at clubs has been<br />

excellent. We have been particularly excited about our<br />

recent successes at ‘The Comet Sports Awards’, where<br />

representatives from the school were nominated and then<br />

selected as finalists in three different categories. Staff and<br />

students were treated to a wonderful evening at the Awards<br />

ceremony, with Maria Verdeille of Year 11 receiving<br />

recognition as a finalist in the ‘Paul Pearce Disability<br />

Award’, the Under 16 Hockey Team were awarded ‘Youth<br />

Team of the Year’ and as a school, we were awarded the<br />

highest accolade for ‘<strong>School</strong> Sport of 2011’. We felt very<br />

proud of our students at the ceremony; they conducted<br />

themselves in a highly professional and mature manner.<br />

We started the year with a trip to Shrewsbury where our<br />

Trampolinists reached the Zonal finals of the National<br />

<strong>School</strong>s competition. The teams finished in 4th place<br />

(Under 15 team) and 6th place (Under 19) team with some<br />

excellent performances from all members of the team.<br />

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-8-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

Congratulations go to Lauren Gull, Amy Finlay, Samantha<br />

Hodges, Lucy Swinburne, Zoe Bothamley and Emma<br />

Marlow.<br />

Also in Trampolining, our Step 2 and Step 3 teams have<br />

won at District level and went on to compete at the Herts.<br />

<strong>School</strong> Games. At district level Abigail Birks finishesd in<br />

1st place, in the Step 3 competition Lauren Gull finished<br />

1st in the elite section. At County level Abigail finished 2nd<br />

and Emilee Shaw finsihed 3rd.<br />

In the County Cross Country Championships, Caroline<br />

Willis finished in 12th position overall and Alana<br />

Hollingsworth-Biggs in 27th place, in a very competitive<br />

field of athletes. The school’s team relay event is due to<br />

take place at the end of term. Good luck to all our runners.<br />

We have also entered two teams into the District Sports<br />

Hall Athletics Competition, where at District level our Year<br />

8 team finished in 4th place and our Year 7 team became<br />

overall winners. The team consisted of Hettie Inniss, Jess<br />

O’Leary, Rhema Sijuwade, Maddy Davies and Synovia<br />

Green.<br />

The Lower <strong>School</strong> Gymnastics Competition is due to take<br />

place in the last two weeks of term and at present the gym<br />

is very busy with all competitors putting in extra practices<br />

on their sequences. Our Acrobatic Gymnastics team<br />

competed at East Region level, with a number of<br />

commendable places in the Pairs competition and an<br />

excellent 3rd place in the group.<br />

At District level, our Cricketers won and went on to<br />

compete in the County Lady Taverner’s Competition, where<br />

they finished in 1st place! They go on to compete at<br />

Regional level next term.<br />

Rugby club has seen a resurgence of interest this term, with<br />

8 girls now attending <strong>Hitchin</strong> Town Rugby Club. The Under<br />

13 A and B teams competed at the London North Regional<br />

<strong>Girls</strong>’ Rugby Festival and the Year 7 and 8 players<br />

experiencing an “Into Contact” tournament. Our Under<br />

14 Footballers have also entered the District Tournament,<br />

where they finished 4th in their group.<br />

In Swimming, our teams put in commendable performances<br />

at District level with a number of our students being<br />

selected for the District Squad.<br />

Our Netballers have played well at District level, with both<br />

Year 10 and Year 9 teams reaching the semi final stages,<br />

the Year 7 team winning the Plate Trophy and Year 8<br />

becoming the overall winners. The District League games<br />

continue to be played every week but final places are yet<br />

to be confirmed.<br />

Our Hockey players have been very busy this term with<br />

our Year 8 team finishing 3rd and the Year 7 team finishing<br />

2nd in their District Tournaments. In the latter, the Senior<br />

team finished in 2nd place with both the Year 9 and the<br />

Year 10 teams finishing as District Champions. In the<br />

Indoor District Tournaments, the Year 8 team finished 4th,<br />

the senior B team 5th and the Year 9 team in 2nd place<br />

overall. Both the Senior A team and the Year 10 teams<br />

finished in 1st place. The District League is yet to be<br />

finalised but present scores suggest that the Year 7 team<br />

are presently in 1st position and the Year 8 and Year 9<br />

teams in joint 1st position in their leagues. Good luck for<br />

the games yet to be played.<br />

In the County Cup, our Hockey players have been<br />

travelling far and wide to compete. In the Under 13<br />

County Cup, the A team finished 3rd in their group and<br />

the B team in 4th position. The Under 14’s finished around<br />

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-9-


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Explore Victorian, Edwardian and WW2 classrooms, have<br />

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Peek into the home of a Victorian headmaster’s family<br />

what did they keep in the parlour and the scullery?<br />

Department for Education quality checked tutors<br />

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Lots to see – Lots to do, Rain or Shine!<br />

Open to the public March – November:<br />

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Saturdays 10am – 1pm • Sundays 2pm – 5pm<br />

Extra summer holiday openings<br />

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Wednesdays 10am – 3pm • Fridays 10am – 1pm<br />

Admission Charge – Café & Gift Shop<br />

BRITISH SCHOOLS MUSEUM<br />

Queen Street, <strong>Hitchin</strong> SG4 9TS<br />

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-10-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

mid-group in their competition with the Under 16’s finishing<br />

as runners up. They also went on to represent Hertfordshire<br />

in the Regional Finals, where they came across some very<br />

challenging opposition. In the County Cup League, the<br />

Under 15 team reached the finals and although having<br />

played to an outstanding level, they lost the final by one<br />

goal in the closing seconds of the game. Our Year 11 team<br />

has been competing in the same competition but against<br />

Under 19 teams; this has obviously been quite a challenge<br />

but a rewarding learning experience in preparation for<br />

next year. The following students have been selected for<br />

JAC (County Hockey); Maddy Davies, Isolde Pryle, Emily<br />

Jackson, Lizzie Hodge, Naomi Cornell, Ellen Robertson<br />

and Alessandra Stevens.<br />

Special congratulations to two of our students who have<br />

achieved outstanding sporting accolades this term. Firstly,<br />

Maria Verdeille (Year 11) who has been selected to<br />

compete at the Pre-Test event for the Paralympic Athletics<br />

in the Olympic Stadium in the 100m, due to take place in<br />

May. She is presently ranked 8th in the world for her event<br />

and age. Secondly, Alysha Stojko- Down<br />

(Year 10) who has been selected for the<br />

England Under 15 Football Squad, and is due<br />

to travel to play an international fixture in<br />

Ireland. She also recently captained a South<br />

of England team.<br />

We are very proud of their achievements and<br />

wish them the best of luck for their forthcoming<br />

events.<br />

The Inter House League this term has been particularly busy<br />

with the Year 7 and Year 9 Netball Competitions and the<br />

Year 8 and Year 7 Hockey Leagues being hotly contested.<br />

The results of these will be announced in Final Assembly<br />

at the end of term. Many of our clubs and the leagues<br />

would not be possible without our student leaders. We are<br />

presently delivering the Level 1, 2 and 3 Leadership<br />

Awards in school, where the students have been visiting<br />

local primary schools, organising festivals, assisting with<br />

the District Swimming Gala, organising a cup stacking<br />

competition for our feeder schools, assisting with Sports<br />

Hall Athletics and umpiring at the primary school Netball<br />

Tournaments. Our thanks go to these students for their hard<br />

work and commitment.<br />

We are also looking forward to our Sport Relief Fun Run<br />

at the end of term where the girls and staff will be<br />

encouraged to run a mile in their pyjamas!<br />

On writing this report, the final preparations are underway<br />

for the Senior Netball Tour to Malta in the Easter holidays.<br />

We wish them the best of luck for a successful tour.<br />

Have a Happy Easter and we look forward to an action<br />

packed summer of Athletics, Tennis and Rounders!<br />

Mrs. D. Maydom, Head of Physical Education<br />

MUSIC DEPARTMENT<br />

The Spring Concert involved some of the larger traditional<br />

ensembles such as Junior and Senior Choirs and<br />

Orchestras, but also saw the debut (for this academic year)<br />

of smaller groups such as Folk Group, Junior Flute Group,<br />

the Year 7 Piano Trio and Junior Quartet.<br />

GCSE Music performances are now complete and the<br />

pressure is off (except of course for those who have to mark<br />

them!) Well done to all of those involved. The A Level<br />

Music students have also been working hard to meet<br />

deadlines and should be congratulated on their efforts. Our<br />

best wishes and support go to the Year 13 students who<br />

have their recitals after<br />

Easter! Students in Key<br />

Stage 3 have also been<br />

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-11-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

exceptionally high levels this academic year. Notably,<br />

Olivia Abbiss in Year 7, who recently achieved an 8b for<br />

her piano performance. Well done to all our students who<br />

have reached or passed their target levels.<br />

As a result of changes in funding for the North Herts Music<br />

<strong>School</strong>, various works have begun in the Music <strong>School</strong>.<br />

Many ensembles have had to welcome the sound of a drill<br />

in their rehearsals, but already the benefits are<br />

outweighing the negatives, as the Music <strong>School</strong> is looking<br />

smarter by the day.<br />

We look forward to the Concert of next term, as well as<br />

Founders’ Day with <strong>Hitchin</strong> Boys’ <strong>School</strong>. Any singers in<br />

Year 9 and above are welcome to join Senior Choir next<br />

term as this is the biggest annual event in the Music<br />

department’s calendar.<br />

We wish you a peaceful Easter holiday, and congratulate<br />

the students who have completed Music exams this term.<br />

Keep practising for the exams and concerts coming up in<br />

the Summer!<br />

Mr. B. Chambers, Miss E. Scott and Isla<br />

McLachlan of Year 11<br />

Natural History Museum, we knew we were in for a treat!<br />

A terrifying, illuminated dinosaur skeleton greeted us in the<br />

reception. As we were lead to the school area our<br />

excitement was brewing. Fascinating artefacts lined the<br />

great, cavernous walls.<br />

Our favourite part was the realistic re-enactment of the<br />

Kobe earthquake. Items were shaken from the shelves and<br />

people all around screamed as the ground shook beneath<br />

them. It made us realise how privileged and fortunate we<br />

are not to have experienced this trauma.<br />

Another highlight has to be the ‘Volcano Spectacular’<br />

which perfectly balanced entertainment and education, the<br />

display of corn flour showed mind-boggling properties,<br />

similar to those of the Earth’s mantle.<br />

We would love to go back again.<br />

Aphrah Raja & Dora Housham (8F)<br />

(Miss Johns would like to thank the staff and parents who<br />

gave up their time to support Year 8 in their learning on<br />

this trip.)<br />

PHYSICS<br />

On the 9th March, 20 students from Year 11 took part in<br />

a Physics Challenge. Students undertook a particularly<br />

difficult Physics paper organised by the British Physics<br />

Olympiad with the possibility of gaining Bronze, Silver or<br />

Gold awards or book prizes from the Institute of Physics.<br />

The paper was one hour long and the students were<br />

GEOGRAPHY<br />

YEAR 8 VISIT TO THE NATURAL HISTORY<br />

MUSEUM<br />

As soon as we saw the magnificent architecture of the<br />

exempt from their normal Science lessons to take part in<br />

the challenge under exam conditions. The following week<br />

four brave Physics students from Year 12 took the AS<br />

Olympiad paper over their lunch hour with a set of even<br />

more difficult Physics problems to solve and with a similar<br />

possibility of awards and book prizes. These competitions<br />

are run on the same day in participating schools across<br />

the country so competition is fierce!<br />

I am pleased to announce the outstanding set of results<br />

from the Physics Challenge. Out of the 20 students<br />

participating, 8 will receive Bronze certificates and 2 will<br />

-12-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

receive Silver certificates. The top scorer, Choong-Ling<br />

Liew-Cain, was a mere 6 marks away from being invited<br />

to the Institute of Physics for a Gold certificate. All<br />

participating students are to be commended as it was clear<br />

from the answer papers that they all made a real attempt<br />

at very difficult questions. The results for the Bronze and<br />

Silver winners are as follows (marks out of 50):-<br />

Choong-Ling Liew-Cain 32 (Silver)<br />

Josie Thomas 26 (Silver)<br />

Stephanie Smith 19 (Bronze)<br />

Katherine Newbery 19 (Bronze)<br />

Amy Wright 17 (Bronze)<br />

Abigail Stewart 16 (Bronze)<br />

Molly Barron 15 (Bronze)<br />

Bethany Smallbones 15 (Bronze)<br />

Anna McKeating 15 (Bronze)<br />

Bryony Pomfret 14 (Bronze)<br />

Mr. Adrian Jackson – Head of Physics<br />

MODERN FOREIGN<br />

LANGUAGES<br />

GCSE PANJABI<br />

If any students are interested in learning Panjabi and/or<br />

taking the exam to GCSE level, please be aware that we<br />

have classes that run every week after school. Students<br />

from any year group are welcome to join these sessions<br />

and may start lessons at any time of the year – no need to<br />

wait until next September. If you are interested, please<br />

come and talk to me about joining the group.<br />

Learning Platform GCSE/A Level Listening Materials<br />

If you are sitting a GCSE or A Level in a Modern Language<br />

this year, don’t forget to access the chool’s Learning<br />

Platform where there are a number of practice past<br />

Listening papers for private study material.<br />

Mr. J. Dellar, Head of Modern Languages<br />

DRAMA<br />

Watford Palace Theatre's touring production of Brecht's<br />

‘The Good Soul of Szechwan’ came to the Main Hall on<br />

the 20th February. All the GCSE and A Level Drama<br />

students saw a contemporary staging of Brecht’s play in<br />

which the four actors used puppetry and live music to tell<br />

the story of how difficult it is to be good in a ‘wicked world’.<br />

Mr. K. Balfe, Head of Drama<br />

SOCIAL SCIENCES<br />

YEAR 13 SOCIOLOGY CONFERENCE - THE<br />

OFFENDERS’, WHO ARE THEY AND WHAT<br />

HAPPENS TO THEM?<br />

At the end of February the A2<br />

Sociology students attended the<br />

annual Youth Conference on<br />

Crime and Punishment organised<br />

by ‘The New Bridge’, a charity<br />

that works with ex-offenders. The<br />

event took place at London<br />

University's Institute of Education.<br />

It was led by Professor David<br />

Wilson who lectures in<br />

Criminology at Birmingham City<br />

Y13 Sociology students at ‘The Offenders’<br />

conference: Shannen Cregan, Lauren<br />

Verdeille, Dominique Burton, Samiyah Khair,<br />

Laura Brown, Joely Dodds and Rosie<br />

Cowling<br />

University and proved to be an incredibly moving,<br />

informative and inspirational day for all.<br />

The Professor began by asking the audience to think about<br />

their perceptions of crime and how these are influenced by<br />

the media. We discovered that contrary to popular belief<br />

only a small minority of crimes involve violence (9%) and<br />

that murderers are very unlikely to get away with their<br />

crime. 92% of murders are solved.<br />

We then moved on to look at punishment and found that<br />

today we have more people locked up serving life<br />

sentences in the UK than the whole of Western Europe<br />

combined. This led to the question - Who are the<br />

offenders? It appears that certain groups are linked to<br />

imprisonment:-<br />

• If they were all housed together, ten prisons could be<br />

filled with ex-servicemen and women.<br />

• 1/2 of all male prisoners were excluded from school<br />

• 1/2 of male and 2/3 of female prisoners have no<br />

qualifications<br />

• 82% have the writing level of the average 11 year old<br />

• 3/4 suffer from two or more mental health conditions<br />

• 2/3 of prisoners were unemployed at the time of their<br />

imprisonment<br />

Given the fact that we lock up so many people at the cost<br />

of approximately £41,000 each per year we moved on to<br />

consider the extent to which prison actually works. Is prison<br />

a suitable punishment for all the people locked up or is<br />

there something better we could be doing?<br />

The statistics are all very informative but they only come to<br />

life if we investigate the human stories behind them and<br />

this is what we did in the next part of the conference where<br />

we heard from some truly inspirational speakers.<br />

Barry and Margaret Mizen's son Jimmy was murdered in<br />

2008, the day after his 16th birthday. Barry gave the<br />

background to what happened in the years leading up to<br />

the murder and the story of ‘Jake the Murderer’, who had a<br />

history of violence. Barry now works with young people to<br />

increase their awareness of the destructiveness of anger and<br />

aggression and to encourage forgiveness. He also talked<br />

about the importance of early intervention and education.<br />

-13-


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-14-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

At the age of 15 Nick Brewer was a Champion Skier, but<br />

following a serious injury he drifted to the Mediterranean<br />

coast where he became involved in drug dealing. A short<br />

spell in prison however, led on to much more serious crime<br />

where he became a successful drug smuggler. This life was<br />

cut short abruptly when arrested in Argentina and<br />

sentenced to ten years imprisonment in Buenos Aires’<br />

notorious Devoto Prison. He told the story of the slum<br />

dwellers who are incarcerated in these prisons and whose<br />

lives are scarred by poverty, abuse and violence and no<br />

attempt at rehabilitation is made. Nick survived his<br />

experience after taking up yoga and meditation and<br />

although relatively materially poor now, feels very rich to<br />

be free from the greed and selfishness that characterised<br />

his criminal years.<br />

The final speaker was Matthew Popo who got involved in<br />

one of Birmingham’s notorious gangs while still at secondary<br />

school. He described how life in the gang takes over your<br />

whole life until it becomes your life and can ultimately be<br />

the cause of the end of your life. Matthew lost two friends to<br />

shootings and two others were given life sentences after<br />

getting involved in a fatal stabbing. These were the events<br />

that shook him into finding a different direction in life. He<br />

escaped gang life through education – he studied<br />

Criminology at University and now uses his life experience<br />

as a fuel towards future success, founding his own company<br />

that endeavours to challenge, encourage and inspire today’s<br />

youth and spur them on to brighter futures.<br />

The whole day was truly inspirational.. It certainly gave us<br />

an insight into some of the causes and consequences of<br />

offending and how we could help prevent criminality in the<br />

future. It also proved invaluable to the Sociology Students<br />

knowledge for their studies.<br />

Mr. I. Osborne, Head of Social Sciences<br />

WORLD BOOK NIGHT<br />

World Book Night on 23rd April is a celebration of<br />

reading and books which sees tens of thousands of<br />

passionate volunteers gift books in their communities to<br />

share their love of reading. April 23rd is a symbolic date<br />

for world literature. It is both the birth and death day of<br />

Shakespeare, as well as the death day of Cervantes, the<br />

great Spanish novelist.<br />

I have been chosen as a World Book Night giver after<br />

having sent an application giving my rationale for why this<br />

book would be a great choice. This year they had over<br />

20,000 applications, so we are very fortunate to be able<br />

to give 24 copies of 'The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox' to<br />

our library, Year 12 and 13 Health and Social Care<br />

students. This book is particularly relevant to their areas of<br />

study as we are currently exploring mental health issues<br />

and sadly the stigma that is often attached.<br />

Mrs. S. Eckersall - Teacher of Health and Social<br />

Care<br />

ICT<br />

IMAGINE, PROGRAM, SHARE<br />

Use your creative thinking skills during the Easter holiday<br />

to create your own interactive stories, games, music and<br />

art using SCRATCH.<br />

You can download the application from the developers of the<br />

software MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)<br />

www.scratch.mit.edu and watch videos on YouTube to help<br />

get started. When you have developed your product you can<br />

share it with your friends. Share your product with us by<br />

posting a blog on the Kaleidos Learning Platform.<br />

Mrs. J. Molloy, Head of ICT<br />

CLASSICS<br />

SENIOR CLASSICS PLAY<br />

On 29th February and 1st March<br />

the Senior Classics Society staged a<br />

production of Sophocles’ ‘Oedipus<br />

Tyrannus’ to a combined audience<br />

of over one hundred people. The<br />

production was their most ambitious<br />

to date, involving original style<br />

costumes, staging and masks. Many<br />

congratulations go out to the cast<br />

and crew whose phenomenal<br />

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-16-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

determination and hard work made it a resounding success.<br />

Markian Mysko Von Schultze (HBS) played the doomed<br />

hero with a professional level of skill, thoroughly immersing<br />

the audience in his torment, and he was supported ably by<br />

Millie Morris (HGS) as Jocasta, Sam Day (HBS) as Creon<br />

and Frankie Arnold (HGS) as Tiresias.<br />

Special mention must be made of Amy Saunders (HGS)<br />

who produced and directed this year. She organised and<br />

managed the play from start to finish and its success is due<br />

entirely to her.<br />

All profits will be sent to Great Ormond Street Hospital.<br />

Mrs. K. Rowe - Head of Classics<br />

SIXTH FORM ‘QUESTION<br />

TIME’ 2012<br />

The Sixth Form ‘Question Time’ debate created a big stir<br />

this year with students crafting a wide range of questions<br />

about the role of the Monarchy, the Olympics, Youth and<br />

the <strong>School</strong> Uniform. Emma Poynter (Year 13) and Bethany<br />

Saunders (Year 12) courageously put themselves forward<br />

for the role of representing the Sixth Form views as a whole<br />

and made an outstanding contribution to the discussions.<br />

Students were also involved from the floor, adding a new<br />

dimension to the morning. The event and the thoughtfully<br />

drafted questions highlighted the importance of Student<br />

Voice and the need for everyone to have their say.<br />

Kieran Murphy from Phase played a brilliant role as Chair,<br />

David Dimbleby may need to watch out! Paul Harris<br />

helped keep the questions coming from the floor from an<br />

enthusiastic crowd. Other speakers included:<br />

• Susie King who is responsible for admissions for UK<br />

and EU students to the University of Bedfordshire.<br />

• Jason Royce works for a charity focussed on helping<br />

young people to help them make the most of their<br />

education and opportunities open to them.<br />

• Rob Carr who works as a Communications Manager<br />

for the Christian Socialist Movement and political<br />

adviser in the House of Lords.<br />

• Councillor Derrick Ashley, Conservative Party, <strong>Hitchin</strong><br />

South who amongst many of his roles is currently<br />

Chair of the ‘Hertfordshire is Ready for Winners’<br />

Partnership which has a responsibility for delivering<br />

the maximum benefit for Hertfordshire from the 2012<br />

Games through increased sporting participation as<br />

well as new opportunities for local businesses.<br />

HGS and all the girls in the Sixth Form would like to<br />

formally thank our guests, hosts and Chairs for giving up<br />

their time to spend a morning with us and provide us with<br />

an insight into their work in the wider community.<br />

Ms. T. Stojko, Head of Sixth Form<br />

ESAFETY - FACEBOOK<br />

SETTINGS<br />

Facebook have brought in a new timeline which changes<br />

the layout of user’s profiles.<br />

If you are a member of Facebook, remember to check your<br />

own privacy settings. Please note: Facebook privacy<br />

Co ntact<br />

:<br />

07092<br />

986<br />

308<br />

-17-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

settings can be tricky to follow - so whilst you might think<br />

you have changed your privacy settings to the tightest level<br />

- the timeline will still show some stories about friendships,<br />

‘likes’ and other wall content from your past. In order to<br />

be completely private, you will need to go in and<br />

delete/hide all this history on a one by one basis.<br />

TO CHECK YOUR SETTINGS PLEASE FOLLOW THE<br />

INSTRUCTIONS ON THE HGS WEBSITE UNDER<br />

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS<br />

SPORTS FACILITIES UPDATE<br />

The photograph shows our new changing facility and<br />

classroom on the Highbury site behind the Music <strong>School</strong><br />

which is well on its way to completion in the summer, ready<br />

for September.<br />

We are now drawing up detailed plans for the refurbishment<br />

lots of fun making chemical volcanoes (lots of fun with<br />

papier-mache) from vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.<br />

Next up for Science Club is investigating the Science and<br />

Technology behind nappies!<br />

FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT<br />

During Fairtrade Fortnight (27th February-11th March) the<br />

school saw many activities to raise awareness for Fairtrade<br />

and to help work towards becoming a Fairtrade <strong>School</strong>.<br />

Each year group was set a challenge to help raise<br />

awareness about Fairtrade around the school. A special<br />

highlight was seeing the vast array of desserts that Year 7<br />

produced using Fairtrade products, which were sold at<br />

lunchtime. We also had a raffle with prizes that were<br />

donated by generous local shops like Starbucks, Marks &<br />

Spencers and the Orange Tree Pub.<br />

At the end of lunchtime Year 7, 8 and 9 Students all<br />

gathered in the hall due to the poor weather to make a<br />

giant Fairtrade logo. It was cramped but still effective as<br />

hopefully you can see in the picture.<br />

Students also signed up and made a promise to support<br />

Fairtrade. The aim of the national campaign is to gain 1.5<br />

million promises around the country and we certainly<br />

made a good contribution!<br />

Thank you to everyone for their support; please look out<br />

for future Fairtrade events.<br />

of the grass courts to assist with applications for grant funding<br />

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If anyone has any information or contacts with grant<br />

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SCIENCE CLUB<br />

Our Sixth Form Ambassadors and helpers (Sammi, Emma,<br />

Alice, Sarah, Annie-Marie and Serene) have been very<br />

busy helping the Year 7 and 8 students prepare for the<br />

school Science Fair. Our junior Scientists have also had<br />

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-19-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

AUSTEN HOUSE<br />

Well done to those girls who have worked hard in their<br />

exam modules which took place in January and February.<br />

It was great to see their reactions when their hard work<br />

paid off and they gained pleasing results. Continue with<br />

the hard work as the final stages approach before the rest<br />

of the exams in the summer.<br />

Years 7, 8 and 9 students have participated in House<br />

Leagues at lunchtimes this term and Years 7 and 8 will take<br />

part in our annual Gymnastics competition.<br />

Millie Evanson, our Charity Prefect, headed up the team<br />

organising various charity activities and events. At the<br />

Year 7 and 8 disco they organised ‘cupid kisses’ and<br />

provided photographic memories of the evening to sell.<br />

During lunchtimes they ran a stall to sell ‘the last rolo’<br />

which proved popular. They also held a House cake sale<br />

in January which inspired 7A to then organise one for<br />

themselves. Well done to all the Sixth Formers who helped<br />

with this.<br />

Many of the girls throughout the House have been working<br />

very positively and I have been delighted to award<br />

certificates to many girls who have gained a 100% record<br />

in their ‘Behaviour for Learning’ and to those who have<br />

had excellent attendance for the half year. We are<br />

currently in 3rd position in the House League table. Both<br />

tutors and the girls have been working very hard to<br />

maintain a very positive approach to school.<br />

Congratulations to all the girls who participated in ‘The<br />

Little Shop of Horrors’, some on stage and many behind<br />

the scenes – it was an excellent show!<br />

Ayo Awokoya was nominated as a Youth Parliament<br />

Candidate after submitting a written and video manifesto<br />

– although she was not successful, this is still a massive<br />

achievement. Well Done!<br />

Many Austen girls (too many to mention by name)<br />

participate in activities in and outside school. Well done<br />

to you all for your achievements.<br />

I hope you have a restful and productive (for those revising)<br />

Easter break.<br />

Mrs. J. Cornell – Head of Austen House<br />

BRONTE HOUSE<br />

I started my new role as the Head of Bronte House in<br />

January, so I would like to take this opportunity to say hello<br />

and introduce myself! I am Miss Evans, and I am also part<br />

of the PE department here at HGS. It has been a busy but<br />

enjoyable first term as the Head of Bronte House, I have<br />

enjoyed the opportunity of going around Bronte form<br />

rooms getting to know students.<br />

We really are blessed with such friendly, enthusiastic and<br />

hardworking girls. It has been a privilege to take regular<br />

assemblies to celebrate achievements and explore<br />

important issues that face us in our society - both in and<br />

out of school.<br />

This term we have been working hard during the Fairtrade<br />

Fortnight, and we look forward to a Bronte charity event<br />

in the Summer Term.<br />

Miss C. Evans – Head of Bronte House<br />

CURIE HOUSE<br />

This term has been a short but extremely busy term for<br />

many of the Curie House forms. Whether it has been<br />

organising Fairtrade events, running sponsored silences,<br />

competing in House leagues or reflecting on just who their<br />

"crazy monkey friend" may be, a lot of events have been<br />

packed into a dozen short weeks.<br />

Before half term, Curie House forms demonstrated their<br />

creative side as we provided a large proportion of the cast<br />

and crew of the school musical, "The Little Shop Of<br />

Horrors". I would like to extend my personal recognition<br />

to Grace Reinhold-Gittins, Ellis Wharton, Emma Bailey, Ally<br />

Holcombe, Cara Baldwin, Jemima Ross-Smith, Sam<br />

Rawlings, Clio Greenbank, Madison Dow, Issy Cooper,<br />

Helen McKeating, Cora Siedlecka, Tamsin Forde, Myrtle<br />

Thomas, Holly Walsh and every other member of Curie<br />

House who was involved in the show.<br />

In January Year 10 and 11 students sat GCSE module<br />

exams and many members of Curie House did<br />

exceptionally well. In Year 10 Lizzy Robinson, Yasmin<br />

Begum, Kirstie Gregory, Lottie Hall, Zoe Bridge, Gabriella<br />

Boxall, Ashleigh Holt, Ally Holcombe, Amy Ditcham, and<br />

Shalama Begum all exceeded their target grades in either<br />

their Science or Geography modules. In Year 11 Aamani<br />

Jamil, Choong-Ling Liew-Cain, Katherine Newbery, Emily<br />

Ornstein, Sophie Osborne, Brittany Sprawson and Hina<br />

Awan all received straight A* grades for the modules they<br />

took in January.<br />

As we enter the final term of this academic year and many<br />

students’ thoughts turn to the end of year assessments and<br />

external exams once again, I wish to take this opportunity<br />

to wish everyone continued success and I hope the hard<br />

work put in by many of you this year is richly rewarded in<br />

the summer.<br />

Andrew Jackson - Head of Curie House<br />

FRANK HOUSE<br />

This term 7F have been focussing on Charity events. They<br />

have held cake sales and sponsored events, and are<br />

preparing a car wash and an Easter raffle. They are the<br />

proud winners of the Netball League in Year 7. Ona<br />

Sobotie has organised a rota for mentoring and homework<br />

help for one lunchtime a week which is going very well.<br />

-20-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

8F began well last half term. We showed our<br />

sportsmanship in form hockey and bonded during our form<br />

time group activities. Overall, its been a fun term!<br />

Aphrah Raja 8F<br />

9F achieved many things this term. We would like to<br />

congratulate Rhea Janjua for winning the Science Fair and<br />

Hannah Priestley, Bhavini Patadia, Harriet McPhail and<br />

Jenna Barnard for achieving their Arts Awards.<br />

Maia Perry and Aminah Elnemr 9F<br />

10F have been involved in various activities: Jade<br />

successfully participated in ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’. We<br />

contributed to Fairtrade Fortnight and are continuing to<br />

work hard in our GCSE courses as we have external<br />

exams soon.<br />

Evie Darrell 10F<br />

11F were very pleased the hear of the safe arrival of Mr.<br />

Gaunt’s little girl, Eloise Jane Gaunt. We are also, mostly,<br />

pleased with our module results and are keeping busy with<br />

learning in the run up to study leave.<br />

Lauren Proudfoot 11F<br />

In SF F1 Annie Mackinnon-Austin, Sian Adams, Serene<br />

Esuruoso and Laura Robinson were involved in performing<br />

and backstage assistance for ‘The Little Shop of Horrors’.<br />

Laura Robinson and Sian Adams SF F1<br />

Happy Easter Everyone<br />

Mrs. D. Pearce – Head of Frank House<br />

JEWEL HOUSE<br />

It is with a degree of concern that I am sitting at my desk<br />

writing this report with the spring sun shining through the<br />

window! This is the time of year when Jewel House girls<br />

find it difficult to focus on their learning, and last year lost<br />

too many House points, allowing Bronte House to take the<br />

final year reward. Let’s not make the same mistake again!<br />

I am putting all my faith in the girls and am looking<br />

forward to again topping the ‘Behaviour for Learning’<br />

league table. Keep up your great efforts girls and ensure<br />

you receive the reward you so justly deserve.<br />

Mrs. Walker will be leaving us the end of this term. She is<br />

soon to be having her baby and I would like to wish her<br />

well.<br />

Charity News: Thank you to Megan Pease, who presented<br />

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-22-


<strong>Hitchin</strong> <strong>Girls</strong>’ <strong>School</strong><br />

sports facility. Well done and thanks also go to Olivia<br />

Abbiss, Mary Thornton and Rachael Abbott in 7J, who<br />

have been cutting pupil names for ironing onto the back<br />

of tracksuits. Between them, the girls have helped to raise<br />

£45 this half term. Anyone wishing to have a name made<br />

should see me in L63, the cost is £2.50.<br />

Sports News: I would like to thank and congratulate all the<br />

form sports’ teams which have been out in all weathers,<br />

flying the flag for Jewel House. Just by taking part you are<br />

all making a contribution to our overall success. If your form<br />

is topping any of the leagues, then very well done indeed.<br />

Finally, enjoy your Easter break; let’s hope for some warm<br />

spring sunshine to help recharge us after the dull winter<br />

weather. Ensure you get a good degree of down-time, but<br />

for all of you facing exams when we return, do not switch<br />

off completely. Pace yourself, take some time out, but also<br />

prepare for what will be a challenging Summer term.<br />

Mr.S. Ferguson – Head of Jewel House<br />

TERESA HOUSE<br />

Well done to all Teresa House students for your ongoing<br />

hard work and enthusiasm. Thank you to our prefect team<br />

for their organisation and to our Year 12 helping-hand<br />

teams who work regularly with the younger students in the<br />

House. Look out for the helping-hands email address and<br />

for suggestion boxes arriving in your tutor room soon.<br />

This term saw the Fairtrade Fortnight and Years 7 and 9<br />

prepared some delicious food for sale. Well done to all<br />

who were involved and to Miss O’Reilly for her sales role.<br />

This term we have been focussing on friendships in our<br />

assembly time. For Valentine’s Day we considered how we<br />

show our friends and family that we love them and<br />

continued the theme with ‘random acts of kindness’ in our<br />

next assembly based on the book written by Danny<br />

Wallace to fit with World Book Day. He started the<br />

movement that is based on a quote from one of Aesop’s<br />

fables “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”<br />

Have you carried out your random act of kindness?<br />

Special Teresa House Congratulations: Teresa House would<br />

like to congratulate Fiona Montgomery of 11T on her<br />

incredible achievement of winning a National Award as a<br />

Looking Good<br />

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result of her community work with disability sport. She<br />

represented the East Region at the Lions UK Young<br />

Ambassadors conference recently. The Judges interviewed<br />

all 12 candidates, all of whom were Year 13 students or<br />

at University. All 12 presented their 3 minute speech to<br />

approximately 200 Lions. Fiona was outstanding. They<br />

were 12 truly remarkable young people, each with an<br />

amazing story of community volunteering. Well done Fiona<br />

for your inspirational community work.<br />

Teresa House rewards: This term Teresa House students<br />

have continued to collect their 100% club stars as a result<br />

of excellent ‘Behaviour for Learning’. Congratulations to all<br />

of you who have received a certificate this term and special<br />

congratulations to 9T who made it through a whole<br />

fortnight with no H1s at all! A particular well done to all of<br />

you who have made improvements this term. Keep it up!<br />

Don’t forget that even one star gains you entry into the<br />

Easter chocolate raffle! Another special well done to those<br />

of you who are House point champions - keep collecting<br />

those cards.<br />

We all know that attendance equals success so we have<br />

introduced awards to celebrate excellent attendance.<br />

Congratulations to all of you who have managed a truly<br />

fantastic 95% attendance rate and have received your<br />

certificates.<br />

Congratulations to the following students for receiving their<br />

Teresa House Star Awards for their ongoing community<br />

work in Teresa House; Emma Wilding, Emily Auld, Julia<br />

Speakman, Natasha Kumar, Naomi Cave and Lucy<br />

Nottingham.<br />

EXAMS<br />

Congratulations to all who have received the results they<br />

needed from this term’s modules and good luck with the<br />

upcoming summer modules. Please remember to speak to<br />

your Form Tutor if you have concerns over planning for<br />

your exams. They can always advise you and point you in<br />

the right direction.<br />

Happy Easter! Mrs. A. Salmon, Head of House<br />

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Open: Wednesday, Thursday<br />

Friday & Saturday<br />

-23-


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Society Limited (No. 111982). Registered in England.<br />

Registered Office: Tiddington Road, Stratford upon Avon,<br />

Warwickshire CV37 7BJ. For security and training purposes,<br />

telephone calls may be recorded and monitored. Authorised<br />

and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. A member of<br />

the Association of British Insurers.<br />

Designed & Published by Printed by Sears Print & Publishing Limited 01480 455123<br />

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