Issue 5 - December 2011

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• HouseDramaPhotos• OurYoungApprentice• ArtDayatthePrep

HighlightsShrewsbury High School’s Newsletter

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Headlines

Media Group 2011

HAYLEY STARS IN YOUNG APPRENTICEMany in the school have been following our very own Hayley Forester, who was featured in this popular programme pitting her business talents against eleven other candidates for access to a prize fund provided by Lord Sugar and worth £25,000. A Year 12 pupil, Hayley is studying for A levels in Biology, Mathematics, Economics & Business and ICT. Inspired by drinks company Innocent, she sells free range, organic eggs from her own chickens. If that wasn’t enough, Hayley’s commercial activities include working in a hotel, garden maintenance

and bookkeeping for her father’s farm! Hayley did very well, staying in the series to episode six. Hayley has nothing but praise for Lord Sugar: “He is very fair, and an inspiration to young people”. Talking about her experience she said “I found my time on the show enjoyable, but it was hard work, as I expected it would be, and so will business be in the future.”

SPEECH DAY 2011Shrewsbury High School celebrated a year of great success at Speech Day, with the Head, Mrs Marilyn Cass, paying particular attention to the need for young adults to get their priorities right in life. Mrs Cass was particularly reflective when stressing the important role both the school and parents play in building character. In her address to the parents and guests, Mrs Lorna Cocking, Chairman of the Girls’ day School Trust was full of praise for Mrs Cass’ management of the school over the past eleven years, the talented staff, and the innovations developed by the school, such as the introduction

of Masterclasses for pupils with the highest aspirations. “The girls who leave Shrewsbury High School”, she said, “are resilient, confident and able to handle the demands life will give them.”

Dignitaries who attended Speech Day l-r: The Mayor of Shrewsbury Councillor Tony Durnell, Head, Mrs Marilyn Cass, Chairman of the Girls’ Day School Trust Mrs Lorna Cocking, Head Girl Miss Holly Scutt and Chairman of Governors of SHS Ms Sylvia Quayle.

BACK (l-r): Becky Hill, Izzie Shaw

FRONT: Grace Berry,

Charlotte Emerson

The Autumn term is the longest of the school year, and the busiest. There are so many activities in which the pupils are involved, on top of their school work, and which are good for their personal development. This term we have been treated to an outstanding concert at the Abbey, a

super House Drama competition, the Prep Remembrance Service, County Champions in Netball and Hockey, national recognition for several of our sporting stars and even more scholarships at the Prep School.

Moving the Pre-Prep from Kennedy Road to the Prep site created a huge additional workload for all the staff, but everything ran smoothly and I have had outstanding feedback from staff and parents alike on the new Pre-Prep. The Pre-Prep is full in several years, with a waiting list in operation; this is a testament to the superb reputation we have. My congratulations go to all who made this happen.

The whole school community works so hard and I am grateful to the staff for their decision not to strike in late November. The wonderful Christmas events that all the

pupils take part in are delightful for us all and will be stored away as very happy memories for me in my last school year. I look forward to seeing many of you at these events and wish you all a very happy Christmas with your families and those you love, and a fruitful New Year.

Over a hundred girls and their parents took the opportunity to visit the 2011 Careers Convention which was held on 16th November. Representatives were available for informal chats from many career areas. Below are some quotes from visitors to the event:

“It was really interesting talking to medical students.”

“The interior design dude was really nice.”

“The journalism rep was particularly helpful.”

Mrs Marilyn Cass, Head

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On 27th September we celebrated the European Day of Languages in school with a variety of fun activities at lunchtime. There were French and German board games, with Mr Cooper being given a run for his money with a game of German Monopoly, and several Y7s and Y11s falling over each other, literally, playing Twister in French. Several girls were to be found running around the school on a hunt for both Latin and Spanish Treasure, and we were all treated to a delicious foreign-inspired themed lunch in the canteen. Thank you very much to Mrs Tinsley and her team for the effort that went into the food and decorations. Everyone who participated was given a free ‘European Passport’ booklet with stickers, and collected house points from their language teacher. The following girls completed the language quiz and won some German biscuits: Boo, Cordelia, Cece, Lottie, Bee and Nicole from 8P.

HOUSE DRAM 2011

This year’s House Drama Competition took place on 1st December, with four fabulous shows. Congratualtions to Mercury as overall winners.

MERCURY - OLIVERNEPTUNE - BILLY ELLIOTAPOLLO - MADAGASCARJUPITER - SHREKFrontCoverphoto: Jas Price, Emilie Michell and Lydia Nicklin in Oliver.

Emilie Michell

Freya Hipperson

Marina Marneros, Mim Evans, Ruth Crackett, Immy Davies

Martha Pownall

Mr Curtis, Mr Payne

Becky Howitt, Sophie Vingoe

Georgie Kynaston, Ffion Snelling,

Grace James, Ellie Balderson

Amy James, Izzy Brindley, Gabby Davies, Grace Blackman

Georgie Kynaston, Grace James, Ffion Snelling

Lizzie Raikes, Georgia Kingsley, FreyaKingsley, Millie Marshall, Ella Rees

Annabelle Beaman

Izzie Shaw, Connie Osborne, Grace Streeter

Alice Sykes-Waller, Izzie Shaw

Emma Powell, Flic Lewis

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4Q take checking their work very seriously. Here they are wearing their special proof-reading glasses!

Proof-reading glasses

Samaritan’s Operation Christmas Child

Pupils were extremely generous with their donation of shoeboxes for this worthwhile

appeal. Over 90 boxes were collected.

Coalport Visit 2011On Tuesday September 27th Y3 visited Coalport China museum. What an amazing day we had! First of all the weather was hotter than ever and Holly was, as always , our brilliant guide. Before we went, we had designed our Greek monster masks on paper. We then copied these ideas onto clay. Holly also showed us around the old factory buildings which haven’t been used for over a hundred years.

Gymnastics team Mrs. Massam would like to congratulate the gymnastics team who competed at Adcote on Thursday, 13 October against such high standard competition. The U11 mixed team came 1st in their category, with individual medals going to Harry Wassell (3rd) and Anya Lonergan (2nd). The U11 girls’ team narrowly missed out on 3rd place, but all girls should be really proud of their performance. The judges were extremely complementary of their ability and effort.

OnFriday11thNovemberweheldourRemembranceService.Wehadrepresentativesfromtheservicesattendingandthepupilsconductedthemselvesextremelywell.

AspecialthankyoutoourreadersAnnaJones,BuffyBoroughsandTomGittinsandtoourtrumpetersEdwardActon(LastPost)andMatthewMinett(Reveille).

Allthechildrenin

ReceptionhadagreattriptoWonderlandinTelford.

Theymetlotsoffairytale

andnurseryrhymecharactersandhadtheopportunitytohaveagoontherides!The first half of this

term was spent learning how to cross roads

safely during our PSHE lessons. This culminated

in a practical session run by the Council

where pupils, heavily supervised, had to

cross roads and answer questions regarding road

safety. I am pleased to report that all the boys

and girls passed with flying colours.

Y4 Pedestrian Training

What a year! After saying goodbye to Kennedy Road in July, the staff at the Prep School worked

frantically to ensure that the Pre Prep was relocated on to the Prep site by the 1st September ready for the start of the new academic year. It was hard work but it has all been worth it. All the parents and staff are delighted at having the school back on one site. The new outdoor area is amazing and allows the younger children access to the outdoors at all times. The purpose built play area includes a woodland area, climbing frames, balance beams and flat areas to run around and burn off loads of energy whilst ensuring a safe secure environment in which to play and learn. The older children are enjoying having the younger children here at the prep and they are developing their leadership skills by helping with reading, computers, play times and encouraging their pre prep house members to feel part of the school. I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work during this

challenging move, and our parents for their patience. The new dining room is well under way and the children have been promised a visit on to the building site once the roof, floors and windows are in place. We cannot wait and look forward to the exciting opening of our new facility next year. In the meantime I hope you all have a restful Christmas, and look forward to a busy New Year. Mrs Edwards, Head of Prep

Prep Headlines

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Art Day. 11th October Parents were invited to come into school and help create some wonderful pieces of art and also get involved in a nature trail. Nursery, Reception & Y1 spent the afternoon walking through the school’s woodland area in search of natural items to push into clay to make nature hangings; they made nature crowns and marvellous mobiles to adorn their new play area. Y2 spent their time designing cars and learning about axles, chassis and aerodynamics! Y3, 4 and 5 worked on a theme of

‘habitats’ and created a beautiful range of classroom displays. Y6, 7 and 8 designed and decorated giant snails to display around the school grounds.

On Friday 30th September, Parents and staff held a coffee morning for charity. They were extremely lucky as the weather was unexpectedly very hot for the time of year and therefore they were able to hold it on the lawn. It was more like a summer garden party. The total amount raised was £45.11

European Day of Languages

Y3 pupils had a Greek Day were they dressed up in greek

clothes and sampled many foods associated with Greece. They also had fun dancing to

greek music.

Celebrating more scholarship success MatthewMinett (left) has been awarded an Academic Scholarship to Concord College. Matthew (12, from Wattlesborough) sat academic papers performing ‘very strongly in all areas’. He was interviewed and came across as ‘an articulate and confident student ‘. Matthew also is a musician and takes an active part in school productions. In the recent performance of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Matthew gave an excellent performance of the eccentric Professor Marvel.

NickyDavis (right) has been awarded an All Rounder Scholarship to Shrewsbury School. This is awarded to boys who contribute significantly in more than one way to their school. Two of these scholarships are awarded annually. Nicky (12, from Shotatton) was assessed academically, musically and in sport. An enthusiastic learner and an outstanding musician, Nicky is leader of the School Orchestra, yet still finds time to play football, rugby, cricket, and tennis.

Swimming Gala at Old Hall

A superb team effort and some excellent swims secured second place in the county gala at Old Hall, which made the

early morning swimming training so much worthwhile. It was a very competitive gala with some very close races. Standout performances came from the Y4 girls medley relay team who won their race and the Y4 girls freestyle relay team in second

place. Anya Lonergan won the individual breaststroke race and Sophia Motala-Evans won the Y4 individual girls back stroke and came second in the individual freestyle. Well done to all

swimmers and to mums and dads for their support.

Allthechildrenin

ReceptionhadagreattriptoWonderlandinTelford.

Theymetlotsoffairytale

andnurseryrhymecharactersandhadtheopportunitytohaveagoontherides!

Y4 Pedestrian Training

Coffee morning in aid of the Severn Hospice

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S c h o o l Council

From left to right around the table: Rosalind Fallows, Natalie Bailey, Octavia Barton, Freya Carsen, Lauren Birt, Rebecca Bentley-Price, Mrs Jones, Katie Corfield, Mrs Coppin, Mrs Taylor, Grace Streeter,

Connie Osborne, Freya Kingsley, Olivia Bettison, Millie Parkes.

This term the School Council have been discussing the School’s Code of Conduct and the Christmas Fayre. Other suggestions that have come up from the forms include house gloves and the clock which is to be positioned outside the sports hall.

EuropeanKarateChampionshipsAt the end of October,

Sophie Vingoe travelled to Berlin to compete with the Samurai UK

Karate Team in the Samurai European

Championships. Sophie, from

Welshpool, was successful in each

category, achieving gold in individual

fighting, gold in team fighting and bronze in

team kata. Sophie’s performance gained

her a hoard of medals and trophies, and

contributed to an overall win for the UK team.

ARTHOG 2011

SeniorSportsReport

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The major concert this term took place in Shrewsbury Abbey, where a large audience enjoyed a full and varied programme of orchestral, choral and ensemble music from talented and enthusiastic musicians, comprising nearly a third of the senior school, with the orchestra very ably led by Head girl, Holly Scutt, and some very experienced section principals from year 13. We look forward to a very special Leavers’ Concert next March. This term, Lucy Arch has successfully negotiated the rigorous re-auditions for the prestigious National Youth Orchestra for the third year, and is now placed on the third of nine desks of cellos – a very significant achievement. She will attend three demanding courses this year, culminating in the NYO concert at the Albert Hall Prom Concerts, and a prestigious performance at the opening of the

London Olympic Games. We also congratulate violinist Charly Orchard (right), who has earned a place in the CBSO Youth Orchestra, with intensive courses throughout the October and February half terms and performances with prestigious conductors at Birmingham Symphony Hall. We have already seen some impressive performances from pupils in year 7-9 at the Informal Concert, as they work to emulate the seniors, and we welcome new music scholars Rose Chambers and Millie Parkes into Year 7. In addition, a number of seniors have recently taken part in the first rounds of the Shropshire Music Service annual Concerto Competition.

MusicReport

Netball:Shrewsbury High’s U15 Netball team travelled to Northampton High School in October to take part in the GDST Trust Rally. The team were placed 1st in their pool and then beating Oxford 5-2 in quarterfinals. Unfortunately they lost 4-8 in the semi-finals to Sutton High. The U14 team (left) took part in the Shropshire County Netball Tournament held at Shrewsbury High in November. The team won all of their round robin matches which meant they were County Champions 2011.

Hockey:Shrewsbury High’s U16 Hockey team (right) were crowned County Champions at the U16 county tournament held in November, beating Moreton Hall in the final. They progressed to the Zonal Midlands Round held at Kings High School, Warwick, where they faced tough opposition losing to Oakham School, Kings High School and beating Trent College. The U14 team took part in the Shropshire County Netball Tournament in November, and were placed second behind Ellesmere College after the round robin stages. This meant that they represented Shropshire at the Zonal Midlands tournament held at Trent College. They had some tough matches, losing to Loughborough High, Northampton High and Trent College.

CrossCountry:Shrewsbury High’s Cross Country teams qualified for the English Schools Cross Country Cup 2011 which took place in November in Warrington. The results were as follows: Junior Girls team were placed 5th out of 9 schools – Ellie Sykes 9th, Nicole Bowen 21st, Lucy Fairbanks 23rd, Cece Whittingham 25th, Henny Goddard 30th, Imogen Evans 38th . Intermediate Girls team were placed 7th out of 8 schools – Sophie Curzon 12th, Passy Goddard 13th, Sophie Vingoe 31st, Abi Gough 33rd.

Gymnastics:Both the Junior and Senior Gymnasts took part in the West Midlands Gymnastics Competition held in Stoke in November. Both teams did exceptionally well and were placed 3rd.

Swimming: Congratulations to Lucy Fairbanks (who won best girl in her age group) and Ellie Sykes (2 silvers and one Gold medal) at the Hereford Open Swimming Championships in November.

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An eight day exploration of Venice and the Italian Dolomites mountain range which took place from 18-25th July. The expedition team of 3 staff and 12 girls from Years 10 to 12 spent 24 hours in Venice, before heading into the mountains.

Activities included a high ropes course, via ferrata (mountain routes equipped with fixed cables, steps, ladders or bridges), watercolour painting and a World War I history walk. We were supported by local experts and Alpine Guides. The trip culminated in a 2 day hut trek, staying at the La Varella Hut at 2000m.

On 19th October Year 9 welcomed Mr Bob Stone (right), former Head of Classics at The King’s School, Worcester, to judge their Latin reading skills. Congratulations to all the girls who took part! On 2nd November Dr Cressida Ryan from the University of Oxford Outreach Department visited to show Year 9 how classical mythology is all around us. A great time was had by all (above left) and now they will be able to claim that watching Hollyoaks is part of their Classics homework!

CultureTrek2011

TRIP TO GREEK PLAY IN OXFORDIn November, Mrs Lashly organised a trip down to Oxford to see the 2011 Oxford Greek Play. They even managed to have a couple of hours before the play to visit Oxford landmarks, including the cast gallery of the Ashmolean Museum. This year the production at the Playhouse was a performance of Aeschylus’ Choephori (The Libation Bearers) rebranded as Clytemnestra. This is not a play studied this year for Classical Civilisation but the moral questions raised are fundamental to human nature, and the Year 13 Classical Civilisation group, along with two other interested Year 13 girls, were keen to experience a play performed in the original Greek (with surtitles!). The stylised nature of the ancient dramatic form was emphasised in this production with a hint of Japanese Noh Theatre, which worked surprisingly well, and the delivery of the lines was done with great care and meaning. There was universal agreement that it was a worthwhile and very enjoyable trip.

HorseRidingSuccess

Our Riding Team were jumping for joy at the recent National Schools Equestrian Association Inter-Schools Show Jumping Competition, held at the Kings Equestrian Centre at Bromyard, Herefordshire on Sunday 16th October. The 90cm team were Tri-Counties Champions and Olivia Poole won the individual Tri-Counties Championship.

Pictured above: Olivia Poole.

A BUSY TERM IN THE CLASSICS DEPT.