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Friday 17 June 2022 |
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It seems that Sports Day last week has brought the summer weather to us and certainly we have been enjoying some time spent (safely) outdoors this week. The great thing about flinging all the windows open in the heat is being able to listen to the sounds of the school when I am in my office. Today I have been enjoying listening to the rehearsals for our musical Seussical along with the fun from our inaugural Cultures Day – details of which you can find below and in next week’s edition of High News. I am always slightly bemused at this time of year to discover that teachers have the kind of memory that is used during childbirth, where the pain is seemingly forgotten as soon as you set eyes on the beautiful baby. As soon as we reach that summer holiday we forget the craziness that is the last half of summer term which means that each year we meet colleagues in the staffroom at this time of year, looking slightly shell shocked, and saying ‘I don’t remember it being like this last year’. I think the erasing of the bad memories is largely because so much of what we do in school this term is hugely enjoyable and rewarding regardless of the hours of preparation. Our Arts Festival is months in the planning, for example, but the joy it brings to the community and the showcasing of our talented students’ work makes it very much worthwhile. I do hope that you will be able to find time to visit the Arts Festival on Tuesday and the performance of Seussical on Thursday of next week. In the meantime, whilst the British weather returns to its norm of rain and much lower temperatures next week, I shall be deciding what to pack for a very short trip to Riyadh at the end of next week, where temperatures peak at around 46o and get as low as 30o at night. I think it will take some acclimatising too when I move there in the summer but I am grateful to know there is air conditioning in my new home and school! Enjoy the weekend. Mrs O’Doherty |
The week ahead |
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Monday 20 June Tuesday 21 June Wednesday 22 June |
Thursday 23 June Friday 24 June Sat 25 & Sun 26 June |
School community reunites for Sports Day 2022! |
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On Friday 10 June, we were delighted to invite our wider school community back to Northampton High School to spectate Sports Day 2022. This year was particularly memorable for those who attended, as it was the first Sports Day in three years where we were able to host family and friends! All students were in great spirits as they sported different fancy dress outfits, according to their House colours! Keeping with tradition, students competed together in their House teams; Artemis, Demeter, Hestia and Selene, in an attempt to win the coveted trophy. With the glorious weather on our side, the day was destined to be fun-filled and unforgettable! |
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Congratulations to each and every student who took part and provided support and enthusiasm throughout the day! The efforts of all four Houses were remarkable and a demonstration of what can be achieved when we work together. A special well done to Hestia for being the Junior School winners, and to Selene for being crowned the Senior and whole school champions! A huge thank you to the PE department for arranging this wonderful event, and to our talented students, whose efforts and positivity made this Sports Day one of the best we’ve had! Click here to view some more pictures from the event. Miss Price |
Cultures Day - Friday 17 June |
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Today in school, we have been delighted to celebrate our first ever Cultures Day. Throughout the course of the day, our school community came together to celebrate various cultures from all around the world, showcasing the diversity within our school. It was great to see the students so involved in this celebration and eager to learn more about each others’ cultures. We look forward to bringing you a more indepth report of the day’s activities and events in next week’s edition of High News. Miss Price |
Why every school should embrace international collaboration and action research |
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As Professor Rob Coe reminds us, “Learning happens when people have to think hard.” This statement applies to teachers as learners as much as it does to the students in our classroom. As classroom practitioners, we engage in reflective practice daily: we seek to improve the quality of our teaching and the learning experience of our students. It lies at the heart of effective teaching and meaningful professional development as we strive to meet the needs of our students. Are we, as teaching staff, encouraged to try new approaches? Has this been tried before and where can we find more information? How do we know these initiatives have been successful? Educational research can mean many different things and the term ‘research’ can seem quite dry and offputting. The way we talk about research, the language we use to describe it, is important if we want teachers to be evidence-informed and feel confident about carrying out their own projects. Many of our GDST schools have professional book clubs, aka staff learning lunches, TeachMeets, and research breakfasts. Recently, I attended an afternoon ‘tea-search’ where we discussed the possibilities afforded by action research projects. These informal and social opportunities create safe and inclusive spaces for colleagues to share their work, without feeling overwhelmed by the more academic connotations the word ‘research’ carries. To read the article in full, please click here. Mrs Hill |
Head's Commendations |
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On Thursday 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 in recognition of their achievements. Congratulations to the following students who were awarded Commendations this time: Isabella B 2N: Isabella was nominated as she has been really kind by helping our new student to settle in and make friends. She also made her a welcome card to give to her on her first day in school. Eloise C 3N: Eloise always demonstrates a great work ethic in all subjects; she’s focused and always tries her best. Eloise has also been working very hard on her sporting achievements. She loves playing netball and more recently, an athletics coach requested her attendance to receive additional coaching. Esme B 8N: Esme has been nominated for her commitment to extracurricular events this year. She has attended both Eco Team and Current Affairs Clubs throughout the year and she is always willing to get involved; she is particularly good at helping to include younger peers from the Junior School in paired / group activities. Rosie D 10H: Rosie has been nominated for breaking the school high jump record, and setting a new personal best on grass, by jumping 1.51m at Sports Day in June 2022. Well done Rosie! Jasmine C 10S: Jasmine has been nominated for her proactive efforts within the Sports Faculty. Great work Jasmine! Mr Nash |
KS2 & 3 pupils battle it out in Masterchef competition! |
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On Wednesday this week, we saw an action-packed afternoon in the Food room as pupils from KS2 and 3 battled it out in the first round of our school MasterChef competition! This is always a popular fixture in the school calendar, and we are excited to see the tasty creations from our students as the competition progresses. Good luck everyone! Miss Knight |
Biology Fieldwork in the sunshine! |
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We have been delighted to make the most of the glorious weather for our A Level Biology Fieldwork this week! The extensive grounds provided plentiful opportunities for detailed studies, using a variety of techniques and equipment. The ice creams midafternoon also went down very well indeed! Dr Lines |
ACM Environmental join us for special assembly |
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On Monday morning, we were delighted to welcome our environmental partner ACM Environmental into school to deliver a special assembly. ACM spent time talking to students about reducing waster and inturn improving the environment. Did you know, we are a zero waste to landfill school? Thank you to ACM for their time, and we look forward to continuing our efforts in school to helping the environment. Mr Rickman |
Book of the Week |
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Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle – shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2022 – recommended for Year 8 and above Moa is fourteen. The only life he has ever known is toiling on the Frontier sugar cane plantation for endless hot days, fearing the vicious whips of the overseers. Then one night he learns of an uprising, led by the charismatic Tacky. Moa is to be a cane warrior, and fight for the freedom of all the enslaved people in the nearby plantations. But before they can escape, Moa and his friend Keverton must face their first great task: to kill their overseer, Misser Donaldson. Time is ticking, and the day of the uprising approaches… Miss Buxton |
GDST Alumna of the Year Award Nominees - Sasha Roseneil nominated! |
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We are incredibly proud that Northampton High School alum Professor Sasha Roseneil features in the shortlist for this year’s GDST Alumna of the Year award. Sasha is a true advocate for inclusivity and equality and an inspirational role model for all of our pupils. A world-renowned interdisciplinary social scientist, a group analyst and psychoanalytic psychotherapist, and a distinguished university leader, Sasha is truly a powerful advocate for women and girls through her work. Everyone at Northampton High congratulates Sasha on this amazing achievement. To find out more information about the award, and to register your vote, please click here. Good luck Sasha, we are all rooting for you! Mr Nash |
Summer Reception and Charity Auction’ at Althorp House – Wednesday 6 July |
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We have received communication from Mr. James Saunders Watson (Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Northamptonshire) and members of the Northamptonshire Committee of ABF The Soldier’s Charity that parents of Northampton High School are warmly invited to attend the ‘Summer Reception and Charity Auction’ in the Stable’s Courtyard at Althorp House. The evening will commence at 18:00 for drinks and canapés, with music provided by students from Northampton High School, with an option to stay on for the Charity Auction as well (19:30-20:30). As this is a charity event there is a charge of £30 per person, if you would like to attend please email nhsadmin@nhs.gdst.net no later than 14:00 on Thursday 23 June, and we will confirm details of how to make payment directly with the ABF The Soldier’s Charity. Due to security arrangements at Althorp Estate, this is a strictly ticket only event with confirmations required well in advance of the event. If you would like any further information, please do get in touch. Mr Hume |
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 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. We are also delighted to share with you the latest edition of our Alumnae Newsletter. To take a read, please click here. Mrs Wilmot |
Creative Arts Season: Arts Festival |
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We are delighted to invite you to attend our annual Arts Festival on Tuesday 21 June, from 6.00pm-8.00pm. There will be a programme of performances and exhibitions taking place throughout the school celebrating the talents of students in Art, Drama, Fashion & Textiles, Food and Music. The evening will include exciting collaborations within the creative and performing arts. Please let us know if you will be attending, by completing the form by Monday 13 June. Mrs Beacroft |
Northampton High Presents: Seussical the Musical |
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We are delighted to invite you and your family to our Senior School’s performance of Seussical The Musical, on Thursday 23 June 2022 at 7pm. The performance is suitable for all ages, so please bring along family and friends. We hope you will be able to attend what promises to be an exciting and fun-filled performance. We would be grateful if you would complete the form to let us know whether you would like to come along, and the anticipated number of family and friends that you would like to bring along by Friday 17 June. Mrs Marriott |
Join our team! |
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At Northampton High School, we currently have a number of exciting employment opportunities available as we look to grow our team, with vacancies available to join our team of mini bus drivers, our site supervisor team and more. If you are interested in joining the Northampton High School family we would love to hear from you! For more information and to apply, please click here. Mr Nash
Marketing & Communications Manager |
Inclusivity Bulletin: June |
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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 May and June bulletin in full, please click here. Mrs Wilmot |
Community Nursery Sessions |
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Peter Pan by Illyria - Sunday 26 June |
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Rugby & Northampton Athletics - Saturday Track Club |
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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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