tgs newsletter issue 26 friday, 29th april 2016
DESCRIPTION
ÂTRANSCRIPT
1 Issue No 26/2015-2016
Thetford Grammar School
The small, friendly school that gets results for individuals.
29th April 2016
Dear Pupils and Parents,
It has been a very eventful and busy week in many ways. We have thoroughly enjoyed
many of the events and activities here at Thetford Grammar School.
I would like to thank all the pupils and the teachers, coordinated by Mrs Nicki Peace, Head
of Preparatory School, who provided two excellent performances this week of the musical
The Keymaster. Wednesday’s evening performance, particularly, was very well attended
and supported by many friends of the school, family members and staff. My special thanks
are extended to the PSA and Mrs Clare Sutton for their generous support; the Mayor and
Mayoress of Thetford, and our Chair of Governors, Mrs Maureen Eade, for their attendance
at the performances. The children were all delightful and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the
result of their hard work and effort. Well done to all.
The school has been celebrating the life and works of William Shakespeare and the 400 years
since his death in 1616. We have all thoroughly enjoyed reading the many famous quotes
from his plays and poems that are dotted around the school and taking part in the quiz
arranged and organised by Mrs Julie Settle, TGS Librarian.
Our prospective Sixth Formers appeared to be enthused by their ‘TGS VI Experience’
yesterday. There were many informative lessons, lectures and activities all designed to
provide more information about the next step for the Year 11s. Many members of staff
helped to provide a very positive and useful day with particular thanks to Mrs Linda
Pearson, prospective Head of Sixth Form, for coordinating the entire day.
We have held two PSA meetings in quick succession over the past week or so. Discussions
yesterday were focussed on the final plans for the TGS Summer Fayre on Saturday 2nd July.
My thanks to the staff members and many parents from across the school phases who
attended and contributed to the meetings’ success. Do please be reminded that all parents
are cordially invited to attend all PSA Meetings. New members are especially welcome.
Last week TGS pupils had a very special delivery of seeds, some of which have been in outer
space aboard the International Space Station. Thetford Grammar School is one of a number
of schools taking part in growing the seeds and monitoring their development, coordinated
by Mrs Tracy Granger, Head of Science. Tim Peake, British astronaut, currently aboard the
ISS said: “This is a really exciting week for the hundreds of thousands of young people
across the country who will begin their Rocket Science experiments. I’d like to wish
everyone taking part the best of luck with their investigations and I look forward to seeing
some of the results.”
On that very positive note, I shall wish you all a happy and restful weekend.
Mr Mark S. Bedford Headmaster
2 Issue No 26/2015-2016
OVERVIEW
Pre-Prep Moon Rock PE lesson Book Order Form
Y8 Visit to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Art Nearly New Uniform Shop Opening Times
Pre-Prep Maths Tomorrow’s Achievers
Prep School Musical – The Keymaster The Great British Dog Walk
Sixth Form Experience Day Sainsbury’s Active Kids Vouchers
MEP (Model European Parliament) Match Results
Denmark Visit Group 3 Next Week’s Fixtures
7H Marathon in a Month Lost Property
Cricket Masterclass Attachments
Thetford Parkrun Forthcoming letters/Letters sent home
PRE-PREP MOON ROCK PE LESSON
After exploring the Moon in P.E, Pre-Prep pupils have
continued their journey in Space and have been investigating
Moon rocks in Science.
Weighing, feeling and describing the
rocks helped the pupils to predict
which will be the heaviest. Further
thinking enabled the pupils to
discover that it was not necessarily the larger rock that was the
heaviest.
Max said “the Moon rocks felt crumbly, rocky and very hard”.
Miss Francesca Atkins
Teaching Assistant
Y8 VISIT TO THE SAINSBURY CENTRE FOR VISUAL ART
On Wednesday 27th April the whole of Y8 visited the Sainsbury
Centre for Visual Art, Norwich to explore World Art and its
influence on Modern Artists.
The day started with a tour by the museum guides who brought
the intriguing objects and world renowned works of art to life
with stories and facts about their makers and how they were
made. Pupils took notes and then chose artworks to draw in the gallery. They worked like
seasoned art students, looking, sketching and exploring the often wondrous objects before
them.
3 Issue No 26/2015-2016
They will be using their findings to inspire their own personal
investigations in class but were able to start this practical
process off in the afternoon with a workshop led by one of the
museum artists.
A mini lecture and slideshow began the afternoon as
pupils simultaneously handled African artefacts. The
creative activity used feathers, clay and plaster of paris
with each pupil producing a cast of a mask/face to
bring back to school.
We had a busy and intensive day which was highly
engaging and will start the pupils off on their Bronze
Arts Awards which they will develop in class
exploring more work by Modern Artists, in particular sculpture.
Mrs Lucy Perry
Art & Photography Teacher
PRE-PREP MATHS
Pupils in Pre-Prep have been mastering their number
recognition from 0 –10 in Maths
this week. Pupils sang number
songs, matched numbers to a
puzzle and took turns in saying
which number was next. They
continued their learning through
number games, followed by
developing their fine motor skills
in number formation. Pupils were engaged in their experiences
which we all know are crucial building blocks to children’s later
success in Mathematics.
Miss Julie Blakemore
Pre-Prep Class Teacher
4 Issue No 26/2015-2016
PREP SCHOOL MUSICAL – THE KEYMASTER
Pupils in Years 4 to 6 have
been extremely busy over the
last fortnight preparing for the
Prep School Musical 'The
Keymaster'. Telling the story of
four children who are
expecting a very boring History lesson with a supply teacher,
they are surprised to find that their teacher actually holds the keys to several historical
events.
Travelling through time on their magical
journey the children learnt about the events of
1066, Tudor times, 18th Century smugglers, the
Industrial Revolution, the Suffragettes and
World War 2. Finally the children visited the
future and decided that they must make
changes to the way we live today!
All of the pupils involved sang and acted brilliantly and have worked incredibly hard
alongside staff and helpers. A huge thank you to everyone involved.
Mrs Nicki Peace
Head of Preparatory School
5 Issue No 26/2015-2016
SIXTH FORM EXPERIENCE DAY
On the 28th April 2016, Y11 experienced a day in the life of a
Sixth Former. This included tasters of ‘A’ level courses and
enjoying the privilege of going into town for lunch.
We also came dressed for the
occasion in smart business wear.
This is the first time that the
Y11s have had the opportunity to experience a Transition Day
and it was met with a positive
reception. We all enjoyed testing
for chemicals in Chemistry and
debating on the subject of Plato’s
Cave in Religious Studies.
On behalf of everyone we would like to say it was a very
enjoyable and informative day and we are looking forward to
joining the Sixth Form as full time members in September.
11B
MODEL EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BUDAPEST 9TH –
16TH APRIL 2016
What is MEP? This is a question I asked myself many times
as I sat in the Országgyűlés (The Hungarian National
Assembly) during the General Assembly of the 44th
International Model European Parliament session in
Budapest 2016.
MEP is the gathering of young adults from across twenty
eight member states of the European Union, and four candidate countries, where current
issues ranging from the refugee crisis to the conflict in Syria are discussed and debated. MEP
is a fantastic experience and the friendships I have made in just one week will span a
6 Issue No 26/2015-2016
lifetime; it was truly an honour to experience the fantastic
city of Budapest, a city which is, in my opinion, underrated.
Meeting young people from Europe is fascinating as it
allows you to hear other people’s views on not just the
challenge facing Europe but us as a generation. I can safely
say that the future is in safe hands, as while many young
people in our society show a lack of interest in democracy
and politics, MEP allows me to still have faith in the future
as it represents young Europeans showing a passion for
politics and us as a continent.
By participating in MEP, it has allowed me as a person to
develop and become more confident socially and I would
hope that George Hammond and George Rupp would agree
with me when I say that it is a worthwhile experience, not for
just seeing beautiful cities all across Europe (in this case
Budapest) but for experiencing life and culture too.
Regardless of the outcome of the referendum on June 23rd, I
sincerely hope that TGS and the UK are still allowed to participate in the MEP programme
as it is truly a fantastic experience for both the delegates and teachers who take part. To all
those pupils who are considering applying for the MEP programme, in the words of Shia
LeBeouf “Do it, just do it. Nothing is impossible don’t let your dreams be dreams, just do
it!”
I would personally like to thank my fellow delegates,
George and George along with Mrs Elders who
accompanied the delegation on the trip. I would also
like to extend my gratitude to Wymondham College,
who organised the trip. MEP was a truly wonderful
experience and I am sad it is over; however it has
allowed me to develop and potentially pursue a career
in teaching or politics.
Click here to view more photos on the MEP Facebook page.
Jacob Dunn Y13
MEP Delegate
7 Issue No 26/2015-2016
DENMARK GROUP 3 10TH – 15TH APRIL
We met our host families at the airport on Sunday afternoon and
had our first taster of Danish cuisine that evening.
The following morning we went
straight to the local school in Løkken
and spent the day as English teaching
assistants. This continued over the course of the week; however
the afternoons were free to explore the local area. Highlights of
the week included: visiting the abandoned lighthouse, the
beautiful city of Aalborg, watching the seaside sunsets in Løkken,
go-karting and laser tag at ‘Action House’ and enjoying Danish
culture with our host families. We highly recommend this trip to
any future Y12s.
Alfie Bloomfield, Megan Curley, Kirishoban Sanjeevvijay and
Clemency Wood
Work Experience Participants Y12/13
7H MARATHON IN A MONTH
On the 18th April 7H started their Form Charity event which is to complete a marathon over
the next 31 days in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
So far the form is doing well and has done brilliantly to collect sponsors for the event. Pupils
are working hard to fit the extra miles into their daily weekly routine. One member of the
form is really pushing themselves and is aiming to complete 4 marathons during this time.
“I have completed 6 miles and I’m on target to finish by my birthday in May” – Ella 7H
“The marathon is going well. I have run 13.5 miles and I have got my whole family involved”
Tom 7H
“I’m enjoying the Marathon in a Month because it inspires you to help people with a disability! –
Beth 7H
Well done 7H – I am so proud of you all and I look forward to completing the last 218
metres on the 18th May in school.
Miss Karen Humphrey
7H Tutor
8 Issue No 26/2015-2016
CRICKET MASTERCLASS
As many of you are aware, Thetford Grammar School has
close links with Garboldisham Cricket Club. The club
currently has Dan Constable working with them for the
summer. Dan is from the
Sydney area in Australia and
has agreed to come into TGS
to take some coaching
sessions with Years 4, 5 and 6
on a Thursday and Y10 on a
Tuesday.
The Prep School pupils met
Dan yesterday and
thoroughly enjoyed their first
session with him; they particularly liked his unusual accent!
The first session focused on fielding skills including
throwing, catching and using the long barrier technique to
stop the ball.
Mr Michael Hill
PE Teacher
THETFORD PARKRUN
Following on from the success of the October visit to Brandon
Country Park for their 5k park run, the Sixth Form are planning to
repeat the experience at Thetford on Saturday 30th April. If you wish
to join them, please register with parkrun online, print off your
barcode and meet them there at 8.30am for a warm up.
Mr Stephen Spencer
Head of Sixth Form
BOOK ORDER FORM
For those who are unable to come to the Book Launch tonight I have attached the book order
form for Mr Seymour’s book ‘Thetford Grammar School, Fourteen Centuries of Education’
Cathie Reynolds
School Secretary
9 Issue No 26/2015-2016
NEARLY NEW UNIFORM SHOP OPENING TIMES
We now have a fairly extensive range of uniform in the Nearly New Uniform
shop ranging from Blazers to PE kit being sold for up to half the
recommended selling price. If there is any uniform you need to replace then
come in and have a look. The shop will be open on Monday and Wednesday
afternoons from 3.45pm – 4.15pm manned by volunteers. If you feel you
could spare some time to help in the shop it would be very much appreciated.
Also if you have any unwanted uniform in good condition that you would like to sell on a
50/50 basis then please hand it in to me in the office and I will put it up for sale in the shop.
You can contact me on 01842 752840 or by email [email protected]
Cathie Reynolds
School Secretary
TOMORROW’S ACHIEVERS
Tomorrow’s Achievers are holding another day of exciting classes here at Thetford
Grammar School on Sunday 26th June from 10.30am – 3.30pm. There are three classes to
choose from:
Animal World Learn more about the world of animals, different species and
habitats. Compare animal and human behaviour. Do you agree
with Darwin’s Theory of Evolution? Also there will be lots of
other exciting and interesting games and quizzes.
Year
Groups
1 -3
Botanical Dissection
& Illustration
Discover how plants flourish by dissecting stems, leaves and
flowers, working with a magnifying glass. Learn about plant life
cycles and then learn how to illustrate your own findings from
dissection. All drawings will be available to be taken home.
Year
Groups
4 - 6
Exciting Egyptians,
Groovy Greeks and
Roving Romans
An amazing day of language discovery and fun. Starting with the
Egyptians, exploring their culture and system of writing; then
moving on to the Greeks to practise recognising and writing
Greek letters; then a Latin taster session honing your English and
literacy skills by identifying and explaining the origins of words
from Latin. Finally you can become a Roman soldier and compete
to become the Soldier Superstar.
Year
Groups
7 - 8
All classes cost £38 and bookings can be made online at www.tomorrowsachievers.org
Please see the information sheet giving more details attached to this newsletter.
Mrs Cathie Reynolds
School Secretary
;;;;
10 Issue No 26/2015-2016
THE GREAT BRITISH DOG WALK
On Sunday 22nd May Ickworth Park, Bury St Edmunds, is hosting The
Great British Dog Walk to raise funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
For an online entry fee of £10 per adult (children go free) you can choose
to take part in a 3km or 8km walk with your canine companion. Dogs
can be sponsored to help raise extra funds if you choose and there will
be a variety of stalls there on the day including a BBQ.
Pre-registered walkers will receive a limited edition bandana for their dog and there is a free
souvenir for the owners. There will also be the opportunity to meet some trained hearing
dogs and the adorable in-training puppies.
For more information visit www.greatbritishdogwalk.org or contact Rachel Clarke at
[email protected] 07769901291.
Mrs Cathie Reynolds
School Secretary
SAINSBURY’S ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS
Just a reminder if you have any Active Kids vouchers from any Sainsbury’s stores please
bring into the school office or place in the Prep School foyer in the special box provided. Last
year we received some new sports equipment, games and cooking equipment for the
children to use during their break, lunchtimes and cookery lessons. Thank you for your
support in this venture.
Mrs Issy Cracknell
Prep School Secretary
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to the following pupils that received certificates from Mrs Peace in the Prep
School’s Monday morning assembly this week.
Noah Sanders Harry Lyes
All pupils in Year 4 – 6 were awarded class certificates for their super preparation for the
School Musical this week.
MATCH RESULTS
None
11 Issue No 26/2015-2016
NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES
Tuesday 3rd May U18 Rounders v Finborough (H) 4.00pm. Pick up 5.15pm.
Wednesday 4th May U13 Rounders v Sacred Heart (A) 4.00pm. 5.30pm.
Thursday 5th May U16 Rounders v Sacred Heart (H) 4.30pm. Pick up 5.45pm.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
TUESDAY 3rd MAY IS MONDAY TIMETABLE
Due to the Bank Holiday on Monday 2nd May it has been arranged that pupils throughout
the school will follow Monday’s timetable on Tuesday.
Monday 2nd May May Bank Holiday
Tuesday 3rd May Monday timetable
Y2 – Y6 Art Trip to Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge
Thursday 19th May Prep School Open Morning
LOST PROPERTY
Aria MacFarlane-Kubota Y8 V neck school jumper - named
ATTACHMENTS
Tomorrow’s Achievers letter click here to view
Book Order Form
FORTHCOMING LETTERS/LETTERS SENT HOME
Y6 Norwich Cathedral Visit
If you would like a printed copy of this newsletter please contact the office