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Friday 20 March 2020 |
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Dear parents As we close our doors this evening for an unprecedented period of home learning, I want to thank you for all your kindness, support and good wishes over the past few days. It has been a challenging and emotional week for many, but staff and pupils have shown immense resilience, adaptability and creativity as they prepare for a period of guided home learning and – for some – a period of uncertainty over examinations, too. We must all adapt to a different way of working now. The setting may be different but the level of educational provision and pastoral care will remain just as high, and we will do everything that we can to support you and your daughter through this period of uncertainty. Northampton High School has an incredibly strong and cohesive community and to be physically apart will be difficult. However, I am confident in my colleagues’ professionalism and determination to provide an engaging and enriching education from afar, and in the girls’ ability to adjust. I will keep you updated regularly, but for now I wish you and all of our pupils, staff, Governors and their families and friends all the very best; I sincerely hope that you all stay healthy and strong in body and spirit. Caroline Petryszak |
6.2 Leavers' Lunch |
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Today was an emotional day of tears and air hugs for our current 6.2’s, filled with never ending moments of nostalgia and reflection on our time at Northampton High School. What started off as a week like any other soon ended with goodbyes and thank you’s and it is needless to say that no one including ourselves, expected us to leave so soon. To celebrate and say our final goodbye’s, a special leavers ceremony was kindly organised by our Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Mr Viesel and the students enjoyed their final taste of the school’s famous fish and chips as provided |
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by our wonderful catering staff. Form tutors, Mr Watson, Miss Robinson and Mr Donaldson shared some kind words on their form groups and a special pre recorded video from Mrs Diez alongside a live call from Mrs Cantwell surprised the students with even more inspiring words. Later on, after endless photos had been taken and tears had been shed, we watched a video that was quickly prepared during the last few days by the students to reminisce on our time here at the school. I would like to especially thank Claudia and Saskia for taking the time to both organise and edit such an incredible video and for showing us that whilst our time at Northampton High may be over, our memories of the school and of each other will last forever. During my final speech I reminded my year that although the situation in which we find ourselves is not ideal and perhaps not what we expected, it has made us even more appreciative of all that the school has given to us and the close friendships that we have made during our time at Northampton High. On behalf of all 6.2’s I would like to thank all the staff, including the teachers, catering, cleaning, marketing and reception for all supporting us throughout the years and for putting their best efforts in to make our last few days at the school as students so very special. Another thank you goes out to the students from all year groups who have shared this experience with us also, particularly the U5 and whom we will all miss very much as we start the next chapter of our lives. I myself would like to thank the school for giving me the wonderful opportunity of being Head Girl, it has been an honour to represent the school and I cannot wait to see what the next team achieves. And whilst it may not appear so at the moment I do believe we will all see each other soon and get to say our final goodbyes to the school that we all know and love dearly! Isabel B |
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Young Enterprise Tenner Competition |
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Over the past four weeks, members of U3, L4 and U4 have been demonstrating their entrepreneurial skills as part of the national Tenner Competition. Each participant has been loaned £10 capital and has used it to start their own mini business. Planning sessions took place before half term and I was delighted on returning after half term that the girls had a range of products to sell. A Tenner Trade Fair has been taking place every Tuesday and Friday lunchtime and has attracted quite a crowd. The products on offer were customised pamper packages, hand crafted key rings, |
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stickers for phones, laptops and skateboards, hand stitched purses and pencil cases, charm bracelets and fine art prints and bookmarks. The girls have enjoyed the experience and although the final accounts have yet to be produced, all the girls are in a position to pay back their loan capital and keep a small profit. The deadline for the formal competition entries has been put back and I will be communicating with the girls via email about how to enter this. I am really proud of what the girls have achieved and look forward to seeing them participate next year. Thank you to all the pupils and staff who supported their enterprise and to the girls’ parents who have encouraged them in this challenge. Mrs Tansley |
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L4 Classicists research the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World |
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The Lower Fourth have been busy creating some wonderful presentations and 3D models in their recent Classics lessons. Their topic was ‘The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World’ and it has been my pleasure to be the audience for many of the presentations this week. The creativity shown in both the presentations and the models has been superb – from Leona’s wooden model of the Great Pyramid of Giza to Harriet and Laura’s cake-like construction of The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, they were amazing. I have learnt that the Great Pyramid of Giza is the only Ancient Wonder still |
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standing, that Pharos, the Lighthouse of Alexandria, had steps inside it and workers had to climb 100 metres to light the furnace that helped it to guide ships. We all admired how ‘colossal’ the Colossus of Rhodes was and we enjoyed learning about the Temple of Artemis, after which, of course, one of our Houses is named. Thank you to Mrs Peto and Miss Monks who set this inspiring task and thank you to all of Lower Fourth for presenting their PowerPoints, models, Kahoot quizzes and songs in such professional style. Mrs O’Doherty |
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Ariana collects her 'Make your Myth' prize! |
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Huge congratulations go to Ariana, who was able to collect her prize this week for her entry into the Cambridge University #MakeYourMyth competition. Inspirational! Here’s Ariana, and a picture of her shortlisted sculpture of Athena. Well done, Ariana! Miss Peto |
Northampton High Sport Relief |
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WE DID IT! As a school, we swam and rowed 395 km and ran, walked and cycled 2464 km, covering a staggering 2859 km in total, contributing to the GDST Pole to Pole challenge all in aid of Sport Relief! Throughout last week, students participated in a number of activities, and we provided opportunities for everyone to swim and, of course, cheer on the staff and Sixth Form as they rowed the final stretch to reach our target distance. The Seniors reached 20.5 km and narrowly lost out to the U4/L5s who reached 20.65 km in their rowing distances during Games afternoons – well done to everyone involved. |
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A massive thank you and congratulations to the following students for their outstanding contributions: Rebecca L and Anna J who swam the furthest distance during year U4/L5 Games (5.7 km); Amelia S and Ruby H for rowing all afternoon reaching 17 km between them, and Georgie FW and Nisheeta K for their amazing support throughout the day on Friday. Thanks to all staff and gym members who contributed outside of school throughout the week. It has been a great way to bring everyone together and raise money for a great cause. It’s not too late to contribute – please click here for more information. Miss James |
Northampton High Awarded eTwinning School Label! |
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This week, we were delighted to receive the news that Northampton High School has been awarded the eTwinning School Label for 2020/21! This is a fantastic achievement for the school’s eTwinning team, and we are excited to showcase the label, opposite, with pride; we look forward to receiving our official plaque. The official announcement will be made on the eTwinning.net Portal this week and on other eTwinning and the European Commission’s news channels. We will also be invited to participate in the eTwinning Schools’ Group and in the various activities dedicated to eTwinning Schools – more exciting ways to get involved in internationalism within school! Ms Diez |
Creative Arts Spotlight |
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Textiles: This week in Textiles, the U4 students have been busy creating costume design ideas for Seussical, and we are delighted with what they have put together so far. GCSE and A Level Textiles students enjoyed a Saturday Sewing Session last weekend, which was a lovely opportunity for a full day of creativity. Miss Lycett |
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Music: The music composition recital has unfortunately been postponed, but music continues to thrive here at Northampton High. The two recording studios in the Music department are now fully-functional and the long-awaited ‘Beatles Room’ is almost equipped. We look forward to some wonderful music-making when we return to school. In the meantime, students have a fantastic opportunity to practise their instruments regularly for extended periods, improving technique significantly. Mr Nathan |
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Creative Arts: We were delighted to host our wonderful Year 4 girls in the Senior School Art department recently; they have spent three afternoons building and shaping their amazing cats! The girls used various hand building tools and techniques and Mrs Bull, our resident expert in ceramics and glass, was on hand to help the girls with the claws, eyes, tails and ears. We had great fun and Year 4 responded with positivity and endless creative energy. We really enjoyed your company and Mrs Bull and I are looking forward to firing and glazing all the cats! Mrs Beacroft |
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Creative Arts: The Creative Arts Spotlight is busy this week as Isla and Hattie in U3 work on their Art illustrations, influenced by Jackie Morris. Subtle and sensitive use of watercolours and gold leaf – great work girls! Mrs Beacroft
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Book Review |
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The Mirror & the Light by Hilary Mantel ‘If you cannot speak truth at a beheading, when can you speak it?’ England, May 1536. Anne Boleyn is dead, decapitated in the space of a heartbeat by a hired French executioner. As her remains are bundled into oblivion, Thomas Cromwell breakfasts with the victors. The blacksmith’s son from Putney emerges from the spring’s bloodbath to continue his climb to power and wealth, while his formidable master, Henry VIII, settles to short-lived happiness with his third queen, Jane Seymour. |
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Cromwell is a man with only his wits to rely on; he has no great family to back him, no private army. Despite rebellion at home, traitors plotting abroad and the threat of invasion testing Henry’s regime to breaking point, Cromwell’s robust imagination sees a new country in the mirror of the future. But can a nation, or a person, shed the past like a skin? Do the dead continually unbury themselves? What will you do, the Spanish ambassador asks Cromwell, when the king turns on you, as sooner or later he turns on everyone close to him? With The Mirror and the Light, Hilary Mantel brings to a triumphant close the trilogy she began with Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies. She traces the final years of Thomas Cromwell, the boy from nowhere who climbs to the heights of power, offering a defining portrait of predator and prey, of a ferocious contest between present and past, between royal will and a common man’s vision: of a modern nation making itself through conflict, passion and courage. Miss Buxton |
Film Competition Deadline Extended |
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The deadline for entering the Northampton High School Film Competition has been extended to Tuesday 5 May. I would encourage you to use your creativity over the next weeks to make a truly uplifting and original film about the future. Here are some filming tips: Cinematography – use your phones or iPads to film, thinking carefully about what you put into the frame. If you want to create a Hollywood effect to your filmmaking think about replicating the smooth movement of a Steadi-cam: rest your arms on a towel or sheet and slide along the top of a table to track your image.
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Lighting – the way that films achieve the Hollywood star look is through Three-point Lighting: put one light behind and to the side of your actor and two front lights on either side to give a three dimensional glow. Colour – for costumes and props – the single most effective way to create impact in your film is to think about the Mise-en-scene, which is everything included in the frame: think carefully about what colour would describe them and use a single colour for each character’s costume. Sound – most of the soundtrack of a Hollywood film is created in post-production by Foley artists: try to create sound effects through recording ordinary objects such as cornflour in a sock to imitate walking through snow. Finally, develop your technical skills for creating special effects on professional quality editing software for free: you can download DaVinci Resolve 16 here. I look forward to seeing your films. If you have any questions, please email me at: l.heimfeld@nhs.gdst.net and please click here to download a copy of the Film Competition poster. Ms Heimfeld |
Open Day - Friday 1 May 2020 |
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Term Dates |
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Northampton High School |
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