Art History trip to National Gallery - 11th March
On Thursday 11th March, the budding Art Historians turned up, good as gold, at the appointed time, in the foyer of the National Gallery's Sainsbury Wing. We then had a presentation by each of the members of the Year 12 Art History group (one of them did a remarkable imitiation of Simon Schama in front of the Rembrandt). We then looked at the majestic Charles I on his enormous horse, trying to think why he chose to be pictured that way, and equally trying not to think of what happened to him soon after.
Madame de Pompadour was our next stop, with all the relevant historical background, of course, then a couple of blazing Turners, a contrasting Constable and, finally, the early days of Impressionism. An insipiring day was enjoyed by all.
Year 6 Visit to Abingdon Hospital - 11th March
As part of their PHSE curriculum, which has a focus on personal safety and injury minimization, Year 6 visited Abingdon Hospital. Here the girls were introduced to a variety of safety scenarios and through role play learnt how to manage these situations. They were also taught basic CPR techniques and then practised these new skills on hospital dummies.
Hopefully these skills will be with them for life.
Chaucer Study Day - 10th March
Early on Wednesday we set off to Red Lion Square in London with twenty- five US2 English A level students for a day of lectures on Chaucer’s Pardoner’s Tale. The girls are studying the tale in conjunction with Christopher Marlowe’s Dr Faustus for their A2 examinations in the summer.
Four academics from various universities explored different aspects of the tale. A special mention must go to the stimulating lecture given by Dr K P Clarke from Pembroke College, Cambridge whose wit and relish for his subject was most inspiring. A long day, but one that provided some useful talking points!
UK Team Maths Challenge Success
Last week Katya Richards, Alice Lindsay, Joanna Savage and Helen Gildersleeves represented St Helen’s at a local Regional Final. After a gruelling, but fun, day doing mathematical problems the girls won the competition and are now through to the National Final at Camden Hall, London in June. This is an outstanding achievement - well done girls!
Music Trip to Glyndebourne - 5th March
Three girls from the Upper Sixth and Year 11 were given the opportunity to go to see 'Knight Crew' at Glyndebourne. This is a newly composed opera, featuring a chorus of young amateurs alongside a professional cast. The opera was based on the Legend of Arthur, but set in a modern times, with gang culture and knife crime between the Saxons and Knight Crew forming the basis for the story. Both the music and set were very exciting, and everyone enjoyed the performance, impressed with the excellent singing and lively action! The girls also had a chance to enjoy the beautiful grounds around the opera house before the performance, although it was a little too cold to eat their picnics outside! Gareth Malone from BBC's 'The Choir' has been working as Chorus Director, and TV cameras were there filming for a documentary called 'Gareth goes to Glyndebourne' which will be broadcast later this year. Watch out for the girls on camera!
The Jean Duffield Library - Official Opening - 3rd March
Arabella Duffield, granddaughter of Jean Duffield, opened the new library and started a day of great celebration. Visiting authors David Melling and Mary Hooper gave talks and workshops to Years 5-10 and there was a beautiful cake made especially for the event, with an irresistible cupcake for every girl in school to mark the special day.
300 parents, upper school pupils and special guests created a lively atmosphere at the evening celebration and visitors were dazzled by the new facilities. A very amusing and informative talk was given by best-selling author Robert Harris – a perfect conclusion to such a significant occasion.
Year 10 Art visit to Saatchi Gallery - 2nd March
All Year 10 students taking Art & Design visited the Saatchi Gallery, London to see the exhibition "The Empire Strikes Back" -Indian art today. We had an introductory tour by an education officer who selected six art works and discussed them with the group. She gave historical and political background information and put these contempory works of art in context.
This large exhibition contained a huge variety of paintings, sculpture and mixed media assemblages including a stuffed camel packed into a large suitcase. After the tour the girls spent a couple of hours drawing selected art works as part of their research for their coursework unit on the theme of "Identity".
‘Medicine- a Taster Evening’ - 26th February
We welcomed 320 students and parents, from 30 schools across the county, attending ‘Medicine – a taster evening’. This was part of our Higher Education programme, and was aimed at giving those in Years 11 and 12 a broad base of information on applying for medicine, what it means to be a medical student, and the lives of doctors today.
The evening was very successful, being packed with information and advice, and a great deal of expertise was shared.
Junior Singers' Concert - 24th February
On Wed 24th February, 18 girls from years 7-9 gave this term's Singers' Concert in Chapel. They sang a wide variety of music, from unaccompanied folk songs, to songs from the shows. Some of the girls who had received prizes at the Oxford Music Festival this year performed their winning songs again. All the girls sang beautifully, clearly demonstrating the extent of the vocal talent among the younger members of the school!
'Pride and Prejudice' at the Oxford Playhouse - 24th February
Two Year 10 English sets enjoyed a brilliant adaptation of Jane Austen's novel on Wednesday 24th February. Most of the girls already knew the dialogue by heart after studying the text in the first half of term and we were all fascinated to see how cleverly the play managed to condense so much action into a couple of hours. The stage design, in particular, was witty and imaginative, with its movable dinner table and cast transforming into topiary in the Bennets' garden. Luckily, Mr Darcy also lived up to everyone's high expectations!
Chamber Music Success
Shortly before half term, several of our chamber music ensembles participated in the regional round of the Pro Corda National Chamber Music Competition. We have just heard that three groups have been selected to go through to the semi-finals which will be held here at St Helens next week. The groups are the Tinlin Trio (Eleanor Tinlin, Sue Lee and Amy Bladon), the Wind Quintet (Charis Fisher, Eleanor Tinlin, Cara Ellison, Frances Long and Kat Telford) and the Chakravarti Quartet (Nialah Chakravarti, Lucy Anderson, India Lunn and Katy Wang). Well done, girls!
German Exchange - 7th to 17th February
Eleven girls from year 11 have just returned from Bielefeld in northern Germany, where they took part in our exchange with the Ratsgymnasium in conjunction with Abingdon School which has been running now for over 40 years. The weather was freezing with snow on the ground throughout their stay but this did not dampen spirits. There were a number of activities with their exchange partners including the traditional England/Germany football match, ice skating and an afternoon of discussing national stereotypes as well as excursions to Münster and Bremen. The girls made many lasting friendships and the understanding between the two countries was strengthened still further.
