1 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

Thetford Grammar School

The small, friendly school that gets results for individuals.

8th January 2016

Dear Parents and Pupils,

I do hope that you have all had a very festive and enjoyable time over the Christmas holidays

and that you are fully refreshed and ready to start this New Year. A particularly warm welcome

is extended to the many new pupils who have joined Thetford Grammar School, starting on

Tuesday 5th January. Just to repeat slightly some of the information from our New Parents

Induction Meeting on Tuesday for the benefit of all parents, please do let us know if there is

any concern. We are always more than happy to talk to you and meet with you if there is

anything we need to understand, review, improve or resolve. My appreciation to Mrs Nicki

Peace, Head of Preparatory School, and Mrs Heather Pringle, Head of Key Stage 3, for

attending the meeting and for providing some very useful thoughts and information for the

benefit of our newest members of the school.

We have a very full and exciting programme of events throughout this term for the benefit of

all pupils and students in the school. A copy of the calendar was sent out this week and these

events are also itemised on our website for your convenience.

Our internal GCSE and A Level Mock Examinations for Years 11, 12 and 13 started on Tuesday

5th and conclude on Tuesday 12th January. From conversations with many young people and

subject teachers here at the school, these appear to be going as well as expected. The results,

of course, will determine how successful and industrious our pupils and students have been

over the first term and the Christmas break. As I mentioned to a number of parents this week,

these assessments are an excellent means for us to see their potential for May and June.

However, these are still not the definitive and crucial public examinations that will determine

future steps; improvements and developments can still be achieved with the correct learning

attitude and disposition.

Please do be advised that I shall be sending (or re-sending) a short questionnaire to parents on

Monday next week regarding your thoughts on TGS. This was disseminated through our

weekly Newsletter on 27th November 2015. Unfortunately, there was not a very high response,

with only 8 returns. The information from this short survey will then inform school

developments. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

With a sharp and dramatic change in the weather predicted over the weekend and next week

onwards, I do wish us all a very warm, happy and healthy weekend.

Mr Mark S. Bedford

Headmaster

2 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

Welcome back to all children and parents and a Happy New Year to you all! I would like to extend an especially warm welcome to our new children, Harry Y2, Jiya and Nathan Y4 and Thomas Y5. We have a busy term ahead, with the Spring Term Project, Swimming lessons, Road Safety sessions and World Book Day to look forward to! Our Prep School Open Morning on the 20th January provides an opportunity for prospective pupils and their families to visit us, so please do pass on our details to your friends. Wishing you all a super term!

Mrs Nicki Peace Head of Preparatory School YEAR 2/3 WALK AROUND THETFORD

In Design Technology this term Year2/3 are looking at houses. The children first had a discussion about the different types of houses they know and the types of houses people around the world live in. The children then went on a walk around the area to see what different kinds of houses they could spot. They then took photos to discuss on their return to school.

Mrs Renate Dimminger Class Teacher

3 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

NEW LOOK PRE-PREP CLASSROOM Over the Christmas break there has been a transformation of the Pre-Prep classroom and on

the first day of the new term the children were very excited to see the arrival of a dinosaur egg,

a safari jeep and a campsite into their class. The children have been discussing what might be

inside the egg and are eager to see it hatch; there has been a further discussion about how the

children will need to care for the egg.

Miss Julie Blakemore Pre-Prep Teacher CLOTHES SHOW LIVE Our annual pilgrimage with pupils from Y11-13 to the Clothes Show in the Birmingham’s NEC was as exciting and successful as ever. The opportunity for pupils to see the largest fashion show in Europe and to discover the opportunities offered by the higher education college and university stands are second to none. The lively and inspirational shows and stalls provided us with a fabulous day out. Miss Amanda Sherring Head of Art

4 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

THETFORD THROUGH THE LENS

The ‘Thetford Through the Lens’

competition was a chance for the pupils of

Thetford Grammar School to engage with

their local environment and community and

to spend some time outside the classroom

endeavoring to capture the essence of

Thetford. We took classes into town and

pupils went in their own time; many pupils

had not had the opportunity to see so much

of picturesque Thetford before. For many

years now the school’s neighboring site has been dilapidated and now the plans to revitalize

the area are finally coming to fruition we are delighted that we were able to play a small part

in this scheme. The pupils entered the competition with much enthusiasm and excitement

and the overall winner was Megan Gallacher with her innovative picture of Captain

Mainwaring in front of the bridge (above). Kudzi Garikayi, Hannah Clark and Joseph

Ramsbottom were the runners up. Well done to all of you.

Miss Amanda Sherring Head of Art ANNUAL HOUSE DRAMA The last day of term was overrun by pupils displaying their ability to bring popular pantomimes to life and in some cases up-to-date. The preparation for the pantos started in October when the four Heads of House picked a title out of a hat (in reality an envelope): Coles - Robin Hood; Cronsheys - Snow White; Millingtons - Puss in Boots; Reeds - Beauty and the Beast. During the following few months the Houses worked tirelessly to perfect their scripts, make the necessary props and practice during lunchtimes. Then came the final day with four lessons to practise their plays before their 20 minute performance. There was excitement and nervousness in the hall as the casts waited to start. Years 4-6 in the Prep School also came in to watch the show.

The bell rang and the lights went up and House Drama 2015 started with Reeds and Beauty and the Beast. The script was adapted from the Disney version, with Emily Scott and Charles Mead doing well to reduce the length considerably. The shows lead characters were Cecily White as Belle, Ben Doyle as the Beast and Christian Eade as Maurice. The star in some peoples eyes though was Mr. Simpson as Gaston.

5 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

Reeds used a selection of hand puppets to tell the story, which represented the servants, and this allowed them to transform into the real people at the end of the show.

Next was Millingtons and their rendition of Puss in Boots. The traditional pantomime telling the fairy tale of the remarkable talking cat played by Andrew Forbes who secures his master’s future, played by Sebastian Floyd, by winning the hand of a Princess, played so

well by Mr Ward, in a performance which left the whole audience in hysterical laughter; taking the prize from the Ogre Count Crusher, played by Johnny Storey. The play was directed by Gabby Hunter-Short.

Cronsheys followed with their rendition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, adapted and directed by Finn Humphris. The tale starts with the evil Queen played by Franzi Elders and her attempt to kill Snow White, played by James Betts sending her into hiding with the Seven Dwarves. However, the Queen is able to find her

and puts her under a spell. The tale then goes on to show a self-absorbed Prince, played by Michael Heslop and his want for the beautiful Princess Snow White to fall madly in love with him; however, with a plot twist he is not her Prince Charming after all and so he is unable to break the spell.

Last, but by no means least, it was the turn of Coles and their modern take on Robin Hood, played by James Blackman, put into jail by the evil Sheriff played by James Gornall after he was caught stealing money to give back to the poor. With the help of his girlfriend, played by Megan Sidery, and his lawyer, played by Ellie Dickens, he

6 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

was able to prove that the Sheriff was the bad guy who was thrown into jail.

Miss Karen Humphrey Head of Reeds SAINSBURY ARTS CENTRE – MAGNIFICENT COLLECTIONS As part of a ‘Box Art’ project GCSE Art pupils created a display from a collection of objects based on a theme and the work of artist Joseph Cornell. Photos of these displays were entered into the Sainsbury Centre’s ‘Magnificent Collections’ programme. Five boxes were chosen, created by Jude Blakemore, Alex Ackerman, Chloe Garrett, Isobel Tod and Kudzi Garikayi. Those pupils have been invited to a Celebration Day at the Centre in recognition of their success. To view pictures on the Sainsbury Centre website please click here FORTHCOMING SCHOOL PRODUCTION: GRIMMS FAIRY TALES Rehearsals have already resumed as we begin the final preparations for this year’s extravaganza! Mrs Boyce has been working furiously with her co-directors, Finn Humphris and Emily Bell and the performers are slowly bringing the stories to life. The programme and tickets are nearly completed which means that we are on target to begin selling them during the 2 weeks prior to the show. A letter will be going home in a week or so regarding the possibility of Sunday rehearsals. Just to confirm that the dates are: Tuesday 9th February Wednesday 10th February Ticket prices are £5 per adult and £2:50 for children and concessions. TAONGA SCHOOL, ZAMBIA

The staff and pupils of Taonga Primary school in Zambia, pictured during their Christmas party, would like to say Thank You for supporting them in 2015 with funds raised from our Non-Uniform Day on the 20th November. These much needed funds will go towards the next stage of building work to improve their school.

7 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

SCHOOLBLAZER SALE

We have been advised by Schoolblazer that their January sale will finish at midnight on the 31st January 2016. As usual 20% will be taken off all in stock items. If you have already shopped with them they will email you directly.

SKI TRIP 2016

There is a Ski Trip Information Evening on Thursday 14th January 2016 6-7pm. As well as details of the forthcoming trip there will be a second hand ski clothing sale. If parents have any second hand ski clothing they would like to sell please feel free to price it up and send it in to Mrs Alecock.

Mrs A. Alecock Trip Organiser LOST PROPERTY Sam White Black games sock

White PE sock Named Named

Rory White Coat Blue, Next Andrew Forbes Analogue watch Light blue strap John Jenkins Leicester Tigers scarf Green/Red – brand new Joseph Ramsbottom TGS Hoodie named Ben Mason Black PE joggers named Ethan Harris TGS black coat Named in the coat seam Joshua Kriehn-Morris School jumper unnamed Arlo Greenwood Wallet Red with black outline Hamish Russell PE top named Ben Jacob-Haigh Cake box Plastic with a green lid Freddie Bayne Blazer named Evangeline Bedford PE Skort and PE top Named Franzi Elders Pe sock Black, named Tomás Morgan PE shorts Named Owen Wortley Shoes Black School Shoes Joe Lawson Shoes Black School Shoes Blue Ring Found in Prep School Please collect from the office

8 Issue No 14/ 2015-2016

CONGRATULATIONS

Our congratulations this week go to Finlay Harrison in Y8 who has passed his Grade 5 Acting Solo LAMDA exam outside of school. Well done, Finlay! MATCH RESULTS

None this week. NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES Wednesday 13th January 2.30 – 4.45pm U13 Football v Eccles (H)

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday 12th January Y9 Parents’ Evening in Williamson Hall Thursday 14th January Ski trip information evening in Williamson Hall Friday 15th January Pre-Prep – Y6 Swimming Lessons at Breckland Leisure Centre Saturday 16th January TGS Entrance Examinations Monday 18th January Y6 Internal Entrance Exams Tuesday 19th January Pre-Prep - Y3 Road Safety with Bethany & Benjamin Bear Y6 Red/Light Green Light Road Safety with Mr Banham Wednesday 20th January Music Scholarship Examinations Prep School Open Morning Y12/13 Parents’ Evening in Williamson Hall Friday 22nd January Pre-Prep – Y6 Swimming Lessons at Breckland Leisure Centre ATTACHMENTS Clubs/Activities Spring 2016 – to view attachment click here FORTHCOMING LETTERS

Y4-5 Cookery letter Y7 Norwich Castle trip Y12/13 Parents’ Evening

If you would like a printed copy of this newsletter please contact the office.