Highlightsnov

Clifton High School Highlights Issue 5 November 2013

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Issue 5, November 2013

This Autumn term is always one of great excitement and anticipation for Clifton High School. At one end of the school we are settling our new nursery and reception children into their classes and at the other we are supporting our older students in their UCAS applications and making choices for their lives ahead.

As well as new children joining our school we have also welcomed new staff – most notably in the sports department. Mr Collins and his team have had an incredible start to the school year, having arranged almost 100 fixtures with some notable wins.

But right across the school we have had a busy term. Clifton Highlights and Celebrations ran for a week at the start of October with children, parents, staff and visitors enjoying the vast range of activities that took place in the marquee. No sooner was half term over than we were straight into our fabulous production of Annie. We now start to turn our attentions to Christmas and look forward to the next few weeks of productions, our school fair and other Christmas themed activities.

Inside this issue:

Full Sports Annie Latest Trips and PA House Reports Review News Visits News Points

Clifton Highlights


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Y8 were pleased to be able to adopt an otter at Secret World in Somerset. Secret World finds injured animals and then helps them to recover before releasing them back into the wild.

The Bristol Foodbank have been in touch to say a massive “Thank You” to Clifton High School for their generous donation of food. We donated just under half a tonne of food which is the single biggest donation they have received - ever.

We recently made the exciting announcement that in 2015 we will be taking a group of children on a cricket and hockey tour to Bardados during February half term.

On November 8th, Reception 2 learnt about Remembrance Day and why we wear poppies at this time of year. After discussing the significance of the poppies, all the children made their own poppy badges out of red crepe paper which they wore with pride.

Annie brings the house down

During the first week of November, a little bit of 1930’s New York came to Clifton High School with our school production of “Annie”. The show played to a packed audience every night and the whole cast were outstanding. Rosie was brilliant in the lead role as Annie, supported by the extremely well behaved Rocky the labradoodle. Special mention should also go to Henri as the inebriated orphanage owner, Miss Hannigan, Harry as Rooster, Charlie as Lily and Tom as Oliver Warbucks.

The whole production was of the highest standard from musical arrangement and choreography to costumes, lighting and sound. A special thank you should also go to all the students who worked hard backstage especially our stage manager Anna Freire Camacho. We should also thank our music and drama staff and of course the staff and parents who volunteered their time and energy to support. A huge amount of work went into this which is why it was such a great success.

A huge Thank You to Mrs Gill Malpass and everyone involved for making it such a great show.

News in brief


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A big ‘shout out’ goes to Miss Brackenbury, Head of Chemistry, who has had a super Autumn term. First off she wowed us with her Science of Chocolate talk in the marquee. Presenting alongside Lisa Clarke of The Chocolate Tart they revealed the secrets and techniques of the chocolatier and explored the science behind tempering chocolate. Secondly Miss Brackenbury has discovered that the exam board AQA has been using a lesson plan that she and her department have developed in their “Teaching that inspires” initiative. Well done Miss Brackenbury!

The Woodland Climber, the new play equipment in the Early Years playground, has been an instant hit. The innovative design is based upon a fallen tree and is accessible for our youngest children but also offers challenge to our adventurous Year 2s. The children have thrown themselves into exploring the apparatus with great abandon as you will see from the smiling faces in the pictures.

Y2 had a joyful medieval celebration to end their topic on ‘Castles’. It started with medieval entertainment involving the knights jousting and target practising with a quintain, while the ladies played circle games and danced. The ladies were then escorted into the feast with a knight on each arm. Everyone enjoyed the feast, toasting each other with “wine” and “cider”, and finishing off with eating their plate!

The CNED is a French curriculum distance course provided by the French government which enables students studying in England to return immediately to the French education system. We are unique in the South West in offering this to our French pupils. Its success is now proven as one of our pupils, Julia, has returned to France and her parents report that:

“Julia had an assessment of her French level and the teacher decided she should skip a year group, thanks to the CNED lessons, her French is very good! Thank you Clifton High School”

Mr Walmsley – adventurer, environmentalist and underwater photographer joins our team

We are delighted that Mr Tom Walmsley has joined our school team this term to continue our focus and commitment to providing environmental education to our children. He has been busy running the Eco Adventurer aspect of our Education Alive programme in the Junior School, took a wildlife photography workshop as part of the marquee celebrations and gave an interesting and humorous talk on his many years of running photography and wildlife expeditions all over the world. More recently he has given the Y1 children a very informative talk related to their topic of seas and oceans. They learnt about the rich variety of wildlife that the oceans support and the children were shown some of Mr Walmsley’s photographs of whales, dolphins and sharks. He shared some information with the children about sharks and some of the experiences he has had during his filming of them. The children learnt about how the animals in our oceans have become endangered through over fishing and stresses caused by changes in their environment. He told them that 8 out of 10 plastic bags end up in our oceans and are often swallowed by larger sea creatures. This can be prevented by the simple act of tying knots in plastic bags before they are thrown away as this prevents them being blown off rubbish dumps into the sea. The children also learnt about how the weather changes features of our coasts and that the seas are getting deeper and deeper each year as the ice melts. Thank You Mr Walmsley.

News in brief


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Senior School Sports Results

Sport Opponent Age Group Result Score

Hockey Alumni

Colstons

Badminton

Bruton

Royal High

Bristol Cathedral

Llandaff Cathedral

Redland High

Red Maids’

Redland High

Stonar

1st XI

1st X1

U14

U13

1st X1

1st X1

U15

U14

U13

U12

U12

U13

U14

U15

1st VII

U12

U14

U15

U14

U12A

U12B

U15

U14

1st XI

1st XI

U15

U14

U13

U12

Lost 1-11

Lost 7-0

Drew 0-0

Won 1-0

Won 2-0

Won 2-0

Lost 1-2

Won 1-0

Lost 2-5

Won 10-0

Won 3-0

Drew 0-0

Won 3-0

Won 5-2

Won 4-0

Drew 0-0

Won 1-0

Lost 0-5

Lost 1-3

Lost 1-3

Lost 0-1

Drew 1-1

Lost 0-2

Drew 1-1

Won 3-0

Won 3-1

Drew 2-2

Lost 0-5

Lost 3-5

Swimming Badminton

Clifton College

Red Maids’

Y7-9

Y7/8

Y7-9/open

Won 100-72

Won 128-93

Lost 107-108

Rugby Beechen Cliff

Bristol Cathedral

Sidcot

Cotham

QEH “B”

Llandaff Cathedral

U13

U15

U13

U15

U13

U15

U13

U13

U15

Lost 15-25

Won 41-21

Lost 0-28

Won 28-24

Lost 14- 25

Lost 34-38

Won 45-0

Won 19-12

Lost

Senior Sports News and Results

Hockey

Our senior hockey teams have been very busy this term playing

30+ matches! Clifton High enjoyed success as the Hockey 1st

team retained the ‘Challenge Cup’ with a 2-0 victory over

Royal High School Bath. The ‘Challenge Cup’ began in 1918

when a Major Steel, who had two daughters, one at Clifton High

and one at Royal High, donated a trophy for an annual

contest. This is now a long standing and successful tradition

and Clifton High is very proud to have retained the Cup.

Rugby

Clifton High has experienced a number of excellent results for

all age groups’ rugby teams. The U15 rugby team put in a

strong performance with a 41-21 win against Beechen Cliff and

although the U13’s lost in the same tie 25-15 there were many

positives to take in scoring 15 points. In front of lots of cheering

spectators and with a truly fantastic atmosphere, U12/U13 boys

beat the QEH B team on 19th October by 19-12. Barney scored

2 tries and Tom scored 1. James scored the extras. Very well

done boys!

Netball

In most age groups we are able to field A and B teams, allowing

a large number of girls in each year group the opportunity to be

involved in matches against other schools. Over 76 girls group

have played for the school in a netball match this term.

Netball

Alumni

Backwell

Red Maids’

Redland High

Ashton Park

Filton College

Academy

1st VII

1st VII

2nd VII

U13A

U13B

U12A

U12B

1st VII

2nd VII

3rd VII

U15A

U15B

U14A

U14B

U14A

U14B

1st VII

2nd VII

U16

U15

U14

U13

U12

1st VII

Lost 21-61

Lost 9-27

Won 18-17

Won 10-3

Lost 5-10

Won 12-0

Drew 4-4

Lost 5-41

Lost 3-24

Lost 5-19

Lost 22-24

Lost 0-19

Won 19-13

Drew 13-13

Lost 12-18

Won 9-5

Won 19-15

Lost 15-16

Lost 16-18

Lost 18-26

Won 28-8

Won 13-5

Won 8-4

Lost 12-19

Swimming

At the National Swimming Championships Lucinda, Isabelle, Isobel

and Ellie did very well in their heats, coming 4th out of 8 in both!

Meanwhile the Y7 and 8 swim teams have had notable success

against Badminton and Clifton College. Congratulations, swimmers,

on truly excellent performances!


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Early Years and Junior School Results

Sport Opponent Age Result

Rugby QEH

Tockington

Rosehill

BGS

Sidcot

U10

U11

U11

U10

U10

U11

U11

Won 50-30

Won 26-24

Won 40-35

Won

Lost

Lost

Won

Hockey Red Maids’

Colston’s

BGS

Badminton

Clifton College

U10

U11

U14

U10

U11

U10

U11

U8/U9

U10

U11

U8/9

U8/9

Lost 9-2

Lost 6-1

Won 1-0

Lost 4-1

Won 7-1

Lost 9-1

Lost 6-0

Won 4-3/5-1

Lost 0-6

Lost 3-5

Won 3-0/3-1

Won 2-1/2-0

Netball Red Maids’

Badminton

U11

U10

U11

Lost 13-5

Won 3-1

Lost 10-21

Swimming Clifton College

Badminton

Sidcot

U10/U11

Y4-6

Y4-6

Won 235-193

Lost

Won 252-204

Early Years and Junior Sports News and Results

All our teams have had a great start to the year with lots of

autumn sporting success!

Rugby

The U11 boys got their season off to a flyer with a commanding

21-5 victory against Sidcot, with Theo Scarret slotting all three

conversions. Years 4 and 5 followed suit with a hard fought 25-20

victory in their opening game versus Rose Hill. Great success has

come our way more recently with wins against QEH and

Tockington

Swimming

The Junior Swim Team recorded a fantastic victory over Clifton

College, beating them by 235 points to 193 and this week a victory

over Sidcot 252-204.

Hockey

The junior hockey teams have been almost as busy as the seniors

with 10+ fixtures so far this term including four wins over Clifton

College!

Other Sports News

Tom West in Y9 is extremely worthy of special mention as he has recently been scouted and signed by Premier League side

West Bromwich Albion’s U14’s squad. This is a fantastic achievement for Tom, who was spotted whilst playing for Clifton

High’s feeder club Rockleaze Rangers. We are all very proud of him!

Olivia Harvey in Y11 continues to do brilliantly with her hockey and has been selected for Tier 1 for England. Well done Olivia!

Mathew Godfrey in Y10 volunteered this summer to teach 8-17 year olds to sail with the Bristol Sailing Club (WESSA). His

instructors were so impressed with his professional and kind attitude that he was invited to support disabled adults too and

even sailed with a blind lady which he found very humbling.

Isabelle Thorpe in Y8 is going from synchronised swimming strength to strength with 2nd and 1st places in the Southern Multi

Regional Championships and the highest duet score of the whole competition, then more 2nd and 1st places to become

Scottish National Champions with a 14 point win (unheard of!).

Harry Miles in Y10 won all his county badminton matches against Somerset in his U17 competition debut and also played in a

tournament in Worcester, narrowly missing out on the silver medal and taking bronze outstandingly well considering he was

playing more experienced players. Good work, Harry!

A new rugby club link

We are excited to have set up a new link between CHS and Bristol Rugby Club with potential to create an extremely good

player pathway for our senior pupils to develop their rugby. The pathway is likely to include the opportunity for pupils to join

the U13/U14 ‘Developing Player Potential Squad’ or the U15 and U16 county teams plus invitations to the Bristol Schools’ 7’s

tournaments for our senior teams. A truly fantastic opportunity.

Follow us for all of the latest news on results, fixtures, events, tours, and much more @SportCHS


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2M: Leah and James 3MP: Phoebe and James 4L: Olivia and Thomas 5B: Katherine and Felix 6B: Alison and Cameron

2R: Laura and Oliver 3V: Greer and Noah 4P: Roxy and Ivan 5P: Lucy and Auden 6T: Lily and Devin

Junior Council Elections It has been an exciting Autumn Term for children in Years 2-6 as they have set up their first School Council. A busy time of mandate setting, poster making and canvassing took place in the early part of the term with elections on 17th October. Mr Richards announced the results to an eager crowd in Squashy Prayers on 22nd October. One boy and one girl were elected from each class as follows

The first School Council meeting was held on Monday 18th November and was chaired by Mrs Lee (LS PSHCE Co-ordinator). Each School Council Representative was proud to receive their new School Council file and to sign their contract, which outlined the responsibilities and expectations of their role. Mrs Lee outlined meeting procedure and children were given a sample agenda and minutes in preparation for the next meeting which will take place on 13 January 2014.

The Class Representatives will now be feeding back to their class and holding regular meetings to discuss matters of interest or concern to take forward to the School Council for further discussion. The sorts of issues that may be discussed could include:

1. Play times – code of conduct/ activities/ use of new climbing frames

2. Library – keeping it tidy

3. Cloakrooms

4. Year group gardening

5. Raising money for charity

6. World Book Day

We are delighted to introduce a school council into Y2-6 as it provides a meaningful lesson in our democratic society and ensures that every pupil in our school has a voice.


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The 2014 Student Robotics competition has been launched and Clifton High School are fielding a very strong team of about 20 students from Y11-13. We came second in this international competition last year and we have great plans to do one better this year! A Kick Start meeting held at Bristol University's Computer Science Department marked the start of this year’s event where our robot made its debut and moved for the very first time.

The Y12 biologists and physicists visited UWE to see their scanning and transmission electron microscopes. They learned how electron microscopy works and how it can be used in forensic science and diagnostic medicine. Our thanks go to UWE's Electron Microscopy Department for a fascinating afternoon.

Our new Executive Chef, Tim Fletcher, joined the school team on November 18th, ready to bring a fresh approach to the school Catering Department. Tim describes his catering experience as eclectic, having worked in Michelin starred restaurants, school kitchens and as a research and development chef. Tim’s emphasis is firmly on offering freshly prepared quality food, using locally sourced or grown ingredients and menus that reflect seasonal availability.

We were delighted to welcome CHS grandparent, Mr Ken Loach to speak at our marquee event in October during which he declared our refurbished performance, rehearsal and cinema space officially open. The studio space which has been previously known as ‘New Hall’ is now officially named the Rose Theatre. We would like to thank our generous Parents Association for making this possible.

Victorian service with a smile – By Freddie class 6T

Today we had a really exciting day. We all had to dress as old fashioned Victorian servants because Reception was going to come over to have a scone and squash and we had to serve them. First of all we had to line up outside on the drive to greet them as they arrived. As we were waiting patiently, Mrs. Tabb and Mrs. Barker did a thorough Victorian nail inspection because all Victorians should have had spotlessly clean hands. We finished just as the Reception children came striding over to the senior building. The Reception children went in first and then the servants (us) followed. As soon as we got in, the children started choosing their seats. The scones took a while to arrive so we all performed our Captain Beaky poem. Finally, the scones arrived. After, they said their thank yous and goodbyes, they departed. Afterwards, we all returned inside and had a delicious scone for ourselves.

News in brief

Gutless Kayaking

Members of 3V were some of the first people to welcome home a remarkable man, Justin Hansen. Justin is godfather to Maddy in 3V and his arrival at Baltic Wharf concluded a record breaking kayaking trip from Skipton, Yorkshire, to Bristol - 420 miles and 300 locks. What makes Justin’s trip record breaking is that Justin has Crohn's disease. Since having all of his intestines removed, he lives on total parenteral nutrition and was attached to his life support system throughout the four weeks of the trip. His arrival back in Bristol was set against a backdrop of cheering supporters which included children from 3V, family, friends, the press and the Lord Mayor. Nutty Noah provided entertainment and Dr Parke and her family ensured the children did not go hungry. 3V have been following Justin’s exploits and were thrilled that he was able to visit and talk to them the day after completing his remarkable feat. Our congratulations and thanks to Justin, a remarkable man in many ways.


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Y7 Bonding trip

Y7 pupils and tutors set off on convoy to the picturesque setting of the Forest of Dean for this year’s bonding trip. The pupils took part in a series of activities led by the superb outdoor adventure instructors and over 2 days they enjoyed rock climbing, canoeing, caving and mountain biking, mixing largely with other pupils they had only recently met. The children came back after their overnight stay exhausted but all with happy faces. A complete success!

CHS Ballet boys train at Royal Ballet

Four boys from Clifton High School visited the Royal Ballet School on Sunday October 13th with Miss Dawn Clark our resident ballet teacher and former soloist and principal with the Scottish Royal Ballet. Laurence, Felix, Jacob and Auden received tuition from some of the leading dancers and toured the Royal Ballet. It proved a wonderful and unforgettable experience for the boys, and we would like to thank and congratulate Miss Clark for making it happen.

Trips and visits

Duke of Edinburgh trip

In early October, eight girls in Y12 made the trip to Dartmoor for a training session in preparation for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Staying in the height of luxury for the DofE Award they had a comfortable bunkhouse and even a microwave oven to return to in the evenings. The weather was kind and the girls only got a little wet (by falling in the river in one case). Each of the girls did extremely well and impressed the instructors with the rapidity and accuracy with which they picked up more advanced navigation skills. Thanks go to Mr and Mrs Archer for their help with supervising and instructing and well done to Georgia, Nanny, Polly, Tasha, Megan, Anna, Hannah and Zoe.

Y2 trip to Berkeley Castle

The children of Year 2 were thrilled to discover the highs and lows of castle life in medieval times on their trip to Berkeley Castle. Firstly they looked down on the dungeon where the prisoners were held, avoiding the trip hazards! Then they found out about how the kitchen servant boy spent all day turning the spit covered in fat, while the lords and ladies dined sumptuously in the great hall upstairs. The heavy chain mail, armour and helmets worn by the knights looked especially tricky to wear in battle! The children enjoyed sketching the outside of the castle later in the day.

Folly Farm Trip

On a beautiful day in October, The Folly Farm centre in Stowey welcomed a group of Y13 biologists. The students gained a taste of outdoor life as they took on the role of ecologists sampling plant diversity and looking at the factors that affect it in and around the woodland. Jo Morris from the Avon Wildlife Trust, who has worked closely with the school for several years, provided invaluable support with data collection and processing techniques - a great way to bring to life the theory the students have been covering in their A2 Biology course.


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In Spanish…

On the same night, the Y12 and Y13 Spanish A-level students also took part in debates against Clifton College. Saskia, Emma and Genevieve represented CHS for Y13 debating about ‘immigration’ whilst Georgia, Polly and Freya represented Y12 and spoke about ‘young people’s over use of screens’. Thanks to all the other pupils who came to support the debates which went on until late Monday night.

And In German…

Hot on the heels of the French and Spanish students, on Wednesday 20th November, our German students again took on Clifton College at the annual German debates. The event was packed out with students from Badminton, QEH, Llandaff Cathedral School, Redland High School, Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and Clifton College.

The motion was ‘die Medien rauben unseren Kindern ihre Kindheit (the media is robbing our children of their childhood)’ and our students had to argue against this. They were complimented on their humour and arguments such as ‘children need to be up-to-date with celebrities, otherwise they aren’t cool’ and ‘it is much safer to be indoors on the computer than outdoors playing, where you can come into contact with dangerous germs and viruses’ and were declared winners of their debate!

Well done to Ruth, Joseph and Anna for their excellent performance and many thanks to Diana, our German Assistant for her help in putting the arguments together.

Debating success for 6th form language students In French…

On the evening of Monday 11th November our sixth form French students took part in the annual Clifton College debates. Julia, Ruth and Isabel from Y13 and Florence and Morgane from Y12 achieved an impressive double victory. Y13 firstly tackled the key issues of the ‘struggle against climatic change’ versus Clifton College arguing in favour of the motion and in a later debate in the evening Y12 rose to the challenge of presenting convincing arguments against the dangers of advertising.

Students were judged consecutively by staff from Badminton and Redland High. The key criteria that the adjudicators had to take into consideration was their overall pronunciation and clarity as well as their ability to develop arguments combined with their delivery and spontaneity especially in terms of rebutting their opponents arguments. Félicitations à tous!


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PA News

Christmas Garland Workshop Thursday 5th December, 7.30pm-10.00pm in the Beech Room

Following the success of the wreath making workshop last year, will be running a Christmas

Garland Workshop showing how to make Christmas Staircase and Fireplace swags this year.

So why not join in the fun and sign up for a great evening of pre-Christmas fun. No previous

floristry skills are required and absolute ham-fisted beginners are particularly welcome!

Everyone makes something great to take home.

(Please note that all base material and foliage will be provided, but participants are welcome to

bring any additional material that they wish to use. Secateurs, scissors, aprons etc. are not

provided, however).

The cost of the event is £25, which includes all materials to make a decorated 1.2 metre

swag on English handmade rope and refreshments.

Please contact Jo Cheeseman [email protected] for tickets or

event information.

Limited places available.

Family and Friends Ticket Swimming

Sundays 1:30 – 2:30pm

The last Family and Friends ticket swim this

term will be on 15th December.

As we have sold more tickets this term, we will

be continuing the Family and Friends tickets

swim for next term.

Swim ticket books for the Spring Term 2014

are now available from the CHS Finance Office;

price £30 for a book of twelve tickets.

Cheques should be made payable to: Sport

Education Ltd. Please ensure that you pur-

chase tickets before attending. We can only

run these sessions if enough tickets are sold.

mailto:[email protected]


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Don’t forget in December... 3rd December

Foundation Stage Christmas

Performance, Rose Theatre

9.30-11.30am

4th December

Christmas Lunch

5th December

KS1 Christmas Performance,

Main Hall, 10.00 - 11.30am

6th December

Mufti Day for Christmas Fair

7th December

Christmas Fair, CHS, 12.00-3.00pm

9th December

Carol Service, Clifton Cathedral,

5.30pm

13th December

Term ends, 3.35pm

14th-17th December

German and Food Technology trip

to Cologne

Remember to check the school

calendars and website

regularly for more details plus

all the latest news, events,

fixtures and important dates.

Copies of all letters home are

also stored on the website. The

School Office can give you log

in details for the Parents’ area.

Contact us:

Tel: 0117 973 0201

Email: [email protected]

To report an absence: [email protected]

www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk

Houses and charities

The Year 6 and Year 13 House Captains met to choose the new House Charities. From the fifty submissions we received, the new charities are:

Pears Cancer Research UK The world’s largest independent cancer research charity. It conducts research into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Percival Meningitis Trust Based in Stroud, it carries out preventative research and lifelong support – whilst providing life-saving education and awareness work. Winkworth Haven Home Haven Home is an orphanage in India where unprivileged and poor children find a home and hope. The children at the home need food and clothing and support with basic needs. Wollaston The Stroke Association The Stroke Association provides support, funds research and campaigns for better care. They also provide up-to-date stroke information for stroke patients, their families and carers. House Charity weeks:

Pears and Percival held their house charity week on 21st- 25th October

Winkworth and Wollaston will be holding theirs on 10th -14th February, mufti on Thursday, 14th February.

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