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PressTales Issue 25, 26 January 2018

Dear Parents/Carers

Thank you to all of the Year 9 parents who were able to attend the Year 9 options evening on Wednesday. It is encouraging to see how focussed and engaged the girls are with the whole process. Many have clear ideas of what they want to do when they leave school, and what they need to do to achieve their aims. However, we know it is early in their lives and goals can change. I wonder if any of the Year 9 parents have thought back to when they were 13 or 14 years old to recollect what their aspirations were. I'm still trying to get over the rejection from Manchester United, it was definitely their loss!

Year 13 students received their mock results this afternoon. We are very pleased with the progress that the Year 13 cohort is making. They have been working hard in lessons and prepared well for the mock exams. As part of the assembly this afternoon I spoke to the students about their Vision, Effort, Systems, Practices and Attitudes. I asked them to think about where they would put themselves on a scale between the comments on the left, and those on the right, and to consider what they needed to do to move further to the right. We are extremely proud of the students who have already been given offers from many universities, or who have already secured an apprenticeship or employment for next year. We are delighted that this year, we have five students who have received offers from Oxbridge. I would like to thank Mrs Read and Ms Hobbs for the support and advice they gave the students in preparation for the rigorous application process. Kind regards Matt Warren Headteacher

*Taken from ‘40 Activities for transforming student commitment, motivation and productivity’ (Oakes and Griffen)

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During National Apprenticeship Week, the University of Hertfordshire will be hosting The Hertfordshire Apprenticeship Show. This is a fantastic opportunity to find out about apprenticeships and meet employers to learn about what they are looking for when recruiting. Some of the topics will include:

What is an apprenticeship?

Interview techniques and how to write a CV

A day in the life of an apprentice

To register your attendance please click here.

Wednesday 7 March 2018, 16:30 to 19:00 - de Havilland campus, University of Hertfordshire

The Hertfordshire Apprenticeship Show

Careers News

From the University of Hertfordshire: ‘We recognise that student finance is an area that parents may find challenging and have many questions as they embark on the higher education journey with their sons or daughters. In order that we provide parents with the most up to date information, we have joined forces with our finance team, who will deliver this free informative briefing and answer questions over cheese and wine.’ Places can be booked here.

Wednesday 18 April, 19:30 to 21:00 - de Havilland campus, University of Hertfordshire

Parents Finance Information Meeting

We have five students who have received offers to study at Oxford or Cambridge this year. A record number, and extremely impressive for a non-selective comprehensive school.

Libby Cowdrey - Queens College, Oxford - French and Russian Tom Hurst - Downing College, Cambridge - Classics Eleanor Mackay - Pembroke College, Cambridge - Natural Sciences (Physics) Araminta Penn-Clark - Clare College, Cambridge - Engineering Tara Petty - Keble College, Oxford - Biological Sciences Denise Read UCAS Adviser

Oxbridge News

Congratulations to the following forms who have achieved the highest number of reward points since the last PressTales:

Our third non-uniform day of this academic year is being held on Friday 9th February. Please be aware that again 50% of the money raised will go to supporting Teens Unite (The Teenage Cancer Trust Charity) and the other 50% will be spent directly on our students as determined by our Student Council. We would like everyone to take part and to make a voluntary £2.00 donation (or more if you would like to contribute as a family).

We would be grateful if donations could be returned to Mrs Eyre in the School Office in an envelope marked with your daughter’s / son’s name and form group. We would welcome the donation before the 9th if possible, please.

Thank you in advance.

Non-Uniform Day

Rewards

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7SH 8EC 9SR 10LM & 10AW 11NG 12NG 13LA

We will be moving the next Year 7 evening from:

27 March 2018 to

1st May 2018 (Tuesday)

Date Change: Year 7 Parents Consultation Meeting

Well done to Anna Livingstone and Katie Egerton! This half term their Art work has been chosen to be presented in Mr Warren’s office. Here is Anna being awarded the Headteacher’s Art Award for her beautiful self portrait.

Headteacher’s Award

News from Art & Photography

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Year 13 Photographers have been very busy producing eye catching final pieces in their recent exam. Techniques ranged from digital editing, physical manipulation, 3D installation, videography and traditional techniques. A real display of young talents. Well done team!

Here is a sneak peak at the work being exhibited in the Summer Show.

Photography A Level

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What does a retail merchandiser do? Your day-to-day duties could include:

planning product ranges and stock plans with buyers

planning budgets, forecasting sales and profit margins

visiting manufacturers with retail buyers to learn about production cycles

negotiating prices and orders with suppliers, and agreeing delivery terms

tracking stock deliveries, making sure goods arrive on time and meet quality standards

setting prices and sales targets for individual stores

helping visual merchandisers to plan store layouts to promote key lines

promoting special offers and marketing initiatives

staying aware of how competitors are performing

identifying and sorting out production and supply problems

managing, training and supervising staff

What skills are required?

excellent number and data analysis skills, using spreadsheets and computer modelling

good decision-making skills

an understanding of what motivates customers to buy products

confidence when leading negotiations or presenting at board meetings

good interpersonal and communication skills to build useful working relationships

strong leadership skills and ability to influence others

excellent organisational and planning skills with ability to prioritise

Annual Salary? £16,000 to £60,000. These figures are a guide.

How many hours would I be expected to work? 40 hours a week.

What do I need to do to become a retail merchandiser? There are no set requirements, but some employers may ask for a marketing, business or finance degree. Other employers will want you to have strong numerical skills and experience in retail, especially an understanding and interest in stock control levels. The Fashion Retail Academy runs a number of short courses like a 3-day Introduction to Merchandising. The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply also has details of procurement and supply qualifications. Both graduates and non-graduates need to apply for entry-level posts, usually as an allocator, distributor or merchandise administrative assistant. Doing a college course in retail operations or fashion retail could help you prepare for this job. You could also get into the retail industry through an apprenticeship. Retail Careers and The Retail Appointment has more information on how to become a retail merchandiser.

Design & Technology - Career of the Month - Fashion Retail Merchandiser

Design & Technology News

This term has started really well with the rotation of groups in Design and Technology. Year 9 have enjoyed listening to presentations about the possible GCSE options they can choose from Design and Technology. These include Food Preparation and Nutrition, Graphics and Textiles. They had to produce a report on a career of their choice that links with one of the Design and Technology specialisms.

Year 8 are working on researching timbers, and finding out the differences between hardwoods and softwoods, including sustainability. They have produced some lovely pieces of work, displaying the information in a creative way.

Year 7 have been researching designers that have had an impact on society. These include designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Coco Chanel and Enzo Ferrari. Students really enjoyed this homework and came up with some fantastic information as well as creative layouts and pictures. A special mention should go to Laura Siek in 7AH who produced a fantastic information sheet (see attached photo) that was almost a metre long! Laura was invited to show Mr Warren her fantastic work and this was also shared with other Year 7 students.

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News from PE

The team played really well but lost 31-17 to a very strong Broxbourne side last week. Great practice for netball regionals on Saturday 27th January!

Netball

Year 7 – Sienna Rose-White for fantastic leadership in Cheerleading lessons Year 8 – Roisin Hurley for showing kindness to

peers in Orienteering Year 9 – Grace Dunstan and Kitty Povey for perseverance in a complex cheerleading move Year 10 – Molly Hobson and Evie Reynolds for consistent effort and attainment in GCSE PE end of topic tests Year 11 – Charlie Head and Scarlett Kendrick for exceptional effort in their GCSE PE coursework

PE Students of the Month – January

Hockey

Well played to the U14 hockey County Cup team who lost 2-0 to Royal Masonic School. Close game but we go again next week! Player of the match was Maddie Stewart. Also, a massive well done to Lottie Hobson for having a good game in goal.

Massive congratulations to the U14 County Cup Hockey team who beat Tring 6-0 this evening! Fantastic TEAM effort and even a brilliant goal by Maggie Bristow!

Please click here for Presdales PE Fixtures.

PE Fixtures

Our Year 9 Leaders recently helped at the Annual Boccia SLD Schools Tournament held at Presdales. The girls were a real credit to the school and were outstanding officials throughout the day. I hope they enjoyed the experience. Miss Weaver, Head of PE

Boccia Tournament

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On Saturday the 13th January, a team of 14 Presdales Girls competed in a VEX Robotics Competition at Stanborough School in Welwyn Garden City. As a recent member of the Robotics Club, this was my first competition, and, despite our Robots coming 20th and 25th out of 28, it was an amazing experience. Many of the robots were enormous, only just fitting the specified sizing rules and with modified

moving parts that only made them even more intimidating to battle against. All of us are full of inspiration to develop our two robots further and can’t wait until the next competition. Becca Fletcher, Year 10

Robotics Club News

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On the 13th of December the Year 13’s had a festive trip to London for an ice skating session at Somerset House ice rink and shopping in Covent Garden. When we got off of the coach, it had already started raining, so everybody made a dash for the shops to find shelter. Covent Garden was beautifully decorated for Christmas, with giant miseltoe, big bows and lights. My friends and I went shopping around the market looking for last minute presents, and trying as many free food and drink samples as we could! We then heard the sound of a loud booming voice and a bell ringing: we turned a corner and to our delight, there was Father Christmas!

Despite the rain everyone remained in the festive spirit, although those who got alotted to the 3pm skate session got a little bit wet! Luckily when we arrived at 4pm the rain had stopped, but there was what can only be described as a lake of water in the middle of the rink! In the boot room we came across lots of people with damp socks, but smiles on their faces nonetheless, and they were able to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate in the cafe.

Once on the ice, after a few minutes of clinging to the edge for dear life most of us began to gain confidence and by the end we were all whizzing around. There were a few falls and wobbles but that was part of the fun! The ice rink looked really pretty with lights being projected onto the ice and Somerset House behind us. There was also a huuuuge Christmas Tree!

The teachers seemed impressed watching us from the sidelines, and Mr Walker even had a go on the ice.

All in all, it was a really nice day and on behalf of the year I would like to thank Mr Spurgeon, Mrs Preshous and Mrs Grainger-Copperi for organising!

Jasmine Manders, Year 13

Year 13 Somerset House Ice Skating Trip 2017

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Hoe Lane

Ware

Hertfordshire

SG12 9NX

Tel: 01920 462 210

Email: admin@presdales.herts.sch.uk

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Presdales School

January

Thursday 25th to Monday 29th : Year 13 Art Mock

Friday 26th : Year 13 Results Day

Tuesday 30th : Year 9 Parents Consultation Meeting, 4.15pm to

7.15pm

Wednesday 31st : Year 10 Technology Trip

February

Thursday 1st : Intermediate Maths Challenge (Years 9 - 11)

Friday 2nd : Year 9 Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio and MenACWY

vaccinations

Tuesday 6th : Year 13 Parents Consultation Meeting, 4.15pm -

6.15pm

Tuesday 6th: Year 8 Interform Netball - P5 and 6

Wednesday 7th : Year 7 Interform Netball - P3 and 4

Thursday 8th : Year 12 and 13 PSHE Day

Friday 9th : Non-Uniform Day

Friday 9th : Year 10 Art Workshop

Friday 9th : Year 9 Interform Netball - P1 and 2

Friday 9th to Friday 16th : Ski Trip

Monday 12th to Friday 16th : Half Term

Tuesday 20th : A Level Drama Component 2

Wednesday 21st : Year 10 Urban Fieldwork

Thursday 22nd : Year 10 Parents Consultation Meeting, 4.15pm to

7.15pm

Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th : World Challenge Training (Norway)

Tuesday 27th : Year 10 Science in Action

Tuesday 27th : A Level Drama Component 2 visiting examiner AM

Exam 8.40-12am

Tuesday 27th to Friday 2nd March : Year 11 Food and Nutrition Exam

The full school calendar for the current academic year can be viewed by

clicking here.

School Calendar

Presdales School is seeking to build a team of confident and efficient Cover Supervisors who could provide cover on an ad hoc basis. Please click here or contact Mrs Hazel Goodwin, Cover Manager, by email: cover@presdales.herts.sch.uk if you would like to apply for the role or need to know more information about the role, including hours/days/pay.

Cover Supervisor Roles

GCSE Geography Revision Guides still

available at £5.50.

Year 10 Design & Technology Museum

Trip (Wednesday 31st January) -

Contribution of £22 per student please.

Year 10 Art Workshop (9th February) -

£10 per student.

Year 10 Geography Trip to Stratford (21st

February) - Voluntary contribution of £37

please.

GCSE Science in Action (27th February) -

Please return the Parental Consent Form

and voluntary contribution of £35.

Year 7 Little Canada Trip (March 2018) -

Please return medical consent form by

Friday 9th February.

Year 9 Trip to Rome (March 2018) -

Please return any outstanding medical

forms together with copies of EHIC cards

and passport. Any outstanding payments

need to be paid as soon as possible.

A Level Economics and Business

Revision Conference (24th April) - Cost of

ticket: £25 each.

Year 8 Take Your Daughter to Work Day

(26th April) - Permission and confirmation

form to be returned as soon as possible.

Year 9 Geography Trip to Epping Forest

(30th April and 4th May) - Please return

slip and voluntary contribution of £31 by

Friday 9th February 2018.

Year 8 Opal Coast Trip (June 2018) - Final

payment due by 2nd March 2018.

Italian Trip to Urbania (July 2018) - Next

instalment of £220 is due by 2nd February

2018.

New York and Washington Trip (October

2018) - Next instalment of £300 due by 26

February 2018.

Trips and Reminders

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