1 Issue No 33/2015-2016

Thetford Grammar School

The small, friendly school that gets results for individuals.

24th June 2016

Dear Pupils and Parents,

Yesterday we had our Pupil Induction Day here at Thetford Grammar School for our newest

members starting in September. The initial and expected butterflies and expressions of

apprehension quickly gave way to smiles and a fun-filled day for all with many new

friendships forged before the start of the following academic year. The day was extremely

busy and well organised by many members of staff. My appreciation to Mrs Kathrin Elders,

the overall coordinator of the day, for allowing the new pupils to feel welcome and quickly

at home in their new school. A special mention to Megan Curley, Head Girl, and William

Honeywood, Head Boy, for their speeches near the end of the day to all parents and children

in Williamson Hall.

Many congratulations to the U15 Boys Cricket Team on reaching the final of the Norfolk

County 20/20 competition. We were dispatched relatively quickly by a very strong Norwich

School. However, I am pleased that the boys played many good matches to reach the final

and, I am certain, will take valuable lessons from their considerable achievements. Well

done.

May I congratulate Alana Wilson on her selection for English Schools Track and Field

Athletics Association. She will be representing her school and county at the National Schools

Track and Field final in July. Alana is now ranked 14th in the UK for Javelin under 15 girls, as

well as being the Norfolk Schools Champion for 2016.

Despite the torrential rain in the early evening yesterday, the Year 11 Prom, held at

Ravenwood Hotel, was a lovely evening for all concerned. By the end of the thoroughly

enjoyable evening, all pupils, resplendently attired, were up dancing, smiling and enjoying

their ‘final’ evening together. Megan Gallagher, departing Year 13 student, provided a

wonderful photography service for us all. My thanks and appreciation to her and, of course,

to all the teachers present who provided a very special ‘send off’ to the youngsters.

Particular thanks to Miss Amanda Sherring for coordinating a wonderful evening.

TGS Sports Days are taking place next week – Monday 27th June: Preparatory School;

Tuesday 28th June: Senior School. These will be fun-filled, competitive and active occasions

for individual and team sporting events. Please do come along to support and cheer if you

have the time and inclination.

Please be reminded that our TGS Summer Fete is on Saturday 2nd July. This starts at

10.30am with cricket – TGS vs. OTA, on our top playing fields. Plays and performances

commence at midday in Fulmerston Hall. From 12.30pm onwards there will be fun for all

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ages, games, food and refreshments. Many members of the PSA have been instrumental in

organising this final, whole-school event for this academic year. Please do come along with

friends and families to support your school.

I shall wish you all a very happy and dry weekend.

Mr Mark S. Bedford

Headmaster

OVERVIEW

PSA Summer Fete 2nd July Author Kevin Crossley-Holland

Norfolk 20/20 Cricket Final Stamps & Foreign Coins

EU Referendum Flu Vaccinations

Y6 Visit to Norwich Cathedral Nearly New Uniform Shop Opening Times

UCAS 2017 Congratulations

Y10 Trip to Duxford Match Results

Pre-Prep Visit to Gressenhall Workhouse and

Farm

Next Week’s Fixtures

Lost Property

Creative Media Camp Attachments

Request for Biscuit Tins/Jam Jars Forthcoming letters/Letters sent home

PSA SUMMER FETE 2ND JULY

We are holding our Summer Fete on Saturday 2nd July. The day will

begin with the annual OTA v TGS Cricket match over on the main sports

field. The Drama department will be putting on plays in Fulmerston Hall

from 12.00pm for you to enjoy

We will then move across to the back field behind Cloisters where there

will be a selection of stalls and refreshments available for you to browse and an inflatable

Assault Course for those who are feeling energetic!

Pupils are encouraged to bake cupcakes in their House Colours; Red - Reeds, Blue - Coles,

Green - Millingtons and Yellow – Cronsheys, and these will be entered into the ‘Decorate a

Cupcake’ competition. Entries should be submitted no later than 1.00pm on the day of the

Summer Fete. There will be a table on the field for the cupcakes. There will be a prize for the

house with the most entries and a prize for the winning cupcake in each House.

If you bake extra cupcakes that you would like to donate to the bake sale, they can also be

brought in on the day and can be sold with the teas and coffees.

Donations of bottles for the Bottle Tombola, good condition unwanted toys and cuddly

teddies and of course cakes which are always popular would be appreciated.

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As always we will need plenty of help on the day so if you are able to come in and help set

up or man a stall we would be very grateful. If you are able to help in any way could you

please email Mrs Dickens at nicky@smartoutlook.co.uk

Thank you as always for your continued support.

Mrs Cathie Reynolds

School Secretary

NORFOLK 20/20 CRICKET FINAL

On Wednesday the U15 team took on Norwich School in

the final of the T20 Norfolk Cup held at TGS.

After beating Wymondham College in the quarter-final,

our semi-final opponents conceded the match as they

could not make the chosen date; this meant that we

qualified directly for the final.

TGS lost the all-important toss and were put into bat on a damp, muggy and overcast

afternoon. This made batting very difficult and with the quality of the Norwich bowlers

they bowled TGS out for a low score. Norwich reached

the required target in rapid fashion.

The competition was a great experience for the boys and

they did extremely well to reach as far as they did and

should be proud of their runners up trophies.

Mr Michael Hill

PE Teacher

EU REFERENDUM

On Thursday 23rd June TGS held its own EU referendum to mirror

events nationally. It was led by the Y8 form groups, who had spent time

researching and discussing the key issues for both sides of the

campaign during tutor time. The whole school assembled in

Williamson Hall to hear presentations from the “Bremain” and “Brexit”

teams. This was carried out in a positive and supportive atmosphere

and was impressive for the standard of debate and argument.

Representing “Brexit” were Frank Summers, James Stevenson-Rutter,

Robbie Ackerman and Isabel Bourne. Their presentation was very

polished, with their key arguments articulated clearly and

supplemented by an informative Powerpoint display.

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The “Bremain” team were Ye-Yint Win Naing, Shas Sanjeevvijay, Seb

Floyd and Ethan Betts. They, too, had a stimulating Powerpoint

presentation which they added to with their own opinions. The debate

was then opened to allow questions from the floor, all of which

showed real engagement and understanding of the complex issues

involved.

Two ballot boxes were positioned at the back of the hall and, under the

watchful eye of Y12 volunteers, the

voting began. At the end of the day,

everyone assembled to hear the result

which had been a closely guarded secret. Gus Altuccini, as

Returning Officer, declared that the “Brexit” team had

polled 32 votes but the “Bremain” team had gained 100

votes and so were declared the winners! A resounding

endorsement from TGS for Britain to remain in the EU

which was not reflected in the result less than 24 hours later.

Thank you to Mr Maringue for his help in organising the event.

Mrs Juliet Boyce

Referendum Organiser

Y6 VISIT TO NORWICH CATHEDRAL

On Tuesday 21st June, Y6 visited Norwich Cathedral with Miss

Dunsmore, Miss Fitch and Y6 parent Mrs Goodwin. The trip

formed part of the class' learning on living a religious life and

they enjoyed a number of activities as part of the Cathedral's 'A

Monk's Life Revealed' study day.

Pupils were greeted at the Cathedral by Martha, the Maid,

before Ryan Bourne volunteered to have one of his feet washed

as part of the traditional

Benedictine custom of greeting. They learned what it

meant to be a pilgrim and some of the history of the

building of the Cathedral.

Following this, pupils (and staff!) got to dress up in

scapulars and

through a tour of the

Cathedral, were able

to reflect on how life might have been for a Benedictine

monk hundreds of years ago.

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Pupils were amazed by the brightly coloured stained glass

windows that managed to illume the cathedral walls and in

their Religious Studies lesson on Wednesday, they began to

make their own versions.

Back in the Cathedral

classroom, Y6 practised

writing with ink and

quills, and even

experimented with some

fancier lettering.

In the afternoon, pupils created role plays with some

intriguing improvisation to show how a Chapter

House meeting might have been carried out and

following on from this, visited the herb garden of the Cathedral. They learned about the

properties of some of the herbs and how some of them might have been used for medicinal

purposes by the ‘infirmarer’ who would have been in charge of the infirmary. Tasting the

lemon balm leaves divided opinion!

Pupils’ thoughts on the experience:

"I really enjoyed all of the trip. I found looking at the boss that my

grandparents donated really interesting" - Sam Bercovici

"I enjoyed writing the most. I liked decorating the letters and making them

look fancy" - Cassidy

"I enjoyed the pews - they were cool!" - Ben

"I enjoyed the herb garden because I enjoyed tasting them" - Kit

Miss Daniella Dunsmore

Subject Leader RS

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UCAS 2017

Y12 students have now registered for UCAS 2017 through

Apply. We will support them throughout the application

process. Parental input is most welcome and to this end we are

pleased to offer a "UCAS for Parents" workshop after Sports Day. This is particularly

relevant to first-time families. We will be reviewing a completed successful application. The

Workshop will take place in F6 from 4.30-5.30pm on Tuesday 28th June.

Mr Stephen Spencer

Head of Sixth Form

Y10 TRIP TO DUXFORD

On Tuesday 21st June, a group of keen Y10 historians ventured to

the Imperial War Museum, Duxford in their pursuit for

information and knowledge. They had a fantastic History lesson

lead by the education team at

Duxford on the Vietnam War.

Pupils were also able to handle

artefacts from the Vietnam War

and dress in the clothes of Viet

Cong and US soldiers. Mr

McGahan modelled his

infamous aviators!

After the teaching session, the intrepid historians hiked

across the museum in order to explore the museum’s exhibits on the Cold War and the First

World War.

Highlights were seeing the Blackbird (which can travel at 3 times the speed of sound – or 4

times the speed of Mr Simpson), viewing the interior of the Concorde, seeing a section of the

Berlin Wall and of course, the bouncy balls in

the shop! Pupils even managed to return in

time to play in a cricket match.

The trip was a rewarding and thoroughly

interesting experience.

Miss Emma Bailey

Head of History

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PRE-PREP VISIT TO GRESSENHALL WORKHOUSE

AND FARM

Extending their learning on fairy tales and castles this

term Pre-Prep pupils dressed up as their favourite fairy

tale character and headed off to Gressenhall Workhouse

and Farm. Throughout the day pupils explored and

thought about different fairy tales they had seen and

heard.

The pupils were challenged to look for the missing story book

artefacts in Cinderella’s house and the workshops. Who had stolen

Cinderella’s glass slipper and Red Riding

Hood’s cloak? We met a wicked witch who

took us into the woods to make stinky

potions and make a magic spell so we would

never lose anything again.

Cinderella demonstrated how washing was done long ago and the

Ugly Sisters asked us to help water the flowers in the garden. What an

exciting day packed full of new experiences developing

communication skills and further developing expressive arts and

design through opportunities and

encouragement in sharing their

thoughts and ideas through movement and role-play.

Thank you to Gressenhall for making us so welcome and

for introducing us to such wonderful characters.

Miss Julie Blakemore

Pre-Prep Class Teacher

CREATIVE MEDIA CAMP

There is an opportunity for current Y11 and Y12 students to attend a

free summer residential 'Creative Media Camp' from Tuesday 26th

July to Friday 29th July. Numbers are very limited and interested

parties should therefore contact

Mr Spencer by email immediately: sp@thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk

Mr Stephen Spencer

Head of Sixth Form

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REQUEST FOR BISCUIT TINS/JAM JARS

Please can you provide the Prep School with any empty/clean biscuit tins

with lids, wooden boxes with lids and empty/clean jam jars with no lids.

We require these for our House Activities morning on Tuesday 5th July. If

you are able to supply any of the above please pass onto Mrs Peace or Mrs

Cracknell. Thank you.

Mrs Nicki Peace

Head of Preparatory School

AUTHOR KEVIN CROSSLEY-HOLLAND

Fans of the Arthur Trilogy and Viking Sagas author may be interested to

know that An Audience with Kevin Crossley-Holland features as part of

the Young Norfolk Arts Festival at Open in Norwich on Thursday 7th

July at 6.00pm. Booking advised - more details on the attached poster;

click here to view.

Mrs Julie Settle

Librarian

STAMPS & FOREIGN COINS

We are now collecting used stamps and surplus foreign coins for the

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People charity.

Stamps and coins can be brought into the School Office and left with

Mrs Reynolds or Mrs Cracknell. Please trim the stamps from your

letters leaving a 1cm gap around the stamp; it is helpful if the stamps

are separated into British and Overseas but that can be done here

before we send them off.

Most coins are useable but we cannot take old British pennies or Gaming Tokens. There are

special collection boxes for us to fill up with coins and each one of these can be worth up to

£50.

Thank you for your continued support in all of our fundraising efforts over the year.

Mrs Cathie Reynolds

School Secretary

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FLU VACCINATIONS Y1-3

In 2015/2016 the influenza vaccination was offered to children in school Y1 and Y2 in

Primary Schools in England. This year the vaccine will be offered to Y1 and Y2 and will be

extended to include children in Y3. Consent forms will be sent out at the beginning of the

Autumn term.

Mrs Cathie Reynolds

School Secretary

NEARLY NEW UNIFORM SHOP OPENING TIMES

We now have a fairly extensive range of uniform in the Nearly New Uniform

shop ranging from Blazers to PE kit being sold for up to half the

recommended selling price. If there is any uniform you need to replace then

come in and have a look. The shop will be open on Monday and Wednesday

afternoons from 3.45pm – 4.15pm manned by volunteers. If you feel you

could spare some time to help in the shop it would be very much

appreciated.

Also if you have any unwanted uniform in good condition that you would like to sell on a

50/50 basis then please hand it in to me in the office and I will put it up for sale in the shop.

You can contact me on 01842 752840 or by email scsec@thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk

Mrs Cathie Reynolds

School Secretary

CONGRATULATIONS

Warmest congratulations to Alana Wilson in Y9, who has been

selected to represent Norfolk in the National Schools’ Athletics

Championships in the Javelin.

This is a huge event with over 2000 of the best athletes from schools

across England. It is being held in the Gateshead International

Stadium over 2 days on the 8/9th July. The Norfolk Schools team

only has 25 places across all track and field events so winning a

coveted spot is quite an achievement as a Y9 pupil.

Mrs Alison Alecock

Head of Girls’ PE

Congratulations to the following pupils who received certificates from Mrs Peace in Monday

morning’s Preparatory School assembly.

Iris O’Reilly George Bullen Noah Sanders Jack Hendrie

Gabriel Galveias Sarah Owen Wortley Fearn Bourne

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Also, well done to Arlo Greenwood in Y4 who was presented with a certificate and a special

Silver Music medal from Mr Bedford in today’s whole school assembly from ABRSM for

achieving a Level 1 Award in Music Performance for the Trumpet.

The following pupils were presented with their ABRSM Certificates in assembly this

morning:

Henry Bittleston (Y10) passed both his Singing Grade 8 and his Piano Grade 6, with

Distinction

Shas Sanjeevvijay (Y8) passed his Piano Grade 5 with Merit

Cathy (Y6) passed her Violin Grade 4 with Merit

Sarah (Y4) passed her Violin Grade 2 with Merit

Seb Floyd (Y9) passed his Flute Grade 1 with Merit.

Ryan Bourne (Y6) passed his Piano Grade 1

Sam Sidery (Y6) passed his Piano Grade 1

MATCH RESULTS

Tuesday 21st June U14/U15 Cricket v Finborough Lost by 6 runs

Wednesday 22nd June U14 Rounders v Sacred Heart

U15 Rounders v Sacred Heart

U15 Cricket County Final v Norwich School

Won 15 -7

Won 14 – 101/2

Lost by 10 Wickets

NEXT WEEK’S FIXTURES

Tuesday 28th June U14 Rounders v Finborough (H) 4.15pm. Pick up 5.15pm.

U15 Rounders v Finborough (H) 4.15pm. Pick up 5.15pm.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

NOTE:

There will be no Y4-Y6 Sports Club after school with Mr Hill on Monday 27th June due to

the Prep School Sports afternoon.

Monday 27th June Prep School Sports Day 2.00pm. Sports Field

Tuesday 28th June Senior Sports Day 12.30pm. Sports Field

Prep School Parents’ Meeting, Williamson Hall 4.00pm – 6.30pm

UCAS for Parents’ workshop 4.30pm – 5.30pm in F6

Wednesday 29th June Royal Norfolk Show

Y6 RAF Honington visit

Y4/5 Kentwell Hall visit

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LOST PROPERTY

Aria MacFarlane-Kubota Y8 V neck school jumper - named

ATTACHMENTS

Summer Fete 2nd July Poster click here

Kevin Crossley-Holland poster click here

FORTHCOMING LETTERS/LETTERS SENT HOME

EYFS-Y6 Prizegiving/Speech Day

Y6 Y6 Moving On Assembly

EYFS-Y6 Prep School Summer Music Concert 2016

EYFS-Y6 Prep School Parent Teacher Meetings

If you would like a printed copy of this newsletter please contact the office

7H library visit – am

Thursday 30th June Royal Norfolk Show

Prep School Summer Music Concert 3.00pm. Old School

Y13 Leavers’ Meal 7.00pm

Friday 1st July Y7 Activity Day & Maths - Library Quiz

Saturday 2nd July OTA v Staff Cricket Match 10.30am main sports field

Summer Fair 12.30pm – outside Cloisters

Tuesday 5th July Morocco Expedition depart

Summer Concert, Williamson Hall 7.00pm

Prep School House Activities Morning in Prep School Classrooms

Thursday 7th July Y6 Leavers’ Assembly 9.00am Williamson Hall

Friday 8th July House Quiz Competition

Last day of term

Tuesday 19th July Morocco Expedition return

Sunday 24th July –

Friday 29th July

DofE Silver Qualifying

Thursday 4th August –

Thursday 11th August

DofE Gold Practice/Qualifying

Sunday 7th August Wayland Show, Watton

Thursday 18th August A-Level Results’ Day

Thursday 25th August GCSE Results’ Day

Monday 5th September Autumn Term starts

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