Onwards - March 2012 - South Wilts Grammar School for Girls

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ONWARDS German Play “Alles Wird Anders” A German theatre company came to SWGS on Friday 2nd March 2012 to perform a German play “Alles wird anders” to all Year 9s. They put on a good show for the audience and even got them involved. In our previous language lesson we looked over some of the vocabulary and two scenes from the play, so we had a vague idea of what was going on. The main plot was about a girl and her father moving into an old apartment that a teenage boy had been using to practise his secret passion for singing. In the end the teenage boy auditions for the school play and gets the part. Overall it was very enjoyable to watch whilst learning something along the way. (Anita Stern 9N and Grace Seaman 9E) to go to school the next day. A visit to LHPS in India It was cold and dark when we set off for Heathrow airport one Friday evening in February. Thirteen hours later we stood outside Delhi Airport warming ourselves in the sunshine. We were well on our way to visit the Lawrence Homan Public School (LHPS). Our arrival the following day in Lucknow heralded the start of a very busy and fascinating week. We settled into the ‘White House’ where the school Principal, Sushma, and her family live and prepared The welcome we received was incredible – there were garlands and posies of flowers and we were showered with petals by students all the way to the stage for assembly. During assembly we each had to make a short speech and watched several dances which are part of the traditional welcome. Over the next few days we attended lessons, talked to students and watched the preparations for the Annual Function. Our photos were taken and we appeared in three local newspapers. Miss Owen, with the help of the SWGS students, led a Drama Workshop for the LHPS staff and I showed the Science teachers how the molecular modelling kit I had taken for the school could be used in Chemistry and Biology lessons. After school each day there were opportunities to visit local villages, travelling by pony and trap, school bus or train, attending wedding ceremonies and staying overnight with Indian students and their families. Some of us even went to watch cataract operations at the Eye Hospital next door to the School! The highlight of the week was, of course, the Annual Function on our last full day. We were asked to make speeches and present prizes as we were the Chief Guests. There were over 2000 people present - it was rather like an SWGS Speech Day that lasted for over 6 hours! Many of the LHPS students took part in the entertainment presenting sketches and dances. We had a fantastic time and appreciate all the preparation and organisation that had gone into making us so welcome at LHPS. We look forward to welcoming 4 students and 2 teachers from LHPS when they come to England in June. (Mrs Wrighton, Miss Owen, Becky Story, Ellie Selby, Holly Young and Sophie Landon) 6
ONWARDS In March, the Year 12 Geographers went to visit the Olympic park in East London. Although unable to test their abilities on the track, the students were able to see the fantastic work that has gone on at the site. The students were able to gain a greater insight into what the area used to look like and the legacy that the games will leave behind. The students then went on a guided tour of the Olympic park and were able to see first-hand the massive redevelopment that has gone on in the area. The students were particularly impressed with the sheer scale of the Olympic site as well as the shopping facilities that await those lucky enough to have tickets. An enjoyable day was capped off with a great photo in front of the athletics stadium. (Mr Brown) Religious Studies Sixth Form Trip to Walsingham On the 8th February we embarked upon our second Sixth Form trip to Walsingham. The trip focuses student understanding of religious experience and miracles, which are topics studied at AS and A Level. We took 8 students on the school minibus. On our arrival we were taken to our accommodation in the grounds of the shrine. We only had time for a quick tour of the house we were staying in before a talk from Brother Robert about the history of Walsingham and the reasons why it has become an important site for Christian pilgrims. This was followed by a talk from the leading Orthodox priest at Walsingham which focused on why there is an Orthodox presence in Walsingham and the ecumenical nature of Walsingham. After a delicious meal we returned to our house and played some games. Following breakfast on Thursday we walked to the Roman Catholic Shrine a mile outside Walsingham. Here we had a tour followed by a talk about the activities undertaken by Roman Catholic pilgrims to Walsingham. After purchasing some religious artefacts, we walked the Holy Mile back to Walsingham. There was snow on the ground and it was too cold to take off our shoes and walk bare foot, which is the traditional way for pilgrims to enter Walsingham on their way to the shrine. We then had some free time to look at the other shops selling artefacts and in one case a very nice chocolate shop! At 3pm we had a special service in the Anglican shrine taken by Brother Robert where we experienced the service of Sprinkling. This involves descending steps to a well, drinking the water, having a cross of water signed on our foreheads and then some extra water being poured into the hands. This water is said to have healing properties and there are plaques on the wall in the shrine attesting that healings have taken place. Following this service we were addressed by a postulate nun who had recently decided to join the order of nuns at Walsingham. She talked openly about her life and how she felt God’s calling to become a nun in her mid- forties. She was also willing to answer questions from the students about this momentous change in her life. Following supper the students were given a quiz to test their knowledge of their visit. After breakfast on Friday we left a snowy Norfolk and returned to Salisbury spiritually refreshed. The students were excellent and a pleasure to spend these few days with. (Mrs Owen) Young Writers’ Competition Isabel Ryan, 11B was entered into and selected as a finalist in the 13-15 age group for the Baillie Gifford & Financial Mail Young Writers' Competition. The essay entries were judged on relevance, ability to argue from different points of view and ideas discussed. Well done Isabel. (Mrs Stammers) 7
Page 1 and 2: ONWARDS March 2012 Parent Forum I a
Page 3 and 4: ONWARDS Science Day To celebrate Na
Page 5: ONWARDS Year 7 Castle Cakes Auction
Page 9 and 10: ONWARDS Spring Concert We were trea
Page 11 and 12: ONWARDS U12 Netball Well done to th
Page 13 and 14: ONWARDS Cross Country: South West R

Onwards - March 2012 - South Wilts Grammar School for Girls

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