On Tuesday 21st January Year 12 students of Italian were given an insight into one of the hottest Italian TV series of the moment during an interactive workshop with the University of Bristol. Professor Catherine O’Rawe, who has recently been writing a book about Italian youth television, told us all about Mare Fuori, a gritty teen drama set in a fictional juvenile prison in Naples.
During the session we considered different representations of the city, looking at the inviting clichés portrayed in two Dolce & Gabbana adverts and contrasting them with the dark and dangerous criminal underworld seen in the Mare Fuori trailer. Then Professor O’Rawe told us about Neapolitan melodrama and we saw examples of this while analysing the emotion and physicality in a very raw scene from the series. We then discussed music from the series and analysed the lyrics of a song. Professor O’Rawe was very impressed with the engagement of our students and the session provided a taste of what it’s like to study Italian at undergraduate level. In fact, Nyah and Polly, two of our former students, are currently in their third year studying Italian in Professor O’Rawe’s department! Mrs Evenden
I enjoyed it because it was a nice wider application of our understanding. It helped consolidate and introduce knowledge on Italian culture. I also enjoyed having discussions with our class and listening to the professor’s insight. Sai
I enjoyed learning about Italian culture and the media industry. I was surprised that Naples is so heavily romanticised and the dangers of the place that is hidden from the public. Sophia
It was very interesting to learn about different media in Italy and I loved learning more about Naples. Lara
I found the themes very interesting. I liked how the adverts and the trailer presented Naples in very different lights. I was surprised by the fact that some of the actors in the show were not professional. Elizabeth
I was already aware that different cities in Italy had different dialects. However, hearing the Neapolitan dialect was shocking! Madelina I thought it was interesting to compare the representation of Naples in adverts compared to in Mare Fuori. I enjoyed analysing the lyrics and thinking about the use of different tenses. Jess
Using grant funding already received from EdufundUK Ltd and the Royal Society of Chemistry, Presdales’ Science Department are currently in the process of updating their range of Data Loggers.
New Bluetooth Data Loggers communicate wirelessly with bespoke software installed on students’ own devices. Their ease of use allows them to be utilised in a wide range of experiments through all year groups and with data saved on the computers it can also be recalled for homework and for cross-curricular use, increasing the depth of learning gained by students.
Replacement of all of the data loggers will cost around £8,000 of which £3,000 has already been funded and the decision on a £3000 application to the Royal Society is pending.
A further application to the Tesco Community Grants Team for their Blue Token scheme has resulted in our project going live in the Ware store this week. With the opportunity of gaining £1500 funding Presdales would sincerely appreciate you taking the time to drop a token in the box whenever you are there. Please share this request with your friends and family too.
Alternatively, if you are in a position to be able to support the purchase of any of this equipment by way of a charitable donation/sponsorship our Grants Officer would love to hear from you and can be reached at nalbone@presdales.herts.sch.uk.
Congratulations to D’arcy Wright, Year 13, who has been selected to represent GB at the 2025 Horseball World Cup and has previously competed at the European Championships.
Please find below D’arcy’s article explaining what Horseball is and outlining the experiences that she has had.
Horseball is a fast-paced, team equestrian sport that demands high levels of skill, agility and determination from its players. While riding horses, two teams of four compete to score goals by throwing a small ball (which is covered in leather handles) into a 4.5-meter vertical hoop. The game requires players to pick the ball up from the ground at speed (known as a pickup), make three passes between three different players on their team and head towards the goal – all whilst avoiding the defence and keeping excellent control of their horse by mainly using their legs (or at least trying to anyway).
Originating in France, Horseball remains a hidden minority sport globally. However, with its fast-growing community and endless explanations to others why someone would willingly swing their body vertically off a galloping horse to grab a ball, the sport is steadily gaining popularity.
Representing my country in Horseball has been a deeply rewarding and extraordinary experience. Competing at the European Championships in 2023, training and competing with teams in Barcelona and Canada in 2024, and now preparing to represent my country in the World Cup and second European Championships in 2025 have provided me with some of the most enriching, valuable experiences of my life.
The camaraderie among the players has always enhanced my love for the sport. Every player feels part of one slightly chaotic family, all united in our shared love for the crazy adrenaline rushes and horses. Travelling to different countries, experiencing diverse cultures and bonding with international teammates has provided me with the most unforgettable experiences.
That said, competing on the international stage demands rigorous training for both horse and rider. It’s a partnership built on trust, discipline and countless hours of practice. My journey has included many 6am rides before school, late-night training and countless weekends away, dedicated to perfecting my game. Balancing the demands of an international sport with studying for A-levels may sound like a recipe for stress, but competing in Horseball has given me more than just physical and mental skills- it has instilled me with discipline, resilience and strong communication skills.
Being part of a minority sport like Horseball, has meant continuously advocating for its recognition and growth, which has boosted my confidence and public speaking skills. Thus, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities Horseball has offered me so far and all the constant support from my family, friends, teachers and teammates. All their support has been, and always will be invaluable.
D’arcy Wright (Year 13)
After a lovely visit to the Aubakirova School In Almaty, Kazakhstan in October, Year 7 Russian shared a New Year Song with an English class there and received a performance of a Christmas song from them. Mrs Willett was very proud of our Year 7s for reading the printed cyrillic script so confidently for this point in the course.
If you would like to hear their performance please ask them because it is in their google classroom.
The Kazakh students shared a song accompanied by one student playing the flute.
The Year 10 Russian group (and a couple of extras) sent Christmas cards written in Russian to a similar aged class and were happy to receive New Year cards in return.
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Coming Up
Friday 4th
Sports Day
Monday 7th to Wednesday 9th
Duke of Edinburgh Silver 2024-2025 Qualifying Expedition
Year 9 Battlefields Trip
Monday 7th
Culture Day
Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th
Year 12 Work Shadowing
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Tel: 01920 462210
admin@presdales.herts.sch.uk
Headteacher:
Mr Warren
