Parental Bulletin 30th November 2017

Parental Bulletin
30th November 2017

The Knights Templar School
Headteacher:
Mr T. Litchfield, G.G.S.M.
Park Street
Baldock
Herts SG7 6DZ
Email: admin@ktemplar.herts.sch.uk Tel: 01462 620700
PARENTAL WEEKLY UPDATE – 30th November 2017
(available on our website)
Dear Parents and Carers
You may be aware that the two middle schools and one upper school in Royston are merging into one all through
school (Year 5 to Year 13). This will be in time for September 2018. The recent consultation for education in
Royston has detailed the following:
“Despite some excellent A level results and recent increases in pupil numbers, the current sixth
form provision is not currently financially viable. The Trust is committed to maintaining as wide a
16-19 provision as possible and has noted parent feedback on the growing success of the local
Sixth Form. We are working with Knights Templar to enable sixth form courses to continue to be
offered to local Royston pupils………. Despite some excellent A level results and recent increases in pupil numbers,
the current sixth form provision is not currently financially viable.”
Royston Schools Academy Trust - Trustee Board
As a result of this consultation and the subsequent discussion between the governing bodies of both schools, I am
delighted to announce that we will be forming an alliance with the schools in Royston to provide their A level
provision.
This will mean the following for current students in Year 11 at Meridian School, Royston:
Students wishing to study A levels will do that as part of our 6th Form and will be on our school roll.
Meridian students will have access to a wide range of subjects and excellent teaching, with excellent outcomes.
Transport will be provided for students currently in Year 11 at Meridian and who choose to study their A Levels
here at KTS.
Given the change of circumstances for Meridian students that joined the school in anticipation of attending Meridian’s
own 6th Form, we are committed to providing transport to Baldock for those students who will join the KTS 6 th
Form. We are delighted to be able to support a neighbouring community in this way to ensure the provision of a
first class 6 th Form education for both Royston and Baldock students.
Furthermore, this will increase the total number of students based at our new 6 th Form Centre and will support the
continuation of a wide curriculum offering with the possibility of additional courses to be added.
I will keep you informed of developments in this over the next few months.
Last evening, 70 students and staff left school just before midnight to spend some time developing their language
skills at the Christmas market in Cologne. We look forward to hearing their stories!
I hope that you have had a chance or intend to come and support the first Sixth Form Panto – Cinderella. This is a
student project, directed by students and performed by students. Last evening was the opening night and it runs
until Friday evening. Please do come and support if you can.

I also hope that you will be able to attend our annual carol service at St Mary’s Church on
Monday 11 th December. This is always a highlight of the school calendar and a great way to
get into the Christmas spirit.
Please can I ask parents to respect the signage, which is found on entry to the school bus turning
circle. The safety of the students is my highest priority and cars who enter the turning circle
during these times are putting students at risk.
Kind regards,
Tim Litchfield
Headteacher
Thursday 30 11 17 6th Form Panto
Friday 30 11 17 6th Form Panto
Dates for your Diary
Monday 04 12 17 Yr12/13 PE University Visit
Yr7 G and T Maths Workshop (KA & TA)
Yr9 Bletchley Park Trip
Tuesday 05 12 17 Yr11 MFL Mock Oral Exams
Yr10 Dance NEA
Wednesday 06 12 17 Yr11 MFL Mock Oral Exams
Autumn House Matches - Year 10
Certificate Collection Event 3.30pm
Yr13 Theatre Studies and BTEC Performance Assessment 7pm
Thursday 07 12 17 Yr13 Theatre Studies and BTEC Performance Assessment 7pm
Budding chefs aged 11-17 …
The Rotary club are running a ‘Young Chef competition’. Students would
be competing against other young chefs at a local level and if selected
would continue in the competition to the next stage.
The task would involve planning a menu, creating a time plan and working
out costing. If selected to compete students would then need to prepare
and make a 3 course healthy meal (starter, main and dessert) for 2 people,
costing less than £15.
Gill and I will be holding a meeting Tuesday 5 th December at lunchtime in
S5, for students that might be interested and would like an application
form.
There is also a Young Chef of the Year competition for Year 10 & 11 students—please
see the posters at the end of the bulletin.
Miss Molinari

PE News
The year 7 Hockey team travelled to Letchworth Hockey club to
play St Francis in a District Hockey match. The team got off to a
good start in the first quarter, Daisy D’Onofrio worked extremely
hard in midfield moving the ball forward but also defending
strongly, the score at the end of the first quarter was 0-
0. In the remainder of the game KTS were dominant with Maddison
Hayes scoring 2, Lola Major scoring 2 and Olivia Sumner
scoring 1. With strong defence from Abi Ward and Poppie Martin
and excellent goalkeeping from Georgina Harley KTS also
kept a clean sheet. Well done to all the team for their fantastic
performance.
(L-R back row) GK- Georgina Harley, Daisy D’Onofrio,
Leila Ramsey, Abi Ward, Poppie Martin, Maddison Hayes
(L-R Front row) Ella Buky, Lola Major, Olivia Sumner
Year 7 students impress at Hitchin Boys Rugby Tournament
On Wednesday Mr Matthews, Mr Smith and Mr Bradley took a strong squad of year 7 boys over to Hitchin to compete
in a year 7 rugby tournament. On a cold and clear afternoon the boys produced some fantastic running rugby
and scored a huge number of great tries. The B team played very well and Daniel Lee and Riley Philip were outstanding
all afternoon, both proving very hard to tackle! The highlight for the B team was beating Hitchin Boys C
team with the final play thanks to a great try from Luca Perricone. Mr Smith and coach Jack Petre were very impressed
with the entire squad who should be proud of their performances and the way they represented the
school.
On the A team pitch the boys produced some scintillating rugby and scored many great team tries with players
passing before contact, off-loading off the ground and running superb support lines. In defence some of the tackling
and break down work would not have looked out of place at Twickenham on Saturday! The side were superbly
captained by Louis Burns who again impressed in all facets of the game. In the forwards Daniel Conn and Finn Foster
were superb in defence and won countless turnovers at the breakdown. Out wide Stan Larner, Matthew Goldsmith
and Oliver Geere linked the play and with speed and power from Charlie Petre and Jake Delderfield the opposition
struggled to contain the KTS A Team. The only set back was in a close contest with our host Hitchin Boys
where the team were very unlucky to go down in a tight game. Our final record was played 5, won 4, lost 1.
Overall this was a fantastic fun afternoon of rugby as year 7 gave notice to all the local schools that this is a very
strong year group with huge potential on the rugby field.

Re-sits
Summer 2018 Exam Re-sits
Students wishing to re-sit available GCE (A level)/GCSE units in the summer 2018 examination session can apply to
do so by completing the form found outside the exams office. The final date for accepting re-sit entries is 3 rd February
2018. Students still studying at KTS can make entries by completing the relevant form then paying by wisepay,
cash or cheque (made payable to The Knights Templar School). Prices can be found on the display outside the exams
office or by consulting Mrs Merrell.
Former students must obtain and complete the relevant Former Student Re-sit Form
(email exams@ktemplar.herts.sch.uk to obtain the form). The deadline for submitting a re-sit entry is 3 rd February
2018.
Former students must be aware that the exams office charges an administration fee and that such fees are nonrefundable
should students decide after the school entry closing date to cancel any unit or linear entry. In the event
of cancellation of a unit or linear entry, the relevant Awarding Body fee can only be refunded if the cancellation is
received two working days before the Awarding Body entry closing date.
Drama News
Year 7 Drama Trip on Tuesday 12 th December
With less than two weeks before the much anticipated trip to see ‘The Jungle Book’, plans are now in place to help
it run as smoothly as possible.
The theatre has offered us the option to pre order our interval ice creams or ice lollies at discounted prices - £2.
This is fantastic as we do normally create quite a queue at the ice cream stall with 210 KTS students! Form tutors
have been gathering in the orders and £2 coins, but many are forgetting to bring in their money. Friday morning (1 st
Dec) is the deadline for orders so if your child would like an interval treat please remember to send them into
school with £2!
On the day of the trip students will have an early lunch before setting off to the theatre, food cannot be provided in
school so packed lunches only please.
When we return to school from the theatre there will be 4 coaches arriving in the coach park. Parents are firmly
requested not to park in the coach park as the coaches will not be able to manoeuvre around cars and cannot let
the students disembark onto the main road at any time, but particularly in the dark. The lower school playground
adjacent to the coach park will be available for parents to park. We will be letting the students know which coach
number they will be travelling in, so please make sure you also know!

Music News
Last Thursday, the Music Department went to the opera. Forty students travelled to Milton Keynes Theatre to
see Glyndebourne’s production of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. Sung in Italian, with English subtitles and
accompanied by a live orchestra, this comic opera entertained the audience with its satirical tale of love. The
students really enjoyed the performance, with one stating that it was the best school trip they had ever been on.
The students all behaved impeccably and were a credit to themselves and the school.
Congratulations to the following students for passing instrumental grade exams this term.
Freddie Hartley ABRSM Grade 1 Piano Pass
Rosalind Hartley ABRSM Grade 1 Piano Pass
Benjamin Cotterell Trinity Grade 2 Piano Merit
Jay Ambadkar ABRSM Grade 2 Clarinet Merit
Polly Wenham Trinity Grade 3 Piano Merit
Hannah Stapleton ABRSM Grade 3 Flute Pass
Toby Morton Trinity Grade 4 Piano Merit
Revae Tilbury Trinity Grade 6 Piano Merit
Ruby Doherty Trinity Grade 6 Saxophone Distinction
Dominic Chambers Trinity Grade 7 Piano Merit
Emily Walls ABRSM Grade 7 Piano Pass
The KTS BATTLE OF THE BANDS will be postponed until later on in the year.
A Message from The Friends of KTS
The GOOD NEWS: KTS have obtained funding for a new Art/Technology block. The BAD
NEWS: We haven’t got any funding for the furniture, or anything to go inside it. This means
that out new target is to raise as much money as possible before September 2018 to ensure
that our children have the best start possible in their brand new Arts & Technology
Centre. You can help us in one of two easy ways! You can set up a regular donation of £2
per month or if you already do this, persuade someone else to do so!
Alternatively, do you know anyone who owns or works for a local company who might be interested in sponsoring
the new block and having one of the rooms named after them? Perhaps you know someone who owns an art
gallery who would like one of the art rooms named after them or a catering company who would like the food tech
room named after them. There will also be a photographic studio, a drama room, a design & technology room and
two IT rooms. If you think you know someone who might be interested we would love to hear from them!
How to set up a Direct Debit
Easy peasy!
Just set up a monthly payment to the Friends account
Account number 31679198
Sort Code 40-28-14.
Then click the link below
http://www.ktemplar.herts.sch.uk/Parent-Area/Friends-of-
KTS/Friends_Application_Form_2017.pdf
Print out the form, fill it in and return it to school.
Rebecca Ward
Chairperson of Friends of KTS

Business News
A huge thank you to Alex and Chanel from Hair FX and Hair FX Barbers for coming in to
speak with the year 10 Business class today. It was great for the students to hear first-hand
how to start their own business and the advantages or disadvantages that go with
that. Everyone was impeccably behaved and showed themselves as great potential
entrepreneurs.
Library News
North Herts School Book Awards 2018
Knights Templar School Library Service is proud to be hosting the 2018 North Herts School Book Awards.
Schools from across North Herts join together to read, evaluate and discuss a selection of book titles.
As part of the event we will be joined by last year’s winner Miriam Moss, whose book ‘Girl on a Plane’ has also
been selected by the Book Trust as part of our Bookbuzz scheme. Miriam will be providing an informative lecture,
question and answer forum and book signing opportunity.
The Book Awards are open to enthusiastic and regular readers from years 7-9. The books selected appeal to our
mature students who are looking to explore more challenging texts and subject matters and would relish the
opportunity to discuss and debate the topics covered in each publication. If you feel your child would be
interested in taking part in the event they should register their interest with a member of library staff.
Dates for your diary
2017 North Herts School Book Awards, with the Author Kim Slater
7 th -14 th December Scholastics Half-Price Book Fair and Second Hand Book Sale
11 th -15 December Christmas Crafts Week
14 th December KTS Christmas Fate & Half Price Book Fair
7 Pembroke shake down KTS for Movember
On Thursday lunchtime and to mark the end of Movember, 7 Pembroke were pressed into service by Mr Matthews
to collect money for Movember. Armed with buckets festooned in awful photos of Mr Matthews and his Mexican
Moustache 7 Pembroke manage to collect £70 which is an awesome effort. Many thanks to those members of 7
Pembroke who gave up their lunchtime for this incredible important cause namely men’s mental health. Also a
huge thank you to everyone who gave a donation, especially the Maths department!

Sixth Form Panto Opening Night
Last night, our sixth form pantomime cast and crew put on a brilliant performance of the well-loved fairy tale Cinderella.
Director, writer and choreographer Ylana Schafer-Thomson has clearly done a stunning job in master-minding this
vibrant, energetic and funny performance, topped off with some wonderful vocal performances.
Ylana’s feat is made more impressive by the fact that much of the cast are not experienced actors and have simply
volunteered to be part of this new sixth form initiative.
With the Head Girl and Boy team of Emma Cole (Cinderella) and Matthew Inman
(Prince Charming) leading the cast, they were well supported with hilarious performances
from Finn Harrigan (DanDeeny) and Ben Buky (Buttons).
Synovia Green and Amy Clarke wowed the audience with their exceptional vocal
performances and the ugly step-sisters Will Marshall and George Lerche, donned
some slightly different clothes to what we are used to seeing them in at school and
delivered their comedic roles with great energy and timing. The boys were wellsupported
by the terrifying Emily Hunter as the evil Step-Mother.
All in all, this was a great opening night that was enjoyed by over 80 guests in
attendance. We would like to encourage as many people as possible to buy any
remaining tickets for tonight and tomorrow’s performance.
Well done to all involved in this student-led initiative and good luck for the remaining
performances.
Senior Football Update
The senior football team racked up another incredible 9 goals in their emphatic win over Highfield
School earlier this week, in the District League competition.
Joe Fantom built on his excellent form with an impressive 5 goal haul, while Cole Butler, Ollie
Plant, Alex Haskins and Sean Blyth all chipped in with a single goal each.
The boys hope to take this excellent form into next week’s County Cup game away at Richard Hale School, Hertford
- a match that promises to be a much more challenging and competitive affair.
Well done to all involved.

KTS Student Profile- Angel Franken
Angel achieved an assortment of A, B and 6 grades in her GCSE results
this summer and decided to leave Fearnhill School to attend The
Knights Templar Sixth Form.
Angel is currently studying Business, Art and Psychology at A Level, as
well as the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as part of the wider
curriculum programme. Angel’s EPQ dissertation researches the
question: ‘Are environmental factors the cause of mental health issues
in modern society.’
Angel has settled brilliantly at KTS, currently mentoring 2 pupils in Key
Stage 3, as well as completing her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and working as part of the Winter Dinner
Dance Committee on the Sixth Form Council.
Senior Basketball Update
The senior boys’ basketball team enjoyed their first game and first win of the season, emphatically beating
Barnwell School 61-31.
Led by Jim Acquaah’s superb attacking play and personal 27-point haul, KTS proved far too strong for their
Stevenage opposition. On the defensive end, Taran Sura’s physical presence and shot-blocking ability was too
much for the Barnwell offence to cope with and helped KTS ease to a 30-point win.
We hope that the boys can take this good form into their game against Highfield on Monday 4 th December.
The game is scheduled to be played at home and we would like to encourage as many parents, staff and
students to attend as possible.