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Friday 7 July 2023 |
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The power of the network This weekend, some of our Year 12 students will be joining their peers from across the Girls Day School Trust for the annual GDST Oxbridge Conference. This is a brilliant opportunity for students who are thinking of applying to more competitive academic courses to gain small-group guidance on how to improve their chances of success. The conference includes workshops on admissions tests, interview preparation, tutorial-style subject sessions and presentations from university staff and students. Crucially, it also allows students the opportunity to meet with other like-minded girls and to develop their network for the world after school. The formal evening dinner is always a highlight of the weekend. Reflecting on the year more broadly, I am struck by the degree to which the GDST network offers our Sixth Formers, in particular, some incredible opportunities. Many of our Year 13 students wrote convincingly in their university personal statements about what they had learned from the GDST LEAD enterprise elective, which is run in conjunction with the London School of Economics. For students going into business, management or marketing courses, for instance, the experience was hugely rewarding and often one factor that helped influence their decision-making. Through the power of the network, we have also been able to offer Sixth Form students online CareerStart workshops on the Creative Industries, Medicine, STEM and Psychology, as well as on apprenticeships, gap years and sustainability. These workshops are developed specifically with our girls in mind, and are run by experts in their fields (recordings remain available to any current and future students). Likewise, we have been able to support our students applying for courses in Law, as well as Medicine and allied professions, through GDST partnerships with external organisations. For those who aren’t yet sure where their path might take them or who are looking for work experience or guidance on applications, the GDST Rungway app allows students to tap into the network of GDST alumnae. The GDST network offers our students powerful support as they step into the future. Mr Viesel |
The Week Ahead |
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Monday 10 July Wednesday 12 July |
Thursday 13 July Friday 14 July |
Sixth Form students visit Switzerland |
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As is customary as we head towards the close of the academic year, a host of our students head off with their peers for one of our exciting and enriching trips and residentials. This year has been no different, and throughout this newsletter you will read about three of the visits that have taken place this week. |
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We start with our Sixth Formers, who have been on the trip of a lifetime to Geneva, Switzerland! One of the main attractions of this trip was for our students to visit CERN; the European Organization for Nuclear Research. CERN is one of the world’s largest and most respected centres for scientific research, and it was a truly wonderful experience to be able to pay it a visit, as we learned all about splitting the atom and many other exciting topics! Our students also had the opportunity to visit the United Nations Office in Geneva, climb mountains and even make their own chocolate as they made memories that will last a lifetime. Mr Nash |
Year 9 students enjoy annual Outward Bound trip |
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The second of our trips that has been enjoyed this week features our Year 9 pupils, who headed to the Lakes to take part in their Outward Bound residential! Our students take part in Outward Bound every year, and it gives them the opportunity to take part in lots of fun individual and team bonding exercises and activities. On the agenda this year included the infamous ‘jog and dip’, walks to the top of Little Mell Fell, cliff jumping, tunnelling and more; our students even found the time to be interviewed by BBC Radio Cumbria! This was a truly fantastic trip, and we look forward to sharing more accounts for the visit next week. Mrs Wilmot |
Year 7 head to Shrewsbury for end of year residential |
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Our final residential visit of the week has seen our Year 7 cohort head to Preston Montford Field Studies Centre in Shropshire for our annual visit. Students took part in a whole range of exciting activities during their week-long stay. We investigated the impacts of tourism at Carding Mill Valley, enjoyed beautiful walks with amazing views and learned all about Welsh myths by the shore of Lyn Idwal; all before heading to Shrewsbury to carry out some research on rebranding. A trip to Ironbridge followed where we learned all about the Industrial Revolution, before closing the residential with a customary campfire singalong. We had a wonderful time on this enriching residential in Shropshire, and we look forward to giving you a student recount of the visit next week. Miss Price |
Year 10 Religious Studies GCSE students visit Bhaktivedanta Manor |
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Our summer school trips have been taking place well before this week, and last Thursday 29 June, Year 10 Religious Studies GCSE students enjoyed an educational day at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Watford. A Hindu temple, Education Centre and Goshalla (cow sanctuary), the spiritual sanctuary was established 50 years ago when Dhananjaya Das, a Hare Krishna devotee saw that the property was for sale and encouraged George Harrison (from the Beatles) to buy it for ISKCON. In February 1973, the purchase was completed and the devotees moved in, after which it was renamed Bhaktivedanta Manor in honour of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Students started the morning with a session studying religious artefacts, consolidating their classroom studies of worship in Hinduism. Volunteers got the opportunity to dress up as the Trimurti (the trinity of supreme divinity) while the rest of us took photos, and learnt more about the symbolic objects they hold in their many hands. As the sun came out we explored the gardens and cow sanctuary where we fed the cows carrots and saw the kitchen where they make the delicious paneer cheese from the cows milk that is freshly collected by hand. We then donned traditional saris and joined the daily worshippers to observe their midday darshan which involved joyous drumming, singing and clapping. Luckily for us, this happens 7 times a day – I don’t think we would have made the 4.30am slot! We ended our visit with a delicious bottomless lunch of paneer curry, chips and bread. Students also had time to squeeze in some retail therapy in the gift shop where cow themed hair scrunchies seemed to be the popular choice. Experiences like this are so valuable in our subject as they show our students how Hinduism is such a vibrant faith which gives meaning to the life of the individual believer and religious community. Ms Eldridge |
DASH debates get underway! |
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Our annual school DASH debates got underway this week, leading up to a final which will take place next week. This morning, Artemis and Selene have been debating artificial intelligence, and yesterday Hestia and Demeter discussed the vital issue of women and power. Strong oracy skills were on show all round, and a huge congratulations to the students for their compelling arguments. We look forward to the final next week! Mr Rickman |
Femsock - Academic year review |
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Femsock have had another busy, yet successful, year filled with many bake sales, assemblies and lots of other events. Special events, issues and occasions we have marked include: Black History Month, the cost of living crisis, the Rotary Shoebox Scheme, Holocaust Memorial Day, Neurodiversity awareness, Ramadan, Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Week and Pride. To read a full, detailed report of how we marked these key events and issues, please click here. We thank you all for your continued support with these events. Ms Eldridge |
Cultures Day - Thursday 13 July |
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Next Thursday 13 July, we will be celebrating Cultures Day here in school. As part of this, students will be able to dress in a way that reflects their own culture(s). Have a lovely weekend! Mr Viesel |
Photos from Year 11 Prom now available! |
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It was wonderful to see our pupils have such a fantastic time at the recent Year 11 prom, and we are delighted to share the professional photography from the night with you! The photos were taken courtesy of Jane Ellis Designs, and a bank of photos can be viewed and downloaded for free by clicking here. There is also the opportunity to purchase the formal photos taken on the night by Jane, and these are available here. If you have any problems with the purchase or download of the photographs, please do contact Jane at jedesignsphoto@gmail.com and she will be happy to help. Mrs Wilmot |
Say cheese! |
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This week in school, we have been working on a really exciting project with students of all ages! We have been delighted to welcome a photography team into school to capture some wonderful shots of school life here at Northampton High, and we are excited to work on and develop this project over the summer. We can’t wait to share the results with you in the autumn term! Miss Price |
Book Review |
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The Sun and the Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro One Prophecy. Two Demigods. A Heroic Quest. Nico di Angelo is pretty familiar with the realms of death, being the son of Hades and all. So when a desperate voice starts plaguing his dreams, Nico is convinced it’s coming from the Underworld and belongs to an old friend – a reformed Titan called Bob. Then an ominous prophecy leaves Nico in no doubt – Bob needs his help and Nico must rescue him. Of course Nico’s boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo (the god |
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of light) insists on joining the quest too. But can Will even survive in the darkest part of the world? And what does the prophecy mean when it says that Nico will have to leave something of equal value behind? As Nico faces demons both internal and external, his relationship with Will is tested to its very core. Can love find its way, even through the depths of hell? Purchase this book from the Northampton High bookshop here. Miss Buxton |
Alumna of the Year |
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We are delighted to inform you that Northampton High School alumna Baroness Manningham-Buller (Eliza) has been nominated for the annual GDST Alumna of the Year award! The prestigious accolade, which has previously been won by Oscar winning actor Olivia Colman and Dame Cressida Dick, recognises the many varied achievements of the GDST’s alumnae, and we are delighted that Eliza has been nominated for this year’s award. Baroness Manningham-Buller has enjoyed a uniquely impressive and fascinating career, which has led her to her current role as a Life Peer member of the House of Lords and Chair of the Conduct Committee. She is currently also co-president of Chatham House, a renowned Think Tank that helps governments and societies build a sustainably secure and just world. Eliza is also a retired British intelligence officer who worked in the Security Service (MI5) for more than 30 years, principally focusing on international and domestic counter-terrorism, and was Director of MI5 for some years. Everyone at Northampton High congratulates Eliza on this amazing achievement. Please support our alumna in the Alumna of the Year competition by submitting your vote. To find out more information about the award, and to register your vote for Baroness Manningham-Buller, please click here. Voting closes this Friday 7 July.I’m sure you will join us in wishing Eliza the very best of luck! Mr Nash |
European Day of Languages |
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We are already looking ahead to celebrating the European Day of Languages in September, and we are planning an exciting week-long programme of events in the week beginning Monday 25 September. We would also like to be able to showcase careers involving languages (or those who studied Langauges and have gone on to do something different!). If you, a member of your family, a family friend or an alumna of the school feel able to contribute, we would be very grateful! Please contact s.black@nhs.gdst.net if you can help or would like any more information. Mrs Peto |
Save the Date: Speech Day 2023 |
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Northampton High School - Where girls learn without limits |
Kings Camp Summer Activity Camp |
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Cricket Coaching in Northampton |
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Term Dates |
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Northampton High School |
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