Established 1899 www.sherborne.com Trinity 2013

NewsletterMoving forwards...Due to the continued growth in student numbers at Sherborne Girls, a newJunior Boarding House is set to open in the Trinity Term. So far, as part ofthe five-year plan to invest in the future, the School has completed a £2.5million Science Centre, created new classrooms for Humanities and launcheda new Sixth Form, Higher Education and Careers Centre.

The junior house has beenunder construction for thelast year and is the firstboarding house to have beenbuilt at the School since 1992,and has been specificallydesigned for youngerstudents in mind.

It will accommodate 56 girlsand features upgradedsleeping accommodation, acontemporary dining room,improved study space and adedicated garden. “We aredelighted with the new

house,” said Housemistress Hayley Vanstone. “Thewonderful facilities will helpus to provide the warm andnurturing environment weare known for.”

Headmistress Jenny Dwyerexplained, “We believe thatgirls joining us at the age of11 benefit from the specialistcurriculum which we are ableto provide, alongside superbpastoral care and excellentfacilities.”

Firmly of the belief that thespirit of a house belongs with

the people and not thebuilding, the name will movewith the girls and the juniorhouse will be known asAldhelmsted West.

Work will soon begin on thebuilding vacated by theyounger girls. It will becompletely refurbished overthe next few months and inthe Michaelmas Term willbecome home to all the girlsfrom Kenelm, as they moveover the bridge and take upresidence. Following the sameprinciples, this building willbe renamed Kenelm.

lord coe to light up ballOne of the highlights of the TrinityTerm will be a major gala fundraiser,with London Olympic Chief and two-time Olympic champion, Lord CoeCH KBE.

The Candlelight Ball will be held inmarquees in the grounds ofSherborne Girls on Saturday 22 June; guests will enjoy achampagne reception before a three-course dinner and entertainment, toinclude live jazz and swing bands, and silent and live auctions.

The Development Office is stillseeking support in the form ofpledges for the auctions, as well asevent sponsorship and gifts in kind.Full details can be found atwww.sherborne.com/candlelight_ball

Tickets cost £75 per person at tablesof ten and all proceeds will gotowards supporting the School’sBursary Fund.

For tickets or for further informationplease contact the DevelopmentOffice: development@sherborne.com or 01935 818301.

Lower Fifth girls recentlyparticipated in achallenging science week,investigating a wholerange of subjects, from‘Fingerprinting Felons’ to‘Plants on the March’. Theweek culminated with thegirls giving presentationsof their work to anaudience which included ajudging panel of formerHead of Chemistry,

Dr West, retired Biologyteacher, Mr Bygrave andcurrent Science staff.

The winning team ofSophie Dible, SerenaDwerryhouse, AlmuMunoz Molto and LucyWright will be enteredinto the British ScienceAssociation Bronze CrestAwards.

AGAINST THEMACROCOSM OFnational debate aboutwhat constitutes the bestacademic curriculum forschools, we at SherborneGirls have quietlycontinued in our ownevolution in this area; wegreatly value theindependence we have inreaching our ownconclusions, allowing forflexibility, choice andcontinued academicstretch.

Our Upper Fifthcontinue to be able toweigh up the respectivestrengths of A Levels andthe InternationalBaccalaureate Diplomawhen thinking abouttheir pathway into theSixth Form; awaitingthem there, whicheverroute they have followed,is another level ofexciting decisions to bemade in terms of theirengagement withextended research,academic societies,inspirational speakersand academic trips.

Further down the school,the Junior Diploma andthe Mind Matters activity

programme continue tosucceed in their aim topromote academicreflection andengagement away fromthe confines of theclassroom.

Linked to this, theAcademic Hub hasrecently completed itsreview of the Lower FifthCurriculum forSeptember 2013. Gone isthe requirement to studyevery subject possible ina packed curriculum.There will be greaterchoice of languageoptions. In the creativearea (Art, DT, Textiles,Music, Drama, FoodTechnology), pupils will

also be able to opt forthose subjects whichreally capture theirimagination, and willhave more curriculumtime devoted to thosethat they do choose,ensuring study to greaterdepth with like-mindedpeers. A ‘core’ elementwill also be introducedinto the pupils’ weeklytimetable, allowing timefor proper focus onstudy skills and reflectionabout what constituteseffective learning,linking in with thephilosophy of the JuniorDiploma. We are nowlooking forward toexamining in similardepth the curriculumoffered to pupils in theLower and UpperFourth.

What about theappropriate platformsfor delivering all of this?Well, here too theresearch, reflection anddebate continueapace…to iPad or not toiPad, that is the currentquestion, and afascinating and crucialone it is too. Thankgoodness for flexibilityand independence whenit comes to makingdecisions!

Bringing books to lifeLocal author Michael Malaghanwill be visiting the School Libraryin the Trinity Term. With writingcredits which range from shortstories to children’s television, andfrom journalism to novels, Michaelwill be sharing the secrets of histrade with Lower and UpperFourth girls, and signing copies of his books ‘GreekRansom’ and new release ‘The Lost Prophecies’.

Follow the Library blog –http://sherbornegirlslibrary.wordpress.com

Strength in choice

bill penty,acting head

science stars

Over 100 pupils from neighbouring schools joinedSherborne Girls for a day of scientific talks anddemonstrations on the theme of pyromania. Guestspeaker Professor Roy Lowry of the Centre forChemical Sciences at the University of Plymouthlectured on the chemistry of fire and fireworks,including how to produce the coloured flames andsmoke curtains used in many pyrotechnicdemonstrations on stage and television today.

Gaye Nelson, Head of Chemistry at Sherborne Girlssaid, “This was an exciting and energetic lecture fromone of the industry’s experts. We were delighted tohear that the visiting schools enjoyed the experience,and that it has made students think more aboutstudying science at school and university, and how itcan lead on to a broad range of careers.”

Explosive lecture

The Confirmation Service was held in Sherborne Abbey on Saturday 9 February. The Abbey was packed withfamily and friends wishing the 41candidates well.

The service was conducted by formerBishop of Shrewsbury, The Rt RevdDavid Hallatt. School Chaplain, Revd

Rebecca Ayers-Harris said, “I amdelighted that so many girls have beenconfirmed this year. Sherborne Girls isa Christian foundation and theConfirmation Service is a special eventfor us each year. We consider ourselvesvery lucky to be able to hold this servicein the wonderful surroundings ofSherborne Abbey.”

The book, which Charleyco-authored with threeother writers, aims torevive the girls’ boardingschool genre. Charleyexplains, “It starts withone of the charactersgetting the biggest cultureshock of her life when shewins a scholarship to agirls’ boarding school andwithout giving too muchaway, a Nancy Drew stylemystery develops. It’saimed at young adults, soI’m delighted to see ourown Library stocking it!”

Headmistress JennyDwyer added, “We are

incredibly proud of whatCharley has managed toachieve. Charley hopes tostudy English Literatureat university after her A levels and go on to

be a professional writerone day, so this is exactlythe start she needs to set her on the path to future publishingsuccess.”

Scholarships and awards2013-2014AcademicAlice Richardson (St Ives School), Ella Cunningham(Mount House), Amelia Fortescue (Chafyn Grove),Sophie West (Mount House), Emily Williams (King’sHall Taunton), Georgina Luders (Kingshott), Celia McCormick (Hanford), Ottilie Mundy (Blundells)

ArtPandora Covell (Cheam), Grace Storrie (Perrott Hill),Alexandra Covill (Amport C of E Primary School)

MusicMia George (King’s Hall Taunton), Fenella May (Port Regis), Celia McCormick (Hanford), Annabel Harris (Sherborne Prep)

SportsAmelia Fortescue (Chafyn Grove), Sophie Hall(Sherborne Girls), Georgina Luders (Kingshott), Flora Toyne-Sewell (St Swithun’s)

All-Rounder Award Polly Usher (Chandlings Manor), Flora Ramsden(Sherborne Girls), Georgia Watson (Hazlegrove Prep),Eleanor Miller (Hazlegrove Prep)

novel achievement Upper Sixth girl Charley Robson has had a taste of fame and fortunewith the publishing of her first novel, St. Mallory’s Forever!

Faith confirmed

Top of the classLent was a very successful term in the Mathematicsdepartment. No fewer than five girls obtained Goldcertificates in the Intermediate MathematicsChallenge. Kate Hon (M5), Lily Sun (M5), JuliaRoutledge (M5), Ella Penton-Voak (L5) and FrancesBudd (L5).

Kate, Lily and Julia were joined by Mairi Galbraithto claim joint first position in the Dorset heat of theTeam Maths Challenge at Thomas Hardye School inDorchester and now progress to the South Westregional final in Exeter.

Expert careers adviceThe Old Girls’ Careers Mentoring Service is now in itssecond year, providing support to those starting out ontheir careers, considering a change of direction orreturning to the work place. The first careers event washeld recently, hosted by global law firm Linklaters intheir London office and attended by Old Girls, sixthformers and parents.

Barrister and Governor of Sherborne Girls RobinLeach welcomed the audience and the evening tookthe format of round table style discussions with expertsrepresenting various law specialisms. Particularlyinteresting was advice on what legal recruiters look forin new entrants, and the evening ended with a livelyquestion and answer session followed by supper.

Future events are likely to focus on careers in themedia, property and finance.

IT’S OFTEN SAIDIN SCHOOLS that ahappy child will succeedmore in the classroom,and we know that lowself-esteem and generalsadness in one’spersonal life can have adetrimental effect uponone’s achievement.

Happiness can certainlybe an elusive feeling forteenagers who have agreat deal to contendwith. There has beenconcern expressed inthe press recently aboutyoung people not beingproperly supported atuniversity and indeedcriticism thatundergraduates canexperience a lack ofpastoral care. In myexperience it is oftenstudents who have notlived away from homebefore who can feel thismore acutely and mayneed that extra bit ofTLC in their first year asthey get to grips withdevelopingindependence. This issurely why boardingschools are such awonderful invention!

Sherborne Girls is proudof its full boarding ethosand traditions and is

often praised for itsstrong pastoral care. Butwe are not complacent –far from it. Developinghappy and fulfilledyoung people is an on-going task. It requires aholistic approach. Idon’t believe one canteach happiness but youcan create the rightenvironment in whichall girls have theopportunity to flourishand develop resilienceand character and eventake risks, knowing thatthis is a safe place inwhich to do so.

There has been lots ofresearch into whatmakes people happy buttop of the list is alwaysthe quality of family lifeand other relationships.Friendships are reallyimportant to girls. In aboarding community,pupils developmeaningful friendshipsand we place a greatdeal of emphasis on asense of trust andbelonging. This is astrong feature of all ourHouses.

Alongside companion-ship and community,being physically fit andhealthy is also proved to

contribute to feelinghappy. We are fortunateto have wonderfulfacilities for sport andrecreation and all girlsare encouraged to makefull use of these,whether it’s attendingearly morning trainingsessions or perhapsparticipating in charitysports events, and this isof course in addition totheir regular sportingcommitments.

When things go wrongand a girl is struggling,the community steps into help. Older girls canlisten, friendship bondsare strengthened andstaff have the skills tosupport and advise.Prospective parentsfrequently comment onthe happy andpurposeful atmospherethat exists here.Education is so muchmore than a set ofresults and we sincerelyhope our girls leave hereas happy, fulfilled andindependent youngwomen ready to leadsuccessful lives.

The pursuit of happiness

lost in translation Joy and Marián are the School’s French andSpanish Assistants and provide conversationpractice for the girls. Here they share theirexperiences of life at Sherborne Girls:

J’ai reçu un très bon accueil de la part dupersonnel de l’école, qui m’a expliqué commentfonctionnait l’établissement. Le département delangues m’a fait une forte impression notamment,grâce à ses enseignants solidaires, avec qui j’ai eul’honneur de travailler et de progresser. J’aiapprécié de travailler dans une atmosphère jovialeoù la richesse linguistique était au cœur del’enseignement. Joy Nedu

Nunca pensé que un internado pudieraencantarme tanto como lo ha hecho SherborneGirls. Desde que me alojé en el ático de DunHolme, una de las casas del colegio, hace ahoraseis meses, he vivido una de mis mayoresexperiencias como profesora, asistente deconversación y como tutor residente en dichacasa. Sin duda, Sherborne marcará en mi corazónuna huella imborrable para el resto de mi vida.Gracias a todos los que habéis hecho de este añouna experiencia inolvidable. Marián López

Emma Hattersley, Deputy Head Pastoral

}EVERYBODY DANCE NOW...Twenty-eight buddingDarcey Bussells, ranging inage from Lower Fourth toUpper Fifth, recentlyperformed in the toe-tapping, foot-stomping‘Everybody Dance’ atYeovil’s Octagan Theatre.

Head of Sport, NickyMatthias said, “As well asperforming in the grandopening and finale, our girlsperformed a ballet duet, agroup ballet, and a lively jazzand hip hop group routine.Thanks to everyone whocame along andcongratulations to ourdancers on their polishedperformances.”

Distinguished conductor,harpsichordist and dancer,Dr Ricardo Barros, was thisyear’s director for the annualHarriet Tory masterclass.

Recently awarded theprestigious title Associate of theRoyal Academy of Music for hissignificant contribution to themusic profession, Dr Barros

delivered a specialist class forthe girls, focusing on music anddance of the Baroque period.The event culminated with anevening concert.

The Junior Production this year is amuch loved story by KennethGrahame, a classic English tale ofriverbank folk that has delightedgenerations of children over the pasthundred years. With a cast of overforty girls, the show is packed full ofexciting elements such as dance,puppetry, singing, music and stagecombat, not to mention plenty of funand lots of jokes.

Performances are on Thursday13 June at 7pm and Friday 14 Juneat 7pm. Tickets are availablefrom the School Box Officesjw@sherborne.com

The Sherborne Schools’ Symphony Orchestraperformed in an afternoon concert at St John’s, Smith Square in London on Sunday17 March. The 64 strong orchestra, drawnfrom musicians from all the Sherborne schools,played some particularly demanding works by Suppé, Khachaturian, Borodin andMussorgsky. John Jenkins, Director of Music at Sherborne Girls said, “The wonderful venueand its generous acoustics inspired theorchestra to some of its best playing of theseason, and there was some outstanding soloplaying. There was also a most enthusiasticresponse from the audience, who clearlyenjoyed it immensely.”

Symphony Orchestra

Fifth year of musical masterclass

diary dates22 May Old Girls’ AGM at the Royal College

of Defence Studies, London

1 June Old Girls’ 20-Year Joint ReunionDinner at Sherborne School

22 June Inter-house Athletics Competition

22 June Candlelight Ball

26 June Art Exhibition Private View

28 June Commemoration

Highlights have included:A spectacular Fashion Show wasorganised by the girls in AldhelmstedEast, attracting an audience of over400 people. Staff and studentsenjoyed tripping the light fantastic,and over £3000 was raised for thecharities Magic Bus and Educaid.

Comic Relief is an ever popular eventon the fundraising calendar, and thegirls held a series of money-makingevents including a Red Nose Day TeaParty which generated nearly £500.

Dun Holme girls invited members ofSherborne’s Senior Citizens LunchClub to join them for a recent Sundaylunch. The guests enjoyed atraditional roast dinner, which wasfollowed by an informal musical recitalgiven by the girls. On departure, eachof the guests was given a bunch ofdaffodils. Head of External Relationsand Community Coordinator,Amanda Mackintosh, said, “Theafternoon was a great success for bothpupils and senior citizens, with manystories being exchanged between thegenerations.”

A group of 16 girls from the UpperFifth and Lower Sixth staged a charityconcert at the end of Lent Term andentertained everyone with song,dance and comedy. Their chosencharity was Tiny Hands Orphanage inNepal, which the girls will be visitingthis July. They will be able to presentthe charity with over £400 generouslydonated at the concert.

Kenelm girls raised over £700 for thePiers Simon Appeal/School in a Baginitiative. The project deliversrucksacks full of stationery, learningresources and eating utensils to poor,orphaned, vulnerable and disasteraffected children around the world,and the money raised by Kenelmfunded a total of 49 bags.

It’s all for charity...This term, Sherborne Girls have supported the following charities:

Kids Company - Help for Heroes - Tiny Hands Orphanage - Multiple Sclerosis - Magic Bus - Epilepsy Action Michael J Fox Foundation - Fundación Estrela Brilhante - Sakhumzi Children’s Care Centre - Comic Relief - WWFTildy’s Trust - Piers Simon Appeal - Streetlytes - Perspectives - Amnesty International

From imposing neo-classical buildings to thecomplex symbolism ofthe wonderful JewishMuseum - everywhereyou turn in Berlin thereare layers of time andstark contrasts. Indeedthe Reichstag is theepitome of creating adialogue between old andnew, with its new glassand steel domeconstructed on top of theremains of the old stonestructure.

The art galleries were fullof amazing Old Mastersand Modern Art.Highlights included atour of the SammlungHoffmann, a cutting-

edge collection housed ina private apartment; theBode Museum, full offantastic sculptures (andempty of tourists); thepoignancy of the KatheKollwitz Museum; andthe approach to ModernArt offered by theHamburger Bahnhofmuseum which reallychallenged our views ofwhat art is and can do.

We enjoyed the touristsights too, and the hustleand bustle of theKu’damm, the famousKaDeWe and the cafésand streets at night.

Jenny newman, head of art and design

On arrival in Spain wewere met by our veryenthusiastic host families,who we were to stay withfor the week. Thedaunting notion ofspeaking Spanish forseven days became areality when we wereplunged into fastspeaking family life!

We were fortunateenough to have a localSpaniard, Cristina, showus around the beautifulcity of Salamanca,complete with breath-taking cathedrals,impressive universitiesand the renowned PlazaMayor. We becameexperts at asking for

directions as wewere given greatindependence to findour own way around.Our Spanish improveddramatically and quickly!

The teachers kept usbusy with flamenco andsalsa lessons, a tapas tour,a trip to the magnificentSegovia, a treasure huntaround the confusingstreets of Salamanca, astunning walk aroundthe picturesque country-side, suppers out attraditional Spanishrestaurants and frequenttrips to our favouritechurros shop!

alicia baines and rose patrickUpper Fifth

Stories from Salamanca

Sketches of BerlinOn Friday

15 February, 35 artists andart historians

from the Lowerand Upper

Sixth and staffbegan a six day

study tour ofBerlin.

Artwork by Grace Berry, Upper sixth

Girls explored the meaning of Lent in their very ownGod Pod – a wooden shed on wheels which movedmysteriously around the school grounds.

Revd Rebecca Ayers-Harris explained, “The God Podprovided the girls with a chance to reflect on what asacred space means to them, both personally and as acommunity. The girls also used the space to recordtheir reflections on a video camera, which were thenregularly made into mini-films, which were sharedwith the school community.”

Middle Fifth, girl Grace Longman, added, “It’s beennice to have a cosy corner of the school where youhave space to reflect. It’s not every school that has amobile place of worship – and although it obviouslylooks fun and quirky as it travels around the grounds,it does fulfil a serious function in our lives.”

GOD POD ATTRACTS ATTENTION

WHILE THE HISTORY OF LACROSSE at Sherborne dates back to1910, it was in March 1913 that the Girls played their first evercompetitive match. To commemorate this date, the School recentlyorganised a day of games to which Old Girls were invited, followed bya match tea at Reader Harris.

Lacrosse coach RyanGarnsworthy said, “It wasfantastic to mark this occasionwith some competitive play, aswell as the chance to see theSchool archives on display,with numerous photographs,match reports and even kit ofyears gone by. It was also theperfect opportunity tocelebrate the recent success ofour 1st Squad who won theirdivision at the recentNationals.”

In other lacrosse news, U13swon Division 2 at the SouthWest Rally for the second timein four years, and U15s madeDivision 1 at the South WestRally for the first time in sixyears, with strong resultsagainst some of the toplacrosse-playing schools.

Local Olympian andpistol shooter Georgina‘Gorgs’ Geikie helped toinspire a generation ofSherborne Girls recentlywith a talk on herexperience as a memberof Team GB and herjourney to get there.Head of Sport NickyMatthias said, “Theaudience was inspired by

Gorgs’ story of tryingevery sport she could,from riding to running, toidentify what she wasgood at. She has shownthat taking everyopportunity you can totest your ability is the way to discover what youare truly great at and that you should nevergive up.”

sport 100 years of Lacrosse

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visiting teams from south africaSherborne Girls recently hosted hockey and netballteams from St John’s Diocesan School for Girls fromPietermaritzburg, South Africa. Competitive matcheswere played against our 1st Teams, with SherborneGirls winning the hockey 5-0 while the hosts succumbedin the netball fixture by 28-18. Afterwards the SA Girls –who were coming to the end of an intensive ten daytour of the country – enjoyed a celebratory supper andretired early to bed in the boarding houses. Theydeparted for Exeter via Bath the next morning,thankful for the hospitality of all at Sherborne Girls.

Sherborne Girls, Bradford Road, Sherborne, Dorset T. 01935 818224 E. enquiry@sherborne.com

www.sherborne.com

Olympic inspiration

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County RepresentativesHockeyU14Clementine Kerr, Frances Budd, Eliza Loyd, Poppy Bolton-Carter

U15Eliza Carr, Maddie Jannoe, Tilly Humphreys, Lucy Massey

U17TC Mackean, Flora Ritchie, Imogen Andrews, Alice Shelton-Agar, Lexie Humphrey

LacrosseU15Lucy Hatherall, Allegra Lindblom

U17BFlora Foreman

NetballLexie Humphrey, Faye Aston-Rigby, Catherine Barber