October 2015

NORTHGATE REVIEW

Congratulations

Once again we are delighted to report excellent examination results for Northgate High School students and pupils. On 13 August we learnt that a very pleasing 82% of A Level entries were awarded A*-C, with nearly a third of all entries being

graded A* or A. These top grades not only led to the confirmation of many university offers, but also helped our Year 13 students achieve a record average points score per student of 942, impressive when you consider one A grade at A Level counts as 300 points.

We were equally pleased with the results received on 20 August for Year 11, with 67% of pupils achieving the headline measure of five or more A*-C grades including both English and maths. Although pleasing, this figure masks the strong results achieved by a variety of key groups, for example, those attracting Pupil Premium funding, boys, those with English as an additional language and those with a special educational need.

All staff at Northgate would like to pass on their congratulations and best wishes to all the pupils and students who worked so hard to achieve these excellent outcomes.

TitleMad Hatter’s Tea Party

‘Take some more tea’ the March Hare said to Alice. ‘I’ve had nothing yet’ Alice replied ‘so I can’t take more’.

‘You mean you can’t take LESS’ said the Hatter, ‘it’s very easy to take more than nothing’.

2015 celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the timeless classic Alice in Wonderland written by Charles L Dodgson, better

known by his pen name Lewis Carroll. To mark the anniversary the library launched a poetry competition asking pupils to submit poems in his style. More than 60 pupils took part and the standard was so high that 18 poems were judged as winners. The winning poems can be viewed in the library on the ‘Great Writers’ board.

Miss Wreathall and her Year 10 Food Technology pupils kindly donated the prize of an afternoon tea party, which was held in the library on Tuesday 5 May.

The Food Technology pupils trawled recipe books and took inspiration from websites such as Pinterest. Throughout the morning they worked in pairs to produce their themed products. It was imperative that the food was of the highest quality and would suit not just their own preferences but those of others. Firm favourites on the day were the pork and apple sausage rolls, the mini Black Forrest Gateaux pots and the marbled cupcakes. Our young chefs used this as an opportunity to expand their skills and creativity.

Pupils arrived in the library and were excited to see tables of beautifully-presented savouries and desserts. Ella Peers and Matilda Cutting both commented on how the food was arranged. Ella said, ‘It made me feel extra proud of winning the competition’. At the end of the day Jack Burgess described the event as ‘a very chilled and relaxed atmosphere and a great social experience,’ and as Alanna Kearey said goodbye, she

summed up her afternoon in three words, ‘Awesome! Amazing! Astonishing!’

The library staff always look forward to the start of a new school year, and September 2015 has begun full of enthusiasm and promise. Year 7 pupils delight in choosing their reading material from the 17,000 resources in stock, and sixth form students are making good use of the study space available to them.

An annual reading competition has begun for Year 7 pupils, encouraging them to read regularly. This is followed by the annual Book Week, which is a fun week when the library staff hold quizzes and competitions for all pupils and students. There is a Mastermind Competition for Primary School pupils and another inter-form Mastermind for Year 7. This year, pupils and staff are busy making props, and there is a definite buzz of

activity in the Star Wars Club. Who knows - this may be a clue to the theme for this year’s Book Week!

Filmclub has begun for Years 9 and 10. The first film to be watched was Quantum of Solace. We were pleased to see a number of pupils attend during lunchtime on Friday and we hope to see the club thrive for another year.

Homework Club has had a busy start. It runs in the library at the end of each school day and continues until 4pm. Many Year 7 pupils are wisely using this time to get some of their homework finished before they go home.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish the Northgate community a great year and we look forward to seeing all our pupils and students enjoying the school’s wonderful library.

There is a definite buzz

Title

I am delighted to begin by congratulating our Year 11 pupils and Year 13 students on their excellent examination results.

Each August, as our team download results from the examination boards, I experience a slight sense of unease, just in case the hard work of our pupils, students and staff is not reflected in the outcomes. However, it is wonderful to be able to report that once again this year we witnessed numerous scenes of genuine delight as results envelopes were hesitantly peeled, casually slit or feverishly ripped open.

The importance of results for young people’s future choices cannot be under-estimated, and this year it was pleasing to see so many of our Year 13 students achieving grades that secured a place at their chosen future destination. While many of our Year 11 are now studying in our Sixth Form, others have left Northgate to study vocational courses or take up training placements with employers. I know all of my colleagues will join me in wishing everyone who has now left our school the very best wishes for a successful future.

Of course, as some leave, others arrive to take their place. This year, following a request from the Local Authority, governors agreed to squeeze an extra tutor group into Year 7; unfortunately

this still leaves a long waiting list. As usual we also have more than 300 students in our new Year 12, the majority choosing to study at Northgate post-16 despite previously being at other schools for their GCSEs. I welcome all of our new pupils and students and hope that they enjoy being part of the Northgate community during the next few years.

The new term brings a renewed determination to maintain the highest standards at Northgate High School, and this

year we have a particular focus on punctuality and positive behaviour. We know that if pupils arrive at school on time they not only have a more effective start to the day’s learning, but also get into good habits for later life. The consequences of pupils being late or making poor choices when unacceptable behaviour is addressed by staff, have been carefully explained to all year groups. I would like to thank all parents and carers who have reinforced our message at home.

Part of the Northgate community

Headteacher’s Page

Dates for Your DiaryFriday 16 October 2015 PTA Pupil Non-Uniform Day (£1 per pupil for PTA funds)Sunday 18 October 2015 PTA Craft FayreThursday 22 October 2015 Open Morning and Evening (School ends at 2.30pm)Friday 23 October - Friday 30 October 2015 Half TermThursday 12 November 2015 Dance EveningTuesday 17 November 2015 Young / Senior Musicians FinalsThursday 19 November 2015 Ex-Year 11 Certificate EveningSaturday 28 November 2015 PTA Team Trivia QuizWednesday 9 December 2015 Sixth Form Information Evening

TitleGCSE Level Art

Building on the success established by previous art students, Years 11, 12 and 13 showcased their creative talents to a large audience at this year’s Art & Photography Open Exhibitions. The annual events were well attended by pupils, family and

friends, all celebrating the culmination of two years’ hard work. Examiners commended the rich variety of media used, including oil paints, printing, photography, sculpture and ceramics. Sketchbooks were on show documenting the journey and giving insight into the hidden thinking behind some of the ambitious and innovative responses.

This year’s set theme for the GCSE externally-set assignment was entitled ‘Apart and/or Together’, and pupils responded to this in a variety of ways, demonstrating a high degree of technical skill whilst following a personal line of inquiry. One could not fail to note that the work on display was consistently fluent, reflecting the hard work and talents of our Year 11s. Well done to all!

Frans Van HelvertElla Rayment

Anoop Dey

Ali Barati

A Level Art

Florrie MacLeod

Annabelle LuptonBahareh Taleshi

TitleRace Day

On 18 July the Northgate Engineering Team competed in two races against 15 other teams at the Greenpower racing

event at Ford Dunton, Essex. Construction of their electric kit car, The Northgate Flyer, has been an ongoing project since the start of 2014.

Throughout the project, The Northgate Flyer underwent close assessments to try to improve the performance of the car in preparation for race day. There were strict regulations and criteria the vehicle had to meet, set by Greenpower.

Upon arriving at Ford Dunton the team signed in with the Greenpower officials, and Northgate members changed into their Northgate Engineering uniform. At 9.15am the scrutineering session began - if a team did not pass all of the criteria, they would not be permitted to race. The tension was palpable as The Northgate Flyer was closely examined by the race marshalls, and after being given the ‘all clear’, the team started their practice race. This involved members from each team cruising round the track to familiarise themselves with the layout and predict the speeds they should employ at different points on the track. At the halfway point was a tight 250 degree curve formed by hay bales, which rigorously tested the controls of the car and the skill of the driver. The team also practised the change-over of drivers in the pit-stop; this had previously been practised at school in the test runs.

The Northgate Team divided into two sub-teams in order to compete in both races. Each sub-team alternated jobs: three members in the pit-stop; a member carrying the pit-board that alerted the driver to enter the pit stop; and, of course, a driver.

The first race started at noon and Northgate finished fifth with an average speed of 14.6 mph over a distance of 22 miles. During the lunch break the team discussed the race and devised strategies on how to improve in the second race. Every team competing in the second session increased their speed and efficiency. Northgate finished eighth, having travelled 25.3 miles at an average of 16.3 mph.

The day was really successful, with some valuable lessons learnt. The challenge allowed pupils to experience things that the everyday curriculum could not hope to deliver. The project would not have been possible without the very generous

contributions from our sponsors: EDF Energy, The North East Area Committee, Reed Digital, Northgate High School PTA, The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Braziers, Orwell Motorcycles, Keir, and Northgate High School Maths and Technology Departments. The funding received has gone towards essential materials, specific tools and the cost of travelling to and from venues.

Northgate Engineering Team is proud to announce that they have been invited to race at the international finals at Rockingham. Should you wish to keep up to date with the progress of the team and see what else the Design & Technology Department is doing, visit the Northgate High School Technology Department Facebook group.

Valuable lessons learnt

Race Day

TitleSummer School 2015

For the third summer holiday running, Year 6 pupils from our feeder schools attended a summer school week at Northgate High School, arriving for breakfast and leaving after a full day of activities. An ‘egg drop’ from the athletic track stands, an

epic game of Monopoly, a re-enactment of the burial of the ship at Sutton Hoo and orienteering for clues around the site were all on the menu for nineteen children. Pupils learnt some German, produced delicious Danish pastries, developed ICT skills, showed their literacy skills and identified chemicals. A highlight must surely have been the exploding gas bubble experiment – no singed eyebrows!

On the final day, parents attended a Lion King-themed musical production and were served afternoon tea made by their children. All in all, a great way to further ease the transition into Year 7. Thanks must go to all staff who gave their time to this incredibly valuable event!

TitlePTA Craft Fayre

Northgate Arts Centre, Sidegate Lane West, Ipswich IP4 3DL

Sunday 18 October 201510am ~ 4pm

Craft & Gift Fayre

Over 40 stalls

Wide Selection of Homemade Crafts & Gifts

Refreshments Available

Free Parking

Admission Free

~ Donations to the PTA welcome

All income from this event will be used by the PTA to support pupils and students of Northgate High School

For further details please contact:

Sarah Catherall (sarah.catherall@yahoo.co.uk)

Northgate High School PTA Charity Number 1039734