Autumn - Queen Katherine School

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Awards Evening … continued from page 1 activities, such as visits and the celebration of 25 years of QKS. He also found time to mention, in passing, the S c h o o l ’ s successful O F S T E D inspection under unusual, thanks to the weather, circumstances last January. A successful evening was complemented by some excellent musical performances by William and James Stokes, the Flute group, Daniel Crompton (cello) and Martin Davies (piano.) Groups of students also gave their accounts of creative writing days, the Euro 2005 visit and the Geography Field Trip to Iceland. FUND RAISING During the compilation of the newsletter, themes often emerge by themselves – school trips, new buildings etc. This term’s edition is remarkable for the number of fund raising events that have taken place, not for the benefit of the School or that of any individuals within it, but for a wide range of causes world and countrywide. Great credit must be given to the students and staff involved. It makes this term’s newsletter quite a heartwarming Christmas read! In addition to the charitable events involving the Year 10 Prince’s Trust Group, the Design and Technology Department the Art Department and the Music department reported elsewhere in the newsletter, the following events have also taken place: The 14th October saw the sixth form (Years 12 and 13) take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Week, involving some strange garb on the part of some male members of the 6th form, and a general wearing of pink. The event nonetheless raised £230. The 6th form is also taking part in fund raising to buy goats, water pumps and other alternative technology for third world countries this term. Mr. Park’s Year 8 Humanities Group raised £160 in aid of the Asian earthquake appeal by organising a Cakes and Drinks Session. They made their own cakes and drinks, and also organised all the publicity for a very successful event. Raising money for Children In Need on Friday 17th November Art department Although July seems a long time ago, we need to report on the successful Art Open Evening in July, with displays of work from AS/ A2 and GCSE students. An Activity Workshop also took place in July as part of Activity day to prepare for QKS’ entry in the Torchlight Procession. A Key Stage 3 workshop ran throughout the summer term at the Abbott Hall Art Gallery. On an individual level, in the Kendal Windows on Art event, Charlotte Garnett achieved second place in the GCSE section, and Eva Ullrich was recognised as being in the top 5% of students by AQA in their Art and Design A2 results. Year 11 had a competition, won by Helen Ross, Alice Robson and Danielle Blakey, to design a 2006 calendar in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society – pictured right. The calendar is priced at £2-50, and is available via Ms Ford in the Art Department at School (Tel. 01539 773640.) English and Drama Trips The English Department has had two visits to Shakespeare plays this term. One involved years 10 and 12 going to the Royal Exchange at Manchester to see “Romeo and Juliet”, and the other was once again for Year 10, this time going to see “The Merchant of Venice” at the Brewery. Both were out of the ordinary productions, in that Romeo and Juliet was set in 1950s Italy, and involved having Vespa scooters on stage, and the Merchant of Venice related to sixteenth century southern India. In January, 100 Year 11 students will be going to Lancaster with the English department on a Poetry Day, where famous poets will speak to them, including Gillian Clarke, John Agard and Carol Ann Duffy. The Drama Department has also visited the Brewery, with a group of Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 students going to see “Translations” by Brian Friel. In January, there is a trip to the Palace Theatre, Manchester to see “Miss Saigon.” 100 students and staff also went to see “The Accrington Pals” at the Duke’s Playhouse, Lancaster. with a sponsored mufti day, and a staff raffle (i.e. a raffle open only to staff, not a member of staff being raffled!) On 13th September, QKS took part in the largest coffee morning in the world, raising £194 for McMillan Nurses by selling doughnuts and drinks. A QKSA team took part in the Swimathon at the Leisure Centre. Over £50 was raised in aid of the Meningitis U.K, as the School acted as a setting off point for Spencer Daymon’s fund raising walk.
Dance at the Queen Katherine School Dance is now being developed at The Queen Katherine School. Dance GCSE is running as an extra GCSE course for the present year 10 on Tuesdays after school. In addition there have been various other events staged this term to encourage students develop their skills in Dance. Ricochet Dance Productions Year 10 Dance and Expressive Arts students went to The Brewery Arts Centre on Monday 14th November to watch the company perform their new piece “Man and Woman.” The students then undertook a follow up workshop in school on Tuesday 15th November led by the artistic director of the company. Independent Ballet Wales On Wednesday 16th November the dancers from this company led a ballet workshop. The company visited the school whilst they are in the county, preparing for their performance of ‘Hamlet’ at Theatre by the Lake, Keswick. Independent Ballet Wales pride themselves on making Ballet accessible to all. By visiting schools they aim to promote the work of the company and provide a positive Ballet experience for young people. Bedlam Dance This company came into School on Tuesday 13th December for the day to create a dance piece with 20 of our students to be performed at the Nuffield Theatre in Lancaster as part of their show on Thursday 15th December. This is a brilliant opportunity for Queen Katherine students not only to work with professional dancers but also to perform on a professional stage. Look out also for the Arts Evening at the Brewery Arts Centre on Saturday 11th February. Tickets are available from The Brewery’s Box Office. LRC (that’s Library, to some of us) In October, the LRC undertook a survey, via a Book Week Quiz, to find out just what appealed to our students. The results make interesting reading. The most popular writers in the LRC are Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Horowitz. There was a marked difference in the attitude of boys and girls towards female authors – the girls selected 16 favourite authors, of whom eight were men. Out of the boys’ 16 favourite authors, only one was a woman – J.K. Rowling, of course! No prizes for guessing why she doesn’t publish under her full name! If parents are struggling for book Christmas presents, the books that are used all the time in the LRC are the Guinness Book of Records, The Simpson comic books, Horrible Histories and Horrible Sciences and books of optical illusions, such as magic eye 3-D pictures. Five junior hardworking librarians (pictured above) went to select books at Ottakers and came back with an exciting range of new books, which are now available for loan. The planned Readathon had to be postponed because it clashed with the Year 8 Normandy trip, but it is planned to take place in the summer. The event will raise money for the Roald Dahl Foundation, a charity which supports children with blood disorders, cancer and brain injury. A group of talented Year 8 students has painted a tree mural outside the LRC. The tree motif used takes the idea that positive actions lead to healthy green leaves, and negative actions will cause leaves to turn brown and fall to the ground. Other plans to make use of student design and artwork are already under way for 2006. Friday October 7th was Book Swap Day. This went so well that a swap shelf has now become a permanent feature in the LRC. Inspired by the newlyopened music block, the Music goes on… Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat Several QKS students gave musical support to a primary school workshop and evening performance of this Amazing musical. Steven Atkinson (Y11) sang the part of Joseph, while Sarah Graves (with her sister, Anna) acted as narrators and the band was provided by Will Hall, Tom Langley, Jonny Lumb, Tom Cowling, Will Rodell and Martin Davies. Vocal support was given by Nicola and Rebecca Bell, Katy Forster, Vicki and Hannah Noble, Charlotte Curwen and Heppie Deane. McMechan Gala Concert The annual McMechan Gala Concert came full circle in October when QKS once again hosted this popular evening of music in aid of the McMechan Trust – a charity which awards grants to assist young people in their travels. (The very first concert way back in 1987 was held at QKS.) The audience heard a first-rate programme performed by young people from South Lakes secondary schools and this was followed by a reception with buffet in the New Community Music Suite. QKS was represented by Martin Davies (piano), George Buckler (French horn) and Edward Ayre (alto sax). John Lowther (chairman of the trustees) explained that the trust was to be wound up after the concert, but that it was hoped that the Gala Concert would continue on an annual basis. Britten’s War Requiem The Chamber Choir took part in a performance of Britten’s War Requiem at the Parish Church in November. This powerful work combines settings of Wilfred Owen’s poems, sung by two male soloists, with the words of the Latin
Page 1: Queen Katherine School NEWSLETTER D
Page 5 and 6: Kendal Youth Radio Students form Ye

Autumn - Queen Katherine School

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?