Private School News

Anju George Wins Imperial College School of Medicine Surgical Society’s Sixth Form Competition

Anju George, Rashmi D’Souza and Aneesh Sharma, from Year 12 at Howell’ School, Llandaff, in Cardiff were chosen as three of the top five entrants of the Imperial College School of Medicine Surgical Society’s Sixth Form Competition.

Students from all over the nation were invited to submit their summaries with the title “100 Years of Science: What is the greatest development within the past century?”. The top five entrants were then asked to produce an A1-sized scientific poster on their chosen subject. They were invited to Imperial College, London, to present their posters to two judges – a surgeon and a medical student. All students were questioned thoroughly on their topic and our students from Howell’s performed very well indeed.

Anju George was chosen as the winner of the competition and awarded prize money of £100 for her topic “The Papanicolaou Test” (the cervical smear test). Rashmi presented “Polymerase Chain Reaction” and Aneesh chose “Microprocessers”.

They all did extremely well to have achieved such high accolades.

Photo: Anju George

Fiona Dunbar author discussion at Howell’s School, Llandaff

Fiona Dunbar author of the The Truth Cookie, Cupid Cakes, Chocolate Wishes
Lulu Baker Trilogy, Silk Sisters Trilogy and other books visited Howell’s School, Llandaff on Thursday 5th March as part of the school’s Book Week events. Fiona enthralled her audiences from both the Junior School and the Senior School with talks on writing, and her approach to writing from her experiences. She also told the girls that one of her books was going to be televised.

Fiona Dunbar said “it was great to meet the girls, they asked some interesting questions and it was fun to hear their reviews of my books in assembly. They have obviously been reading away avidly”.

Emily Apparadurai aged 12 who listened intently to the talk, said “Fiona Dunbar is a charismatic author. Her talk was very interesting and gave us an insight into her life. We thoroughly enjoyed her speech and look forward to her books.”

For more information on Fiona Dunbar visit http://www.fionadunbar.com/

Howell’s School, Llandaff GDST hosts regional maths final for the second year running.

Howell’s School, Llandaff, GDST in Cardiff will be hosting a regional team mathematics competition on 11th March 2009. There will be 26 teams of a mix of Year 8 and Year 9 pupils competing in a regional heat to win a chance to compete with 69 other teams in the national final in London on Monday 22nd June 2009.

The national Team Maths Challenge is run by the UK Mathematics Trust and involves teams of four pupils aged between 11 and 14 (see end note 2) competing in:
·a group round using team work to answer ten questions between them;
·a relay race – a combination of speed across the room and speed at solving maths problems;
·a mathematical crossword or crossnumber with two members of the team working on the down clues and two on the across;
·a head-to-head competition where teams pair up and compete against their opponents to be the first to correctly answer a series of questions.

NOTES
1.The UK Mathematics Trust is a registered charity whose aim is to advance the education of children and young people in mathematics. It organises national mathematics competitions and other mathematical enrichment activities for UK secondary school pupils. Further information about the Trust and its activities is available at www.ukmt.org.uk

2.Team members are selected from Year 8 and Year 9 in England and Wales, S1 and S2 in Scotland, and Year 9 and Year 10 in Northern Ireland (with no more than two pupils from the upper age group in a team).

Local children see Oliver! at Howell’s School, Llandaff

More than two hundred pupils from the following schools: Llandaff City Primary School, Rhydypennau Primary School, St Mary’s RC Primary School, Bryn Deri, Radnor Road Primary School, Cefn Onn Primary School were invited to the dress rehearsal for Oliver! by the students at Howell’s School, Llandaff.

The Howell’s students from years 5 – 13 auditioned in the summer term and started rehearsal for this big production in the autumn term. This musical performance which has a full orchestra (with many of the music students having the opportunity to perform) will be running for four nights from Wednesday 4th February until Saturday 7th February. There are a few tickets left, if you wish to come along, please contact: Mrs Scourfield on 029 2056 2019.

It has been a very exciting time for the cast and crew and they have enjoyed the experience.

Here are some of the comments from the main characters:

Michaela Melia, aged 12
– Oliver
“I was thrilled to be given the part of
Oliver and have enjoyed every moment
of it. I have got to know many new
people and will remember this for ever!”

Harry Brooks, aged 17
– Fagin
“During the rehearsals, I have got to
know the people in my year as well as
the years below. I have enjoyed getting
to know the teachers and giving
something back to the school.”

Ellie Campbell, aged 16
– Nancy
“I was extremely happy to be given the
opportunity to play the part of Nancy.
I have had a brilliant time rehearsing
and working with new people. I hope
everyone enjoys the show!”

Morgan Jones, aged 17
– Artful Dodger
“It has been my first big production
and I have thoroughly enjoyed the
experience. I hope the skills I have
learned through drama are going to be
useful later in life.”

Megan Fairclough, aged 14
– Noah Claypole
“It was great working with other people
of different ages across the school.
I’d love to participate in another
production in the future.”

Howell’s School, Llandaff Inspection Report – January 2009

The official Inspection Report following the visit of the Estyn inspectors from 10th-14th November has been published.

We are delighted to be able to record that the school received the highest grade (1) for each one of the seven key questions, namely:
How well do learners achieve?
How effective are teaching, training and assessment?
How well do the learning experiences meet the needs and interests of learners and the wider community?
How well are learners cared for, guided and supported?
How effective are leadership and strategic management?
How well do leaders and managers evaluate and improve quality and standards?
How efficient are leaders and managers in using resources?

Mrs Davis, our Principal, commented, “I am thrilled with this outstanding report which awards us a Grade One in each of the seven key areas. We are one of the last schools to be inspected under the current ESTYN inspection process. No other independent school in Wales has previously achieved this accolade. This is a great achievement which I feel accurately reflects the very high standard of education at Howell’s. The teaching and support staff are extremely talented and hard-working and everyone gives 110% for the school.”

Here are some quotations from the report:
“Throughout the school, pupils display outstanding features in their work including:
• extensive understanding, recall and application of techniques and skills in the subjects they study;
• ability to take the knowledge and skills they have learned in one topic and apply it in new contexts, for example to solve problems; and
• high levels of informed and perceptive questioning to develop their understanding further.”
“In all key stages, the personal, social and learning skills of most pupils are particularly well-developed. Pupils of all ages are highly motivated, apply themselves conscientiously to their work and work together effectively.”
“Working relationships between staff and pupils are outstanding and provide a vibrant climate for effective learning.”
“Other outstanding features in teaching include:
• very effective questioning that encourages pupils to think carefully and deeply about their work;
• a wide range of teaching methods that match pupils’ individual needs very well and set high expectations and challenging, yet achievable, targets;
• encouraging active involvement and participation in discussion and practical work with excellent use of information and communications technology to support and develop learning; and
• excellent knowledge, understanding and application of course and examination requirements.”
“The school provides outstanding opportunities to promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and also their personal and social development through assemblies, well-planned lessons and charity events.”
“The provision of information and events to inform pupils about higher education opportunities and careers are outstanding.”
“There are many outstanding features in the quality of care, guidance and support for pupils. Among these are the systems for academic and pastoral support for pupils of all abilities across the school.”
“Induction and transition procedures in the primary and senior sections of the school and in the college are outstanding. Pupils of all ages confirm that they are made to feel a valued part of the school community very quickly, regardless of when they join the school.”
“There are many outstanding features in the quality of the provision for pupils with special educational needs. “These pupils have full access to the curriculum and support for them is effective and appropriately managed.”
The quality of the provision for equal opportunities has outstanding features. The school has very high expectations for pupils of all abilities and everyone is encouraged to become fully integrated into the life of the school.”
“The school is very successful in promoting tolerance, mutual respect and understanding between pupils from diverse backgrounds.”
“The school has very clear aims and objectives that are well understood and shared by everyone. The principal and her deputy provide outstanding leadership. They work well together and give the school a strong sense of purpose and direction. They are highly respected by the school community.”
“The school has extensive resources and facilities of high quality.”
“Overall the school offers a rich and broadly balanced curriculum.”
“The curriculum contributes very effectively to the achievement of the school’s aims and prepares pupils well for the next stages of their education and the world of work. The school works hard to ensure that all its pupils have equal access to all aspects of the curriculum.”
“The school provides an outstanding programme of extra-curricular clubs and activities that significantly enhances learning opportunities and experiences for all pupils. Provision covers a wide range of sporting, academic and musical activities.”
“There is mutual respect between teachers, pupils and students. Subject teachers are very supportive and approachable.”

For the full report

http://www.estyn.gov.uk/inspection_reports/howells_school_llandaff_november_2008.pdf

Howell’s students meet the King of Lesotho

On Thursday 13th November, Miss Mari Brewer, Head of French at Howell’s School, Llandaff, and two sixth form students, Joe Troughton and Freya Davies, met the King of Lesotho at the National Assembly Building, along with representatives from Cathays High School and Plasmawr School in Cardiff. The school has had close links with Dolen Cymru, the Wales/Lesotho link association, for many years. The students were also honoured to meet the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Lesotho, Mr Ken Tsekoa, and Prince Seiso, the King’s brother and High Commissioner for Lesotho.

Since 2004 Howell’s has maintained a link with Likhakeng High School in Lesotho, and has organised various events to fund-raise and heighten awareness of this special relationship. It has been able to pay for a science laboratory at the school. Reciprocal exchange visits have been mad by teachers from the two schools. Next summer several Howell’s sixth form students will be visiting Likhakeng High.

Freya said, “Meeting the King was a fantastic experience and we are absolutely thrilled to be a sister school with Likhakeng High.”

Year 12 Howell’s students camp out to help the homeless

A group of Year 12 students from Howell’s School, Llandaff, who are the members of the school’s Homeless Help Envision group, took part in a Campout in the centre of Cardiff on the cold night of December 5th. The Campout was organised by CASH (Cardiff Action for the Single Homeless) and the Huggard Centre. The students were sponsored to take part, thereby raising money as well as awareness of the plight of the homeless. The school has links with the Huggard Centre not only through the Envision group but also through the Rotary Interact club which donates clothes to the centre at Christmas.
The participants were Chloe Wright, 17, of Tongwynlais, Camille Ivinson, 17, of Canton, Helen White, 16, of Canton, Angharad Doull, 17, of Llanishen, Alex Gabriel,16, of Barry, Manon Jenkins,17, of Rhiwbina, Anna Salisbury,16, of Barry and Emily Robinson, 17,of Sully.
The final sum raised has yet to be made known but the collection tins alone brought in over £1800.

Quotations:
“I took part in the campout because I believe that we have a responsibility to all people in our country and society, including homeless people, and this is an active way for me to act on this belief”- Camille Ivinson

“Homeless is a problem which is right on our door step and needs to be tackled, and I think the campout is a brilliant way to raise money and awareness. I think it is also good to gain a small sense of just how much homeless people suffer when sleeping rough, especially in winter. The Huggard Centre can really make a difference to people’s lives and I hope our Envision group can help towards this too!”- ChloeWright

Howell’s School, Llandaff GCSE results for 2008

Howell’s School Llandaff entered 85 candidates for GCSE and was delighted that 44% of all results were at the top A* grade, 69% were A* and A combined, and 89% A*- B. Thirty-three girls gained ten or more passes at A* and A, and fifteen gained straight A*. The overall A*- C pass rate was 97.4%.
Those who gained a clean sweep of A* grades are Ellen Brookes, Francesca Capel, Rashmi D’Souza, Anju George, Nikki Gill, Kiryn Howard, Alice Johnston, Calan Jones, Deepshikha Kumar, Anusha Manjunath, Alice Ojeda, Rachel Patel, Anna Sambrook, Bronwen Warner and Chloe Wright.

Dr Sara Southern, Head of the Senior School, said, “We are thrilled with these outstanding results, which reflect the hard work on the part of the students and the excellent teaching by the staff.” The Principal, Mrs Sally Davis, commented, “I am extremely pleased with the results. Howell’s consistently achieves very high standards. Although we are a selective school, we take average to very able students. It is quite clear that the value added achieved by Howell’s enables them to maximise every possible learning opportunity so that their final results are outstanding.”

Excellent A-Level results at Howell’s School

The Principal, Mrs Sally Davis, said, “The school is very pleased to report another excellent set of results, which reflect the hard work and commitment of the students.”  44.6% of all the results were grade A and 33% grade B (ie 77.6% grades A and B). The pass rate was 99.6% (276 entries, 275 passes). 16 students achieved 3 or more grade As. 

The highest performing students, and their destinations, are as follows: 

Sophie Aslan       5 passes at grade A                             Imperial College, London, Physics

Harriet Rees       5    ”        ”     “    A                              Oxford University, Mathematics  

Nathan Brown      4    “        ”     “    A                             Cardiff University, Medicine 

Laura Hoddell      4    “        ”     “    A                             Durham University, Economics 

Helena Read       4    “        ”     “    A                             Oxford University, English 

Amisha Wagle    4    “        ”     “    A                              King’s College, London, Medicine 

Pia Banerjee       3   “        ”     “    A, plus 1 at grade B    Cambridge University, Law 

Lydia Lewis        3    “        ”     “    A plus Merit in History in the Advanced Extension Award (see below)

Sophie Aslan, (5 x grade A), is going to Imperial College London to read Physics, usually a male preserve.

Another student of note is our last year’s Head Student, Lydia Lewis, who gained 3 As and also a Merit in the Advanced Extension Award in History. Lydia is away travelling at the beginning of her gap year, after which she hopes to read History and Politics at university. She is a member of the Save the Children Welsh Youth Panel and has been elected by her peers on to the Global Save the Children Youth Panel. She is the first representative in this new initiative from Save the Children, the idea behind the panel being to allow young people to have a voice and to advise Save the Children on key issues and programmes in order to improve the lives of children. 

Howell’s School, Llandaff, represents Wales in the UK Finals of the English Speaking Union’s Public Speaking Competition.