EN BON ESPOYR

Issue 36 - Dec 2014

Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar SchoolAshbourne, Derbyshire

Bringing School News to the CommunityQEGS PRESS

QEGS students raised over £1,500 for Children in Need

Season’s Greetings

Throughout the charity week, heads of each house had delivered assemblies to the younger students to inform them of the importance of the charity and the activities that were to be taking place. On Friday 14th November 2014, students and staff became heroes by dressing as their favourite superhero, alongside running and taking part in fundraising activities throughout the day. These included cake sales, nail painting, a photo booth, a fastest superhero contest and to end the day, a best dressed superhero competition. Costumes ranged from classic superheroes such as ‘Superman’ or ‘Batman’, to original ideas such as ‘Soup-erman’ and even ‘Scooby Doo’. Well done to the three finalists of the best costume competition,

and specifically to Billy Owens for winning with his imaginative ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ outfit. Congratulations to Mr Smith, winner of the staff competition with his accurate portrayal of ‘The Mask’. Thanks to all involved in making it such a great day!

QEGS has once again proven that their fundraising efforts really can stretch to infinity and beyond!

I would like to wish all the Students, Staff, Parents and Carers a very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all once again for your help and support in achieving such a positive Ofsted Report this term. - Mrs A Martin Headteacher

Follow us on Twitter@QEGS_Ashbourne

Pictured are three year 11 Childcare students decorating a Nordman Tree at St Oswald’s Parish Church. 23 local organisations have purchased trees to support the Christmas Tree Festival at St Oswald’s. The QEGS Childcare students made their own decorations which display the QEGS moto EN-BON-ESPOYR (In Good Spirit). The festival will be open to the public during normal daily church opening times. Entry is free, however donations towards church funds would be appreciated. The festival is well worth a visit.

Christmas Tree Festival

Our new Clerk to Governors

Students have been learning about making the right lifestyle choices following a series of talks from inspiring speakers.

Experts and people with experiences in drug and alcohol abuse, sexual exploitation, and hate crime spoke to around 450 students last week.

It came as part of a ‘Your Choice’ event organised by Derbyshire Constabulary, with the aim of showing the students how the decisions that they make have consequences to encourage them to think carefully about their choices.

The seminar was delivered to students aged 14 and 15-years-old and centred on the speakers sharing their personal experience on sensitive issues including war, sexual exploitation and overcoming adversity.

The speakers included Simon Brown, Lucy Smith, Shaun Maguire and Dr. Manny Barrot, who spoke to the students about the choices that they have made and how those choices have had a huge impact on them, for better or worse.

PC Sarah-Jayne Sims, who organised the event, said: “The event went extremely well and was well received by the school.

“Speaking to students after the event showed how inspirational

the talk was to them, they were asking the speakers questions to find out more about their stories and said that they would, in future, think carefully about the choices that they make.”

Mrs Humphrey-Lewis, Assistant Head teacher at the school, said: “I was delighted when we were asked to host the Your Choice event at the school. This is the second time that it has been held here and it is such a powerful and meaningful seminar. I think that it is something that the children will always remember from their time here at the school.”

To find out more about the event visit

www.derbyshire.police.uk/yourchoice

Four speakers share their stories with over 400 Ashbourne Students

We are pleased to welcome our new Receptionist Mrs C Snell. Carol took up her new role on Monday 11th November 2014. She has worked within the school for 7 years and is really excited to take up this great opportunity.

From ‘Requiring Improvement’ in April 2013 to ‘Good with Outstanding features’ in November 2014 - an amazing achievement for all. Read the latest Ofsted Report online now!

Ofsted Report

Our New Receptionist

This year, QEGS MFL department has offered y10 enrichment students the opportunity to work towards the Foreign Language Leaders’ Award. The award requires students to teach a lesson in a foreign language and organise a languages event amongst other language related activities. Students have already successfully organised a Eurovision

Song Contest for year 7 forms and are currently working with Parkside Junior School, helping to run their year 6 languages club. Other projects for the year will include organising cultural activities for QEGS students, a year 7 Spelling Bee competition and year 6 transition activities in the summer term. Watch this space!!

Language Leaders

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keep up-to-date with school news & events on our website?

www.queenelizabeths.derbyshire.sch.ukFollow us on Twitter@QEGS_Ashbourne

Did you know you can... &

FORthCOmING EvENtS

tERm: mon 3rd Nov - Fri 19th Dec

w/c 8th Dec - Year 11 mock GCSEs (2 weeks)

Mon 8th Dec - Parental Consultation - Year 12 (School closes at 2:30pm)

11th Dec - Christmas Showcase (7:00pm)

Mon 15th Dec - Parental Consultation - Year 7 (School closes at 2:30pm)

Fri 19th Dec - School closes at 2:10pm

ChRIStmAS hOLIDAY - mon 22nd Dec - Fri 2nd Jan

tERm: mon 5th Jan - Fri 13th Feb

Mon 12th Jan - Year 9 Options Evening 5-7pm

hALF tERm - mon 16th Feb - Fri 20th Feb

Year 7 Eurovision Song Contest

Students from year 7 recently celebrated the European Day of Languages by participating in a Eurovision style song contest. All forms in year 7 were given a song to learn in French , German or Spanish by the year 10 Language leaders. Songs included Let it go from

‘Frozen’ and Queen’s ‘We are the champions’. All songs were recorded and then judged by year 7, 8 and 9 forms. The winners were 7S1 and close runners up were 7S2. Well done to all those who took part - you were fantastic!!!

Remembrance

Year 8 student Bailey Williams is Ashbourne’s first ever Young British Legion Officer (pictured left). He accompanied

several students from QEGS including Josh Short (pictured right) who played the ‘Last Post’ at the memorial gates for a remembrance service.

“I was blown away by the quality of the group, your professionalism throughout and the fantastic execution on the day. The delegates absolutely loved it and we have had a lot of very positive feedback.”- Chris Smith, Student Leadership Coordinator, SSAT

Mr Bawden accompanied 2 students from QEGS to deliver one of the many ‘How to Workshops’ at this year’s conference in Manchester. The workshop explored the role of character education in improving student wellbeing, what such a programme might look like on the chalk-face, how it looks as the approach is developed at QEGS, and how it might be assessed successfully over time.

QEGS:DC (Dance Company) were invited to perform at the SSAT National Conference in Manchester. They performed a dance based on ‘The Learner’, which was inspired by Roald Dahl’s Matilda and a piece of choreography already in their repertoire, about behaviour in lessons. After an eventful morning at the Sea Life centre, a full stomach at Pizza Hut and hitting the Christmas Market they gave their best performance to date. Students gave a dynamic and energetic performance with a contrasting buoyant swing to sharp and hard-hitting street dance. Everyone who went had an amazing day and the students were a credit to the school. A massive well done from the Dance and Drama department.

SSAT National Conference 2014manchester

Over the last few years, QEGS has worked closely with The Jubilee Centre for Character & Virtues at The University of Birmingham to create a new way of approaching SMSC through character education. They now have increased focus on the qualities of mind and character in relation to PSHEe, Citizenship, Tutorship, and Work Related Learning. This has increased student engagement and significantly raised levels of integration across the wider school.

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Governor NewsSimon Griffiths, Chair of Governors, is pleased to announce that following a recent Parent Governor Election two new Governors have been appointed. Mrs Claire Ward and Mr Richard Watson received the most votes in the election that was very closely contended. They replace Mr Alan Weir and Mrs Helen Ward.

Claire and Richard will join a committed group of experienced Governors and their first meeting will be on 8 December 2014.

‘It is an exciting time to join the Governing Body after a positive Ofsted inspection and as we consider the future growth of the school, as housing developments in the town and surrounding area are likely to increase student numbers.’ said Simon Griffiths. ‘I am very much looking

forward to welcoming them on to the Governing Board and hope they find the experience of being a Governor interesting. Richard Watson is already a Governor at Osmaston School and Claire has many years in secondary education special educational needs.’

Mr Griffiths would like to also thank all those who had put themselves forward as candidates to be governors.

SNOW! If the school has to close due to adverse weather conditions then parents will be informed by text message, a notice will be placed on our website and Radio Derby will be informed. Work will be placed on the school website for students to complete should the school be closed.

Do you want to inspire young people?•

Do you want a career change?•

train on the job to become a teacher!•

School Direct Salaried VACANCY in BIOLOGY at QEGS, in partnership with Derby University.You must be a graduate with 3 or more years full time industry or work experience - this experience need not necessarily have been in education.If you are interested then please contact:farrs@queenelizabeths.derbyshire.sch.uk for further information

School Direct Salaried vACANCY in BIOLOGY

Here at QEGS we have an excellent range and variety of courses for all students.

This year’s Year 9 Options Evening will take place on the Green Road site on the 12th January 5pm-7pm

There will be 2 talks taking place throughout the evening; one commencing at 5pm for current students in (Boothby & Cokayne) and a second commencing at 6pm for those students in (Hull & Spalden). Any new students are welcome at either talk and there will be staff and students to guide you around the school throughout the evening.

Year 9 Options Evening

The AGM next year will be held in a different format. A short meeting will take place in March as an AGM. There will be an opportunity for parents and other stakeholders in the school to meet the governors in the summer term at an afternoon event led by the students in year 10. Further details to follow in forthcoming newsletters and on the school’s website. AGm 2015

Simon Griffiths would also like to welcome Simi Bhogal who is taking over the role of Clerk to Governors from Sue Loveridge. Sue has been Clerk to Governors for the past 10 years and is moving on to take over the role of the Examinations Officer for the School. Simi can be contacted via email bhogal@queenelizaebths.derbyshire.sch.uk or via telephone 01335 343685 extension 1714.

Our new Clerk to Governors