1 Issue No.7/ 2015-2016

Thetford Grammar School

The small, friendly school that gets results for individuals.

16th October 2015

Dear Parents and Pupils,

I shall start this week’s TGS Newsletter with the official announcement, and my warmest

congratulations, that Mrs Linda Pearson has been appointed our new Head of Sixth Form,

starting from September 2016, upon Mr Stephen Spencer’s forthcoming retirement at the end

of this academic year. We have recently undergone a lengthy internal appointments process

for this position, involving senior members of staff and the Governing Body. I wish her

every success. I am certain that she will develop and extend our Sixth Form provision for the

benefit of Thetford Grammar School.

I have been particularly pleased over the course of this week at the level of excitement and

enthusiasm from children and adults regarding our involvement in the World Education

Games. Pupils have frequently explained to me how they have achieved highly against other

pupils from around the world in the three categories: Maths, English and Science. I have

seen on the WEG ‘Hall of Fame’ that our school features prominently. As this is our first

attempt at this event, I have been extremely impressed by our efforts. Well done to all the

competitors and many thanks to the teachers, especially Mrs Tania Beukes as the TGS WEG

coordinator, for promoting this so successfully.

Two final items for your consideration that will become a part of our calendar for this term

and beyond:

1. TGS Tea and Talk – Monday 9th November, 3.30-4.30pm

All parents are cordially invited to the school to meet with me and other senior

members of staff here at TGS. We shall be delighted to hear your thoughts and

considerations regarding your child’s education and progress here at TGS. This is a

chance for the school to consider parents’ views, review and explore initiatives for the

benefit of the school.

2. TGS Focus Group, SLT and Parents – Thursday 26th November, 9.00-10.00am

All parents are invited to attend this educational presentation, discussion and

workshop. There will be an agenda provided to deliver topics of current interest for our

pupils and our school. One of the first items to be presented for your benefit is ‘School

Homework - How Can Parents Be Positively Involved?’

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I do hope that you can find time to attend one or both of these scheduled events. Please do

let us know if the timing is not convenient so that we can review other, more suitable times.

Once again, we are all certainly looking forward to our forthcoming Open Day tomorrow,

Saturday 17th October, and presenting our wonderful school to prospective pupils and

parents.

I wish you a very happy and healthy weekend and a wonderful half-term break from

Thursday 22nd October. I shall look forward to seeing you all again on Monday 2nd

November.

Mr Mark S. Bedford

Headmaster

PRE-PREP AND THEIR TADPOLE FRIENDS

This week Pre-Prep have welcomed some new members into their class- some tadpole friends! Holly and family have kindly donated some undeveloped tadpoles to Pre-Prep in the hope that the warm environment of the classroom will help the tadpoles on their journey to becoming frogs. The children will be observing the tadpoles’ development each day to gain an understanding of evolution.

MISS TRAVERS LEAVING ASSEMBLY Miss Travers enjoyed a surprise leaving assembly with Prep School staff and pupils on Friday 9th October. She enjoyed a cup of tea whilst each person gave her their own individualised decorated ‘cake card’ with a message written in each one. The cards were then placed into a lovely cake stand for her to take home. We look forward to hearing her exciting baby news in November!

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LONDON ART TRIP

‘Get the London Look’

The 9th and 10th of October 2015 saw the T.G.S.

Art and Photography department take 30

pupils to London. We visited the Victoria and

Albert, The British Museum and the two

Tates, catching a river boat from one to the

other. We had time in Oxford Street with

many pupils visiting Hamley’s toy shop and

ate a lovely meal in Garfunkels. As usual there

was much to photograph and sketch and pupils returned home with a vast and varied

collection of new ideas and material to add to their GCSE/A Level projects.

For some pupils it was their first time in

London but there were new experiences for all.

There was something for everyone. Pupils said,

‘the Cubist exhibition in the Tate Modern was

really interesting’, ‘the Tate Britain was really

interesting and I loved photographing the

interior and exterior of the Tate Modern’. ‘Some

of the paintings in the Tate Britain by turner

were very interesting because it really gave ideas

about the atmosphere at that time’. ‘I liked the

fashion exhibition at the V and A and it has

given me lots of ideas’. ‘My favourite museum was the British Museum as I found the displays

more engaging and easier to draw’

Well done to all pupils. It is not easy to sketch in galleries and there was certainly a lot to take

in. Hopefully all pupils have recovered by now and the Art department look forward to seeing

some lovely ‘Trip Book’ work.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Members of Thetford Grammar School’s Amnesty International group were delighted to welcome a very special guest to the school recently as part of their studies. Perico Rodriguez was invited to talk about his experiences as a prisoner of conscience and a survivor of torture in Argentina. Perico was imprisoned and repeatedly tortured for three years following the 1976 military coup in Argentina led by General Jorge Videla. He is 73 and now lives and works in London.

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Organiser Mrs Wingham said that ‘Perico represents the voiceless, the many countless of thousands of other human beings who have their human rights abused by oppressive and aggressive regimes. His speech is important because it brings to the foreground the notion of human rights to a wider audience.’ One of the main threads of his speech was the over-riding idea that we must help others, and that we must always extend that courtesy to those less fortunate than ourselves. Perico went on to say that in our country we are lucky in that we have a democracy that is the envy of the world. I believe that it is not perfect and we still have a way to go, but one thing is for certain, and Perico is right on this, we should never, ever take it for granted.

Mrs Wingham said that ‘Perico is clearly a man who has come through incredible adversity to give us this message. It was a fascinating insight into why the work of Amnesty International is still so important.’ The invitation to take part in Amnesty International is open to all Sixth Form and Y11 students as part of the school’s curriculum.

WORLD EDUCATIONAL GAMES The senior school students have hugely enjoyed the challenge of participating in the World Educational Games this week. Our students did well and were very eager to complete their 20 allocated challenges within the time frame. I am very proud of our students for reaching the top 100 world ranking in two of the year groups, especially as this was the first time we have taken part in this competition. Children in the Preparatory department have also had a busy week learning how to compete

in the Games. The worldwide games went 'live' on the 13th October and our children enjoyed the opportunity to compete against each other and with other children around the world. This was certainly a valuable learning experience for the children and everyone who took part certainly enjoyed the process. We will publish the final results and world ranking in our next issue.

Mrs N. Peace Mrs T. Beukes Head of Preparatory School Maths teacher

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ARTIST OF THE MONTH Our congratulations go to our Artists of the Month.

Sebastian Floyd 8B

Sebastian designed a fabulous label for the front cover of

his Art sketchbook. The topic for Yr 8 is African Art and

Sebastian has captured images and colours that sum up

what his sketchbook will contain by the end of the term.

Chloe Garrett 10S Chloe’s Joseph Cornell inspired ‘In the Garden’ box is a well thought out and designed piece of work. She spent time not only choosing relevant objects but composed them in a clever and sophisticated way. Well done, Chloe, what a good start to your GCSE Art course.

ACADEMIC SPEAKER ‘Is there anything Special about Religious Language?’

On Wednesday, 25th November, Thetford Grammar School is proud to host Doctor Philip Wilson as an evening speaker. Dr Wilson will be delivering a short talk on ‘is there anything special about religious language?’ While the nature of this talk is directly relevant to the AS and A2 students of Philosophy and Ethics, the content may also be of appeal to linguists and literature students, as well as to those lower down in the school. The extent to which religious language can have meaning might also be of interest to parents and for this reason, parents are warmly invited to attend the evening’s talk.

The talk will be delivered between 17:30 and 18:00 with time for questions afterwards. Dr Philip Wilson is an experienced and widely-published translator and academic and is currently working at the University of East Anglia. Dr Wilson’s MA in Literary Translation followed many years spent teaching modern languages in schools in Essex. Within just five years of his MA, Philip assumed the position of Assistant Professor of western Languages at Inonu University in Turkey. His published translations include the works of the German Reformer, Martin Luther; Charles Cros and Michel Deguy.

If you are interested in attending the talk, please let the School Office know so that we can account for numbers and provide a suitable number of light refreshments.

Miss D. Dunsmore RS Subject Leader

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TAKEOVER CHALLENGE

Norfolk County Council are offering all 13-19 year olds the opportunity to ‘Be the Boss’ for the day through their Takeover Day initiative to be held on 20 November 2015. You could:

Report for a newspaper Be an MP Run a council, charity or business Produce a radio show Be a university researcher Be director of conservation at a zoo

Managers and decision makers from all sorts of organisations across Norfolk will be letting young people, like you, take charge for the day. Why not show them what you’ve got?

Getting involved is easy

Step 1 - Have a chat with your parent or carer – make sure that they are happy for you to take part and that they would be able to arrange any necessary transport to your placement.

Step 2 - Complete the application form on the Norfolk County Council/Takeover Day website www.norfolk.gov.uk/takeoverday. You will need to apply by 25 October 2015.

Step 3 – The organiser’s will look at what you are interested in, find you a placement and let you know where you will be spending the day.

Step 4 – If you are accepted for a place, please let your tutor or the office know the details.

If parents have any further questions please email Ms Pearson (Careers Coordinator) on lpe@thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk.

For more details please see attachment. MRS BULL’S PRIZE QUIZ OF THE WEEK

Witches, Wizards and Fairies

1. Mildred was otherwise known as ……………………in the books by Jill

Murphy.

2. Albus Dumbledore is the headmaster of which well-known school (full name)?

3. Why did the fourth fairy put a curse on Sleeping Beauty?

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4. What is the name of the mischievous fairy who confuses the lovers in A Midsummer

Night’s Dream?

5. What is the name of the cat belonging to Winnie the Witch?

6. Finish this line from Macbeth: “Hubble bubble, toil and trouble, fire burn and …”

7. Which professor of wizardry is played by Alan Rickman in the Harry Potter films?

8. Give a synonym for the word incantation?

9. In The Graveyard Book, the main character is called Bod; what is this short for?

10. What two special days follow Hallowe’en?

There is a prize for this one. First correct answers to Mrs Bull on Tuesday 3rd November

WINS!

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS CLUB!!

Stop press…exciting news…!! After half-term a new club for

Year 7 and Year 8 will be starting for on Fridays after school

for anyone interested in playing Dungeons and Dragons. This

exciting and skilful game consists of creating characters and

putting them into imaginative situations so if it sounds like

something you would like to

be involved in then come along on Friday 6th November

between 4.00 and 5.00 in W27 in the English Factory. Places

will be limited so make sure you are there for the first session

to make your character sheet. For any more information

please see Christian Eade or James Stevenson-Rutter in 8B.

INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS

Pupils should have brought home their individual and family group photos this week. There are 3 methods of ordering these:

Online at www.bentleypics.com

By telephone on 08442570057

Via Thetford Grammar School by returning the proof card to school before the 3rd November.

If you have any queries please contact Mrs Reynolds or Mrs Cracknell in the school office.

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HALF TERM REPORTS The half term reports will be sent home with the pupils on Wednesday 21st October. LATIN LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS IN YEARS 7 AND 8 If you think you might like to learn Latin, but have not yet had the opportunity to join a class, please see Mrs Bull; it is not too late to start this year and we would love to see you there. Lessons are after school on Tuesdays, 4.05 till 4.35pm in W1. Although we may not speak Latin any more, you will find it more useful than you ever imagined! YEAR 11 CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT Triple Science Group These students have now started their Controlled Assessment in Biology. This will take place in lessons over the next few weeks. Please make every effort to attend as it becomes very difficult to catch up after absence. Mrs T. Granger Head of Science HOPE FAMILY SHOE BOX APPEAL Thank you so much for the response so far with the shoeboxes this week. A reminder that the deadline for returning the boxes is Tuesday 20th October.

LOST PROPERTY Ben Mason in Year 6 - black PE joggers – they are named. Ethan Harris - TGS black coat; it is named in the coat seam. Please can you check your child’s bags for this missing item. Joshua Khrein-Morris - school jumper; it is not named.

Arlo Greenwood - red wallet with black outline; it is named. Jack Hendrie - black and red water bottle which may not be named. Ben Jacob-Haigh – square, plastic cake box with a green lid.

Freddie Bayne - school blazer it is named.

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Aria Macfarlane-Kubota in Y8 has lost a blue drawstring bag with last year’s school books in – she is very anxious to get them back. If anyone comes across the bag please return it to the school office.

CONGRATULATIONS

Our congratulations go to Jamie Robertson in Y9 who got an A in his GCSE Music exam last summer. This morning the following Y11 students received their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award: Max Albury, Jack Bercovici, Daniel Connolly, Ellie Vinton and Cecily White. Senior Library House Quiz The winners were Reeds house whose team members were: Tom Buckley, Christian Eade, John Jenkins, Miranda Patalidis-Thomas, Frank Summers and Elizabeth Wright. Well done! Preparatory Library House Quiz Won by Millingtons House – well done to: Sam Bercovici, Ryan Bourne, Ethan Harris, Oscar Harris and Owen Wortley. Well done! Well done to the following pupils that received awards in Monday morning’s Preparatory School assembly: George Bullen Connie Foreman Arlo Greenwood Ethan Harris Sam Bercovici Oscar Foreman Hamish Russell Oscar Harris Tom Hayden Sam Sidery YEAR 6 CYCLING PROFICIENCY LESSONS Please can all Year 6 pupils ensure that take home their bicycles on Monday 19th October after the road safety assessment. Thank you. SPORTS CLUB There will be no sports club on Monday 19th October as Mr Hill will be involved in a whole school staff meeting. MATCH RESULTS

Under 11 Tag Rugby v Downham Prep Won 23 - 11 U13 Hockey v Sacred Heart School Drew 1 - 1 U14 Netball League v Thetford Academy. Won 27 - 2 U16 Netball League v Thetford Academy Won 34 - 3

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NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES Monday 19th October 16.30 - 17.45 U13 Hockey v Sacred Heart (H) Tuesday 20th October 14.30 – 16.00 U15 Hockey v Eccles Hall (H) Wednesday 21st October 15.30 – 17.30 U14 & U16 Netball league v Northgate (A)

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 17th October Whole School Open Morning 10.00 – 13.00 Monday 19th October ABRSM Exams Old School /F22

Y6 Cycling Proficiency Tuesday 20th October Deadline for Shoeboxes morning registration Wednesday 21st October RS/Art trip to Prague departs 3.30am

Endeavours Assembly ; 9.00 ; Prep School Hall (staff and pupils only)

Public Speaking in WH 14.15 Thursday 22nd October Y10/11 Barcelona Trip departs 5.00am

Half term Sunday 25th October RS/Art trip to Prague returns 2.30am Monday 26th October Barcelona trip returns 22.00 approx Monday 2nd November Back to school ATTACHMENTS Answers to last week’s Kids Lit Quiz Takeover Day information FORTHCOMING LETTERS

Half-term reports – Wed 21st October by hand French Exchange letter – Y9-10

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

Answers to last week’s Classic Lit Quiz

1. Prequel

2. Trilogy, quartet

3. 66, 39

4. Hope

5. Prometheus was chained to a rock and his liver was eaten daily by an eagle (it

grew back again each time it was eaten due to his immortality).

6. Rhyming couplet

7. Limerick

8. A sonnet

9. Hamlet

10. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?

11. They were both called Ginger.

12. Pip- Great Expectations; Peggoty- David Copperfield; Tiny Tim- A Christmas

Carol

13. Straw

14. Morris Gleitzman

15. Once, Then, Now and After

16. Chris Riddell

17. The Lorax

18. Down a rabbit hole

19. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy

20. The Charge of the Light Brigade

Takeover Day - 20 November 2015

Takeover Day is your chance to try out someone’s job for the day. Managers and decision makers from all sorts of organisations across Norfolk will be letting young people, like you, take charge for the day. What would you do all day? Each job will be different. We are putting together a set of jobs across Norfolk that young people will take on for the day. In the application form we have asked what you are interested in and we will try to match the job you take over with your interests. You will have the chance to learn more about what people do at work all day and to ask questions. You will get to have a go at parts of their job and see what it is like. You may be asked to help solve a problem that the organisation your with is facing. And when is it? Friday, 20 November 2015. The placements will vary slightly, but they will start at approximately 9am and you will finish between 4pm and 5pm. We will do our best to make sure that the opportunities are easy to get to, however if you need help with transport please get in touch and we’ll see what we can do to help.

Getting involved is easy Step 1 - Have a chat with your parent or carer – show them this pack and make sure that they are happy for you to take part. Step 2 - Talk to your teacher or tutor if you are at school or college and make sure that you get their permission to join in. There is a letter you can show them on our website: www.norfolk.gov.uk/takeoverday. Step 3 - Complete this application form and send it back to us by 25 October 2015. Please send your completed application form to: Chris Williams, Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Ground floor, South wing, Norwich NR1 2DH. Step 4 - We’ll look at what you are interested in, find you a placement and let you know where you will be spending the day. Step 5 - Turn up. Get involved. Ask questions. Make the most of it and enjoy the day. Got any more questions? Please call Chris Williams on 01603 495107 or email chris.williams2@norfolk.gov.uk.

Takeover Day 2015 application form Your details

First Name ………………………….…... Surname ….…….….…..…..……….… Male / Female Date of Birth …………………… Address: ………………………………………….……….…… …………..……………………………….………………...………..…….. Postcode ………….…… Email address (if any) ……….………………………….….………………….….…………………. Home or Mobile Telephone number (if any) ……….…………………………….…………….….. Which school / college do you go to (if any) ………………………………………………………. Have you been part of one of our Takeover Day events before? Yes / No Your interests We have put together a set of jobs across Norfolk that young people will take on for the day. We want to try and match you to the right job. Which three areas you are most interested in from the list below? Please write a number 1 next to your first choice for the day, a 2 for your second choice and a 3 for your third choice. Emergency services (e.g. Fire and Rescue Service, Police) Health services (e.g. working in a hospital) Government and politics (e.g. MP, councillors, council staff) Photography Journalism (e.g. newspapers, local TV and radio) Creative industries (e.g. communications, marketing and graphic design) Engineering Accountancy and financial services Libraries Museums and heritage (e.g. National Trust) Research (e.g. Norwich Research Park, university researcher / lecturer) Wildlife and conservation Running a large business (e.g. being a managing director / chief executive) Running a charity or voluntary group Running events and venues (e.g. theatres, the Forum, OPEN) Describe yourself in 50 words – we’ll use this to help to match you with the right job. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………... ……………………………………………………………………………………………………...

The next two pages are for your parent or carer to complete – you must give us a contact number for use in emergencies Parent or carers full name: ……………………..…………………………………………………….. Address: ………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………. Postcode………………………… Home phone number ………………………… Mobile phone number ………….………………… Work phone number ..………………………… Your child’s medical history and dietary requirements Please give details of: any recent illnesses or contact with any infectious disease within the last month allergies to be avoided (e.g. medicines, food, drink, bee stings) other information which you feel might be useful for the visit leader to be aware of

(e.g. phobias, epilepsy, hyperventilation, diabetes) any restrictions on diet (e.g. vegetarian, vegan, diabetic)

………………………………………………………………….………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………….………………………………………. ………………………………………………………….…………………………….………………… Please give names and dosages of any medications being taken (These must be handed to the visit leader): ………………………………………………………….…………………………….………………… Has your child received a tetanus injection in the last five years? Yes No Doctor’s name, address and telephone number: ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….… ………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….… Do you agree to the above named young person receiving pain-relieving medication when appropriate (one dosage of paracetamol only)? Yes, I agree K No, I do not agree

Photography During the course of the project there may be opportunities to publicise some of the activities that the young people are involved in. This may well involve filming or photographing young people for use in the local media; we welcome these opportunities and hope that you do too. There may also be occasions when we arrange photography for our own purposes, such as displays, our website and publicity brochures.

Photography or filming will only take place with the permission of the adult responsible for each young person and under their supervision. Young people will only be named if there is a particular reason to do so (e.g. they have completed a specific activity or achieved an award). Home addresses or contact details will never be given out. I understand that images may be taken of the above named young person as follows: • By the local media in covering programme activities that show the programme and

young people in a positive light (participating in activities, sports, prize-givings, etc). • By photographers acting on behalf of the programme for use in displays and publicity

material. (Images will be used for a maximum of 2 years and will then be destroyed.) Having read the statement above, do you give your consent for photographs or other images to be taken and used? (please tick the appropriate box)

YES, I give my consent for pictures to be taken and used

NO, I do not give my consent for pictures to be taken and used

N.B. There may be other circumstances, falling outside the normal day to day activities of Norfolk County Council, in which pictures of young people are requested. We recognise that in such circumstances specific consent from parent or guardian will be required before we can permit photography or filming of young people.

• I confirm that I have parental/carer responsibility for this young person. • I am willing for my child to take part in the above visit/journey, and having read all the

information provided, I agree to his/her taking part in the activities involved. • I fully understand that, while the supervisory adults in charge of the group will take all

reasonable care of the young people, neither they, nor Norfolk County Council, can necessarily be held liable in respect of loss or damage to property or injury suffered by my child arising out of the educational visit/journey, unless such loss, damage or injury results from the negligence of Norfolk County Council, its employees or official volunteers.

• I agree to my child/ward receiving medication as instructed and any emergency dental, medical or surgical treatment, including anaesthetic or blood transfusion, as considered necessary by the medical authorities present.

Signed: ……………………………………….. Relationship ………………………………………… Please print name: ………………………….. Date: …………………………………………………

Should there be any amendments to this form after it has been handed in, please contact the visit leader immediately. The above information will be stored on a database and will be used for the administration and delivery of activities being organised by Norfolk County Council to monitor statistical information for the visit and for no other purpose, in accordance with the Data Protection Act (1988). All personal information will be held in the strictest confidence. It will not be made available to any third party other than those involved in the delivery of the visit/activities. Please send your completed application form to: Chris Williams, Norfolk County Council, Room 501, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich NR1 2DH.