Mar 09 – Jun 09

In recent weeks, our work at

Skinners‟ School has been recognised in a

number of different ways.

The boys have had a number of great

sporting achievements. For the third

year in a row, the U12 XV team has gone

unbeaten all season. Our sevens teams

seemed to bring back a new trophy every

day. The U13s won Judd‟s own 7s

competition and the U16s the St Olave‟s

7s. The U15s, who lost out by a single

late try in the final of the Gravesend 7s,

went on to win the Arthur Jones

Tournament at Dartford Grammar. The

U16 side had great hopes for success at

the Nationals and ran Millfield close

before bowing out. We are currently

enjoying great success in the Kent cricket

cups and our 1st XI has had an excellent

season, recording a series of great wins.

But there‟s more to life than sport. Much

Ado About Nothing was a tremendous

success, as those who attended the three

performances can attest. Our wind

ensemble reached the semi final of the

National Chamber music competition.

Our debaters reached the National Final of

the English Speaking Union competition for

the second year in a row.

As one of the leading schools in

sustainability, it is pleasing to have our hard

work rewarded. We were placed fourth

nationally in the Ashden Award and won the

South East regional final of the DCSF

Sustainable Schools Award. We now go

forward to the national final in November,

which will be televised.

The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust is

an organisation which monitors the work of

specialist schools like Skinners‟. Of the 164

Teaching Awards

Selective Grammar Schools in

the country, 161 are Specialist

schools. The performance of

these schools has recently

been assessed and ranked by

The Specialist Schools and

Academies Trust. Of the 161

Grammar Schools, only 32

were considered to be above

the Judgement Indicator from

the DCSF, meaning that they

outperform expectations.

Skinners‟ School was one of

those 32.

Skinners‟ School was 15th out

of 161 schools in making sure

run alongside our existing specialism

in Science. We are now also a Maths

and Computing School. We intend

that this success will build upon the

existing excellent work in Science.

We will find ways to link science with

maths and computing to develop our

pupils into young engineers,

entrepreneurs and masters of

technology.

Finally, many thanks must go to our

hard-working Parents‟ Association.

We have just taken possession of a

wonderful new minibus, which can

seat 17 pupils and will greatly assist

our summer sporting fixture list and

busy programme of trips and visits.

We have also had impressive audio-

visual systems installed in the Dining

and School Halls. Assemblies and

presentations can now be made usingthe latest technology.

that more pupils than expected were awarded 8 or more A* or A grades. We were 10th

out 161 schools in raising the overall performance of each pupil. Finally, Skinners‟ School

was 8th out of 161 schools in making sure that more pupils than expected were awarded

5 or more A* or A grades. Only one school in Kent did better than us – Dover Grammar

School for Girls – and that was in just one of the three categories.

As a consequence, our work has been recognised. As a designated „High

Performing School‟, The DCSF have awarded Skinners‟ a second specialism to

Mark Moody, Specialist Schools coordinator, celebrates with members of the Skinners’ Environment Committee.

On the 11th February the AS Drama and

Theatre Studies students performed

their interpretation of Georg Buchner‟s

Woyzeck. It was their practical exam

piece and was performed to an invited

audience in The Thomson Theatre. The

piece was influenced by the work of

Bertolt Brecht. Woyzeck demonstrated

the high standard of drama that is now

on offer at Skinners‟ and succeeded in

portraying a brutal yet creative

approach to theatre. Congratulations

to all the cast for some truly excellent

work.

Franz Woyzeck, a lowly soldier

stationed in a provincial German town,

is the father of an illegitimate child by

his mistress Marie. Woyzeck earns

extra money for his family by agreeing

to take part in medical experiments

conducted by the Doctor. He is a

source of ridicule for the Doctor and

his friend the Captain. Marie grows

tired of Woyzeck and turns her

attention to a handsome Drum Major.

With his jealous suspicions confirmed,

Woyzeck confronts the Drum Major,

who beats him up and humiliates him.

These events eventually push him over

the edge and he stabs Marie to death.

Much Ado About Nothing was the first,

major, senior production to be staged in the

new Thomson Theatre at Skinners‟ School.

The cast consisted of senior boys from Years

10-13, with the female roles taken by girls

from St Leonard‟s, Mayfield.

The production of Shakespeare‟s romantic

comedy was set in 1920‟s England. The

skilful performances by all the cast were

complemented by the beautiful, authentic

costumes and elegant set.

Capacity audiences over three nights lost

track of the youthful age of the cast as they

achieved the tension and comic potential

with such talent. Provocative gender issues,

scorn for love and verbal sparring were

impressively woven through the

performances setting an entertaining comic

tone.

The boys, girls and Mrs Fiona Lennon, the

director and Head of Drama at Skinners‟, are

to be congratulated on their outstanding

production.

Hectic Time for 6th FormPast pupil returns for

sixth form presentation!

The last terms have

continued to be very busy

for the Sixth Form. AS

and A2 modular exams

were the focus for the

early part of the New

Year and successes

followed in mid-March.

The Lower Sixth have

been superb in running

parents’ evenings,

helping with Music and

Drama Events, and

assisting with our Careers

Fair.

Our Lower Sixth have had

some notable visitors

during their Civics

Sessions. Robert Wilson,

founder of Read

International and an Old

Skinner, gave an

inspirational talk on his

work in the Developing

World and how our young

people can play an active

role in making the world a

better place. Penny Lawne

and her team from the

Samaritans visited and

outlined the important

work they do in our own

community, not least with

young people as they deal

with the stresses of

examinations.

We were delighted to

welcome John Levy,

Director of Friends of

Israel, who delivered a

thoughtful and balanced

account of Israel as a

modern state and its key

role in the Middle East. We

have been fortunate to

have Clare Dimyon from

the University of Sussex

come and talk to Sixth

Formers on the role of

Engineers in Society. Her

topics have included

Engineering and the

Holocaust, Engineering and

Climate Change, and the

role of Engineering in the

building of the British

Empire. These have been

well attended and it is

reassuring to see how

interested and enthusiastic

our students are. Sixth

Form tutors have attended

the annual UCAS

convention and been guests

of the University of East

Anglia and Fitzwilliam

College, Cambridge.

The Sixth Form during a

busy and demanding time,

visited the Emirates

Stadium for an Oxbridge

Regional Conference and

the whole of the Lower

Sixth took part in the S.E.

Higher Education

Convention at the

University of Kent. Bob

Hall, once Head of Student

Recruitment at Brunel

University, visited in May to

deliver our own evening on

University Applications.

Mr. C Fleming

Director of Sixth Form

The Skinners' School

The Sixth Form were delighted to

welcome back to school past pupil

Craig Woodhams. Craig is presently

Student Union President at the Royal

Veterinary College. During a

lunchtime session when outside

speakers are invited to make topical

and supportive presentations to sixth

Formers, Craig gave a very

informative talk to prospective vets

from Skinners‟ and Tunbridge Wells

Girls‟ Grammar School. He has taken

a year out from his studies so that he

can give his all to his presidential

post and he will then resume his

studies later in 2009.

We thank Craig for all his help and

wish him very well for the future.

Regional Winners - English Speaking Union

Debating CompetitionSam Barker and James

Hedgeland (Upper 6 students) were

South Regional Winners (Kent, Sussex,

Surrey and Hampshire) in the English

Speaking Union Debating

competition. Their success ensured

qualification as one of only six schools

nationwide to the England finals in

London. This is our second year

running to achieve success at this high

level (last year we were the only state

school in the final). The Schools‟ Mace

is the oldest debating competition in

existence.

Sam, James and their coach Miss

Halifax are to be congratulated on

their success and superb performance

at the finals when they were „pipped

at the post‟ after an impressive

debate.

National Competition Intermediate

Maths Challenge results!110 students in Yrs 9, 10 & 11 took part.

Best in school: Archie Corliss (Yr 11)

23 Gold Certificates

31 Silver certificates

34 Bronze certificates

13 pupils qualified to enter the next round (held on the 19th

March). They are:

Archie Corliss, Matthew Green, Jamie Owen, Ed Thompson, Ben

Alldis, Finnian Hughes (Yr 11)

Calum Burgess, Tom Mauduit, Ruaridh McKay (Yr 10)

James Firth, Elliot Dent, Jack Smith Tilley, Edward Ffrench (Yr 9)

Well done to all! Mrs Stone

Year 7 boys were treated to an introductory talk on falconry inside the school hall. This was truly a first for Skinners’. At one point the hawk was allowed to fly freely above the boys. It was a sight to amaze.

SKINNERS’ U16 RUGBY TEAM CLAIM TOURNAMENT VICTORYSkinners‟ under 16s Sevens Squad travelled to the annual St Olave‟s Sevens Tournament

having taken part in a vigorous pre -season Sevens training programme. The team boasted a

wealth of talent, with six players having represented the school before Christmas in the

successful 1st XV side, and three exceptional individuals from Year 10 making up the twelve-

man squad.

Hopes were high that with such a talented group we could perform well in this tournament,

giving us invaluable practice before our arrival on the big stage at the National Sevens at

the end of March.

With a tough group consisting of Sevenoaks, Ravenswood, St Olave‟s and Judd, the squad

knew they had to perform from the first whistle if they were to fulfil their full potential.

Game one saw them get into their stride early with a 43-5 victory over a physical Sevenoaks

side. Game two saw them face old rivals Judd who last year beat Skinners‟ in both the Kent

and Dartford Sevens finals. Psychologically hardened, physically fitter and stronger, a

cohesive Skinners‟ side eased through to the next game with a 22-7 victory. Excellent play

saw all elements of the game used to full potential with aggressive defence and superb

communication forcing Judd to turn over ball which was quickly recycled and resulted in

four well-worked tries.

Ravenswood and St Olave‟s were both on the receiving end of exacting Skinners‟ victories in

the next two matches, whilst man of the tournament, Will de Smith, wowed the watching

crowd with sublime handling skills and tenacity in the tackle.

Captain Matt Galloway proudly accepted the trophy as tournament winners.

Congratulations to Jack Barker ,

Murray Galbraith-Lowe and Ryan

Fuller who have been selected to

attend the Harlequins Rugby

League Academy over the

summer period with four

scheduled fixtures played in May

against other Super League

opposition.

Honours in County Swimming ChampionshipsTom Lamb was crowned 2009 Sussex

Junior Champion. He gained 1st places

in 400m Individual Medley (only ½

second off National qualifying time),

the 200m Individual Medley and 200m

Breaststroke. He gained further

honours by coming 2nd in the 200m

Butterfly and 4th in the 200m

Backstroke.

Matthew Westrope from Year 11 has been

selected to represent England in the 2009

World ITF Taekwondo Championships to be

held in Mar Del Plata Argentina in

November 2009.

1

Daniel Flatman

8H has been

selected to

compete for Kent

to run in track

events.

CCF WEEKEND EXERCISE

Boom Headshot !

Activities concluded on Sunday morning

by all cadets putting their newly learned

Section Battle Drills into practice with a

blank-firing exercise on the local

training areas.

The dry and benign weather

contributed much to the success of the

weekend though, as always, it was the

enthusiasm and commitment of the

cadets, especially the Senior

NCOs, which was the major factor.

Thanks are also due to non-staff

members: Captain Martin Smith, Lt

Richard Pardoe and Officer Cdt Ben

McGrath, all of whom travelled

considerable distances to be with us.

A J Holding, Lt Colonel

A record number (for this exercise)

of 52 cadets, including four new, girl

recruits and their trainee Officer

from TWGGS, travelled to St Martin‟s

Plain Camp near Folkestone for a

busy two days of out-of-school

training.

They visited the nearby ranges at

Hythe on Saturday morning, giving

everyone an opportunity – the first

for many - to shoot live ammunition,

under the watchful eyes of Cadet

Training Team members. Also during

the course of the morning, cadets

learnt about patrolling techniques

and had an opportunity to fire rifles

fitted with lasers on an indoor range

(DCCT).

The afternoon was spent learning

about Section Battle Drills, together

with plenty of „dry runs‟, before

each section embarked on a night

patrol. This was much enjoyed by

all, especially the Y11 cadets

who, because of their relatively

large numbers, were given the task

of reccying a building complex, with

the aim of planning an assault to

liberate hostages held by local

terrorists.

The first event of term 4 was the GCSE and A level recital at which all public exam candidates

performed. We had a huge range of styles represented and an encouraging number of student

composers were prepared to give a public airing to their coursework submissions. The

facilities of the Thomson Theatre were used to demonstrate music software applications and

the department is getting to grips with the effective use of the lighting rig. A successful and

heartening evening.

Our wind trio; Henry Clay (oboe and flute), James Turbett (recorder and bassoon) and

Matthew Westrope did very well to get through to the regional semi-final of the national

chamber music competition held at Ardingly College on 4th March. They were complemented

on their „superb sound‟ and their versatility in swapping between instruments.

The Junior concert on 31st March, and the Joint Concert on 2nd April once again showcased

Skinners‟ musicians at their best; versatility and skill were demonstrated by talented

performers at all levels.

We are greatly looking forward to ending the year on a high note with „Guys and Dolls‟ on

14,15 and 16 July.

John Brittain 8K has

been selected for the

National Children‟s main

orchestra and, not

content with his musical

success, he is also

captain of the A team in

hockey.

Music at Skinners’

Parents Association

A lively crowd of 190 making up 24 quiz

teams gathered in the school dining room

for an evening of fun and eclectic

questions.

With questions ranging from „Who is the

only British Prime Minister to have been

assassinated? „ to „Which Bond film

features characters called Bambi and

Thumper?’ plus the use of the projector

and sound system for a film and a TV

theme round, judging by noise in the hall

there were heated debates within every

team!

With a well-stocked bar and a fish & chip

supper, designed to aid the cerebral

process, the evening was a great success.

A huge thank you to all those parents and

boys who helped to make the evening a

great success and congratulations to the

winning team „Double Faults‟.

The Parents‟ Association raised

£1220.23 from the quiz and we would

like to thank you for your continuing

support.

Thank you

The Skinners‟ School Parents‟ Association.

PS The answers are Spencer Percival in

1812 and Diamonds are Forever!

In these times of economic concerns and

reduced budgets it may be of interest to

see what your generous support

has provided as „extras‟ for the School.

In the dining hall there is now a new

screen and projector: £5k came from

school fund, £5k from lettings income

and the remaining £5k from Club 2000.

Many thanks to all who support these

with donations.

Another

improvement due to

the P.A.’s work

The Skinners’ Parents

Association Quiz

Evening

The PA work tirelessly to raise funds for

the School. Both the boys and the staff

certainly appreciate the considerable

sums they have offered to provide state

of the art equipment and much needed

transport. Most recently, the PA

purchased a new minibus with £20K.

This will help to reduce the thousands of

pounds needed each year for transport costs.

Once again we owe our thanks to the PA

and all those families who support the

many enjoyable events they organise to

help the school.

Every Thursday after school the

photography Club meets with Mr. Oz

and we indulge in the best of

Sainsbury‟s food and take pictures to

our hearts‟ content.

We learn a variety of different

photography techniques so we are

prepared when we are needed to

record events.

Also we share our pictures with each

other, interpret, analyze and we often

find ways to improve them too.

We cover a variety of events inside the

school including the recent staff sumo

and falconry displays. We all enjoy this

club as we learn new skills each week

and obtain back stage and AAA ( access

all areas) passes at all the events

around school. The best thing is we all

learn, have fun and eat well! What

more could a Skinners‟ boy want?

By David House, Laurence Herring and

the Photography Club.

RevealedPhotography Club

There was been a brilliant

response to the parent mail

request for support for the

Healthy Eating And Living

initiative. The plot has now been

rotavated, prepared and planted.

We were overwhelmed by the

gifts of tools, all which were

gratefully received! Thanks too

for help in collecting the trailer

loads of donated compost.

Tree saplings and plantlets are

now benefiting from all the

ground preparation carried out by

willing volunteers and boys!

We are now looking for a sponsor

to help with future costs of

materials or a company that can

give us discount. Do let us know if

you can help in any way.

Thank you so much,

Miss Moss-Montoya

Wo

rld C

ha

llen

ge

We now have a dozen World Challengers working to raise funds

for a trip to Kyrgyzstan in 2010, where we will work with

EveryChild again to help build another community centre (as in

2007). If anyone is looking for a gang of willing labourers (or

smaller numbers, or more skilled work) they would be only too

pleased to have the chance to earn some money towards the

£3750+ that they need for the trip.

Anyone who would like to request a gang of willing volunteers

should make contact with John Burton at Skinners‟ School. No

job too large or too small!

Many thanks

John Burton

Duke of Edinburgh practice

walk took place on Friday 27th

March. Large numbers of boys

took part. Many thanks are due

to those parents who have been

giving their time to help and

support the boys.

Special Request!!!

Do you have a Mountain

Leadership Course

qualification? Can you help

with D of E? Please contact

John, if you can help. The

programme may not be able to

run without qualified help.

Du

ke

of E

din

bu

rgh

“RUSSIA ; LAND OF THE

TSARS AND

REVOLUTIONS.”

In October 2008 a number of History

students from year 11, went to Russia

for the most inspiring and eye opening

educational trip.

The itinerary included: the tomb of the

Tsars in St Petersburg - an incredible

and beautiful city; cruises on the Aurora

whose guns heralded the October

Revolution; the amazing art collection

in the Hermitage (also known as the

Winter Palace) particularly exciting was

being in the room in which Rasputin was

murdered.

In Moscow we visited the Kremlin and

Lenin‟s tomb and the world largest

cannon and bell; each was a highlight

each student has a special highlight

from this very special trip.

All the boys agreed that we would love

to return to Russia as there was not

enough time to fully experience the

wonderful and unique culture.

Many thanks to Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Oz

for what was a truly unforgettable trip.

Ben Jones Yr 11

Help for HeroesFollowing on from the previous

fundraising, 8H and Mrs Stanley

as their tutor, held a special

assembly in May titled „8H‟s Got

Talent‟. They raised £58.55 for

the charity Help for Heroes and

received a special letter of

thanks acknowledging their

efforts.

Math's Olympiad

ResultsBest in school: Joshua Augustine

(Yr 8) 3 pupils were invited to the

Junior Math‟s Olympiad: Josh

Augustine, Dominic Newton-Atkins

(Yr 8) and Richard Poole (Yr 7).

Overall: 32 Gold certificates; 62

Silver certificates & 73 Bronze

certificates.

A superb achievement by all.

8K raised over £300 for the orphans in Kenya. David Parker and

friends also successfully sold key rings and friendship bracelets,

hand-made in Kenya - all profits are returned to the project. Mrs

Parker has just returned from her second trip to the project where

plans are to complete the upper floor of the safe house.

Mrs Parker writes „ We have at present been able to help a small

number of children. Sadly there are still hundreds on the streets

fighting for survival from day to day.

Lost property, obsolete kit, jumpers and sweatshirts have been sent

from Skinners‟. Donations of clothes and particularly trainers to

protect from disease would be gratefully received.

www.harambeeforkenya,org

Mrs Mason writes „This year Ed has been working on the Advanced Extension Award, in

which I am confident he will be awarded a distinction.

„Ed took part in the Chemistry Olympiad for Upper Sixth students, which is sponsored by

the Royal Society of Chemistry. He sat a two hour, gruelling question paper and

achieved over 80%, placing him in the top 26 students in the country.

„Following his success, he was invited to Cambridge University along with the other 25

for a weekend in March. Over two days practical skills and more tests were conducted.

By the end of the first day, only ten marks separated all the candidates. Although, Ed was

not one of the four candidates selected to represent the country at the next

International Chemistry Olympiad, Ed scored so highly, that we were eligible for the

INEOS prize for the best performing new school . As a result of Ed‟s ability, Skinners‟ has

been awarded first prize of £1000 to spend on enhanced equipment or materials to

promote the teaching of chemistry.

„ I have been invited to attend the opening reception of the International Olympiad in

Cambridge on 18th July to receive our prize. As you can imagine I am extremely excited

about this!‟

Apologies to Ed for using his Year 9 photo!

Chemistry

Olympiad AwardEd Tait from the Upper 6, came to Skinners‟ in Year 9

having already gained an A* in GCSE chemistry the end of

Year 7. During Year 9, for one lesson a week and through

Year 10, he was coached by Mr Holding, Dr Porter and Mrs

Mason and gained an A grade at AS module by the end of

Year 10. He went on to work with the A2 set above him

whilst in Lower Sixth to complete his A level a year early,

again achieving an A grade.

The Results are in…Summary of Skinners’ School Opinion

Survey 2009:

Parent, Pupil and Staff views

Numbers Responding

263 parents returned their questionnaires –

an acceptable response of 33.4 %. 689

pupils completed the survey – 87.5%. This

was an excellent response. 38 staff

completed questionnaires – a very good

response rate of 52.1%. There were

sufficient responses from each group to

produce statistically accurate data.

Approval Rating

97.2% of parents rated the school “good or

very good”. None rated it “poor or very

poor”, giving a weighted overall approval

rating of 90%. This is an increase of 8% in

the last two years. Staff gave the school an

approval rating of 89%, up 9.6% in the last

two (Continues on next page…)

years. The pupils gave the school an overall

performance score of 84% - described by

Kirkland Rowell as excellent. We don‟t have

a direct comparison with the last survey, but

all the individual indicators show significant

improvement in pupil satisfaction.

Is the School Improving?

Of the parents whose children were not in

their first year at Skinners‟, 40% said the

school had improved over the last year; 1%

said it had got worse. Of the parents of new

pupils, 3% felt the school had not lived up to

their expectations, whilst 44% said the school

was better than they thought it was going to

be. For pupils who had been here for more

than a year, 71% said they thought the school

had improved, although 9% disagreed and

thought it had got worse. 66% of staff

thought the school had improved over the

last year, whilst no one thought it had got

worse.

Academic Criteria

Parents were happiest with their child‟s

progress in German, Drama and COGS. The

pupils were most pleased with their progress

in COGS, Art and German.

Those headline scores mask some interesting

developments. The approval of parents and

pupils for DT increased by 11.2% for parents

and by 14.9% for pupils. Similarly, the move

to an accelerated KS3 in Science and an early

start to GCSE has had a positive response:

there was a 9.2% increase in those feeling

that the child is making good progress

amongst parents and 9.5% amongst pupils.

Given that the work is much more

challenging, this is very pleasing. This year

there was also an 8.2% increase in positive

responses for PE. Other subjects that parents

rated significantly better in this survey were

English and History.

All of these outcomes were statistically

significant.

Non-academic Criteria

Parents gave 12 non-academic areas

significantly higher scores in this survey than

the last; pupils gave 13 non-academic areas

significantly higher scores. The staff felt that

„Pupils‟ respect for staff/others‟ and „Pupils‟

attitude to learning‟ had significantly

improved by 21.2% and 16.4% respectively.

There were no areas that parents, pupils or

staff identified as getting worse.

Parents were most happy with delivery of

Community Spirit, Happiness of Child and

Control of Bullying. Pupils were most happy

with Community Spirit, Control of Bullying

and School Facilities. Staff were most happy

with the two areas mentioned above and

Staff Morale, which was up 13.9%.

Parents gave the lowest scores to Choice of

Subjects, School Facilities and Computer

Access; pupils did the same with Choice of

Subjects, Availability of Resources and Exam

Results. Having said that, all of these

concerns were ranked by Kirkland Rowell, in

comparison with other schools‟

performances, as „very good‟.

The priority for improvement in all three

groups was School Facilities.

Pleasingly, the area the pupils felt the school

had made most progress (+17.2%) was in

Encouraging and Listening to Pupils‟ Views.

Conclusion

The purpose of the survey was to help the

school identify the needs and concerns of

parents, pupils and staff. This can then drive

further school improvement. I am delighted

that the outcome of the surveys has been a

ringing endorsement of the school‟s progress.

Astonishingly high approval ratings are

recorded and significant improvements in

very many areas, both academic and non-

academic. Thank you to all who took part.

There were also very many individual

responses from both parents and pupils. We

will read them all and factor them in to our

response. Please do not feel as though you

must wait for the school to issue a survey to

put your views to the school. At the head of

all of our letters is an important email

address: yourvoice@skinners-school.org.uk.

Please use it to pass on concerns, questions

or thanks. I will respond to every email.

In summary, it seems that Skinners‟ School is

in robust health!

June

19 Yr 12 Reports issued to parents

Yr 13 Book Return 10.35am

Yr 13 Leaver‟s Dinner 7.00pm

23 Yr 9 Theatre visit „39 Steps‟

Yr 10 Morrisby Profile

24 Sports‟ Day

25 GCSE Art exhibition – School Hall

New Year 7 Parents Evening – Dining Hall 7.00pm

26 GCSE Art exhibition

Yr 11 Work Experience de-briefing & book return – Dining Hall

29 A – level Art exhibition

Yr 8 Loire Valley Trip – all week

Yr11 Work Experience

July

1 Yr 5 Forensics Day

2 Yr 10 GCSE Drama – Examination Performance, Thomson Theatre

3 Life Skills Company working with Yr 12 all morning – School Hall

4 CCF Annual Camp – return 11 July

Loire Valley trip return

PA Fete 12.00 – 3.00pm

Yrs 8 and 9 Junior Rugby Development Tour to Argentina depart.

8 Yr 5 Open Morning 10.30 – 12.00pm

Sixth Form Open Afternoon 2.00 – 4.00pm

9 Multi-Skills Carnival at Southfields am. Tunbridge Wells Primary

Schools

New Yr 7 Induction Afternoon

10 Ladakh, Nepal trip departs

13 „Guys & Dolls‟ dress rehearsals

14 Author Visit – Chris Bradford – School Hall - am

„Guys & Dolls‟ production – Thomson Theatre

15 ACTIVITIES DAY

„Guys & Dolls‟ production – Thomson Theatre

16 „Guys & Dolls‟ production - Thomson Theatre

17 Year 10 Reports to parents

End of Term

19 Junior Rugby Development Tour return

28 Himalayas trip returns

August

20 AS/AS Exam Results Day

27 GCSE Exam Results Day

September

3 Staff Development Day – no pupils

4 Induction Day for new Yr 7 and L6 pupils

7 TERM 1 starts

Year 8 games afternoon – remember to bring kit

October

1 Open Evening – 4.00pm – 8.00pm

2 Staff Development Day – no pupils

With Thanks....With the exam season in full swing, Ben Leeds - the newsletter’s ICT whizz kid – had to step back

and allow Charlie Richardson and Jamie Rodgers (both year 10s) to flex their technological skills. My

thanks to both of them for their excellent work and to Ben who has polished the final version and

added the magazine format with the ‘magical’ page turning facility.

Staff too need my thanks: they offer articles, photographs and keep me informed of all the exciting

events going on throughout the year. We can never cover the comprehensive range of activity but the

next edition of the Leopard magazine will offer another window on the rich variety of life at Skinners’.

Remember too, feedback on the newsletter is always welcome. Do let us know what you think; we

aim to improve.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading the latest edition. Whilst it is designed to be read on the screen,

there is a printer-friendly version accessible by clicking here, if you prefer a paper copy.

Susan Phyall

The Right to Reply.....yourvoice@skinners-school.org.uk