Nothampton High School
High News

Friday 15 October 2021

As we approach the half term break, there is a marked difference in the weather which has become more “mists of mellow fruitfulness” over the last week or so, marking the move into autumn proper. 

Whilst pupils and staff alike are ready for the break offered at this point, it is noticeable that the community is still very much enjoying our refound freedoms. As a staff body we have been reflecting on the theme of ‘unlearning’ – the idea of deciding what positives from the Covid-era we can continue to take forward, and what ‘old ways’ of working we can leave behind. Something that is very clear is that a school needs its parents and pupils in the building, face-to-face as much as possible; this has been brought into sharp focus as we have welcomed back parents from every part of the school community to a range of events from Nursery Stay and Play, Junior School Class Assemblies and Parents’ Evenings, Senior School Welcome Evenings, our first Parent Talk of the year and, of course, our Whole School Open Day. 

There is no online platform that can replicate the experience of the thousands of interactions one has both verbally and non-verbally at these events. The small issues and questions that can be instantly answered and resolved without having a virtual ‘hands up’ on a screen whilst the host fails to notice it! I want to thank all of our parents, pupils and staff for giving their time freely to participate and engage with school, now perhaps more than ever, to reconnect and reset.  

Academically, the whole school has been purposeful and aspirational. As the Year 13 students polish their UCAS applications, the pre-schoolers experience their first ever Harvest Festival assembly.  As the Senior School pupils prepare for their House Storytelling (in film for the first time) so the Junior School pupils have been considering the theme of personal character and what they feel represents a Northampton High School pupil’s best characteristics. 

With trips and visits back on the horizon we have already taken groups of students out to experience wider education, and more will come. Meanwhile we have not forgotten the many school experiences that transitional year groups, in particular, have missed out on and are carefully working on ways of ensuring these are made up for where we can. On a personal level, I would like to thank colleagues, parents and pupils for your kind and thoughtful messages and words of support over this half term. 

Northampton High School, right now, is exciting and thriving on new opportunities.  I consider myself extremely fortunate to be leading a supportive and positive school which consistently demonstrates values of kindness and inclusion whilst demonstrating the individual spirit at its core; many schools claim to foster individuality but I think the High School walks that walk particularly well. 

I wish you all a very lovely half term break, whether you are taking the opportunity to travel or stay closer to home, I hope you get some family time and rest.

Mrs O’Doherty
Acting Head

The week ahead

Monday 1 November
Senior School Assembly
A Level Geography Residential
Clubs (click here for timetable)

Tuesday 2 November
Sixth Form Options Breakfast for Year 11
Clubs (click here for timetable)

Wednesday 3 November
Fixtures: Hockey U10 & U11 vs Bedford Modern
Clubs (click here for timetable)

Thursday 4 November
GDST Classics Conference Y11-13
Clubs (click here for timetable)

Friday 5 November
Senior School Assembly
Clubs (click here for timetable)

Saturday 6 November
Fixtures: Hockey 1st XI, U12 – U15 vs Kings High School

Thank you, Northampton High!

Thank you for the A-Z book of our time together. It was such a brilliant surprise and left me lost for words (for a while!). It brought back many vivid memories and a living gallery of faces – a sort of mini-firework display of recollections.

Many of you remarked on our conversations about world affairs and, for my part, thinking about what I would have included has been an interesting, if hypothetical, mental exercise in the last few months.  ‘C’ would have been rather too easy to cover but I am sure that you have noticed many other fascinating events, highs and lows, from the tragedy in Afghanistan to Zimbabwe’s inspiring women’s cricket captain.

And, speaking of ‘C’, perhaps we will see a world-changing moment of history-in-the-making with COP26 in Glasgow….

Dr Helen Stringer

Creative Arts Spotlight

We are delighted to share with you a bumper edition of the Creative Arts Spotlight, as we shine the spotlight onto many students before we head into the half term break.

First up are Year 8 students Holly J and Alexis K. In Sewing Bee, pupils have been working on creating their own pencil cases during a class project.

We are so pleased with the outcomes, and are delighted to shine the spotlight onto Holly and Alexis for their fantastic efforts. Well done! Miss Lycett

We move along the Creative Arts corridor for our next feature, where we take a look at the Year 7 Art group.

This term, students in Year 7 been investigating natural forms through the use of line. For their final drawings, they had to draw birds with Biro pens focusing on using hatching and cross-hatching.

They completed this task with enthusiasm and creativity, and we are delighted with the results. Mr Laubscher

Head's Commendation Awards

On Wednesday this week, we were delighted to honour another group of pupils for their efforts with the Head’s Commendation award. Nominated by their teachers, pupils joined Mrs O’Doherty for a celebratory tea party ahead of receiving their certificates as a reward for their achievements.

Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Commendations this time:

Simangaliso N-M: They created the chant/rap for their House Brag (Selene), and the House went on to win! Sima also helped out on Open Day and spoke about her experience of Year 7 so far in the Senior Hall to parents and students.

Amelie B: They created the chant/rap for their House Brag (Selene), and the House went on to win!

Amelia N: For a wonderful piece of writing.

Evie F: Selected for the U15 Loughborough Lightening Squad (Netball). This is AMAZING!

Varnikaa S: She’s helping out at Classics Club, but also appeared throughout Open Morning and, given she only joined in Year 8 and did fast track Latin, did an absolutely sterling job in ‘selling’ the department and school to parents.

Eve C: She not only works exceptionally hard throughout the day but she has been complimented by staff for her polite and calm manner. When another child in Year 1 or 2 is upset for any reason she is the first to go and comfort them. A very good role model for Year 2

Mrs Wilmot
Director of Marketing & Admissions

High Sports: GDST Autumn Rally

The High School was delighted to host the GDST Autumn Rally on Tuesday 12 October, with over 400 students from across 21 GDST schools traveling to Northampton to compete in three sports in the first Rally since the pandemic.

This signaled a return to the norm and proved to be a most memorable day for all involved. The sports included U18 Senior Hockey, U15 Football, and U14 Netball, with match reports from our students listed below:

Senior Hockey: On 12 October, the 1st XI Hockey team took part in the GDST Northern Rally, which was held at Northampton High. The girls did really well to get to the next stage of the Rally, as all we had to do was drive to Nottingham and back. This meant the next time we faced the other GDST schools we would have a home advantage.

Our first challenge that we were faced before starting the tournament, was who should be our goalie. Due to our limited choice of goalkeepers, we settled on Poppy M–C who debuted for 3 matches. We were all set to take on Oxford High; the whole team came together with strong passes, good movements, and many opportunities to score, however, we were unable to find the back of the net. Unfortunately, Oxford scored in the last two minutes of the game, which we couldn’t replicate. Although it was our first loss of the day, as a team we were very proud of how we played and our aim for the tournament was to practise working together and understanding how each of us plays. Following on from this we played against Shrewsbury, where we were unlucky to lose. To complete the hattrick of losses we played against Norwich. Although we didn’t get out of the pool we had one more match to play, against Nottingham, which we bounced back with a 2-1 win with a goal from Lili T and a new goalie Eloise H.

Well done to the whole of the Hockey team and I hope to carry on the final win with our other games. Molly RC

U15 Football: On Tuesday, the U15 Football team played their first fixture of the year at the GDST Rally. The group stages began versus a challenging team of experienced players, Oxford High School, who played impressively to defeat us 6-0.

The team rallied to win their next three games versus Belvedere academy (2-0), Shrewsbury (4-0), and South Hampstead (3-2). This put us through to the quarter-final where we faced a strong side from Putney High. The teams were well matched and at the final whistle, the score was 0-0. The team agreed to go all out for the win in the 4 minutes of extra time but unfortunately conceded, the game finishing 1-0 to Putney.  Overall an excellent performance from the Northampton players, many of whom were playing their first football fixture for the school. Miss Wall

U14 Netball: After many months without a match, the U14 Netball team competed in the GDST Autumn Rally. Teams had traveled from around the country providing Northampton High with some tough and varied competition.

The opening game was against a very good Norwich team. Play started fairly evenly matched, however, Norwich soon pushed ahead to take the win. Some of the results were close, others not so, however, the High School girls were able to try a variety of positions with some players swapping from attack to defence. Plenty of shooting opportunities throughout the morning and many different combinations in the circle were explored. The team has a lot of potential for the coming season and with hard work at training the girls should go from strength to strength.

Players’ Player of the Tournament went to Hattie and Tanishqua. Coaches Player went to Kirsten, as a defender and Tanishqua as an attacking player. Well done, everyone. Mrs Jennings

High Sports: Match Reports for Hockey vs Kimbolton

Last weekend, we played an away Hockey game against Kimbolton School. Both teams played extremely well, and as a result of our fantastic performance our A team won 3-2.

The goals were scored due to hard work and perseverance by Khushi P, Anna C and myself. Lexie D played in goal and saved many goal-bound attempts, she kept her head up and played really well. During the first half Kimbolton scored, however Anna performed an incredible slap after assistance from all of the other players on the pitch – Aby D, Isla H, Charlotte F, Rose N, Evie F and Charlotte D. As well as we played in the first half, the second half was even more successful, with more secure formations, teamwork, and defence, not to mention the two goals by me and Khushi. Well done, everyone!  Isla N

The U13B team also played extremely well last weekend, suffering a very narrow defeat in the last minute. Our goalkeeper Scarlett C stepped up to the job, saving a lot of shots, and never gave up.

In the first half we played very well, yet no goals were scored by either team. As we commenced the second half, both teams were very determined to score and we started to work better as a team. Both schools then got onto the scoresheet, with our goal being scored by Moriah H. As we entered the last two minutes of the game, Kimbolton were awarded a short corner which lead to another goal being scored. Well done to Bella F who was awarded Player of the Match for our team.

We never gave up and we gradually improved throughout the match. I am very proud of the team’s performance! Holly H

I was proud to captain the Northampton High School U12B team against Kimbolton in an away fixture. It was a great game and even though we did not win, everyone played their best and that is all that matters. Particularly well done to Faith who was awarded Player of the Match.

Kimbolton were good sports and the match tea was delicious – thank you to Kimbolton for hosting us! Elizabeth A

Book of the Week

Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicoll

When Cora’s brother drags her along to his boss’s house, she doesn’t expect to strike up a friendship with Adrien, son of the intimidating CEO of Pomegranate Technologies.

As she becomes part of Adrien’s life, she is also drawn into the mysterious projects at Pomegranate. At first, she’s intrigued by them – Pomegranate is using AI to recreate real people in hologram form. As she digs deeper, however, she uncovers darker secrets… Cora knows she must unravel their plans, but can she fight to make her voice heard, whilst never losing sight of herself?

Miss Buxton
School Librarian

Raise Her Up - International Day of the Girl

To celebrate #InternationalDayoftheGirl, the GDST are delighted to have released a special episode of the #RaiseHerUp podcast, where they speak to writer & columnist Chloe Combi all about ‘Generation A’.

Join us as we explore how this generation are navigating their way through adolescence amid the perennial themes and challenges of social media, independence, sexuality, mental health – and all as we rebuild after Covid. How do they see themselves? What does it mean to be a female member of Gen A? And what are our roles as educators, parents and carers in nurturing them? It’s a fascinating episode, we hope you enjoy it.

Listen here, https://bit.ly/3v36jHl, or find #RaiseHerUp wherever you get your podcasts from.

Mr Nash
Marketing & Communications Officer

Reunited in song!

The Northampton High School Ladies Choir is delighted to be back singing together in person again after a long absence caused by COVID. Over the various lockdowns, the group kept in touch over Zoom and WhatsApp, and were proud to have produced a unique recording of a piece of music written for them based upon a poem by local poet John Clare.

Group singing was one of the last activities to be allowed again so it’s wonderful to reconnect and reap the physical and mental health benefits of this activity.

The choir, under the leadership of opera singer and music teacher, Mrs Catriona German, meet on a Thursday evening from 7.30-9pm at the High School during term time and enjoy a mixed repertoire, depending on the season. Current focus is now the Christmas Concert which takes place at All Saints Church, Northampton on Wednesday 15 December.

New members are always welcome to join the group which is currently a mix of parents of girls at the High School, teachers, friends, and friends of friends! There are no auditions and being able to read music is not a pre-requisite: just a love of music, friendship and wanting to take some time out to enjoy singing.

For details please have a look at our Facebook page (Northampton High School Community Chamber Choir) or email Rachael Eden.

Kate Thompson
Northampton High School Ladies Choir

Join our Team - Minibus Drivers required

We are currently looking to recruit two new mini bus drivers to form part of our in-house transport team. With flexible opportunities to suit all, from casual employment to  fixed term employment, we would love to welcome you into the team.

For more details, such as salary, hours and key requirements, please click here. We hope to hear from you soon!

Mr Hume
Director of Finance and Operations

Kings Camp - October Half Term

We’re delighted to be hosting Kings Camps activity camps again this half-term!

Kings will be returning this October following a fantastic summer; getting children active, having fun and learning together. With Multi Active, Teen Active and Rookie Academy offering age appropriate games and activities for 5-17 year olds, Kings Camps is the place to be to keep your child active this half-term. With flexible cover between 8.15am-5.45pm, Monday 23 – Friday 27 October, it’s the perfect holiday cover.

Due to group restrictions by age, places for 5 year olds are very limited, please call Kings Camps Membership Team on 0114 2632160 for the most up-to-date availability. For further details about camp please click here

Mr Nash 
Marketing & Communications Officer

Term Dates 21/22

Term Dates 22/23

Northampton High School
Newport Pagnell Road, Hardingstone Northampton NN4 6UU
T: 01604 765765 nhsadmin@nhs.Gdst.Net