Blackheath High School - Spring 2015
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Transcript of Blackheath High School - Spring 2015
THE TERMLY MAGAZINE OF BLACKHEATH HIGH SCHOOL GDST
HIGHLIGHTSSpring 2015
BHS_13_rev2.indd 1 02/07/2015 10:30
EPQ COURSE
2 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
EPQ Excellence for our Year 13 Students
This term marked the end of the EPQ (Extended Project
Qualifi cation) course for many Year 13 students. The
EPQ tasks students with writing a 2,000 word essay of
their choice, or creating an artefact and writing a 2,000
word essay to accompany it. It is open to all Sixth Form students.
What makes the qualifi cation so enjoyable for many students is
that they are free to explore a topic of their own choosing that
they are passionate about. They learn valuable life skills through
learning to research and reference sources correctly, managing
their time and being challenged to think analytically about their
strengths and weaknesses. The project is equivalent to an AS-
level and has proven extremely popular with universities around
the country. Evidence shows that many institutions have made
lower grade off ers to girls who are studying the EPQ, compared
to those who are not.
Mr Cannon, Head of Business and Enterprise
We asked three of our Year 13 students to share their EPQ
experiences and learning:
Annabel Sim (Year 13)
My Extended Project was
based around the role
of the country house in
three of my favourite
novels: Pride and
Prejudice; Brideshead
Revisited; and Rebecca.
The premise of the
project was to distinguish
the location of these
novels as not merely
a set, but something
more poignant that
contributed to the
reader’s wider understanding of the text.
Undertaking the EPQ has been a thoroughly
rewarding and engaging experience, through which I
have learnt so much and developed many new skills.
I delved into an area of literature that just a year
ago I knew barely anything about, but from which,
I have learnt so much. The level of independence
required for my EPQ has forced me to become much
more responsible for my own learning, whilst also
encouraging me to admit mistakes and move on from
them. My project has not merely provided me an
outlet to pursue my interests on a deeper level, but
has even encouraged them further.
I am incredibly pleased with the end result of my
project, and the experience has greatly affirmed
my desire to study English Literature at university.
I would recommend the EPQ to any AS student,
not only as a way of deepening your understanding
of a topic you are interested in, but also of honing
valuable skills that will be of great use for A-level
study and beyond.
Annabel is now looking forward to reading English
at Christ Church College, Oxford University.
Elara Surety (Year 13)
I was interested in orthography.
Orthography refers to the way
a language is written, including
aspects such as spelling and
aff ected literacy acquisition.
I was examining it in relation
to the English language,
in particular, whether our irregular orthography is a
disadvantage to us as English speakers.
First, I looked into the irregularities in the language,
and how and why some of these irregularities have arisen.
Then, I focused on whether this made it harder for us to
initially ‘learn’ the English language compared to another
language, and other eff ects, such as increased dyslexia
rates. Building from this research, the vast majority
supported the theory that deep orthographies take longer
and are harder to learn. I went on to look at whether we
should have a spelling reform to counter these negative
impacts. In answering this, I considered the social and
economic benefi ts and disadvantages of the English
Language undergoing a reform. I also considered the
global eff ects of such a reform, which are particularly
pertinent when concerning English, and considered who
has the right ethically to make such changes.
I think the most important advice that can be given to
those about to start the EPQ would be the importance of
carefully considering the topic. I can honestly say that,
had I not been completely fascinated by my topic area,
I would have been much less likely to have fi nished my
project. My interest meant I was motivated to continue
through with it until completion. It also meant that tasks
such as researching did not feel arduous or hard work, as I
genuinely constantly wanted to learn more about the topic
area!
Elara is now looking forward to reading Modern
& Medieval Languages at King’s College, Cambridge
University
BHS_13_rev2.indd 2 02/07/2015 10:30
Elizabeth Isaac (Year 12)
My EPQ was originally going to be an essay on theatre or history. It
took a long time for me to choose a subject, because I knew that I
had to keep the interest in that topic for around nine months. I was
carrying out research into Cromwell’s closing down of the theatres;
it occurred to me that I could create an artefact. As my play-writing
is stronger than my essay writing, I thought that I would write a play
and produce it, and that is what I am doing now. I’ve always loved
acting and directing and writing, so for me it is the perfect choice
and it doesn’t feel like a chore at all. I think that EPQ is fantastic and
I love the freedom that it has given me.
We perform the play, ‘When they Went Dark’ in June; the actors
who have agreed to be my characters are brilliant, and it should be
a fantastic show!
EPQ COURSE
Phoebe HughesYear 11
Perdie Vaughan Williams
Year 12
ART GALLERY
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 3
BHS_13_rev2.indd 3 02/07/2015 10:30
4 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
SCIENCE
Celebrating Science! Science Week and CSI Event
“I enjoy how we
are able to do things
ourselves, not just look
at things/experiments
that have happened.”
Alice Barr
Junior School
Throughout the year, we place a great deal of
importance on STEM subjects. Running a Science Week
allows us to further raise the profile of Science and to
channel the girls’ enthusiasm. During Science Week the
girls cover topics and participate in events and activities that allow
them to extend their experience of Science. Activities during our
Science week this year included; Science Assemblies; a theatrical
performance where the pupils learnt about different states of
matter, and live demonstrations and workshops which provided
opportunity for hands-on activities. An excellent learning week
involving ‘fun’ science was experienced by all. We now look
forward to Science Week in 2016! Mr Mostert
Science WeekScience Week was very eventful at Blackheath High Junior
School, with many enjoyable and exciting activities…
Bunsen Towers
We started our Science Week with an amazing performance by
the Kinetic Theatre Company, watched by KS1 and Reception,
then KS2. The main topic was ‘changes in materials’; it was a
fun and educational show, and we hope to see them again with
another scientific play!
STEM Assembly
Mr Mostert spoke about the importance of STEM subjects, and
how girls can compete and be very successful in subjects that
were traditionally seen to be for boys only. Thea Simpkin and
I (Martha Norman) then did a presentation about the different
STEM subjects and explained their importance in everyday life.
Zoo Trip
Year 4 travelled to London Zoo and had the experience of a
lifetime, sighting an Okapi, Giraffes, Zebras, Tigers, Penguins,
and many more exotic creatures. We all really enjoyed it and
hope to go again.
Monday Science Assembly
Jess McLaughlin and Katya Labiaga Grace from Year 5 presented
an exciting eclipse assembly. The Year 6 Green Team Prefects
demonstrated some experiments and spoke about famous
women scientists. Both groups were very good, and it seemed
the school really enjoyed it.
Year 1, 2 and 3 Science Activities
The three year groups experienced fun science demonstrations
by Mr Mostert. He explained about the eclipse and safety, and
the groups acted out what happens.
Solar Eclipse
On Friday the 20th of March, we experienced a partial solar
eclipse. The cloud cover made it difficult to notice any big
changes, however, our teachers showed a live stream of the
morning’s events. Year 4 enjoyed making their pinhole cameras
even though we did not put them to use on this occasion.
Science Week was, overall, an exciting edition to our calendar,
and we are sure everyone is looking forward to the fun and
excitement next year. Martha Norman and Kate Robinson
“Fun! Interesting and inspiring” Mille Ferreira-Leake
BHS_13_rev2.indd 4 02/07/2015 10:30
Our Senior Science Department has had a
busy and exciting half term, with lots of
great activities and experiences. On the 25th
February, we set off on a wonderful trip to
Colchester Zoo with Year 7. Surprisingly, we were blessed
with unusually good British weather for the time of the year.
The girls enjoyed a full tour
of all the animal enclosures,
the highlights of which were
the large cats (although they
seemed, generally, to want to
sleep) and the large primates,
with whom the girls had
great fun interacting! A
running and enthusiastic
commentary from our
resident Biologist Mr Laber
highlighted the majesty of
the natural world in what we
were seeing.
The amazing British Science week commenced on the 13th
March, with a spot of pond dipping in the school pond. This
gave the girls the opportunity to look at the variety of fl ora and
fauna the pond produces. They saw frog spawn, newts and
toads, as well as daphnia and other pond-dwelling organisms
and as summer rolls on, we hope to see the nymphs and other
warmer weather creatures making an appearance.
Science Club, a mainstay of the school’s extra-curricular
programme, had an engaging session on the use of conductive
paint, a really remarkable material. The girls fashioned their
own blinking robot greetings cards using the paint, button
cells and LED’s and were genuinely surprised at this cutting
edge material. Its uses include lighting up a tiny bulb on
a birthday card, creating an over-sized game controller
for consoles, and painting an entire wall so that when it is
touched a light comes on.
Later that week saw the highlight of National
Demonstration Day come alive with the double act of Mr.
Jordan and Dr. Mustafa. We had ‘Screaming Jelly Babies’
(well, screaming Gummy Bears in our case), an amazing
Thermite reaction reaching a temperature of about 2000
OC with a shower of sparks and the aptly named ‘Whoosh
Bottle’ (named after the ‘whoosh’ the vapour makes as
the alcohol ignites), exploding hydrogen balloons, the
Chemistry of the Sparkler, a dry ice and magnesium
volcano, dry ice rockets and spooky dry ice fog. All of this
was enthusiastically received by the girls in equal measures
of excitement and healthy fear.
At the end of a busy week, we had arranged for the girls
to trot off to the Heath to watch the partial eclipse but alas,
typical British weather prevailed, so instead they happily
watched the BBC live coverage from the Sports Hall.
Hopefully the skies will be kinder in 2026 for the next one!
To mark the end of a fantastic week of Science, we had a very
interesting and thought provoking assembly talk given to us
by parent Mrs Wright.
She highlighted the concept of innovation in Science and life-
changing inventions, both past and present. She also encouraged
our girls to think about the importance of daring to be diff erent
which was particularly motivational. We thank her for sparing the
time to speak to us. All of this made for a very exciting and fi tting end
to an exciting and hopefully inspirational half term for all our girls.
Dr Mustafa
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 5
SCIENCE
Senior School
BHS_13_rev2.indd 5 02/07/2015 10:30
CSI Morning at SeniorsAt the end of term, Year 5 became crime scene investigators
for the day at the senior school!
A large quantity of money had been stolen from the safe.
Evidence was gathered: a footprint was discovered just
outside a window, an unknown white powder was found near
the safe, clothing fi bres had been caught on a forced open
window and a jacket was found near the crime scene.
Throughout the morning, our enthusiastic scientists,
assisted by Year 7 helpers, participated in Biology, Chemistry
and Physics sessions, to deduce clues, determine details and
draw conclusions from their investigations.
Their scientifi c activities included using microscopes to
analyse fi bres and materials; analysing unknown powders;
testing for elements to identify substances; using UV light,
analysing footprints and assessing the reliability of eyewitness
statements.
At the end of the morning, the pupils were invited to
compare their evidence, and discuss their fi ndings.
6 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
SCIENCE
“One morning we went to the senior school to learn how to perform some science-based investigations. We were told a story about a robber who had stolen some gold
from a local warehouse. Everyone was split into groups and then had to do three diff erent science experiments to
discover which character in the story was the robber.In each science laboratory there was a series of tasks to
complete to fi nd out more information about the robber. We investigated diff erent areas of Science, Biology,
Chemistry and Physics. Once we had done all the tasks, we were able to fi gure out who the robber was.”
Hannah Ridd
Rubia Southcott Year 11
Georgia Robinson Year 12
ART GALLERY
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Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 7
ART GALLERY
Katie WrightYear 11
Emma NooneYear 12
BHS_13_rev2.indd 7 02/07/2015 10:30
Beautyand the
at Greenwich Theatre
8 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
On Monday 16th March, Blackheath High
School’s Music and Drama Departments
headed to Greenwich Theatre for our annual
musical performance. This year we performed
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, an enthralling and exciting
tale of enchantment and love. The Beast (Rosie Hough)
and Belle (Alexandra Brilliant) delighted the audience with
their story – which saw us move from the small provincial
town to the Beast’s magical castle. The castle – beautifully
created by the Art Department - revealed several engaging
characters all of whom were under a spell. There they met
the candlestick; ‘Lumiere’ (Poppy Cracknell); a clock called
‘Cogsworth’ (Georgina Smith-Morgan); a teapot ‘Mrs Potts’
(Eden Rickson) and various other exciting personalities.
There were also talented performances in the duo team of
Gaston (Phoebe-Rae Levene) and Lefou (Erin O’Brien). Who
could forget their hilarious duet? The lively music provided
a show-stopping Year 5 Chorus number – Be Our Guest – as
the cutlery they almost stole the show! It might possibly
have been the best show yet and we’ve a lot to live up to
next year.
Mrs Tyrrell, Head of Drama
DRAMA
Beast
BHS_13_rev2.indd 8 02/07/2015 10:30
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 9
DRAMA
BHS_13_rev2.indd 9 02/07/2015 10:30
10 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
The Spring Term was an incredibly busy term, packed
with trips, musicals and a tour to Amsterdam. Our
academic lessons were supported by trips to the
Institute of Education to enable students in Year 10,
studying GCSE Music to participate in a conference. Our Year
12s also attended a similar lecture where they gained a greater
insight into the coursework element of AS Music.
The Tea Time Concert gave our soloists and smaller ensembles
the chance to perform in the Dance Studio to a supportive
audience of staff , friends and parents. A particular mention
must go to Subeeksha Jayasangar who wowed us with her ‘Dr.
Who’ medley on the keyboard.
A new addition to the calendar was ‘Pop Fest’, which
showcased our Rock Band under the leadership of our guitar
teacher, Mr Luckett. We also heard a number of solo items
performed by girls from across the year groups, many of them
accompanying themselves on the guitar or ukulele.
After a busy fi rst half of term, the school production of ‘Beauty
and the Beast’ gave an opportunity for our best singers to
shine on the stage. The band grew in number this year and we
were delighted to hear some fantastic playing by Olivia West
(percussion), Rubia Southcott (violin), Severine Higgins (violin),
Pascale Higgins (viola) and Jasmine Sheshuryak (viola) who
performed alongside three professional musicians.
The Spring Concert was a huge success, with a large and
supportive audience. The evening started with a warm-up
set given by the Rock Band. Year 7 choir sang ‘Singing in the
Rain’, under the direction of Mrs Coles, and Chamber Choir
and Vocalise both sang a diverse range of music from classical
to jazz. The newly formed Folk Group performed a series of
Gaelic jigs and Glee treated us to an Adele medley. As always,
there was an array of percussion instruments from djembes to
marimbas, showcasing Samba Band, Beat It and Mini Mallets.
Seniors
The fi nal performances were on the last day of the term. A
Level recitals were given by Philippa Jackson and Marie-Odile
von Ungern-Sternberg. Both performed at an incredibly high
standard, with both recitals being completely note perfect. A
fantastic way to end the term. Mrs Gunton, Director of Music
Photos reproduced with kind permission from Marianne Swienink-Havard
http://swieninkhavard.co.uk/msh/Blackheath.html
MUSIC
BHS_13_rev2.indd 10 02/07/2015 10:31
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 11
There were many musical
highlights at Juniors during
the Spring Term. Particularly
memorable was the performance
of Song of the Earth, a children’s cantata
written by Lin Marsh. Years 4 and 5
teamed up with Years 5 and 6 from Invicta
Primary to perform eleven songs which
told the story of the Emperor and the
Nightingale. All the children performed
with so much energy and commitment
and it was a pleasure to hear 160 young
voices sing so beautifully. During the
Autumn and early Spring terms, Lin Marsh,
a well known children’s composer and
young voices expert, visited our school
to take rehearsals with both schools.
We were also joined by Ed Scolding,
Assistant Director of the Conservatoire,
who rehearsed and led the accompanying
orchestra of young musicians. The fi nal
concert was stunning; Helen Fraser,
CEO of the GDST, who was among the
audience, tweeted:
@HelenFraserGDST
@BlackheathHigh It was an incredible
evening. The audience (including sta� )
was visibly moved at the end.
Year 5 were impressive as ever as a
chorus in the senior production of Beauty
and the Beast at Greenwich Theatre at the
beginning of March. As the end of term
approached, we were delighted by the
performances of Year 5 and 6 in their Tea
Time Concert, which featured 48 talented
young soloists and was a reminder of the
hard work and commitment that goes
into learning an instrument. These girls
showed the audience and each other their
achievements in music, whether learning
for a matter of months, or years.
The term then ended on a high with
Chamber Choir winning the Junior Choral
Class at Bromley Music Festival. This was
the fi rst time we had participated in this
event and we went
in for the experience
of competing
and dealing with
performance nerves.
The excellent result,
winning our heat
and then overall winner of the three
classes was a wonderful bonus! We were
awarded the only distinction of the class,
beating Blackheath Prep, Bromley High
and Colfe’s among other schools. Well
done, girls!
Juniors
the fi rst time we had participated in this
BHS_13_rev2.indd 11 02/07/2015 10:31
12 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
In April an excited group of Year 11-13 artists set off early
to Florence. On arrival, we went straight out for dinner in a
square and to get our fi rst night-time glimpse of Brunelleschi’s
breath-taking Duomo. The great thing about Florence is its
scale; we were able to walk everywhere for the whole trip.
On the fi rst morning we strolled over the river in the sunshine
to Palazzo Pitti. After a talk in the throne-room from Mr Whitfi eld
about the rich Florentine merchant families, we got to explore
the artwork. Room after room stretched ahead of us; when you
started down a new wing you couldn’t even see the end of it. Each
room was adorned with paintings from the Renaissance era, the
colours were amazing and each room was a diff erent shade of
deep red or emerald green and gold. It was a pretty spectacular
start to the trip.
There was also modern art and an exhibition of the history of
Italian fashion. It was funny to see clothes from the Pop Punk era
displayed in such a grand setting, and it gave the sixth formers
lots of inspiration for their ball dresses. We explored the gorgeous
gardens and enjoyed some drawing time to sketch some of the
things we had seen.
After our fi rst real Italian pizza in
the piazza, we watched a fl ag march
display in front of the Palazzo Vecchio
next to Michelangelo’s famous David.
Some of us even had a go, fl ipping
an enormous fl ag 10 feet into the air
and catching it, which is harder than it
looks!. Afterwards at the Academia we
saw lots of beautiful sculptures, but
the highlight was seeing the famous
prisoners by Michelangelo.
The next day, with the sun shining,
we went on a day trip to Siena, where we went on a tour of the
heraldic districts led by Mr Whitfi eld and climbed central the
Tower del Mangia. Over 100m up, we were treated to some
fantastic views over Siena. After a light lunch we went to the
astounding Cathedral; the Gothic architecture was really beautiful
and diff erent to some of the other sacred places we had seen.
The penultimate day was jam packed with churches and
cathedrals! First we visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella;
especially peaceful and beautiful as we were the fi rst people in and
the sun shone through the stained glass windows to create some
really stunning patterns on the fl oor. Inside the Basilica we got to
see one of the fi rst paintings to use perspective as we know it, The
Holy Trinity by Masaccio.
Then we looked round the famous leather markets of Florence
and had the opportunity to haggle for some great souvenirs. Later
we visited the solemn and glorious Medici Chapels, with their
utterly beautiful architecture and sculpture. My favourite part was
the small hidden chambers which contained preserved body parts
and bones of saints in spooky reliquaries.
That afternoon we got our long awaited daytime look at the
Duomo and the Cathedral of Saint Maria del Fiore. The size of the
cathedral was incredible; it really took your breath away! We were
also lucky to have the opportunity to climb the dome, where we
ascended hundreds of stairs to get to the top to see spectacular
views.
On our fi nal evening in Florence, our group got to select a
restaurant we had seen, and to choose whatever we wanted off the
menu. The teachers had spotted a really lovely little restaurant in
a quiet square off the main part of central Florence, which served
genuine Florentine dishes.
On the fi nal day we had just enough time to pop to the amazing
food market. We all came out with huge hunks of parmesan, litres
of Italian oil and other delicious goodies to take home. It was
such a great trip, the weather was beautiful and the sights were
stunning! The whole trip was just spectacular, I already miss it!
Rosie Hough
Senior ArtWe will always have Florence
ART
BHS_13_rev2.indd 12 02/07/2015 10:31
Junior Art
Even before the girls had returned to school after the Christmas
holidays, the staff were hard at work enjoying a half day’s art inset
session, led by our own Mrs Hamburger, who has been with us
teaching Years 5 and 6 while Mrs Drummond has been on maternity
leave. The focus of the session was on close observational work, and everyone
was able to take newfound skills back to their practice in the classroom.
Meanwhile, the rest of the community (the girls and their families) were
hard at work searching for famous artworks which they replicated, using
photography, to produce their own updated versions. We had over fi fty entries
for the display entitled ‘New Images Distant Visions’, which runs along the
corridor leading to the gym. Since then it has taken much longer to get the
school into the gym for assemblies! Several members of staff have commented
on how lovely it was to hear all the girls discussing each piece they passed, and
laughing at some of the humour.
Years 1, 2, 3 and 4 enjoyed second
visits from our Artists in Residence,
run in collaboration with The
Blackheath Conservatoire. The focus
was mainly on 3D work and ranged
from fantastic Louise Bourgeois
spiders to Stone Age statues, from
Turner’s watercolours to magnifi cent
Victorian style bronze busts. The
pupils’ work was displayed in our
annual art exhibition during the
week of 18th May.
The term ended with a Key Stage
2 Easter Bonnet Competition,
arranged by the art prefects, Lily
Chatterjee and Alice Jinks. The
emphasis was on using recycled
materials and provided a light
hearted fi nish to the end of term. A
big well done to our overall winner,
Isobel Adcock (5H).
ART
Art update from the Junior School
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 13
BHS_13_rev2.indd 13 02/07/2015 10:31
14 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
SIXTH FORM
A show of talentFASHION SHOW
This year’s Fashion Show was a
punchy and funky showcase of
Sixth Form talent performed to
a lively and full house. The girls
chose the theme ‘Nouvelle Vague’ and
the final show really did encompass both
a sense of crest-of-the-wave innovation,
as well as humorous nostalgia and
playfulness.
Highlights included garments made
from shimmering jewel-like plastic,
everyday-wear customised into fairytale
dreaminess, white haired mythic
demi-gods and fauns, gold capes,
intricately printed aprons and wild
animals. Individual collections took
themes such as fairytale, ballroom, gems,
and mythology, processing them into
a professional and surprising array of
garments and sculptural accessories.
The walks were accompanied with
bespoke films and presented with
exciting choreographic and theatrical
performances. The collections were
interspersed with excellent singing
and dancing performances. Sixth Form
organisers Kathryn Doran, Phoebe
Chard and Maddy Harrington smoothly
rallied their peers and facilitated an
evening’s entertainment that set
everyone’s eyeballs ringing, ears
tapping and feet dazzling!
As we go to Press we have just heard
that Isabella Smith has been shortlisted
for the Young Fashion Designer UK
South finals. Very well deserved!
http://youngfashiondesigneruk.com/
Mr Whitfield, Head of Art
Isabella Smith’s dress; shortlisted for the Young Designer UK South Finals
BHS_13_rev2.indd 14 02/07/2015 10:31
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 15
BHS_13_rev2.indd 15 02/07/2015 10:31
NEW HEAD GIRL TEAM
Harriet Aubertin - Head Girl
What is the remit of your role?
Being Head Girl, it is my responsibility to
run the team, look over Senior Societies,
organise the Sixth Form Ball in Year 13,
participate in the School Council, represent
our school on diff erent occasions and
help organise various student events
throughout the year. I’m really looking
forward to working with the younger
students.
Which subjects are you currently
studying?
The subjects I am currently studying in Year
12 are French, Geography, Spanish and
History.
What do you plan to study in HE and do
you have any particular career aspirations?
I would love to study French, with maybe
ab initio Italian. However, perhaps a History
or a Geography degree - I still have yet
to decide! After university, teaching is
an option for me as I really enjoy seeing
students’ understanding after I have helped
them out with work, although for now I
am still very uncertain of what line of work
I would like to do. Living abroad in France
for a couple of years is a dream of mine, as
I love travelling and it could help with my
languages. However, for a career, I would
love one that is highly people-centred.
What made you want to be part of the
HGT?
As I have been at Blackheath High School
since I was three years old, I have looked
up to the Head Girl Team here nearly all my
life. All members have been so inspirational
and I was really attracted to the job. I want
to give back to the school and help in the
community as best I can, and being Head
Girl will defi nitely allow me to do that. I
also love that I am a representative of our
wonderful school and can really show
everyone just how excellent it really is.
What skills and personal attributes can
you bring to the role to the benefi t of the
school and your fellow students?
One of my main attributes is that I am
a very organised person… I even won the
Outstanding Organiser Oscar Award when I
MEET OUR NEW HEAD GIRL TEAM
L-R Elizabeth Isaac, Marie-Odile von Ungern-Steinberg, Harriet Aubertin, Saina Hydara, Rosie Hough
16 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
L-R Elizabeth Isaac, Marie-Odile von Ungern-Steinberg, Harriet Aubertin, Saina Hydara, Rosie Hough
BHS_13_rev2.indd 16 02/07/2015 10:31
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 17
was younger! I thoroughly enjoy planning,
preparing and leading events of any type. I
also think I am very approachable as I truly
enjoy chatting and helping anybody in any
situation. Furthermore, as I have been here
since Nursery, I really know the school
well. Therefore, I will be able to approach
all aspects of being Head Girl. I have also
been Form Captain many times and really
enjoy taking a challenge with the Duke of
Edinburgh Award - I am currently going for
Gold!
What do you hope to achieve whilst in the
post?
I look forward to the many opportunities the
role will have. My main aim is to further bridge
the gap between all students in our school.
I feel that the younger years really should
not feel scared to come and chat to the sixth
formers once in a while as we were once
them. Furthermore, as I have a big passion
for sport, I would like there to be more
opportunities where the older and younger
years can participate in sport together.
Please give details of any forthcoming
events that you will have a role to play in
as a member of the HGT.
The team and I are helping out in the
Year 10 ‘Moving Up’ evening, so we are all
looking forward to speaking to the parents
and students and giving our advice on
what to expect with Year 11. I have also
arranged that every break and lunch time, a
Year 12 student will be on lunch duty in the
dining room to chat to the younger pupils
and to see if we can help them in any way.
Saina Hydara – Deputy Head Girl
What is the remit of your role (including responsibilities)?
As Deputy Head Girl my main duty is to help Harriet with all her various
activities around the school. These jobs include overseeing the
development of Sixth Form life, helping to manage the Senior Societies and
organising the Sixth Form Ball and other events throughout the school. I also
regularly meet parents at information evenings to tell them about life at BHS.
Which subjects are you currently studying? What do you plan to study in HE and do you
have any particular career aspirations?
Currently I am in Year 12 studying Biology, Chemistry, History and English Literature.
After I fi nish Year 13 I hope to go on to university to study Foundation Year Entry to
Medicine. Alternatively, I hope to study public health course; as long as I can help people
in need to feel better I will be happy! With these qualifi cations, I hope to either become
a doctor or work in the charity sector with organisations such as W.H.O and Médecins
Sans Frontières.
What made you want to be part of the HGT?
My main reason was to inspire the girls of Blackheath High. During my time here at BHS I
have grown in more ways than I could have imagined; my whole attitude towards school
and learning has changed. I wanted to be a fi gure that showed girls that you didn’t have to
be the reincarnation of Einstein to be successful. Even if you are not the top of the class, as
long as you persevere and put eff ort into everything that you do, nothing else matters.
What skills and personal attributes can you bring to the role to the benefi t of the school
and your fellow students?
I think that the main skill that I can bring to my role is my recently discovered ability
to think on my feet. The greatest example of this is my largely spontaneous Head Girl
speech and clearly it worked! I also think that I have the ability to stand strong in the face
of adversity, regardless of what it is.
What do you hope to achieve whilst in post?
I hope that during my time as part of the Head Girl Team, I can inspire the younger girls
of the school to think that they too can overcome anything that faces them. I hope to
remind everyone that ‘age wrinkles the body, but quitting wrinkles the soul’.
Please give details of any forthcoming events that you will have a role to play in as a
member of the HGT.
I will be joining many of the other Year 12’s in a new scheme that we will be introducing.
There will now be Year 12’s volunteering in the Dining Room at lunch time to bridge the
gap between the Lower School and the Sixth Form.
Marie-Odile von Ungern-Steinberg Deputy Head Girl
What is the remit of
your role (including
responsibilities)?
As Deputy Head Girl, my
remit is to be a role model
for younger peers, represent
the school at academic functions
and promotional activities and to encourage
communication between diff erent years at
Blackheath High School. Being Deputy Head
Girl means I will always be available to help
Harriet (Head Girl) when she is organising
events, and I can participate more in the
running of the school.
Which subjects are you currently studying?
What do you plan to study in HE and do
you have any particular career aspirations?
The subjects I am currently taking for AS
are Biology, Maths, French, German and
Music. I am planning on dropping Maths and
continuing with my other four subjects. At
the moment, I am thinking about midwifery,
as I want to be able to empower women
and their families to be able to have the
pregnancy and birth that they choose. I want
to enable women to build the confi dence
that they need to make this happen.
What made you want to be part of the HGT?
I wanted to be part of the Head Girl
Team because I wanted to become more
involved in the running of Blackheath
High. I want to be a more active student
in the school community and take on
responsibility, which is benefi cial to the
school’s academic, social and extra-
curricular life.
What skills and personal attributes can
you bring to the role to the benefi t of the
school and your fellow students?
I can work well in a team and love talking
to students about how the school can be
improved, and then acting on it. I believe I am
quite creative, and will therefore form ideas
which can develop the school further. I think
I am approachable, so anyone can talk to me!
Also, I am organised and reliable so I can do
any duties happily alongside schoolwork.
What do you hope to achieve whilst in post?
Whilst I am Deputy Head Girl, I hope I can
make useful contributions in meetings and
get to know the ins-and-outs of Blackheath
High life, and perhaps even improve it with
the team! However, my main goal is to get to
know younger years better and bridge the gap
between the Sixth Form and the lower years.
Saina Hydara –
What is the remit of your role (including responsibilities)?
As Deputy Head Girl my main duty is to help Harriet with all her various
activities around the school. These jobs include overseeing the
development of Sixth Form life, helping to manage the Senior Societies and
organising the Sixth Form Ball and other events throughout the school. I also
regularly meet parents at information evenings to tell them about life at BHS.
Marie-Odile von Ungern-Steinberg
the school at academic functions
BHS_13_rev2.indd 17 02/07/2015 10:31
18 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
Rosie Hough Senior Prefect
Elizabeth Isaac Senior Prefect
NEW HEAD GIRL TEAM
What is the remit of your role
(including responsibilities)?
I am a Senior Prefect on the Head Girl
Team and my job is to assist the Head
Girl, attend all Head Girl Team meetings,
attend, take part in and help to organise
events, as well as helping to run the
Senior Societies and the 6th Form Ball.
Like the rest of the Head Girl Team, I act
as an ambassador for the school.
Which subjects are you currently
studying?
For my AS subjects I am studying
German, Spanish, English Literature and
Geography, and I am also doing EPQ,
which is a lot of fun!
What is the remit of your role
(including responsibilities)?
I am one of the new Senior Prefects;
as part of the Head Girl Team my
main responsibilities are to do with
organisation. The next academic year
will see the introduction of Senior
Societies, run by the sixth formers, and
as part of the Head Girl Team we will
need to help organise these and make
sure everyone is doing what they need
to do to make their society work.
What do you plan to study in HE and
do you have any particular career
aspirations?
In the future I hope to study Geography
or Spanish at university before becoming
a travel or ‘geo-journalist’, or maybe a
civil servant at the Foreign Office. Having
said that, my real passion is theatre
and playwriting so I’d be happy doing
anything in the theatrical world or by
writing. In short, there’s a lot that I want
to do in my life.
What made you want to be part of the
HGT?
I wanted to be a part of the Head Girl
Team because I like to help people, I
enjoy interacting with everyone and I
wanted to give something back to the
school. I wasn’t always at Blackheath, I
joined in Year 7; this school has turned
me into a very confident individual. I felt
that serving the school would be my way
of trying to say ‘thank you’- a bit clichéd,
but that’s the truth.
What skills and personal attributes can
you bring to the role to the benefit of
the school and your fellow students?
I’d like to say that I have a good sense
of humour and am good at leading
people. I also love public speaking
and debating. I’m always very honest
and because of that, I think that I’m
quite approachable. I’m willing to help
anyone and I have been told that I give
sound advice about most things and
that I can keep a cool head in difficult
situations.
What do you hope to achieve whilst
in the post?
I hope to learn how to work in a more
professional environment, in addition
to learning to be more organised
(hopefully I’ll learn from Harriet) and
generally being a better leader and
team-player.
Please give details of any
forthcoming events that you will have
a role to play in as a member of the
HGT.
Recently, we’ve been giving the Lower
School advice about the big right-of-
passage that is GCSE’s and moving
into the 6th Form, attending a couple
of events to help with that.
Which subjects are you currently
studying?
I am currently studying Geography,
French, Art and Theatre Studies.
What do you plan to study in HE and
do you have any particular career
aspirations?
I am not entirely sure what I would like
to do at university although I know I
would defi nitely like to take a gap year;
in particular I would like to travel to
South America and East Africa and also
get some work experience working on
a fi lm for a longer period of time. After
this I think I might study Anthropology,
and then hopefully become involved in
the fi lm industry or food journalism, who
knows!
What made you want to part of the
HGT?
One of the main things that made me
want to be on the team was the ‘leaving
my mark’ aspect of it, as I have been
at the school since Reception; the
majority of my time here has been
happy, so a part of me feels I owe it to
the school.
What skills and personal attributes can
you bring to the role to the benefi t of
the school and your fellow students?
I am really looking forward to
representing the school at future
events and talks, as I think I can do this
well.
What do you hope to achieve whilst in
the post?
I have been lucky enough to go on
a lot of school trips abroad and also
have taken part in every play I can; this
has allowed me to build really strong
friendships with the lower years, and
as part of the Head Girl Team, I would
like to give everyone the opportunity
to do this as we are such a small
school, and it is nice to have more of a
network of friends.
BHS_13_rev2.indd 18 02/07/2015 10:31
Eleanor StoreyYear 12
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 19
Chloe Neil Year 12
ART GALLERY
BHS_13_rev2.indd 19 02/07/2015 10:31
Junior Sport
Spring Round Up 2015
20 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
The Spring term has seen another busy term for
Junior P.E. Year 5 and 6 have changed activities
from Netball to Hockey, and the fixtures have
continued to be varied and exciting.
Year 6 played all of their required league matches and were
placed extremely well in the top four with a second place
in their pool at the end of season tournament. This year the
school’s Junior department hosted both the start and end of
season tournaments. The Year 5 team also managed to sneak
into the year 6 ‘end’ tournament for some extra experience,
as another team dropped out at the last minute. Our strength
this year was in the depth of the entire squad, highlighted in
an A, B, C and D tournament that we attended,
where we were placed second overall (worked
out by a combination of all four teams’ scores).
Year 5 finished their Netball season with the
much loved ‘Silly Socks’ Tournament, where the
girls play wearing their bright and snazzy socks.
‘Silly Socks’ is a charity event supporting the
charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). The girls
were invited to play in a round robin tournament
and also had a chance to take part in a charity
shooting competition and a fantastic cake sale.
The Blackheath girls did an amazing job with
both the netball and the silly socks, with lots of
money raised for the charity.
Across both schools Year 6 and 7 were involved
in the Inter-house Cross Country event held at
the field, with Paragon as overall winners and lots
of individual personal bests. Congratulations to
the overall winner Freya Burton-Franklin, Year 6!
Continuing with the Cross Country theme,
Blackheath held a Year 4 Inter-School Cross
Country event during the Spring term. The year 4s
were well prepared and Shelby Gordon displayed a
strong performance gaining third place.
The last events of the Spring Term were Hockey
events. Year 5 played in a fast and furious five-
aside Hockey tournament at St Dunstan’s and Year
6 attended the annual Hockey fun afternoon run at
Bromley Cricket Club. This final event of the term
meant that every year 6 girl had an opportunity to
take part in an intra and inter-school competition
this year.
The Summer Term promises to be just as packed
with the Mini Marathon, Dance Competition,
Various Sports Days, fixtures and Year 4
Partnership Sports Festival.
Mrs Hallett, P.E. Teacher
SPORTS
BHS_13_rev2.indd 20 02/07/2015 10:31
Senior Sport
Spring Round Up 2015
It’s been a busy term for the Seniors, starting off with
the annual ski trip to Torgon. This year it was the turn
of the Seniors, with the chance to ski in Saas Fees and
Saas Grund.
January took us straight into the main Cross Country
season, with the fi nal two races of the season for the team
competition in the Greenwich and Lewisham League. We
had some fantastic results this year, with Year 9’s winning
the league and Year 7 & 8 coming third. Individually, Lara
Atkinson, Grace Miller and Ada Phu secured 1st and 2nd
place trophies. We also had great results representing
Greenwich in the London Schools Championships. with Lara
Atkinson coming 8th, enough to secure a place at the English
Schools Championships in Lancashire. Our squad also
enjoyed a good performances at the GDST Cross Country
event at Bromley, with girls looking to better their previous
year’s results.
In games, we have been training hard for the London Youth
Games, in both Netball and Hockey, and are representing
Greenwich Borough. The girls have been getting plenty of
practice at the County tournaments, our U12 and U13 squads
returning with convincing wins. The U12 Squad participated
in the GDST’s fi rst residential tournament weekend this year
(see below), and a chance to ask Stacey Francis, the England
team’s GD some tricky questions on how to improve.
The Sxith Form have challenged local Corelli College to a
basketball match, coached by our own Joel Moore; they had
an excellent afternoon, and we now have girls playing for
Greenwich Titans!
The Trampolining Academy has continued to grow on
Friday afternoons and we have students from both Juniors
and Seniors coaching a Junior Squad for competitions. Our
horse riders have completed their last sessions for the season
at Mount Mascal, with an opportunity to gain Pony Club
qualifi cations as they progress.
Miss Holland, Director of Sport
GDST Year 7 Netball Weekend, Condover HallOn the 6th March, a very excited Year 7 Netball
A Team set off for the beautiful and historic
Condover Hall in Shropshire for a weekend
of Netball with up to 25 GDST teams in the
tournament.
On arrival, we were welcomed by the
enthusiastic JCA staff , who helped us and gave
us a tour of the site. We were then straight into
dinner and then off to our evening activities.
Throughout the weekend when the girls weren’t
playing or practicing their netball, they were given
the opportunity to try lots of diff erent activities
SPORTS
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 21
BHS_13_rev2.indd 21 02/07/2015 10:31
22 Blackheath High School Spring 2015
On the 6th of March, nine enthusiastic Year 7 A Team netball
players headed off on a four hour bumpy bus ride to Condover
in Shropshire. After a quick stop at Costa, we arrived at an
amazing grand mansion. After a tour of the site from our
amazing leader Mia, we ran out to play fl oodlit netball right
outside our dorm house.
The next morning we woke up excited and prepped for the
upcoming matches. After our goal defence Esther had a war
injury in action, our versatility helped us to carry through on to
the next matches to win against Sydenham High. Our superb
centre court players, Emma, Lauren and Marta, our great
defence, Sunanda, Tilly and Esther, as well as our fantastic
shooters Dilmi, Ela and Shona pulled together to secure
ourselves a place in the Plate fi nals.
In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to try some of
the activities on the site, as well as watching some of the
other netball talent. In the evening, we went to the disco,
where we won the ‘dance off ’ and had some fun as we danced
continuously for 3 hours…
The next day, we got up ready to go and have our photo
taken in our matching blue hoodies. On courts two and three
we beat Norwich, then drew, but unfortunately lost in the
pouring rain against Streatham and Clapham. We headed
home, tired, wet and hungry with our sandwiches to eat….then
Mrs Hallett announced that we would be making a celebratory
trip to McDonald’s which she kindly paid for - thanks!
We would like to thank Mia, our brilliant fi rst time leader, Mrs
Reed for encouraging us (and also letting us do her makeup),
and of course, Mrs Hallett, who planned the trip and gave
us Lucozade! We will miss having you as a teacher; yelling,
supporting and loving us. We are so grateful to all you have
done for us.
By Sunanda, Tilly and Dilmi
such as low ropes, camp fi re, high ropes, pot holing, laser quest
and grid of stones.
Saturday morning saw the start of the serious netball, after
a pretty hectic fi rst match, where due to an injury Shona
switched from attack to defence, taking it completely in her
stride. The girls had a fantastic morning of netball, and with
their skill and determination growing with each game, we
were proud of our hard earned place in the Plate competition
the next day. Saturday evening was disco night where the
Blackheath girls outdid themselves winning the dance off !
On Sunday morning we were ready for our fi nal games
of netball. Our fi rst game against Norwich ended in a draw,
followed by an impressive 8-2 win over Northampton, but the
girls just missed out on a place in the fi nal when they were
narrowly beaten by Streatham and Clapham in what was to be
their last game of the tournament.
A fantastic weekend was had by all, behaviour and
determination were exemplary. Special mention must go to
Dilmi and Marta who were exceptional as Team Captain and
Vice-captain, with Dilmi also receiving the overall ‘Good Egg’
award. Tilly Evans also received ‘Player of the Tournament’ and
must be congratulated for her consistency, skill and tactical
awareness when playing throughout the two day event.
The PE staff are very proud of all the girls that participated.
Congratulations all for a superb weekend!
Mrs Hallett, P.E. Teacher
SPORTS
BHS_13_rev2.indd 22 02/07/2015 10:31
Spring 2015 Blackheath High School 23
Chloe NeilYear 12
Maya Gunn De Marcos Year 11
Miss Abraham started her teaching career in a boys’
school where she stayed for 3 years until she began her
career with the GDST. In September 1944 she moved
to Manchester High School for Girls, teaching history at all levels
and French for middle school and from January 1946 she was
Senior History teacher, dropping the French teaching and in 1950
she became Deputy Headmistress. In 1951, at the invitation of the
UNESCO UK Commission, she attended a fi ve week conference
at Sevres on the teaching of History in relation to international
understanding.
She joined Belvedere school as Headmistress from September
1955 and, following an interview in February 1960, she succeeded
the outgoing Mrs Stoker at Blackheath, taking up post in January
1962. She soon felt that Blackheath was resting on its laurels and
set about making changes to shake things up, taking the decision
to revamp the kitchen by replacing the potato peeling machine in
January 1964 for a cost of £103! She was extremely committed to
her role as Headteacher overseeing the building of a New Hall at
Wemyss Road, conversions which gave the school a library, several
subject rooms, an extension to the games pavilion and modern
labs. She also established a bursaries fund which stood at more
than £127,000 when she left Blackheath.
During 1966, she spent a grace term at Berkley University
Death of former Headmistress Mary Abraham
California and in 1974 she had another grace term when she
visited Merseyside & Belvedere, Wales. There she cruised the
Mediterranean and Aegean, visiting Greece and Turkey. During that
same year she received a number of accolades: she was appointed
a Fellow of the College of Preceptors, invited to become a Member
of Council for newly formed City University, and was a guest at the
conference of Somerville College former students conference to
discuss educational topics (she was MA Oxon).
In 1976 she was chosen as Chairman of the London Branch of
the Association of Headmistresses and at the end of the summer
term 1978 she chose to retire, a year before the school Centenary,
returning to the area of her childhood, to live in Chichester.
Miss Abraham died peacefully at the age of 96, after a short
illness. A number of former pupils attended the funeral, which was
held in Chichester on 1st June 2015.
OGA NEWS
BHSOGA AGM & Lunch
BHSOGA’s next annual reunion will be on Saturday 7th
November 2015. This is a departure from the usual
September/October dates, avoiding the tail-end of
summer holidays, half term and Christmas. At the last 2 AGM's
there has been discussion about changing the timing of the
AGM and although we realise that there is never likely to be a
date that will suit everyone, it is also hoped that by changing
the date to November we may see an increase in the numbers
attending.
The OGA (and the school) would love to hear news from
Blackheath High alumnae on their educational achievements,
career paths and other signifi cant developments.
Please email [email protected] – we look forward to
receiving updates from our alumnae.
ART GALLERY
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