Life at Studley

The largest festival of science in the UK aimed at school age pupils took place last week at the NEC, Birmingham.

This year, the Fair was bigger than ever and included exhibits from many strands of science and plenty of activities for everyone to enjoy.

This years Big Bang trip was a full of firsts. Not only was it the first time we’ve managed to take the entire year group to the show at the NEC, it was also the first time the entire cohort managed to watch the same live show at the same time! However the firsts didn’t stop there, for the first time ever, a Studley High School student was picked to take part in the show on the main stage (Oscar Foxall) and to top that, Olivia Few was chosen to take part during the live show. Both students played their parts very well.

The students were extremely well behaved throughout the trip, it was lovely to see them so engaged with such a variety of activities and possible STEM careers.

Highlights of the day included: the explosions of the Big Bang Stage, the opportunity to build and race a rocket propelled car and opportunities to speak to real scientists about their careers. Pupils came away with not only huge amounts of information and ideas for careers they may have not heard of before, but also more perspective on the huge developments which are taking place in STEM today.

The trip was organised in collaboration with the Careers Department.

On Saturday 17th March, Year 11 pupils were invited to take part in ‘Super Science Saturday’. The focus was to revise key aspects of their Science GCSE course.

Sixty pupils arrived, bright-eyed, on a very cold and frosty morning to complete three hours of science revision. Their reward for this? Four hours of paintballing on an equally chilling afternoon. Great team building skills were developed especially when the pupils rallied round to ‘defeat’ the four members of staff that accompanied them (Mr Salmon, Mr Eost, Mr Sidhu and Mrs Moreland). You can see how much Mr Salmon enjoyed his time, in the below image!

Pupils were, as always, praised on their behaviour at the centre. Watch this space for the next ‘Super Saturday’!

A talented group of Year 8 artists have been attending a Shine in Art after school club. In responding to the theme of ‘identity’, students have created their own unique finger print portraits. Using a range of materials and techniques such as printmaking, stitching, painting, drawing and collage – they have demonstrated their advanced creativity and learnt a range of new skills.

We look forward to seeing them continue to shine in their GCSEs.

Musician of the Year 2018

PUPILS!

Play or sing a solo for your chance to reach the final – solo or in a group!

Auditions:
Tuesday 20th March – Lunchtime
Wednesday 21st March – Lunchtime
Wednesday 21st lunchtime – after school
Please sign up outside A2

Final – Thursday 3rd May, 6pm

Year 9 photography students have been working on a macro project to create very close up and detailed images. Some of their photos may at first seem unrecognisable, but look closely and you will be able to identify different types of fruit. Pupils experimented with ink, filters, mirrors and lighting to change our perceptions. Students have used their Adobe Photoshop skills to enhance the colours and textures resulting in bright and bold photographs.

Macro photography is the production of photographs of small items larger than ‘life size’.

Senior Paediatric Physiotherapist, Jennifer Gautier, came to Studley High this week, as part of the ‘MOVES’ programme for Year 7 pupils. The programme is designed to improve core stability and increase agility.

Jennifer tell us:

The pupils are seeing benefits in their ability to focus and study during lessons, as a result. Mrs Roberts and Mrs Johnson are making the programme fun and enjoyable, but are still ensuring that every child taking part is challenged. Each child has already successfully completed the first level and have proudly received a certificate for their efforts! Well done to the staff and children at Studley High school for taking part in this very valuable movement programme.

Studley students,William Hopkins, Freya Coleman and Bethany Freeman were invited by the First World War Centenary Battlefields Tour Programme, (funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Communities and Local Government) to a battlefield adventure.

Our three students have joined students from 15 other schools on a tour across France and Belgium, as part of the programme, designed to help them to develop a deeper understanding of the Great War.

They visited museums, battlefield sites, memorial and cemeteries including the Commonwealth War grave sites for Tyne Cot Cemetery near Ypres, Belgium and the Thiepval Memorial in Somme, France. Exploring the battlefields and seeing the landscape and the history of the war helped to bring events to life and ensure a better understanding of the scale of war. During the tour students attended the last post ceremony in Ypres, which took place at the Menin Gate.

William was lucky enough to be chosen to lay a wreath on behalf of the tour during the ceremony. We then listened to the buglers of the Ypres volunteer Fire Brigade sound the ‘Last Post’ before a minute’s silence was held to reflect upon the sacrifice of those lost.

Before setting off on the tour, our students had time to research the final resting places of many men from Studley which helped them to understand the personal side of warfare in a conflict, which took so many. Stories like: Frederick William Smith, who, on 26th October 1917 lost his life at the tender age of 19 due to wounds from action. He was the son of Frederick and Nelly Smith who resided on the Alcester Road in Studley at the time. Students found his name while visiting Tyne Cot.

Our students were a credit to the school and demonstrated kindness, respect, independence, passion and a desire to learn from the experience. The trip was truly a memorable experience and a privilege to attend.

During February half term, a group of 58 students from across Year 10 & Year 11 embarked on a visit to Berlin to further explore the topics they are covering in their History curriculum.

On the first day, we went on a walking tour around Berlin to see some of the city’s most famous sites and learn about their historical significance. On arrival, we navigated our way through every type of public transport, twisting and turning around the streets of Berlin before arriving to drop our bags at the hotel.

We then headed out to the Story of Berlin Museum. Here we explored the timeline of Berlin from its modest beginnings to one of the central capital cities in the world. We also delved deep underground to a former nuclear bunker, which would have been used in a real attack.

Next stop was Bundestag (Reichstag), the home of German parliament and one of the most iconic places in German history. The night sky was the perfect background to hear the enthralling history of the building but also see the amazing views of Berlin.

Friday saw a tour of Sachsenhausen – a place that opened our eyes to events inside concentration camps under the Nazis. The tour guide took us around the whole camp and explained in extreme detail what happened inside the huge, secretive walls and what type of people were held hostage there. It was a sobering experience but an important one as we continued to pledge that we ‘will never forget’. We followed this visit up to a modern day example of remembrance in the form the Holocaust Memorial where students explored the memorial, debated meanings and more importantly the people which it represents.

Over the following days, the group explored many other aspects of Berlin, including a visit to a remaining section of the Berlin Wall where they expanded their historical knowledge and emotionally connected with the personal hardships suffered by so many. Our pupils also had the opportunity to explore what life was like on the East side of Berlin and Germany.

We toured an ex-Stasi (East German Secret Police) prison, exploring the “submarine” and isolation units, which were enthralling. Hearing the experience of someone who was imprisoned for just wanting the basics we take for granted today was hard hitting. Students also explored the DDR Museum, which educated students on everyday life in the East looking at anything from food to a Volkswagen!

It was not just all History though! Students enjoyed exploring the city in the evening before and after dinner. Students explored the local shopping centres and found ways to spend those last remaining Euros. Students also sadly were defeated during a bowling masterclass by the staff in an event that will go down in legend. We also finished off our trip with a lovely meal at Villa Rodizio and said farewell to another fantastic trip with superb students.

The trip was a great opportunity to gain insight into a country and culture they are studying and to make historical links to places they have now seen for themselves. I thank the students for their exemplary behaviour and hope that they enjoyed the trip as much as the staff did.

#StudleytoSchonefeld #SHSonTour

Just before half term, Year 10 and 11 girls represented South Warwickshire in the County Badminton tournament in Coventry. Our girls came away with a Silver medal, after remaining unbeaten all the way into the finals. They showed resilience, sportsmanship and determination throughout. Congratulations!

Warwickshire and West Mercia have been running a Police Cadet Scheme for the last 4 years for 16-18yr olds. The scheme has been well received and has developed across both forces.

The scheme is changing to incorporate young people between the ages of 13-16yrs. The only stipulations are that they have to be 13-16yrs on 1st September 2018 and that they must live within Warwickshire or West Mercia Police Force area.

If you are interested in Policing then please click the link below. There is an email address to find out more or you can fill out the Application form and send it on.

The closing date for applications is 28th February 2018 but the scheme will not start until September 2018.

https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/cadets

As part of our careers education programme, we offered the opportunity for our Year 10 pupils to visit Gardner Denver, a global manufacturer of compressors, pumps, blowers and other engineered solutions for various industrial applications.

The team at Gardner Denver delivered two presentations, one on work-place health and safety and the other on the different types of roles in the company: human resources, operations, overseas sales representatives, customer service and telephone sales.

Pupils toured the shop floor, where they learnt about engineering roles, saw engineering machines and air compressors and heard about Gardner Denver’s broad range of customers.

“It was very educational and informative, great experience, giving me a better insight into a company”, Lucy Scragg

“It was interesting to learn about all the different career paths just within one business”, Kate Gural

“It was a great experience and the tour guides Martyn and Luke were very enthusiastic! “

This tour was very popular with our pupils, so much so that we have arranged a second tour.

This week, Studley High pupils competed at the South Warwickshire Gymnastics competition at Stratford High School. They were up against Shipston High, Stratford Girls’ Grammar School and Alcester Girls’ Grammar School.

They performed a floor routine and two vaults and competed as an individual and overall team score.

Results:
Ella Garrett – 1st place in the Year 7 individual
Phoebe Hunt – 2nd place in Year 7 individual
Grace Chapman – 1st place in the Year 8 individual
Mia Browning – 2nd place in Year 8 individual

We are delighted to report that the girls also came in 1st place for the ‘Overall’ team – congratulations!

On Tuesday 6th February, a group of Y8 pupils went to Worcester Magistrates Court as part of their preparations for the Citizenship Foundation Mock Trial competition.

The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition has been running since 1994 and annually involves over 4,000 students from over 270 schools and 1,700 legal professional volunteers across over 40 magistrates’ courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition is part of the SmartLaw programme which helps improve young people’s life skills, their understanding of the justice system and the legal system, and helps them to understand that the law touches every aspect of their lives.

Our pupils have been giving up their lunchtimes and evenings since November, in order to prepare. Pupils have to dissect a case and witness statements, then act out the roles of Magistrates, lawyers, witnesses, defendants, and legal advisers – against other schools.

During the visit to Worcester, pupils were able to see courtrooms in action as well as gain some practice for their own case, in an empty courtroom. The team were a credit to the school and let’s hope their hard work pays off for the first competition heat in March.

For more information about the Mock Trial: https://smartlaw.org.uk/mock-trials/magistrates-court-mock-trials-teachers/

Last month our Year 11 Photography students created their final pieces for their photography exam, based on the theme ‘Strange and Fantastic’.

Students worked hard showing determination and concentration throughout the examination.

Students have been working on their coursework exploring the theme of ‘Strange and Fantastic’. They have studied the work of photographers and artists to use as inspiration for their own personal photographic work.

Fantastic effort from our Year 10 and 11 girls yesterday – representing South Warwickshire in the County Badminton tournament in Coventry. The girls came away with a Silver medal, after remaining unbeaten until the final. The girls showed resilience, sportsmanship and determination all day.

Earlier this week, a Camera Producer from Channel 4 came to talk to our pupils about career opportunities in this sector.

Pupils listened to a presentation about creative skills set and career pathways and the sector itself, covering freelance contract work (which is very common), the hours, which can be long and irregular and the work being mainly office-based. Pupils learned that there is the opportunity to visit studios or locations for meetings, however.

Location work can be anywhere in the UK or overseas, meaning travel potentially long periods away from home. Pupils also learned that there are apprenticeship routes in this pathway, as well and University degrees.

Year 9 and 10 took ownership to decide if they wished to attend and it was one of our most popular employer talks yet – a full house!

It was useful to know the types of pathways you can go into in the creative media and hear about what it actually is like to work in the industry.

Hannah Gallimore

This forms part of our schools careers education programme and we look forward to welcoming further employers to inspire out pupils form different sectors.

On Saturday 20th January, our first History Hunt took place.

A group of Year 11 pupils travelled to York with Mr Hobbis and Mrs Williams. The day with pupils heading back in time and down deep beneath the ground as they entered the York Nuclear Bunker.

York Bunker is one of the best surviving nuclear bunkers in England – a time capsule of the 1960s through to the 1990s – and allowed students to gain an understanding of the nuclear arms race.

After a short video introduction, pupils explored the bunker looking at how the voluntary members would have lived and worked. The bunker would have been open for just four minutes for the volunteers to race to the bunker before a potential strike! Pupils entered the control room, where explosion monitoring took place, to help rescue and recovery efforts once ‘fall out’ had finished.

Pupils then visited the National Railway Museum, stepping aboard a First World War ambulance train. Ambulance trains carried millions of sick and injured soldiers to safety throughout the 1914-1918 conflict. Pupils heard the often untold story, by moving through the carriage and exploring a ward, a pharmacy and a nurses’ mess room.

They also saw Tim Peake’s space capsule which saw the safe return of the astronaut from his recent space mission!

Royal carriages, Japanese bullet trains and even a walk of the Eurostar before heading to York Centre for a walking tour, exploring the Minister and even the Shambles which supposedly inspired Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

The final stop was York Castle, with breathtaking views across York.

A truly fantastic day. Pupils were a credit to the school.

Mr J Hobbis

Earlier this week, the Maths department took 19 pupils to ‘Mathsfest’ at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham.

The event was a day-long mathematical ‘extravaganza’ designed to appeal to all those with an interest in maths, programming, modelling and general puzzle solving. Pupils listened to speakers talk about code breaking, puzzle challenges, graphics and special effects and other mind-bending maths topics!

Famous people in the maths world, enthralled the audience by exploring maths in somany different ways. Guest speakers included: Matt Parker (stand up comedian), Hannah Fry (TV star), James Grime (Internet Maths phenomenon) and Rob Eastaway (best-selling Maths author).

It was a thought provoking and interesting day which concluded with lasers and explosions and included secret codes, crowd modelling and why humans are inept at dealing with randomness.

This week, we are remembering the events and tragedy of the Holocaust, as it is Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January this year.

We won’t be spared and will go bravely into the unknown

On Monday 22nd January 2018, 150 Year 10 students were privileged to listen to the testimony of John Fieldsend. The 86-year-old, who was born Hans Heinrich Feige, told his story as part of a visit organised by the History department and the Holocaust Educational Trust to mark Holocaust Memorial Week.

We too won’t be spared and will go bravely into the unknown with the hope that we shall yet see you again when God wills.

These are the chilling and heartbreaking words discovered by Holocaust survivor John Fieldsend in a letter from his parents who both died at Auschwitz during the Second World War.

He was just seven-years-old when he was forced to say farewell to them and escape from Czechoslovakia to England as part of a rescue mission to save hundreds of Jewish children in the lead up to the war. Born into a Jewish family in Czechoslovakia during 1931, Mr Fieldsend and his then 10-year-old brother Gert, left behind their mother Trude and father Curt and travelled to England by Kindertransport, via train and boat, in 1939 to be fostered by two separate families.

The German-Czech family, had fled to Czechoslovakia from Germany in 1937 to escape anti-Jewish persecution, only to find themselves again under threat. The retired Anglican vicar, who converted from Judaism as a young man, was given a wristwatch by his mother before boarding the train and setting off for his final destination of Sheffield, where he was fostered by Leslie Cumpsty, a colliery manager, and his wife, Vera.

“It was a bit scary at the time. I was only seven.” For a short while, he was able to keep in contact with his parents through letters with a limited word count. He was a teenager when a package arrived in 1946.Someone had discovered a collection of photograph albums in his grandparents’ house in Czechoslovakia, and asked the International Red Cross to find the rightful owner. Inside one album, in a letter his mother had written: “Dear boys, when you receive this letter the war will be over. We want to say farewell to you who were our dearest possession in the world.”

She added that in December 1942 ‘it will be our turn, and the time has therefore come for us to turn to you again and to ask you to become good men and think of the years we were happy together. We are going into the unknown’. His father had also written: “We too won’t be spared and will go bravely into the unknown with the hope that we shall yet see you again when God wills. Don’t forget us and be good. I too thank all the good people who have accepted you so nobly.”

After the war, Mr Fieldsend remained with his foster family, moving with them around the UK. “As children, we just wanted to get on with life,” he said. “We ended up moving to Wakefield.” Through researching records much later on in his life, he discovered his parents died at Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland, he believes in gas chambers.

The grandfather-of-seven, who married his wife Elizabeth in 1961, said: “I think it’s important that the younger generation learns first hand about what happened”. More than 600 children were saved by the Kindertransport rescue effort, which had been organised by British humanitarian Sir Nicholas Winton. The former stockbroker abandoned a planned holiday to answer a call for help from a friend in Czechoslovakia engaged in saving Jews from the Nazis. He worked in Prague, helping to prepare children for evacuation to Britain before returning to London to organise their resettlement.

Studley students shared a question and answer session with John before closing and being asked to remember (in line with the Holocaust Memorial Day theme) that the power of words, and their words in particular, can have huge implications in the world we live in. Students and staff alike were challenged to use their words carefully and challenge any words which help reinforce prejudice and hatred in the world that we live.

Last week, Studley High School was packed with businesses from across the region, to prepare Year 11 pupils for life beyond school.

Pupils spent time with individuals representing a range of professions and employers: Bosch Thermotechnology, Gardner Denver, Allelys, Version 1/Beoley Mill Solutions, Sitel, Shakespeare Hospice, Lamberts Estate Agents, Warwick Furnishers, Bright Kids, Ricor, GKN and Marc Worrall & Associates Architects.

Pupils experienced a one to one interview with one of the professionals, to encourage them to be confident in discussing their strengths and skills. The situation is unique, because pupils can’t draw on working experience to positively represent themselves however, they still managed to impress the employers:

The students spoke with great confidence and showed considerable maturity when reflecting on their strengths and areas for development. They showed abilities which should interest any Post 16 provider and employer.

Richard Evans, Director of Research and Development – Bosch Thermotechnology Ltd

Our Managing Director was delighted to be asked to support young individuals for their preparation towards their future. The pupils were polite and showed thoughtfulness when answering their questions.

Martyn Muddyman, Operations Managing Engineer – Gardner Denver

We have many opportunities for pupils to develop their understanding of careers and employment at Studley High School. However, I feel the interviews conducted by professionals from respected local and International companies offer our Year 11 pupils such a fantastic opportunity to shine in a potentially stressful situation. The feedback has been wonderful and I am very proud of the way all of our pupils conducted themselves. I am also very appreciative that businesses give up their valuable time to support our pupils.

Mr Gray, Headteacher

After the event, the pupils were equally as enthusiastic:

I found that it gave me an insight into what I should be expecting when going into an interview and the questions they may ask. Really Good!

Lily Newburn

It gave me realistic insight into an actual interview.

Nayana Khosla

I now feel more prepared and understand what it would be like to have an interview.

Alice Butler

The day was a complete success and another step towards ensuring each pupil has every chance to follow their chosen path once they leave education.

Last week, Year 7 had a fantastic day learning about many aspects of ‘healthy lifestyles’ including diet, exercise and emotional well-being. This was also supported by Joe Deans from Brook, helping children better understand sexual health.

David Martin (Community Support Officer) from Warwickshire Police Force, came in to deliver sessions on Child Exploitation and educating our pupils on how to identify the dangers and patterns of behaviour used to exploit children.

Year 9 worked hard all day to survive on the ‘island’! Learning to work together to overcome obstacles and complete challenges such as building shelters, producing T-shirts and dance pieces.

Year 10 were able to listen to presentations from the restorative justice team from HMP Hewel. They engaged with prisoners in a Q&A session about the reality of prison, dangers of criminal activity and the impact it has had on their lives.

Talented pupils from Studley High School starred in the spectacular production of Snow White at the Palace Theatre in Redditch. The extensive schedule over the festive period showcased an array of stunning costumes, creative choreography, scenery sets straight from an enchanting fairy tale, a fast paced story line, great music and excellent performances from our pupils, well done girls!

This week, we took 12 Year 9 and 10 sports leaders to Loughborough University to watch an England Netball training match, followed by a meet and greet with the players as a thank you for their help so far this year with school competitions.

The girls were delighted to meet such esteemed sports women and we also received a signed netball!

Miss Dempster, PE

Every year around Christmas the staff and pupils at Studley High School like to make a donation to a charity.

Historically we have supported Operation Christmas Child, however this year we decided to do something a little different and focus more on the people within our local community.

We collected and donated over 700 items for the Arden Foodbank to help people in the Studley and Alcester area. The foodbank provides emergency food to people in crisis.

Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. A simple box of food makes a big difference, with foodbanks helping prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems.

Foodbank clients bring their voucher to a foodbank centre where it can be redeemed for three days’ emergency food.

We are so proud of our pupils for the kindness and compassion they have shown during this time. Arden Foodbank were delighted with our donation and our pupils and staff contributed one of the largest donations they have ever had.

Here is their response:

Amongst the darkness of an unnamed wood, a lawless gang are trying to bury a dark secret. The group need someone to take charge, but who can they trust? Who do they follow? While lies spiral and tension mounts, everyday adolescence twists and turns into an anarchic game of survival.

Following a West End premier last year, KS4 Studley Drama students performed Dennis Kelly’s dark tale, ‘DNA’. With only a small cast of 13 students, they were superb; it was a sell out performance! They have worked tirelessly since September to rehearse, giving up October half-term to make sure the performance was ‘show-ready’. It would be impossible to pick out individual performances, due to them all contributing to the excellent standard of acting on the night.

Miss Hinde, Curriculum Area Leader for Performing Arts wrote this Director’s note:

It has been an absolute pleasure directing DNA with this talented cast. They have worked tirelessly, giving up so much of their time for rehearsals.

The students challenged themselves to understand the detailed plot, challenging me to question my own directorial ideas. The cast were extremely innovative.

I would like to say a special thank you to Amber Winspur, Jack Batley and Abbie Wheeler as this is their last opportunity to be involved in a Studley drama before they leave us at the end of the academic year. They have both been inspirational to me and other pupils.

The cast members: Chavez Wellington, Amber Winspur, Lois Delaney, Alice Kerride, Ella Ryan, Mary Thacker, Jamie Fletcher, Kirsty Vale, Tanisha- Jade Morgan, Jace Harris, Jack Batley, Ellie Sanders and Ellie Hexley.

Photos of Studley High School site in the recent adverse weather conditions. What a few days we have had!

Acknowledgement and thank you to the staff who tirelessly shovelled snow and spread grit and salt to ensure the site was safe for pupils and staff to access today. See the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos, courtesy of Mrs Williams.

We have just received notification from the Royal British Legion, that our pupils collected a total of £294 for the Poppy Appeal on the 11th November, in Studley Village.

They thanked the following pupils for giving up their time:
Daniel martin, Ethan Delve, Molly Maguire, Ellen Reeves, Ruby Lee, William Parry, Nathan Chapman, Kian Brown and Hannah Dixon.