Parental Bulletin - 15th March 2018

Parental Bulletin
15th 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
PARENTAL WEEKLY UPDATE – 15th March 2018
Dear Parents and Carers
Science Week here at KTS has proved to be a great success. We had an inspirational
visit from Robin Ince on Monday and a team from Airbus speaking to our year 9
students on Monday. Please see the link from the homepage of the school website
which gives a full overview of all the activities. In a week where we have lost one of
the greatest scientists of our generation, inspiring our own future Stephen Hawking
is important!
Parents of our year 10 students will be aware that school exams are rapidly
approaching (30 th April – 11 th May). All students were given access to Tim Foot over
the last couple of days, who has given them a whole set of tips for revising and
preparing. Please do ask your child about their preferred way of revision and what
they have taken from Mr Foot’s
session. You have already received the
exam timetable and over the next few days you will be receiving
information relating to the running of the exams. Please do read these
carefully.
Congratulations to the first IV Rugby team on reaching the final of the
Senior County Shield Final last night. All the boys showed a great
commitment to what was a really engaging game. Please do read the
report later in this bulletin.
I am looking forward to the year
11 drama showcase performances this evening. Congratulations to all the
students involved.
Some of our year 8 Geography students will be presenting to the community
this evening at the public meeting for the local building plan. I have copied
one of the pages of their own plan for you to see. Miss Bow will share more
information on this in next weeks bulletin.
We are delighted to announce that KTS Cider will be launched in June and there is a £20 prize for the best label
design. The rectangular label should be in a similar style to the KTS Apple Juice.
Entries should be handed into Reception with the student name and tutor
group detailed on the back. Please encourage your child to enter.
Kind regards,
Tim Litchfield
Headteacher

Dates For Yr11 Students—March 2018
Dates for your Diary
Thursday 15 03 18 Year 11 Drama Exam Showcase Pt 2, 4.30pm
6th Form Big Quiz, 7pm
Sunday 18 03 18 Yr12 Geography Flatford Mills Field Studies Centre to 21/03
Monday 19 03 18 Yr7 District Hockey Tournament
Yr11 Dance Showcase
Tuesday 20 03 18 Yr13 A Level Drama and Theatre Studies Component 3 Performance Exam
Full Governors' Meeting
Yr9 Bronze Practice 3 Planning Meeting
Wednesday 21 03 18 North Herts Secondary Book Award/ Author Event March 2018
Yr9 Bronze Practice 3 Planning Meeting
Thursday 22 03 18 Yr12 & 13 A level Dance Exam
Yr11 GCSE Geography Revision Day, London
Yr10 Parents' Evening
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
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

Media News
The Media department have organised a trip to Warner Bros Studios.
The Making of Harry Potter for Year 10 Media Students!
The trip will be on the 3 rd of October, and letters are available to collect
as of this week. The total cost of the trip is £45 but we are asking for
£25 now in order to secure the tickets, with the remaining balance being
collected in September.
Music News
Knights Templar Students Sing At Wembley
On Wednesday this week, 42 of our students took part in the Voice in a Million concert at Wembley Arena. This
event presents an opportunity for school children from
throughout the UK to come together united in song and to perform
in front of their family, friends and the general public at a
large scale arena event.
With their school rehearsals behind them, an excited KTS Voice
in a Million choir left Baldock at lunchtime to travel to Wembley
Arena. With everyone in position, the afternoon was
spent rehearsing as part of the 6,000 strong choir. The evening
concert was a joyous, noisy affair filled with glow-sticks,
waving banners and smiling faces. The children were a credit
to themselves and the school, and will be able to always treasure
their memories of singing at Wembley Arena
Spring Concert – 7pm on Tuesday 27 th March
We hope you are able to come along and support our young musicians at this term’s Spring Concert. The concert
will feature a varied programme of popular and classical music performed by the school’s groups and ensembles.
The Parents’ Association will be running a cash bar providing refreshments. Entry is free of charge.
Jazz Spectacular Tickets On Sale Now!
Don’t forget to buy your tickets for this year’s Jazz Spectacular Concert which takes place on Saturday 28 th
April. Tickets are available to buy online via WisePay, or in person at the School Reception.
Tickets must be bought in advance and cannot be bought on the door.
Reminder
Year 10 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 22 nd March 2018
The on-line booking system for this parents’ evening is open 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

Vaccines
Year 8 Girls
In year 8 all the girls are offered the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the vaccine team will come into
school to give it on Tuesday 17 th April. The attachment is a letter from the Immunisation Team Leader for the NHS;
on it you can click for information regarding the vaccine, and then click on a link to fill out the on line consent form.
The code for our school is highlighted in red and you will need to use this to complete the form.
The on-line form is new and they are not giving paper consent forms, so you will not be able to get one from
school. Click here to access it. The deadline date to complete it is 9am on Monday 9 th April 2018 .If you have problems
accessing the form do let me know on jmance@ktemplar.herts.sch.uk .
Year 9 Girls
The Year 9 girls will be due to have their second dose on the same day as the Year 8s. If they have had one dose of
vaccine then they don’t need another consent form. If there are any girls in Year 9 who missed the HPV vaccine last
year and haven’t completed a consent form then they are welcome to download the letter from the school web
site (on the Medical Matters page)and fill in the on-line consent form.
The catch up Year 9 and 10 DTP and Meningitis ACWY vaccines
For those students who missed having these vaccines on the 28 th February and 1 st March then these will now be
done on Friday 23 rd March in K7. The students will be given a time to come down to have them, a few days before
then.
Carrying medication
May I remind you all that students in Year 7 to 9 are not allowed to carry any medication on them unless it has
been agreed with me and your child’s Year leader. The exception to this is:
inhalers for the relief of asthma
adrenalin auto-injectors
Year 10 and 11 students are permitted to carry only 2 tablets for pain relief for their own use.
If a student needs to have medication while they are at school, the medication needs to be given to either Student
Services, Reception or me and it will be looked after for your child and given if needed. If an antibiotic is needed to
be given: 3 times a day, it can be kept at home, if it needs to be given 4 times a day then some will need to be
brought into school. Please ensure all medications are labelled for your child. A permission form needs to be completed
Med1 for us to give any medication.
Mrs Jane Mance
School Medical Officer
Miss Bow’s Marathon Munchies
A huge WELL DONE to 8PEM who did an amazing job of hosting and organising Miss Bow’s Marathon Munchies stall
in T16 on Tuesday. We raised an amazing £286.49 for SSAFA- thank you to everyone who came and supported the
event!
Best wishes,
Sally

Year 7/8 Girls County Rugby Tournament
The year 7 and 8 girls rugby team travelled to Hertford Rugby Club to take part in the annual County Rugby Tournament.
Mr Smith was quietly confident in the build up to the tournament as the girls have made huge progress
throughout the year.
The girls did not disappoint. Knights Templar won all their group games convincingly to top the group. They then
faced a very strong Roundwood School.
Roundwood School had some extremely powerful and elusive ball runners. However, Knights Templar’s strategy to
double up on their dangerous runners in defence proved successful. Knights Templar took a 2 tries to 1 lead going
into the final play of the game. It was to be heart break for KTS though as Rounwood crossed the line to make it 2
tries each and the final whistle blew.
Knights Templar are then shared county rugby champions 2018!
This is an amazing achieve as out of the squad of 13 players, only 2 had ever played rugby before joining KTS in year
7!
All the girls played superbly with captain Sophia Botterman aa huge influence on the team. Player of the tournament
was awarded to Amy Gonis and most improved player of the season was awarded to Megan Brewer.
Thanks,
Mr Smith

DofE Update
*******Save the Date: DofE Awards presentation evening*******
The annual DofE Awards presentation evening will take place on Wednesday 18 th April. We are delighted that the
Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Stuart Lewis, will be attending to present the awards.
Any student who has achieved a Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award since 21 st April 2017 will be invited to attend the
evening and invitation letters will be sent out in the next week.
It is not too late to get DofE Awards approved. All assessor reports must be uploaded to eDofE by the end of term
at the absolute latest. Please also make sure that the paper copies of the assessor reports are brought in to Mrs
Murrell in Top Office to help with verifying the awards. Please come to DofE Drop In (Thurs lunchtime) or see Mrs
Murrell in Top Office if you are unsure what to do.
Reminder on care of borrowed DofE equipment
We have an excellent stock of high quality equipment for students to borrow on their DofE expedition. This
includes tents, stoves, rucksacks, karrimats, maps, compasses and GPS. We also have a small group of volunteers
who give their time for free to look after this equipment. It is disappointing when equipment is returned late or
unclean after an expedition as this involves extra time for the volunteers to get it ready for the next expedition.
Use of the equipment is included in the cost of the expedition. We do issue fines when equipment is not returned
on time, damaged or in an unfit state but we would prefer that this is a last resort. We have outlined below what
we expect students to do when they get home after an expedition:
Tents: tents must be dried out after use – this can either be outside if the weather is dry, or inside a garage, house
or shed. Remove all rubbish from inside the tent. All parts of the tent (inner, outer, poles and pegs) must be
returned together not separately.
Stoves: please thoroughly wash stoves in hot soapy water before bringing it back
Rucksack: make sure all personal items removed from the rucksack before bringing it back. If it’s wet, then dry it
out as much as possible before the return day.

Maths News
Intermediate Mathematics Challenge
Pupils from set 1 in Years 9 and 10 were entered for the Challenge that took place in February. There were
200,000 entries and certificates are only awarded to the top 40%.
In Year 10, students Tom Collinson and Revae Tilbury deserve a special mention as they scored so highly that
they got through to a further round in the competition.
Certificates were awarded to:
Year 10 Year 9
Gold
Tom Collinson
Harrison Kemp
Revae Tilbury
Silver Adam Caine Jamie Homewood
Joel Overton
Louie Trezise
Rebecca Twena
Alicia Padget-Dunthorne
Ruby Mitchell -Del Greco
Thomas Cowsley
Johnny Phillips
Luke Bungay
Bronze Jason Harley Vicky Lam
Lucius Wong
Guy Mackenzie
Marcus Allerton
Jonathan Wing
Kira Beck
Tom Shackleton
Adam Yianni
Ralph Baldwin
Anuoluwapo Odumade
Sophie Prior
Callum Macleod
Oliver Catlin
Joe Clark
Evie Bishton
Grace Simpson
Edexcel Awards
Some students in Year 11 found out last week that they had passed the Level 3 Award in Algebra so well done
to them.
In addition some pupils in Year 10 also passed the Level 1 Award in Statistical Methods so well done to them
too.
Karen Dixon

Senior Boys XV County Shield Final v Sandringham
The senior rugby XV took on Sandringham School in the County Shield Final at Old Albanians.
The game started in physical fashion with strong running from both sides through the middle of the pitch. Sandringham
opened the scoring to take a 5-0 lead.
Knights Templar then responded in a very positive manner, with structured phases taking them to within 5 metres
of the Sandringham try line. After great work to suck the opposition defence in KTS went wide and with the try line
gaping and unforced knock on gifted Sandringham the ball. Sandringham took advantage of another KTS knock on a
crossed to make the score 12-0. A bitterly disappointing score line after 15 minutes after KTS controlled much of
the opening exchanges.
The game continued to be physical in the second half and again, with the try line begging for KTS to cross, Sandringham
intercepted to run the full length of the pitch to put the game out of reach.
Despite this, KTS showed amazing determination and resilience and put in a very worthy performance.
Mr Smith commented, ‘The score line doesn’t reflect how competitive the game was. The boys were fantastic today
and can be really proud to reach a count cup final.’
Man of the match was captain Josh Parkhouse. Worthy of a mention was Daltry Whyte for a very hard working performance.
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. https://my.sportrelief.com/sponsor/rachelmoney893021
Many thanks.
Rachel

Head Boy: Ben Buky- student profile
Our newly appointed Head Boy entered the KTS Sixth Form with a
total of 8 GCSE grades at the highest level (2 ‘9’ grades and 6 A*
grades), alongside 1 grade ‘7’ and 2 A grades.
Since being in the Sixth Form, Ben has put his academic prowess to
good use through his role as a teacher of GCSE Astronomy and an
Academic Mentor for History.
Outside of the classroom, Ben is an avid pianist and provided a
wonderful performance at this year’s Winter Dinner Dance.
Ben has also been heavily involved in the Sixth Form Council and is
currently undertaking the gruelling and challenging Gold Duke of
Edinburgh Award, for which he has to complete a number of physically
exhausting expeditions, as well as many hours of volunteer
work.
Ben has even demonstrated a keen interest in the theatre during
his time at the school and particularly in the Sixth Form. He delivered
a hilarious portrayal of the Lion in the most recent school production
of The Wizard of Oz and prior to this, Ben took on the role
of the loveable, crowd favourite Buttons in the Sixth Form Panto production of Cinderella.
We are very proud to have Ben as a member of our Sixth Form and we are looking forward to seeing how well he
can perform in the coveted role of Head Boy.
Head Girl: Leah Nelson- student profile
Leah entered the KTS Sixth Form with a very impressive set of
GCSE results including 6 A grades, as well as a grade ‘9’ (highest
grade possible), a grade ‘8’ and a grade ‘6’.
When she is not demonstrating her academic talents in the
classroom, Leah is a regular feature in many of our performing
arts productions and has truly embraced this enviable aspect of
Knights Templar School life. Leah is a member of the school
Windband, Chamber Choir and has featured most recently on
the stage of the school production, The Wizard of Oz.
In addition, Leah co-leads a remarkable initiative called Project
Refugee. Leah has been given responsibility alongside a small
team of other Sixth Form students to design, choreograph and
produce a piece of physical theatre that will tell the tale of the
current refugee crisis. The proceeds from this initiative will be
donated to a charity who help and support refugees.
Outside of school, Leah is a keen netballer and also plays clarinet
to a very high standard.
Leah performed wonderfully during each phase of the Head Girl application process and we look forward to seeing
her utilise her personable nature, fierce intelligence and community spirit to lead the Senior Prefect team through
what we anticipate will be a very positive year.

Charlie Chicks
Sixth formers, Georgia Farey, Daisy Muge, Charlotte Turner, Brooke Middleton, Andie Foster, Caitlin Bunyan, Emma
Anderson, Enfys Fairbairn, Lauren Carter, Izzy McCarthy, Lucy Kingsley are selling Charlie Chicks during morning
registrations. A chick costs £1 and all proceeds go to the Garden House Hospice.
Sixth Form Wellbeing Ambassadors- Resilience Week
This week, the newly formed Sixth Form Wellbeing Ambassadors have been delivering assemblies to years 7-11
about the need for resilience during times of stress or emotional turmoil.
The group shared some shocking statistics regarding the severity of mental health issues in the UK before delving
into a range of tips and strategies to maintain a healthy mental and emotional lifestyle. The advice imparted by
the Wellbeing Ambassadors touched upon the need for adequate sleep, an active and outdoors lifestyle and the
need for an appropriate diet in maintaining a more consistent emotional state. In addition, the Sixth Form
students shared practical advice and guidance on Legs-Up Yoga and the benefits to those who regularly practise.
Perhaps most importantly, our Wellbeing Ambassadors addressed the stigma surrounding mental health issues
and how overuse of mental health terminology to describe day-to-day feelings and experiences can contribute
towards the stigma around these issues and dilute the severity of genuine conditions.
The team identified and explained that things like anxiety and depression are mental health disorders but also
normal, human emotions. The Wellbeing Ambassadors emphasised the need to distinguish between stressful
times or a bad day and a period of genuine mental and emotional struggle that requires extra support.
The team will be following up their excellent assemblies with visits to form groups next week to speak in a little
more depth about mental health awareness, as well as to advertise our poster competition and bake sale to raise
money for a Yoga Instructor to regularly work with students at school.
Well done to all of the students involved with this initiative!

Science Week
Robin Ince, presenter of Radio 4’s
Infinite Monkey Cage podcast alongside
Professor Brian Cox was in school on
Monday. Robin spoke to our year 10 and
sixth form students as part of British
Science Week. He spoke about the rarity
of life and how exciting science can be if
you allow yourself to explore it properly.
In a time where we are under so much
pressure to get through the course
content it was great to have Robin come in to talk with such
passion, enthusiasm and freedom about science but also its
links with other subjects. He gave up his day off and just
wanted to give more and more to the students, extending
his time in school as long as he possibly could.
Deputy Head Boy, Sam Collins thought, ‘Mr. Ince gave a
fascinating talk about science and it's applications with
some hilarious anecdotes as well. He had a brilliant energy
which captivated the audience and definitely opened a few
eyes to the possibility of a career in science.’ Sixth former,
Joe Royal also enjoyed the talk, ‘Robins talk was incredibly
interesting and managed to engage everyone in the
room. During lunch he was perfectly accommodating to all
our questions, and listened to our own views as well as
presenting his own’.
Non-uniform day - Friday 23rd March
The KTS Interact club is the youth wing of the Baldock Rotary Club,
meeting every week to organise fundraising for projects to help
and make a difference in the community and beyond. As part of
this we are currently focusing on the ‘lend with care scheme’
which assists entrepreneurs in developing countries, investing in
their businesses to help them out of poverty. For example,
currently, Jonathan Jorge Chamba from Ecuador has requested
£1204.38 to buy soya beans and specialist feed for the hens
whose eggs he makes a living by selling. All or some of the money can be loaned and this is eventually repaid
and can then be reinvested to help another entrepreneur.
Until the 22nd of April, donations will be doubled by the UK government with the matched funding going to
support female farmers in Tanzania. KTS will be getting involved by holding a non-uniform day on Friday 23rd
March so please remind your child to bring in £1! If you would like to find out more, please visit
www.lendwithcare.org
The KTS Interact Club

Teacher challenge
Last Friday eight teachers took part in the first ever ‘teacher challenge’! Four teams, one each from Science,
History, Geography and Drama, took part in a series of ‘physical challenges’. Nearly 200 students made a
contribution of £2 to see the challenge. Challenges such as , pass the balloon, wrap the mummy, post the
trumpet, saw the either teachers battle it out for the title. The winning department was the Science Department
who were represented by Mrs Allman and Mr Grove – a significant achievement in their careers! Thank you to the
sixth form leadership team who organised a great event!

For your information
Dear Resident,
Following a review of working methodology we have changed our sequence of working on both Norton Road and
Baldock Lane. This will enable us to re-open Baldock Lane bridge to traffic and pedestrians until after Easter.
Having completed some preparatory works the bridge will open later this week.
We will be closing Baldock Lane bridge again to carry out the bearing replacement and waterproofing works, but
will significantly reduce the timescales where both bridges are closed at the same time.
Kind regards
Public Liaison
07471 140915
Working on Behalf of
0300 123 5000
www.highways.gov.uk