Edition 5: 13th October 2017 @StanboroughS www.stanborough.herts.sch.uk Forthcoming Events: 18th October: Run For Stanborough Non-Uniform Day 19th 27th October: HALF TERM 6th November: House Dance Performance 7th November: Publication of Progress Update 1 Year 7 Transition Update Evening 6.30pm 9th November: Post 16 Choices Evening 6.30pm 13th 16th November: Year 11 Mock Exams 16th November Consortium Information Evening 6.30pm 24th November Occasional Day. School closed. OCTOBER HALF TERM Please note this year s October half-term has two occasional days added. Half-term will be from Thursday 19th October to Friday 27th October. Students return to school on Monday 30th October. Year 7 students visit Spy Missions Mrs A. Venneear, Year Leader: Year 7, writes: On Tuesday 3 rd, Wednesday 4 th and Thursday 5 th October, Year 7 visited Spy Missions in Milton Keynes. Everyone was e x c it ed b ut a l ittle apprehensive as we did not know what to expect. Upon arrival, we were made to feel welcome by the staff and everyone was seated in their groups. Group one set off on their mission first and everyone else followed at fifteen minute intervals. Whilst waiting, the students started to tackle the computer-based activity. This involved students solving maths problems to gain entry codes to various rooms. Once they had all the answers, they were able to gain access to an imaginary vault. The Spy Mission was based on a ship and involved students climbing over lasers, crawling through tunnels and using ladders and slides to manoeuvre their way around the ship. In certain areas students had to work together as a team to solve problems to prevent a missile being deployed. After the mission, students had a spy quiz to answer. All the answers were displayed on the walls. Students were scored on how well they worked together as a team and also for the number of correct answers. Everyone had a great time and said that the Spy Mission was the best part. The top teams were group seven on Tuesday, groups two and six on Wednesday and group four on Thursday. Silver Awards have been given to the members of each of these teams. Spy Missions was a great experience and really helped build teamwork. The instructors were great and made it really fun. All in all, a great trip. Tom Pruett (7H) I really enjoyed Spy Missions because the activities were all to do with teamwork. It was a good way to bond with my class mates. Zoe Bruton (7K) I enjoyed Spy Missions because I was entertained throughout the day. I would recommend it to the next Year 7. Elouise Smith (7S)
STEM News STEM News STEM News STEM News STEM News STEM News STEM News STEM Family Challenge Miss R. Hooper, Curriculum Leader: Science writes; On Tuesday 3 rd October, Stanborough School hosted its first STEM Family Challenge. Family and friends of Year 8 and Year 9 students joined us for an evening of fun filled, hands-on, STEM based activities where they had the opportunity to compete with other families. It was heart-warming to see so many families working together and having fun along the way. Laura Wells, 8K writes: The first part of the evening was all about problem solving and thinking ways around a question. Then we all had a go, with our families and friends, to create a crane. We used science, technology, engineering and mathematics to build this and had to think about various variables that would affect the overall shape and strength of the crane. We also had to use teamwork and this was a huge factor in the challenge. It was a fun experience to make the crane using lots of equipment. It was something different. I can t wait to try out my new skills! Alex Selous (8H) I d never done anything like this before and it really took my interest. I hope to be part of more events like this in the future! Laura Wells (8K) It was interesting to find out about how engineering changes our lives. Jack Hadley (8H) A joint team of the families of Josh Imafidon (8O) and Ellis Hayes (8B) won the competition for best/most imaginative crane. They were very excited and shocked to be given the prize! Josh Imafidon said It was fun to challenge the puzzle solving part of the brain we don t normally use.
Dance workshop with Boy Blue Entertainment Miss F. Smith, Subject Leader: Dance, writes: On Thursday 5 th October, all Year 10 dance students took part in a workshop which explored styles and themes from their set work Emancipation of Expressionism. The workshop was led by Lara McCabe who is one of the dancers from the company. Lara is currently working on performances of the piece so this was invaluable to our students to gain an understanding of the work from one of the dancers. The students approached the workshop enthusiastically and showed real determination with a style that was different to what many were used to. The workshop consisted of an introduction to key Hip Hop styles as well as Boy Blue specific movements including their Ninja Run and Ninja Slide. The students also learnt some repertoire from the piece which students will use in their own choreography and performance. All our Year 10 Dance students, including those who are studying Dance as an additional option subject in after school lessons, worked incredibly hard and the successful outcomes of the workshop were clear to see. It was a once in a lifetime experience and I learnt so much, it was really fun. Robyn Rappaport 10O It was very fun and a lot of hard work. I enjoyed this workshop because I learnt a lot of new dance types and movements. Rhys Hancock 10H I really enjoyed the workshop because Lara taught us many things that no one knew. It was one of the best workshops we ve had. Abbey Turner 10K Even though the style isn t my type of dance, I really enjoyed it because I learnt many knew things that could help me in the future. Holly Milliken 10K Jungle Jo visits Stanborough! Miss T.. Slessor, Student & Family Support Worker, writes: It was not all about the cute and cuddly when Jungle Jo visited last Thursday. Some of our students were given the opportunity to get hands-on with a range of reptiles, snakes, tarantulas and mini beasts. Sometimes our parents pass on irrational fears but Jungle Jo was supportive in encouraging students and myself to take small steps to challenge these fears. Jo is a professional animal handler, her session helped develop a better understanding of these animals and quash many an urban myth and appreciate these amazing animals. Thank you to Tracy Lee, YC Herts, for funding this activity. If you need to contact the school please call 01707 321755 or e-mail us at
Sports Report 4th October - 11th October Mr P. Harris, Curriculum Leader: PE, writes: Boys Football Stanborough s Year 9 boys football team have all but clinched their place in the next round of the district cup after a comprehensive win over Sir Frederic Osborn last Thursday afternoon. Luca Vullo (9K) was in fine goal scoring form as he bagged two goals, Bailey Cripps (9H) and Matthew Tanner (9O) also added to their season totals as Stanborough ran out 4-0 winners. Man of the Match was also given to Luca in his first performance of the season after returning from injury. The Year 8 team also took on Sir Frederic Osborn on Monday evening. The game was extremely competitive and both teams played some excellent football. Stanborough took an early lead through Latrell Paul (8O) but were soon pegged back by Sir Frederic Osborn who scored two quick goals, giving them a 2-0 lead into half time. Stanborough came out strong in the second half and were soon back on level terms after Ollie Wynne (8A) equalised for the greens. With time ticking down, Sir Frederic Osborn looked to have collected all three points when they scored from a corner, however Stanborough s fantastic attitude allowed them to create one last chance. With the final kick of the game, Latrell Paul took it to share the points. It was a highly entertaining game and Mr Minion was extremely proud of his team and the resolve they showed. Latrell was handed Man of the Match. Stanborough s Year 7 s kicked off their district cup campaign with an away fixture at Chancellors. It was the boys first ever fixture for Stanborough and after having a huge number of students turn up for three trials, Mr Harris had somewhat of a selection headache. Unfortunately, the boys came up against a team who had already played three games and were clearly well organised from the start. Chancellors quickly took control of the game and Stanborough were not able to stay with them. A much improved second half performance has given them much to be optimistic about and they must now prepare for their next fixture against Monks Walk. Harry Brett (7S) was handed the Man of the Match award for his hard work in central midfield. Good luck to all students who will be representing the Mid Herts district in their matches on Wednesday, various students from each year group have been selected and will play against Watford this week. The football fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Stanborough so please keep an eye on the PE fixtures notice on the school website and in tutor rooms. Boys Rugby On Thursday the 5 th October, eight Stanborough students took part in the Saracens Tag Rugby competition for Year 4 students. The event was hosted at Welwyn Rugby Club and 35 primary schools were in attendance. Stanborough students were trained in the morning, by specialist rugby coaches from Saracens, on how to referee and coach tag rugby. In the afternoon the students were then asked to referee the competition between the primary school students. The feedback from the Saracens coaches was excellent and, once again, the Stanborough leaders were a credit to the school. The students who took part were: Lora Nathan (10O), Lora Johnson (10B), Matthew Gifford (9H), Bailey Cripps (9H), Michael Rodriguez, (9K), Jensen Read (9S), Joe Georgiou (9S) and Alex Khan (9H). Well done to all students!
Run for Stanborough 18th October Mr T. Braybrook, Deputy Headteacher, writes: What better way could there be of ending the half term with a giant sponsored walk/run around Stanborough Park!? This is what we have to look forward to next Wednesday with our annual Run for Stanborough event. A few key reminders: This will be a non-uniform day. 1 suggested donation Bring your fancy dress to get changed into for the afternoon Normal lessons will run until 12, with an early lunch after period 3 After the walk, the older students will be organising their usual dazzling array of games and cakes and fun, so bring some extra money for this Depending on the weather, we may finish school a little earlier on that day Please don't forget to get sponsored for this event We look forward to a fine October day and to raising lots of money for our charity this year, Young Minds. Any sponsor money can be brought into school after half term or paid directly into our Justgiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ stanborough-school1 For all KS4 Students Staff Profile Miss M. Bowen RE, Philosophy & Ethics I teach Philosophy, Ethics and Religion to Year 7 s right up to Year 12, which consists of looking at things from the Nativity right up to how the world was created. I started working at Stanborough in July and have loved every moment so far. This is my first teaching job, having just qualified this summer. Throughout my training I taught students of all ages and really enjoyed working with a wide range of colleagues. The one thing I enjoy about my job is that it can be related to everything from the media, to how the world began. Religion, philosophy and ethics relates to it all. This is what makes it so interesting and exciting! Additionally, I love that it can have a massive impact on a person, giving them the same experience of the subject that I had when I was at school. Look what happened - I became a religion, philosophy and ethics teacher! The best thing about teaching students is the moment the penny drops and they can completely understand what we are doing and that brings so much enthusiasm to their work. One of my favourite things about teaching this subject is that there are so many different debates to have and opinions to be shared. I have recently moved to Welwyn Garden City having been living in Lincoln whilst I was studying. However I am originally from Norfolk and I love going back to enjoy the coast as well as the countryside! My favourite things to do are listening to music, reading and crocheting but especially spending time with family and friends. Year 11 English Revision Session Miss K. McLean, KS4 Leader: English, Psychology, writes: There will not be a revision session on Monday October 16th. They will resume again on Monday October 30th with poetry and unseen texts. To see what sessions we are offering next term, please visit the English faculty website or continue to check the Stanborough Times. All Year 11 s are welcome. https://stanboroughenglish.wixsite.com/english/facultyinfo