web version Redmaids Newsletter Spring 2015

L A E T I T I A l L I B E R T A S l L I B E R A L I T A S
1634
SENIOR SCHOOL
News Issue 18 Spring 2015
See
page 4
for full
story
Musical triumph with QEH

The Red Maids’ Senior School News
A Word from the Head
‘Multi-tasking is bad
for the brain’, was the
strong message from
psychologist Dr Jo Ann
Deake when she spoke
at the Girls’ Schools
Association Conference
in London in November.
She explained that doing a number
of things at the same time, such as
listening to music while doing
homework, simply means students
make more mistakes. If the focus
is constantly changing from work
to leisure it trains the brain in the
wrong way and makes it harder
to concentrate on a single activity.
Another speaker explained that
many children today are not used
to concentrating for long periods
of time as some allow themselves
to be continually distracted by
music, social media and messaging.
Dr Tanya Byron reinforced this
saying, “We should be talking to
our children about the brain and
how it works. We must also
examine their digital output and
explain what the pitfalls are!”
There was certainly a general
consensus that having iPods,
phone, music and messaging all
happening simultaneously while
students are meant to be working
on their homework is not a good
thing. So are we being effective as
parents and teachers at stopping it?
We know mobile devices provide
wonderful new learning
opportunities which we must
embrace. However, the clear advice
from the professionals at conference
was ‘create boundaries’. Make rules
and stick to them. For example,
take mobile devices away at night
and create clear parameters for
their use during the day.
This is something schools and
parents need to work in partnership
to tackle. This is not necessarily
popular with our young people
but as Tanya Byron suggests we
should explain the conflicts and
be clear and consistent about
the boundaries.
Isabel Tobias
Visiting speakers:
l Holocaust survivor Harry Bibring gave
girls in Years 10 to 13 a first-hand
account of his family’s life in Austria in
the 1930s and 40s.
l The inspirational astrophysicist
Jocelyn Bell Burnell
opened our new school
observatory and
weather station.
l Helen Clifton,
Red Maids’ alumna
and Space Systems
Engineer at Telespazio
VEGA, spoke about
innovations in space.
l Professor Hopkins from
Bristol University spoke
about Early English poetry, from Chaucer
to Milton.
l Acclaimed author Helen Dunmore spoke
about her latest novel The Lie, set during
World War One.
New appointments
Head of Art: Beth Sims
Mrs Sims holds a BSc (Hons) in Fine Art and Sport
Studies and completed her PGCE at Exeter
University. She taught KS3, GCSE and A Level Art
and Design in Wells for 11 years before joining
Red Maids’ in September. She describes her
specialism as sculpture, but also has experience
with painting, drawing, print, ceramics, instillation,
photography and film.
Head of Geography: Peter Brealey
Mr Brealey did his PGCE at Bristol University
having completed a Masters in Geography at
Birmingham University. He has worked in several
local schools and also spent time managing the
Study Support Centre at Bath Rugby Club.
(Temporary) Head of Drama: Jo Lock Smith
Mrs Lock Smith completed her Drama and
Theatre Studies BA (Hons) and went on to the
Central School of Speech and Drama before
joining the teaching profession. She joins us as
Head of Drama, having spent the last five years
at Plymouth University where she led the PGCE
Drama Programme.
2

A major new investment
Award-winning poet,
playwright and author
Michael Morpurgo OBE
spoke to the entire school,
before officially opening
the new Pearson Library.
He exuded warmth, humour
and intelligence, and completely
captivated the room of over 700
junior and senior students and
staff. He also read a passage
from his latest book Listen to
the Moon.
Before cutting the ribbon,
Michael said, “The really good
bit is when you actually go into
the library and start using it. If
you don’t already love reading,
this is the place to start.”
The Pearson Library is named
after a former English Teacher,
Michael Pearson, who taught at
Red Maids’ from 1983 to 2000,
and is fondly remembered by
many alumnae and members
of staff.
The library is just one part of an
extensive re-development within
Burfield House, which includes
the Dining Hall, new reception
area and music courtyard.
3

M U S I C A N D D R A M A
Performing arts skills on show
Sweeney Todd is a sell-out
success
The much-anticipated musical production of
Sweeney Todd with QEH certainly didn’t disappoint.
“This was an ambitious choice, with some extremely
demanding vocal scores” explained Mr Browne
“but we knew we had the talent across both schools
to pull it off.” The result was a gripping show with
some outstanding performances. Mrs Tobias
commented, “I would like to warmly congratulate
the soloists and chorus from both schools. This is
one production we won’t forget in a hurry.”
A spectacular evening
of Shakespeare
In October, students from Years 8, 9 and 10
performed Henry V at the Arnolfini with the
Shakespeare Schools Festival. Freya Knight, who
played the Duke of Gloucester said, “Being involved
in Henry V was a fantastic experience, and so much
fun. I particularly enjoyed the educational workshop
we had with the Shakespeare Schools’ team. They
taught us new drama skills which we used during
our performance.”
4

I N N O V A T I O N S K I L L S
Innovation skills recognised
Kimberly Higgins and Olivia Tiley have been
commended for their contribution to a Bristol
University-led competition to design a piece of
wearable technology. The team developed a
wristwatch designed to help support people
undergoing cognitive behaviour therapy, which
the judges
felt had real
potential.
They
received
a £5,000
prize from
George
Ferguson,
Mayor of
Bristol.
Mrs Tobias said, "Innovation, collaboration and
intellectual curiosity are qualities we really value
and encourage at Red Maids' and Kimberly and
Olivia demonstrated this in abundance."
Meeting Malala
It’s not often you get to
meet a Nobel Peace Prize
winner, but Tasa Uney
was lucky enough to
meet Malala Yousafzai
and hear her speak at the
Girls’ Schools Association
annual conference. As Tasa said, “Malala
reminded us that education is something
we should never take for granted.”
Spreading a little magic
Led by Mrs Markwell, seven Sixth Form students
performed a creative, interactive and ‘enchanting’
piece of theatre for local children. Adapted from
a fairy-tale, Wild Ducks told the story of a strong
female lead character who heads off on a journey
to save her brothers. According to the little people,
‘it was wonderful’!
‘Be awesome!’
Specialist training company
Learning Performance ran two
highly energetic and motivating
workshops in November for
Years 10 and 11 encouraging
them to aim high. “Prepare to
succeed by being a smart,
confident, independent learner” was the
message. The coach then went on to outline a
range of techniques and strategies – which
included showing girls how easy it was to learn
to juggle! After the session, Ffion White (Y10)
said, “That was a really enjoyable and
interactive session.”
5

The Red Maids’ Senior School News
D E V E L O P M E N T
Inaugural alumnae awards
At the 2014 Senior Prize-Giving two new awards were made to mark
outstanding achievements of former Red Maids. The Young Achiever’s
Award was presented to Katherine Sparkes (1990-1998), Managing
Director of Flamingo Creative, the Flamingo Foundation, and Flamingo
Chicks. Katherine is a pioneer of corporate social responsibility. At just 22,
she set up a business to boost links between the corporate and non-profit
sectors, creating community projects to benefit good causes.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr Shaheen Chaudhry
(nee Shahzadi, 1968-1975), a JP and High Sheriff of Bristol in
2013-14 – the first Muslim woman to hold such a post. Shaheen founded
‘Maternity & Health Links’ to improve language support and access to healthcare for people whose first
language is not English. As a magistrate, she has also raised awareness of young people suffering from mental
health issues.
“Both Shaheen and Katherine are a real inspiration to current students, achieving so much whilst giving so
selflessly of their time and energy to support others,” said Mrs Tobias.
Eight Years On
The class of 2006 returned to school in September
to provide insight about life after Red Maids’ to
current students. Alumnae Zara Bhakri, Sofia Khaliq,
Toni Parfitt, Judy Ngan, Anson Yik and Tara O'Neill
made the trip back from as far afield as London and
Hong Kong to share their experiences and reassure
students about the range of opportunities and careers
beyond university.
April
23
June
13
Alumnae diary
Cocktails in London
Thursday 23 April
London lunch on the Thames
Saturday 13 June
For more information, contact:
h_sharrock@redmaids.bristol.sch.uk
Art, tea and old times
remembered
Friendships were refreshed and new ones made
at a pre-Christmas gathering of alumnae at the
National Gallery in London. A relaxing tour of
the paintings by Rembrandt, Monet and others
was followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea in
the National Dining Room, including
sandwiches, scones, cakes and many specialist
teas. This was the second such alumnae event
and is now a permanent fixture on the calendar.
6

The Red Maids’ Senior School News
Report by Miss Maggs
Director of Sport
The hockey season got off to a flying start
“ when both our U13 and U12 teams won the Royal
High School Bath Tournaments and our U12A team
beat The Downs School to win our very own Miller cup.
We narrowly missed qualifying for the U13 regional heats
having reached the semi-finals of the county rounds. Our
final game went to penalty flicks, which we lost, but we
still finished a commendable 3rd out of 13 teams. We’re
also delighted that 16 Red Maids have been selected for
the Junior Academy Centre (JAC) which is the next stage
in the England Hockey development pathway.
Other highlights include taking 13 elite swimmers to
compete in the ESSA South West Swimming
Championships at Millfield and seeing more than 30 Red
Maids compete in the Bristol Schools’ Cross Country
event. Lottie Livesey (Y7) made an outstanding run to
secure first place in her category. She will join eight other
Red Maids who will run for Avon in the next stage.
In the highly competitive Bath Biathlon, Eliza Barratt
(Y7) finished in 6th place for her run and swim and
Charlie Andrews (Y13) has retained her place in the U18
ISFA National Ladies Football team. Our Senior Tennis
team and U13 football teams have also enjoyed success
this season with important wins over local rivals.
Finally, congratulations to Lara Hill (Y13) and
Isla Phillips (Y11) who received great praise from several
netball coaches for their superb umpiring skills at the
County Netball Tournaments.
”
S P O R T
First-class entertainment
at House Dance
There was an exceptionally high standard
at this year’s Dance Competition, with the
entire school cheering and supporting each
of the finalists. Routines included gymnastics,
ballet, pop, disco, tap, Irish dancing,
street-dance and lots of hilarious ‘mash-ups’.
Our Judge Elizabeth Spallanzani, Red Maids’
alumna and ex-professional dancer had
the difficult job of choosing the winners.
The winning House was Maryflowre.
Senior Solo 1st place winner Grace Spaven
Year 7 runners
Year 7
Miller
Tournament
winners
Charlie Andrews
7

The Red Maids’Senior School News
News
in Brief
u 83 girls wrote to rower
Elsa Hammond following
her 51 solo days at sea
u 1 video of our 380th
photograph made the BBC
news and has been viewed
over 4,000 times
u 13 historians attended
a ‘Moved by Conflict’
conference at the
M Shed, Bristol
u 38 art students visited
Frieze Art, London
u 9 PE GCSE students
completed pool personal
safety training
u 24 students attended a
War, Ethics and Philosophy
Conference with QEH
u 70 Year 8 students
enjoy an educational day
at Bristol Zoo
u 24 students saw Kneehigh
Theatre’s production of
Dead Dog in a Suitcase
at the Old Vic
u 17 students visited the
CERN laboratories and the
United Nations HQ in
Switzerland
u 4 Red Maids
performed in
Carmina Burana
at the Colston Hall
u 75 students took
part in Duke of
Edinburgh expeditions
Follow us
@RedMaidsSchool
Like ‘The Red
Maids’ School’ page
Break-time with . . .
Hadrian Briggs, Senior Teacher and IB Co-ordinator
What was the last book you read?
I’ve read two great books recently. Firstly, A Visit from the Goon Squad by
Jennifer Egan, a great series of vignettes featuring brilliant characters over
a 50-year period, sort of an indie-rock Cloud Atlas. Secondly, I recently
re-read the Owl Service by Alan Garner which terrified me as a child and
retains its power to do so 30 years later.
What is your favourite movie or TV show?
University Challenge is a must. I was particularly pleased to see Durham
do so well in the first round, for once. I’ve watched a lot of iconic films
for an ‘Aesthetics’ enrichment course I’m doing. On the basis of that,
Citizen Kane, North by North-West and Withnail and I remain favourites.
However, I’m always in the mood for a good Bond film.
Who do you admire and why?
Each year when we teach Year 7 about Aung Sang Suu Kyi, especially
having a growing family myself, I am even more amazed by her sacrifices
to do the right thing, and her equanimity in difficult circumstances. Also,
I have a son named Dylan, and am constantly in awe of his namesake’s
way with words and music.
What skill would you most like to have?
I’m not the most co-ordinated individual on the sports field and would
love to be able to rectify this so I could play a decent game of tennis.
What is your greatest achievement at work?
Helping to set up and then co-ordinate our first five years as an
International Baccalaureate (IB) World School has given me great
satisfaction. Having the IB here has positive benefits for the whole school,
making us even more globally minded and adventurous in our approach.
What advice would you give a student joining Red Maids’?
Enjoy your school work and try to get involved in a range of activities - do
something sporty, something creative and something for others. Don't hold
back, working with others will help you find out who you are!
Name one thing at Red Maids’ that is particularly unique.
I really value the mixture we have of tradition and innovation - the girls
are respectful of our status as the oldest girls' school in the country, but
we are always keen to embrace new things as well.
How do you relax away from school?
I really enjoy spending time with my family, listening to music and
cooking. So, cooking a Sunday roast in a noisy kitchen with the 'help'
of my children is a pretty perfect day to me.
Links with QEH
The annual meeting between Red Maids’ and QEH’s 1st hockey XI was
a friendly but competitive contest resulting in a 2-0 victory to the boys.
Other joint events this term included speed debating in Year 9, a disco
for Years 7 to 9 and an engineering challenge day, also in Year 9.
The Red Maids’ School, Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol BS9 3AW Telephone 0117 962 2641 www.redmaids.co.uk