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Friday 13 May 2022 |
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The Teenager and the Internet The title of my blog this week might suggest notions of fairytale or fable, much like ‘The Princess and the Pea’, or ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. Not entirely inappropriate as it happens, although this is more of a cautionary tale than a fluffy bedtime story. There is no question that the internet is a fabulous tool available to us all, and I cannot imagine a world without it now. Even as I write this, I am connected to the Cloud via Google and, rather embarrassingly, I just used a search engine to find appropriate fairytale titles as it has been a while since I had bedtime stories myself! So, we can probably all agree that modern life is fairly dependent on the internet and, on the whole, has made our lives more efficient, and significantly easier. However, as with all powerful tools, a certain amount of caution must be advised when using, and certainly for younger users, there are a myriad of challenges to overcome along the way. In my role as part of the pastoral team, I am regularly sent links to things online which warn of the dangers of the internet for teenagers and invariably, they lead to worrying stories of image or video sharing, usually explicit and often with a sinister undertone of predatory behaviour. Much of the conversation around online ‘peril’ focuses on images, video and social media, and they are certainly issues to be aware of. On Monday this week, we welcomed Tanya Goodin into school to address our Year 9 and 10 students and to discuss these matters further with our parents. The talk was fascinating and a really poignant reminder of the side effects of too much screen use. She discussed, at length, the negative impacts of social media on mental health, particularly for teenage girls. She alluded to the research conducted by the GDST in 2017, where it was found that over 60% of students said they wished social media had never been invented, and yet they feel compelled to use it on a daily basis for fear of missing out. To read the rest of the blog, please click here Miss Kneen |
The week ahead |
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Monday 16 May Tuesday 17 May Wednesday 18 May |
Thursday 19 May Friday 20 May |
Year 11 head off for study leave |
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This afternoon we bade farewell to our Year 11 students, who enjoyed their last day in school before departing for their study leave. Students were all in great spirits as they engaged in the traditional shirt signing throughout the morning, before they were treated to a special buffet lunch in the Senior Hall. Speeches from form tutors and staff members followed, in what was a lovely way to bring the special lunch to a close. Everyone at Northampton High wishes our fantastic Year 11 students all the very best as they begin their study leave, and the very best of luck for their exams. You have been amazing, and we look forward to continue following your journeys. Mrs Wilmot |
Creative Arts Spotlight |
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This week, the Creative Arts Spotlight shines onto Lucy N, Aurelia H, Ruby S and Inaaya A. This is for their excellent rehearsal work of an extract from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare. The four students worked out the movement and vocal skills required in order to portray the emotions of the characters within the ‘balcony scene’ with energy and focus. Well done! Mrs Marriott |
High Sports |
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U14 Cricket: This week we enjoyed an excellent victory from our U14 A Cricket team, who came out victorious over Thornton College with a 276-248 win. The team consisted of Gemma S, Roja L, Lucy-Mae L, Abi W, Arianna D and Isla A, plus the Year 8s who came to help our team who were Charlotte D, Evie F, Anna C, and Poppy M. I’m so proud how everyone played, and we all deserved this fantastic victory. Our Player of the Match was Charlotte Da whose bowling was amazing alongside her great batting skills. Well done to everyone who played, and I can’t wait for our next match! Well done, everyone, I’m very proud of you all! Gemma S, Captain U15 Softball: On 3 May, the U15 Cricket A team played against Thornton College in a pairs soft ball game. After fielding first and putting up a strong fielding team, demonstrating good teamwork, we won the match 276-237. Everybody was supporting each other on the field and showed good skill when batting. The whole team showed dedication with their bowling and we gained many wickets throughout the match. A notable performance came from our main wicketkeeper Prachi P who we chose as our Players’ Player for this week because of her accurate bowling and impressive shots. Well done, everyone, and I’m looking forward to the next game! Jasmine C, Captain Equestrian: Congratulation to the Equestrian Team who have again qualified for the national finals in Hickstead this May half term. The same girls have qualified for two different disciplines! Good luck to Izzy D, Eloise H and Nancy D. They are showjumping and eventer challenging at a height of 90cm on 30 May at the International Showground. Miss Fraser and Mrs Littlewood |
Elite Sports Experience Day |
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On Tuesday, six students were invited to take part in the Nottingham University Elite Sports Experience Day along with four other GDST schools – Nottingham, Belvedere, Newcastle and Shrewsbury. Pupils took part in a number of workshops; strength and conditioning, sports rehabilitation, goal setting and question and answer sessions with sports scholars. They finished off with a wheelchair basketball introductory session and game. One of the highlights was being able to use the Hydrotherapy pools – walking in a pool of 9 degrees then into one of 32 degrees. Ella D smashed the 10m sprint and strength test, power jump, gaining the best time and height. A truly inspirational day, and we thank the team at Nottingham University for that fantastic opportunity. Mrs Littlewood |
Isabel competes in National Netball Finals |
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Last weekend, I went to London to compete against the top eighteen U16 teams in the country at the England Netball National Club Finals. I represented my team, Charnwood Rutland, based in Leicester. We arrived on Friday at the hotel and enjoyed a meal and team talk to prepare for the weekend and an early morning on Saturday, with our first match starting at 8:15am. Our first game was against Hatfield, and unfortunately we lost 28-27. For our next game, we knew we needed to come back after a loss and beat Kingston Phoenix 26-25. |
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After some lunch and a few games outside, we were ready for our afternoon fixtures. An unfortunate loss (to Bury, the overall tournament winners) and a win vs Telstars meant we were playing off for 7-12th place on the Sunday. We went back to the hotel and finally had a well-deserved rest (and some swimming races!). Another early match on Sunday meant we were out of the hotel by 7:30am. A big win vs Leeds Athletic 34-18 kicked off the morning, but we knew we would have to come back stronger to play Hatfield again. After a close match and two unfortunate injuries, we lost the game by 2. But because of our win earlier on, we played for 7th-8th place. A tough match vs Kingston Phoenix again, who took the lead in the first quarter 8-0. We fought back and but it wasn’t enough and we lost the game by 1. Overall it was an amazing weekend and I made some of the best memories! Isabel H |
Meet the Bus Drivers - Guy |
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Each week, we look forward to introducing you to one of our school minibus drivers. They will talk a little bit about themselves, and what they enjoy most about working at Northampton High. This week, we are delighted to talk to Guy Ashley, who drives the Milton Keynes South route. Tell us a little bit about your career: I started by completing an apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery, before starting a 30 year career in the police service. I then set up my own carpentry and joinery business. |
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What do you like to do in your spare time: I still enjoy undertaking small carpentry projects, but otherwise I enjoy gardening and exercising with my two dogs. What is your best memory of being at school: A teacher, Mr Mandale. He was the woodworking teacher who was inspirational, and encouraged me to follow my interest in carpentry. What are you most looking forward to about working at Northampton High: Being part of a team that provides the best care for students and reassurance for the parents. To find out more about our school transport offer, please click here. Mr Nash |
Northampton High excited to support Hardingstone mural project! |
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Northampton High School are delighted to be supporting Hardingstone village’s special project to honour the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The aim of the project is to transform the surrounding wall of the village recreation ground with artwork, creating a mural which will commemorate this special year. The village are welcoming all members of its community to collaborate to bring this mural to life – which is where we come in! Students from both Junior and Senior School will have the opportunity to create designs in their art lessons or via an independent task, and we are so excited to see the imaginations of our students come to life in this exciting opportunity! For more information on the project, please click here. We look forward to keeping you updated on its progress. Mr Nash |
Book of the Week |
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Drawn Across Borders: True Stories of Migration by George Butler Shortlisted for the Greenaway Award 2022 For thousands of years, humans have moved around the world to seek a better life, to flee disaster or to escape war. Migration is a fact of life – but it is hugely misunderstood. In striking and intimate illustrations, award-winning artist George Butler introduces us to the people behind the headlines. Drawings made on front lines, in refugee camps and on the move vividly capture stories of leaving home, travelling into the unknown and trying to make a new life. These powerful portraits of migration are a timely reminder of the humanity we all share and our universal need to seek safety and a better life. Please click here to view the 2022 Yoto Carnegie Medal shortlist. Miss Buxton |
Reunion Lunch - Saturday 9 July 2022 |
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Tickets for our Summer Reunion Lunch are on sale now! Taking place on Saturday 9 July, the Lunch is a highlight of any year, where alumnae from both the Derngate and Hardingstone school sites get together for a delicious two-course meal and to catch up with friends old and new. For more information and to book your tickets, please click here. Mr Nash |
'This is not the Daria show' - a podcast by Daria Alexander-Sefre |
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We are delighted to report that school alumna and Head Girl of the Class of 2021, Daria Alexander-Sefre, has launched her own podcast! ‘This is not the Daria show’ is a podcast for GENZ made by GENZ (i.e. those aged 10-25 years) where they discuss the most current and pressing topics and debates that mean the most to that generation in particular. Although the podcast is targeted at GENZ, the podcast would also be very insightful to parents of GENZ generation too. Each week on ‘Wise Words’ & ‘Dialogue Dilemma’, Daria will dive right in with special guests in a relaxed and informative way, talking about topics that encourage our listeners to reflect on their own personal opinions and views and hopefully offer them a new way of looking at things. Congratulations to Daria on launching this wonderful new programme. To take a listen for yourself, please click here. Mrs Wilmot |
GDST Alumna of the Year Award |
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The GDST Alumna of the Year Award was launched in 2011 to recognise and reward the many varied achievements of our alumnae, and all staff and students are encouraged to submit nominations for the award. A shortlist is then drawn up, and the voting begins. All GDST staff, students and alumnae are eligible to take part. Recent winners include: Miriam Margolyes OBE, Actor (Oxford), Hannah Mills OBE, Olympic winner and most successful female British sailor of all time (Howell’s), Khadijah Mellah, Magnolia Cup winner 2019 (Sydenham), Konnie Huq, TV presenter and children’s author (Notting Hill & Ealing), Olivia Colman CBE, Oscar-winning actor (Norwich), Samira Ahmed, Award-winning journalist (Wimbledon). There are up to three categories of Alumna of the Year:
The winners – who will be announced at a GDST event taking place in September 2022 – will be interviewed for the alumnae magazine, GDST Life. All finalists will also be invited to take part in an In Conversation event over the academic year. The Alumna of the Year is also awarded £500 to donate to a charity of her choice. As ever, we welcome nominations for alumnae in all walks of life. In particular, we are looking for alumnae who are:
You can nominate a Northampton High School alumna from any era, here. Nominations close on 20 May at 10am. Voting will open on 15 June and will run to the end of term. Mrs WilmotDirector of Marketing and Admissions |
Cultures Day – Friday 17 June |
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We are currently planning to host a Cultures Day event to deepen our school community’s engagement with and understanding of culture, thereby adding to an ongoing conversation that forms part of the Inclusivity Undivided agenda. We are coordinating a range of themed lessons in the morning and a number of activities, workshops and speakers for the afternoon. If we have any parents or friends of the school who would be willing to run a workshop, deliver an activity or give a talk about any aspect of Cultures, we would be delighted to hear from you. These sessions will take place in the afternoon of Friday 17 June, between 1pm and 3.30pm. We are looking forward to celebrating the cultures of our students and staff community, with the aim of everyone being able to contribute, learn, have fun, and feel included. Should you be able to support us on this day, or should you wish to discuss this event further, please contact Mrs Carr, Deputy Director of Sixth Form, at j.carr@nhs.gdst.net. Mrs Wilmot |
Inclusivity Bulletin: May |
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We are delighted to share with you the latest Northampton High School Inclusivity Bulletin. The above graphic outlines what will be happening throughout this month, but to read more and to view the bulletin in full, please click here. Mrs Wilmot |
PQA Presents: The Little Mermaid |
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Term Dates 21/22 |
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Term Dates 22/23 |
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Northampton High School |
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