In every classroom, there is a danger that some pupils may go unnoticed because they are quiet and seem to coast through their lessons. These pupils are often calm and compliant and present no obvious challenges to their teachers. However, beneath the surface, they may not be achieving their full potential, and worse, may feel unimportant and overlooked. It is crucial that we recognise this and find ways to unlock their capabilities, so they don’t leave school feeling like ‘also-rans’.
Educational research consistently highlights the importance of fostering individual growth in every student, regardless of whether they are extroverted or introverted. Quieter students, because they do not draw attention to themselves, often need carefully targeted strategies to ensure their success. But how do we support these pupils and help them thrive on their own terms?
Dr Laurie Helgoe, associate clinical professor at Augsburg University and author of Introvert Power (2013), contends that introversion is a natural disposition that, when properly understood and nurtured, permits individuals who may otherwise be sidelined to work productively and to flourish creatively. And the key is to find ways to allow the positive nature of introverted people to shine through. As Dr Helgoe puts it, ‘if you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to get to the good stuff, you need to slow down’.
In many cases, quieter pupils may not ask for help when they need it, or they may not engage in classroom discussions as frequently as their peers. This can lead to the misconception that they are happily progressing when, in reality, they may not have fully understood the concepts, or at the very least are not being stretched or challenged in ways that would enable them to achieve as well as possible.
It may also lead to feelings of exclusion among such pupils, if they think the teacher has not really seen or understood them. A study by Furrer and Skinner (2003) highlights the importance of a sense of belonging in fostering student engagement and academic success. Pupils who feel they are noticed and valued by their teachers are more likely to engage with learning. For quieter students, this sense of belonging can often be more tenuous because they do not actively participate in ways that are visible to others.
Please click here to read more.
Mr Rickman
Deputy Head Academic
The week ahead
Monday 30 September
Y5 Residential Trip to Grafham Water
Hockey Sevens: U12 & U13 vs Quinton House
Tuesday 1 October
Y5 Residential Trip to Grafham Water
Hockey: U15 vs Kimbolton
Wednesday 2 October
Y5 Residential Trip to Grafham Water
Hockey Sevens: U12 vs Spratton Hall
Y13 Parents Evening
Thursday 3 October
Y12/13 Maths, Physics &Psychology trip to Alton Towers
Hockey: 2nd XI vs Thornton College
Friday 4 October
International University Fair
Scholars Concert
Saturday 5 October
Whole School Open Morning
Hockey Sevens: U13 & U15 In House
Netball: U13 & U15 vs Nottingham High
Northampton High celebrates European Day of Languages
This week, we have been delighted to celebrate European Languages Week through various extracurricular activities.
Thursday 26 September was European Languages Day, however as a whole school we celebrated this theme all week. Throughout the week, the Languages department hosted an array of exciting activities for all to enjoy, including but not limited to Flamenco dancing, Arabic lessons, and even the announcement of new Language Leader roles available for students in Year 9 to Year 12! It was lovely to see so many students involving themselves in the activities put on by various teachers and Sixth Form students.
As a popular week for the school, this annual event is one we harness to give the students an opportunity to learn about languages and cultures outside of the curriculum and their classrooms. With multiple nationalities and cultures in our school, we encourage our students to learn about new cultures and to learn languages to put them in a prospective position for their futures.
With cross collaboration an important aspect of our students’ school life, it was fantastic to see Sixth Form student Laura deliver a wonderfully engaging assembly to a captivated Junior School audience on Wednesday. To close the week long programme of celebration, a Bake Off Competition was held on Friday, with the homemade creations sold as part of our Macmillan Coffee Morning to raise money for this cause – more of which you will read about below.
The European Languages week was a huge success, and we hope the students enjoyed it and were able to learn new skills amongst languages and cultures that they can apply to their studies. Thank you to the Languages department and the other members of staff who created such a varied programme of events for our students to enjoy.
Eco Team Update
The Eco Team have been busy during their weekly meeting to prepare for the Christmas Market. The team have been busy repotting plants and taking cuttings to prepare a larger stock for sale on Friday 29 November.
The team have many exciting plans in the works for this academic year, and we look forward to keeping you updated on their progress!
High Sports
Tuesday 24 September vs Kimbolton: This Tuesday, we were delighted to host our first hockey fixture on our new astroturf against Kimbolton. The score line finished 3-0 to our opponents, but we played really well considering it was our first 11-aside match of the season. Esme S played really well for her first time in goal, Emily F was awarded Player of the Match, and all of our players played well together as a team. We could improve on bringing the ball wide more, and players keeping position by not coming into the middle of the pitch too often, but overall I think our team spirit was high and that helped a lot. Clara B, Captain
Thursday 26 September vs Akeley Wood: The second team enjoyed a friendly mixed match with Akeley Wood on Thursday. This was an opportunity to try out different roles and play exciting hockey, whilst not being under pressure to win. The games were free flowing with numerous shots on goal and goals converted. Well done everyone!
Open Mornings
Book Review: Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm by Ash Bond
Peregrine Quinn has always loved hearing her godfather Daedalus Bloom’s stories about his life as an immortal, but that’s all they were – stories. That is, until the portals that connect the Terran Realm with the Cosmic Realm mysteriously shut down and Daedalus, the only one who can fix them, is kidnapped.
Peregrine is then swept into a nail-biting adventure, racing through the streets of Oxford, down the riverways of London and into the Under-Underground. She soon realises that not only are the creatures from her godfather’s stories real, but they’re shooting at her with laser blasters.
External Sporting Success!
Ice Skating: On Wednesday 11 September, I competed at the BIS Open in iceSheffield. It was a really tough competition, and I scored 21.70 points, with a TES of 8.60 and a PCS of 13.10. I’m really happy with my score as it is a PB as this level, and in my next competition I’m sure I will improve on everything that I need to. Erin, Year 8
Equestrian: Last Friday I competed in the Eventer Challenge, and on Sunday we tackled the Show Jumping. They were both tricky courses but I was delighted with my horse, Lui, who jumped really well. Both classes were very competitive with over 180 riders in one, and while the team sadly didn’t get placed, it was an amazing opportunity to compete at such a prestigious venue. Nancy, Year 13
Year 7 Textiles Project - We Need You!
This term, our Year 7 pupils are making bean bags. They would like to use recycled materials to fill the bags rather than buying the traditional polystyrene balls, which can take more than a 1000 years to decompose and cannot be recycled.
We are on the look out for the following items, and any donations would be gratefully received:
Degradable packaging peanuts
Any old bean bags (we can recycle the filling and reuse the fabric)
Thank you in advance.
Open Morning Tour Guides
The greatest success of our annual October Open Morning comes from the enthusiastic and wholehearted commitment and involvement of our pupils who are exceptional ambassadors of our school.
Therefore, as per our communications last week, we would like all pupils in Years 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 and 13 to be in school from 10.00am until 1.00pm on Saturday 5 October to support us with activities such as offering guided tours and conversations with prospective families or supporting departments with subject-based activities.
If you could kindly complete the short form listed below by Monday 30 September it would be very much appreciated. Thank you for your continued support.
