October 2012

Issue 83

The Christs Chronicles

Welcome to the latest issue of Christs Schools newsletter
Future events for your diary
5th November Back to school after half term Year 9 Trip to the Houses of Parliament 6th November 8th November PACE Trip to the Museum of London for 7A+7B Year 8 Visit Hampton Court Palace Music Concert 7pm 9th November Year 8 Visit Hampton Court Palace PTA Fireworks - 6.30 to 8pm 13th November 14th/15th/16th November 17th November PACE Trip to the Museum of London for 7E+7M Academic Review Sessions from 1pm - by appointment. Normal lessons until 1pm. Spanish Exchange until 23rd November

Special points of interest:

Reviews Coming

Events
Sports News Messages Requests Advertising

Inside this issue:

GCSE Results Borneo trip D of E Students Achieve GCSE Citizenship Youth Summit Little Canada All Write Comp 2 2 3 4 5 5 5 6

Ventura Project
Textiles Dept.

6
6/7 7 8 /11

Please check the school sports board for up to date weekly fixtures You can also check the school events calendar, which is updated regularly for more diary dates on our website at www.christs.richmond.sch.uk

Operation Xmas P.E. News

Ruths Messages Term Dates

12/3 14

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The Christs Chronicles

Students collect their GCSE Results-August 2012

Year 11 students collected their GCSE results on Thursday, 26th August. Yet again our students had excelled and their GCSE results reflected their hard work and the dedication of their teachers. Our GCSE results for 2012: 93% of students achieved 5 A* to C grades 73% of our students achieved 5 A* to C grades including Mathematics and English

For more information on our results please go to our website at www.christs.richmond.sch.uk

Well done Year 11 Class of 2012!

Borneo 2012
Twelve students from Year 11 fundraised over 18 months to enable them to go on a trip of a lifetime to Borneo from 2nd July - 31st July. The students had the opportunity to live as part of a small island community off the coast of Borneo. They worked on important social and conservation projects, which helped to improve the lives of the local people and conserving marine life. Four nights were spent sleeping in a hammock in the jungle and it gave them the opportunity to see the endangered orang-utans. Speaking to the students it was an amazing trip, one which they will never forget.

Kenya 2014
25 year 10 students have signed up to go on the 2014 expedition to Kenya. The students will spend time living in the local community, assisting with conservation projects, gaining their PADI scuba qualification as well as working on important projects to improve the standard of living for the rural communities. Their fundraising has begun in ernest! Miss Needham

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Issue 83

Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expeditions

31 students in year 11 are working towards completing either their bronze or silver Duke of Edinburgh's award. In July they visited the Chilterns and practised navigating, camping and walking, whilst carrying all their camping equipment and food in their rucksacks. Despite the rain and sodden feet, morale was high and each group worked well as a team. They completed their practise and after just a few days back at school following the summer holiday, they set off again, this time for the Surrey Hills, in order to carry out their assessed expeditions. This is Sam Ormonde's account of the experience: The Duke of Edinburgh award has, for years, encouraged students to step outside of their comfort zones and do things that they wouldnt usually experience. Sleeping in a tent, cooking your own food and navigating in a group are some of the many things one does on a D of E expedition. The award helps students to become more independent and undertake activities that might not be experienced on a family holiday. 9 of us set out on Sunday 9th of September to carry out our silver expedition, along with 22 students who were doing their bronze expedition. My group and I didnt arrive back at our campsite until the sun had set, much to our chagrin, and much to the delight of our friends. Tired, angry and disheartened, we pitched our tents and cooked our food in the dark. The next day we awoke, cooked our bacon, packed up our bags (very heavy bags, I might add) and set off. That day we walked faster, our navigation became sharper, but still, we arrived at the campsite after the other groups, much to their amusement. On the third day, we awoke to find that a badger had visited our tents overnight. Not only had it helped itself to food from the tent porches, but it had dragged two rucksacks out into the rain! Working as a team, we made sure everyone had enough supplies for the day's journey and despite being tired and aching, we cooked our sausages and steamed off in record time. We advanced at a pace that would shame Olympians and arrived on time at the pick-up point where a coach was waiting to take us back to the promised land of warm beds and proper food. Joy. After a weekend of moaning, groaning and muscle toning, we were delighted to have completed our expedition. It was a tough experience but I am really glad I did it! I felt really proud of myself when I completed it. This completely epitomizes D of E. Its hard while youre doing it and at times you dont enjoy it, but afterwards, you feel great and its a most rewarding experience. Sam Ormonde Students now need upload the evidence they have collated for the four sections - physical, skills, volunteering and the expedition - in order to complete their award. Claire Lorenz

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The Christs Chronicles

Individual Student Achievement Jenny Rogal Rowed for Great Britain - 14th/15th July 2012
Jenny (Year 11 Leaver) rowed for Great Britain in a friendly Junior 16 match against France. She rowed as part of the Women's team in an "eight" made up of four rowers and a cox from her club, Tideway Scullers based at Chiswick bridge, two from Great Marlow Rowing Club and two from SIr William Borlase School. They had all been selected at GB trials held at Dornay lake in June. Despite having only rowed together for 3 weeks, the team performed really well and were only beaten by 3 seconds over 2km by the French national team who had been training for a year together. The match was held at Gravelines in France and was won overall by GB 7 races to 5. Proud Dad.

Well done Jenny!

Michael Copland - Well Done from the Maths Department

Well done to Michael Copeland (class of 2010) who is off to study mathematics at Oxford University

Congratulations!
Outstanding Performance in GCSE French
Elizabeth Greenwood (Year 11 leaver) was one of the highest scoring candidates in the June 2012 French examinations. Out of 41,181 entries, Elizabeth was amongst those candidates who scored 100% in French. The examinations bored, Edexcel passed on their congratulations to her for her excellent performance Well done!

Outstanding Performance in GCSE Religious Education

Jenny Rogal also achieved 100% in her Moral Issues Paper, from her GCSE Religious Education Examination in the summer. Well done again Jenny!

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Issue 83

GCSE Citizenship Presentation

Year 11 pupils presented to Zac Goldsmith MP, Mr Burke, invited parents and year 10 students as part of their GCSE Citizenship controlled assessment. The issues they expertly raised included the on-going Syrian crisis, the shortage of organ doners and a potential opt-out system, discrimination in sport, the legalisation of cannabis, and the fight to prevent the siting of the Thames Water super sewer in Barnes. James Butler

Richmond Youth Summit

On Friday 19th October 8 pupils represented Christ's at the annual Richmond Youth Summit at Heatham House in Twickenham. Local MPs Zac Goldsmith and Business Secretary Vince Cable were present for a Q&A and tackled questions on tuition fee (apologies), opportunities for vocational qualifications in school 6th forms, and local transport issues. Ayaan Rahman in year 7 (pictured) won widespread praise for his passionate lobbying for better bus services from Barnes to school and was invited to email Zac Goldsmith who would champion his cause! James Butler

Year 7 PGL trip to Little Canada, Isle of Wight

This September the new Year 7s travelled to the Isle of Wight for 3 days of team building activities. They all had a great time and spent time with old friends and making new ones! Katy Taylor

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The Christs Chronicles

All Write Competition

Congratulations to Erinn Ashbery, Ambra Devendra and Anya Knight in Year 8. After winning a Year 7 writing competition last term the girls work was submitted to the Manchester Metropolitan University All Write competition. This is a national writing competition for pupils in years 6 and 7. The girls had their work selected for inclusion in the All Write 2012 anthology. Their winning essays were selected from over 350 entries from more than 74 schools. This is a prestigious honour and the school is very proud of all three. Liz Godliman

Design Ventura Project comes to Christs

Design Ventura is the Design museum's flagship design and enterprise project for students in years 9, 10 and 11, generously supported by Deutsche Bank. Design Ventura enables pupils to experience the design process and learn enterprise skills by working to a real-world brief, problem solving and pitching ideas professionally. It also supports qualifications including GCSE Design and Technology, Business Studies and Enterprise education. A group of G&T DT and Art students have visited the Design museum and participated in a further work shop in school. Practising designers spoke to them and are seen here offering advice and encouragement to the students working on their group projects. There will be a further workshop in school and then one product will be chosen to represent the school. This will be submitted to the Ventura project and we should know before Christmas if we are through to the next round. This has been a great opportunity to work with a major museum and has given students a real taste of how designers work in a real environment. Mrs Busby

Success in the Textiles Department!

Over the summer term students in the Textiles department worked on a Jubilee themed quilted wall hanging. Once completed the hanging was entered into the national competition at the Festival of Quilts, held in the Birmingham NEC. Our entry hung alongside those of professional quilt makers, other schools and amateur textilers and I am very pleased to be able to announce that we were awarded Highly Commended for our efforts! Considering the quantity and quality of the entire competition, this is high praise indeed. One of the two judges commented specifically on the quality of the some of the detailed work created. The wall hanging will be displayed in the school for all to see, so please do look out for it when you next visit. Mrs Perkins

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Issue 83

Calling all Knitters!

As you know, we support the Operation Xmas Campaign at Christs School. Last year our textiles club made over 5o fleece hats to go into the boxes for children around the world, which was a fantastic achievement. This year our knitting club will be making knitted beanies and we are calling for help from any knitters to assist us to meet our target of one hat for every box we send. Our target this year is 100 boxes! I and other members of staff have already made a start and have about 50 hats completed but we need your help! If you would like to get involved, all you need is some DK yarn and 7mm needles. Please email me (sperkins@christs.richmond.sch.uk) for the knitting pattern or it can be collected by students from me in Room 5. The Pattern for the hats can also be downloaded from the following link: http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/_uploads/ knittingPatterns/stretchy_hat.pdf In addition to this, if you have any spare or unwanted balls of yarn at home we would be grateful to receive them. Mrs Perkins

Operation Xmas Child

This year we are supporting this worthy cause again. We are only asking for a small donation from each person. Last year was such a success, we managed to pack and send over 70 shoe boxes to children living in poverty all round the world. This year our target is 100 boxes and we hope to have another successful collection! Donation lists have been sent to parents and carers and you can check the official website for further information www.operationxmaschild.org.uk Something we take for granted can make a big difference to a childs life Donations are to be received by 16th November. Please ensure your childs name and form is marked on any bags containing donations.

Book Club
Years 7 and 8 students are welcome to join our book club: Tuesday, 6th November (first meeting) At 3-4pm Come along if you love reading and books! Thank you Sarah Bartlett

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The Christs Chronicles

Sports News
Extra Curricular Timetable - Autumn Term

Lunch Time Clubs

Year 7 & 8 After School Clubs (15:15-16:15) BOYS GIRLS Gym/Sport Acro (SBR) Football (JCY) Girls Football (Tom Rutter & MGR) Climbing & Archery (CNE & JHU) Parkour Basketball with Richmond Knights Cross country (CNE & MMO) Basketball (CNE) Martial Arts (5 per session)

12.20-12.55 Monday Tuesday Dodgeball & Handball (MMO) Yr 7/8 mixed

Climbing & Archery (CNE & JHU) Parkour Basketball with Richmond Knights Cross country (CNE & MMO) Rugby (MMO & DSE) Martial Arts (5 per session)

Wednesday

Thursday

Girls Basketball All years (CNE)

Friday

Badminton & Table tennis (SBA & JCY)

Lunch Time Clubs 12.20-12.55 Monday Tuesday Basketball (MMO & DSE)

Years 9/10/11 After School Clubs (15:15-16:15) BOYS Football (MMO) Basketball (MMO & MGR) GIRLS Gym/Sport Acro (SBR)

Wednesday

Handball & Dodgeball (MMO)

Rugby (DSE & MMO) Parkour Yr 9 Basketball with Richmond Knights Cross country (CNE & MMO)

Parkour

Thursday

Girls Basketball (CNE)

Yr 9 Basketball with Richmond Knights Cross country (CNE & MMO) Basketball (CNE) Martial Arts (5 per session)

Friday

Badminton & Table tennis (SBA & JCY)

Martial Arts (5 per session)

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Issue 83

PE Questionnaire and our new Activities!

In our first PE lesson of the year we gave each student a questionnaire about PE lessons and extracurricular clubs. It gave the PE department an indication of what the students enjoy and would like to do in over the next academic year. As part of our school sports partnership programme we have used some of our funding allocated to the school to set up taster sessions in Martial Arts, Cheerleading and next term Zumba for most of our Year 9 and 10 students. We have had really positive responses from our students and we will hopefully begin extracurricular clubs in these activities. One of the fastest growing and exciting activities is here at Christs. Parkour or free running is an intense gymnastics style club that has gained momentum over the last half term. The club regularly has 20 students attending and always welcomes more. Its on Wednesdays 3.15-5pm!

Football
It has been a great start to the boys football season from all our teams. The year 7 team finished second in their league and will be promoted to the premier league in year 8. Both the year 8 and 9 teams have a championship playoffs after half term. Finally the year 10 and 11 team have made it through to the borough final at Hampton and Richmonds ground on November 22 nd. The year 10 and 11 team have both also had successful runs in the national cup. The year 10 team are through to round three and after an excellent 6-1 victory over a school from Arsenal, the Year 11 team are playing for a place in the 5th round after half term!

Rugby
Year 11 5th of October 2012 Christs v Twickenham Academy This was the first rugby fixture of the new term and the pupils were anticipating a tough match against a well drilled Twickenham Academy side. This was proved the case from the kick off, as Twickenhams shape and decision-making allowed them to take the lead in the first few minutes. Christs demonstrated resilience and determination by coming straight back into the game with a try of their own. The match turned into a battle of Twickenhams skill versus Christs destructive running ability. In the second half however, Christs physicality proved to be the undoing of the opposition. With a few late additions to the team, Christs began to bulldoze their way through the Twickenham defence and pull away. Christs came away as comfortable winners and were crowned the Richmond Borough champions.

Page 10 Year 10 12th of October Christs v Grey Court

The Christs Chronicles

The year 10 team had only recently come together for this fixture, a factor that played a big part against an experienced and powerful Grey Court side. Christs were under pressure from the beginning, conceding a couple of early tries from the restarts. They began to find their feet and withstand the barrage of attacks from Grey Courts athletic runners. A half time rally was used to keep their spirits high going into the second half. Self-belief was the issue with the Christs team, and as soon as they began to demonstrate a belief in themselves, the game changed. It was now Grey Courts turn to feel the pressure, which was eventually rewarded with a try for Christs. The game conclude with a comfortable victory for Grey Court however, Christ performance in the second half left much to be proud of. The year 10 team showed glimpse of their potential and now need to continue training to develop into the team they can be. Year 9 9TH Of October Christs v Grey Court/Twickenham Academy As they were playing against two schools on the same day, Christs had the unique opportunity to address areas of weakness in the first encounter and attempt to rectify them in the second match. Against a formidable Grey Court team, Christs inexperience was exposed and they were put to the sword. The team had a 20 minute window to practice and this proved to be invaluable A crash course in defensive shape and line speed was well absorbed by the boys and they went into the game against Twickenham Academy revitalised. As a result, Christs dominated from the beginning and were able to show off their potential. The boys were rewarded for their efforts with a well-earned victory.

Sports Leadership
Christs school have hosted the first of 5 sports festivals for our nearby schools. The afternoon event was run by 30 of our own GCSE students. It was a fantastic afternoon as the Year 10 students ran 16 different sports events over the afternoon. The 100 Year 5 primary pupils seemed to have a great time and we will look forward to hosting the next age group in November.

Netball
The senior netball squad have training hard over the past 8 weeks and played some high quality matched. Both the year 9 and 10/11 combined team have played in the plate competition of the borough league. The year 9 team are unbeaten so far in the season, with their biggest win being 12-5 to Hampton Academy. They go on to play in the borough tournament on Thursday 8th Nov., where they will come up against the other schools in the borough.

Page 11 The year 10/11 combined team have demonstrated their abilities to work hard as a team and have had the opportunity to develop players in new positions when they have gained significant leads over their competition. Their biggest win so far was 14-3 when they played Richmond Park Academy. Last Thursday they went to the Borough tournament where they came up against strong competition from schools who have county players, they worked hard throughout the tournament and managed to finish one position higher than last year. Thus showing steady improvement in their performance, well done. It has been nice to see their peers supporting and encouraging them when they have had home matches. Well done to all the girls who have trained and played this season and good luck to the year 9's at their tournament.

Issue 83

Coming Events

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The Christs Chronicles

A Message from our Chaplain Ruth Scott

Dear Parents and Carers, The Chaplaincy theme for this term has been Wonder and Delight. As part of that theme the Year 7 students have all picked a personal challenge to accomplish by Christmas. It has to be something they want to do, is fun, will take practice and is manageable by the end of term. A number of students chose juggling. Tian came in from Albert and Friends Youth Circus to run two lunchtime juggling sessions (see photos). Other students are learning to do magic tricks, cook meals, make or paint things, write songs, operate Photoshop, play instruments, do dance/rollerskate/skateboard routines and learn to count in Hindi. With the implementation of the new House system weve also set challenges for each house to come up with a performing team e.g. doing dance, drumming, juggling for an inter-house competition. By engaging with fun challenges the students learn simple values of creativity, patience and persistence and enjoy the experience, as well as, in the House Challenge, learning team values of supporting each other and working creatively and imaginatively together. The first week back after the summer Ms Conteh held a Lunch for Life raising 40 for Feed the Minds, a charity supporting children in education in parts of the world where going to school isnt always possible. Ms Tabers tutor group ran a cake sale for charity one lunchtime, and students have been working every Friday lunchtime with Ms Perkins to make hats for the Samaritans Purse Christmas Shoe Boxes which you will hear more about after half term. Students also brought in harvest gifts for SPEAR (Single Persons Emergency Accommodation in Richmond) who were very pleased to receive these, as you can see from the photo card they sent us. Last night the Year 7s had a Halloween disco and raised over 100 for Children in Need. Year 9 students with Ms Moran and Ms Randall are preparing fund-raising events for CRISIS and other homelessness charities, including a night sponsored sleep out in the quadrangle at school. As a church school we want our students to learn the importance of the compassionate action summed up in our school prayer for Friday 12th October: Loving God, As we go from day to day, grant us, open hands to welcome all-comers; strong hands to hold those who need support; brave hands to show solidarity with those who suffer; healing hands to relax weary souls; and creative hands to inspire heavy hearts; Following the example of Jesus who opened his arms with love for the world, held and healed, protested and created anew, may we offer hospitable hands to break bread with compassion wherever we go, serving our community and the common good. Amen.

Page 13 Jack, Gabriel and Connor in Year 11 have been running a Tuesday lunchtime Bible Study group in the chapel, with the help of Erin and Tom from Holy Trinity Church, Richmond. A group of parents have also been meeting regularly in the school chapel to pray for the school. We have a different prayer for every school day, based on a variety of themes. This half term these have included, New Beginnings, Ways of Being, Peace-building (including International Day of Peace), Saying Sorry and Finding Forgiveness (this week was chosen because the Jewish Holy Day of Yom Kippur fell midweek), Thankful Hearts (including Harvest), The Work of Human Hands, The Body of Christ (Compassionate action fleshed out in our actions) and The Family of Nations (including United Nations Day). Each prayer is projected on the Chapel screen and, when Im in school, there is calm music playing from the chapel as staff and students arrive. Ive led a class on Religion and Conflict for 3 out of the 4 Year 8 tutor groups who are studying the subject with Mr Roderick as part of their RE curriculum. After half term groups of Year 7s will spend time in the Chapel exploring identity and stillness.

Issue 83

We were glad to welcome Rev Trevor Patterson in to speak at one of our Whole School Assemblies and Rev Canon Robert Titley will join us after half term. Thank you for your support in all our charity fund-raising activities. I hope you have a lovely half term break. Every blessing, Ruth (Christs School Chaplain)

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The Christs Chronicles

Additional information:
To contact Staff by e-mail please use their first initial and then surname written as one word followed by generic ending: @christs.richmond.sch.uk

There is also a quick link via school website.

Christ's School Queen's Road Richmond Surrey TW10 6HW
Phone: 020 8940 6982 Fax: 020 8332 6085 E-mail: info@christs.richmond.sch.uk

Holidays: Term Dates 2012/2013:

Autumn Term Term finishes - Friday, 21st December 2012 Half Term Monday, 29th October 2012-Friday, 2nd November 2012 Spring Term Monday, 7th January 2013-Thursday 28th March 2013 Half Term Monday, 18th February-Friday 22nd February 2013 Summer Term Monday, 15th April 2013 - Friday, 19th July 2013 Half Term Monday, 27th May 2013 - Friday, 31st May 2013 INSET Days: Monday 7th January 2013 Monday, 25th February 2013 Monday, 15th April 2013 (Year 11 in as usual) Friday, 12th July 2013

Timetable for school day All students to arrive at school and be ready for registration at 08.30 Morning break 10.20-10.40 Lunch break 12.20-13.00 End of school 15.00

Winter uniform required: blazer, white shirt and school tie. To order uniform go to our website: http:// christs.richmond.sch.uk/ home ALL girls are required to wear navy skirt available online or black trousers from Sept. 12

www.christs.richmond.sch.uk