Parental Bulletin

2nd February 2017

The Knights Templar School Headteacher: Park Street Mr T. Litchfield, G.G.S.M. Baldock Herts SG7 6DZ Email: admin@ktemplar.herts.sch.uk Tel: 01462 620700

PARENTAL WEEKLY UPDATE – 2nd February 2017 (available on our website)

Dear Parents and Carers

I never fail to be amazed by the achievements of our students and after the success of Wind in the Wil-lows last week I am having the opportunity to speak to some of our Year 11 students about their perfor-mance in the GCSE mock exams. Whilst there is always room for improvement the key now is to ensure excellent preparation for the summer exams – they are not that far away! I am also pleased to highlight the high performance of our sports, music and drama students. Regular fix-tures, concerts and productions are what makes KTS the school that it is! Students work incredibly hard to balance the enrichment part of our curriculum with the academic part and with great success! There are some extraordinary things happening every day! It was only yesterday that the Geography De-partment organised a Skype call to Chile where our students were able to ask direct questions to some-one who experienced the 2010 Chile earthquake. Next week Mr Bradley is organising a Google experience to places all over the world, including Mount Everest, Versailles and the International Space Station. Congratulations to all the students who are taking part in these wonderful opportunities. Kind Regards, Tim Litchfield

Headteacher

Dates for your Diary Friday 3.2.17 Protected Time for Yr10-13 until June 30th

Yr11 Protected time for Technology Controlled Assessments

19:00-21:00 Bronze Expedition Training

Saturday 4.2.17 Bronze Expedition Training

Sunday 5.2.17 Bronze Expedition Training

Monday 6.2.17 Week B

Protected Time for Yr10-13 until June 30th

Yr11 MFL Speaking CA preparation period (in lessons all week)

Yr12 Mock Exams

Tuesday 7.2.17 08:35-14:55 Google Expedition Experience - various years/classes

14:20-16:50 Yr7 & 8 Sports Hall Athletics Championships [Highfield]

Wednesday 8.2.17 08:00-11:00 Yr11 Practical Dance Controlled Assessment [Studio]

16:00-19:30 Yr9 Parents Evening [Hall]

Thursday 9.2.17 18:00-21:30 Yr7-11 District Swimming Gala [Hitchin]

18:30-22:45 Yr13 Theatre Trip - London Road

Wind in the Willows

The school production this year was incredible! There are so many people to thank: the band for providing fantastic

musical accompaniment; Gabriel Taylor’s (Y9) masterful compositions, arrangements and leadership of the band;

the technical team lead by Miss Bullock, both during the performances and all the incredible invisible work that

takes place in the build up to the production; Lottie Brignall (Y13) for her set design and painting; Mrs Northcott,

Miss Sullivan and Mr Micele in the Technology Department for their creative set and costume features; to Lotte

Walley (Y11) and Mrs Shaw for ensuring the costume was co-ordinated effectively.

I am proud about many aspects of my time at Knights Templar, not least the school productions. For me, the school

production is a culmination of the talent that is nurtured across the whole school year. So many wonderful lessons

and extra-curricular activities – Art, Dance, Drama and Music - all ensure the professional quality of the produc-

tions. After nine years of leading the Drama Department and directing the school production, I am passing the ba-

ton to Mrs Spurling, our new Head of Drama. I am pleased to be staying on at Knights Templar in my new role of

Assistant Head and will continue to be interested in promoting and supporting all of the wonderful opportunities

for arts participation that our students are given. Andrew Sills, Assistant Headteacher

Yr 9 and 8 props for Wind in the Willows

Ratty’s Boat: We researched images of boats both in real life and in previous productions of Wind in the Willows. We drew some sketches and, after a brief debate, decided to go with the shape as you can see in the image below. We needed a cardboard box as the scaffolding and we based our idea around the box brought in. To create the shape and wood effect we added polystyrene pieces. We also painted the boat in varying shades of brown to make it look old. We put polystyrene corners inside the boat so it would keep its shape. We also made the oars to go with the boat. Finally attached straps so that the actors could row the boat without car-rying it. Revae Tilbury

Toad's car: We researched Toad’s car in previous productions and took our inspiration from that. We sketched some first ideas then when we had discussed as a group which design was most suitable. After we had experimented with 2D design for the number plate and spokes on the wheels, we cut them out using the laser cutter and vinyl cutter. We had a lot of input from Miss Weaver and Mrs Northcott throughout the project but also showed everyone each stage of the making process for feedback. The final product was finished just in time for the perfor-mance and fitted the actors well. Abby Fearfield

Train : To create the shape of the of the train we had to research types of trains and colour that we were going to use so that we could find the right train to We had to draw the outline of a the steam train so that we could paint the inside of the outline. We also painted some polystyrene to form the bumpers and the lower part of the train. we attached the it two pieces together and added the final designs. Katy wayne (Eleanor morrison and Revae Tilbury helped with painting)

Gypsy Caravan : The first thing that we did for the gypsy caravan was forming the shape out of cardboard then painting it green. Then we searched on the internet for, gypsy caravan images that we could use for stencils. Then we pasted the images on 2D Design and cut them out with a laser cutter and made them into stencils. After that we drew the images onto the caravan. When we had drew on the images we painted them and colored them with sharpies. We also used paint and paper to add on intricate designs to it. By Anuoluwapo Odumade, Vicky Lam and Abigail Newstead

For sale signs : We were given the task of making signs to make the signs we painted on house sell-ing related phrases like “Auction” or “Homes to rent”. We then stuck the pieces of cardboard on to wooden sticks using a glue gun.Afterwards we put the sticks into some foam so they could stand up by themselves. By Alicia Padget-Dunthorne

Many thanks to Mrs Northcott and Miss Weaver for running the club and helping our projects. Also to

Ellie Morrison, Maisie Tomlinson, and Marcus Allerton who have generally helped all of our products.

Year 9 Parents’ Evening, Wednesday, 8th February, 4pm-7.30pm Don’t forget next week’s Year 9 Parents’ Evening! If you haven’t yet booked your appointments, please do so asap on the website. EXAM RESIT FORMS and EXTRA SUBJECT FORMS REMINDER Tomorrow (Friday 3rd February) is the final day for handing in Exam Resit forms to the Exams Office. It is also the final day to hand in forms for extra subjects such as Chinese, Polish, Punjabi etc. Please ensure you bring any out-standing forms, along with payment or proof of payment on Wisepay to Mrs Merrell by the end of day.

Thank you,

Mrs Merrell, Exams Office

Mobile phones—a plea from EST

Recycle those old mobile phones. Look in your cupboards and drawers..... Bring in all those old mobiles. Please take them to the IT office. Most of the parts can be recycled and help us to raise funds for the school. Thank you. EST A message from the Music Department: Can we please remind all parents and students to ensure their musical instruments are clearly labelled both on the outside of the instrument case and also on the inside.

Labels should be clearly visible and marked with the student’s name and form. We currently have many instru-ments in our music store room that are not named.

Also, Instruments should not be left indefinitely in the music store room. They should be brought to school on the

day of the instrumental lesson and/or ensemble, and taken home at the end of the school day. We currently

seem to have instruments that are left in school for extended periods.

Many thanks.

Once again the PE & Food Technology Departments are supporting the

Sainsbury’s Active Kids campaign. Vouchers are now being given out in

Sainsbury’s supermarkets and filling stations. We’d like you to spread the

word and get friends and family involved in collecting lots of vouchers for

Knights Templar School. The collection box will stay in Reception until 30th June.

Maths GCSE update Every Friday most of Year 11 are being sent a link, via show my homework, to some GCSE Maths quizzes. There are 2 different topics every week. Hopefully your son/daughter has logged in and has started completing them.?

The quizzes are an excellent way of checking understanding, whilst also helping them to revise for their Maths G.C.S.E. 111 days to go…... Maths department

PE News: Hockey update Congratulations to the year 9 hockey team who beat Sir John Lawes School 4-0 in their recent County Cup match, thanks to goals from Annie Buky (2), Anna Wallace (1) and a SJL own goal after some excellent KTS build up play. The year 8 hockey team put in a tremendous display of defensive ability in their District League match against John Henry Newman. However, despite numerous chances on the opposition goal, the KTS girls were unable to clinch that crucial goal, resulting in a 0-0 draw. Rugby update Congratulations to all of the boys involved with the year 8 rugby team who defeated Nobel School by an incredible score line of 57-5!

Year 7 Singing Assembly to raise money for the Deaf Health Charity SignHealth On Monday February 6th, the Music department is hoping to help raise some money for the Deaf Health Charity “SignHealth” by participating in the Sign2Sing project with our Year 7 students. During lesson time this week and next, Year 7 students are learning a song which they will all perform to-gether in their Monday morning assembly time. You can find out more and listen to the song on the website http://www.sign2sing.org.uk/ . Please encourage your child to listen to the song and make sure they are as familiar with it as possible, as there are also some signs which accompany the song. If you would like to donate to a brilliant cause, helping vulnera-ble deaf children and adults, please send your Year 7 child in with a small cash donation on the 6th February. We will be collecting the money during the assembly. If you are the par-ent of a child in another year and would like to donate, please send cash donations addressed to the Music department into reception in a clearly marked envelope by Friday 10th February.

And the winners are…

Many thanks to all who supported the school raffle during January. Your generosity raised £1,880.00 for new outdoor picnic tables and benches which will be purchased in time for Spring.

The raffle was drawn at the final performance of Wind in the Willows on Saturday even-ing, and the lucky winners were:

1st Prize: Jonathon Pieterse

2nd Prize: Sue Anderson

3rd Prize: Rowan Gray

Are you a Friend yet?

If you have been thinking about making a donation to the Friends of KTS or setting up a standing order, but haven’t got round to it yet – follow this link to print off the form.

Members generally donate between £2 and £25 each month and, as a registered charity, Gift Aid can also be claimed on these donations. Friends’ current target is £12,500 for an outdoor canopy. Please help us to reach this target as soon as we can so that we can improve the school for our children.

Forms can be returned via email to friendsofkts@ktemplar.herts.sch.uk or to school reception.

DofE Update

Bronze Award participants (Year 9): All Year 9 students who are just starting Bronze need to have Programme Planners completed by Friday 3rd February. If students don’t have an activity for Volunteering or Skills, then please come and talk to Mrs Hammond Ward about this. We are discussing with Letchworth Food Bank the possibility of running a Volunteering project based in school which will support the food bank. This is likely to start after half-term. Bronze Award (Year 10): Any other students still to get signed off, there is still time! A full list of the Bronze Award holders will be published in a future Parent Bulletin. Silver Award participants (Year 11)

Year 11 who started Silver last year should now be in a position to get their Sections signed off and approved. If any student is unsure how to do this, then please use the Drop in Clinics (Tues/Thurs Lunchtime in K14) to do this. Remember that eDofE can be used on smartphones by typing m.edofe.org into the internet browser on your phone and logging in as usual. All assessor reports can be uploaded via the phone and it is a much quicker way to do this.

New Gold Award Holders We are very pleased that the following Year 13 students have completed their Gold Award. As usual the diversity of their activities is one of the strengths of the Award and a few of these are highlighted below.

Ellen King: Ellen was a Rainbows leader (Volunteering), improved her fitness by going to gym (Physical) and played in Letchworth Garden City Brass Band (Skill). Her Residential involved helping on respite care week for peo-ple with disabilities. Adam Orton: Adam’s Gold Award activities including coaching (Volunteering) and playing (Physical) rugby at Letchworth rugby club and learning to play the guitar (Skill). His Residential section was an outdoor adventure and activity week in Dorset. Charlotte Duke: Charlie volunteered as a sports coach at St Mary’s primary school, pursued her own athletics at Ridlins club, and learnt how to drive (Skill). Her Residential was an amazing week at Blackpool zoo. Her week in-cluded designing and making an enrichment device for orang-utans, cleaning animal enclosures, preparing a range of diets for several species and learning about care/welfare of exotic species. Annie Clark: As well as volunteering in the Sue Ryder charity shop, improving her fitness at the gym, Annie de-cided to improve her cake making and decorating skills for her Skill section. Annie said ‘I enjoyed the parts which were challenging which included helping design and help make a wedding cake for a wedding. Most importantly, I learnt how to do the basics which I will find very useful and worthwhile’.

Sixth form students lead the way in school production Last week’s school production of The Wind in the Willows was a huge success and every single member of the extensive cast and crew played a pivotal role in making it such a wonderful week of performances. It was very pleasing to see our sixth form students setting a brilliant example as actors in the leading roles, as well as taking on huge responsibility with the numerous tasks back stage.

We are of course very proud of every student involved with this production and particularly the sixth form students who once again demonstrated what talented young people this school and sixth form produces. Sixth form actors: The Wind in the Willows- in photos

Dance school success for Nyree! Year 12 student Nyree Barnes has always had a passion for gymnastics and dance, per-forming at a high level in both disciplines. Over the last year, Nyree has set a clear goal of achieving a coveted place at a prestigious dance school and last week, she received the news that this goal had been achieved. When we spoke to Nyree about her achievement and her future ambitions, she had this to say: ‘I was offered a place at The School of Ballet Theatre UK in Hinckley, Leicester which

I auditioned for in early January this year, after an initial application screening process. Hundreds of people apply, however each year only about 15-20 dancers are offered a place at the school. The school has only been running for 4 years, and in that time it has produced great graduate success. During the 3 year course, the main focus is classical ballet, however the school also offers contemporary, jazz and commercial dance to help students become a well-rounded dancer with experience in different styles. It is intense training 5 days a week along with many performance opportunities at international dance competi-tions and shows, as well as the opportunity to perform with The Ballet Theatre UK touring company which has been successfully running for 8 years. After the 3 years, I hope to join a ballet company such as Ballet Theatre UK or English National Ballet to travel and perform.’ Nyree will take her place at The School of Ballet Theatre UK in September 2017. Although we are very disappointed to be losing Nyree halfway through her A Level studies, we are excited that she has achieved such a wonderful feat and wish her all of the best with her future studies and career.

Senior basketball success Last night, the senior basketball team faced a very determined St Christopher’s School team in the latest fixture of the district league season. St Chris’ battled incredibly hard in the 1st half and made it tough for the KTS boys to get into an early rhythm. Each team took turns in holding the lead throughout the first half and KTS looked to be in for a very tough game. However, in the 2nd half KTS’ attacking superiority and defensive tenacity proved too much for

a tiring St Chris’ side who struggled to keep pace with the relentless scoring of the home team. KTS eventually won the game by a comfortable 20-point margin (61-41) and are now 1 step clos-er to the district final. Well done to all of the boys involved!

Bill is published again! We would like to congratulate year 13 student Bill Bowkett on once again being published in the local news. Bill recently wrote an excellent article, which was published in The Comet, on the visit to KTS of John Levy, a member of the Friends of Israel group. In addition, Bill recently wrote a very informative and thought provoking article about cuts to school funding which was published in the local magazine ‘On your doorstep’. Bill’s enthusiasm for journalism is obvious to anyone who knows him and it is wonderful to see his hard work paying off- well done Bill!

Senior football update The senior boys’ football team continued their unbeaten run with an impressive 4-2 win over Marriots School (Stevenage). A hat-trick of goals from Sean Blyth and a single goal from Elliot Powell was enough to clinch victory for KTS, although there were numerous chances for the boys to make the result even more impressive. The boys now need just 1 more win to confirm their place in the district final! Well done to all of the players involved!