An Island StoryIn July pupils and staff from St Helen’s and Abingdon will travel to Shiga Prefecture in Japan, to the rural settings of Tonda and Nagahama, to tour with a piece of original theatre and study bunraku, Japanese puppet theatre. An Island Story, devised by our students, is about the four countries of the United Kingdom; England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is set in the past, the present and the future. Some of the

events are real and some fictitious. A highly physical piece, the cast use song, mime and puppetry to communicate a wide-ranging plot to an audience principally composed of non-English speakers. The play was premiered to an audience of family and friends in the Yolande Paterson Hall in the last week of term and will be performed in the Lute Plaza, a theatre in Nagahama, on 26 July.

Mr Hogben, Drama

Olympic CompetitionSports Day marked the culmination of over 50 sporting competitions and events completed by pupils since the start of January, from netball and lacrosse to the fun run, trampolining and skipping. Sports taster sessions were organised, alongside the main competition, to enable girls to try new sports. Archery proved to be a particular favourite and a new Archery Club will be starting in September. A number of high profile sports people including

Graham Edmunds, Paralympic swimmer, and Sarah Ayton, Olympic sailor, talked to the girls about their Olympic experiences.

Celebrations that began with a sporting theme have been embraced by the whole school and expanded to involve, amongst others, music, philosophy, food technology, the library, languages and mathematics competitions and activities. St Helen’s Olympic competition was intended to

inspire and reflect Olympic values and the girls’ competitive spirit, teamwork and support for each other has been wonderful to see. A truly Olympic experience!

After a very close fought competition, with table positions changing on a weekly basis, many congratulations to the USA on a great win!

Sarah Wilson, Head of Physical Education

1USA 4960

2S Korea 4690

4 Australia 4500 5 China 4210 6 Japan 4110 7 Germany 3680 8 Greece 3480

Olympics 2012: Final Country Positions

3Brazil 4550

Tr init y Term 2012

T h e N e w s l e t t e r o f S t H e l e n & S t K a t h a r i n e

St Helen & St Katharine, Faringdon Road, Abingdon Oxfordshire, OX14 1BET: 01235 520173 E: info@shsk.org.uk www.shsk.org.uk

At St Helen’s we believe we have an

important role to play in encouraging girls

to discover and develop their own

strengths, to challenge themselves and

take risks and, in doing so, to develop the

self-belief and confidence that will equip

them for life.

The Trinity term has been full of examples

of girls taking the opportunities on offer:

taking the initiative, entering competitions,

exhibiting their work, performing in front

of an audience and standing up publicly

for their beliefs. Fear of failure or getting

things wrong is very common amongst

girls and learning to manage this is key to

personal fulfilment. School provides a safe

and supportive environment in which to

experiment and practise standing out from

the crowd and it is excellent to see the girls

embracing these opportunities.

The school trips planned for the summer

holidays offer the chance to step outside a

known and comfortable world. Taking a

drama production to Japan and putting

skills of communication to the ultimate

test or spending three weeks in Swaziland,

where the physical rigours of constructing

a building and living in an environment

where the basics cannot be taken for

granted, would test the heartiest traveller.

St Helen’s pupils are ambitious and

compassionate and embrace a challenge

and I have no doubt they will rise to the

occasion. I commend the imagination,

ambition and courage of the staff and girls

involved and look forward to their

travellers’ tales!

Rowan Edbrooke, Headmistress

In the Easter holidays 34 girls from the Senior lacrosse squad went on a two week tour of the East Coast of the USA. Both teams really came into their own against some very tough competition. The 2nds won two of their matches which was an incredible achievement. After some well fought but narrow losses, the 1sts played some of the best lacrosse of the season to come back to draw 11-11 against Martha’s Vineyard in an epic final match!

Highlights off the pitch included watching a college lacrosse game, the amazing sunny weather and being let loose in New York! The host families and schools were unbelievably welcoming, making memories and friendships that will stay with all of us.

Enormous thanks to Mrs Keogh and the teachers who all put in so much effort to ensure that tour was way above and beyond our expectations.

Cordelia Parker, US1X

Dance is increasingly popular both in the PE curriculum and as an extracurricular club. Early May saw St Helen’s pupils participating in a new choreography competition. The idea behind the competition was for Year 8 to perform the tribal dances that they had been working on in PE and to provide an opportunity to showcase the dance talent in school at a show for family and friends at Abingdon’s Amey Theatre.

Congratulations to all the participants and to the prize winners...

Junior: Natasha Strange

Senior: Louise Ball

Best Entertainment Award: Hannah Young

Stage Presence Award: Emma Harrison

Sophie Topp, 10M

The Trinity term has been a busy one for building development. The kitchen and dining room extension is well under way and when the new facilities open, after the Michaelmas half-term, pupils and staff will benefit from an enlarged dining area, dedicated salad bar and additional cooking stations. We are also taking this opportunity to create an internal waiting lobby to improve facilities for late pick-up from the Chapel car park. Our thanks for your patience and understanding, as school lunches are disrupted in the first part of the Michaelmas term, whilst this exciting project is completed.

Following the completion of the kitchen and dining room facilities we will turn our attention to our next major building project, the new science facility development on the site of the old swimming pool.

Mr Eley, Bursar

Lacrosse Tour to East Coast USA

Choreography Competition Building Development Update

2 | Tr in i t y Term 2012

h e a d l i n e s

On Friday 27 April the inaugural St Helen’s Sports Dinner was held to celebrate the sports achievements of the year and congratulate pupils on their efforts and accomplishments. Invited guests included all sporting pupils and their parents from Year 10 and above. We all

enjoyed a lovely evening celebrating a year of significant progression and success in the school’s sporting life. We were treated to an inspirational speech from the recent England netball captain, Karen Atkinson; a delicious meal à la Olivier, our school chef;

and the company of a lively group of people to enjoy the evening with.

It was fascinating to hear how Karen’s sheer determination had transformed her from a member of her school’s C team to one of the most accomplished netballers in the country. This really goes to show that everyone can achieve their ambitions if they are prepared to work hard. The evening concluded with a prize giving ceremony to reflect and reward the hard work and effort of both pupils and staff throughout the year. It was a wonderful evening and we would like to thank the PE department for pulling out all the stops, once again!

Jess Hoskin, 10L

Sports Day had an Olympics theme this year, complete with opening ceremony, as we continued to compete in our eight countries for medals. In a very competitive contest the USA narrowly beat Brazil to lead the Sports Day medal table and contribute to final positions in the Olympic competition. It was wonderful to see everyone participating from Year 5 to Upper School 1 and to hear the teachers supporting from the sidelines. This was also Mrs Evans last year in charge of Sports Day, as she is retiring at the end of the school year. I am sure the whole school would like to join in thanking Mrs Evans for a wonderful final Sports Day and for all her hard work over the last 20 years!

5 year group or school records broken:

• LouiseBall,Year10,setanewschoollong jump record of 5.03m

• FionaBunn,Year8,setanewYear8 1500m record of 5’24.00

• ...andLucyConway,NatashaSquireand Iona Willows set Year 5 and 6 track and field records.

Jess Hoskin, 10L

Results Round upTennisThe U13 and U15 age groups entered the LTA AEGON national schools competition, providing an opportunity for more challenging matches against stronger opposition, and achieved some excellent victories. The U13Bs rounded off an excellent season by winning the county finals and the U12s have played some fantastic tennis and secured some great wins, notably beating Headington 8-0. St Helen’s pupils also lead the county ranking with Felicity Wilkins, ranked No. 1; Alice Atkins ranked 3rd; and Elizabeth Shortis ranked 4th in their respective age groups.

RoundersAnother successful rounders season! The U12A team winning the invitational tournament and the U12B team finishing a promising 3rd ahead of many A teams. The U13s and U14s have also been successful, both A teams winning area tournaments. 80 girls from Year 8 - US2 took part in an England Rounders training day with England coaches before playing against the national side and two other schools. The season finished with our U16 rounders team coming third in the National Finals: winning their group, beating last year’s winners in the quarters and narrowly losing the semifinal by half a rounder. Congratulations!

SwimmingThe girls have been very committed to early morning training and great results have followed winning galas against Headington, Oxford High, Tudor Hall and Downe House. Year 5 and 6 swimmers entered the regional round of the National Schools Relays in March and from there were selected to go to the Divisional Finals.

AthleticsAnother good athletics season with wins against local schools in many of the Vale meetings. Thirteen girls were selected to represent the Vale in the county championships. Standout performances from Molly Thompson and Kat Ellis, both 3rd in their races, and Louise Ball an impressive joint 1st in the long jump with a jump of 4.92 metres.

Sports ExtraBiathlon: Years 5 - 7 entered their first biathlon this term, involving a 600m swim and 1500m run. Congratulations to Baylie Powell, 7N, placed 1st with a time of 6’37 and Annie Sharp, 7H, placed 2nd.

Cross-country: Four cross-country runners were selected to represent Oxfordshire at the UK Inter-Counties cross-country event in early March. Cordelia Parker and Claire Fabes ran in the U17 race and Fiona Bunn and Flora Insley ran in the U13 race. They were all highly placed on the day.

Orienteering: Fiona Bunn competes in orienteering at the weekends and recently won the British Orienteering Championships resulting in a clean sweep of all the big events this year.

Sports Day Highlights

Sports Dinner

The record breakers...

S I D E l I n E S

Tr init y Term 2012 | 3

The fabulous Sixth Form Ball committee

‘Frontlines’ is run by the girls, for the girls. Thanks to all who have contributed this term. Please let us know if you would like to write a report or if you are interested in joining the ‘Lines team’.

You can email the editorial team: communications@shsk.org.uk

YO U R V I e w O F S C H O O L L I F e

Congratulations to Francesca Welham 10M who has won the Thames Valley Institution of Chemical Engineers, IChemE, essay competition. Her essay, which tackled the question of whether a large scale nuclear facility should be built in the area in which you live, will be published in the next IChemE newsletter which is read by over 1000 professional engineers working in the Thames Valley.

Francesca's prize was presented by Dr Prab Mistry and Mr Richard Morris from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

Swinging Sixties Sixth Form Ball

Debating Update

Smashing Atoms

What do you think of when someone says Spain? For nine Upper School girls, going to Salamanca for a week for an intensive revision course, our first answer, after Spanish, was sun! We packed accordingly but by the third day realised this probably hadn’t been a good idea as, like the rest of Europe, it rained continuously!

Despite the weather, we had a wonderful time. We stayed with Spanish families providing an opportunity to experience Spanish culture; sample authentic food; as well as practising our Spanish, as our hosts spoke no English. In the mornings we went to lessons which were really useful and even succeeded in explaining to our Spanish teacher how to make a Victoria’s Sponge! In the afternoons we visited famous sites, such as the cathedrals, university, and Art Deco museum, and one evening we had a

Salamanca in the rain

The Sixth Form Swingin’ Sixties Ball was held on the last Friday of the Trinity term. 295 guests including Upper School 1, Upper School 2 leavers, their parents, friends and staff enjoyed a sizzling evening of dinner and dancing in the spectacular marquee erected on the sports fields and decorated in true flower power style. The ball committee worked tirelessly all year to create a night to remember. Congratulations to all involved and good luck and very best wishes to all our leavers.

This term saw the final debate for the US2 pupils who started the Debating Society two years ago. Gorg Stockley and Beatrice Allen chose the motion for their swansong “Hot girls have problems too” and were ably opposed by the newly elected Chairman and Secretary of the Society, Katie Pennick and Emily Stevenson. The debate was moving, funny and a great way to round off their school debating careers. We wish them well as they move on to university, and have no doubt that they will continue to debate there!

Meanwhile, the European Youth Parliament team have been hard at work, preparing for the National Session in Liverpool in September. Katie and Emily are writing a resolution on Intellectual Property Rights with Lorel Scriven, defending the rights of artists to be properly recompensed for their work. Other team members are researching areas as diverse as the EU’s position on South Sudan and Tibet, action against youth obesity and youth unemployment and how to ensure that the Olympic legacy is lasting. We look forward to reporting in Michaelmas Lines on their progress.

Mrs Hughes, Director of Students

tapas cooking lesson. On the last day, we visited Madrid and spent the afternoon touring. By this point it was blazing sun, and Madrid looked beautiful, the perfect way to round off our trip.

Emily Stevenson, US1Z

F R O N T l i N e s

4 | Tr in i t y Term 2012

F R O N T L I N e S

Interview with Miss KingcombeMiss Kingcombe joined St Helen’s in September 2011. She teaches Biology and, in September, will also take up the role of Head of Year 7.

what did you do before you came to St Helens?

Having completed my undergraduate degree in Zoology at Bristol I did a Masters in Biology at Oxford. After that I worked in a school as a teaching assistant for a year before doing my PGCE. I then worked at a grammar school in Buckingham for two years before moving to Abingdon and starting at St Helen’s.

what are your impressions of St Helen’s after your first year?

My first year at St Helen’s has gone very fast but I’ve really enjoyed it. I‘ve had a great time getting to know the girls and I’ve been very impressed with how friendly and welcoming everyone is. All my students are very enthusiastic and keen to learn which makes my job very enjoyable.

what do you enjoy doing outside school?

I really enjoy cooking, especially baking cakes! I love to travel whenever I have the chance. I got the travel bug on my gap year when I visited Australia and worked on a cattle farm for 6 months! I love visiting new places and seeing new things. Also I really enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, walking and going to the gym, mostly to burn off all the cake!

And now for the question we have all been dying to ask...

How did your fiancé propose?!

My fiancé got down on one knee at sunset at the Taj Mahal when we were travelling in India. It was very romantic and a complete surprise! Obviously I said yes and I'm very excited about getting married next summer.

In May, fifty-eight Year 10 geographers enjoyed a 3 day field trip to Nettlecombe Court Field Study Centre in Somerset to undertake IGCSE fieldwork on rivers and coasts. They completed a number of investigations on river processes and also studied coastal management strategies and processes. Essential parts of the syllabus were covered to a very high standard, ensuring the pupils will be well prepared for their exams next summer. The pupils had lots of fun, despite the variable weather, and really worked well as a team.

Mr Delacour, Head of Geography

Geography in Action

Room 101An opportunity for an invited ‘school celebrity’ to discuss their top five pet hates which they would like to consign to Room 101, the infamous torture chamber in George Orwell’s novel 1984.

Olivier - Executive Chef

I prefer not to hate things as it is such a strong word, but there are a few things which I dislike, in fact I really cannot stand! They include the following:

Pet Hate 1: Mess - chefs have to be tidy and organised and so therefore it is necessary for me, and my kitchen, to be the same.

Pet Hate 2: Stupidity - when someone refuses to understand something it makes me really aggravated and does more harm than good. I also think that lack of sense of humour is a good indicator of stupidity.

Pet Hate 3: Being late - I’m terrified of being late. I am of the anxious type and will arrive somewhere very early if it means I won’t be late.

Pet Hate 4: Not shaving - I don’t like an untidy appearance. I think it is important to look smart and presentable.

Pet Hate 5: Noise - I have 4 children in my family; my son plays the guitar very loudly and my two eldest daughters listen to the radio very loudly and I hate it. I like everything to be peaceful and calm.

Tr init y Term 2012 | 5

Home Truths

Summer Art ExhibitionIn the glorious sunshine of an early evening in June, St Helen’s welcomed pupils, parents and friends of the school to enjoy a Private View of the School’s Art and Design exhibition. Accompanied by jazz and light refreshments, guests were invited to view the exceptional GCSE, AS and A level art and design work, along with highlights of work from other year groups.

Mrs McDonald, Head of Art

Musicians in the MakingMusical opportunities continue to abound for younger girls. As well as the numerous ensemble groups that meet each week, the Trinity term offered a number of opportunities for girls in younger years to perform in front of an audience at the Summer concert on 20 June and the Olympic Music Festival in early July. Performance is an essential skill for any musician and audiences at both events were treated to some wonderful music making including Sinfonietta’s Pictures at an Exhibition and Year 9 Jazz playing Son of a Preacher.

Ms Rakowski, Director of Music

Olivia adds a twist In June the Junior Department’s Years 5 and 6 took to the bright lights and stage of the Studio theatre to perform Olivia to an audience of family and friends.

Set in the Victorian era, Olivia tells the story of a down-trodden orphan who becomes a star of the stage. Along the way she meets a host of colourful characters who either help or hinder her progress to stardom. Amongst the many characters the audiences enjoyed were Eliza Doolittle; Sherlock Holmes and the trusty Dr Watson; Ebenezer Scrooge; Dodger and Fagin.

Over the weeks and months leading up to opening night all the Junior Department girls worked extremely hard to learn lines and songs. They should be very proud of their magnificent performance. Both evenings were a huge success and were enjoyed by all.

At the end of May a cast of Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils performed the brand new play Home Truths which was written and directed by one of St Helen’s english and drama teachers, Mrs Mason.

Set during the First World War, the play tells the story of the Steele family and the challenges they face during the war. Rather than focusing on the action in the trenches, the play focuses on the women and children who are left to cope at home, once the men have left to fight, and the very real difficulties and dramas they faced.

Home Truths sought to capture the stresses and strains of family life and the whole cast are to be congratulated for their very sensitive and engaging portrayal of domestic life during the war years. Huge thanks to Mrs Mason for writing the original script and giving the girls the opportunity to take part in an original piece of work.

Sophie Topp, 10M

6 | Tr in i t y Term 2012

C R E A T I V E l I n E s

On Sunday 3 June 100 St Helen’s girls supported Plan UK: Because I am a Girl during the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant on waterloo Bridge. Plan UK was one of 5 charities chosen by the Royal Household to participate in the Pageant and we were all very pleased to represent the school and the charity for such a memorable event. we all felt very patriotic with our red, white and blue face paint and flags. The many boats, ranging from kayaks to narrow boats, were an incredibly impressive sight! Highlights of the Pageant included fifty-four sea cadet boats displaying all of the Commonwealth flags and of course the Royal Barge! There was a huge cheer from the crowds as it came into sight and the hours

waiting in the cold and rain were well worth it when we saw the Queen, along with the Duke of edinburgh, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It was an amazing occasion which we will never forget, despite the miserable weather!

Olivia Crowcombe, 8K

Fundraising UpdateA murder mystery supper, cakes baked to order, homemade cards produced, cookies and lemonade made and sold, dog walking, car

washing, flower garden creating, BIAAG wristbands for sale, fresh fruit smoothies made while you wait...

Just some of the fabulous ways in which girls have put their creative minds to the task of

raising their £52 for Plan UK’s Because I am a Girl campaign.

With over £3,000 already raised and with lots more events planned, we still have work to do but we are committed to doing all we can to provide girls in developing countries with access to life changing education.

Individual donations can be made by accessing our Just Giving page at Justgiving.com and typing SHSK into the ‘Sponsor a Friend’ box.

Rev’d Janet Taft

On Saturday 23 June over 30 staff and families gathered for the inaugural staff charity bike ride in aid of the school charity Plan UK, Because I am a Girl. Setting aside the fear of imminent rain and, for some, the number of years since they had last been on a bike, the group bravely set off to tackle the two routes on offer.

Everyone had a great time, the weather was kind and the children stole the show with their amazing riding. Thanks everyone for participating and well done. Perhaps a tour of The White Horse awaits for next year?!

Mr Earnshaw-Crofts and Mr Delacour

Community CyclesThe latest edition to school facilities is a rather unusual one, six new Claud Butler bicycles!

The bikes have been purchase to enable sixth formers who need to get ‘out and about’ to make visits as part of their community service volunteering to do so with ease and in an environmentally friendly way.

The bikes have proved to be a big hit with pupils and staff alike!

Confirmation Service On Wednesday 2 May the school chapel was once again filled to capacity as we welcomed Bishop Henry Scriven to take our annual Confirmation Service. After 8 weekly meetings, discussing the big questions of life in the context of the Christian faith and our response to them, and an awayday to Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, which also included an impromptu game of ‘netball-frisbee’ and a trip to G&Ds for ice-cream; 17 girls from year groups across the school were confirmed. Although hugely significant for the girls as they continue their journey of faith, the service was an inspiring and uplifting occasion for all those present. Particular thanks to Olivier for providing a wonderful celebration supper and cake!

Rev’d Janet Taft

Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant

Staff Charity Cycle Ride

Tr init y Term 2012 | 7

C O M M U N I T Y l I N e s

Lines is the newsletter of St Helen & St Katharine, Faringdon Road, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 1BE. www.shsk.org.uk T: 01235 546 541 E: communications@shsk.org.uk Editors: Mrs Charlotte Carey, Jess Hoskin (10L), Catherine Moon (US1W), Anna Murphy (US1X), Sophie Topp (10M)Photography: Thanks to Mr Paul Burnett, Mr Paul Moylan and Mr Ash Verjee Design by: MCC Design, Oxfordshire

With grateful thanks...

to Penny Lodge (née Robinson), who left St Helen’s in 1948 and, after a lifetime of playing violin and cello, has generously donated her beautiful 19th century cello to the school for pupils to use. Miss Birt, Head of Strings, was thrilled to accept the cello on behalf of the school and Penny came back to school in June to hear the cello played by Anya Chomacki, US1S, at a mini recital in her honour.

Varsity Cricket SuccessMany congratulations to Helen Webster (2010 Leaver) who led the Cambridge University cricket team to victory in the Women's Varsity Cricket on 16 June. Helen is pictured, with the Cambridge team, in the Long Room at Lords after receiving the trophy.

Reunion June 2012The weather was kind on Saturday 23 June as more than eighty former pupils and staff came back to St Helen’s for their anniversary reunion, celebrating 20, 25, 30 or 40 years since leaving school. For many it was their first time over the threshold in all those years. Initial nerves soon gave way to giggles and fits of laughter as old friends were rediscovered, friendships picked up where they left off and happy times and misdemeanours gleefully recalled!

One of our guests wrote, ‘It was so interesting to have a tour of school and to see how much has changed in the 40 years since we left. Can it really be so long? It seems like yesterday. What lovely new facilities compared with the prefab rooms we had in our day!’

It was wonderful to welcome Old Girls who had travelled from as far afield as Australia, Germany, France, Kenya and USA, as well as those living across the length and breadth of UK. All agreed it was

Prize GivingWe were delighted to welcome Dr Sophie Churchill OBE, Old Girl and Chief Executive of the National Forest Company to this year’s Prize Giving. As well as presenting prizes to the girls, Sophie gave a fascinating and highly entertaining account of the growth of a young forest and some of the important and irreverent life lessons which can be drawn from it.

Prize Giving was followed by afternoon tea in Old School Hall and was a super occasion to reflect on the year past and to wish our leavers all the very best for the next stage of their lives.

worth the journey, however long, and are already asking when the next reunion will be.

St Helen’s holds anniversary reunions each year for Old Girls and former staff to celebrate 20, 25, 30 and 40 years since leaving school. A Golden Reunion, which is held every 5 years for pupils who left 45 or more years ago, will be held in 2014.

Sandie Burnett, Old Girls’ Liaison Officer

'92 Leavers turn back the clockSophie Churchill, Miss Edbrooke and members of the Sixth Form

Prefect team talk before OGs arrive!

B E Y O N D T H E l i N E s