Monk’s Walk News June 2016

Diary Dates Summer Concert Wednesday 29th June DoE (C) Gold Assessment Brecon Beacons Thursday 30th June - Monday 4th July Year 10 Consultation Evening Thursday 30th June Year 12 Conference Monday 27th June – Tuesday 28th June Wimbledon Tennis Monday 27th June Ministry of Defence event (Year 9) Onslow St Audrey's School, Hatfield Monday 27th June Year 9 (2nd) Battlefields trip Friday 1st July - Saturday 2nd July

Music trip Barcelona Tuesday 5th July - Sunday 10th July

15th Annual Public Meeting Thanks go to everyone who supported about applying to Oxford the Monk’s Walk/Knightsfield School University: EU referendum, in particular staff and Stanborough School, members of the sixth form who Lemsford Lane, Welwyn delivered assemblies, registered voters Garden City, AL8 6YR and counted the votes. Thursday 22 September 302 votes were cast. 2016 at 7.00 pm The result is as follows: Leave 39% Remain 61%.

Frankfurt, Maths Trip Our long journey began at 4.30am. We drove to Dover where we boarded a ferry to Calais. Once we arrived in Calais we carried on our coach journey through France, Belgium (with a quick stop at a chocolate shop), Holland and into Germany. We finally arrived at our hotel at 6pm then had our dinner and an early night. We started our first day with an early breakfast before we went to the stock exchange for a tour. After the tour we had some time to shop in the square before meeting again for a walking bank tour. On our second day we took a short walk to the main shopping centre where we had a few hours of free time. After a group lunch (with authentic German sausages) we headed for Zoo Frankfurt and had a look at the animals, then went onto a classic car show and saw some amazing cars. We had some nice activities in the evenings that included team work, puzzle solving and laser tag. We all had an amazing time and would like to thank the teachers for making it so enjoyable! (Mrs Kirk, Miss Ashman, Mr Rainforth and Mr Giblin). Catherine Smith and Maddie Veasey (Y10)

PGL Bideford, Devon Year 7 trip During the May half term, we took seventy nine Year 7 students to PGL in Torrington, Devon. After a long yet rather fun coach journey we finally arrived at our accommodation where we were met with an extremely warm welcome from the PGL team. During the week, students and teachers took part in various challenges which brought some students out of their comfort zones. Many were able to conquer their fear of heights with the trapeze and high rope challenges. Some of the other day activities that were covered were surfing, body boarding, rifle shooting, archery, wall climbing and abseiling. All of the students took part in most of the activities. During the evenings activities had been organised, including a disco on the final night to celebrate the fantastic week both students and teachers had enjoyed.

The students were brilliant and really enjoyed the week. We would like to say a big thank you to the teachers who came and the PGL team for creating an enjoyable trip. Mr G Ross

D of E Bronze Assessment (Tring) Congratulations to all of the E Year D of E students who successfully completed their Bronze Expedition recently. The students needed to navigate their way from Tring to Hudnall Park via checkpoints and be self sufficient for the weekend. Even though there were one or two minor 'diversions' and some interesting menu choices, all the groups were able to fulfil this goal. The weather was not kind to the students over the weekend, with heavy rain on both Saturday and Sunday, but despite this the students worked well within their teams and managed to keep their spirits high. Well done to everyone for passing the expedition section of their award and a big thank you to all the staff who helped over the weekend.

Year 8 Cornwall Trip (Eden Project) We took a large group of Year 8 students to Cornwall as a reward for their outstanding attitudes to learning and excellent attendance. What a trip! We started off at the @Bristol Science Centre, experiencing virtual reality and exploring how Aardman animations are made. After the science centre we headed straight for the beach for a paddle and a BBQ. The next day we were up bright and early to catch some waves and spent a day surfing and playing beach games - the rain certainly didn't dampen anyone's spirits. That evening we hit the beach again for body boarding and a range of games. On Saturday we went to the Eden Project and experienced the rainforest and the Mediterranean in the biomes and of course, we had to sample plenty of Cornish ice cream! The students were a credit to the school and were polite and courteous to everyone they met. They really got stuck into the activities and we hope everyone enjoyed the weekend as much as the staff did!

Congratulations Year 11 (Written by Miss Chilton)

I am so proud to have led D year through to their final GCSE examinations. I would particularly like to praise students for their mature approach to the exams - revising regularly, being on time and well equipped with minimal moments of panic! I’m sure all the hard work and effort will pay off with an excellent set of results this summer. In the yearbook and final assembly, I reflected upon some of my favourite memories of D year, and thought I would share some with you in this newsletter… Going back to year 7 of course we had some very ‘cute’ kids and had great fun on the PGL trip!

Throughout their time at MWS, D year have had some wonderful and memorable trips, just to name a few - the outstanding performances on the Italy Music tour, hiking (getting lost) on Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and bonding and shopping in New York.

I would also like to mention how impressed I am with the year group’s talents! We have some fantastic teams and notable sporting achievements, including: Marcus Cork’s polo prowess, Joe Strong’s gold medals in athletics, Jack Kimber’s tennis achievements along with Chris Adey’s triumphs at badminton and tennis, the Malta netball team’s success and a great football squad, not to mention breaking records at sports day! As well as this, what a brilliant musical and dramatic bunch, with successes at House music, House drama and a whole host of other outstanding performances - thank you.

Congratulations Year 11 (Continued..)

Lastly, what a prom! It was so exciting watching you all arrive in your luxury transportation and even the vintage bus! The staff and I really enjoyed seeing you all have so much fun and looking so smart; what a wonderful end to the year.

Jamie Riley, Ryan Quartley, Aaron Mathewson, Leo Collier

Rosie King and Finley Shearer

India Harvie, Olivia Sandler, Shannon Robinson, Lauren White, Megan Noonan

I would like to thank some staff who have really supported me, as well as the students in D year:

Eloise Conroy, Rose Sutcliffe, Rosie Stewart, Megan Holden, Saffron Blair, Annalise Spink

Miss Cook, Mr Kelly and Mr Hutchings, the Heads of House, the Library team, the Learning Support Assistants from the Student Support Centre and the Behaviour Support Managers from ACE and last but no means least the form tutors - past and present!

The D Year Tutor Team: Left to right: Mr Simmons, Mr Athill, Mr Poole, Mr Neale, Mr Grist, Mr Hutchings, Miss Sharma, Miss Chilton, Miss Rochford, Mr Rainforth (and missing from the image, but still part of the team Miss Dancer, Mr Ross, Miss Hobden).

A final thank you, goodbye and good luck from me - I hope you all have a restful summer break and wish you well for the future. Miss Chilton

We would be very grateful for any donations of school uniform. Year 11s students may hand theirs in to reception on results day. The donated uniforms will be kept as spares in the ACE room. Thank you in advance.

Upcoming Fixtures

Results

Rounders

Tennis

Girls U13A v Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School Wednesday 22nd June 3.00pm (Home)

Girls U13B 10-2 Queenswood School Well done girls!

Girls U12A v Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School Wednesday 22nd June 3.00pm (Home) Girls U15A v Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School Tuesday 28th June 3.00pm (Home) Girls U14A v Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School Tuesday 28th June 3.00pm (Home)

Monk’s Walk Equestrian Team We are extremely proud of our girls’ Equestrian Team after two successful show jumping events during the half term break.

Annabelle T and Jessie J rode superbly as individuals and had a fantastic first show after a long break. A massive well done to our girls!

Our girls attended an event on Thursday 2nd June at Keysoe which was hosted by Wellingborough School. Chloe BC, Emily C and Chloe W won the 90cm jump and qualified for the National finals that will be held at Addlington in October! On Sunday 5th June the girls attended another event at Norton Heath equestrian centre which was a qualifier held by New Hall School.

Annabelle T, Courtney G and Emily C finished 4th in the 80cm jump. Chloe BC, Emily C and Annabelle T came 6th in the 90cm jump.

Monk’s Walk’s Sports Day A full report and photos will be included in the next newsletter