From the Head Teacher nonselective

Gildredge House Bulletin Issue 27, 22nd April 2016
From the Head Teacher
This week was always going to
be a busy one, particularly in
the Performing Arts Department,
who were about to put on their
major production of the year
(more of this later) but there has
been plenty going on in other
areas too.
We had another successful Big
Dig event last Saturday.
Incredible effort was much in
evidence as we moved earth in
barrows from the car park below
up onto the outdoor learning
environment and once again
huge progress was made (see
photographs later in the
Bulletin).
On Monday the Lower School—
this time Year 1—had another
exciting and inspiring visit from
Jaws ‘n’ Claws (see report
below).
Also on Monday four of our
talented Mathematics students
participated in the UKMT Team
Challenge. Two Year 9’s – Elsie
Brown and Anastasija
Timofejeva and two Year 8’s –
Ellie Molloson and Billy Thomas –
participated and were an
absolute credit to the school.
The prestigious competition, run
by the UK Mathematics Trust,
held at Tonbridge Grammar
School in Kent, attracted a
number of selective schools,
including grammar and
independents, as well as nonselective
schools such as
ourselves. In such company, our
Gildredge House team did
extremely well to place 14th out
of 33 schools. Our thanks go to
parent / Vice-Chair of
Governors, Mr Mace, who
accompanied the team and to
the Mathematics Department for
their ongoing inspiration and
support of these talented
students.
In this week’s issue
Message from the Head
Teacher
Lower School News
Foreign Language Spelling
Bee
Big Futures Careers Show
Meet our New Staff
Students of the Week &
Happy Notes

Gildredge House Bulletin Issue 27, 22nd April 2016
On Wednesday our Year 9 students attended the
Big Futures Show, a careers event organised by
the Eastbourne Business Partnership at the Winter
Gardens. The event was targeted at Year 10
students in the area, but we felt that our own
Year 9 students could gain much from the
experience. Our students rose to the occasion and
I was delighted to receive feedback from local
business providers:
“You should be incredibly proud of the pupils that
attended the Big Futures career fair today. They
were incredibly well-behaved and engaged with
the exhibitors beautifully.”
“Almost immediately the show opened its doors,
we were bombarded with a continual stream of
enthusiastic pupils from Gildredge House… Firstly I
wanted to say how delightful they all were to talk
to. They were bubbly and confident and politely
asked many interesting questions, a real credit to
the school.”
The students came away hugely inspired by the
event, with lots of ideas about how they would
like to take their careers ideas further. What a
great event for Eastbourne! I hope that this
continues to be something offered year on year to
the young people of our town. You can read Mr
Myall’s report later in the Bulletin.
Also on Wednesday were the regional heats of the
Routes into Languages French Spelling Bee and
Gildredge House was represented very strongly by
the Year 7 team of Kane Benton, Freya Armstrong
and Benedict Noon. Mr Gardner’s report appears
later in the Bulletin.
Last, but certainly not least, it’s been a ‘massive’
week for the Performing Arts, with our
performances of ‘Bugsy Malone’. No doubt there
will be a longer report next week as, at the time
of writing, only one of the four performances has
taken place. I am immensely looking forward to
seeing the show on Saturday night, after hearing
glowing reports of the opening night from various
sources. I am also looking forward to seeing our
outstanding production of ‘What Are They Like?’
at the Brighton Dome on Sunday night. I know that
this particular cast, which has some overlap with
the ‘Bugsy’ crew, has also been working hard to
put on a production of the highest standard. A real
testament to our students’ achievements in so
many fields. I am proud of the way they engage
with whatever is expected of them.
Mrs Lea Gilbert
Head Teacher
It was another busy work day in
the Outdoor Learning
Environment last Saturday, with
staff, parent and children
helpers all getting stuck in!

Gildredge House Bulletin Issue 27, 22nd April 2016
Year 1 News
On Monday we had an exciting visitor to Year 1.
Phil from Jaws ’n’ Claws came to see us and
brought along his pets! We got to learn all about
where creatures like scorpions, frogs, lizards,
tortoises and snakes like to live. Phil went on to
tell us about how these animals have adapted to
their environments and why you don’t get a polar
bear in the desert or a snake in the Arctic! Phil
told us a rhyme to help us identify venomous
snakes, if we ever visit North America and want to
stay safe. “Red Touch Yellow - Kills a Fellow, Red
Touch Black - Venom Lack”
The best bit was when we got to hold the animals
(except the scorpion!) The tree frog climbed all
the way up the wall and was then put on Miss
Newlands’ head! We were so lucky because we
got to meet a tiny six week old lizard on his very
first outing into a school. Phil said his skin felt
like a pineapple and asked us to think of a name
for him. We are excited to hear if he chooses one
of our names for his pet lizard!
Mrs C Geldard
Director of Lower School

Gildredge House Bulletin Issue 27, 22nd April 2016
Foreign Language Spelling Bee
Three Year 7 students attended the Regional Finals
of the Foreign Language Spelling Bee at Brighton
University on Wednesday. Freya Armstrong,
Benedict Noon and Kane Benton beat 117 other
students in the school heats in December and
February to get through to this key part in this
national competition, organised by Routes Into
Languages. Students have to translate and then
spell, using the French alphabet, as many words as
they can in 60 seconds. With the addition of a
lecture theatre full of other competitors and
teachers, the heat was definitely on for our heroic
trio. The competition was fierce, with many
students clearing 14 or 15 words in a minute.
Benedict was up first but didn’t let his nerves get
the better of him, managing 14 words himself.
Then it was Freya’s turn with an excellent 11.
Kane was the last Gildredge House student to go
and he did us proud with a fantastic one word
Big Futures Careers Show 2016
On Wednesday 20th April, 120 Year 9 Gildredge
House students visited the Eastbourne Winter
Gardens to experience the wonders of the Big
Futures Show, 2016. The Big Futures Show offered
a unique opportunity for our students to meet with
a wide variety of further education and training
providers and prospective employers. It was an
opportunity for numerous exhibitors to promote,
provide inspiration, give advice and guide students
about options available to them in the near future.
Potential employers offered interactive exhibits
and guidance in the hope that they could inspire
our future workforce. They were looking for the
talent of tomorrow and explained to the students
exactly which qualifications they were looking for
and what training and apprenticeships they could
offer in the workplace.
every three seconds! It looked like it was ‘in the
bag’ for the second round of the afternoon.
However, after a series of tie breaks and some
very high scores from Crookhorn College near
Portsmouth, we didn’t find ourselves on the
shortlist. Regardless, our three did a wonderful
job and, as the organisers reminded them, they
had still beaten many thousands of schoolchildren
from across the South of England region to get this
far. Well done to all of them and we look forward
to them helping to train and judge next year’s
Year 7 participants!
Mr J Gardner
Head of Languages

Gildredge House Bulletin Issue 27, 22nd April 2016
The Gildredge House students took full advantage of the
opportunity that was offered to them; asking important
questions that related to their desired vocation.
The event was a resounding success and one that we hope
we will use again in the
future.
Mr S Myall
Head of Section: Years 9-11
Meet our New Staff
Tom Addems
Teacher of Sport
Tom graduated with 1st class honours from the University of
Brighton with a BA in Physical Education (with QTS). During his
time at university, Tom volunteered at Gildredge House as a
member of the Sport Department, assisting in the delivery of
both curricular and extra-curricular Sport within the school.
Since graduating from university, Tom has been working as a
member of the PE department at Varndean School in Brighton.
During this two-year period, Tom has been required to organise
major youth sporting events in Brighton, was selected onto the
Outstanding Teachers Programme and has been made an NQT
mentor.
Tom has a passion for all sports, with particular interests in
football, rugby, basketball, golf and fitness. He previously
played football for Eastbourne Town FC, currently plays in the Mid Sussex Premier League with AFC
Willingdon and has won district honours in youth basketball.
He has strong links with sports teams in the local area, and feels strongly that competitive and
recreational sport should be offered to pupils of all backgrounds and abilities, with the overall aim
being to find young people sports and activities that they will do for life.
“Having volunteered within the Sport Department in the schools opening year, all I have wanted to do
is become a member of the teaching staff here. The supportive climate that has been established by
both staff and students, conducive to enjoyment and progress, is something I cannot wait to be a part
of and I am thoroughly looking forward to becoming a member of the Gildredge House family.”

Gildredge House Bulletin Issue 27, 22nd April 2016
Laurie Marsden
Information Manager
After obtaining her BA Hons degree in French and English, Laurie
joined the Graduate Management Trainee Scheme for American
Express. Laurie worked for American Express for many years, with
her last role there being as Marketing Manager.
Laurie also worked as Product Manager for Lloyds TSB, and then,
after the birth of her daughter, has enjoyed working more locally
for a few schools and companies based in this area. Laurie lives in
Eastbourne with her husband and daughter.
“I’m delighted to join the team at Gildredge House; I look
forward to seeing the school continue to grow from strength to
strength.”
Mr Joe Allsopp
Teacher of History
Joe graduated from the University of Winchester in 2011 with
an Honours degree in Medieval History. He then spent a
number of years working aboard and in the UK as a teaching
assistant, learning mentor and ESOL teacher. It was during this
time that Joe moved to Brighton to complete a Masters in
Cultural History, Memory and Identity. He then went on to
complete his PGCE at Sussex University in June 2016.
Joe is a passionate teacher and wants to bring history to life.
He is also a strong believer that education happens both within
and outside the classroom.
“I am hugely excited to be joining Gildredge House as a
Teacher of History and to be part of an outstanding
community. I am looking forward to sharing my enthusiasm of
History with my new students and to help them be inquisitive,
active and independent learners.”
Jasmin Eldridge
Primary Class Teacher
Jasmin’s passion for becoming an inspiring teacher led her to
complete a BA (Hons) in Primary Education at Canterbury
Christ Church University. She has gained teaching experience
across different age groups over the last five years, at a
range of schools in Kent and East Sussex. Jasmin has an
enthusiasm for developing a love of learning in children from
a young age through practical and hands on experiences. She
enjoys taking part in and coaching a range of sports and is
excited to continue this as part of the Gildredge House team.
She has coached children at national trampoline standard and
looks forward to developing a trampoline club at Gildredge
House.
“I am excited to become part of the teaching team at
Gildredge House and I look forward to developing a love of learning in children so they can aspire to
be the best they can be. I am looking forward to working with all members of the community in
different areas of school life.”

Gildredge House Bulletin Issue 27, 22nd April 2016
Students of the Week
Chosen by their Form Tutors, these students
have done something that has made them stand
out this week.
Year 7
7 Bader: Kane Benton for representing Gildredge
House in the French Spelling Bee at Brighton
University and helping Miss Brown work on her
French.
7 Carter: Iycea May - for dealing with a situation
in a very mature way.
7 Hopkins: Emilia Spirou – for her kindness and
generosity.
7 Johnston: Shakeil Siraj - for being very helpful
and polite to a member of staff.
7 Ravilious: Freya Armstrong and Sam Campbell –
for their dedication to Bugsy Malone.
7 Shackleton: Kate Holman – for following the
Gildredge House Way when helping to return a
lost item.
Year 8
8 Bader: Ethan Harrington - for being polite and
doing as he’s asked without question.
8 Carter: Alex Brown – for his continuous positive
attitude to school.
8 Hopkins: Iryna Askirka – for her positive attitude
to learning.
8 Johnston: Tilo Schulmeyer – for his contribution
and commitment to Bugsy Malone.
8 Ravilious: Faith Harrington – for excellent work in
English.
8 Shackleton: Maria Konstantinou – for representing
the school at Rugby and getting ‘studded’ in the
process.
Well done, all of you!
Miss C McCollin
Head of Section: Years 7 & 8
Happy Notes
The following Lower School children all received Happy Notes for
following the Gildredge House Way:
Reception:
Connor Byrne
William Evinson
Freya Sivers
Jacob Morris
Year 1:
Ava-Lily Eldridge
Martha Pulford -
Shoosmith
Beau Allart
Isabella Nagy
Year 2:
Nathy Barber
Eli Green
Alfie Crouch
Clara Murphy
Well done!
Mrs C Geldard
Director of Lower School
REMINDERS:
Year 12 Politics Revision Conference Trip: Wednesday 27th April 2016
Pre-Loved Uniform Shop: Wednesday 27th April 2016 3.00-5.00pm
Years 8 & 9 Support Your Teen Information Evening: Thursday 28th April 2016 7.00-8.30pm
*** KEEP COLLECTING YOUR LOOSE CHANGE FOR OUR KASH FOR KAILEND APPEAL IN MAY!***