|
|
Friday 16 December 2022 |
|
Artwork above designed by Isabelle, Year 1, winner of the GDST Christmas Greeting competition. Welcome to the last High News of this term – and what a term it has been. Carols were ringing out around the building this morning, chocolates were being shared and all in all everyone was getting into the Christmas spirit. The pure joy, innocence, and magic of Christmas is simply infectious. When I was appointed as Head everybody told me about ‘Northampton High Christmas’ and I realise now exactly what they meant – it is unlike anything I have experienced in any other school! We have been seeing the whole school community revelling in cheer all week: thrilling with brilliant Christmas House Plays and Nativities; singing in wonder in yesterday’s Christmas Concert; wowing in woolly Christmas jumpers; tucking into Christmas lunches with all the trimmings, and warming hearts fundraising for KidsAid – the atmosphere and enthusiasm for these celebrations is quite remarkable. In our end of term assembly we have heard of numerous sporting successes across the piece. In addition to individual and team successes in, for example, hockey, netball, football and equestrian, we also recognised successes in maths challenges, eduCCate Global Award by our school’s Eco team, academic progress and achievement prizes such as ‘faculty superstars’ and ‘subject angels’ , and wonderful Christmas plays and concerts in all sections of the school and we can be in no doubt that we are part of a very special community in which talent is allowed to shine and challenge is embraced. It is always so humbling to see the amazing successes our students achieve, and they are inspirational in every sense of the word. My thanks to the teaching and support staff who enable all of this to happen. Staff go the extra mile behind the scenes every day; I appreciate it and I am sure our students and parents do too. The final week of term has also enabled us to come together as a school community to celebrate the season of Christmas. The atmospheric beautiful Christmas Concert gave us an opportunity to pause, reflect and rejoice in music; festive lunches and jumpers enabled everyone to celebrate by sharing food and laughter; our final assembly today highlighted the true Christmas Story with its message of redeeming love. As the world around us continues to change, I hope that you are all able to anchor yourselves and your families during the holidays – taking time with family and friends to reconnect and share simple pleasures, to remember what really matters and to look out into the wider world as we each recognise our common humanity. Every time we look at a Christmas tree, we are reminded of the fragility of light, and yet its permanence: the continual difficult triumph of hope, optimism, love and beauty over the dark. And every time we see the resolve and optimism of young people, it is like setting a light against the obscurity of the future: they illuminate the path ahead. True learning, the increase of understanding, brightens and sustains that light stretching ahead of us down the years, a wonder to witness. Our school is made up of an extraordinary group of people and I have high hopes for the impact that each and every one of them can choose to have – the hope that they can bring – in the communities to which they belong. Hope breeds hope, and kindness shared can be shared onwards. Indeed, the generosity of our students is always so humbling and a poignant reminder of our duty as human beings to take care of each other. I am constantly deeply touched by the empathy our students show to others and this is what makes our school such a happy and safe place to be. In closing, I would like to thank everyone – students, parents and staff – for making me feel so welcome during my first term at Northampton High, a most unique and special place. I wish you a very happy Christmas with your families and look forward to a bright New Year in 2023. With my best wishes for the coming year, Dr Lee |
Beautiful Christmas Carol Concert wows audience |
|
On Thursday 15 December, we were delighted to host our annual Christmas Carol Concert for our parents, staff, friends and members of the wider community. Our excellent vocalists and musicians showcased their talent, wowing the audience with a whole range of musical performances. The evening was filled with festive joy and Christmas spirit, proving to be a fabulous way to end the term! This year’s concert was very special for Northampton High, as it was the first ‘in person’ concert we have held since 2019. Welcoming our community into our wonderful theatre felt even more exciting for this reason and there was certainly a buzz that we had missed in previous years. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opening the concert was Director of Music, Mr Nathan, who welcomed the audience and encouraged everyone to relax and enjoy the carols and festive musical pieces performed by our students, alumnae, staff and beyond! With a programme that included Christmas carols, readings, choir performances, an orchestra, solos and even a pop group, there was truly something for everyone to enjoy. The quality of the performances left a packed audience enthralled and, once again, our community exclaimed their amazement at our talented student body. This truly was a night to remember! The evening concluded with a closing speech from Dr Lee, congratulating our musicians for all of their hard work and thanking our wonderful families for consistently supporting our school through their attendance. Our students’ dedication to their musical endeavours continues to make us extremely proud and we truly hope our audience enjoyed an evening of festivities ahead of the Christmas break. We are delighted to offer parents professionally printed photos from the event courtesy of our photographer Jane Ellis. Photos can be viewed and puchased by clicking here, using the password HIGHX22. Miss Price |
Students spread Christmas cheer with fantastic House Plays |
|
In true Northampton High tradition, we were delighted to hold our annual House Plays on the last day of the autumn term. In a friendly yet competitive contest, students of Artemis, Demeter, Hestia and Selene have been rehearsing their chosen plays over recent weeks, before battling it out this morning to see who would be this year’s recipients of the prestigious trophy! The level of performance and production shown by our students never fails to impress, and this year was no different as we were treated to four spectacular performances. On offer this year was Alice in Wonderland from Artemis, Hansel and Gretel from Demeter, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Hestia and James and the Giant Peach from Selene. |
|
|
|
Pupils set new heights with their exceptional productions this year, and after all four Houses had performed it was time for our judges to vote. Despite the exceptional displays there could only be one winner, and after much deliberation this year’s worthy winners were Demeter. A huge congratulations to Demeter for a fantastic performance, and well done to all the Houses for a fantastic morning of entertainment to really spread the Christmas cheer! Mr Nash |
Christmas cakes for the community |
|
|
|
On Friday 9 December, some Year 13 pupils were involved in baking Christmas cakes as part of our Partnerships and Outreach programme. These were gifted to those involved in our school Partnerships network as a small thank you for all their help over the last year. Our Year 13 pupils had a great time making and decorating the cakes. Thank you to all of them for giving up their time. Their positive attitudes shone through, making the task extremely enjoyable. Special mention for student Aneesa who wowed us with her creative designs! Thank you to Mrs Lycett as well, not only for suggesting the idea of gifting of the cakes but also for organising the baking and delivery. The cakes were shared with a number of people and organisations, such as: KidsAid (our school charity), the local care home and the Hardingstone Church. It was extremely rewarding to see the gratitude of those who received the cakes and I hope they all enjoyed them! Abhisri |
High Sports - Autumn edition out now! |
|
We are delighted to share with parents the latest edition of High Sports. High Sports takes a retrospective look back at the world of sport here at Northampton High, and you can take a look at the autumn term’s edition by clicking here. Mr Nash |
Creative Arts Spotlight: Music |
|
Year 8 have been learning the Djembe in Music this term. They have been focusing on maintaining a steady beat – an essential musical skill, different playing techniques and coordination. As part of this unit of work, they have performed authentic African rhythms and have performed them in multiple combinations and layers. In addition, they have learned some simple African songs which have been accompanied by Djembe rhythms. The adjacent photograph show students working in small groups to create an extended performance of one of these songs, creating an authentic sounding performance utilising the skills learned this term as well as being able to work creatively to prepare a unique piece. Well done Year 8! Miss Smith |
Creative Arts Spotlight: Drama |
|
In what is a bumper Creative Arts Spotlight to end 2022, the spotlight also shines on to KS3 Drama Club. The group created a wonderful Christmas performance, set in Lapland, where the missing wrapping paper could ruin Christmas for all children. The play was performed for the Junior School and the KS3 drama students worked incredibly hard and deserve praise. Well done everyone! Mrs Marriott |
Classics success |
|
Many congratulations to Amelia N in Year 7, who reached the finals of a national competition! After researching the myth of Pandora, Amelia produced a beautiful picture for the annual Ovid Competition of the Cambridge Schools Classics Project. You can see Amelia’s wonderful submission opposite. Well done on your sensitive and creative artwork, Amelia! We are very proud of you! Miss Kilby
|
Year 7 Achievement Awards |
|
Year 7 have made a fantastic start to the year and have contributed positively to all areas of school life. They have been fully engaged in their learning, willing to learn from their mistakes and also enthusiastically taken advantage of the extracurricular opportunities they have been given. Each week teachers have been asked to nominate pupils for awards for being 10% braver, curiosity, collaboration, independence, kindness, perseverance and risk taking. This week Form, Tutors and Co-Tutors have put forward the following pupils’ names to be considered for the overall awards, for this term, for each of the mentioned attributes.The nominations are as follows: Curiosity Award – Amelia, Tendo and Rianna The overall winners for these awards for the Autumn Term are: Curiosity Award – Amelia Well done to everyone who has achieved success in these awards this term. We look forward to being able to celebrate more pupils’ achievements next term. Mrs Fordham |
Book of the Week - 'The Very Merry Murder Club' edited by Serena Patel and Robin Stevens |
|
Sleuthing through the snow, on a merry mysterious day, in disguise we go, investigating all the way . . . This gorgeous wintery collection brings together thirteen bestselling, award-winning and debut authors including: Abiola Bello, Annabelle Sami, Benjamin Dean, Elle McNicoll, Nizrana Farook, Patrice Lawrence, Roopa Farooki, Serena Patel and Sharna Jackson. Join them as part of the Very Merry Murder Club as they lead you on a snow-covered wintery journey of festive foul play and murderously magnificent mysteries! Miss Buxton |
Raise Her Up: Ellie Flynn |
|
This week’s episode of the GDST’s ‘Raise Her Up’ podcast features Ellie Flynn, an investigative journalist and documentary maker who specialises in undercover operations around gender equality. She is talking about her forthcoming documentary Undercover Sexual Harassment: The Truth which is available to watch on All 4. In this episode, Ellie talks about going undercover to show how sexual harassment affects the daily lives of women and girls in the UK. While we firmly believe it’s not for girls to have to adapt their behaviour to avoid sexual assault, there are things we can all do to #partysafe this Christmas season. Listen to Ellie’s experience and advice now by clicking here. Mr Nash |
Safeguarding Disclosure |
|
The Designated Safeguarding Lead staff, first, Miss Kneen and second, Miss Hair, will be contactable by email throughout the Christmas holiday for safeguarding concerns via the safeguarding@nhs.gdst.net email. This is for safeguarding only. Alternatively, you can complete a form hosted on our school website to disclose safeguarding concerns and the form can be accessed from here. Dr Lee |
Community Nursery Sessions |
|
|
Reach Lectures: Spring 2023 |
|
|
Term Dates |
|
|
|
Northampton High School |
|
