leweston life winter 2012

Win

ter

2012

Leweston Life15562 text:Layout 1 21/12/12 09:42

Heads’ Welcome 3

Results 2012 4

Leweston Adds Value 5

Academic Awards and Successes 6

Creative Pursuits 8

Concerts, Choirs and Carols 10

Moroccan Gold: Duke of Edinburgh News 12

Senior Sport 14

Prep News 18

Prep Sport 24

Boarding Bliss 28

Other News from 2012 31

Dates for your Diary 32

Contents

www.leweston.co.ukCover image: members of Leweston’s Schola Cantorum

4

Page 10

Page 8

Page 26

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With the end of another year upon us it

seems an appropriate time to reflect on

the accomplishments of 2012.

Academically Leweston has once again

had a record breaking year with more girls

than ever before achieving 9 or more A or

A* grades. In the last few weeks we have

had a record number of girls interviewed

for places at Oxford and Cambridge and

we were delighted to learn from our value

added statistics that we are in the top five

percent of schools nationally (page 5).

We ended this term with two of the

highlights in the Leweston calendar, the

Prep and Senior School Carol Services

which rounded off another busy and

successful term in the music departments

(pages 10 -11). We look forward to the

Choral Society Concert in March which,

this year, is in aid of the 2013 sports and

music tour to South Africa. This is an

incredible opportunity for the 30

musicians and sports women who will get

to perform and play in schools, churches

and charities in and around Cape Town.

We look forward to updating you on the

tour’s progress on our website and in

future editions of Leweston Life.

We were delighted for the four girls who

have passed their Duke of Edinburgh Gold

Award this term following their expedition

in Morocco in the summer. Details of their

adventures can be read about on pages 12

and 13 and we look forward to the new

Duke of Edinburgh season starting in full

in the spring.

It has been a busy term in the sports

department with much success

(pages 14–17 and 24-27). It was with

eager anticipation that we welcomed Mick

Flaherty to Leweston in September and we

look forward to the development of an

‘athlon’ sports programme at Leweston

(page 14).

We were also delighted to welcome

Lorraine Roberts as the new Housemistress

of Junior House at the start of the

academic year. She has had a busy term

and her first impressions and plans for the

future can be read about on page 30. With

a record number of girls boarding at

Leweston we are delighted to be opening

extra accommodation in Middle House,

Leweston’s boarding accommodation for

girls in Year 9-11, in the summer term. This

will allow us to increase our boarding for a

further 8 girls next year to keep up with

the increasing demand for space.

This academic year has already seen so

much to celebrate but as we reflect with

pride on the many achievements we also

look forward with anticipation and

confidence to all that 2013 has in store.

Welcome from the Heads

James Savile

Head of Leweston Prep

Adrian Aylward

Headmaster

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4

2012 has been yet another record

breaking year at Leweston. The

School is delighted to be

celebrating its third set of record

GCSE results in four years with an

unprecedented 47% of all

candidates achieving 9 or more A

or A* grades. 64% of all entries

were passed at A* or A with 88%

of examinations passed at A*, A or

B. Congratulations to the 13% of

girls who got 9 A* grades or more.

Leweston is also celebrating

another year of excellent results

for its Sixth Form leavers.

Students achieved a 100% pass

rate in both A Level and

Cambridge Pre-U subjects. 71% of

the examinations were passed

at A*, A or B grade or Pre-U

equivalent, with 51% at A* or A or

equivalent - nearly double the

national average. An impressive

30% of students achieved 3 or

more straight A* or A grades

across a range of subjects with

more than 10% of girls achieving

5 or more A* or A grades. Average

UCAS points per candidate were

402, the equivalent of over three

A grades per candidate.

This year has also seen the third

set of strong Cambridge Pre-U

results. 100% of candidates

passed at Distinction or Merit.

These results have enabled

Leweston’s leavers to win places

at their chosen universities or

specialist colleges.

Congratulations to Hebe Stanton

and Isabelle Barber who won

places at Oxford and Cambridge

respectively to read English.

GCSE, A Level and Pre-U Results 2012

IN BRIEF…

• Record breaking GCSE

results: 47% of candidates

achieved 9 or more A or

A* grades

• A Levels: 71% passed

at A*, A or B

• Cambridge Pre-U: 100%

passed at Distinction or

Merit

DID YOU KNOW...

OVER THE LAST FEW

YEARS OVER 95%OF OUR LEAVERS HAVE

WON PLACES AT THEIR

FIRST CHOICE UNIVERSITY

LEWESTON HAS A 90%SUCCESS RATE IN MEDICINE

AND VETERINARY

APPLICATIONS OVER THE

LAST 5 YEARS, FAR ABOVE

THE NATIONAL

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL

AVERAGE

“Once again the hard work and commitment of the girls atLeweston has been rewarded with record breaking success.These achievements pay testimony to the support that thestaff have given to the girls and to the effectiveness of singlesex education which underpins the serious work ethic of theschool.”

Headmaster Adrian Aylward

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Leweston Adds Value...

“We are delighted with this external verification of the outstandingperformance of our pupils which reflects the dedication and hard workthat they have put into their studies. It highlights the exceptional workethic of the school, the benefits of Leweston’s excellent staff to pupilratio and our ability to help every girl fulfil her potential.”

Director of Studies, Geoff Smith

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Of course, A and A* grades are only

part of the picture. Leweston’s 2012

results put it in the top 5% of schools

for value added…

Perhaps a more telling indicator of

academic success on an individual level

is a school’s ability to add value to each

girl’s progress. Leweston was delighted

to learn that the Yellis feedback

produced by Durham University has

placed us in the top 5% of schools

nationally for value added.

Value added is a measure of the

progress pupils make between different

stages of education; if girls perform

beyond expectations this is reflected in

a high ‘value added’ score.

Leweston achieved an average score of

+0.8 of a grade at GCSE and this high

ranking demonstrates Leweston’s ability

to add value to each girl’s education

and encourage them to perform above

original expectations. The Yellis system

measures performance to GCSE and is

used by almost all independent schools.

This top 5% ranking builds on

Leweston’s performance over the last

few years when it has consistently been

placed in the top 10% of schools

nationally.

At A Level Leweston achieved further

value added with an average of +0.3 of

a grade measured from a pupil’s GCSE

performance using Durham University’s

Alis system.

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MATHEMATICIAN MONIKA ISPLACED 3RD NATIONALLY!

Academic Awards and Successes

Memories Tested in World Record Attempt40 Leweston biologists joined people

from around the country to help the

Society of Biology set a new record for

the world’s largest memory game as part

of the first ever national Biology Week in

October.

The game involved students memorising

a list of words and the results will be

used as part of a nationwide study to

help improve our understanding of

conditions such as Alzheimer’s. The

game itself was devised by the renowned

experimental psychologist Prof. Bruce

Hood and earned air time on BBC

Breakfast and Radio 1. We look forward

to seeing the event in the Guinness Book

of Records soon!

PROLIFIC POETSCongratulations to the Leweston pupils who

took all three top spots at the 2012 Sherborne

Literary Festival Open Poetry Competition.

Connie De Pelet (Year 9) took first place with

her poem ‘Crinkled Eyes’. Tessa Broadbent

(Year 9) and Emily Brown (Year 8) came

second and third with their entries

‘Cinderella’ and ‘Music is Real’. Well done

also to Beth McMillan (Year 9) who won the

Short Story Competition.

Congratulations to Year 13 pupil Monika Dec who has

been placed 3rd nationally in the 2012 UK Maths

Olympiad for girls, a national competition designed to

enable young women to have an opportunity to

demonstrate excellence in mathematics.

This outstanding achievement is the latest in a string

of mathematical success for Monika. She achieved top

25 places in both BMO2 and BMO1 earlier in this year

winning a silver medal. Monika has already achieved

A* grades in Maths and Further Maths, as well as a

Distinction in AEA Maths. She is studying for A Levels

in Additional Further Maths, Chemistry, Physics,

German and Polish and is applying to study

Mathematics at Cambridge on completing her Year

13 studies.

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IT HAS BEEN A BUSY TERM FOR

THE SIXTH FORM STUDENTS AT

LEWESTON WHO HAVE HAD

THE CHANCE TO HEAR FROM

SOME OF THE COUNTRY’S

LEADING PROFESSIONALS.

In October Leweston was

delighted to welcome the

Reverend Nicholas Mercer,

human rights lawyer and former

Human Rights Lawyer of the Year,

who gave a cross-curricular talk

to the Sixth Form Global

Perspectives, Philosophy and

Politics students. Rev Mercer

explained the 15 articles that

covered the Human Rights Act

and touched on some of the

high profile cases that have been

in the news recently, such as the

cases of Gary McKinnon, Abu

Hamza and Prince Harry, leaving

the girls with much to reflect on

and consider.

Not to be left out the

Government and Politics

students heard from Dominic

Greave MP, the present Attorney

General when they visited the

Houses of Parliament this term.

Mr Greave explained his role and

answered a variety of questions

on devolution and reform of the

House of Lords as well as his role

in guiding the Government

through the many intricacies of

the development of British

common and statute law from

the Magna Carta and habeas

corpus to the Bill of Rights. He

also answered questions on the

current challenges facing the

European Convention on Human

Rights. The girls found the

experience extremely

informative and exciting. It was

an incredible opportunity to be

able to meet Dominic Greave

and to hear his views.

Meanwhile Leweston’s

Economics and Business

students were visited by local

entrepreneur Andy Fussel of

Fussel Fine Foods. The girls were

delighted to tuck into his

delicious products and with the

audience captured, the group

discussed his new TV advert and

his ideas behind capturing brand

loyalty including the use of

celebrity endorsement.

The Science and History students

also had a chance to hear from

Dr Geoffrey Guy, Executive

Chairman and founder of GW

Pharmaceuticals in November.

Dr Guy talked about the history

of herbal medicine and the

impact of the use of plants on

medical advancement today. It

was an informative and thought

provoking visit.

Leweston works continuously

to give its pupils exposure to

professionals working in the

‘real world’ to help inspire,

broaden horizons and answer

questions. These experiences

offer the girls a chance to

bring to life the theory they

cover in the classroom and are

an invaluable addition to the

curriculum at Leweston.

A Term of Inspiring talks from

Leading Professionals

Reverend Nicholas Mercer

Andy Fussel

Dominic Greave, MP

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Dramatic DoubleThe autumn term Senior School production featured an amusing double bill of two short plays by the lesser-

known playwright Arthur Lovegrove – ‘Her Grace Will Be Here’ and ‘Clara’s on the Curtains’. An entirely female

cast of Year 11 and Year 12 girls performed the comical antics of the Wickley Women’s Guild as they tried to

prepare for a VIP visit and their frustrations and interactive dialogue made for some very entertaining

viewing. Some superb characterisations were realised and the audiences were charmed. This was a

wonderfully rendered performance with an excellent set and back stage and production team. The dance

at the finale to the tune of ‘There’s No Business like Showbusiness’ was truly astonishing. Another

theatrical triumph!

Creative Pursuits

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LAMDA RESULTS 2012IT HAS BEEN ANOTHER BUMPER YEAR OF LAMDA SPEECH AND DRAMA RESULTS

AT LEWESTON: 25 DISTINCTIONS AND 15 MERITS. WELL DONE GIRLS!

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Concerts, Choirs and Carols...Director of Music Claire Hawkes

comments on a busy term’s work

in the Music Department...

As always it has been a busy start

to the academic year for

Leweston’s Music Department, and

one littered with much success.

The year started with an excellent

haul of Associated Board results

including 3 distinctions and 8

merits in a variety of instruments.

Three girls are eagerly waiting to

hear the results of their ATCL

(Associate Trinity College, London)

Performance Diplomas which they

took at the end of November.

This is an advanced exam, and

equivalent to the first year of a

music conservatoire degree

course. An invited audience got to

hear the girls’ examination pieces

at a practice recital earlier in

November and they were not

disappointed… good luck to year

13 pupils Ellie Byfield on the

saxophone, Emily Yang on the

piano and Imogen Massey on

the flute.

In addition to the Junior Choir and

Schola Cantorum, the department

has seen the formation of an

independent Sixth Form Choir.

This new choir has been working

on cappella music, a challenge for

them musically, and performed at

the Christmas Concert held at

Chideock Church in December and

the Carol Service at Sherborne

Abbey. We look forward to their

continued development.

Leweston has also seen the

formation of a new Wind Quintet.

This ensemble is formed of

Leweston’s advanced Sixth Form

musicians and delighted

audiences for the first time

at the Christmas Concert

in December.

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Choral Society 2013

After a year off, Leweston is

delighted to be working

towards its Choral Society

Concert in March. The

concert will be supporting

Leweston’s music and sports

tour to South Africa planned

for 2013 (see page 31) and

the Society will be

performing ‘Zimbe!’ by

Alexander L’Estrange. The

work is made up of African

folksongs and is scored for

SATB choir, Semi Chorus and

Children’s Choir. This gives

Leweston’s Prep School the

opportunity to be part of this

year’s event. The composer of

the work visited Leweston in

November to take the first

rehearsal which was a

fabulous experience for the

girls involved. The concert

will take place on Sunday,

3rd March at 7.30pm and

will be accompanied by

Leweston’s Jazz Orchestra –

watch this space!

Carol Service in Sherborne Abbey

ATCL Performance Diploma Candidates

Christmas Concert in Chideock Catholic Church

It has also been an exciting term

for Junior Choir who prepared

songs from the ‘Sound of Music’

for their performance at the Joint

Schools’ Concert held at

Sherborne School in November

where Leweston’s Joint Schools

Orchestras also performed music

including ‘Night on a Bare

Mountain’ by Mussorgsky.

Another busy term was

completed in style with the Carol

Service in Sherborne Abbey, a

real highlight in the Leweston

calendar and the perfect way to

finish the year. We look forward

to more musical success in

the spring.

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AT THE START OF THE SUMMER BREAK, THE GIRLS PARTICIPATING IN THEIR GOLD DUKE OF

EDINBURGH AWARD GATHERED TO COMMENCE THEIR 12 DAY TRIP TO MOROCCO...

The trip had been planned over a year and a half in advance with the girls completing their training,

both in the Brecons and the Lake District and inventing creative ways of raising the funds to get

themselves there.

We arrived in Marrakesh to a completely different world. The souks were fascinating and the girls

practised their bartering but we were soon on our way to the Atlas Mountains, arriving at a campsite

surrounded by mountains and the green floor of the valley.

Facilities were sparse and we all got to know the meaning of squatting in a tent and sleeping on rough

ground but the experience of working with the local community was outstanding. As part of their

residential section, the girls were split up to join local families, helping with the daily chores and

seeing just how basic their lives were. I have no doubt that the girls came away with a sense of respect

and understanding for a community that has few luxuries yet appears very content.

Moroccan Gold

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The expedition in the mountains was arduous in many ways and

the girls did a fantastic job of dealing with their own personal

challenges and I was immensely impressed with every one of them.

The heat and inhospitable environment was a complete change for

each of us and both students and teachers had their moments but

ultimately, we all arrived back safely!

The last year has seen some very memorable experiences and I am

sure that this will continue - congratulations to all those who have

managed to achieve their Awards this year, especially to the 4 girls

who completed their Gold Awards this term, quite an achievement.Keith Whitehead, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator

Other Duke ofEdinburgh News…

Congratulations to the girls

completing their Silver

Award. Their trip to the New

Forest was very successful

with all girls passing the

expedition. Leweston is

looking forward to its new

Duke of Edinburgh season

commencing in full in the

spring – keep up to speed

with developments at

www.leweston.co.uk

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Leweston Welcomes GB Biahtle Coach to the Sports DepartmentIt was with great delight and

much anticipation that we

welcomed Mick Flaherty to

Leweston in September. As well as

running the swimming pool

operation throughout the year

Mick has set up a swimming and

‘ahtlon’ sports programme at

Leweston which covers modern

pentathlon (swimming, running,

fencing, shooting and show

jumping), triathlon and biathlon.

Mick is also organising a number

of swimming and ‘athlon’ camps

at Leweston during holiday

periods – these will be open to

the general public and more

information will be available

at www.leweston.co.uk in

due course.

As well as competing at water

polo, swimming and triathlon at a

national level, Mick has coached

at an international level. He

served as part of the GB triathlon

coach team from 1994-1996 and

has been the Great Britain biathle

coach since 1999. Mick also

works with Pentathlon GB. His

expertise and coaching

experience has opened up a

variety of opportunities for the

pupils at Leweston through

enhanced swimming

programmes, involvement in

aquathlons, biathles, biathlons,

triathlons and, in the future, once

the training programmes are

more established, the modern

pentathlon.

His work has already seen many

tangible results. The new early

morning swim training sessions

have seen record turnouts

(despite the early hour) and

Leweston has enjoyed much

success in its competitive swim

fixtures this term. Leweston also

hosted the staggeringly

successful Dorset Schools’

Biathlon competition in October

with over 320 competitors taking

part (the largest ever entry) and

Mick will be running a

biathle/tetrathlon/triathlon

training camp for athletes from

around the country during the

Easter break. We look forward to

the planned introduction of the

‘athlon’ training programme

which will give the girls the

opportunity to take part in

biathle/biathlon/triathlon/tetrathl

on/Pony Club tetrathlon,

and pentathlon events.

Watch this space!

Senior Sport

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World ClassYear 11 pupil and sports scholar Victoria Halford

assured her status as an international athlete when

she came 4th whilst representing Great Britain at the

World Biathle Championships in Dubai in November.

Victoria’s individual performance helped Great Britain

to win the gold medal in the U16 team event and was

especially impressive as she was competing with girls

a year older than herself. Last year Victoria brought

home a gold medal for team GB and this year’s gold

builds on her international success. This was Victoria’s

6th successive year representing Great Britain at these

World Championships where she first competed in the

U10 category.

The event consisted of a 1000m run, 200m swim,

followed by another 1000m run, and the British biathle

team took home a total of 21 individual and 11 team

medals. The Great British medal haul placed the team

first in the medal table, their best ever performance

and an outstanding result.

Earlier in the year Victoria was selected for the

Pentathlon GB England Talent Pool Programme.

This is the first formal stage of the talent

development pathway for athletes in the sport of

modern pentathlon, which has the ultimate aim of

developing athletes to progress through to the world

class pathway.

National Biathle Coach and Biathle Coach at Leweston, Mick Flaherty

“It has been a pleasure to work at Lewestonwith some outstanding athletes such asVictoria who I have been coaching since shewas 10. To be more directly involved with hercoaching programme at school and with otherup and coming athletes who have the talentand opportunity to follow in her footsteps is arewarding experience.”

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JRPC Hockey success! Congratulations to Siobhan

Stewart (Year 13) and Freya Logan

(Year 10) who have progressed

into the Tier 1 Junior Regional

Performance Centre (JRPC) team.

As part of this team the girls will

receive regular training sessions

and high level coaching on the

core skills of hockey from JRPC

coaches, with additional input

from England Hockey Board’s

Centrally Contracted Coaches

(CCCs). Good luck to both girls.

U15 Footballers Strike Gold! Leweston has enjoyed yet more

success at the 2012 National 7-A-

Side Football Tournament held at

Charterhouse this term. The U15

team finished in 3rd position after

passing through the group stage

unbeaten. They were eventually

knocked out in a closely fought

semi-final losing in a penalty

shootout. A frustrating end to their

exceptional performance but a

fine result for the team!

National Honours for Siobhan There was international

recognition for Sixth Former

Siobhan Stewart when she was

selected to form part of the

England Independent Schools U18

football team over the October

half term. Siobhan is the second

Leweston pupil to be selected for

the squad in the last two years and

we wish her continued success.

Leweston ReignsSupreme at the 2012Interschools’ ShowJumping CompetitionThe sun shone for the sixth

Leweston Inter-Schools Show

Jumping Competition in

September. This ever popular

event saw over 190 riders

represent schools from all over the

South West with hosts Leweston

School doing exceptionally well in

the team results coming third in

Class 1, sixth in Class 2 and first of

16 teams in Class 3. Well done to

all ponies and riders.

Swimming Sensations!Congratulations to the swimming

teams who competed for the first

time in the South West

Championships at Millfield,

competing against some of the

strongest swimmers in the area.

Impressive swims by Leweston’s

Senior Team placed them as the

best team in Dorset with the

Intermediate Team finishing 2nd

and the Juniors 3rd. Those early

morning swim sessions certainly

paid off!

Host Leweston EnjoysMuch Success at the2012 Dorset Schools’BiathlonCongratulations to the Leweston

teams and individuals who put in

exceptional performances at the

Dorset Schools’ Biathlon

Competition held at Leweston in

October. A record 320 athletes

were competing, not only to win

but to secure times to enable them

to qualify for the National Schools’

competition and the World

Schools’ Biathlon later this year.

National Success forLeweston’s Riders Congratulations to Leweston’s

Intermediate riding team who

finished in 5th position at the

National Schools’ Show

Jumping Championships at

Addington Manor this term.

The team of Tillie Newman,

Georgia Buckland (Year 11),

Lydia Hannam (Year 9) and

Lucinda Elwood (Year 10),

jumped strong clear rounds

against 30 other teams making

Leweston the team to beat

after the first round and

winning them a place in the

jump off! Each rider put in a

fantastic performance in the

jump off, securing the team

5th position – a fantastic

result.

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17

It was a bumper year for

Leweston with the Year 10/11

team winning their event and the

Year 9 team coming second. Well

done also to the Year 5, Year 7 and

Year 8 teams who came third.

Congratulations to the individual

medallists: Victoria Halford (Year

11) came 1st in her event, Tiffany

Luk (Year 13) came 2nd in her

event and Gabriella Strachwitz-

Hamilton (Year 6) came 3rd in

her event.

All outstanding achievements

against so many talented

competitors.

Record Numbers of Girls Qualify forNational Schools’Biathlon Semi-FinalCongratulations to the 14 girls

who have qualified for the semi-

final of the National Schools’

Biathlon Competition in January.

This is the largest number of

Leweston girls to ever qualify for

this event with pupils from Years

5 to 13 selected to compete. We

look forward to reporting on their

progress next term.

Ashes Retained in Closely Fought Multi-Sport BattleThe enduring rivalry between

England and Australia’s

sportswomen was played out at

Leweston this term when the

school hosted girls and staff from

Firbank Grammar, Melbourne as

part of their UK sports tour.

Leweston (England) competed

against Firbank (Oz) at swimming,

netball and football with the

rumour of international honours

amongst the Australian team only

adding to the tension! England

emerged victorious in the pool

with Australia clinching a close

fought victory on the football

pitch. The teams drew on the

netball court with one win each.

This was a fantastic sporting

experience for both sets of girls

and as the series resulted in a

draw the Ashes are retained by

Leweston – well done all!

IN OTHERSPORTS NEWS…

Podium Finish Well done to Year 10 pupil

Immie Jones who finished

3rd at the National Riding

Club Championships, a

tremendous achievement.

Plain SailingCongratulations to Sixth

Former Ellie Mules who has

now passed her RYA Dinghy

Instructors course. Ellie is

now qualified to deliver RYA

courses in dinghy sailing to

children and adults.

Regional RugbySelectionWell done to Year 11 pupil

Maddie Kirby who has been

selected for the Dorset and

Wiltshire U18 woman’s rugby

team. A phenomenal

achievement after a relatively

short rugby career – no

doubt more success awaits

Maddie on the rugby pitch.

Mendip Cross CountryCongratulations to Year 8

pupil Otterlie Gibbs, who was

the first girl home in the U13

Mendip League Race this

term. In the U14 Race her

younger sister Elsie Gibbs

(Year 7), together with Year 9

pupils Olivia Manson and

Lettie Worrall (pictured),

helped secure silver medals

for the team. Well done all!

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PrepLOCAL AUTHOR OPENS NEW PREP LIBRARYLeweston was delighted to welcome local author and artist Paul

Stickland as guest of honour at the opening of the new Prep School

library in October. After the official opening Paul spent the morning

with the pupils explaining his craft and reading some of his most

famous books, such as ‘Dinosaur Roar’. The children also got to enjoy

a pop-up workshop and enjoyed trying their hand at making their

own pop-up literature.

The new library is already proving to be a fantastic resource for the school and of great benefit to the pupils.

Thank you to Paul who has also added to Leweston Prep’s ever expanding shelves, kindly donating several

signed copies of his books.

Autumn Term ConcertCongratulations to all the children

in Years 3 to 6 who put on an

outstanding autumn term concert

for an invited audience. The

school theatre was packed with

family and friends who were

blown away by the plentiful

singing, acting, presenting and

musical talent that was on display.

Well done all!

OUTSTANDING LAMDA RESULTSCONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2012 LAMDA CANDIDATES.

ALL EXAMINATIONS WERE PASSED AT EITHER MERIT OR DISTINCTION!

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African Fun at Leweston Prep!Leweston Prep could have been

mistaken for somewhere far more

exotic in October when African

Chief Kofi Leo visited Year 2 pupils

to give them a taste of Masai

culture! The school hall was filled

with the traditional sounds and

songs of the Masai as Chief Kofi Leo

taught pupils the Masi warrior

leaping dance and how to play the

African drums. The pupils even

learned to sing some Masai songs in

Swahili and made their own

traditional costumes. The group

finished the day by performing what

they had learned to an audience of

family and friends. A wonderful

experience for the children and

the audience!

Blessing of the Padua BuildingLeweston’s newly

renamed Padua

Building was blessed

by Fr Peter Clarke in

September. The

building has been

named after St

Antony of Padua,

Leweston’s patron

saint and contains

the Year 5 and Year 6

classrooms, the

school music room and newly refurbished school hall. We look

forward to the many lessons, performances and assemblies that

will take place in the Padua building this year!

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20

Scientists Explore ‘Flight’ at @BristolChildren in the Prep enjoyed a fascinating trip to

@Bristol, one of the UK’s biggest and most exciting

interactive science centres in November. The

group were able to explore the many scientific

exhibits on offer and had the exciting opportunity

to take part in a ‘flight’ workshop. The children

were given an interactive presentation on the

effects of thrust and air resistance on an aircraft

and then tasked with making their own parachute!

Congratulations to Alexander Dobson, Toby Gosse-

Fordham, Robbie Wingfield-Digby and Jamie Baker

who won with their parachute which floated to the

ground in the slowest time. Some comments from

the participants can be seen below…

The iron filings and magnets were spectacular.

I really loved going to @Bristol. My favourite thingwas making the rockets and parachutes. It was so fun!

I really enjoyed the whole experience of being at@Bristol. I enjoyed the fact that everything wasinteractive and we could have a go at creating ananimation, tracing a cartoon, making rockets andtrying to present the weather.

Grandparents’ Celebration DayOn a sunny Friday back in September grandparents

went back to school for the morning when they joined

their grandchildren in the Prep. The morning saw all

sorts of activities and adventures as well as a service in

the School Chapel which featured special hymns and

prayers selected and created by Leweston Prep pupils.

Tired grandparents enjoyed a revitalising lunch before

heading home. We look forward to seeing you all again

next year!

Children in NeedLeweston Prep was delighted to raise money for Children in Need again this

year. The children in the Prep dressed in their home clothes, some choosing

pyjamas as their attire for the day as pictured. Their efforts resulted in over £50

being raised for this deserving cause.

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Pupils, parents, staff and friends of Leweston celebrated Bonfire Night on Monday 5th November with the

traditional bonfire, fireworks and a hog roast. The audience of both Prep and Senior School families enjoyed

the most elaborate and impressive firework display yet and the toffee apples went down a treat!

Fun, Food and Fireworks!

Pupils in Years 4 and 5 travelled

to Poole’s Lighthouse Theatre in

November to watch a touring

production of the highly

acclaimed ‘Horrible Histories’

stage show. This particular

production focused on the Vile

Victorians, a time period that

Year 5 children are studying.

From the outset the show was

very humorous and visually

stunning. The professional

actors highlighted key events

and themes from the

Victorian period.

Famous characters such as

Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and

Florence Nightingale were

examined in closer detail

alongside events such as the

Crimean War and the Charge of

the Light Brigade. Themes

including children’s jobs, schools,

factories and industrialisation

were also given the ‘Horrible

Histories’ treatment with the

outcome being highly

memorable scenes, songs

and jokes.

The children in both Years 4 and

5 laughed out loud and

screamed at the gruesome parts

of the show. They left the

performance at the end with

many saying it was the best

theatre show they had ever seen.

High praise indeed for a history

lesson in disguise!

‘Horrible Histories’

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Year 1 and 2 VisitSherborne Fire StationThe children in Years 1 and 2

visited Sherborne Fire Station in

December to help with their

understanding of fire safety. The

group were very well looked

after by the fire fighters who

showed them around the station

explaining what all of the

equipment was used for. The

children even got to enjoy a ride

in a fire engine – what a treat!

An Early Visit From Father Christmas!Christmas came early at

Leweston Prep when Father

Christmas dropped in to visit

the children at the Prep School

at the start of December. The

reason for this early visit was so

that he could collect the

shoeboxes that the children

from the Prep had filled with

goodies for the Samaritans Purse Charity – Operation Christmas Child.

These shoe boxes will go to other less fortunate children across the

world. Thank you to Father Christmas for sparing some time in his busy

schedule. We hope that the children will continue to celebrate the

importance of giving to those who do not have such wonderful

opportunities available to them at Christmas time.

WondrousWillow WeavingPupils in Years 3 - 6

enjoyed the company

and creativity of

Maurice Fawcett, also

known as ‘The Willow

Birdman of Somerset’, in

December. Inspired by

Maurice’s creations the children were extremely keen to have a go at

making their own creations including Christmas wreaths, swords and

angels! Everyone found it a challenge to keep the weaving tight and to

secure the tips of each piece of willow, however all rose to the

challenge and some masterpieces were produced!

Pupils Donate toLord’s Larder

Leweston Prep was

delighted to welcome Matt,

a representative from the

Lord’s Larder at Harvest

time. The Lord’s Larder Food

Bank is a local ‘bank’ of non-

perishable food operated

by volunteers from

churches in and around

Yeovil. Leweston Prep

families have been

collecting food and

money for the charity who

last year delivered over

33,000 items of food to

1200 adults and 737

children.

Leweston Livingand Christmas Fair

Pupils from Leweston Prep

once again enjoyed the

annual Leweston Living and

Christmas Fair in

November. Pupils enjoyed

trawling the 45 stands

looking for Christmas

presents with the sweet

stall remaining the star

attraction! A number of

Prep musicians also

delighted the vast crowds

with their musical talents.

We are delighted that this

year’s fair has raised over

£2000 for Dorset based

charity Weldmar

Hospicecare Trust.

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Christmas atLeweston PrepThe children in the Pre-Prep

delighted the audience of

family and friends with their

Nativity play at the end of

term. The performance

featured narration delivered

with confidence and clarity,

stunning musical

performances and some

inspired acting – no doubt

we have plenty of stars in

the making!

The autumn term was brought

to a close with the Prep Carol

Service in the School Chapel.

The school choir sang a

mixture of well-known and

less well known carols and the

service also featured a

beautifully performed solo by

Year 6 pupil Eliza Harwood

(pictured below). A fitting end

to another successful term at

Leweston Prep.

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IAPS Inland Sailing Regatta 2012An intrepid and enthusiastic team of Leweston Prep

sailors travelled to Farmoor Reservoir in November,

home to Oxford Sailing Club and venue for the first

IAPS Inland Sailing Regatta!

Organised as an additional event to the established

summer IAPS National Sailing Regatta (hosted by

Leweston Prep) this new inland location proved a

tempting challenge for the newly formed Year 6

sailing team. The two Leweston crews comprised of

Year 6 pupils Daisy Pilkington (helm) and Poppy

Bailey (crew) in one boat with Gabriella Strachwitz-

Hamilton (helm) and Scarlett Cole (crew) in another.

The girls’ main objectives were to gain racing

experience and confidence in preparation for the

summer regatta and the day was to prove a great

success for all involved with our two crews

developing their racing skills considerably against a

high standard of opposition from schools across

the UK.

This extra regatta should lift our U11 crews into a

strong position to improve on past results at the

forthcoming summer regatta in Weymouth.

Congratulations to the four girls involved.

Leweston Prep was delighted to

receive a £200 cheque from Peter

Rhodes, Mayor of Sherborne for

their participation in the

Sherborne Mini Olympics held in

the summer. The event raised

over £2000 which has been

shared out between the

participating schools for the

purchasing of sports equipment.

Leweston was delighted to take

part in this Olympic event and

came away with several medals.

Well done to former Year 6 pupils

Ana Downing who took gold in

the 600m, Fleur Crittall who

won silver throwing the vortex

and to Portia Manson who

won bronze in the 200m. The

Leweston Prep 6 x 100m relay

team of Portia, Ana, Elsie Gibbs,

Gabriella Strachwitz-Hamilton,

Fleur and Alice also won gold!

Leweston Prep Receives Mini Olympics Cheque for Sports Equipment

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25

It has been a term of firsts at Leweston Prep with pupils competing in the inaugural Leweston aquathlon and

triathlon competitions in October. In the aquathlon pupils in the U9 and U11 categories swam around an

inflatable buoy in the newly enclosed swimming pool before running the 300m running route around the

orchard. Well done to Year 4 pupil Anya Evans who won the U9 event and to Gabriella Strachwitz-Hamilton

who won the U11 event. Twelve competitors took part in the triathlon event the following week completing

a testing 50m swim, 300m run and a 600m cycle. The competition was stiff and the final times only a few

seconds apart. Both events were great preparation for the Dorset Schools’ Biathlon, also held in October,

which saw much success for Leweston. We look forward to many more ‘athlon’ events in the coming terms.

Testing Triathlons and Aquathlon Antics!

Former Olympian Delivers Hockey Clinic for Prep PupilsOver twenty girls from the Prep School

took full advantage of the series of

hockey coaching clinics delivered by

Rob Hill on Saturdays during the

autumn. Rob has 72 caps for England

and Great Britain and played in the

1992 Olympic Games. He was also Head

Coach for the West U21 hockey squad

and is currently Director of Sport at

Lingfield. He taught the girls 3D skills

and wowed them with his lightning

quick reverse stick ability. The girls

worked with great enthusiasm and

will undoubtedly benefit from

his expertise.

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Rugby Rules!

I can only describe the first full season of rugby at

Leweston Prep as an outstanding term’s work. The

enthusiasm the pupils had for the sport was

infectious from the beginning and their boundless

energy a pleasure to watch and work with. There is a

willingness to learn and no shortage of innate ability

and with these attributes abundant in the Leweston

Prep squad I had no doubt that the season was

going to be a good one.

The season started with a trip to All Hallows and

Sherborne Prep and although many of the Leweston

team were a year young, the focus was always on the

basic skills of evasive running, passing and catching

and team organisation. With these key elements in

place the results looked after themselves and

although score lines were not often recorded by the

opposition as they were essentially training games,

more tries were scored by Leweston.

PAUL MILES, DIRECTOR OF SPORT AT LEWESTON REFLECTS ON THE SEASON OF

RUGBY AT LEWESTON PREP…

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We continued with wins and draws against other

local and regional opposition and it was evident that

the skill level of the Leweston team was so good that

they were beating teams consisting of boys who

were two years older than themselves.

The final game of the season proved tough with one

opposition player scoring 12 tries on his own but in

true Leweston fashion there was no panic, simply a

systematic execution of the skills they had learned

leading to a convincing win of over 7 tries!

In reflecting on the achievements of the team I have

purposefully not mentioned individuals as none of

the above could have been realised without the

players working together. All the players

contributed and all the players should be justifiably

proud of the season they have had. The future is

bright for many of the boys and it will be as much a

pleasure to watch their progress as it has been to

coach them.

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Boarding Bliss!

ASPIRING BOARDERS ENJOY A ‘COMMOTION IN THE OCEAN’

After the success of Leweston’s

2011 Junior House boarding

taster weekend, this year’s event

was met with eager anticipation.

The weekend did not disappoint

and record numbers of girls took

part with every bed in Junior

House full! Dorms were

decorated in line with the

nautical theme featuring

mermaids, shoals of fish and even

an octopus or two.

During the first evening the girls

enjoyed art and craft activities

along a fishy theme and a pizza

supper followed by a game of

‘shark attack’ in the school

theatre. The following morning

the girls took part in a session of

creative dance based on ‘The

Pirates of the Caribbean’ before

they set off for their seaside

adventure to Weymouth Sealife

Centre. The girls then headed to

the beach where getting wet

seemed to be the order of the

day. Also popular was the

Crocodile Creek water ride which

made sure that the rest of the

group all got a soaking!

It was soon time for the happy

mariners to be collected – some

wishing that their parents might

just forget them so they would be

able to stay another night ‘testing

the water’ in Junior House!

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Record BoardingNumbers!

We are delighted that this

term has seen a record

number of girls choosing to

board at Leweston. There

are over 110 pupils full or

weekly boarding at

Leweston with more girls

flexi boarding than ever

before as well.

Boarding Skills

Award Update

Following Leweston’s

selection as of one of only

10 schools in the country to

trial the new BSA Boarding

Skills Award in 2012, we are

extending our provision in

2013 by running two levels

of the qualification. All Year

7 boarders will be

completing the basic level

course, with all Year 9

girls completing the

standard level.

The course is designed to

evidence the soft skills

learned by boarders that

employers can use as

currency for employability

alongside academic results

in an ever more competitive

jobs market. We look

forward to the continued

success of this course at

Leweston and to the

benefits it will bring to

the girls.

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Lorraine Roberts,

Housemistress of Junior House

at Leweston since September,

reflects on her first few months

in the job…

It occurred to me as I first walked

through the Manor House doors

and up the newly carpeted

stairway to Junior House, that the

feelings I was having of

excitement, trepidation and

anxiety were probably the very

same feelings that the girls would

be having, whether they were

new to boarding at Leweston or

returning after the summer to

meet me, their new

Housemistress, for the first time.

I am happy to say that at the end

of my first term in the Boarding

House, surrounded by tinsel and

fairy lights and listening to

Christmas songs and happy

chatter coming from the common

room, I feel very much part of the

Leweston family. Living and

working here has kept me very

busy; it has been fulfilling,

exciting and enjoyable. The staff,

the girls and their parents have

shown me great kindness and

support and along with Miss

Fielding, Mrs Robson, the fabulous

Gappies, Miss Sozuo and Miss

Bullock and Graduate Assistant

Miss Penn we are quickly

developing as a strong team.

I, like the girls new to boarding at

Leweston, found my first day

nerves quickly alleviated when I

discovered that Junior House is

an incredibly happy, harmonious

and special place. There is a

genuine family feeling and a

positive and relaxed atmosphere

which generates compassion in

all its residents and strong bonds

between the girls and staff. The

youngest boarders benefit from

and enjoy the company of the

older Year 7 and 8 girls who are

good role models and behave

very much like older sisters

(without the sibling rivalry!).

The busyness of the boarding

house has certainly kept me on

my toes, there is not a second to

get bored… the girls (and the

staff ) are kept continually busy

with the vast array of evening and

weekend activities, socials, trips

and sports fixtures on offer.

Occasionally there is time and

opportunity for the girls to relax,

enjoy the beautiful grounds here,

or watch X Factor or Strictly in our

lovely new sitting room, Cedars.

Of course work must also be

completed and the boarders in

Junior House take a mature

attitude towards balancing their

extra-curricular and social

commitments with their

academic lives. I have been

impressed by the way the girls

support each other, working

together to help each other

to succeed.

It has been a busy and fulfilling

term but I am looking forward to

a new challenge in January when

I embark on a two year BSA in

Boarding Practice qualification

with Roehampton University. I am

sure Junior House will be the

guinea pig for some new ideas

and activities but I promise not to

tamper with the truly special

ethos we have here and look

forward to many more happy

terms in Junior House!

Bedding In ...

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Culinary ProwessCongratulations to

Hollie Clarkson (Year

9) and Aoife McCarthy

(Year 10) who both

qualified for the South

West Regional Final of

the 2012 Make it with

Mince Young Chef

Competition, where

they cooked the

dishes they had

designed for celebrity

chef James Martin.

Congratulations to

Hollie who achieved

2nd place, coming in the top twelve in the country and

to Aoife who was highly commended. Both girls

received certificates, James Martin cookery books and

chef whites. Very well done to both girls.

James Martin said of Hollie:

“The seasoning and spicing of her samosa dishwas ‘spot on’ and that for someone so youngto have so many elements to prepare - makingher own samosa pastry and making a freshmango chutney - was an achievement initself.”

Sixth Form ‘Games Maker’Receives Thanks from the Prime MinisterYear 12 pupil Issy

McGowan, along

with fellow Sixth

Formers Laura

Bowker and Imi

Massey, enjoyed

volunteering as a

Games Makers at

the 2012 Olympic

Games and/or the

Paralympics at the

sailing venue in

Weymouth over

the summer. Issy

has since received

a letter of thanks

from the Prime

Minister for her

role, along with the 1000s of other volunteers, in

helping make the games such a success. David

Cameron particularly praised the spirit, warmth

and friendliness of the volunteers. Well done all!

The tour, involving 30 girls, will

take place in July and the action

packed itinerary will keep

Leweston’s sports women and

musicians busy for its 12 days

duration. The girls will be visiting

schools in Cape Town and will

play over 15 sports fixtures

against schools and local teams.

The trip will also involve 5 public

performances by Leweston’s

Schola Cantorum, the first at

Goedgedacht Trust, a rural run

development centre which helps

local children and where the

members of Schola will also run

an afternoon workshop. The 4

other performances will be at

host schools, local parish

churches and the V and A

waterfront Amphitheatre in Cape

Town. The trip will also offer

some time for rest and relaxation

with a one night stop over at the

Addo Elephant Parka and Kariega

Game Reserve.

This promises to be a life

changing trip for the girls who

take part and we look forward to

reporting on the tour in future

editions of Leweston Life. We will

also have a blog up and running

on the Leweston website and

Facebook page to keep you up to

date with the tour’s progress as

it happens!

STOP PRESS... Sports and Music Tour to South AfricaLEWESTON IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE ITS EXCITING PLANS FOR A 2013 SCHOLA AND NETBALL

TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA.

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LEWESTON SCHOOL, SHERBORNE, DORSET DT9 6EN01963 211010 [email protected]

WWW.LEWESTON.CO.UK

Monday and Tuesday 28th and 29th January

11/12/13+ Scholarship Days. (Closing date for

applications Monday 21st January.)

Friday and Saturday 1st and 2nd February

Middle House (Year 9) Boarding Taster Weekend

Friday 1st March

Careers Day for Years 11 and 12

Sunday 3rd March 7.30pm

Choral Society Concert ‘Zimbe’

Saturday 4th May

Catholic Confirmations

Saturday 11th May

Gaudy Reunion for various leaver years (please see

www.leweston.co.uk for more information.)

Friday 7th - Thursday 13th June

Summer GCSE and A level Art and Design Exhibition

Saturday 1st June

Reunion dinner for the leaver year of 1993.

Parent and Toddler Music Group

Thursday mornings during term time from 9am to

11am (for newborns to 4 years) – just drop in! Watch

this space for more news about our AquaTots group

due to start in the spring.

For more information about any of these events,

or to register your attendance, please call

01963 210783 or email

[email protected]

Lew

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Dates for your Diary…

Friday 15th MarchNursery and Prep Open Morning

10am – 12noon

Bank Holiday Monday 6th May Joint School Open Day

9.45am – 2pm

Friday 4th October Joint School Open Day

9.45am – 2pm

Sixth Form Information Evening

6.00pm

Thursday 5th DecemberPre-Prep Open Morning

10am – 12 noon

Open Days

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leweston life winter 2012

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