MAGNUS FEBRUARY 2013 - Great Baddow High School

MAGNUS
February 2013
The Newsletter of Great Baddow High School
Headteacher’s Letter
Dear Parents
Despite the bleak mid-winter weather, our staff and students have steeled themselves and continued to undertake
a wide range of outdoor activities: the Year 9 history trip to the Normandy battlefields; Year 12 geography field
trip to Nettlecombe; Duke of Edinburgh activities; and the ski trip to name a few. These activities contribute
immensely to students’ enjoyment and achievement. When a residential element is involved students also develop
independence and social skills. I am sure you will appreciate the additional time it takes staff to organise such trips
and the fact that they give their time on a voluntary basis when these extend over the working day or week. It is a
credit to staff, students and to you, that we can continue to provide these opportunities to learn beyond the
classroom.
For several years the school has taught personal, social and health education (PSHE) through a series of
special activity days. These have enabled us to bring in guest speakers and run different workshops and they have
been successful and enjoyable ways of delivering statutory elements of education. We are now enhancing this
programme whilst retaining opportunities for outside contributors, theatre groups etc. on days we have renamed
Personal Development Days. Year 7 students have a fortnightly Personal Development lesson and this will be
extended into Year 8 and Year 10 next year, with Year 9 following. Year 11 students have completed their
programme and will follow their normal timetable on the PD day in March. Please ensure that your son or daughter
attends school as normal on this day.
I was pleased to receive a letter from James Braddy in Year 11 and to have had a delegation of Year 8 girls all
asking if we could fund-raise for The British Heart Foundation and Red Nose Day. On 15th March we will have
a red-themed non-uniform day combining the BHF event ‘Rock up in Red’ with ‘Red Nose Day’ with students making
a contribution of £1 for the privilege. Further information will be given to students after half term.
For over twenty years Essex County Council have had a training centre in the upper storey of Gordon Block. We
were delighted to be informed that they will be relocating at Easter which means that the space will return in its
entirety to Great Baddow High School. We will relocate history and geography so that the whole Humanities Faculty
will be in Gordon Block with RE and the English Faculty will be able to be together in Main. Further benefits will be
the creation of a third drama room and the provision of a dedicated PE classroom. We expect also to be able to
provide an independent study area for sixth formers in addition to the mezzanine area in the library. All of these
relocations and improvements will take place over the coming months in readiness for the next academic year.
Hearing the ‘student voice’ is important to us; it helps improve our teaching practice and influences decisions we
make about school organisation and on-going improvement. You will be aware that we ask for feedback from
parents and students after parents’ evenings and that we have a School Council. Additionally, we include structured
interviews with groups of students about how they learn best, what works well, what could be improved etc. as part
of our departmental or faculty ‘review’ cycle. We also involve students in appointments of all teachers and some
support staff. Candidates for teaching posts take a lesson with the class providing feedback and a sixth form panel
interviews each candidate. At a class level, teachers are encouraged to get feedback from students about learning
and we are also encouraging students to write a response to their teachers’ marking after key pieces of work. This
may be to help the teacher determine what further help may be needed or to encourage the student to set personal
targets for improvement.
Our efforts to support students’ literacy across the curriculum now include: a policy for marking work and
identifying literacy corrections consistently; word of the week; key words and connectives displayed in classrooms;
literacy targets for Years 7 to 10 set by the English teacher and copied by the student into all exercise books.
Please help us to support your son’s or daughter’s literacy further by encouraging them to read for pleasure and to
proof-read homework.
Finally, the following three pages contain information about our GCSE and A Level results, which we hope you will
find of interest.
Yours faithfully
C Lynch
Comparison of GCSE and A Level Results 2011/12
Mid-Essex Secondary Schools
% achieving 5+
A* to C inc.
English and
Maths
Value Added
(based on best 8
grades inc.
English and
Maths)
Average point
score per pupil
(based on best 8
grades inc.
English and
Maths)
% Achieving
5+ A* to C
Average
A Level
points
per pupil
King Edward VI
100%
1021.7
442.5
100%
1307.6
Chelmsford County High
100%
1035.2
452.8
100%
1202.9
Chelmer Valley High School
63%
994.2
340.9
87%
834.0
St John Payne
63%
977.1
335.0
77%
951.7
Great Baddow High School
62%
992.8
350.1
89%
827.5
Moulsham High School
62%
977.2
328.6
64%
898.0
The Boswells School
60%
994.9
356.0
90%
871.4
The Plume School
58%
989.0
335.6
77%
662.7
The Sandon School
56%
991.6
347.2
80%
725.8
William De Ferrers School
56%
997.9
360.7
85%
746.9
Hylands School
50%
959.7
293.3
63%
603.8
School
Uniform Issues
Please help us to raise standards and expectations by supporting our policy on
uniform and jewellery:

Smart black shoes (no heels) are regulation. Our uniform
policy is quite clear that students must wear appropriate
shoes. Canvas shoes are not acceptable.

Jewellery: to avoid confiscation and uniform warnings,
students should be reminded that jewellery must be limited to one ring and a
maximum of one plain stud earring per ear. Other jewellery,
including facial piercings, are not permitted. Facial piercings
include tongue studs or bars. Girls in Years 7 to 9 should not
wear make up. Coloured nail varnish is not allowed.

Hairstyles: No extreme hairstyles, fashion colours or hair
patterns.

Sweaters: Please remember that official school sweaters,
bearing the school’s logo, are available from the school office.
Prices start at £11.50 for the smaller sizes. Also, a reminder
- no hoodies please.
We will contact the parents of students wearing inappropriate
uniform to ensure that offending items are replaced.
During the cold/wet weather please can we ask that students
come to school wearing sensible outdoor coats (black).
Thank you for your cooperation and support.
P Farmer, Deputy Headteacher
A Degge, Senior Teacher
COVER ARTWORK
Sarah Hocart
Year 11
GCSE Work
IMPORTANT MESSAGES FOR PARENTS
Register Sweeps
Punctuality
Signing-In
Please be aware that our
school works in partnership
with the Education Welfare
Service and is committed to
improving the attendance and
attainment of all students in
the school.
A minority of students are late
to school. All students should
be on the school premises by
8:40 am. Morning
registration starts at 8:45.
Punctuality for lessons is also
very important to enable
lessons to start on time.
Students who are late for
school without a valid reason
may be given a thirty minute
detention to be served after
school the following school
day.
If your child is late for school
due to attending a medical or
other appointment they must
have a note signed by you.
Failure to produce a note
could result in your child
receiving a late detention.
As a matter of good practice,
register sweeps are conducted
and I would ask for your cooperation in following school
procedures if your child is
absent from school.
Home visits will be carried out
by the Education Welfare
Service if parents or carers
have not contacted the school
to provide a reason for a
child’s absence by 9.00 am on
the morning of the absence
during the register sweep.
Please do not hesitate to
contact me if you would like to
discuss this matter further.
Signing Out
If your child needs to sign out
of school, for example, to
attend a medical or dental
appointment, they must have
a signed note from you which
they must also ask their tutor
to initial. Your child must then
bring the note to the student
administration office in order
to sign out. Students are not
allowed to leave the school
site without permission.
Paul Farmer
Deputy Headteacher
School Attendance and Requests for Leave of Absence
To maintain and improve our attendance rate, we are aiming to reduce the number of
holidays taken by students in term time. The DfE has carried out studies which show a
strong link between attainment and attendance. For your child to achieve their potential
they must attend school regularly.
Could I please draw your attention to the school policy regarding requests for leave of
absence? We greatly value the positive relationship between parents and the school and
we do not want the issue of holidays to create a conflict in this relationship.
Parents do not have a statutory right to leave of absence during the academic year. The
school will consider approving a leave of absence request only if there are exceptional
circumstances, for example severe illness or family bereavement.
Please do not put the school into the position of having to decline requests for leave of
absence, which can result in a referral to the Education Welfare Service and a penalty
notice being issued. We greatly value the success of our students and any absence from
school can be to the detriment of their learning.
FIRST-AID AND MEDICAL
Please remember that First Aid can only be administered for accidents and injuries which occur during
school hours. When First Aid staff deem it necessary in an emergency, an ambulance may be called to
transfer your child to Accident and Emergency at Broomfield Hospital.
The overall health of all of the children and families in our school is very important to us and we
endeavour to prevent the spread of any infectious illnesses. If your child is ill, please do not send them to
school. If your child is suffering from sickness and/or diarrhoea, they should be kept away from school for
a minimum of 48 hours after the symptoms have gone to reduce the risk of spreading any infection your
child may have had.
If your child has an on-going medical condition of which the school should be aware, please contact
Mrs Enever, our first-aid officer, who will be pleased to discuss this in confidence with you.
With regard to illnesses that develop at school, the First Aid staff will make a decision whether a child is
well enough to return to class or needs to be sent home, in which case the school will contact the parents
so that they can make arrangements to collect their child. It is not acceptable for your child to
contact you directly to request to be picked up. Students who feel unwell must first report to staff
in the student administration office.
Please ensure that the school has accurate and up to date contact telephone numbers so that
we may contact you, or your nominated contacts, in the case of an emergency. If you
change telephone number or address or workplace, please advise the student
administration office immediately.
Asthma
If your child is an asthma sufferer, please ask them to ensure that they carry their
inhaler at all times while in school. Also, we strongly recommend that a spare inhaler
is given to the student administration staff for safekeeping. Please mark your child’s
name and tutor group on the inhaler and provide written instructions on dosage. If you
have any queries please contact Mrs Enever.
Medication to be taken in school

If your child is on medication which they need to take while in school, the medication can be stored
safely and securely in our medical room.

For reasons of health and safety we require that medication is supplied in the original packaging
bearing the student’s name and tutor group.

We also require a signed letter from the parent detailing what the medication is for and the correct
dosage. Without this consent we are unable to dispense medication.

It is the child’s responsibility to remember to take the medication - the school cannot be held
responsible for reminding students.

If the medication is required to be taken home at the end of the school day it is the student’s
responsibility to collect it from the student administration office.

Please be aware that it is parents’ responsibility to keep a record of when medication stored at
school has reached its expiry date. When it has, it should be collected by the parent and replaced if
required. School staff will not administer medication, including asthma inhalers, which is out of date.
Mrs Enever
Senior First-Aider
Great Baddow High School Careers Fair
11th March 2013
As part of the National Careers and Apprenticeships Weeks we will be holding a Careers
Fair on Monday 11th March from 6pm to 9pm.
From this year, school leavers will have to stay in education or training for an extra year
and Year 10 students will stay in education or training until they are eighteen. Sixth
formers also have many more options to consider, so it is more important than ever that
they find out all they can about the opportunities open to them to help them make
informed choices about their future.
Year 9 to 11 students have already been involved in careers activities this year and they
will be doing some preparation work leading up to the Careers Fair.
We would encourage all Year 9 to 13 students and parents to attend and you will receive
more details nearer the event. This will be an excellent opportunity to come along to talk
to representatives from the sixth form, universities, colleges, training providers (for
apprenticeships) and local employers.
Directions careers advisers will be available and the Discover Your Future interactive
apprenticeships hub will be there for students to find out about Essex apprenticeships.
Please put the date in your diary so you do not miss out on this great event.
Deborah Anderson
Careers Adviser
DEVELOPING CARING AND
RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS
Great Baddow High School students are encouraged to involve
themselves in our school, local, national and international communities
as sports ambassadors, prefects, peer supporters and librarians, for
example. They raise money for national and international charities
and support the work of our partner primary schools in a range of
activities.
We collected shoeboxes again this year containing gifts and goodies for Operation Christmas
Child. It is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project, bringing joy into the lives of
underprivileged children since 1990. We collected a fantastic one hundred and forty six boxes.
This year Miss Dyas, Mr Palmer and I launched Operation Christmas Child 2012 by presenting
assemblies for each year group and co-ordinating the collection of boxes. We showed a short
DVD clip and explained the importance of what these boxes mean to the children who receive
them. Last year seventy five boxes were sent from Great Baddow High School and this year we
set the students a new target of one hundred boxes. The boxes started coming in thick and fast,
with lots of thought being put in to them. One tutor group, 7S2, made up seventeen boxes,
which helped exceed our target by far.
Thanks to the generosity of students, parents, form tutors, staff, SEN Department and RBHIS we
collected such a fantastic number of boxes.
We look forward to beating this number next year.
Thank you. Mrs Williams
Ben, Tom and Lia with some of the boxes.
Knitting Club
Lots of squares have been knitted by students, staff, mothers, aunts and
grandmothers. I have lots of helpers who sew the squares into blankets. So far
the blankets have gone to Brazil, Kenya and Romania. I hope that some will also go to women's refuges
and neo-natal units.
We would still love to receive any wool or knitting needles you would like to donate. They can be brought
to school addressed to me in the food and textiles department.
Hopefully those students who want to come along on Tuesdays during Lower School lunchtime might like to
learn to knit different things, maybe hats or scarves.
Many thanks to everyone who has knitted for us - keep up the good work.
Mrs McAllister - Food and Textiles Technician
Year 8 News
First of all a belated Happy New Year. As we
approach the half way stage of Year 8 I am
incredibly pleased with the year group as a whole
for the way in which they present themselves and
conduct themselves around the school.
Yet again the year group is gaining credits at a rate
of knots and it is pleasing to see that on average
each student has hit their challenging target for
the year in one subject with five months to spare.
We had a wonderful assembly before Christmas to
reward the students for their hard work, with many
receiving gift vouchers or other prizes in
recognition of their achievements. As always, the
sports teams continue to do well as you will see
from the Sports College section of this and
previous editions of Magnus. It is also pleasing to
note a number of students are involving
themselves in other curriculum areas such as music
and drama.
May I take this opportunity to remind you of the
importance of attendance, which is crucial to your
child’s success? Having reviewed the Autumn Term
data there is a definite correlation between being
below target and taking time off school.
Years 8 and 9 are vitally important as it is the last
opportunity for the students to get the levels they
are set in each subject which will enable them to
succeed at GCSE level when they move in to Year
10. There may be times when your child is absent
from school, for example, due to illness. Please
remind them of the importance of ensuring they
catch up on their work on return to school, either
from their class teacher or from a friend.
I am hoping soon to announce details of this year’s
rewards trip. This will be held towards the end of
the summer term (although it only seems a few
weeks ago we were at Stubbers having a fantastic
time.)
The second half of this term will be a busy one for
the students as they are being assessed in
preparation for their Spring reports.
Also, may I remind you of the Parents’ Evening on
Wednesday 27th March, when I look forward to
seeing you all.
Mr D Hand
Head of Year
ideas and await approval from the
school. Watch this space!
The School Council is buzzing!
This year, our School Council has
been busy on exciting projects that
are sure to improve our lives at
Great Baddow High School.
The first project, led by the Year 7
student body, is the design and
production of a new sign for the Platt
toilets. This sign will be designed to
remind students that are if they are
not in Year 7 or Year 8 they should
use other toilets.
The second project, led by the Year
8 student body, is to collect ideas on
how to improve the aesthetics of the
Platt toilets to discourage students
from making a mess in there. They
hope by instilling more pride, they
might encourage more respect for
the school environment.
The third project, led by the Year 9
students, is to reorganise the tables
and chairs in the diner in order to
maximise the space. Many students
are complaining about the lack of
room between each table making it
difficult to navigate their way to their
seat. The Year 9s are hoping that a
new configuration of tables might be
the answer.
The fourth project, led by our Year
10 students, is to raise money for a
local charity. They have narrowed
the possibilities to three local
charities, and will be holding a voting
session to choose the one that the
school will support throughout the
year.
The fifth project, led by the year 11
School Council representatives, is to
tackle the issue of
the seagulls
disturbing the
peace of our
playgrounds. They
have some great
The Year 12s have also been busy
with their own project. They have
decided to improve the aesthetics of
the sixth form toilets in order to
encourage students to respect their
facilities more. They will also design
a sign to remind Year 11s that these
toilets are out of bounds to them.
School Council is very excited about
each of these projects as they
promise to be of benefit to the whole
student body of Great Baddow High
School. Your Year Council and School
Council representatives would like
your support with these projects,
and if you have any ideas on how to
improve them then feel free to talk
to one of your class reps.
The school has also nominated
three Jack Petchey Achievement
Awards. These awards celebrate
students who work exceptionally
hard in class, have overcome
adversity, do charity work, for
example. Achievement Awards
are designed to recognise a wide
range of achievement. It is not
just about being clever, or
gifted, but about putting the
effort in and doing your best.
The three nominees are as
follows:
Grace Butterfield, Year 7: As
well as competing to a national
standard in archery, Grace has taken
to secondary school life with great
enthusiasm. She was voted by her
peers as class representative and
has since been appointed as school
council representative for Year 7.
She has volunteered to “buddy” new
students to her tutor group to help
with their integration. She is always
prepared to help both students and
staff.
Gaby Freedman, Year 13: Gaby
and her Year 12 class have done a
tremendous amount of work
helping with coaching the
younger boys in gymnastics
(who came second in the UK.)
Gaby and her class have
dedicated a lot of time and
effort in supporting younger
students through their sporting
events and have had such a
positive influence on all the students
in our school. Gaby deserves this
award for the dedication and
commitment she has given to other
students in our school. She also
works with disabled children locally.
Connor Price, Year 10: Connor is
producing excellent work within his
new school subjects. He has
communicated with the local council
and has arranged for them to come
and work on the school site to help
create a better school garden area.
He is determined to raise money for
a new greenhouse for students to be
able to grow their own vegetables.
We look forward to keeping you all
up to date with our progress in the
next issue of MAGNUS.
Your School Council
MATHEMATICS DEPARTMENT
The Mathematics Department has nominated two students from each group for their termly awards.
Many congratulations to the Autumn Term award winners.
EFFORT
ACHIEVEMENT
7G1
Laura Carter
Isabel Gross
7G2
Jordan Faulkner
Bobby Gutteridge
7G4
Olly Darby
Megan Page
7G5
Reece Bugden
Freyja Sargent
7B1
Emily Aitken
Katie Bennett
7B2
Calvin Godbold
Melissa Eley
7G3
7B3
Hannah Talbot
7B4
Tilly Wise
Kaan Karakus
8A1
Lauren Rusbridge
Josh Foot
8A2
Ellie Hale
Lucy Robinson
8A3
Jamie Bond
Isobel Wells
8A4
Megan Wheeler
Holly Connell
8A5
Billy Webb
Victor Eno
8C1
Travis Owles
Louis Pallottolo
8C2
Kieran Davies
George Gribble
8C3
Wesley Owens
Josh Pells
8C4
Samuel Gent
Freederick Greenwood
9A1
Josephine Worsley
Darci Willsher
9A2
Adam Francis
Yasmin Limbachia
9A3
Luke Weldon
Megan Thomas
9A4
Jazmin Bellenie
Angel Duncil
9A5
Jack Campion
William McKinnon
9C1
Shaine Smith
Amy Brown
9C2
Eda Bayram
Pedro De Jesus
9C3
Harry Gross
Emma Stephenson
9C4
Jonathan Hay
Byron Down
10X1
Paige Knights
Leon Ruggiero
10X2
Natalie Carr
Archie Edmonds
10X3
Elizabeth Payne
Jade Edey
10X4
Aimee Hazell
Olivia Plumpton
10X5
Robyn Bateman
Isabelle Payne
10X6
Stephanie Deeble
Ezgi Bayram
10Y1
Lacey Tyrell
Adam Richardson
10Y2
Aaron Farrington
Jack Gair
10Y3
Lisa Carter
Anna Copping
10Y4
Krystal Gammack
Harry Weedon
Safer Internet Day – 5th February
Mrs Bishop (Head of Year 11) and a group of Year 11 prefects
delivered a series of excellent assemblies this week to raise student
awareness about their rights and responsibilities online. They offered
advice on the legal implications of online postings and on how to
find support if things go wrong.
Below are some top tips for all users of the internet:

Think – would you like to see the information you are posting on the notice board
at your local supermarket? If not – do not post it.

Think about other people’s feelings before you post or send, maybe delay posting
for a few hours especially if you are cross or upset.

Set your privacy settings to “friends only” on your social networking sites.

If something online bothers you tell someone; a parent, a teacher or click CEOP.

Do not post the work of others as if it was your own. Song lyrics, photos, music
and video belong to person who made them – not the person that copies them.

Remember – your digital footprint does not ever fade – once you publish
something online it could stay for ever.
To see if you break the rules or meet the grade for safe internet use follow the link:
http://accidentaloutlaw.knowthenet.org.uk/
Further information for parents can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Ms C Kibble
Head of Faculty; IT-BS
MODERN FOREIGN LANGUAGES
Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded a certificate for effort in completing
the work booklet for the trip to Lille Christmas Market in December:
Jack Cook - 7W2
Emma Criddle - 7W2
Sophie Page - 7W2
Lewis Kennedy - 7E2
Josh Clarke - 7N2
Mrs C Sykes
Modern Foreign Languages / Visit Organiser
Year 10 Edexcel Project Qualification
As part of an on-going initiative to find courses that
allow our learners to express themselves we have
found a course that a small group of Year 10
students are following as an option bloc. The course
allows them to choose their own topic to create a
year-long project that will allow them to gain a
qualification.
After the success of the Paralympics and the
Olympics the group wanted to do something that
involved sport but also with disability in mind and a
passion for animals they were interested in finding
out about how animals help disabled people in their
lives.
As part of the process the group had to name the
project and they came up with the name: Baddow
Animability Detectives. This gave them an
identity and since then there has been very little that
they have not questioned, researched or
investigated to do with sports, disability and animals.
We have visited a riding stable with a disability
focus, had blind dogs visit with their handlers and
learnt about a range of disabled sports including
Boccia – even challenging Paralympian Dan Bentley
to a match.
The group is now organising a house tournament for
Year 7 students that will take place in Easter half
term.
Mr J Butcher
Flexible Learning Programme Manager
Visit by a Guide Dog
On 13th December 2012 we were visited by a puppy
walker and their puppy, called April. She was a
black Labrador. They talked to us about how they
trained her and they showed us what equipment
they used with her.
When she had
her work coat
on she was
well
behaved
and when they
took it off she
was
like
a
normal puppy
and
very
playful.
We are allowed
to throw the ball for her and I liked knowing all of
the information about what they do. I especially
liked it when we played with her at the end of the
lesson.
By Lisa, Year 10
Barrow Farm Riding School
On 3rd December we visited Barrow Farm stables to
learn about how disabled
people are taught to ride
and then watched a halfhour lesson.
We were shown all the
equipment used with
instructions on how to use
it. After that we went
outside to be introduced to the horses themselves.
Year 7 Boccia Tournament
We have been learning about disabled sports, for
example, Boccia which is a disabled sport that was
played in the Paralympics. We arranged for Dan
Bentley, a paralympian, to come and see us to talk
about the sport and how it is played. Dan is a
member of the British Paralympic team and he
showed us how to play Boccia. We all enjoyed the
sport and decided to organise a Boccia tournament
for the Year 7 students to experience it. Our
tournament will be at lunch times on Wednesdays
and will run from the 27th February until the 27th
March.
We are looking forward to the competition.
Elisha and Krystal, Year 10.
Boccia - Dan Bentley is on the left at the back.
Jack Petchey Achievement Award Winner
Year 10 student Connor Price was one of our Jack Petchey Achievement Award winners. He
accepted his award certificate during his year group assembly.
Connor then handed a cheque for £200 from the Jack Petchey Foundation to Mr Butcher to go towards a new
greenhouse for the Year 10 garden project group to enable them to grow their own vegetables.
Connor receives his award from Mr Kyndt,
the school’s Jack Petchey Awards co-ordinator.
Mr Butcher receiving a cheque for £200 which Connor has
suggested goes towards purchasing a new greenhouse for
the Year 10 garden project.
Additions and Changes to 2012/13 Parents’ Calendar
Day
Date
Event
Year(s)
Monday
4 March
History if Britain Lectures in London
13
Thursday
7 March
American History Lectures in London
12
Wednesday
13 March
Parents’/Students’ Meeting re: Pyrenees trip 6.00pm to 7.00pm
Various
Monday
18 March
Visit by author Darren Shan
8
Thursday
20 June
Year 10 end of year trip
10
NEW BOOK SHOWCASE
BY LILY ENO AND PHOEBE DANIELS YEAR 9
On 22nd January 2013 during morning break we
were given new books. The event was by invitation
only and everyone was very excited.
It was a successful day for the library. Lots of new
and interesting books were brought in and we had a
great turnout of students. There were new books,
snacks, hot chocolate and heating. What else could
a librarian want?
Relocated to a coastal town in Essex, widowed
teacher Sarah Grey is slowly rebuilding her life, along
with her young son Alfie. But after an inadvertent
séance one drunken night, her
world is shaken when she starts to
experience frightening visions. She
tries to explain them but Alfie sees
them too and Sarah believes that
they have become the targets of a
terrifying haunting
The Drowning Pool: Syd Moore
Enjoying hot chocolate and a new book.
Some of the new books we have:
Haven is fifteen, over six feet tall, and feeling
overwhelmed by her life. Her father’s second
wedding and her sister’s first are making everything
more than a little complicated. The re-appearance of
her sister’s ex-boyfriend makes Haven remember
fondly a summer years ago when things were easier,
her family was still together, and everything felt
good.
Zom-B is a radical new series about a
zombie apocalypse, told in the first
person by one of its victims. The series
combines classic Shan action with a
fiendishly twisting plot and hard-hitting
and thought-provoking moral questions
dealing with racism, abuse of power
and more. This is challenging material,
which will captivate existing Shan fans
and bring in many new ones. As Shan
says, "It's a big, sprawling, vicious tale...a grisly
piece of escapism, and a barbed look at the world in
which we live. Each book
in the series is short, fast
-paced and bloody. A
high
body-count
is
guaranteed!"
Zom-B: Darren Shan
That Summer: Sarah Dessen
BEFORE. Miles Halter’s whole life has been one big
non-event until he starts at anything-but-boring
Culver Creek Boarding School and
meets Alaska Young. Gorgeous,
clever, funny, sexy, mixed up and
utterly fascinating
she pulls Miles into
her world, launches
him into a new life,
and
steals
his
heart. But when
tragedy
strikes,
and Miles comes face-to-face with
death he discovers the value of living
and loving unconditionally. AFTER.
Nothing will be the same.
Looking for Alaska : John Green
Talking about the new books.
I was really pleased. Everyone
was busy picking up books
and reading them. It was a
really good atmosphere.
Mrs Hawkins
Senior Librarian
SPORTS COLLEGE NEWS
We would like to thank you for
your constant support with our
extra-curricular programme and
for your understanding when
fixtures change, often the last
minute. The recent weather has
proved exceptionally challenging
to the department staff and to
students, with many lessons being
adapted and many sessions
having to be cancelled due to the
poor weather and very wet
outdoor spaces.
We would encourage
students to check the
plasma screen in our
PE area regularly as
we update this with
changes to clubs.
I am also taking this
opportunity to remind students
about their outdoor attire. Many
GIRLS’ PE
This half term has been another
exciting and busy time for girls’ PE.
Our winter sports are progressing
towards the final stages with a
number of quarter finals to look
forward to. We have continued our
football success in the district
competition and have enjoyed both
Essex Cup and national football for
the first time. However, having been
knocked out in the last rounds, we
now focus our attention on regaining
our district titles.
The basketball season has finally
taken off with some thrilling games
taking place. Our students are
enjoying the competition and
providing exciting games to watch
and participate in. We look forward
to the finals in March and will
continue to work hard and strive to
reach these in all age groups.
Netball is continuing to be enjoyed
by all age groups with participation
levels incredibly high. The U19 team
took to the court on 2nd February for
students throughout the cold snap
still wore shorts and tee shirts
outside and were unsuitably
dressed for this sort of weather.
Students can wear plain black
tracksuit bottoms and extra layers
underneath their polo shirts or
rugby shirts or black PE jumpers.
In certain lessons students can
also wear dark coloured gloves.
We have also become increasingly
frustrated
with
the
number of students
“hanging around” in the
PE corridors before and
after school and during
lunch and break times.
Sadly a number of our
picture frames and bigger
notice boards have been
damaged by students.
These students are generally our
more sporting ones and as a
the regional round of the nationals
and performed fantastically as a
team. They had a great energy about
them all day and progressed through
to the semi-finals. Unfortunately at
this stage they were knocked out,
but they can be very proud of their
efforts throughout the day. We still
have a number of fixtures to be
played and are looking forward to
our annual district tournament held
in March.
department we are having to
constantly speak to students to
whom we give a lot of time. Our
sports centre administrator is also
being constantly disturbed during
these times. Students need to
ensure that they are only in the
PE department quickly to check
the notice boards for fixtures, the
plasma screen for changes to
clubs or to go to their lockers.
We would very much appreciate
parents reinforcing this with their
children.
This has been another extremely
busy half term filled with fixtures
and training and the following
articles will help to update you as
to where we are at the moment.
Mrs J Ferguson
Head of Physical Education
event.
We have already started to introduce
some athletics to our lower school
students and are looking forward to
the start of the season. We have had
a positive response from students
who are keen to try new events.
Our extra-curricular timetable
continues to be full of a range of
activities. If your daughter wishes to
join any of our clubs she would be
very welcome. We continue to ask
students to inform us if they are
unable to make a session.
Our clubs resume on the first
Monday back after half term (25th
February).
Wishing you all a relaxing half term.
During the first week of term we held
our Year 7 and 8 Inter House netball
competition which was well attended
by our students. Despite the cold
weather the girls came out in force
to represent their house. Winners in
Year 7 were North and in Year 8
South. Congratulations to all
students who were involved in the
Mrs K Davis
Head of Girls’ Physical Education
GIRLS’ PE continued
Maxifuel Super Sixes,
National Indoor Hockey Finals
On Sunday 27th January Mrs Devonish and I took
fifteen students from Years 7 to 12 to the National
Indoor Hockey Finals, known as the Maxifuel Super
Sixes. We watched four very fast and exciting
matches, the two men’s semi-finals, the women’s final
and the men’s final. The first match between East
Grinstead and Canterbury saw East Grinstead win 7-4,
with an action packed game. The second semi-final
was between Beeston and Reading, with Reading
winning 12-5, despite one of their GB players being
given some time off the pitch due to a very bad
tackle.
Students were
again able to meet their heroes when six of the
Olympic winning ladies’ squad were back in the fan
zone to sign autographs, including Chloe Rodgers who
is originally from Essex and played for Chelmsford
Ladies first team for a number of years.
The men’s final was probably even more exciting. East
Grinstead surprised the fans by beating Reading 7-1
with some fantastically executed goals and brilliant
link up play. East Grinstead made history as they
equalled two St Albans’ records - winning their eighth
national indoor title and their fifth consecutively,
something St Albans did in the 80s and 90s.
“That wasn’t very nice.” and “That’s not very
sportsmanlike.” were two of the comments from our
students. Their appreciation of the speed and
intensity of the game grew over these first two
matches.
Between the semi-finals and the ladies final students
had the opportunity to meet four of the England
men’s outdoor teams and get their autographs.
There were some very happy students as they were
able to meet a couple of the players whom they had
enjoyed watching in the first game of the day.
The ladies final was an action-packed thriller where
Reading beat Sutton Coldfield 5-2. It also saw the
most recent Great Britain Olympic captain, Kate
Walsh, against former 1992 Olympian Jane
Sixsmith. The game was end to end with many
attempts on goal but Reading was finally able to win
the title after the third attempt.
Students also had the opportunity to see the Great
British ladies team parade with their bronze medals,
which gave all the students a boost of inspiration for
their hockey.
Miss A Carter
Teacher in charge of Hockey
National Award Winner for
Leadership
Sixth form student Sally Ann Smith has received the title
of National Young Person at the recent Youth Sport
Trust Awards evening. The Youth Sport Trust is the
organisation responsible for overseeing school sport in
both primary and secondary schools and it helps to
organise the initiatives that schools run as well as
competitions.
tournaments in an officiating or leading
capacity as part of our School Sport
Partnership. She has trained and then
completed officiating in the Pantathlon
Games – an event for students with
disabilities. She has volunteered in the National School
Games finals held at various Olympic venues and gave
up her own time to do this. She is an Elite Ambassador
for Essex, a role which has seen her work with her peers
and younger students to develop her leadership skills.
Sally Ann is currently studying for a Level Three Btec
Award in Sport and received this award for her
outstanding contribution to the PE department in terms
of her leadership. Her greatest achievement and impact
on the school has been her volunteering, officiating and
leadership. She has been tireless in the amount of time
she has given to these aspects, coaching before and
after school as well as giving up a number of weekends
and travelling the length of the country to attend finals
with her teams.
In gymnastics she worked with the U13 boys on their
floor routines which led the boys to finish second in the
country last year at Stoke, a competition to which she
travelled in order to support them. She has worked
extensively with the U13 boys in trampolining to ensure
that they reached the national zonal final held in Gwent
in January. Sally Ann also gave up a significant amount
of time for the school’s annual Gym and Dance Display,
ensuring that all students were involved and encouraging
them to improve.
In netball, Sally Ann is a qualified Level C umpire and
regularly officiates in school matches as well as for her
club and within the district women's league. She has
worked with a mentor to continue to improve her
standard of umpiring and is currently looking to train for
her B award. She assists in the coaching of the Year 7
netball teams and will always attend the three training
sessions each week. She can confidently devise practices
and is looking to gain her Level 1 coaching award.
She is also currently working with students with learning
disabilities and is supporting them during swimming
lessons.
Sally Ann had taken part in over thirty festivals and
Sally
Ann has attended conferences and workshops on
leadership and has just received a Jack Petchey award
for her services to the community. She also received an
Essex Leadership award for working at Level 4 disability
sport.
Connor Keatings of 7E2 is a
member of the Maldon Higashi
Karate Club.
On 15th
December Connor attained his
brown belt (Third Kyu) at a
special training and grading
course held at Woodford
Green.
The grading followed an
intense training session during
which participants were put
through their paces under the
watchful eye of the UK’s
highly respected black belt
(Eighth Dan) Peter Spanton.
Others on the grading panel
included two black belts (Sixth
Dan) and two black belts
(Fifth Dan).
In March last year Connor
took part in the Karate
national competition and won
two third place trophies. The
first for his Karate Kata
(various set moves and
exercises.) The second was
for sparring, during which
Connor’s opponent, a black
belt (First Dan) was knocked
out by Connor, who at that
time was purple belt grade.
Football Club. He also plays
for his local under-twelves
football club at Heybridge
Swifts, in his favoured position
as midfielder or striker.
Connor also takes part in gokart racing, golf, ice skating
and roller skating.
Connor also participates in the
GBHS basketball “A” team and
plays football for the Chelsea
Advanced Pre-Academy Youth
GIFTED AND TALENTED STUDENTS
Sophie Hankin - Year 13 Netball:
Sophie been selected to play as a regular member of the
Mavericks senior team since the start of the season in
January. This is the next stage in her netball career and a
great achievement. She continues to work hard at
balancing all her academic subjects as well as her sporting
commitments.
Grace Butterfield - Year 7 Archery: Grace been presented with an award for breaking two
national records in one week in the Bristol V5 category.
The presentation was made at the Essex Archery Club’s
AGM. Grace is looking forward to attempting this again in
the next age group when shooting starts again in a few
months. Her GB training programme should help her
achieve her goal.
Joe Ellis - Year 9 Athletics:
Joe recently competed in the London Games and achieved
two personal bests: one in the 60m sprint and the other
in the 60m hurdles. There are only a few weeks left of
the indoor season and Joe is looking forward to the
outdoor season starting.
LEADERSHIP AT GREAT BADDOW
GETTING TO KNOW THE CAPTAINS
It has been a very busy term for our sports captains. There has been an array of fixtures that have kept them
working hard and developing their duties as a leader. The captain’s badges have now been officially presented to the
students in assembly which has raised their profile around the school further. With this in mind, we felt that it was
important to start getting to know the captains that have such an impact within the PE department and inter-house
competitions.
Mellisa Eley, swimming captain and Owen Gibbs, basketball captain, have both taken the time out to share some
information about their sport and why their role as a sports captain is so important.
I would like to congratulate the captains on their efforts so far. Keep up the hard work!
Miss Peach
MELISSA ELEY 7S2
Role: Swimming Captain
How did you getting involved in swimming? : “When I saw Rebecca Adlington
in the Beijing Olympics she really inspired me to swim. Mum and Dad told me
about Chelmsford Swimming Club because they knew I liked swimming. I started
off in the junior squad and I am now in city squad. The city squad is much harder
and you have to do six training sessions a week.”
Who is your sporting idol? : “Rebecca Adlington, because she was really young
at the Beijing Olympics, she did the 800m and 400m events and she won gold.
These are my events and she is an inspiration to me.”
What does it mean to you being a sports captain? : “It’s about inspiring the
team and making sure they’re ready for an event and they know what they are
doing. I have been to lots of swimming galas for the school. I have sorted the
team before the races to make sure Miss Carter has a squad. As a captain I feel
that you need to be confident in your sport and be able to coach and give ways of
improvement for others. You need to be a good leader. People need to look up to
you and respect you and that results in a good squad. It is not just about the
teachers thinking you are good - it is about my squad thinking I’m good.”
OWEN GIBBS 7S1
Role: Basketball Captain
How did you start getting involved in playing basketball? : “I went to a club
before secondary school, which is called Mutli Sports. This involved me doing
basketball and lots of other activities. When I started at Great Baddow I then got
into all the clubs they have to offer. I always try my best and never give up. I really
enjoy basketball and love how competitive it is.”
Who is your sporting idol? : “I haven’t really got one. I am my own sporting
idol. I try to be the best I can for myself and my teachers.”
What duties do you have to perform as a sports captain? : “I am in all the
teams and I am committed to my training. I do at least three sports a day. I lead
the warm up before a game (usually the lay up drill) and when the game finishes I
organise the kit and give it to the teacher. I have to make sure I have a team too
and chase up my team mates during my break time and lunch time.”
OLYMPIC LEGACY
SPORT CLUB LINKS
Our next club link focuses are on Great Baddow Dodge Ball Club and Chelmsford Athletics Club. During
National Sports Week we aim to run sessions from the clubs to inspire students to take part in something new. If
you feel inspired to do this the please use the details below.
Dodgeball Great Baddow Dodge Ball Club
Contact Name: Mike Linger
Email: mike.linger@ukbda.org This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript
enabled to view it
Venue: Great Baddow High Shool
Membership open to: 12 to 16 years
Training times: Mondays 6.00 to 7.00pm
Athletics - Chelmsford Athletics Club
Contact name: Steve Mitchell
Telephone: 01277 633922
E-mail: mitchs@btinternet.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript
enabled to view it
Website: www.chelmsfordac.org.uk
Furthermore, if you would like to browse and see other sport club links that our gifted and talented pupil are
members of, then visit our school website www.gbhs.co.uk. . Click on Sports College and Sport Links.
Miss Peach
Cross-Country
We are very proud of Lucy Robinson (Year 8) and Sam Robinson (Year 13) who were selected
to represent mid-Essex in the Essex Schools Cross Country Championships which took place on
Saturday 2nd February at Gloucester Park, Basildon.
Lucy finished thirty-second in her race with seventy other students from across Essex. Sam
finished in seventh place taking him forward to the championships being held in March. Both
students’ contribution to the team helped mid-Essex to finish in first place overall and
therefore Lucy and Sam are both gold medallist. Congratulations to you both.