Easter 2017 Issue 80

Easter F’Hill

“Enriching, Exciting and Energetic. Three words that I believe sum up the experience of life at Farnborough Hill

this term. As you look through this newsletter I am sure you will be struck by the wealth of opportunity, breadth of talent and the number of girls participating in a whole host of extra and co-curricular activities. Alongside these events inspirational teaching continues to take place; indeed many of the articles are linked to subjects and topics first encountered in lessons. Yet that isn’t enough at Farnborough Hill; the staff are always eager to build on the skills and knowledge of our students by going above and beyond classroom teaching and they are keen to ignite a love of learning. So as we reflect on the term we can look back on so many successes and achievements. We remain truthful to the school mission of educating the whole person through aiming for excellence, developing each person’s gifts and talents and to helping each to follow their dream.

Mrs Alexandra Neil Head

Welcome

For the full stories please go to our website www.farnborough-hill.org.uk

”

Pride and PrejudiceThe brilliant school production of Pride and Prejudice, an adaptation based on Jane Austen’s famous novel by Helen Jerome, played to capacity audiences over three nights. Involving a double cast and a committed team working backstage, this was a major undertaking which resulted in polished, witty, authentic and thoroughly enjoyable performances.

Continued on page 2

Continued from page 1

The essence of the famous story was achieved really well

in this clever play and the girls were able to bring the 19th century

to life through their excellent acting and superb comic timing. Expert choreography

meant that the set-piece dances were very professional and added to the authenticity of

the production. Period detail was further enhanced with carefully researched hair-styles and costumes,

some of which were authentic period pieces. The simple yet effective set, together with lighting and sound effects,

completed the experience. A triumph!

Easter 2017 Issue 80

2-3

Young Enterprise Companies Scoop PrizesOur three fantastic Year 10 Young Enterprise companies have been very busy and successful lately. Glo, Quotes & Co and Mariposa, won all of the main prizes in a trade fair in Farnborough whilst Mariposa and Glo came first and second respectively in a trade fair in Southampton. Well done, girls!

Phyllis TuckwellA cheque for £1,000 was presented to Ms Leanne Magee, Community Fundraiser for the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice. We were delighted to support this wonderful charity by selling our ‘Apple Heaven’ apple juice which is produced from the orchard in our grounds.

Congratulations to our public speaking

team who have won the local, district and regional

competitions and now go on to the national finals in Cambridge.

The Year 10 team, comprising Tabitha, Verity and Shika, spoke on the

topic, ‘Oppressive language does more than represent violence, it is violence’.

Public Speaking

We also congratulate our Rotary Youth Speaks team: Catriona, Roisin and Imogen, who not only won

their local heats but also go forward to the regional competition at the end

of March.Young Enterprise companies Glo (left), Quotes & Co (below left) and Mariposa (below right)

World Book DayStudents enjoyed celebrating World Book Day with many girls proving to be very imaginative and resourceful, dressing up as a myriad of characters from Roald Dahl’s brilliant books for children. Many staff also rose to the challenge with whole departments coming to school as characters from particular books including James and the Giant Peach (English) and Fantastic Mr Fox (Maths and RE).

Teacher Talent ShowThere is no end to the girls’ talent but this term the teachers got in on the act. The Teacher Talent Show was the brainchild of this year’s fantasic CAFOD Youth Leadership team who put an enormous amount of time, energy and hard work into organising the event. The teachers did not disappoint and the girls were delighted by this fabulous concert. These extremely committed girls have gone all out to promote CAFOD in school, making it fun whilst not diminishing the seriousness of the charity’s work. They have raised a total of £1,800

Farnborough Hill’s Got TalentThe 4th annual ‘Farnborough Hill’s Got Talent’ inter-house competition ended the first half of the term on a high. Each House was challenged to put together two three minute-long entertainments involving girls across the year groups. All the participants did a brilliant job, making the judges’ decision a hard one, but Becket House were the eventual winners. Well done, girls!

Easter 2017 Issue 80

4-5Teacher acts with the CAFOD team.

Year 10 PSHEE DayThe theme of the Year 10 PSHEE day was ‘Our place in the wider world’. The girls considered the definition and importance of human rights and participated in workshops by Christians Against Poverty, the Holocaust Education Trust and the UK Parliament Education Service. They considered a wide variety of issues and were given practical advice about income, expenditure and saving for a goal. The keynote address looked at the challenges faced by women in business. Thanks go to our guest speakers and to Mrs Evans-Jones for organising this excellent day.

Higher Education Evening Lower Sixth girls and their parents gathered for the

annual Higher Education evening. We welcomed experts from across the world of Higher

Education to host a programme designed to give the girls the best introduction

possible to university applications and beyond.

Year 11 PSHEE DayYear 11 threw themselves into an exciting day of PSHEE

on the careers and study skills theme of ‘Looking back and looking forward’. A wide range of sessions were

covered, providing advice on exams, job interviews, careers and much more. The girls were very

receptive and found the workshops both stimulating and illuminating. Thank you to

Mr Forrest-Biggs for organising such an inspiring day.

House Fashion Show The girls hugely impressed us with their creativity and fashion flair as they dressed five teachers in recycled materials inspired by the theme ‘The Ocean’. They were given half an hour to conjure up these wonderful outfits, the winner being the Campion House mermaid (right). What good sports our teachers are – well done, everyone!

Easter 2017 Issue 80

6-7

Think Tank

Chroma Stationery was founded and developed

single handedly by Gabi Cox. Gabi is a passionate advocate for

women and girls having the confidence and support to do whatever they want

to do. She talked to the girls about her own experience of business, including the highlights

and challenges she has had along the way. She is an inspiration, proving that hard work and perseverance

really do pay off.

Holocaust Memorial DaySixth Formers Anna and Emily participated in the ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’ project. Led by the Holocaust Education Trust, this course is designed to increase understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust and includes a day long trip to Poland and a visit to Auschwitz. Both girls have been fabulous representatives for the programme and we are grateful for the way that they have helped us all better understand the nature of the Holocaust during whole school Assembly and a lunchtime ‘Think Tank’ session.

Retreat Week Years 7 - 11 took part in a programme of thought-provoking activities for Retreat Week led by Miss Farmer and Mrs Jones. One of the highlights each day was decorating small boxes with magazine cut outs and placing scrolls in them on which was written the girls’ talents and abilities. These were reflected upon and taken home as a reminder of the day.

Valentine’s DiscoThe usually quiet Hall was packed full of Years 7 and 8 Farnborough

Hill girls and guests from Salesian College enjoying the annual Friends of Farnborough Hill Valentine’s Disco. The evening was made all the

better by a generous helping of loud music, bags of Haribo, lots of chatter and a little bit of dancing!

Easter ConcertThe Easter Concert was a vibrant showcase

of the vocal and instrumental talent at Farnborough Hill. After dazzling

instrumental displays in the first half, the massed choirs performed

Faure’s beautiful Requiem in the wonderful setting of the

school’s Chapel. Well done to everyone

involved.

Pi DayGreat fun was had by all when Pi Day was celebrated by the Maths

Department, who hosted a range of code-cracking activities for Years 7, 8 and 10. Groups had to follow clues and open safes,

which were hidden around the school, by solving Maths challenges.

DofEStudents in Year 10 working for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award went on a training walk in preparation for their expedition. They worked in mixed groups, developing navigation and teamwork skills. They quickly discovered that not all paths are shown on maps and that taking bearings and pacing distances are essential. Well done to all the girls who took part and a special thanks to the staff who accompanied them.

The ski trip to Holzgau in Austria was a great success; 46 girls enjoyed a week of skiing with some great snow and beautiful weather. Many thanks to the staff who went with them.

Easter 2017 Issue 80

8

SPORTS ROUNDUPNetballDistrict TournamentYear 8A team: winners Year 8B team: runners up in the B pool

25 Apr Year 11 Revision Day

25 – 26 Year 13 Exam Practice Apr

26 Apr Full School Day for all

27 Apr Junior Maths Challenge

1 May May Day Holiday

5 May Open Afternoon for prospective parents

9 May Year 12 Drama Performance

11 May Musical Soirée in St Cecilia’s

13 May Open Morning – compulsory for all students in Years 7 – 9

25 May Year 10 GCSE Drama Performance

26 May Half Term begins

PARENTS’ DIARY 2017 Summer Term

5 Jun Half Term ends

12 – 13 Sixth Form Taster Days for Jun Year 10 students

16 – 19 Year 9 Residential Trip Jun

20 Jun ‘Busy Bees’ Taster Day for prospective students

21 Jun Futurewise Profile for all Year 10 students

Induction for new Year 7 students

23 Jun Feast of the Sacred Heart

Inter-House Sports Afternoon

23 Jun GCSE & A level Art Exhibition in St Joseph’s

24 Jun Friends of Farnborough Hill Summertime Party

26 Jun Year 11 Work Experience Week

27 Jun LVI Retreat – TBC

29 Jun Feast of St Peter and St Paul Mass

1 Jul Sixth Form Leavers’ Ball

6 Jul Junior Prize Giving Afternoon

7 Jul Term Ends

Leavers’ Mass

10 Jul Stevensons Uniform Suppliers, Shuzu Farnborough and Triangle Bookshop in school

BadmintonThe KS3 team of Sophia, Becky, Yathavi (Year 9) and Parami (Year 8) fought hard to get to the finals of the County Championships where they were runners up.

Cross CountryDistrict Cross Country ChampionshipsU17 team: runners up U15 team: winnersU14 team: winnersU13 team: winners

Owing to our success many girls have gone on to represent the District at the County Championships performing extremely well at this level. Charlie (Year 13) and Emma (Year 8) have been selected to represent the County at the prestigious English Schools’ Cross Country event and came 28th (of 301) and 128th (of 344) respectively.

Year 8A

Year 8B