Weekly Bulletin - the Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Weekly Bulletin
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Harvest Festival
This year we will be collecting for The Salvation Army. Reverend Preece will be leading
Harvest Festival assemblies in school next week. All donations of non-perishable food for
example tinned food such as beans and soup, and dried food such as rice and pasta, will
be gratefully received and distributed to the needy and homeless in Sale.
School Diary
Mon 20
Tues 21
Thank you
The Charity Committee
Anti-Bullying Lunchtime Event
Y7 Residential Parents’ Meeting
Governors’ Meeting: Full, 6pm
CERN Trip Departs
Thurs 23
PTA International Evening
Halle Trip
Y9 French Trip Departs
Fri 24
PTA Own Clothes Day
UCAS AGGS Deadline
AGGS
@AGGSchool
Follow AGGS on twitter to keep up to date with all our
news: @AGGSchool
#AGGS
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Anti-Bullying
The AGGS Anti-Bullying Ambassadors led school assemblies last
week for pupils in Years 7-10. The themes of the assemblies were
‘We are the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors’ (Year 7), ‘Rumours’ (Years
8 & 9) and ‘Smile Today’ (Year 10). The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors
are also hosting an anti-bullying event called ‘Dance for Diversity’
in the hall at lunchtime on Monday 20th October. All year groups
are welcome.
The Charity Committee
ParentPay - Yellow Flags
Some parents are finding some of their payments on ParentPay
have a yellow flag against them even though it is some time since
they made the payment. ParentPay are aware of this problem and
are working to solve it. In the meantime, if you are sure that you
have made the payment and you have a yellow flag showing,
please ignore it.
Thank you
Glaramara Meeting
There will be a meeting for parents and carers on Monday 20thOctober
2014 at 6.30pm in the main school hall. The meeting will cover the aims of
the Glaramara residential and give you an outline of the activities that
the girls will be taking part in. A full kit list will be given at the meeting,
along with details of departure and arrival times and emergency contact
numbers.
Parents and carers are reminded that the deadline for payment for this
residential was 30thSeptember. The total amount due is £154 and the
final payment should be made via ParentPay.
Mrs Stokes
Senior Tutor for Year 7
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
Year 11 Parents’ Evening will be
held on Thursday 6th November at
4.30pm
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
South Africa Hockey Tour
The hockey teams are going to South Africa to play school and club teams this summer, but we are also going to visit our partner school Zephania
near Durban.
Throughout the past two years we have been raising money for this trip and a fundraising committee of parents and staff has been meeting once a
month to discuss how we can raise money and organising several events. Our most recent event was the Autumn Ball at Ringway Golf Club.
Mrs Finch (who is organising the trip) would like to thank the main organisers Mrs Bass, Mrs Whittaker, Mrs Tomlinson, Ms Taylor and Mrs Gillingham for
all their hard work in organising such a wonderful and successful event. Early figures show that we raised £3,400, which is a remarkable achievement.
Thanks must also go to Martin Toal who was our announcer on the night
We could not have done this without the support of local businesses and parents who kindly donated items for the main auction and gift tree.
We would like to thank the following sponsors and donators : Steve Bell of Bell’s Boxing and Fitness, Altrincham; Cheshire Green Clinic, Altrincham;
Chill Factore, Trafford; Hale Leigh Road Tennis Club; Trafford Golf Centre; Event City/Peel Holdings; Resli Taylor, Fitness Professional; Manchester City
Football Club; SilverFx; Timperley Hockey Club and Duncan Rudge; Complemed Therapy, Altrincham; Hale Grill; Lakeland, Handforth; Danilo’s Hale;
Namco Funscape, Trafford Centre; Abel and Co.; Face Values, Hale; Piccolino’s, Hale; The Nail Studio of Hale; La Famiglia, Hale; Dee Thai, Hale;
207 Dental Care, Manchester; Cheshire Cheese Company; Pulse Perfumery, Knutsford; Corcaranti, Knutsford and Hale; Intu, Trafford Centre; Hale
Kitchen and Bar; Vanilla, Hale; Earle, Hale; David Lloyd; Portland Wines, Hale; Smylife, Manchester; Laser Quest, Trafford Centre; Partners Hair and
Beauty, Knutsford; Altrincham Film Club; Boodles, Hale; John Lewis; Franks W & Sons Ltd, Hale; Sally Walton-England Women’s Hockey Squad; Alistair
Brogden-England Men’s Hockey Squad; Jim Taylor; Heidi Markey, Bespoke Florist.
We would also like to thank the table sponsors: XL Business Finance Limited; Tfc Commercial Property Advisers and Agents; Hanover Garage Limited.
… and finally a big thank you to the companies/individuals who provided items for our Auction : Moss Bros, Michelle Taube (artist and former AGGS
Art Teacher), Karen Sixsmith (K photography), Alan Foster (experienced pilot), The Mere Golf and Country Club, Ringway Golf Club.
Without your very kind donations we would not have been able to raise the amount of money we did. Your generosity is very much appreciated.
If anyone else thinks they could help us in any way please contact Mrs Finch at Altrincham Girls’ Grammar School (0161 912 5912).
Thank you again,
Judith Finch
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Concert trip - Halle - just 20 places
There will be a trip to see the Halle perform on Thursday 23 October.
Tickets are limited and cost just £5 for students! The programme will
include Chopin’s Piano Concerto no 2 and Beethoven’s symphony
no 1. Please collect a letter from the concerts noticeboard opposite
World War 1 Battlefields Trip
Girls who are going on this trip are reminded that the full cost MUST be paid
by September. You can see on ParentPay how much you owe. If you cannot
find your ParentPay login, girls should go to Reception to request their login
details.
Science Photocopying Contributions
Movie Night
Friday 24th October from 3:45 - 6:30pm
Tickets are only £3 from reception
Refreshing drinks and tasty snacks will be available whist you
enjoy! See you there!!
Parents/carers are reminded that you are now able to make your
contributions towards Science photocopying via ParentPay. The list of
suggested contributions is listed below:
Year 7 £5
Year 8 £5
Year 9 £5
Year 10 Double Science (2 years)
£18
Year 10 Separate Science (2 years) £25.50
Year 12 B £10
Year 12 C£10
Year 12 P £10
Year 13 B £10
Year 13 C£10
Year 13 P £10
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Science and Sustainability Conference
Monday 3rd November, 9.00am - 1.15pm
All girls from Years 10-12 involved in the Science and Sustainability project are invited to come to school to the Science
and Sustainability conference on Monday 3rd November. We have invited guest speakers from a wide range of different
backgrounds and each speaker will deliver a 20 minute presentation on their work on a particular issue.
It will start at 9am prompt, so we would like you in your seats in the Main School Hall for 8:50am, please.
You will be delegates at this conference, and we would like you to sit in your teams. At various points through the morning
you will have time to talk together in your teams to discuss what you have learned and think how you might make use of
this in your project.
Please bring a drink and a snack with you on the morning. We will expect you to sign in when you arrive.
Although attendance is not compulsory, we are expecting you to come as a part of your commitment to the project. You
do not have to wear a uniform - the dress code is clothing suitable for attending a conference, so you should look smart!
We look forward to seeing you on November 3rd.
no 1. Please collect a letter from the concerts noticeboard opposite room 10 and sign the list if you would like to attend.
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Maths Puzzle of the Month:
October
KS3: Triangle of Cards
KS4: Perpetual Calendar
I have 15 cards, numbered consecutively from 1 to 15. I want to lay them out in
a triangle. I’ve put the number on the top three for later reference:
In 1957 John Singleton patented a desk calendar that could represent any date
from 01 to 31 using two cubes, but he let the patent lapse in 1965. Each cube
bears six digits, one on each face.
The pictures show how such a calendar represents the 5th and the 25th day of
the month. I have intentionally omitted any other numbers from the faces. You
are allowed to place the cubes with any of the six faces showing, and you can
also put the grey one on the left and the white one on the right.
What are the numbers on the two cubes?
However, I don’t want any old arrangement. I want each card to be the
difference between the two cards immediately below it, to the left and right.
For example, 5 is the difference between 4 and 9. (The differences are always
calculated so that they are positive.) This condition does not apply to the cards
in the bottom row (obviously!).
The top three cards are in the correct place. Can you find how to place the
remaining twelve cards?
EXT: repeat but with an extra row on the bottom of the triangle and 21 cards
numbered consecutively from 1 to 21
Pupils wishing to submit a solution should bring their answers on paper with their name and form to the downstairs maths office in the green
building or hand them in to Mr Barry. The solutions and winners will be announced at the start of November.
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Extra Curricular Music
Ensembles
Choirs
Junior Choir Y7 & 8
Senior Choir Y9 - 13
Tuesday 12:45-1:20
Room 10
Monday 12:45-1:20
Room 10
Chamber Choir
Tuesday 3:30-4:30
(Auditioned by any years)
Room 10
Mrs Rowley
Clarinet Ensemble
Ms Mayall
Guitar Ensemble
Ms Mayall
Recorder Ensemble
Saxophone Ensemble
Orchestras
Flute Ensemble
1st Orchestra
Wednesday 3:30 - 4:30
(Auditioned Wind)
Hall
2nd Orchestra
Thursday 12:45 - 1:20
(No Audition)
Room 10
String Orchestera
Friday 3:30 - 4:30
(Invited Players)
Room 10
Ms Mayall
Junior Strings
Miss Wright
String Quartet
Mrs Janes
`Quackapella’
Folk Band
Bands
Jazz Band
Folk Band
Wind Band
‘Quackapella’
Monday 3:30 - 4:45
Hall
Tuesday 12.45 - 1.20
Room 10
Friday 12.30- 1.00
Room 10
Mr Lodge
Monday 12:45 - 1:15
Room 11
Tuesday 12:45 - 1:15
Room 15
Tuesday 12:45 - 1:20
Room 2
Tuesday 12:30 - 1:00
Room 11
Wednesday 12:45 - 1:20
Room 10
Wednesday 12:45 - 1:20
Room 15
Wednesday 12:45 - 1:20
Room 11
Friday 12:30 - 1:00
Room 15
Thursday 12:45 - 1:20
Room 15
Friday 12:30 - 1:00
Room 15
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
Student Led
GCSE Help Sessions
Student Led
Student Led
Mon and Thurs 3.30 - 4.30
Room 15
Ms Mayall
Please see Music Notice board (RM 10) for details of playing standard
/ auditions. See Ms Mayall / Miss Wright if you need a lunch pass
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Citizenship & PSHE Corner
CLUBS CORNER...
Are you interested in what is happening around the world? Does the international communities’
response to Syria and Iraq make you angry or worried? Do you support military action? Come
along and debate these kind of topics and topics relevant to the world stage at....
Model United Nations Club:
Oxfam Youth Action Group
Huge Well Done
Meets Weds Lunch time in Room 13. Debating
from 12.40 -1.15pm.
Year 9 upwards.
Are you passionate about a local, national or
global issue? Come and make some noise about
it and get others passionate about it too. Do you
enjoy campaigning and raising money?
Well done to those who took part in MUNCH
last weekend. It was a great success with the
following girls receiving commendations:
-Tara (10-5) – Best Young Delegate
-Christina (13-6), Shereen (13-6) & Zaakiyah (127) received Commended Delegate awards.
All the girls involved got the chance to speak
and participate in one of the country’s most
prestigious MUN events. Well done.
Debate from a country’s perspective, attend
competitions, meet new people from lots of
different year groups and have fun.
Our next competition is at Cheadle Hulme
School on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th
October. All delegations are now full. Our
next conference will be at Manchester High
in January.
Youth Action Group meets on a Tues lunchtime in
the Language ICT lab, room 14. For Year 7, 8 & 9.
Watch out for Oxfam assemblies taking place
after half term.
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
What’s going on in the news?
Do you want to catch up on the news
or read a book about a topic that
If you follow the news and find an article you are interests you related to Citizenship?
interested in, why not share it with the rest of the
school?Check out your year group’s focus and Come and enjoy the Citizenship Reading
put the article onto the ‘What’s Going on in the Corner, where you can access a selection of
books at rec in room 13 or take them
News? Board’ in Room 13.
out and read them at home.
Quote of the week…
Year 7
local news focus
Year 8
national news focus
National & International Events this
week:
Year 9:
international news focus
Year 10:
Comparison of newspaper
articles
Year 11:
analysis of a newspaper article
To get you pondering on Citizenship related issues:
“..Citizenship is a tough occupation which
obliges the citizen to make his own informed
opinion and stand by it”
― Martha Gellhorn, Selected Letters
What is happening around the world? Find
out and get involved…..
13th Oct
15th Oct
CAFT Giving
What’s in the news...
Screening for Ebola...
BBC News - Ebola: Heathrow to start screening
passengers
Give to CAFT- Children’s
Adventure Farm Trust- this is
an amazing charity. Ask your
daughter for the giving form
and they can bring it back into
school to the box on reception
to be entered into a prize
draw.
16th Oct
17th Oct
International Day of Disaster
Reduction
International Day of Rural
Women
World Food Day
International Day for the
Eradication of
Poverty
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
We would like to take this
opportunity to let you know
about The Day, an online current
affairs resource that school has
subscribed to. Three news stories
are selected each day and are
explained in a straightforward
manner, within the context of the
curriculum. Each story includes
discussion points, a glossary,
several activities and links to
other relevant news and current
affairs websites which makes it
a fantastic resource, providing a
great opportunity for pupils to discuss topics using real and current issues.
With a comprehensive list of subjects covered; including PSHE, citizenship
and translated stories, this resource is currently available to the pupils and
teaching staff at school. However we are also pleased to let you know that
pupils and parents can now access the service at home, from the school
website within the “Learning Outside the Curriculum” area or direct from
http://www.theday.co.uk/ using the school’s login details:
Login:
agsg
Password: theday
We hope that you will enjoy this resource and use it to further your daughter’s
understanding of and engagement in the world around us.
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Mindfulness Skills for Life
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a way of paying attention – of being deeply attuned
to yourself, your environment and those around you from moment to
moment. It is a natural state of mind – focused, present and aware.
Ever Thought of a Career in Teaching?
You could train with
The Greater Manchester
Bright Futures SCITT
Programme Structure
Our weekday evening courses are taught over eight 2 hour sessions
at weekly intervals.
The courses typically comprise approximately 25 people working together as a group. On them, you will learn
several key mindfulness practices and have the chance to discuss these and your experience of them in the group.
Run by the Alliance for Learning,
Lead school – Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
(Ofsted Rating – Outstanding)
What are the aims?
The core aims of the programme are to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Experience greater wellbeing and personal fulfilment
Practise different mindfulness tools and techniques
Select and use mindfulness techniques that will work for you
Respond more wisely to stressful situations
Building your resilience to cope with work or personal demands
Achieve improved concentration, focus and creativity
Enjoy greater calm and inner peace
What does it involve?
Taster Sessions
Booking details below
Thursday 18th September 2014
5:30-7:00pm
Venue: AGGS Training Room
5:30-7:30pm
We gradually learn to direct our attention in a more focussed way to whatever is actually happening – whether it be
breathing, the sensations in our body, thoughts and feelings, or everyday activities such as walking and eating.
Autumn Term 2014
Wednesday 15th October
Wednesday 22rd October
Wednesday 5th November
Wednesday 12th November
Wednesday 19th November
Wednesday 26th November
Wednesday 3rd December
Wednesday 10th December
For more information or to book a place please email Rebecca Stokwisz,
Mindfulness Lead at stokwisz@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
http://allianceforlearning.co.uk/course/mindfulness-mbsr/ or contact 0161 912 5912
Come and find out what we have to offer at our
Open Day
on Thursday 16th October 2014
7.00-8.30pm
at Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
Cavendish Road, Bowdon, Altrincham WA14 2NL
(10 minutes walk from Altrincham Metro Station)
To book your place email
Langmead-Jones@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
or phone 0161 912 5912
Please visit www.allianceforlearning.co.uk/courses/teacher-training/scitt
for further information
follow us @aflteachingsch
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
AGGS NOTICEBOARD
Pupil Safety
As always, please can all parents/carers remind their
daughters to consider their personal safety when travelling
to and from school and ensure that arrangements are in
place for the after- school journey, especially in the dark
evenings. The school library closes at 5pm.
Road Safety
Please can all pupils/students remember the need to be
careful when crossing between sites. Mobile phones and
any other electronic devices should not be visible when
crossing between sites. Pupils/students should stop at the
zebra crossing, look and listen to make sure it is safe to
cross, and never assume the traffic will stop. It is absolutely
prohibited for pupils/students to cross the roads between
the school sites anywhere except at the zebra crossing
or by using the traffic island on St Margaret’s Road. Any
pupil/student who does cross anywhere other than the
two safe locations, will be reported to the Headteacher.
Collecting pupils after school
Important Safety Notice
Following the recent letter regarding Homework Club and
the use of the library after school, please can parents/
carers make arrangements to collect their daughters
and agree the time and place before coming to school.
Parents/Carers are asked not to approach other pupils,
especially girls they do not know, to go into the library
to pass on a message or to inform their daughter that
they are waiting to take them home. Your support in this
matter is most appreciated.
We have received several reports about school
pupils having their mobile phones stolen on their
way home from school. Please can all pupils/
students be vigilant, keep mobile phones out of sight
and remember to be aware of personal safety.
Reminder to parents regarding
after- school detention
Notifications to parents of an after- school detention
for pupils will still be sent by letter (either posted or
through Parentmail) and not by a text message.
Car Parking
We should like to remind parents and carersto ensure
that, when collecting girls after school, they park
considerately and do not block or use the driveways
of local residents. Please also avoid parking in the bus
stop space. There is a danger that cars which are not
parked safely and appropriately will cause a hazard
Fixtures at the Devisdale
Please may we ask all parents/carers to ensure that,
when attending sports fixtures at the Devisdale, they
park considerately and do not block the drives of local
residents. Please also avoid parking on the grassy areas.
Your support in this matter is greatly appreciated.
After- school activities
All pupils/students are expected to change into full
school uniform following an after- school activity. Pupils/
students are not to travel home in their PE kits.
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Hockey
Results
Practices
The U14 and U13 ‘A’ teams had successful matches against King’s School, Lunchtimes: 12.30pm – 1pm
Chester last Saturday
U14X1 won 2-0
U13X1 won 8-0
Other teams were also at home playing against St Bede’s College,
Manchester
U16X1 won 2-0
A combined U15/U14 ‘B’ team drew 1-1 with St Bede’s ‘A’ team
U13 ‘B’ team drew 2-2 against St Bede’s ‘A’ team
U12 ‘B’ team v St Bede’s ‘A’ team won 2-0
Well done to all who played for achieving such good results
Monday 29th: Tuesday 30th: Wednesday 1st: Thursday 2nd: Friday 3rd: Years 8 and 9
Years 10 and 11
Year 7
Years 9 and 10
Year 8
After School: 3.30pm – 5pm
Monday 29th: Tuesday 30th: Wednesday 1st: Thursday 2nd: Badminton at Altrincham Leisure Centre
4pm – 5pm: Years 10-13
5pm – 6pm: Years 7-9
Everyone welcome: £2 please
Years 8 and 9
Year 7 until 5pm this week
Years 10-13 at Bowdon Hockey Club
Saturday 4th:
Sunday 5th:
Away fixture v Westholme School, Blackburn
U14 County hockey coaching – for those invited to attend
Mrs J. Finch
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
CONGRATULATIONS TO:
The U14X1 National Schools’ Squad which has qualified for the North
of England Semi - Finals by winning the County Round of this national
competition.
The U16X1 who also qualified for their North Semi - Final as runners-up
behind Cheadle Hulme School
The Intermediate and Junior Swimming Teams which were placed
2nd and 9th respectively in a very large and strong first round of
their National Schools’ Competition. We are waiting to hear if the
intermediates have qualified for the next round. This will depend on the
results in other competitions.
Bethan (12-4) who has been selected to play for the North of England
Pennine Pumas team and to Connie (13-8) who has been selected for
the U18 team. Well done to both girls who have worked very hard at
their hockey and well deserve this success. Good luck in the tournament.
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
Altrincham Grammar
School for Girls
Bright Futures EDUCATIONAL TRUST
Contacts
October 17th 2014
Volume - 49 Issue - 7
PTA
If you have any enquiries about the PTA and its fundraising efforts or meetings,
would like to volunteer to help or join, and would like to contact us, here are some
useful contact email addresses for your reference:
Covenant Scheme enquiries
PTACovenantscheme@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
PTA Twitter
200Club enquiries PTA
200Club@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
Follow AGGS PTA on twitter to keep up to date with all our news:
@AGGSpta
General enquiries PTA
Chairman@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
Secretary PTA
Secretary@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
Refreshments PTA
Refreshments@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
Name a Brick enquiries PTA
Gardenbricks@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
Garden sponsorship PTA
Sponsorship@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
2nd Hand Uniform PTA
Uniformsales@aggs.trafford.sch.uk
Please note that all PTA members are volunteers and although emails are likely to
be checked on a fairly regular basis, there may be some delays in response time
and we ask for your patience and understanding in this regard.
For all the latest news,
information and photos visit us at
www.aggs.trafford.sch.uk