Battle Abbey School Newsletter - Battle Abbey Independent School

Battle Abbey School
Newsletter
AUTUMN TERM December 2009
A NOTE FROM THE HEADMASTER
We started the term buoyed up by the news of record breaking A level results and in the week
that I write this letter eight of our Upper Sixth Formers have secured interviews at Oxford or
Cambridge. I wish them every luck in their applications and am thrilled that there are so many
high quality candidates at the top of the school. For our top three year groups, however, the next
six months are absolutely vital for academic study and revision and I hope you will join me in
encouraging them to use some of their generous holiday allocation for these purposes as well as
for relaxation.
I am delighted also to tell you that the School in these difficult financial times is full and that we
have more applicants than we have places available for September 2010. In order for the school
to continue to offer a high level of service to parents and pupils, I am very anxious that you give
us regular feedback. It is always good to hear from you when you are pleased with the School
but it is equally important to let us know when you are dissatisfied and I hope that none of you
will ever be reluctant to come forward and raise a concern with me over the education that we
provide at Battle Abbey School.
This term our pupils have been busy with a myriad of activities both inside and outside of the
classroom. A full list of the extra curricular life of the school is available on our website. When
you see it altogether, I hope you will be impressed by the breadth of opportunity that is available
to your children. At the end of this term with the success of Oklahoma and the seasonal Carols
Round the Fire and Carol Service, I am reminded how strongly Performing Arts are as part of our
additional curriculum. In the final Evensong of term Kevin Anderson pointed out that the
Christmas story was played out against a backdrop of war, tyranny and oppression and said that
little had changed in that respect in two thousand years. However, the message was one of hope
and peace, and this I wish you, for Christmas and the New Year.

PARENTS FORUM
Smashing sons; darling daughters; troubling teens ? Early in October we ran an Open Forum for
parents in KS4, and a good number turned up, to discuss various issues on which there is
common interest between school and home. It was all a bit experimental, but discussion ranged
across health questions, social life and GCSE workloads, and everyone found the evening useful.
We plan two more sessions in the Spring, one on substance misuse and one on study and revision
skills. Do look out for dates. (Oh, and for those troubled teens whose ears were burning: we said
a whole lot of positive things, too! Our current Years 10 and 11 are full of character and ability
and we are really rather pleased with them.)
FARWELL FROM THE GAPPIES…
The ‘gappies’ for 2009 were Sophie, from Vancouver, Canada, Tom, Tim and Liz from Sydney,
NSW, Australia. Between the four of us in our holidays this year we’ve managed to visit over 20
countries and see more of the world, especially Europe, than we could have hoped for. During
our time here, we’ve battled with photocopiers, binders and laminators, and on occasion,
succeeded in getting the result we wanted, generally at the sacrifice of the machinery. We’ve been
introduced to British culture in the form of Rounders, Bubble and Squeak, Toad in the Hole, pub
lunches, Pimms and constant rain; all of which were enjoyed/endured with varying degrees of
enthusiasm. We’ve all lived in at least 2 houses, gone more than 40 hours without sleep and have
dealt with alarm clocks that are never quite loud enough on any morning. We’ve also had the
pleasure of spending many an evening and Sunday with the boarders; playing games, singing
highly embarrassing songs on karaoke and trying to convince a certain dorm of six year 8 and 9
boys that yes, going to bed really is a good idea (I don’t think we can claim to have ever actually
succeeded on that count). I think we can safely say that we will leave you now not only a year
older, but a year wiser too.
There are some thank you’s that definitely need to go out at this point – to Mr and Mrs Clark, for
agreeing to take in, house and employ three 18 year olds from Australia for the year something
that would go right against most people’s better judgement. We really do appreciate it, for none
of what we have experienced this year would be possible without this. To the staff; in particular
Eric Demoncheaux, Rak Patel, Lea Hughes and Corinne Clarke; for your understanding, patience
and the fact that you’re always up for a laugh – it has really made a huge difference to our time
here. Last, but certainly not least, to all the students – you guys are absolute legends. We’ve had
so much fun with you all this year, and I know that some of our funniest and favourite memories
of our time here include you in them. We’re really going to miss you all when we go.
For now, we fly to Australia on the 12 th of December, and start university (and the reality of
studying again) in March. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
and look forward to hearing all your news back home!
GERMAN EXCHANGE
Just before half-term, for the second year running, we welcomed a group of girls from our
German partner school, the Maria Ward Gymnasium in Munich, for a full programme of visits
and activities. They shared with us lessons, a town trail, the Battle Re-Enactment, Harold’s Night
and a day in London which included a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe. The friendships between our
two schools grow ever stronger, and we look forward to our own next visit to Munich in April.
Special thanks to all our host families for their kindness, patience and fetching-and-carrying.
Carolin, Amna, Angie, Hannah, Lisa, Anika, Madeleine, Natalie and Melanie: welcome to Battle !

THE JAMES HAGGERTY EXPEDITION 2010 TO KENYA
Pupils will take part in a
community project, building
the James Haggerty Nursery
School. The school will be
built in memory of James
Haggerty and will enhance
the lives of hundreds of small
children who currently have a school based under an Acacia
tree. Pupils have no writing materials and use the sandy
ground. This is a unique opportunity to build a school from
scratch and is a mammoth task to be completed in just over
two weeks.
The expedition team made up of 16 pupils and a number of staff and adults are all working hard
to raise funds for the expedition next summer to Kenya.
Pupils have been running cake sales, making bath bombs and Battle Abbey Soaps as well as
holding a raffle. The raffle was generously supported
by the local community with prize donations from
many of the shops. The school also held a Christmas
theme mufti day with proceeds going towards the
nursery school.
£4000 is needed to build the nursery school so
fundraising for the rest of the year will be extensive.
Next term we hope to be running a tuck shop and
continuing with our cake sales. If anyone would like to
help us fundraise for this amazing project please contact Zofia Malewicz on
malewiczz@battleabbeyschool.com.
In the meantime thank you all so very much for your continued support with our project and
have a Very Merry Christmas.
DRAMA DEPARTMENT
Did you miss Oklahoma!? This year’s senior musical had a younger, less experienced cast who
proved that hard work, commitment (three rehearsals a week), talent and dedication will
produce outstanding results. John Snape, in particular, who is a science student intending to
study engineering at University, stood
out as Curly, impressing the audience
with his singing, acting and dancing
skills. Slightly less unexpected was the
superb all round performance from
Will Cousins who demonstrated why
he was chosen for the Joanna Lumley
scholarship. I cannot name all the
many other excellent performances
which contributed to this production
but every student deserves credit for
their team work and discipline without
which we simply could not achieve
such a high standard.
Casting is now in progress for next term’s production: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.
Remember to put the dates in your diary when you receive the new calendar!

OKLAHOMA REVIEW BY KEVIN ANDERSON
Oklahoma ?? Why are they performing that ? Sure to be a poor choice – one of those really dated
1950s musicals, with guys in cowboy hats shouting whee-haa and girls all looking sweet in
gingham dresses. And it’s only got one song. Don’t think I’ll bother…
Oh, all right then.
Oklahoma !! Sensational show. Loads of really classic music, beautifully sung. Colourful and
gorgeously lit and dressed. Whole thing alive with energy. Unbelievably good dancing: didn’t
realise the School had so much talent. (Hasn’t that Mrs Heasmer made an impact !) And lots of
deep themes and motifs – some of them quite dark – hiding within the plot. For Rodgers and
Hammerstein, read Langridge and Hopkins. Phew, glad I went…
NEWS FROM THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
This term has been the busiest to date. The first modular exams of this academic year took place
for Years 9, 10 and 11 in November. The next round of external exams for our GCSE candidates
will take place on 3 rd, 4 th and 5 th March 2010. All our A Level classes are busy preparing for their
January modules.
Our students were offered a wide range of activities including DNA fingerprinting and culturing
micro-organisms. They have also made bath bombs and soaps that will be auctioned off in
support for the Kenya project next summer.
The state of the art laboratories in the Senior school are in stark contrast with some of the older
buildings in the rest of the school, some of which would perfectly fit in a Harry Potter film.
Pupils from Battle Abbey Prep School enjoyed some wizardry of their own during their visit on
Monday afternoon to the Science labs. The session was lead by the Wizardette and Wizard-in-
Charge, Mrs Dodd and Dr. Demoncheaux. The Prep School apprentices were treated to
screaming jelly babies, had fun burning strips of magnesium, and made some hot ice. They left
looking forward to their next visit in January!
For aspiring scientists at the Abbey, Science club
will start again next term. It will now be on
Thursdays from 1.25 – 2.05. It is open to pupils
in years 7, 8 and 9. For those who can’t wait, try
to complete the Chemistry code breaker
competition included with this information.
Finally, would you like to potentially help the
entire human race over Christmas? Why don’t
you try to spot “Near Earth Objects” from
observations taken by Liverpool’s John Moores
University in collaboration with the Spaceguard
Centre Asteriod Quest? More information at
http://www.schoolsobservatory.org.uk/iya2009/asteroid/
Dr Demoncheaux (Head of Science)
Mrs Dodd (Second in Science)

Sixth Form Christmas Dinner
The Sixth Form set up and ran their annual Sixth
Form Christmas Dinner. It was a great success and an
excellent learning opportunity for those involved in
organising a major event. The evening ran smoothly
thanks to the Guardians who did a great deal of
organising as well as a number of other Sixth
Formers. The BAScars Awards provided a chance for
a number of awards which were graciously accepted.
Well done, Sixth Form!!

Battle Abbey School Karate Club
The Battle Abbey School karate club entered their first
karate tournament at the FSK inter-club karate and
kickboxing competition. The team with pupils from Year 7
to Year 13 did really well and achieved 5 Gold, 3 Silver and
2 Bronze medals. Ann-Kristin Vetter and Billy Sapsford
did exceptionally well as they had only being doing the
sport for a few weeks and won Gold medals at their grade
level. Stefania Malewicz competed in the kickboxing
section and drew in both her bouts. The school karate club
continues to grow in numbers and goes from strength to
strength. Pupils not only gain fitness but also integrity, self
confidence, learn self defence and have a lot of fun. Battle
Abbey School looks forward to their first black belt in the
not to distant future.
Last weekend 13 pupils also did their next belt grading and all passed. So a BIG
CONGRATULATIONS to all the karate club members for their continuing success.
New members are always welcome. Email Ms Malewicz (malewiczz@battleabbeyschool.com) for
further details or complete the form in the end of term mail out.
KIT MATTERS!
Please could all parents and guardians check your son/daughter has their own labelled PE kit
over the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, some items of PE clothing have gone missing or
have been mislaid and we are hoping they will be returned next term if they have made it to the
wrong home. If anything is found that does not belong to your son/daughter please can it be
returned to the PE office during the first week of term. We thank you for your vigilance and
support at this time.
Mrs Brampton
FROM THE MATHS DEPARTMENT
Could parents please ensure that all students have a calculator, ruler, protractor and pair of
compasses; to bring to every Mathematics lesson? Scientific calculators can be purchased from
us for £6.
Andy Roberts

MONEY RAISED SO FAR……
KENYA: £824.62
POPPY APPEAL: £107.35
BHF: Awaiting total
Well done to everyone who has helped raise this money.
SECOND-HAND UNIFORM
FAMIILY SWIMMING
Family/Fobas swim as usual for the
Spring term. Swimming will be
Sunday 2.45 to 3.45.
We now have various items of second-hand uniform; larger sizes more than anything. All
donations of clean good condition uniform would be greatly appreciated, especially in smaller
sizes!
If you would like to have a look at the second-hand uniform please contact Liz Martin our school
Matron.
FROM THE OFFICE……
Morning Registration – It is very important that if your son/daughter is going to be absent that
you call the office before 9.00am. If your child is likely to arrive after registration closes at 8.55,
please remind them to come into the office and sign in before they go to their lessons. Pupils who
are regularly late and do not sign in will receive a school detention. Alternatively, you can e-mail
– clarkec@battleabbeyschool.com.
It is school policy that any pupil leaving school during the day must have authorisation in the
form of a note or a phone call to the school office from the parents/guardian. Please also make
sure that your child has signed out in the book that is in the main office, this book is used in the
event of a fire evacuation.
If you do not have a parking permit for your car, please call into the office and collect a form and
one will be issued to you.
Have a good Christmas, we look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 6 th January.
We would like to say goodbye to Tom, Liz & Tim they have been
wonderful gap students this year and wish them all the best for
their future.
For your information you can contact either Lea or Corinne on
the main school number or
hughesl@battleabbeyschool.com
clarkec@battleabbeyschool.com
Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any
questions or queries.
Lea, Corinne and the Gappies