Parental Bulletin - 8th March 2018

Parental Bulletin
8th March 2018

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
Dear Parents and Carers
BBC Three Counties Radio will be broadcast
live from the sports centre on Friday morning
(6.00am – 9.00am). The focus will be keeping
children active and will feature interviews
with students and staff as well as the members
of our staff who are running Marathons
this year – don’t forget to tune in!
The school will be celebrating British Science
Week next week and this will be kick started
by a visit from Robin Ince on Monday. Robin
will be speaking to year 10 and our sixth form
PARENTAL WEEKLY UPDATE – 8th March 2018
(available on our website)
students throughout the day. Please see the article on the week below.
I have had the pleasure of reading a significant number of the year 11 reports that will be sent home soon and
there is clearly a very impressive attitude to their studies being shown by the students. Thank you to all parents
who are supporting revision and creating a quiet working environment at home. Please may I remind you
that there are lots of extra classes being run already and students should be attending if they feel they need
additional support. Some teachers are requesting that students attend if they feel they would benefit and I
would appreciate your support if this applies to your child.
Congratulations to the First IV Rugby team on reaching the Finals of the County Shield Rugby Final. The game
will be played at the Old Albanian RFC (St Albans) next Wednesday, kick off at 7.30pm. Please do support if you
can.
I was thrilled to be able to speak to Harry Jones about his astonishing swimming achievement at the Edinburgh
International Swim Meet last week. Please do read the article on Harry towards the back of the bulletin.
There are a number of fabulous events for you to enjoy at school over the next few weeks. Please do have a
look at the school calendar/website for further information. There are a couple of student fundraisers as well,
including the ‘Teacher Challenge’ tomorrow and the school Interact group (linked with Baldock Rotary Club)
running a charity fundraiser for Lend with care (more details to follow) – please encourage your child to participate.
Kind regards,
Tim Litchfield
Headteacher

Dates for your Diary
Friday 09 03 18 Teachers' Challenge - 6th Form Council
Saturday 10 03 18 Yr9 Bronze Practice Expedition 2 (till Monday)
Monday 12 03 08 Robin Ince Visit for Science Week
Tuesday 13 03 18 Yr10 Revision Cracked Seminars
Yr7 District Netball Tournament
Wednesday 14 03 18 Yr10 Revision Cracked Seminars
Yr7-9 Voice in a Million
Year 11 Drama Exam Showcase Pt 1
Senior County Shield Rugby Final, 7.30pm.
Thursday 15 03 18 Yr8 District Hockey Tournament
Year 11 Drama Exam Showcase Pt 2
Dates For Yr11 Students—March 2018
Dates
March 16 th
March 28 th
March 16 th & 23 rd
March 26 th & 27 th
March 28 th
March 22 nd & 23 rd
GCSE Subject Assessment
Technology subjects coursework deadline
Drama Performing Text Assessment
GCSE PE Moderation
Art Practical Exam
Dance Non Examined Assessment – Practical
GCSE Music practical performances
Year 11 Practice Exams Timetable
Date Subject/Exam Periods
Thursday, 15 March Chemistry (Practice Exam) 1&2
Thursday, 15 March Physics (Practice Exam) 3&4
Tuesday, 20 March Biology (Practice Exam) 3&4
Wednesday, 21 March English 1 (Walk Through) 3&4
Thursday, 29 March English 2 (Walk Through) 1&2
Thursday, 29 March GCSE PE (Walk Through) 3&4
Thursday, 29 March GCSE Dance (Walk Through) 5
Student Competition—£20 prize
We are delighted to announce that KTS Cider will be launched in
June. There is a £20 prize for the best label design. The
rectangular label should be in a similar style to the KTS Apple
Juice. Please hand entries into Reception with your name and
tutor group detailed on the back.
You have to enter to win!

Science News
British Science Week will hit KTS next week. There will be guest speakers
including Miles Owen (who will discuss his work on string theory and
other weird physics ideas), Professor Joyce Harper (who will talk about
genetics) and Robin Ince (presenter of Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage
podcast alongside Professor Brian Cox). There will be activities going on
every lunch time as well as some ‘pop-up’ science demonstration around
school at break and lunch times.
If you would like to join in from home, please take a photo or video of
some ‘home science’ and tweet us @KTSScience with the #BSW18.
Marcus Alexander: Competition Winners
On the 21 st February the library, supported by the English Department, welcomed YA Fiction writer Marcus
Alexander to hold a series of talks and workshops to a selection of our Year 9 pupils.
As part of the event Marcus issued a writing challenge, with a selection of prizes on offer. Two winners have
been selected by the Library and English Department to receive a set of Marcus’ trilogy “Keeper of the Realm”.
Congratulations to Ben Barker and Ronnie Newman. Further congratulations to Bella Elgood and Samuel Bates
who both win a signed poster.
Author Visit: Miriam Moss
On the 21 st March celebrated children’s author Miriam Moss will be visiting the KTS Library as part of our
annual North Herts Author Event. Miriam will be available to sign copies of her award winning book Girl on a
Plane from 1.55-2.10 in the library. Pupils can purchase a copy of her true story (£7.99) or have their own
copy signed.

Year 9 Rewards Trip
There will hopefully be a rewards trip for year 9 on Thursday 7th June. Students have already been informed of potential
activities and criteria for attending. They will either be going ten pin bowling and then the cinema or ice
skating. Costings for both are being finalised. It is hoped that the cost will be no greater than the rewards trip last
year.
The criteria for attending the trip will be as follows:
Student has not been placed on school report since 6th March with:
Form tutor
Head of Year
Mr Clayton
Head of Department.
Student has not been placed in after school detention since 6th March on more than one occasion for
Make up
Behaviour
Attitude to learning
Student has not been internally or externally suspended.
The 6th March was selected because that was when students were informed of criteria. Therefore behaviour is going
forward not in the past. Each student has the opportunity to attend this rewards trip. My hope is that all year 9
are there.
If you have any questions please discuss with your son/daughter or email nwhite@ktemplar.herts.sch.uk.
Mr White, Year Leader
Music News
On Monday this week, our GCSE and A Level Music students travelled to the Royal Festival Hall in London for the
London Philharmonic Orchestra’s annual BrightSparks Concert.
This year the concert, entitled Scene and Heard, focussed on music as a storytelling tool. All major exam boards
have film music in their syllabuses this year, so the concert offered students the opportunity to explore features of
film music through the world of the orchestra; from music composed specifically for film soundtracks to existing
orchestral repertoire used by directors in their films. Music from Star Wars and Psycho were explored, as well as
Saturday Night Waltz and Hoedown from the ballet Rodeo.
A really worthwhile and enjoyable trip for all of our young musicians.
A date for your calendar: This term’s Spring Concert takes place on Tuesday 27 th March at 7pm in the school
hall. This is a free event, so do come along and support our music ensembles and choirs.
The 2018 KTS Jazz Spectacular will take place on Saturday 28 th April at 7.30pm and promises to be a fantastic
evening of Jazz and Swing. Under the direction of Mrs Elinor Guinane, the KTS All Stars Big Band will present a programme
of old favourites as well as some fantastic new charts. The evening will also feature the junior KTS Little Big
Band, directed by Mrs Heather Johnson, as well as ‘The Gabriel Taylor Trio’, whose recent performances include
playing at school functions and Hitchin's Club 85. The KTS Parent’s Association will be running a bar selling wine,
beer and soft drinks.
Please note that tickets are limited and will not be available on the evening and must be bought in advance.
Tickets go on sale next Monday, 12 th March and can be bought online via Wisepay or in person at the
School Reception. Tickets cost £10.00 for Adults, £7.00 for Concessions and £5.00 for Students.

The Mobb
The Mobb, a big local swing band, will be performing in aid of both Knights Templar and an animal charity in Cyprus
(LCDR) at the Knights Templar School, Baldock on Thursday, 29 March 2018 at 7.30pm.
Gabriel Taylor will be playing his new composition and Barney Taylor will be singing along with the rest of the band.
This will no doubt attract a good audience.
Ticket price: Full £8, Concession £6—sold on the door or buy in advance from school reception from 19th March
onwards.
Geography News
Miss Bow’s Marathon Munchies
On Sunday 22nd April, I will be running the London Marathon in aid of SSA-
FA. SSAFA is the UK's oldest national Armed Forces charity who are committed
to ensuring that our service men and women, veterans and their
families get the best possible support when they need it. This support
ranges from dealing with PTSD, advice on the transition from Forces to
civilian life to support for homeless veterans. My partner, Ed, served as an
Officer in the RAF Regiment for 5 years before being medically discharged
with hearing loss. It's been a privilege to learn more about the British military
and the enormous sacrifices that our service men and women and
their families make on a daily basis. Our country is not currently at war but
it's essential that we remember the on-going struggles that some serving
personnel and veterans face as a result of past conflicts. The number of
peacekeeping operations that take place outside of media attention and
the sacrifices that our Armed Forces continue to make has also amazed
me. If you would like to, you can donate at https://
uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SallyBow.
Designed by Poppy Singleton in 8PEM.
Miss Bow and 8PEM will be hosting a ‘marathon munchies’ stall at lunchtime on Tuesday 13th March in T16 from
1.20-2.10pm where students will have the opportunity to buy snacks and drinks to help raise money. We look
forward to seeing you all there!
Neighbourhood Planning Meeting
Approximately 3000 houses have been proposed for Baldock by 2030! If you would like to get involved in the decision-making
process then the next neighbourhood planning meeting is being held on Thursday 15 th March in the
KTS school hall from 7.30-9.30pm. A small group of our Year 8 Geography students will be presenting their ideas
on how they would like the new areas to look. Miss Bow, Head of Geography.
Year 10 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 22 nd March 2018
The on-line booking system for this parents’ evening will be opening on Friday 9 th March at 8am and bookings can
be made via the instructions on the letter sent home via email.
If you don’t have access to use the online booking system then please let me know so that your appointments can
be booked through the school.
Kind regards
Mr J Sherry
Year 10 Leader

PE News
Dear Parent/Guardian,
I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of the kit required for physical education (PE). Increasingly students
are arriving at PE without the proper equipment. This has a huge impact on progress and safety. The kit requirements
for PE are:
Boys' kit*
Black polo shirt
Black mid layer
Black rugby shirt
Black shorts
Black tracksuit bottoms
Red
Football
and
boots
white socks
Trainers
Girls' kit*
Black polo shirt
Black mid layer
Black shorts/black
skort
Black tracksuit
Red and white socks
Football
Trainers
boots (Yr10
*Extracurricular/trip hoodies are not part of PE kit
I would also like to remind you that the following protective kit is recommended for certain activities e.g. rugby and
hockey:
Gum shield
Shin pads
Before a PE lesson all jewellery should be removed, hair should be tied back and students are frequently reminded
that valuables should be placed in their school locker. To avoid misplacing kit in busy changing rooms, students are
shown how to change and how to store their kit in their bags. I strongly recommend that all kit is clearly named
with your child’s name, year and form group.
Many thanks for your continued support,
Mr M Bradley
Head of PE
Drama News
Year 11 Drama Exam Showcase
Our Year 11 Drama students’ have been working hard in preparation for their upcoming performance exams that
will take place at the end of March. Although we can’t invite an audience for their exam, the students would love to
invite you to see their work on Wednesday 14 th and Thursday 15 th March. The details for each evening are below.
This, their final performance project, is a great opportunity to celebrate the progress they have made.
Wednesday 14 th March 4.30-6.30 – Performing extracts from ‘Girls Like That’ by Evan Placey and ‘Be My Baby’ by
Amanda Whittington
Thursday 15 th March 4.30-6.30 – Performing extracts from ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ by
Mark Haddon and ‘Jerusalem’ by Jez Butterworth

Parent Courses
These courses are all free for parents to attend.
Bookings can be made online through the following link:
http://nhdspl.org.uk/home/event-list.html
Parents can also call or text (07527 828 477) to make bookings if they prefer.
Moving On to Year 7 - Transition to Secondary School, Practical Support for your child with SEND
Thursday, 19 April 2018
9:30am to 11:30am
Letchworth
Managing Anxiety - supporting your child with Autism/ADHD
Wednesday, 25 April 2018
9:30am to 2pm
Letchworth
Understanding Sleep Issues in children with Autism/ADHD
Tuesday, 1 May 2018
10am to 12pm
Letchworth

Meet your new Head Boy and Head Girl
We would like to congratulate and introduce you to your new Head Boy and Head Girl- Ben Buky and Leah Nelson!
These two students performed wonderfully well from the very first letter of application, through the presentation
to staff and students and finally, in the daunting interview stage with Mr Litchfield, Mrs Hopkins and Governor, Mrs
Dudderidge.
We would also like to pay tribute to Darcey Fisher and Marcus Crowther who progressed through to the final stage
of the application process but eventually lost out to Ben and Leah in what was a very closely fought contest from
start to finish.
We will be bringing you more details about our new Head Boy and Head Girl in the coming weeks.
We now look forward to looking at the applications for the Deputy Head Boy and Girl positions and eventually, the
Senior Prefect roles.
The Emirates apprenticeship trip
We would like to apologise for having to cancel last Friday’s trip to the apprenticeship exhibition at The Emirates
Stadium.
The inclement weather and advice we received regarding non-essential travel via public transport to London helped
us in making the decision to not run the trip.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and we will be looking for similar opportunities to advertise
to students.
In the meantime, we would like to direct your attention to a useful link on our Sixth Form website, regarding apprenticeship
information: http://www.apprenticeships.org.uk/
Thank you to all of the parents and students who attended last night’s presentation on student finance.

Student Finance
Thank you to all of the parents and students who attended last night’s presentation on
student finance.
As promised, the presentation from last night is now available via the following link on
the Sixth Form website
https://www.sixthform.ktemplar.herts.sch.uk/key-links
Resilience week
Next week, our newly formed team of Wellbeing Ambassadors will be visiting assemblies to address the need
for resilience during times of particular stress and anxiety.
Our wonderful team of ambassadors will address some shocking statistics and facts surrounding mental health
issues, as well as helps students distinguish between day-to-day stresses and genuine mental health issues.
Finally, our students will address coping strategies and techniques to support young people at times of
particular stress.
The ambassadors will also be organising a poster competition- the theme of the posters should include any of
the following issues: coping strategies for anxiety, pro-active/ healthy living, knowing when to reach out for
help, not using mental health terms as adjectives. The winning posters will be re-produced and
Senior basketball update
On Monday, the senior basketball team took to their home court
for the North Herts District Final against Hitchin Boys’ School (HBS).
HBS started the game with incredible pace and jumped out to an
early 20-point lead in the 1 st quarter. KTS struggled to get their
offence going in the early stages, missing shots and making
turnovers that resulted in a number of fast break opportunities for
their opponents.
However, during the 2 nd quarter KTS began to make things happen
on the offensive end. James Bentley, Julius James and Kim Onslow
began to cause HBS some problems with their shooting from
distance and drives to the basket and an increase in defensive intensity forced HBS into some poor shots of their
own, as the pendulum swung back in the direction of KTS. At half time, the deficit had been significantly reduced
to an 8-point HBS lead.
However, despite some moments of good attacking play through the motion offence, KTS struggled to convert
their opportunities in the 3 rd quarter and once again, HBS began to pull away as they converted a number of easy
fast break chances.
Foul trouble plagued the KTS ‘bigs’ and made it difficult for them to be as aggressive as they wanted on the
defensive end. This pattern continued throughout the 2 nd half and HBS began to cruise towards the District title.
At the final buzzer, the score line read 69-37 to HBS. Despite the disappointment of the loss, KTS can be very
proud of their runners-up position in the District and their overall performance against a very talented team.
Well done to all of the boys involved and thank you to Mr White for giving up his time for training and matches
throughout this season.

Harry meets Peaty
Year 13 student Harry Jones is no stranger to sporting success. He has been an integral part of District title
winning football and athletics squads during his time at KTS and was even part of the County Finalist football
squad from last season. However, last weekend Harry reached a far more impressive pinnacle of sporting
performance by competing at the Edinburgh International and Incorporating British Swimming Championships.
Harry endured terrible weather and even worse traffic conditions to travel on the train to Newcastle before
having his train stopped and being told he could go no further due to the weather. Harry re-routed his journey
to Carlisle, hired a car and made the rest of the journey on treacherous Scottish roads to the Championships in
Edinburgh- but he will be glad that he went to all of that effort!
This event hosted some of the biggest names in swimming, including elite world-class athletes, Olympians and
even World Record Holder and Olympic Gold Medallist for Team GB, Adam Peaty! Harry performed brilliantly in
the 100m butterfly and even recorded a Personal Best (PB) in the 50m butterfly…although I’m sure that his
photo with swimming phenomenon Adam Peaty was also a highlight of the weekend.
Harry’s dedication to his academic studies and training to be the best in the pool is epitomised by the challenges
he faced in simply travelling to this prestigious event- we are incredibly proud of Harry and would like to
congratulate him on a truly impressive sporting achievement.
Cycling for Charity
My name is Rachel Money, and I am a student in Year 13. I have been cycling since an early age, but decided to
push myself this year by attempting as many circuits of the Letchworth Greenway in 6 hours. This will take place
on Sunday 25th March, and any donations will be greatly appreciated. You can donate via my Sport Relief giving
page in the link below.
Many thanks.
Rachel

As promised, the presentation from last night is now available via the following link on the Sixth Form website
https://www.sixthform.ktemplar.herts.sch.uk/key-links