Private School News

Opening of new Jane Austen Wing at The Abbey School

On Friday 2 October, the new Jane Austen Wing at The Abbey School in Reading was formally opened by Jessica Powell, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Google.
The formal proceedings were started by Peter Smith, Chair of Governors at The Abbey, who talked about this significant investment for the future and how the selection of a leading international businesswoman was indicative of The Abbey’s ambitions for its pupils. Mrs Barbara Stanley, Headmistress paid homage to Jane Austen who attended the Reading Ladies’ Boarding School in the Abbey Gateway in Reading in 1785 and who ‘pushed the boundaries for women’ in her own day. The naming of the building is also particularly appropriate as it finally fulfils the intention of Headmistress Miss Musson and the Governors (in 1926) to ‘honour the name’ of Jane Austen.
Jessica Powell unveiled a commemoration stone in the new wing which has really transformed the frontage of the school, and girls performed poetry and readings from Jane Austen for the invited guests who included governors, staff, the architects and builders and key representatives from the community including The Mayor and Mayoress of Reading and local MP, Rob Wilson. All the proceedings were filmed and streamed to pupils on a live feed to other parts of the school. The Mayor, whose own daughter attended The Abbey, said he was ‘delighted to see The Abbey investing in the future and recognising Jane Austen’s connection with Reading.’ Rob Wilson added that he was ‘proud to have one of the top independent schools in the country in his constituency’ and praised The Abbey’s links with the local community.
The invitation to Jessica Powell reinforces The Abbey’s important relationship with Google and continues the association with leading communication and technology companies that is such an important part of education at the school. Ms. Powell, an inspirational role model for the girls, then spent time with pupils talking to them about the opportunities brought by ICT.
The Jane Austen Wing itself is now a particularly vibrant part of the school. It maintains the character of the old building, sitting well alongside the refurbished entrance, and consists of three self-contained floors of four classrooms each, which enables 300 girls and staff to work in state-of-the-art facilities. There are classrooms for Years 8 and 9 and dedicated subject areas for Classics (Latin and Greek are taught at GCSE and A Level) and History. The Art Department has stunning, bright Art Studios and a kiln room alongside an ICT room used for graphic design work.

Further Background follows: Jane Austen and her links with The Abbey School

When Jane Austen was a child she attended a school in Reading housed within the gateway of the old Abbey called the Reading Ladies’ Boarding School. Known by the name of the building that housed it, another of its famous alumnae Mrs Sherwood, author of ‘The Fairchild Family’, wrote in 1791:‘The Abbey House had been a school longer by far than any person now
living has a record of. The house itself was exceedingly interesting. It consisted of a gateway with rooms above and on each side of it a vast staircase of which the balustrades had been gilt.’

`This name was lost to Reading when the school and its occupants later moved to London.

In 1913, at the time of its incorporation, Miss Musson was searching for a new name for the school which she had purpose-built in Kendrick Road. She chose to revive the name of the long-gone school that Jane Austen had attended and the Reading High School for Girls became The Abbey School.

Miss Musson said:‘…and while we are recalling these traditions of hard work, which are ours to guard and carry on, I think we may feel proud to remember that we are reviving the name of a Reading school very famous in its day – The Abbey School which had Jane Austen and Mrs Sherwood among its pupils at the end of the eighteenth century.’

At the time the school was built the size of the building had to be limited due to financial constraints. Becoming ever more popular, the school numbers increased until, at the end of the 1920s, a loan was secured and plans drawn up for the first extension to the school.

It was opened in December 1931 by Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, and during the proceedings silk purses containing money for the building fund were presented to the Princess by a large number of the girls. We are fortunate to still have one of these silk purses in the school archive.

The arched door at the back of the Hardcastle Hall was opened for the first time and the new wing, which now is home to the Chapel, was revealed.

When the proposals for the new building were being discussed in 1926 Miss Musson said: ‘…and we have now in consideration a scheme by which we may do honour to their names, and keep fresh in the hearts of succeeding generations of young ladies the reverence for true scholarship and learning which marked them out from their fellows…’

Oxbridge Dozen at The Abbey

Twelve Sixth Formers at The Abbey School were delighted when their postman made it through the snow to deliver their Oxbridge offer letter – five from Cambridge and seven from Oxford. Mrs Rachel Dent, Director of Sixth Form said “I am delighted for the girls. This year has been more competitive than ever at these prestigious universities with a conservative estimate of over 30,000 students applying so they have done incredibly well.”

Three of the girls are doing the International Baccalaureate Diploma this summer – the first year group to take the IB at The Abbey. Both Head Girls have been offered a place – Katherine is studying the IB and has been offered a place to read English at Cambridge and Annabel is doing A levels and has been offered an Engineering place at Oxford. The other girls have been offered places on a truly wide variety of degree courses – Law, French, Linguistics, French and Italian, Chemistry, Physiological Sciences, ‘Anglo Saxon, Norse and Celtic’, Engineering and both Music Captains at the school have been offered Music degree places – one at Oxford and one at Cambridge.

In November, these girls were among the ninety students from The Abbey and five state schools from the area who attended a successful Oxbridge evening at the school to help reassure and prepare them for their actual interviews which took place at the end of last term. We wish them much success in their A levels and IB exams this summer.

Recyclable Fashion

Hurst Lodge School, Ascot encourages environmental awareness through their Green Team of Form Representatives. Each academic year the pupils are set challenges to ensure the School remains eco-friendly and the pupils are aware of sustainability. The latest challenge was to produce an article of fashion from recyclable materials. The competition was fierce between the years and entries were received from across the age ranges. The designs were sometimes outrageous, sometimes demure but always inventive. Old newspapers, material, carrier bags, foil, paper and numerous other materials were used in these creations.

The whole school watched the show during assembly and the event was such a success that later in the school year Hurst Lodge intends to host a workshop for local schools to encourage creativity and environmental awareness. Parents of the children taking part will then be invited to an evening fashion show where the work created during the day will be on display.

Winners of the fashion show were Year 11 although all entrants deserve praise for their endeavours.

Miss Smit the Principal congratulated everyone on their hard work and their ingenuity and said that she believed that this would have to become a regular occurrence in the school diary. She was particularly fascinated by the shoes that had been created out of old bits of carpet, woven plastic bags, tin foil and old bras.

Hurst Lodge School – green bins for recycling classroom waste.

Hurst Lodge School, Ascot encourages environmental awareness through their Green Team of form representatives. They seek to intergrate environmental and sustainability issues in every decision made.

The Green Team recently challenged each class to make their own bin for recycling classroom waste paper. The design had to be practical and fun. The competitive buzz that surrounded this event surprised and delighted Mrs. Hooker, the teacher in charge. Lunchtimes and breaks were given up to meet the deadline. It was particularly good to see the team spirit that resulted. When asked who had done most of the work Year 5 responded very earnestly ‘We all did it’. Year 11, determined not to be outdone, took time out from coursework and astonished themselves with their enthusiasm.

The next challenge is to produce an outfit from recycled materials. If the models look as glamorous as the green bins, the fashion show should be an impressive event.

The eventual aim is that by initially involving the children, the school, the community, and the environment will all feel the benefit.

ST JOSEPH’S, READING, TO BECOME CO-EDUCATIONAL FROM 2010

The Governors of St Joseph’s Convent School in Reading have made the landmark decision to move from being a predominantly girls school, to becoming a co-educational school, with the first intake of boys to take place in September 2010. St Joseph’s currently takes boys from 3-7 years old and girls from 3-18.

As from September 2010, St Joseph’s will start to introduce co-education into the senior school by welcoming boys into Year 7 (that is, at age 11) and also into Year 12 (the first year of Sixth Form). The Preparatory Department, which currently takes boys to the age of 7, will take boys and girls throughout. By introducing a new co-educational group each year at Years 7 and 12, the school will become fully co-educational from September 2014.

St Joseph’s has enjoyed a range of successes in recent months and this summer, students gained the highest GCSE and A Level results the school has achieved in recent years, with 100% pass rates throughout and 71% A*-A’s at GCSE level and 62% A-B at A Level. The School was also awarded an ‘Outstanding’ grade in the Diocesan Validation Report* in December 2008, as well as being judged to deliver an outstanding quality of care of pupils, alongside a high quality of education, governance and management in June 2009 by the Independent Schools Inspectorate**. The Governors and Senior Management at St Joseph’s would now like to build on these successes to expand and invest further in the school, developing facilities and resources for the benefit of all pupils in the future.

Whilst adding to the availability of independent co-education in Reading, the move will also give boys the chance to attend an independent Catholic senior school for the first time since the closure of Presentation College in 2004. St Joseph’s will naturally continue to accept pupils of all denominations and faiths.

The School is fortunate that the site on Upper Redlands Road already has the capacity within its buildings and grounds to accommodate an increase in pupil numbers and the requirements of co-education. It has ICT, Technology and Science Laboratories, Music Rooms, an Annexe and Drama Halls. Within the grounds, the School offers excellent sporting facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, astro-turf sports pitches, a gymnasium and large playing fields. St Joseph’s also regularly makes use of the sporting facilities at Reading University and nearby Palmer Park Athletics Stadium.

Maureen Sheridan, Headmistress of St Joseph’s, said: “This is an exciting time for St Joseph’s. As a school which is selective but not highly selective, we are especially delighted with the individual performance of each girl against her ability. This focus on the individual needs and achievements of pupils is recognised in the Inspection Report. There could not be a better time for extending our first-class educational opportunities to the brothers of our pupils. This can only add to the family feel of the school and the quality of the preparation for the world of University and work into which our students will move. It seems wholly appropriate that as the School celebrates its centenary anniversary on the Upper Redlands site, it should be asserting its forward-looking mission in a way that recognises the needs of today’s world”.

In its new co-educational status, the name of the Senior School will change to become St Joseph’s College, Reading, and the junior section will continue to be called St Joseph’s Preparatory School.

St Joseph’s has already started planning the changes that will need to be made to accommodate boys, including sporting opportunities and facilities, training of staff where necessary, curriculum offered and cloakroom facilities. The majority of staff have already taught in co-educational schools, including the Headmistress Maureen Sheridan. Deputy Head and Head of Sixth Form Nick Crean has extensive experience of teaching in a boys school.

Parents are welcome to call Registrar Debbie Kendrick on 0118 966 1000 to arrange an individual visit to the school, at a time convenient to them.

Two sporting Surrey Teachers

On Sunday 28th September Neil Fox, led by 3000 cyclists, crossed the start line at Buckingham Palace for the 45 mile Palace to Palace bike ride in aid of the Prince’s Trust.

The ride took the cyclists around some of London’s most opulent sites including the backdrop of Buckingham Palace, the deer of Richmond Park and finally arriving in Windsor where good crowds were there to encourage everyone over the finish line.

Amongst the throng of cyclists who took part was Robin Coe, a Surrey teacher who works at Hurst Lodge School, Ascot.

The day ended with perfect sunshine. Huge congratulations to him and all the other cyclists who have raised money to help change young people’s lives in the UK.

It was an amazing day and let’s hopes that the sunshine comes out again for another fantastic day next year.

The next achievement features Jackie Stuart from Woking who teaches Business Studies at Hurst Lodge School.

Following several aborted attempts she and her team of 5 other swimmers swam the channel from Calais to Dover. It took 15 hours and 45 minutes to successfully complete the challenge setting off at 5.30am from the French beach and eventually arriving in Dover in the dark at 9.30pm.

The final swimmers had to wear glowsticks in their costumes so she could be seen in the dark! The group took lots of seasickness tablets and they worked although cramp was a problem. It was very hard both physically and mentally – although the training was good it is hard to replicate the sea swell and sheer toughness of the task.

Jackie and her colleagues eventually raised circa £15,000 (raising approximately £1000 per hour) for Chase a charity which supports children and teenagers with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions giving help in the community as well as at Christopher’s their children’s hospice, based in Guildford.

Funky Footwear day for Surrey Air Ambulance Fund

On Friday the students and staff of Hurst Lodge School, Ascot took part in a Funky Footwear day in support of the Surrey Air Ambulance Fund. The idea was a simple one. Everyone came to school wearing decorated shoes, flowery wellingtons and anything else which could be described as bright and fun. Each person taking part donated a pound in exchange for a Funky Footwear badge.

Students enjoyed the day which saw some extremely inventive and amusing ideas. Hurst Lodge feel that this is a very worthwhile cause as the air ambulance relies almost entirely on the generosity of the public. Since its launch in 2007 the service has gone from strength to strength now attending on average two missions a day.

It was a fun day with the added feeling that the school have helped to pay for a life saving emergency.

Hurst Lodge supports the NSPCC and Childline

In 2008 the NSPCC launched the Child’s Voice Appeal with the aspiration that no cry should go unheard. When a child needs help, ChildLine and the NSPCC Helpline may be their only hope

Hurst Lodge School, Ascot had a special treat today when ‘Buddy’ (centre) the NSPCC and Childline Schools’ mascot came to visit them with Schools’ Organiser, Mandy Elton.

Assemblies were given about the work of the charity and their special listening service Childline. Pupils and staff were pleased to pledge their support to help the charity to continue their work in helping children and will be raising funds over the coming year.

Mufti Days, coffee mornings and perhaps something for the more adventurous will be on the school’s calendar of events. Watch this space for more news.
www.hurstlodge.co.uk

To support the Child’s Voice Appeal, please visit www.childsvoiceappeal.org.uk

Pupils commended for Art in the Windsor Festival Schools’ Programme

We are happy to announce that two students of Hurst Lodge School, Ascot were Highly Commended in the Windsor Festival Schools’ Programme 2009. Congratulations go to Sophie Pikus who was highly commended for her oil painting ‘Jamestown’ and Katie Ellesley, also highly commended for her textile diptych ‘Sanctuary’.

The Exhibition took place at Ascot Racecourse last weekend where Winning entries of the 2D and 3D Category could be viewed alongside entries for the Creative Writing and Music Composition.

Both girls are A Level students at Hurst Lodge with Katie specialising in Textiles and Sophie studying Fine Art.

Success at the Windsor Festival Participatory Programme for Senior Schools for Hurst Lodge

Congratulations to Montgomery Sadler who received 1st Place in the Windsor Festival Participatory Programme for Senior Schools 2009, in the Music Composition category for her piece ‘The Stars’.

The Festival aims to encourage imagination, creativity and artistic talent in senior schools, both state and private, through the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. Young people in years 10, 11 and 12 submit work in any of four categories: Music Composition, Creative Writing, Two-dimensional Art and Three-dimensional Art. Every new academic year submissions are judged by a panel of highly qualified professionals and selected for public exhibition.

Prizes are awarded to first, second and third places, and to the pupils’ school in each case at a ceremony held in Windsor Castle’s Education Centre to which parents, judges, teachers and pupils are invited.

Montgomery will be given the opportunity to tour the Royal Library, which is not normally open to the public, and all those exhibiting are given a private tour of the State Apartments in Windsor Castle.

This is a very exciting achievement – Well done!

Roald Dahl Day at the Marist

Oompa Loompers, Willy Wonka and creative writing make the day a resounding success!

The Marist Senior School Year 7 and Year 8 students celebrated Roald Dahl Day this week by writing their own books to celebrate the famous author’s life, dressing up as their favourite Roald Dahl characters, and writing ‘revolting’ rhymes.

Students put a lot of thought into the books they had written about one of Britain’s best loved authors. The girls were encouraged to carry out their own research into Roald Dahl during the summer break and to work in groups to produce an illustrated biography. Beautiful pictures and poems were written and even secret recipes for Wonka chocolate! Teachers and students voted for the best written books which were all available to read in the school library. After all the votes were counted, the top prize went to Fiona Fullilove, Kelly Jones, Lucy Hannam and Katy Hurt for their beautifully illustrated and constructed work.

To share Roald Dahl’s sense of fun and mischief, many girls dressed in yellow (Dahl’s favourite colour), wore clothes and shoes back to front, and participated in the Roald Dahl character costume competition. The winners of the competition were:

1st Place: Olivia Bertram, Georgia Bennett and Amy Shortis who dressed as a Wonka Chocolate Bar

2nd Place: Bethany Broughton as Willie Wonka

Joint 3rd Place : Anna Southgate and Victoria Chessun–Lawrence who dressed as an Oompa Loompa and Matilda respectively.

All competition winners received a Fairtrade Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate bar provided by Mr Todd Stitzer, Chief Executive of Cadbury PLC.

In addition to the book and costume competition, over lunch students could visit the school library to get involved in a Roald Dahl quiz and the ‘Revolting Rhyme Competition’ in addition to many other activities.

The Roald Dahl day was a UK wide initiative and the Marist event was organised by the school librarian, Mrs Liliana Barnard. Mrs Barnard said “the girls have really enjoyed getting to know more about Roald Dahl, his life, and his books through their involvement in the day. They have produced some very creative and inventive pieces of work and have had enormous fun doing so. Roald Dahl day has been such a success with involvement from the teachers and younger pupils, we hope to make it an annual event to encourage more students to enjoy reading and get involved in literary activities.”

PHOTO: Olivia Bertram, Georgia Bennett and Amy Shortis (‘Wonka Chocolate Bar’), Bethany Broughton (Willie Wonka), Anna Southgate (Oompa Loompa) and Victoria Chessun–Lawrence (Matilda).

Marist Students Excel in GCSE Performance

Students, teachers and parents delighted with results

84% of Marist GCSE students have achieved A*, A and B grades this year, with 100% of students achieving five A* – C passes in their examinations overall. The average points score for Marist students rose to 607 points with the average number of GCSEs per student 12.3.

Although envelopes were opened with anticipation this morning, students were delighted when they saw their results. Josie Teale received A* grades in eleven subjects plus one A grade in addition to achieving an AS Level grade A. Alexandra Goulds and Suchita Patel received A* grades in ten GCSE subjects each. Alexandra also achieved an AS Level grade A and a B grade in a further AS module. In addition to her GCSE success, Suchita achieved B grades for one AS Level and an AS module. Libby Rose-Innes and Jacqueline Harte also did exceptionally well. Libby achieved eight A* and three A grades at GCSE plus an AS level grade A and an AS module grade B, and Jacqueline achieved five A* grades, two A grades and six B grades at GCSE in addition to B grades in one AS Level and a further AS module.

Thirty seven Year 10 students were fast tracked in taking some early GCSEs and, as a group, achieved 19 A* – A grades overall. Rachel Pyle, a Year 8 student who was also fast tracked to sit her Spanish GCSE, received an A*.

Karl McCloskey, Headteacher, said: ‘The girls have achieved exceptional results in their GCSEs this year and I am proud to award many of them with prestigious academic scholarships and exhibitions to the Marist Sixth Form.’ He added, ‘Teachers and parents alike are delighted to see that our girls have been justly rewarded for their exceptional dedication in studying for their GCSEs. We will continue to support them throughout their Sixth Form years so they flourish and no doubt excel as high achievers during their A Levels in due course.’

MARIST GCSE RESULTS 2009
Pupils with 5 A* – C grades = 100%

Average points per candidate = 607

A* 25%

A* & A 60%

A*, A & B 84%

Photo (left to right): Jacqueline Harte, Josie Teale, Alexandra Goulds, Karl McCloskey, Suchita Patel and Libby Rose-Innes.

Bearwood College’s strong GCSE results

Bearwood College’s GCSE pupils have achieved an impressive set of results this year, with 87% of entries gaining a Grade C or above. 30% of entries are at Grade A* or A – consistent with last year.

Mr George Penlington, Academic Deputy, comments: “87% of candidates gained 5 GCSE’s, including Maths and English, at Grade C or above – a six point increase on last year. The overall success rate of pupils achieving entry into the Sixth Form with 5 A*-C Grades, including English and Maths, has risen over the last two years (2008 – 81%; 2007 – 77%). This is testament to the commitment and diligence from all our pupils, staff and parents.”

Stephen Aiano, Headmaster, said: “This is a tremendous achievement. All our Year 11 students and all the staff have put in some serious work throughout the GCSE course, and are suitably rewarded. I am really pleased for them. These results are part of a long-term trend of continuing academic improvement at Bearwood. We are especially pleased with our strong ‘value addition’ which has resulted, on average, in every GCSE subject entry scoring marks strongly above expectation.”

Jonathan Crane, one of the top scoring students said: “I am so thrilled with my results and pleased to have the grades to study Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Geography at A Level at Bearwood College’s Sixth Form.”

Another high achieving student, Lucy Darrall comments: “It’s such a relief that this day is finally here. I got an A* in Photography so will definitely continue this at A Level along with Psychology, Business Studies and Graphics.”

Pupils have an exciting range of A Level subjects to choose from, with Environmental Studies and Photography being examples of the varied subjects Bearwood College’s Sixth Form has to offer. Small class sizes guarantee individual attention and the Sierra Club, is a purpose-built Sixth Form centre facility designed to promote independent study as well as offer a social space for relaxation. These elements contribute to the strength of Bearwood’s unique support system which can make all the difference to pupils managing the pressures of A Level study. Whilst ensuring academic issues are thoroughly addressed, Bearwood also helps prepare well-rounded individuals, ready for university and life beyond.

Photograph:From left – Lewis Gallagher, Joe Powell, Rian Howlett, Jamie Gilmour, Lucy Darrall, Harriett Plaskitt, Danielle MacRae

Marist students win further awards at the 2009 National Drama Festivals Association Final

Ten Year 12 students from the Marist Senior School have been presented with the Buxton Trophy for ‘most promising youth performance’ in the 2009 National Drama Festivals Association (NDFA), British All Winners Festival (BAWF). The girls performed in the BAWF final on 22 July which took place at the Rhoda McGraw Theatre, Woking.

The all female cast performed, ‘A Memory of Lizzie’ by David Foxton, which explored the dark story of Lizzie Borden who was tried for the murders of her father and stepmother in America during the 19th century. Alice Ordish, who played ‘Lizzie’ was also nominated for an individual award for her chilling performance.

Drama Groups which have won Full Length or One Act Member Festivals between 9th June 2008 and 7th June 2009 were eligible for invitation to take part in the BAWF. In early May the girls won 5 awards during the Maidenhead Festival, then followed this success in June by winning the semi-final round of the All England Theatre Festival, and performed to an appreciative audience at the All England Festival final at the beginning of July. It is a rare achievement for a school to see this level of success at the All England Festival which places them amongst the top performing amateur theatre companies in England.

Jane Harris, Head of Drama at the Marist Senior School, said “I am really delighted for the cast as they have worked really hard and pulled together as a team at each and every stage of our journey. The girls have grown in confidence and learnt more than they could have believed possible. Each adjudicator gave constructive criticism as well as much praise which will help to inform their development over the next year of their A level. Their dedication and achievement can only serve to inspire younger pupils to get involved with drama.”

Photo –: Cast members Hannah Lee and Michelle Percy with Marist Head of Drama, Jane Harris.

Bearwood College: A-Level Results 2009

Bearwood College is delighted to congratulate its Upper Sixth Form students on their strong 2009 A/Level results, yet another improvement on the results of the previous year.

Bearwood College saw a strongly improved performance in the A/Level results for A-B grades at 69% (2008 – 48%; 2007 – 44%), and for A-C grades at 84% (2008 – 80%; 2007 – 76%).

The A-E grade pass rate was 99%, two points up on last year. The average score per candidate at Bearwood College is 347 UCAS points, equivalent to grades AAB or BBBc, and 71 points above last year’s score. The top personal score was 540 points, the best ever individual score for the College.

Commenting on this year’s results, the Headmaster, Mr Stephen Aiano, said: “These tremendous results are evidence of the long-term academic progress at Bearwood College. All the Upper Sixth Form students and teaching staff, under the academic leadership of George Penlington, Academic Deputy, have put in a great deal of effort and commitment over the last two years to achieve these impressive A-Level results.”

For Bearwood’s Academic Deputy George Penlington, seeing individuals who have been nurtured through the College exceed their academic expectations is the one of the greatest rewards a teacher can receive. “The culmination of every Sixth Form pupil’s development at Bearwood is reflected in their A-level results; our aim is to ensure that each individual is given both the academic and psychological support to fulfill their greatest potential. We are very pleased with the ‘value added’ improvement. On average, every candidate achieved 105 points beyond their UCAS expectation. This is equivalent to each student achieving a grade and a half above predictions for each subject.”

For a local pupil, Tom Bell-Williamson from Wokingham his 440 UCAS points has secured him a place at Manchester to study Business. ‘I can’t believe that the day has finally arrived and that I have the points to study at my first choice University. I am so excited and relieved!”

Bearwood College’s top-scoring A-Level candidates, Kemal Atayev, said: “I am so pleased with these results – it’s been brilliant. They confirm my place to read Business and Accounting at the University of Birmingham.” Kemal, who was a boarder in Blake House, gained an impressive 540 UCAS points.

Sixth Formers are provided with 360 degree support throughout their A/Level studies at Bearwood. In addition to committed subject teachers, academic progress is closely monitored by the Key Stage 5 Coordinator and the Academic Deputy. Pastoral needs are cared for by a dedicated Tutor as well as by a Houseparent. The advice of the in-house careers service is supplemented by the resources of Futurewise, the Independent Schools Careers Organisation. Small class sizes guarantee individual attention and the Sierra Club, is a purpose-built Sixth Form centre facility designed to promote independent study as well as offer a social space for relaxation. These elements contribute to the strength of Bearwood’s unique support system which can make all the difference to pupils managing the pressures of A/Level study. Whilst ensuring academic issues are thoroughly addressed, Bearwood also helps prepare well-rounded individuals, ready for university and life beyond.

Marist Students A Level Success

Marist Senior School – students receive 7% rise in A grades based on previous year.

Students from the Marist Senior School received excellent A Level results again this year, with students achieving a 7% rise in A grades.

Although students opened envelopes with some trepidation, nerves soon turned to excitement and parents, friends and teachers were eager to offer congratulations on the excellent results achieved. Wallace Martin Kerr achieved A grades in all four of her subject areas of Economics, English Literature, History and Latin. Wallace achieved 598 marks out of a possible 600 marks for History. Wallace will go on to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics at The University of Oxford. Rebecca Brown achieved A grades in all four of her subject areas of Biology, Chemistry, French and Mathematics. Rebecca will now study Medicine at Imperial College, London. Laura Fox, and Giuseppina Magistro each achieved A grades in 3 subjects in addition to A grades in their AS subjects. Laura will study Land Economy at The University of Cambridge and Giuseppina will study Economics at The University of Exeter. Katie Horbury, Nasreen Hussain and Charlotte Luxton were also very high achievers with A grades in three subjects each. Laura Fox and Amy Jewitt Harris also produced full marks in A level Economics and Art respectively.

Further AS Level high achievers in Year 12 were Stephanie Charbine, Madeleine Gale, Roisin Kirby, Bianca Luxton, Georgina Ingham and Kayla Spitzer who all achieved grade A in four AS subjects each. Madeleine Gale also achieved full marks in both English and Latin AS. Alexandra Kyjak-Lane achieved full marks in one History module.

Karl McCloskey, Headteacher, said: “Results day is always an exciting occasion at the Marist. Every student deserves our utmost congratulations, they have all studied very hard to achieve their excellent results. The Marist Sixth Form environment provides a good balance of challenge and support for our students to enable them to achieve the best possible results.”

Mayoral visit for the Marist Senior School

Royal Borough Mayor visits the Marist to recognise high achieving students during the annual prize giving ceremony

Royal Borough Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Jesse Grey and his wife Mrs Christine Grey, attended the Marist Senior School on 9 July as guests of honour at the school’s annual prize giving awards ceremony for students in Years 7-10.

The Marist Senior School was delighted to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress to the School to present awards to the highest achieving students. Many girls in the school were recognised during the ceremony with awards being giving in all areas of the curriculum and also community awards. The highest performing girls in each year were:

Lucy Hoade – Year 7

Emily Ducas – Year 8

Emily Smith – Year 9

Coral Hall-Casserly – Year 10

The Mayor spoke of the many outstanding achievements the school has seen over the past year including the expressive arts, sports and charitable giving events. He congratulated all award recipients on their effort and achievement and recognised that the good relationships the students have with their peers, teachers and families are crucial in enabling students to achieve their goals.

Mr Karl McCloskey, Headteacher at the Marist Senior School said “we are very honoured that the Mayor and Mayoress have been able to join us today. All our students work extremely hard during the course of the year and it has made the event all the more special that the achievement awards have been presented by the Mayor himself.”

Photo left to right: Emily Ducas, Coral Hall-Casserly, Councillor Jesse Grey, Mr Karl McCloskey, Mrs Christine Grey, Emily Smith and Lucy Hoade.
Notes to Editors:

Bearwood College’s Nursery and Reception Classes praised in recent LEA Moderation

Bearwood College’s Nursery and Reception classes (Foundation Stage) were recently moderated by the Local Education Authority (LEA) and passed with the highest outcome that could be achieved. The moderators were particularly impressed with the positive relationship the staff have with all the children and the parent feedback forms.

The moderation is a process where the Foundation Stage Portfolios on individual children are checked to ensure that the have been carried out in accordance with current regulations so our children’s progress is evaluated positively, correctly and fairly.

The moderation was focused on two of the six areas of learning – Creative Development and Language for Communication and Thinking.

Key points made from the moderation were:
· Staff have excellent knowledge of their children
· The environment is a wonderful place for children to learn
· Staff have made enormous progress in the development of their learning journeys
· There is a very good range of evidence – photographs, long and short observations and video

Lorraine Beamish, Nursery Manager said: “I am really proud of all of my team as they have worked hard to maintain the profiles I designed when I took over the running of the nursery last year. It is very satisfying to have recognition of the effort and work that in involved in implementing and maintaining this moderation process.”

Founders Dinner at Hurst Lodge

Once a year the senior students and staff at Hurst Lodge get together to honour the memory of the schools founder Miss Doris Stainer. The event is usually a formal sit down dinner but this year because of the wonderful weather the schools extensive grounds were used to host the supper party. Founders dinner is a time for speeches about the eccentric founder, the head girl makes a speech about her time at Hurst Lodge and it is an opportunity of the staff and the girls to say goodbye to those that are leaving and to celebrate the successes of the past year. The Principal Victoria Smit said that it was wonderful to see so many elegant and poised young women some who had been with us since they were two and a half now discussing their excitement about taking up their places at University.

Bugsy Malone

Hurst Lodge School have just performed a musical theatre production of Bugsy Malone. Set in 1929 in New York and more particularly in Fat Sam’s Grand Slam Bar, Bugsy, Blousey Brown, Tallulah, Fizzy and a host of colourful characters fight for survival against Dandy Dan, his hoodlums and the dreaded splurge guns. Students from year three to year thirteen have been involved in the show either as performers or as backstage support. The students and staff all worked extremely hard learning lines, rehearsing songs and running dance routines over and over again to ensure a successful and entertaining show. The result of all of this hard work was a fluid, fun, lively musical comedy full of colour, style and flair. The feedback from the audience has been very positive and, even with the threat of being splurged, the cheering, clapping and support has been fantastic.