No: 1158 24th November 2017 www.yarmschool.org

Newsletter

Sam Guest left Yarm School to embark upon a degree in Medicine. He was a big contributor to a diverse range of activities whilst at school and he has very much continued in this fashion whilst at university. Sam came back to give a talk last week about his experiences and in particular his involvement with the RAF. After giving an overview of the organisation, he discussed their activities during this centenary year, as well as detailing his weekly experiences. In the summer he will be participating in an expedition climbing in the Himalayas alongside a team of highly experienced climbers. Sam certainly felt that his work with the RAF had made him a much better time manager, as well as providing an alternative focus to his studies. He encouraged all of the gathered members of the Fifth Year to Upper Sixth to keep an open mind to trying new experiences after Yarm.

Mr S Edwards

Former Pupil gives talk to commemorate centenary of RAF

NEWS

24th Nov 2017|Yarm School Newsletter 2 |

Bungee Jumping for Charity!

On 3rd December at 1:30pm I will be bungee jumping off the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough to raise money for the British Liver Trust. This charity works to support patients and families who are affected by liver disease, and funds research to find causes and treatments of liver disease. I am supporting the British Liver Trust and jumping in memory of a family friend, Helen, who sadly passed away due to liver failure. I aim to increase awareness and to support this research to help others in need. I would be grateful to anyone who is able to either sponsor me or make a donation through my page, where I will post regular updates on my fundraising progress: https://give.everydayhero.com/uk/alice-s-bungee-jump Everyone is welcome to come and support me on the

day!

Alice Simpson

All too often, as the BBC Question Time show moves around the country, we miss the chance to have applied in time for what is a protracted selection procedure. Despite the appearance of often one-sided audiences a good deal of research time is spent on aiming to secure a breadth and depth of demographic representation. Aimee Littler, a Lower Sixth Politics student, took herself off to the Newcastle venue last Thursday and was fortunate to have been able to ask her question. I asked Aimee a few short questions about her experience:

Aimee in the audience at BBC Question Time

What was the exact question you asked and why did you choose this question? My question was: “Regarding the Brexit negotiations, would no deal be better than a detrimental deal?” How were the responses from the panel? I thought the replies were varied which was interesting to hear, although I am not sure I really got a clear answer. Unsurprisingly they answered very much like politicians would, and I thought Emily Thornberry‟s response was a bit patronising and fear-mongering. Did you get the chance to respond? Unfortunately not, but I was told afterwards this was because my question took up a longer section of the programme than was expected. What made you apply to be on the show in the first place? I decided to apply because the programme is one I enjoy watching, and having it so close to home in

Newcastle, it would‟ve been a wasted opportunity not to apply. What was the atmosphere like on the evening? The atmosphere was amazing - during the interview process the production team asks you where you stand on issues such as Brexit and your other political leanings so it‟s a very diverse audience. Beforehand, they selected me and four other people to sit on the panel and do our own question, which was very exciting. I found the experience in public speaking and debating very beneficial. In summary, I had a great evening, meeting and listening to some very esteemed political figures and meeting other members of the public who I was able to share ideas and opinions with.

Mr S Edwards

Yarm Politics student poses Brexit question on BBC Question Time

Yarm School Christmas Chess Tournament

NEWS

24th Nov 2017|Yarm School Newsletter 3 |

Faced with an unexpected sub-task last Thursday, with only 40 minutes to complete it, the YA teams admirably rose to the challenge. The task was to plan a promotional campaign for their respective stalls at the YSA Christmas Craft Fair. Arbitrium, PM'd by Gabriel Wray, were inspired to use their imaginations. Will Jackson located festive costumes (and Hannah, Susie, Alex and Toby all turned into elves, with Gabriel himself as Father Christmas), whilst Susie composed a poem. Meanwhile Prospeous, PM'd by Caitlin Keenan, opted to produce a glittery poster and planned a social media presence with a Facebook page. Lord Sugar sent an assistant, Miss Boyd (the School's Events Manager and Marketing Assistant), to judge the sub-task, and after much deliberation, Arbitrium were declared victorious, winning a chocolatey reward and points for the tally board. (Thank you so much to Miss Boyd for kindly taking on the unenviable job of choosing the winner!) We look forward to seeing you all at the YSA Fair this Saturday, when perhaps you can yourselves help to determine which team wins Task 2, and which students will be a step closer to the coveted title of Yarm Apprentice 2018.

Miss C E Rhodes

Wednesday 29th November Thursday 30th November

Friday 1st December The Studio Theatre

7pm, lasting approximately one hour Adults £5, Students £1

What‟s it about? Adam is gone, presumed dead. He was last seen teetering on „the grille‟, a group of bullying teenagers throwing stones at him. They are all guilty and they know it, but they have no intention of getting caught. Fortunately for them, help is at hand in the form of Phil, a chilling teenage criminal mastermind, both genius and psychopath. He comes up with the solution to their little problem, ensuring that it is turned into the perfect crime. If this is comedy, then it‟s of the deepest black. We see inside the characters‟ heads, and it‟s ugly in there…

Tickets available from the School Box Office, www.thepaaonline.org and on the door. The production does contain some strong language,

so is suitable for Fourth Years and above.

Yarm Apprentice: Poems v Posters

Fifth Year (and Upper Sixth) play ‘DNA’

The 2017 Yarm School Christmas Chess Tournament is reaching its exciting conclusion. The semi-final line-ups have now been finalised: Abhinav Sathyamurthy v Adi Dinakaran Crispin Roundtree v Gautam Sathyamurthy

Who will win the shield this year? Last year's champion was Ihsaan Mahmood. Can anyone stop the irrepressible march of the Sathyamurthy brothers? We will know next week.

Mr M Pointon

Last week's answer: A fingernail Last week’s winners: Siya Puthuraya, Ben Austin, Benedict Francis - Second Year Kirsty MacLeod - FifthYear Congratulations! This week's riddle: The more there is, the less you see. What am I? Rating: Easy Please send any answers in to 16SinhaP@yarmschool.org, remember to add your tutor group (or initials for teachers) and those with the quickest correct answers will get announced in the next issue. Good luck!

Aishani Paul & Parul Sinha

Riddles

NEWS

24th Nov 2017|Yarm School Newsletter 4 |

Lindis Percy is reputedly one of the most arrested political protestors in the UK, having being in prison around fifteen times, and having made innumerable court appearances. The picture you may have already painted in your mind may bear little resemblance to the 75 year old, former midwife, nurse and health care visitor, who made a visit to the Politics Society last week. Lindis is described as the most prominent peace campaigner in the UK, and to her credit she has had a number of her cases taken up by Sir Keir Starmer QC, former Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service. He championed her cases in his work defending issues of human rights. As well as having an activism in peace that reaches back as far as the women of Greenham Common, Lindis founded and coordinates her own organisation, the Campaign for Accountability of American Bases. Her approach is based around testing the legal status of the arrangements of such bases, seeking to better clarify for the public the actual arrangements permitted and activities sanctioned by the British Government. Aspects of her work were profiled in the Channel Four documentary The Hill. Lindis‟ Quaker background has certainly been part of the influence of instilling in her the need for peaceful protest, but also has influenced her drive for fair play, transparency and a belief in social justice. Undoubtedly her commitment to this cause has been impacting at a personal and professional level over the years – Lindis is married to a now retired chaplain living in Harrogate - but her restless quest for honesty and openness and a sense of legal accountability is tireless and undimmed. She made for a fascinating and inspiring guest, demonstrating the capacity of an individual to effect positive change, as well as the selflessness of individuals campaigning for the benefit of the wider community.

Mr S Edwards

Peace campaigning and the quest for accountability

SPORT

24th Nov 2017|Yarm School Newsletter 5 |

From Boston in Lincolnshire to the city of York, Yarm School rowers showed their talent over the weekend. Trialling to be part of the GB national junior squad is an ambition for all rowers and Katie Anderson and Sarah Portsmouth put themselves forward for the Early Identification event held at Boston in Lincolnshire. Having qualified to attend by achieving the required ergo scores, both girls competed over the 5 kilometre course in single sculls against the best junior women scullers in the country. Both girls acquitted themselves admirably, but now have to complete another successful ergo in order to move on to the next assessment in February. Well done girls!

While some scullers were competing at the pinnacle of junior rowing, other pupils were starting out on their

rowing career by competing for the first time. York Small Boats Head is one the final events of the year where rowers compete in small boats - singles, doubles and quads. With over 400 crews entered over 3 divisions and competing over the 3 kilometre course , there is certainly plenty of opposition. The Junior 14 boys and girls were competing for the first time against youngsters who have been rowing since they were 12 years old. Although they didn‟t win their events, they overtook crews and achieved good results. According to James Beck and Mark Proberts, it was a “mint” experience. They are now looking forward to next year and beating the crews who beat them this time. All year groups were represented at York. The J15 boys competed well, coming a close third behind two National finalists. The J15 girls 4x+ stroked by Annie Pickard were only 10 seconds behind the winners of

the Women‟s 4x+ (not a junior event) and were delighted by their achievement. At senior level, Hazel Wake won the Women‟s J17 single sculls; the boys‟ coxless quad stroked by Dixon won the Men's B2 event and finally the Women‟s Junior 18 coxless quad stroked by Hannah Ward won their 18 event and were second fastest women‟s crew of the day. To achieve 3 wins among so much high class opposition, is a tremendous achievement. Next weekend is Rutherford Head, held on the Tyne. Yarm School will once again be well represented amongst top class university crews, school and club crews.

From GB Trials to first races - an

amazing weekend for Yarm

School Boat Club rowers.

NEWS

24th Nov 2017|Yarm School Newsletter 6 |

U15A v Ashville Won 2-0 The U15‟s played well putting their poor performance behind them from two days earlier. Paige Wilkshire looked assured at the back alongside captain Olivia Barber and we created numerous chances. Lucy Hattersley was excellent in midfield and created chance after chance, with run after run, and seemed to never tire. We scored two in the first half and although Ashville caused some problems at the back for us, we just couldn‟t score the 3rd to put the game out of sight. It was good to see this team play so well in preparation for Friday‟s NE finals. U14A v Ashville Won 5-0

An excellent game from our U14‟s who go from strength to strength as a squad. They have depth in numbers and this game showed just that. Lottie Dean scored the first goal and it took a while to find the net after numerous chances were not taken. Alex

Webb continued her impressive season in midfield. Claudia Hall and Abby Scott worked well at the back and Maddy Jackson and Sophie Brining have grown so much over the season. Up front we had numerous changes and Evie Clinkard had a good game this time out on the right. The goals came from Emily Scott, Lexi Speight, Alex Webb and Abby Scott in the second half. It was a comfortable win. Well played girls.

1st XI v North East Finals The U18‟s were drawn against Newcastle High and Ripon in the pool matches of the NE finals down at Leeds University. We started well and took the game to Newcastle dominating for long periods of the games. We had a game plan to defend in numbers and counter-attack, and on the whole that worked with captain Amy Booth scoring a lovely goal to give us the edge. We then

defended pretty well overall, although when pressure built we struggled at times. Newcastle had a run of penalty corners and after the final whistle they got another goal and popped the equaliser away. This meant we had to beat Ripon which after the defeat last week looked

a tough task. We again stuck to the game plan and our back four of Hannah Spencer, Fi Weatherhead, Lauren Pallister and Caitlin Keenan coped well first half to concede just one goal going into the second half. Sadly we ran out of steam as this was our second game on the bounce and Ripon began to have wave upon wave of attack. It was inevitable that they popped 3 goals away in the second half. So after one draw and one loss we couldn't proceed and were up against Durham School who had lost to Hymers and GSAL for the 5th and 6th place decider. Susie Dunn dominated and scored a 'goal of the

Girls’ Hockey

SPORT

24th Nov 2017|Yarm School Newsletter 7 |

season' contender with a fabulous individual goal. Amy kept the ball moving all day and Katie Wood worked well in midfield. We then scored our second goal with a lovely deflected penalty corner. Lovely to finish with a 2-0 win and nothing less that the team deserved. From the defence to midfield and the work rate from our forwards of Phoebe White, Lois Mackey, Lucy Skelton, Rachel McMurray and Alex Scott. I couldn‟t have asked for anything more from this squad. Big improvements and lots of good performances from the group. U13A v Ashville Draw 1-1 The U13A team worked hard in the first half, keeping the ball wide and creating many chances up front to take the lead. A good strong strike at a penalty corner by Poppy Gratton hit the back board and could have seen the Yarm side take the lead, but it was not stopped outside first and so could not stand counted. Good play continued in the first half with Emily Dunn moving the ball and staying strong on the left hand side of the pitch, but at half-time the score still stood frustratingly at 0-0. The first goal finally came a few minutes into the second half with another well taken penalty corner, switched back to Belle Woodhead for the shot and great response to the rebound. Could this be the chance now for more goals? Yes, but sadly not for Yarm as a good Ashville side turned up the pressure and took advantage of a free player up front to equalise. After this Yarm had many chances to score but some shots were wide and others were saved by a good Ashville keeper. A good match of hockey with a frustrating result. U13B v Ashville Won 6-1 The U13Bs put in a stunning performance against

Ashville College on Saturday. Their teamwork across the pitch allowed quick passing of the ball and

dominance throughout the match. The first goal took a while to come, but after Annabel Cunningham put the ball past the Ashville keeper with a strong strike, it opened the gates for the other goals. Martha Wyatt scored a hat-trick in quick succession following some super runs up the right wing and Imy Slack and Megan Broadhead finished up the goal scoring marathon with one a piece. The game finished 6-1 to Yarm with Ella Brent being named player of the match for an outstanding performance in goal. U12A v Ashville Won 7-2 This First Year hockey match proved to be exciting and of the highest standard. Two good sides played a great passing game in the first half with chances at both ends of the pitch. Emma Foster however dominated the centre of the pitch, feeding the ball beautifully wide to team mates Rida Rana and Miriam Akowuah to shoot or cross in for Lily Harte and Kayla Roberts. Morven Hawthorne performed some great saves to keep a clean sheet in the first half for Yarm. Half-time score 5-0. However, Yarm knew that they had to keep the standard as high in the second half. The second half proved equally exciting and although Ashville scored two good goals, as the Yarm side tired a little, Rosie Faulkner and Piya Nag kept up their hard work and got the ball back to Beth Newson and India Dunkin to create two further goals. This was a game all of the players should be proud of - great hockey, well done! U12B v Ashville Lost 3-6 The U12Bs had a tough first half against Ashville College. Despite strength in defence from Abbi MacGregor, Danielle Devlin and Louise Atkinson, Ashville managed to put 4 goals past us. In the second half, the team stepped up to the mark and gave a much more convincing performance. Izzy Bottomley opened the score line for Yarm leading the way for a further 2 goals - one from Maisy Bailey and one from Jasmine Scollay. The match finished 6-3 to Ashville with Phoebe Todd named player of the match for her super effort in goal.

SPORT

24th Nov 2017|Yarm School Newsletter 8 |

U12B v Pocklington Won 3-2 An excited and buoyant U12B side headed over to Pocklington last Saturday on a fine day for rugby! Many players were experiencing match day for the first time and their anticipation was palpable. Conditions were set for an open and running game; firm pitch, dry weather and positive attitudes! Both teams entered into the spirit of the day and the action was fast and free flowing. All players were involved, and there were long passages of play with good handling and attacking, running, and plenty of smiles on the boys‟ faces. The game was a real 'end to end' affair with both teams focused on attacking play. Yarm eventually won 3-2 and they had such a positive experience of the whole day; Tom Graham‟s rounding of a great team try by a strong run down the wing and then diving into the corner and also debutante Alfie King who was awarded his 'laces' for a tremendous attitude in keeping with rugby's core values.

Rugby

U13A v Pocklington Lost 0-40 A tough game this weekend for the U13A team as they were lined up against a strong Pocklington team. The boys did put in a good performance with notable tackles and hits from Ali Al-Maiyah and Dan Walters. Whilst Thomas Oatway put up a good defence. However, Yarm could not break through the line to get points on the board. Overall, we were beaten by a better team on the day but the boys played in the correct spirit, emphasising the values of rugby. U12A v Pocklington Won 5-1 The U12A team faced a difficult challenge as they travelled to play Pocklington. Yarm started well, with an early break from Charlie Thompson leading to a try. Yarm continued to create chances and Charlie Thompson went over for another score just before half-time. Yarm began the second half in the same style, scoring further tries through Roman Andrews and Junior Newton. Theo Grylls then finished off a lovely team move with a try in the corner, following some lovely handling from Guillermo Garcia and Harry Wildridge. The final score was 5-1 to Yarm. The boys scored some excellent tries, but also had to defend very well as Pocklington had most of the possession in the second half. The team is playing very well and the boys head to King‟s Priory School on Saturday, looking to continue their winning streak.