THETFORD GRAMMAR SCHOOL

SUMMER REVIEW 2015

We have also said goodbye to the following staff this term.....

Jemma Fifield: Mrs Fifield joined the Geography Department at TGS in 2007 and established a reputation for exciting and lively lessons. Following the birth of her children, she has continued in a part-time capacity but has now decided it is time to move on. We wish her every happiness for the future.

Alex Shillings: Dr. Shillings joined the Science Department in 2010 where he has been a dynamic and popular teacher. He also took responsibility for the Stretch and Challenge programme, as well as innovative Science events. He moves onto further responsibilities at Wisbech Grammar School and we wish him every success.

Gina Irving: Ms. Irving joined TGS in 2008 and has been an inspirational Drama teacher. We will remember very fondly her exuberant musicals, such as “Grease”, Midsummer Night`s Dream” and many others. We wish her well in retirement.

On behalf of the Governors of Thetford Grammar School, I would like to extend our best wishes to the Headmaster for his forthcoming retirement. I have had the pleasure of working with Gareth for five of the ten years that he has

served at the school. As Chair, I have been impressed with his commitment to the students and his determination

to ensure that the school's high academic standards are maintained.

Maureen Eade - Chair of Governors

Au Revoir and a happy retirement Mr Price ......

12 Year 9 & 10 pupils enjoyed a smooth journey via Eurostar to Paris where they then took a luxurious local train for the short journey to Compiègne. The exciting programme of activities included a cycle ride through the beautiful Compiègne forest to the charming château of Pierrefonds, a visit to the Armistice museum where there was a chance to see the train carriage used for the signing of the 1918 truce, a barbeque night, a WW1 History lesson, a visit to the cathedral city of Amiens plus exciting trips out with host families. Another successful exchange trip!

French Exchange TGS-Collège Compiègne

Congratulations to all the pupils who took Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Exams this term. Omar El Oakley was awarded a distinction at Grade 8 (the highest grade) for piano. Henry Bittleston and George Rupp both took two exams each in the same sitting, a considerable achievement. The summer concert was a huge success, with a wide variety of performers, from Elliott Sander's French horn solo to Luke Foster's rap compositions. Several pupils, including Andrew Forbes and Oliver Peace, performed flawless solos for the first time in a Senior School concert. TGS Music Department has been organising an international Music Composition Competition for the Society of Heads, with entries as far away as Kenya. Results will be announced next term, but with cash prizes at stake the competition is fierce.

TGS Elections 2015 Results Day

The results of the election were announced during assembly. It was a tense time as Mr Price declared the winners. The votes were counted and the results were as follows:

Year 7 - The Tomorrow Party – Sebastian Floyd and Sophie Jacklin

Year 8 – The Transform Party – Jessica Miller

Year 9 – The Tomorrow Party – Joe Hobbs

Year 10 – Conservatives – Gabrielle Hunter-Short and Max Albury

Students had found the whole experience to be fun and informative and Y7 particularly enjoyed carrying out the different roles and responsibilities required to run an election. Well done to the winners and commiserations to the losers.

MUSIC

A group of 30 Year 7 and 8 students participated in the Junior UKMT Mathematical Challenge in April. Congratulations to all pictured who received their Silver and Bronze Awards.

Year 7 pupils created a joint entry by all drawing the covers of their favourite books for the World Book Day Competition – these included both fiction and non-fiction titles. These individual books were then photographed and layered inside a diagram of a heart labelled “fig.1 They’re in our blood”. We did not win the competition but the pupils were sent a box of books to add to the library for their excellent efforts. The super image they created is now taking pride of place in the School Library and also features in the displays in the English Factory.

Arts Award

The annual art exhibition showcased work from Year 5 through to Year 13. There was a variety of outstanding work including paintings, prints, clay sculptures and photography. The DT display was from GCSE Systems and Control, Product Design and the AS and A2 Product Designers. The display included a humane rat catcher to a Kandinsky inspired occasional table. The standard of work was amazing and all students should be proud of their hard work and achievements. Well done, another fantastic year for our future Artists and Designers.

Art and DT Exhibition

Arts Award students have been busy this year working on a variety of projects. Year 9 gained their Bronze awards this term and Silver Arts Award students have been working independently to develop their own schemes of work.

We also have 2 students working towards their Gold Award. Overall the scheme has continued to help students develop their experiences, take control of their own learning, work together and has challenged them with new skills and disciplines.

Kudzi Garikayi pictured left, has been selected for the East of England Netball Squad. Centre picture is the U15 rounders team who have been team of the term winning all their matches and pictured right is Alana Wilson who came second in the Junior Girls’ Javelin at the Norfolk Schools’ athletic event, qualifying her to compete in the Anglian Schools’ Championship. Well done everyone!

Cricket News!The U13s have performed well with lots of enthusiasm.

The U14s have looked the most complete team with all players showing good ability with bat, ball and in the field.

The U15s have also done well showing good prowess. The Old Boys game of The School against The Old Thetfordians once again resulted in a victory for The School. The OTA scored 101 for 9 in their innings and The School went past that total with 9 balls to

spare finishing on 102 for 8.

The other main summer activity has been athletics, culminating in Sports day. This was a very exciting day with lots of good competition.

Three new records were set: Eleanor Pringle set a new record in the Junior Girls Shot Putt (8.11 metres), and Kate Stagg showed her speed with 2 new

records in the 100 (13.06 secs) and 200 metres (25.09 secs) for Intermediate Girls. Cronsheys demolished everybody to win the Tug Of War.

Individual Best performers, winners of the Victrix and Victor Ludorum were:Junior Age Group: Isabel Curley and Rory Donoghue

Intermediate Age Group: Ellie Vinton and Ben HaydenSenior Age Group: Freya Webb and Liam Vinton.

The final bout of relays left the points totals on:Reeds 447, Coles 457,

Cronsheys 568 and Champions Millingtons

569

SPORTS DAY

Y11 & Y13 Proms

Children in EYFS/1 hosted their annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic this term. They took part in a range of activities, including decorating gingerbread men, making photo frames and creating their own blossom trees, all followed, of course, by a delicious picnic!

EYFS – Year 3 were visited by the Queen of the tooth fairies this week. The children helped the Queen to carry out experiments to find out what different foods can do to your teeth and learnt the importance of regular brushing!

Children in Years 2 and 3 visited both a synagogue and a church in Norwich. The children had a fantastic time learning about different aspects of both religious centres and were keen to share their new knowledge when they returned to school.

EYFS/1 visited the library in Thetford where they met manager David Nichols who helped the children to use maps and books to find out about their local area. The children then walked to the post office where they posted postcards that they had written to themselves. There was great excitement when the postcards arrived at everyone’s house.

EYFS and Year 1 enjoyed their second outing of the term to the Tesco store in Thetford. The children were taken behind the scenes to make bread and ice Danish Pastries. They then took part in the rainbow challenge in the fresh produce aisle, finding fruits and vegetables which were different colours.

JUNIOR

Children across the whole department performed in the second concert of the year to family and friends. All of the classes either sang or played a recorder piece, and many of the children performed their own instrumental piece or as part of an ensemble.

SCHOOL

Years 4 & 5 visited the British Schools Museum in Hitchin where they travelled back in time to the Victorian Era. The pupils experienced a typical Victorian School day and learnt that children from that time were very disciplined and that the teachers were very strict. They did not like the idea of having to visit the ’privy’ which was outside!

At the final Endeavours as-sembly of the year, Mr Price presented awards to those

children in Junior School who had worked particularly hard

over the final half term.

Year 6 children set off to learn more about their current World War 2 History topic at the IWM Duxford. Whilst there, the children were able to take part in a variety of activities including experiencing some of the aspects of living through the war.

At the final Endeavours assembly of the year, Mr Price presented awards to those children in Junior School who had worked particularly hard over the final half term.

The children had a super time at the Junior School Sports Day. Everyone worked really hard and it was lovely to see such great sportsmanship between them all. The overall winners were Millingtons with Tom Hayden, Bethan-Eve Morgan, Arlo Greenwood and Connie Foreman being awarded the Victor Ludorum and Victrix Ludorum trophies.

Junior School ended the term by performing in the very funny ‘Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies’ which was this year’s musical extravaganza!

Children in Year 6 invited family, friends and staff to their final class assembly as members of the Junior Department. The children enjoyed acting out a reunion taking place in ten years time and shared with the audience their hopes and dreams for the future! The children then reminisced about their special memories of their time as juniors, before moving on to the Senior School.

Robin and the Sherwood Hoodies

We hope you have a lovely summer break and look forward to seeing you all on 3rd September 2015............