week 12: thursday 7 july the update

The Update

Want to contribute? Email Amanda on [email protected] or call 01543 306014 1

Week 12: Thursday 7 JulyTrinity 2016

Thank youTo Mr and Mrs Richardson, parents of Josua (Year 8), who very kindly

donated this prototype bench with a musical theme to the School.

If you would like to contribute towards our MUGA appeal, you can either:

1. Donate through the crowdfunding page: https://igg.me/at/mugaman/x where a number of different awards are on offer; or

2. Donate directly to the school by sending a cheque to the Bursar, made payable to ‘Lichfield Cathedral School’.

Congratulations to our Reading Champions!Students from Years 7-9 have been involved in Staffordshire Libraries’ Young Teen Fiction Award since the beginning of the year. Eleven students were invited to the YTF Celebration Day at RAF Cosford this week, to vote in the final and to meet some of the authors. In recognition of their efforts all year, Staffordshire Libraries named 8 pupils from all the Staffordshire schools as Reading Champions. These pupils have had to work incredibly hard as reading ambassadors, supporting younger students, encouraging their peers, and reading the entire shortlist of young teen fiction.

Out of the 8 pupils receiving this award, 4 were from the Cathedral School. Huge congratulations are due to our Staffordshire Libraries’ Reading Champion Award winners:Sam Ecclestone-BrownOlivia GardnerRebecca KeoghJosh RookeMrs Price and Mrs Owens, accompanying staff, couldn’t be more proud of them all.YTF Book Club is open to all students from Years 7-9 and meets every Thursday lunch time in the Palace Library.

Mrs Owens

Sam, Olivia, Rebecca and Josh receiving their certificates on stage and posing for official photographs (below)

There is still time to support the MUGA appeal

2

From the Head with Susan Hannam, Head Teacher

Strong academic achievement, ethical decision-making and the passion to make a diff erence

A highly successful yearIt is hard to believe that this is my Final Head’s update of the year. It seems fi tting to refl ect on a hugely successful academic year which as seen us succeed on the sports fi eld, in musical and dramatic performance, with our excellent inspection and academically. This week we have received the results from recent English Speaking Board examinations and have been delighted to see the outstanding results achieved by our pupils. For those of you unfamiliar with ESB, it is an externally assessed qualifi cation in speaking which requires pupils to learn a poem and give a speech on a topic of their choice, answer questions and read an extract of prose with expression. It’s a qualifi cation our pupils really do well with and this year was no exception.

Mention must also go to all the staff and pupils involved in the school opera – La Belle Helene was

simply fabulous and provided an excellent high point for the end of the year. The other good news this week has been our KS2 ‘SATS’ results – unlike many other schools we do not ‘hot house’ our pupils for these tests, believing our general curriculum to be more than adequate to prepare pupils. We have been proven right in this belief with our results far exceeding national averages. I must commend our excellent Key Stage 2 teachers and wider team for all they have delivered here.

This end of the year also sees us marking the end of public examinations with the Year 11 and Year 13 prom nights. These provide an excellent opportunity for staff to share an enjoyable social evening with pupils to celebrate their achievements. This year’s events were at Hawksyard Priory and Moxhull Hall and were wonderful. I attach some pictures (below) of staff in their fi nery!

Thanks to all of you for your support for the school – we are blessed to have such a close school family. I wish you all a very restful summer and look forward to seeing you all in September fi red up and ready to go!

In servi Deo et laetare.

3

Sixth Form celebrated the end of term and said a fond farewell to Head of Sixth Form, Dr Watkins, who is retiring at the end of this term. The BBQ food was cooked and served by a fabulous Sixth Form team led by Head Boy Jacob Levine! Thanks all - delicious!!!

Learning Leadership Faith Service

To the Page Librarians: For diligent attendance and hard work in the library:Finlay HuttOliver WhiteMegan Ecclestone-BrownCamilla LewisSian DuvalAbbi Ward

Gold Awards for all the Young Teen Fiction participants, for application and commitment in participating in this year-long competition:George MooreGrace LloydKerenza HudsonThomas MantSzymon TaylorLeo WhatleyKatie Folandand to the winners of the Staff ordshire Libraries’ Reading Champion Award:Sam Ecclestone-BrownOlivia GardnerRebecca KeoghJosh Rooke

Gold Awards

Lost PropertyPlease could all parents over the

summer holiday kindly check their son’s games bag to see if Louis

Green’s NAMED PE GOLD/BLACK SHORT SLEEVE GAMES TOP can be

found.Many thanks!

Awards and notices

Free delivery from 3 -17 JulyAs the summer period is particularly

busy, Schoolblazer is off ering free delivery as an incentive to place

your orders early!

Sixth Form Barbeque and Farewell to Dr Watkins

4

Year 4 transition to Year 5


Year 4 celebrated their last week at Longdon with a garden party. They had lollies and lemonade and played cricket, badminton and football. The pupils have been writing about memories of their special time at Longdon. Here are some examples:“The best part about being at Longdon is the fact that I was so shy and this school has made me brave and confi dent.” Rebecca Payne“I remember when I fi rst started LCS. Everyone was so kind to me and made me feel so special.” Alia Fallouh“When I was in Year 1, I always loved having a poorly fi nger because I loved having a cold compress.” Jacob PayneAnd fi nally a lovely poem from Sophie Oakley:

All the teachers in Year 1, 2, 3 and 4Never make you a tiny bit bored,And all the pupils here are kind, intelligent and shareAnd the teachers always care.I would recommend this place,To everyone in the human race!

Based on the novel they’ve been reading, ‘Millions’ by Frank Cottrell Boyce, Mrs Owens’ Year 8 English class spent a happy afternoon building cardboard hermitages last week. With support from Mrs Hart (Forest School) and Mrs Carter (Science), the pupils designed and built the hermitages using information they’d gathered from characters’ descriptions in the novel. They worked in small groups and planned their eff orts to make best use of each other’s diff erent skills. Many of them modifi ed their designs ‘on the fl y’ and demonstrated true problem solving abilities and team work. At the end, each group presented their hermitage to the class, outlining their methods and design processes.

Mrs Owens would like to thank Mrs Hart and Mrs Carter for their support and to say a big well done to all the pupils involved!

Hermitages inspired by “Millions”

5

Out of the all the wonderful things that we have been doing as a school in this very busy end to the School year four events stand out as being real expressions of what this school is all about. The production of La Belle Helene at the Rose Theatre in Rugeley was magnifi cent and a very high quality production. Those involved in all aspects of the production, from principal singers to musicians, from backstage to front of house, worked together to entertain and enthral those of us in the audience having the privilege of watching.On Sunday afternoon the Charity Cream Teas in aid of the We Love Lichfi eld fund drew large numbers of people into the Palace garden to be entertained to tea by a hardworking and committed group of staff , supported ably by pupils. A number of the guests enjoying their tea had never been into the School before but really appreciated the warmth of welcome and hospitality. As well as a good afternoon in the sunshine the event raised in excess of £500 for the We Love Lichfi eld fund and fi rmly places the school within our local community alongside other businesses and organisations supporting this local charity.

Monday was Sports’ Day and, again blessed by the weather, we had an amazing day with a good spirit of competition between the Houses; twinned with individual eff ort and achievement. Alongside Mrs Hannam I was awarding medals to the winners of the events and it was a real joy to see both the pride of the winners in their achievement but also the graciousness and supportiveness of all involved whether medal winners or ‘placed elsewhere’ in the races and fi eld events. On Wednesday morning I was at Longdon to watch the Year 2 children performing, ‘The Litter Muncher’, a musical moral tale. The children brought so much talent to the stage and their lines were well learned and superbly delivered. The dance movements from both the ensemble and individuals were well executed and the singing, again as an ensemble and as solos, was superb with excellent diction throughout. The children and their supporting teachers and helpers worked together to give us, the audience, an entertaining and impressive show.These snap shots of what has being going on, and there are lots of other examples of concerts, productions, trips and work in the classroom that would also serve to make this important point, illustrate what can

be done when people work together to both develop and nurture talent but also conspire together to produce something which is far greater than the sum of the parts. We live in an age which is defi ned largely by the individual and the selfi sh pursuit of the self, but we are here reminded that we are members of a community and that individuals fl ourish and prosper best within communities. It is a message that we as a school celebrate and hold up to those around us. It is a great message that we fi nish the term and academic year with, that it is in community, in partnership, in relationship and in teams that we all can fl ourish. It is within community and relationship that the occasions to show love and generosity, justice and mercy, courage and tenacity, arise and which ennoble human life.I wish all the pupils a wonderful holiday. To those who are leaving us, I wish them every success in the next phase of their lives and assure them of our continued prayers for blessing. To parents and families, I hope that you have a good summer and that you can enjoy some time of refreshment and recreation together. Have a wonderful summer!!

Canon Andrew Stead

Message from the Chaplain

Many thanks to all who attended Wednesday night's 'Carter The Brave' fundraising concert. It was a truly spectacular evening which was enjoyed by all. Thanks also to those who contributed in numerous other ways. A fantastic £2,000 was raised on the night. The Cathedral School is proud to have supported this wonderful charity and the oncology ward at Birmingham Children's Hospital.Lucy & Matthew Chatting and Mrs Norgrove


6

We were delighted to have good weather for this year’s Sports Day at the Lichfi eld site - a splendid time was had by all!

Thank you to Mr Derry for the photos and congratulations to Mr Turner for organising such a great event.

Sports Day Years 5-13


7

La Belle Hélène review and thanksAll the hard work that has been done during this year fi nally paid off : the cast of La Belle Hélène worked extremely hard in the last week of rehearsals and pulled off two stunning shows which entertained parents and children alike. I love working on productions such as this, because you can never be fi nished with them – there are always new ways of interpreting the dialogue, or slightly more nuanced performances to be drawn – even in comedies! And when one hears a laugh from the audience (and some can be most unexpected), it gives a buzz which is a marvellous sensation! These events too, provide a huge educational experience not only musically and historically, but they also develop confi dence and a self-awareness which is essential to being on stage. The great thing is that this confi dence shows itself when pupils have to present in class, read in services, and indeed elsewhere, in their general demeanour at school and further afi eld.Returning to our splendid production, our Helen (Lucy Windsor) grew in stature through the year, and particularly in her scenes with her highly grumpy husband King Menelaus (Alice Orlik), they certainly acted like an old married couple. Our Paris, Griff Llewellyn-Cook was certainly romantically dashing, if a little cooky! They were ably supported by Sophie Benfi eld (Orestes) –

delivering a macho performance in her fi rst ‘pants’ part – she controlled the crowds and led them out of harm’s way when double dealing had to be done! James Adams did a fabulous job (in his fi rst ever role) as the ever calculating Calchas, Joe Griffi ths-Brown and Alex Nicholls were stunning in their respective portrayals of rather muscle-bound (and certainly not brainy) kings – Ajax and Achilles. Our other King – Agamemnon and father of Orestes (Ethan Haynes-Thatcher) - commanded the stage like an old pro in a rather fantastic Elvis costume, even though this too was his fi rst role. Other assistance was beautifully captured by Merovee Churton and Anisha Jordan as Orestes’ girlfriends, Grace Richards as Calchas’s faithful assistant, and Cara Evans-Cash as Nesta, Helen’s maid and co-conspiritor with Orestes. Our gods and goddesses were in fi ne fettle too, thanks to Verona-India

Braich, Lucy Wheat, Alicia Gilbert and Sam Ecclestone-Brown. And we had great help from chorus people Josh Rooke, Josie Sim, Megan Ecclestone-Brown and Lilly Peters.Back stage we had great help from Rachael Carver and Kerenza Hudson, and the many teachers who came

along to help out. Thanks must go to the Palace Singers for their input, to the Visiting Music Teachers in the orchestra who played beautifully, and of course to Sandra Culbertson, Nicki Wright and Sarah Moody for their backstage and costume knowledge. They are legends! Finally thanks to Miss Davies for her inspired choreography, and to Mr Daykin for providing such a strong musical lead! I am pleased to say that we have received some lovely feedback about both individual performances and the whole production, and I think that everyone involved should be especially pleased with their participation. Finally, we wish Griff , Joe and Sophie our best wishes as they embark on new things, and I look forward to our next production whatever that may be! Have a lovely summer!Ailsa Cochrane


8

Outstanding English Speaking Board exams!Huge congratulations to all children who completed their ESB exams this term. English Speaking Board (ESB) is a national awarding organisation off ering qualifi cations focused on communication skills at school, in college and throughout life.ESB was founded in 1953 by Christabel Burniston, a pioneer of a new approach to developing speaking and listening skills. Breaking away from the traditional ‘elocution’ classes of the era, ESB’s method was to allow learners to learn and be tested on their communication skills in a supportive group.Founded on a philosophy which values the worth of every individual, this ethos still holds true today. ESB strives to inspire confi dence and increase self-esteem through acquiring interactive speaking and listening skills.

Year 4 Year 4 had some outstanding results in their recent English Speaking Board exams. Among the fantastic results were 11 distinctions and 11 merit plus grades. Mrs Hennah and Mrs Forbes are very proud of ALL of the children.The children will get their results and certifi cates on Friday.

Years 5 and 6The results are amazing with no fewer than 50% of Year 6 children and 34% of Y5 achieving a distinction! Mrs Lomas would congratulate all the children individually but there are just too many of them! Well done to Mrs Kendrick and Mrs Wilcox who did a marvellous job of getting them to this standard and a big thank you to all the parents who helped their children to practise at home!

Well done to Josie Sim (Year 6), Charlotte Darby and Sophie Wain

(Year 5) and Emily Sim (Year 3) who all performed two soft shoe irish

dances and premiered their hard shoe dance routine in front of the Lichfi eld Festival crowd outside the Cathedral

on Saturday. All the girls dance at Bojangles Dance School Lichfi eld.

Sport Science Event and BECSLink Centre LaunchOn Wednesday 29 July we hosted another Inspiring Science event for Year 5 pupils from local schools.Aston Villa Football Club coaches ran sessions in sport science, the science of football coaching and the science of sport nutrition. More than 200 children benefi tted from their expertise, learned new skills and we hope were inspired to learn more about how science is important within the context of sport.The whole day event was followed by the offi cial launch of the school as a BECSLink Centre. BECSLInk is a social enterprise that seeks to link together business, education, charities and sport to enrich the lives of young people.We were delighted to be joined by Gail Emms MBE who, along with her

mixed doubles badminton partner Nathan Robertson, achieved a silver medal for England at the Athens Olympic Games; and Rebecca Bedford, a badminton player from Yoxall and Paralympic hopeful, currently ranked world number one in the women’s doubles para-badminton and world number two in women’s singles. Following the celebrations of the launch, both Gail and Rebecca delivered inspiring sessions to our Sport Scholars and Science Ambassadors focusing on motivation. Other special guests included former Aston Villa player Ian Taylor and Howard Davies CBE, a founding pupil of the Cathedral School, who represented England in men’s hockey at three Olympic Games.

We were also delighted to be able to show representatives from our partner Zeiss, who kindly provided the sponsorship to enable the event to take place, just how much the children taking part were benefi tting from the sessions.The whole event was extremely successful, despite the truly awful weather! On the next page is a selection of photos that will give you a fl avour of the event:


9

Sport Science Event, 29 June


week 12: thursday 7 july the update

Documents