House Totals

House Totals for this term …

Student News

Isla Newman-Smith (Year 7)

Isla was lucky enough to go this week to the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures, presented by a former Presdales student and mathematician, Dr Hannah Fry. Isla really enjoyed it, learning a lot about maths and how TV programmes are made. She was even chosen to go up to the front and take part in an experiment, so you should be able to spot her on TV when the programme is aired! Isla also managed to grab a quick photo at the end with Hannah who was thrilled to hear that Isla is a Presdales girl too – they had a chat about maths teachers!

Karate

After 7 years of training Zoe Van Maanenberg (Year 10) successfully achieved her 1st Dan (Black Belt) Karate yesterday. She has shown amazing resilience to obtain this and achieve it this weekend as the next grading would have clashed with her GCSE’s so she was determined to get it before then! Huge congratulations Zoe, this is amazing!

PE Students of the Month – December

Congratulations to the following students who are our PE Stars of the Month!

HOUSE : Basketball

Well done to all the students who took part in the recent House Basketball competition. The results are below:

Speech Day 2019

We gathered to celebrate the many achievements of our students as prizes and GCSE and A Level certificates were awarded at the school’s annual speech day on Monday. Musical performances included the A level students’ choir, the recorder group and a sublime piano solo from Deniz Isingor.

Guest speaker, Rebecca Huntsman, former Head Girl (1991) and disputes lawyer for Hogan Lovells International (2000 – 2019) returned to the school to give an inspirational address. She highlighted the drive and impact of women in the legal profession as we approach the centenary of the landmark Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919. Rebecca shared important lessons from key female lawyers and her own legal career, such as striving even when the task ahead seems impossible, the power of positivity, and the value of working with and learning from others.

Uppermost in hearts and minds was Tierney Kinsella, who is deeply missed by all her friends, family and the school community. She continues to inspire all who witnessed her beauty, strength, determination and ongoing hard work in her studies whilst undergoing treatment for cancer. The prestigious new award in Tierney’s memory, established by the Kinsella family, recognises determination and resilience, and was presented for the first time to Lottie Mills.

Returning Head Girl, Katie Adamson, and Deputy Head Girl, Hannah Davies, gave incredibly thoughtful and moving valedictory speeches. They reflected on the happy memories as well as the sad times they and their peers have been through together. One of their key messages that will stay with all of us was, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

News from Art & Photography

Year 10/11 House Art competition – ‘Healthy Eating’

Well done to all the students who entered our competition. Our overall winner is Elizabeth Brand in Year 10 in Windsor.

Our 5 runners-up are Wiktoria Luksza, Year 10 Nightingale; Beckie Kennard, Year 11 Parks; Ellie Archer, Year 10 Nightingale; Abbie Cannell, Year 10 Frank; Summer Leighton, Year 10 Frank.

Congratulations to you all. There will be a display of the work near the hall shortly.

Headteacher’s Award for Art and Photography

This term, the awards go to Jessica Whitby (Year 13) for her portrait entitled ‘Richard’ and Phillippa Gillingham’s (Year 13) cured pencil piece of lizards.

Congratulations to you both.