The Fortnight That Was … 2 November - 13 November 2015 T H E

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J4’s GOT TALENT… In support of BBC‟s Children In Need fundraising, and as part of their homework, J4 thought about what special talents and skills they had before performing a talent show in assembly on Friday 13 November. The line-up included: dancers, magicians, comedians, skippers, football and tennis players, poetry readers and joke tellers. After the performance, pupils paid £1 for a voting slip in order to vote for their favourite act with all proceeds going to the charity. The name of the winner will be announced in school on Monday and published in the next Pitsford Post. Well done to all performers and thanks to parents for supporting this event.

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE Pitsford School‟s poignant and moving Remembrance Service took place on Wednesday 11 November. The school choir sang For The Fallen, followed by the Commitment (read by Head Boy, Isaac Hamlyn) and Dedication (read by Head Girl, Sudha Pathak). A letter from the front, entitled A Letter from Messines 1917, was read by James Smith and Georgia Boffey before Rudyard Kipling‟s poem My Boy Jack read by Matthew Wainwright and Nakita Bell, and finally the Anthem for Doomed Youth read by Ben Allwright. Leading up to the two minutes‟ silence, pupils and staff listened to the Agnus Dei from Benjamin Britten‟s War Requiem which accompanied images on screen. Charlie Barker‟s beautifully haunting sounds of the trumpet marked The Last Post before the room fell silent in respect of those who have died in the service of our country and its cause. Loui Partridge represented the RAF and Matthew Wainwright represented the Army. The service concluded with pupils and staff singing the National Anthem.

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EXPLORING DORSET’S JURASSIC COAST Year 11 Geographers recently returned from spending several days on Dorset‟s Jurassic Coast where they completed fieldwork necessary for their controlled assessment. Swanage was the base for our five-day visit which included excursions to some of the UK classic physical geography locations: Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door, Studland Beach as well as Swanage Bay itself. Owing to a change in specification from 2016, this was our last Swanage residential trip. The current Year 10 cohort will complete their fieldwork on two day visits, the first of which will be to the Peak District during the summer term. Pictured are some of the Year 11 pupils surveying a beach at one of the most identifiable locations along our coastline.

J3 ROMAN DAY On Monday 2 November, J3 took part in a Roman Day as part of their topic work. Each pupil dressed either as a Roman soldier or a Celtic warrior and took part in a battle re-enactment of the uprising of Boudicca. They also took part in a Roman feast, sampling some of the types of foods that the Romans would have eaten.

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AIR OPERATIONS ACQUAINTANCE CAMP Last month, Year 9 pupil, Loui Partridge, was given the opportunity to take part in an Air Operations Acquaintance Camp. “I‟ve been an air cadet since January and am loving it,” said Loui. The camp was held at RAF Linton, near York. Loui was fortunate to secure a place on this national course as only ten cadets in the country are allowed to attend. The course showed the theory behind air operations ending with the cadets flying an F16 in a mock battle with advanced flight simulators. “When we arrived at RAF Linton, we were assigned our flying suits and names. My name was Magic”, said Loui. The first task was to lead an attack on a country called „Red Land‟. Cadets were given a list of places they had to dispose of, such as a presidential palace. “I was in charge of refuelling and the support team,” said Loui. This involved discussing with colleagues when the aircraft needed refuelling and which support planes were needed to assist with the attack. Cadets were then taught the controls of the aircraft which although complicated at first was a fun and challenging experience. “We learnt how to manage basic manoeuvres in flight, information about the missiles used on board and eventually how to fire these missiles at other aircraft. This culminated in a competition where we were given five minutes to destroy as many aircraft as possible without being shot down ourselves. “On the last day, we gave a group presentation about our attack on the country „Red Land‟. The final afternoon was spent in the flight simulators practising landing, bombing and taking off. “I now have two certificates in Air Operations covering Stage One and Stage Two and have really enjoyed my time at RAF Linton,” commented Loui.

WEATHER WATCHERS Pitsford School‟s Head of Geography, Mr Lewis, featured live on BBC Radio Northampton on Wednesday 4 November. The BBC has launched a new website whereby members of the public can submit their own observations of the weather to the BBC. It is called Weather Watchers and Mr Lewis was interviewed as part of the publicity. Find out more at: www.bbc.co.uk/weatherwatchers Mr Lewis was asked questions about why the weather in the UK is so changeable, what the weather station at Pitsford School is used for and his thoughts on the coming winter weather. To find out more and to listen to the interview please visit: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03543zf#play

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MUSICAL SUCCESS FOR SAMUEL GIBBS It has been an extremely successful year for Year 10 musician and Alastair Green scholar, Samuel Gibbs, who in the last 12 months has passed his Grade 4 Organ, Grade 5 Theory and Grade 6 Piano exams, all with Distinction! As a result of his particularly high piano exam result, Samuel was invited to perform in the High Performer‟s Concert at the Northampton Music School last month. “These are fantastic achievements for a very talented musician and we look forward to seeing Sam continue with his musical progress as he goes through the School,” said Emma Walsh, Director of Music at Pitsford School. A special mention must go to Mr Stephen Moore, the School‟s piano and organ teacher for helping Sam to prepare for his examinations.

LUNCHTIME CONCERT REVIEW The first Lunchtime Concert back after half term was a resounding success. Three of our pupils, taught by the School‟s peripatetic teachers, Miss Quinn and Mr Moore, performed pieces from their upcoming piano exam repertoire. We wish Lucy, Peter and Amelia all the best in their exams later on this term. The fourth item on the programme was the whole of 8G performing “Chicken-Fried” by the Zac Brown Band, demonstrating the ukulele and singing skills they have been working on in class music lessons with Miss Walsh. Pitsford Hall was completely full, with a number of pupils and staff coming to support the performers. This was another excellent concert, well done to all those involved!

DIWALI CELEBRATIONS Pupils in Kits, Squirrels and J1 put the finishing touches to their Diwali lamps in their RE lesson this week. Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL POPPY PAINTINGS Take a look at the colourful display of poppy artwork produced by pupils in our Kits and Squirrels classes.

RADIO CLUB The School‟s Radio Club meets weekly on Mondays and this week pupils erected a new shortwave dipole antenna. HF conditions have not improved significantly since the last newsletter, the sun still causing geomagnetic disturbances. However, a new first has been a contact on a local UHF repeater which has a new digital system on it called fusion. Amateur radio is moving with the times and as well as using FM on repeaters (these are relay stations maintained by local amateurs allowing you to re-transmit your signal which is especially useful if you are mobile) and other modes on shortwave, amateurs are now experimenting with digital radio systems.

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SCHOOL MUSICAL -THE SOUND OF MUSIC This academic year, we are putting on a production of The Sound of Music which will be a joint enterprise with both senior and junior school pupils taking part. The performances take place between 10-12 February 2016, in the week before half-term. I am trying to source a metal table and two chairs (similar to the one pictured below) for the terrace scenes and was wondering if any parents have anything suitable that they would be prepared to lend us for the production? Please contact Sara Jackson, Production Director on: sjackson@pitsfordschool.com if you can help.

WEAR IT PINK Pupils and staff raised an amazing £311.90 on their Wear It Pink day just before half term in aid of Breast Cancer Fundraising. Thank you for your support.

JUNIOR SCHOOL CHRISTMAS FAYRE AND MARKET The Junior School Christmas Fayre and Market takes place in and around the Junior School on Friday 27 November. Visit Santa‟s Grotto, browse the Christmas Market, take part in the Basket Raffle and win prizes at a variety of fun stalls run by the children. Join us for an evening of festive fun between 4.00pm and 6.00pm on Friday 27 November.

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SPOTLIGHT ON LESLEY WHITLEY, CATERING MANAGER

What is your professional background? I joined Pitsford School in January

2015 having worked in the catering industry for 35 years. This includes both

business and industry and the education sector. I attained a Higher National

Diploma in Hospitality Management at the University of Leeds Metropolitan

and Manchester Metropolitan. I also

hold the Chef‟s 706-1 and 706-2

catering certificates, IOSH certificate

and Level 3 in Food Hygiene.

How would you describe a typical

working day? A typical day begins

with me buying some ingredients on

my way to work before the food

deliveries start to arrive. My role is

then to organise a team of six staff in

the preparation of snacks for break time before starting the hot meal

preparation for 350 staff and pupils. This involves home-baking and

preparation of fresh yogurts and fruit. After lunch it‟s time to ensure everything

is clean and tidy before catching up with bookkeeping tasks.

How are menus created to ensure balanced meals? A child‟s nutritional

intake is linked with their academic performance and we provide our pupils

with nutritionally varied, balanced meals using fresh ingredients that sustain a

child‟s energy levels to achieve optimum development. We use local suppliers

wherever possible in order to support the local community. Where there is a

need to use national suppliers, we source the best quality products for the best

value for money.

The menu runs on a half-termly cycle with termly changes to reflect seasonal

changes and ingredients. Menus are created by considering variety, nutrition,

texture, flavour and colour. It‟s important to encourage new flavours and food

types to develop a child‟s palette.

How do you cater for food allergies? We cater daily for children with specific

food allergies including gluten, nuts, dairy, soya etc. Each morning I liaise with

my Head Cook and we make

individual adjustments to the

menu for those affected.

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Have you introduced any new dishes? The first thing I introduced was

individual fruit pots which saw the fruit consumption increase by 50%. Greek

homemade yogurts have also been introduced and every day we prepare 14

litres of reduced sugar Greek yogurt,

sweetened by natural fruit pulp.

The yogurts are probiotic thereby aiding

healthy digestion. The pasta pit and baked

potato bar are also recent additions providing

alternative choices to the two main dishes. I

have also introduced a Deli style wrap bar and

am making changes to the mid-morning snack

bar in order to provide more sustaining healthier alternatives.

Do you have a signature dish? Yes, my signature dish has been tried and

tested at home and is popular with senior school pupils. It‟s a Thai coconut

chilli chicken dish.

What do you enjoy most about your role? I am passionate about children

having a healthy, balanced, freshly cooked hot meal every day. I enjoy

leading my team to deliver good quality, well presented food. I love coming to

work in the small and friendly close-knit community at Pitsford School. I have

recently had the pleasure of re-branding the catering facilities to “The Pitstop”,

creating a more interesting, on-trend facility where the children can rest and

re-charge themselves.

What are your hobbies? I enjoy walking my two dogs, going on caravan

breaks, gardening and decorating.

ASSEMBLIES The Music Department is following the BBC Ten Pieces programme examining well known pieces of music. On Monday 2 November, Mr Tickle gave an assembly giving examples of music from different historical periods and moods including Bach‟s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, Chopin‟s Revolutionary Prelude, Elgar‟s Third Symphony and Stravinsky‟s Rite of Spring. The Renaissance period appeared as a prelude to a later assembly in the guise of some Thomas Tallis. Sixth Formers, Tom Goodwin, Ben Lawson and Matthew Wainwright gave an assembly on 4 November on the British Legion and its causes. They talked about Matthew Wainwright‟s ancestors and encouraged people to research their own heritage. It was stressed that political opinion shouldn‟t impact the support of the cause.

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SPORTS ROUND UP… The U11 rugby team continued their impressive start to the season by extending their unbeaten run to four wins from four matches, with an 11-9 victory away at Quinton House on 2 November. Man of the match: Elliot Powell scoring five long range tries and making some important try-saving tackles in the second half. The U14 netball team played Malcolm Arnold on 3 November, winning 20-9. This was a spirited game from both teams. Well played ladies. Player of the match: Alexandra Smith. The U11 netball team beat Moulton Primary 12-2 on 3 November. This was an exciting game seeing Pitsford dominate all over the court. Well done team. On Wednesday 4 November, the U13 Rugby team played Rushmoor at home. The score was 12-43 but that didn't in any way reflect how we played. Tyler Smith scored both of our tries and Arthur Franklin-Seaton was man of the match. The U12 netball team lost 6-0 against Welland Park on 5 November in a fast and furious game. Plenty of basics to practice next week! Player of the match: Annabelle McCallum-Toppin. The U13 netball team played a quick paced game of netball against Welland Park on 5 November. With an intense four quarters, the end score was 7 to Pitsford and 1 to Welland Park thanks to our incredible shooters. There was a great team spirit and the player of the match was Lucy Rathe. On 10 November, the U14 netball team beat Kingsthorpe College 25-15. This was a well-fought competitive league match. Very well played team. Player of the match was Tess Winter. Our U11 rugby team beat Lincroft 5-2 in a good game on 11 November. The U18 rugby team lost 29-41 against Bedford Modern School on Wednesday 11 November. This was a game which could have tipped either way with the Pitsford squad lacking a little bit of passion in the latter stages. On Thursday 12 November, the U13 netball team lost 2-12 against Malcolm Arnold who played a very strong drilled and experienced team. Lots to work on next week. On 12 November, the U11s competed in the ISA National 9-a-side rugby tournament at Bedford Swifts Rugby Club. Competing against 15 teams from all over the country, Pitsford initially struggled in the cup competition before going into the plate competition after the group stages. Our team won their first game in the quarter final before going on to win 2-0 against Stoke College in the semi final and then narrowly losing 2-1 in the final.

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REMEMBRANCE CONCERT The whole school Remembrance Concert took place on Wednesday 11 November and featured over 40 pupil performers from the Junior and Senior Schools. After an introduction from the Headmaster, Mr Toone, the Senior Choir gave a rendition of “For The Fallen”, a beautiful and evocative piece which set the mood for the concert. A number of solo performances followed, including Holst‟s Jupiter, performed by Monty Morrison, L‟Orage performed by Peter Smith, an emotive performance of the Theme from Schindler‟s List (Lilly Hagenberg) and a fantastic snare drum duet by Thomas Goodwin and Mr Butler. The final solo performance of the evening, the 3rd movement of Mozart‟s Sonata in G, was given by Upper Sixth flautist Alexandra Crook who is currently working towards her diploma. The Junior Chamber Choir and Senior Choir then combined to perform Gareth Malone‟s London Medley with many well-known favourites that saw the audience swaying along, including “Maybe It‟s Because I‟m A Londoner”, “Waterloo Sunset”, “London‟s Burning”, “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square” and Lambeth Walk. The finale to the concert was a sing-a-long of the famous “We‟ll Meet Again” which got more than a few eyes watering!” Many congratulations to all the pupils involved. This was another fantastic concert that demonstrated the high standard of the School‟s many musicians. For The Fallen - Senior Choir Anthem for Doomed Youth - Jake Humphrey (poem) Jupiter - Monty Morrison (trumpet) Matachin - Jessica Li (violin) For a Wild Rose - Samuel Gibbs (piano) Deep River - Joshua Robson (clarinet) Pie Jesu - Libiana Kimbell and Samuel Pickles (voice) Come On and Boogie - Jake Humphrey (piano) Theme From Schindler’s List - Lilly Hagenberg (violin) Chanson du Matin - Laura Bullen (violin) Where Is Love - Elizabeth Kirk (voice) A Whole New World - Jonathan Shortland (trumpet) A Gaelic Blessing - Junior School Choir The Cloths of Heaven - Connie Westaway (voice) Call It A Day - Charlie Goode (flute) Imagine - Eloise Walker (voice and guitar) Grave - David Shortland (clarinet) Die Wurde - Charlie Barker (trumpet) Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again - Alexandra Smith (voice) L’Orage - Peter Smith (piano) Two For The Road - Thomas Goodwin (snare) Sonata in G, Movement III - Alexandra Crooke (flute) In Flanders Fields William Carter (poem) London Medley - Junior and Senior Choirs We’ll Meet Again - Junior and Senior Choirs

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Menus As all our produce is sourced locally, menus are subject to change and older pupils will be offered additional options which are not shown here.

Monday 16 November Mild Mexican minced beef taco served with baked diced potatoes and garden peas (V) Quorn mince taco Homemade shortbread Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Tuesday 17 November Butchers sausages with mashed potatoes and wholegrain spaghetti (V) Vegetarian sausages Hot rice pudding with sliced peaches Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Wednesday 18 November Roast topside of beef with Yorkshire pudding, oven roast baked potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, roast gravy and broccoli spears (V) Cauliflower and squash au gratin Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Thursday 19 November Mild chicken tikka with turmeric rice (V) Vegetable stir fry with noodles Jam sponge with custard Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Friday 20 November Baked jacket potato with choice of fillings: tuna, cheese, chicken & bacon, and baked beans all served with salad crudities (V) As above Fancy cake Friday Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Monday 23 November Chicken, bacon and basil penne pasta seved with sauté potatoes and garden peas (V) Creamy vegetable pasta Chocolate whip Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Tuesday 24 November Homemade ham and pineapple pizza served with herby diced potatoes and salad (V) Cheese and tomato pizza Apple pie with custard Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Wednesday 25 November Roast turkey with Yorkshire pudding, oven roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, roast gravy, carrots and peas (V) Roasted vegetable quiche Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Thursday 26 November Mild beef and tomato chilli with tortilla chips served with boiled rice sweetcorn (V) Quorn and bean chilli St Clement‟s sponge with custard Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts Friday 27 November Baked cod fish finger served with chips and wholegrain spaghetti hoops (V) Cheese omelette Fancy cake Friday Selection of fresh fruit pots or yogurts

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What’s On Looking Ahead?

Monday 16 November J1-J6 Football (lunchtime)

KS1 Parents‟ Evening

4.20pm Senior Choir

Tuesday 17 November J1 and J2 Flu Vaccine J3-J4 Dance Club (lunchtime) Recorders (Beginners) lunchtime J3-J6 Art J3-J6 Multisports 8.30am-5.20pm Sixth Form visit to Warwick University 2.30pm U15 Rugby (a) Quinton House

Wednesday 18 November

School Council (lunchtime) Squirrels to J2 Tiny Tag Rugby Junior Woodwind Ensemble (lunchtime) KS2 Parents‟ Evening 8.30am Parents‟ Pilates Class 10.10am Senior String Ensemble 2.30pm U11 Rugby (h) Bedford Prep 2.30pm U18 Rugby (h) Quinton House

Thursday 19 November Recorders (Intermediate) lunchtime 3.30pm-4.10pm J1-J2 Tennis 4.10pm-5.00pm J3-J6 Tennis Junior Swimming J4-J6 8.20am-5.15pm Year 7 National Gallery

1.20pm Senior Guitar Ensemble 2.45pm U13 Rugby (a) Welland Park

Friday 20 November Junior Swimming J1-J3 J3-J4 Music (lunchtime) J4-J6 Chess J5-J6 Dance (lunchtime) 3.00pm-3.30pm J1-J2 Choir Year 7 Entrance Examination 10.10am Senior Woodwind Ensemble

Monday 23 November J1-J6 Football (lunchtime) J3-J6 Netball J3-J6 Needlecraft J3-J6 Rugby 4.20pm Senior Choir

Tuesday 24 November J3-J4 Dance Club (lunchtime) Recorders (Beginners) lunchtime J3-J6 Art J3-J6 Multisports Year 12 Geography Field Trip 2.30pm U14/U15 Netball (a) Guilsborough 3.30pm U15 Badminton (a) Bishop Stopford

Wednesday 25 November School Council (lunchtime) 2.45pm U11 Netball (a) St Andrew‟s 3.30pm-4.15pm Squirrels to J2 Tiny Tag Rugby

J3/J4 Benchball / J6 Cooking Junior Woodwind Ensemble (lunchtime) 8.30am Parents‟ Pilates Class 10.10am Senior String Ensemble 2.45pm U11 Netball (a) St Andrew‟s 5.30pm-7.30pm Year 10 Parents‟ Evening and Futurewise presentation

Thursday 26 November Recorders (Intermediate) lunchtime 3.00pm-3.30pm J1-J2 Dance 3.30pm-4.10pm J1-J2 Tennis 4.10pm-5.00pm J3-J6 Tennis Junior Swimming J4-J6 1.20pm Senior Guitar Ensemble 3.30pm U12 Rugby (a) Welland Park 3.30pm U12/U13 Netball (a) Welland Park

Friday 27 November Junior Swimming J1-J3 J3-J4 Music (lunchtime) J5-J6 Dance (lunchtime) 3.00pm-3.30pm J1-J2 Choir 4.00pm-6.00pm Christmas Fayre & Market 10.00am U13 Rugby (a) Abingdon Prep 10.10am Senior Woodwind Ensemble Blue text denotes Junior School events

For the complete list of Senior Activities, see the

Activity Booklet on www.pitsfordschool.com

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