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Headteacher's Newsletter February 2024
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Dear Parents and Carers This half term is always something of a whirlwind, short in weeks and as usual full to the brim of school life. It has been very much about mock exams for Years 11 and 13 and I would like to congratulate all of the students on their positive attitudes and exemplary conduct throughout this mock season. It would be wrong of me not to acknowledge the fantastic job the Exams Office team have done. Unsurprisingly, it is an extraordinarily complex task to ensure hundreds of students doing multiple exams are timetabled and supervised with the appropriate arrangements. Thank you to all families who have supported, cajoled and revised with their son/daughter – we appreciate it. Our Year 9 students have reached that academic milestone of GCSE options. It was lovely to see so many of you at the Options Evening this week. We are extremely passionate about our curriculum and the importance of breadth, hence the diverse choice of subjects. As families have those conversations regarding choices, our advice continues to be to choose breadth rather than a narrow focus and we strongly advise studying a language. You may be aware that the downstairs floor of the Sixth Form Study Centre has been out of action due to a considerable water leak. It has taken a significant amount of time to get through the red tape of insurers. However, I am pleased to say that it will be fully back in action when we return from the half-term break. Thank you all for your patience, especially our Year 12 and 13 students – you have been amazing about this. Sporting success on an individual and team level continues and several trips have also taken place this term. Both areas are a key, and large, part of our enriched curriculum and we know the students appreciate the time that staff give to ensure these fixtures and trips run. February half term is a common time for a family ski trip. If you are lucky enough to be heading to the mountains, ski safely and enjoy blue sky powder days. If, like me, you are having a staycation, please do enjoy the rest and quality family time. As always, your continued support is very much appreciated. Yours faithfully Amanda Simpson |
Positive Pathways
Well done to all our students for the continued hard work and efforts with their house points! Twenty students have now reached gold boundary, five students have reached diamond and one student has reached the platinum boundary, which is a great achievement!
Special mention goes to Joe B (9A) for being the first student to reach Platinum level!
Also to Maxwell C (7D), Curtis M (8E), Joshua A (8E), and Gabriel Mauduit (7J) for being the four students to hit gold.
So far this academic year to date 128,295 positive achievement points have been issued across the school. which is exceptional.
Well done everyone and keep up the hard work!
Mr Lewis, Assistant Headteacher
Governors’ Day
TWGSB School Governors spent a highly productive day in school on Tuesday. The objectives of the day were:
- Looking forward to consider the priorities, opportunities and challenges facing our school
- Listening carefully to the leadership team, other members of staff and students
- Getting to know each other and working together – reflecting the fact that we have a couple of new governors.
We all enjoyed our day immensely, and especially the discussions we had with staff, Sixth Formers and members of the school council. We took away a number of valuable insights for the future and hope to now build on this experience.
Dr Philip Drew, Chair of Governors
Sixth Form
On the last Wednesday of the term, we hosted a six-aside football tournament in support of our Head Student charities for the year. It was a big success with 13 teams and over 80 students signing up to play, while plenty of others came down to show their support.
Teams played a set of group-stage games before moving into a knockout-style tournament lasting the entirety of the afternoon's enrichment sessions.
Congratulations to the two winning teams, Mata and Jaffa, winning both the Cup and Shield competitions respectively and a massive thank you to everyone who came down to show their support, helping to raise over £230. Also, a special mention to Ben L (13F) for his fantastic photos of the event.
Arthur, Molly and David, Head Students
Media Studies
Year 12 A Level students spent an exciting day in London in January attending the annual Media Studies Students’ Conference at the British Film Institute (BFI). They were accompanied by Mr Stephens, Mrs Calvert and Mr Tidy.
Curated by the English and Media Centre, the event offers Sixth Formers the opportunity to hear and engage first-hand with luminaries from the media industry. Speakers took to the stage to represent Film, Documentary, Television and Video Gaming. Students also heard from influential academics, including authors of set texts on the A Level course.
The keynote speaker was the writer and director, Armando Iannucci, who gave an enthusiastic summary of his early experiences in BBC radio and his move into television and film comedy in the 1990s. He offered practical, inspirational advice to aspiring writers and directors hoping to follow in his illustrious footsteps – and shared the story of how he and Steve Coogan first created the character of Alan Partridge.
Other speakers included Dr Clive Chijiuoke Nwonka on Black representation in modern British film and Rowan Ellis on minority representations in advertising.
Students were also lucky enough to hear a fascinating discussion about the development of video games between innovative young designer Sophie Artemigi and industry veteran Shahid Kamal Ahmad. This segment proved to be the most provocative and memorable for many of the attendees, thanks to the candour and delivery of the two participants.
Overall impressions from our students were very positive. The breadth of topics and the quality of the speakers was warmly appreciated; hopefully, attending the conference has not only helped their understanding of the subject, but also inspired their creativity.
Mr Stephens, Head of Media Studies
Modern Foreign Languages
Spanish Trip to Cervantes Theatre
Year 12 and 13 Spanish A Level students were lucky enough to go on a trip to Cervantes Theatre in London to watch La Casa De Bernarda Alba (The House of Bernarda Alba). It explores themes of repression, passion and conformity through the depiction of a matriarch’s domination of her five daughters and is described by the author as 'a drama of women in the villages of Spain'.
Federico García Lorca (1898–1936), poet and dramatist, was one of the greatest Spanish writers of the 20th century. He was killed by nationalist troops at the age of 38 at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War and two months after completing The House of Bernarda Alba.
Amy summarised the day: 'We all really enjoyed the trip to London to watch La Casa de Bernarda Alba – it was very interesting to watch it again having studied it and see how much more we understood a year later. The visit to Sabor Peruano restaurant was also a highlight. The food was delicious, and the staff were lovely, giving us all a chance to try something new.'
Amy G (13E)
Classical Civilisation
Year 12 students attended a performance of the play Bacchae by Euripides at University College London (UCL) on 9th February.
Euripides' final masterpiece is uniquely centred on Dionysus, the god of the Athenian theatre as well as one of the most intriguing deities in the ancient Greek pantheon.
Throughout the play, which itself explains the establishment of Dionysus' cult in Greece, the tragedian includes many elements that were associated with the experience of participating in the god's cult. These include various stories that relate the birth of the god, detailed descriptions of his maenads who wildly celebrate the god on Mount Cithaeron, and the ritual sacrifice of tearing flesh apart (sparagmos).
The students summarised their experience of the play: 'We found the play to be both an accurate representation of the source material, and an exciting performance to watch. It was also able to provide its own interesting perspective and modern spin on the play. The acting was outstanding and gave the showing an emotional and immersive aspect.'
Science
CanSat
CanSat is a project run by the European Space Agency, which aims to get students aged 14–19 involved with creating a satellite in accordance with industry requirements.
This actually translates into 12 of our dedicated science enthusiasts sewing, soldering and seriously testing their creations.The team of students have spent the past six months designing their own secondary missions, creating prototypes, parachute testing and writing professional reports on the work they have undertaken leading up to our launch day next month. You can see their inner workings complete with GPS, servos and microcontrollers all ready to be jetted into the sky!
We will be travelling to Westcott Airfield, Berkshire where each team's satellite will be launched 300m into the air by a solid fuel rocket and the students get the chance to see all their hard work pay off.
Students have also been involved in outreach and it’s been fantastic to see them interacting with the wider community, bringing their love of science to all. Next term will see them visiting KS3 forms to properly show off their work and inspire our next generation of space engineers.
Miss Jones, Teacher of Science
Stick insects
The stick insects housed in Biology Lab 12 have had quite a few babies. Students have already taken a large number of them home (almost a 100 have found new homes), but I still have stick insect nymphs looking for their forever homes. If you are interested for yourself or possibly your children or friends please email lhunter@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk for more information.
Ms Hunter, Teacher of Science
History
To commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day on 27th January, the History department invited in a representative from the local library, The Amelia Scott, to deliver an assembly to Year 10 students on the links that Tunbridge Wells has with the events of the Holocaust. She spoke to the students about the Rusthall Beacon Mansion, which from 1938, became a residential home for Jewish girls who had escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe on the Kindertransport. Women volunteers at the hostel taught the girls sewing and household skills.
The Rusthall Beacon Mansion is now called The Beacon Hotel and hosts many different events for people in the local area. It was good for students to see history as something on their doorstep, rather than something distant.
For more information about Holocaust Memorial Day, please take a look at their website – Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (hmd.org.uk)
Mr Pratt, Head of History
Design Technology
In Design Technology, our Year 7s have been researching iconic chair designs and for inspiration, students used CAD or computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) to create an original chair. Here is Miles G (7C) proudly showing us his innovation:
Mrs Hannah, Teacher of Design Technology
Music
The new orchestra at Tunbridge Wells has been a roaring success so far. Students, some of whom never play with other musicians, have been relishing the challenge of playing as part of a larger group. It has been an absolute delight to see musicians of all ages coming out of the woodwork to join in and we can proudly inform you that the full range of year groups is represented. To date, the orchestra has explored 'Pirates of the Caribbean' by Hanz Zimmer, 'The Avengers' by Alan Silvestri and 'Air on the G String' by J S Bach. In the coming weeks, we will be trying 'Libertango' by Piazzolla and 'Indiana Jones' by John Williams. Although numbers are strong already, we would welcome any more students who would like to join us, whatever their skill level.
The new Music Production clubs at both sites have been a smash hit, particularly at Tunbridge Wells, where we have regularly had around 32 participants. Students are enjoying the opportunity to explore Garageband and Logic creatively, while benefiting from some input by music teachers. To date, we have explored different genres using the loop browser, 'Still Dre' by Dr Dre and basic effects, starting with delay. We are delighted the club has been so popular and look forward to seeing some budding producers develop their skills.
Mr Joris, Head of Music
Drama and Theatre Studies
Year 10 and 12 Trip to Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall
Year 10 and 12 GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre studies students were lucky enough to go and watch Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall on Thursday 18th January. Watching this production forms part of their preparation for the written examination of the course where they have to analyse and evaluate a piece of live theatre.
The location of London County Hall provided an immersive theatre experience where the audience felt like they were in a real life courtroom and audience members served as the jury and even had to give their verdict!
It was a wonderful trip and enjoyed by all students!
(Photo Credit – four official show photos: Witness for the Prosecution (witnesscountyhall.com)
Upcoming events: Shakespeare Schools Festival
The Drama Department is excited to share that we will be taking a cast of students from both the Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks sites to perform in the Shakespeare Schools Festival! Students have been hard at work rehearsing The Comedy of Errors at lunchtimes and after school with Miss Turner and Mrs Rose.
If you would like to come and see what we have been working towards students will be performing at a festival evening with other schools on Wednesday 13th March at The Woodville Theatre in Gravesend. Tickets can be purchased from the theatre's website: https://www.woodville.co.uk/
Miss Turner, Head of Drama & Theatre Studies
Physical Education
Football
Year 8 U13 A team
The team has continued to enjoy a very successful season in two national cup competitions. The players reached Round 6 the last 32 teams in the ESFA National Cup (schools can select three professional club academy players). This was a fantastic achievement with 692 teams having entered nationwide.
In the ESFA Elite National Cup (where schools can select an unlimited number of professional club academy players) the team has performed brilliantly to reach the quarter-final. In the last 16 we won 3-0 away at St John's Leatherhead, the Surrey champions.
On Tuesday 20th February the team will make the long journey to Exeter in Devon to play the quarter-final against St Peter's CofE School. If the team is successful we will then travel away to play against the current national champions, Northampton School for Boys.
Year 7 U12 A team
The team recorded a number of wins in the Kent Cup to reach the semi-final. The team enjoyed a fine 4-3 win against Herne Bay, having been 4-0 up.
In a very close game against Dover GS the team led 1-0 before losing 2-1 to a winning goal scored in the last five minutes. Eighty teams entered this Kent Cup and the team performed very well to reach the semi-finals.
Year 7 U12 B team
The B team also performed very well to reach the Kent Cup semi-finals. On Saturday 13th January we played against Hurstmere from Sidcup. This was an excellent game of football between two strong B teams. Hurstmere had one excellent striker who was the difference between the two teams. We lost in a very close game.
U18 2nd XI
The team, made up of nearly entirely Year 12 students, won 3-2 against Beths GS in the last 16 of the Kent Cup. We then played Farringtons School 1st XI in the quarter-final, which we lost 4-2 (Farringtons were allowed to select their 1st XI as they are a small school). Both of these matches were played on the excellent 3G pitch at our Sevenoaks campus.
Year 7 Inter-Form Football
There will be a Year 7 Inter-Form football competition which will take place during Terms 5 and 6. The main purpose of this is to have a very high number of Year 7 students playing football for their form's team. All ten forms across the two sites will have a team.
Football practices after school
In Term 3 we had after school football practices: Year 8 on Tuesdays in Tunbridge Wells, Year 8 and 9 on Wednesdays in Sevenoaks, Year 7 on Thursdays in Tunbridge Wells and Year 7 on Fridays in Sevenoaks. Very well done to all of the students involved with representing our school teams and attending after school practices. Your commitment and enthusiasm towards football is fantastic to see.
Mr Menzies, Head of Football
Netball
We had our first girls’ netball after-school club in January this term. The club was very well attended and we were delighted with the turnout. Any Year 12/13 girls are welcome to join – it’s held on Thursday afternoons at 15:45 in the main sports hall. We look forward to more students joining as the term progresses!
Miss Burdett, Teacher of PE
Table tennis
The U16 Table Tennis Team Event was held last Sunday at Whitgift School. There were five teams there and the level of competition was very high this year. A draw and win in the first two matches was a solid start for TWGSB but the team then faced Reading who, it transpired, were runners up in the national final last year and proved too much of a challenge. The team eventually finished third – all our students played very well and all achieved good wins on the day.
On Tuesday it was the Kent Schools Individuals Event. Ben M (12G) was competing in the U19s. There were four entrants and Ben won all his games to make him Kent Champion. Well done Ben!
The entries for the U16 individuals competition were very high this year with nearly 60 players taking part. Sam, Charlie, Jamie, Harry and Lucas all played well. Sam finished third and Charlie made the quarter finals, losing to the eventual winner; Jamie and Harry both won their groups but lost to tough opposition in the next rounds.
Mr Boddy, Teacher of PE
Clubs
Book Club
Our 'Fellowship of the Reads' book club is going strong this term. Weekly activities on our shortlisted books include: desert island book characters, book autopsies and literary forfeits to name a few. Critical analysis of the shortlisted books has produced some wonderful creative responses from the students, demonstrating empathy and understanding of characters as well as opinions on plots, language and structure.
There have been strong views for and against some of the books during our lively meetings in both libraries. It's great to see so many taking such an active and enthusiastic part!
Mrs Musselwhite Steel, Library Manager
Science Club
Our young scientists in Year 7 continue to enjoy the science lessions.Prior to the Christmas break students were involved in surviving an asteroid impact – from how you would grow crops in the long winter that follows the impact, to designing a gas mask that prevented inhalation of toxic substances that might have been generated.
This term, students have learnt about the organisation of their own bodies. Through a lung pluck dissection, the close association of the respiratory system with the circulatory system was explored and students found the differences between the composition of the different organs fascinating.
At the end of January we were investigating crystal formation; students had the opportunity to design and make their own coloured crystal ornament and observe the structure of crystals under the microscope.
In February we have continued with the crystal theme; students have investigated how temperature affects crystal formation – another great opportunity for integrating the sciences!
Ms Hunter and Dr Brett, Teachers of Science
Co-Curricular
Duke of Edinburgh Award
We have officially started the new season for DofE! This is our biggest year yet, with over 300 participants taking part across the three levels (bronze, silver and gold). Students are currently undertaking their different activities and looking forward to the expeditions that start next term. A reminder that students should be completing their activity planners on eDofE and that if there any questions to seek support on Microsoft Teams or talk to Mrs Fedrick or Mr Hamilton.
Mr Hamilton, Assistant Headteacher
Year 8 Trip to Wembly Stadium
A group of lucky Year 8s were treated to an excellent Wembley Stadium tour this term. They had a great tour guide, who was very knowledgeable, informative and energetic. The students experienced sitting in the main changing rooms, walking out of the tunnel, sitting in the press office and sitting pitch side, including in the royal seats!
The special treat of the day was the opportunity to see close up and even lift two of the real FA cup trophies. Two of our students were lucky enough to hold the first ever trophy and the fifth edition in a rare treat from the tour organisers.
The students were brilliant throughout and had a really enjoyable day.
Mr Boddy, Teacher of PE
'Smashed' – Underage drinking talk for Years 7 and 8
Today a trio of actors came in to demonstrate the effects of underage drinking and how it can change behaviour, abilities, or plain health. This could mean loss of control, loss of short-term memory, and nausea (after excessive drinking). The actors then proceeded to give us the opportunity to decide who would take the blame for an incident at the end of the performance. Many people pinned the blame on the older, usually drunken man who had been purchasing alcohol for his younger friends. This has shown what alcohol can really do when used to an excessive amount – especially underage and with a lesser knowledge of the results.
Ralph D (7C)
Well-being
February 5–11th is Childrens' Mental Health Week. Here is a link to a very useful information sheet on how to talk to your child about their Mental Health and tips on how you can support them: cmhw-24-top-tips-for-families.pdf (childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk)
Please also have a look at our Well-being page on the school website and the School Resources section of the MyEd app (under 'School Information'), both of which have links to lots of important and helpful websites
Mrs Rose, Assistant Headteacher
Other News
Table tennis medal winner
Toby W (Year 7) was entered for the Kent Schools Table Tennis competition which was held on 30th January.
Toby won four matches and got through to the semi-final. He then lost against the Kent No.1 player (a year older, in Year 8) and came third with the bronze medal. Well done Toby, we are all really impressed!
Another swimming win for Joel P
Joel P (7A) and his Beacon Swimming Club team mates managed to win the Sussex County relay competition for the Boys' 12/13 age group in both the medley and freestyle relay at K2 this week. Joel also managed two personal best swim times as well, even though he had a chest infection! We hope he will be feeling better for the county championships next weekend!
Marketing, Development & Alumni Relations
Parents and students, please do get in touch if you have any news you would like to share with us. We love celebrating our students’ achievements on our website and social platforms so let us know if someone deserves a pat on the back. Simply email: feedback@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk or ltipler@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk.
TWGSB is now on four social media platforms:
TWGSB Alumni Connect News
Some more amazing and inspiring news stories have been submitted on our Alumni Portal, TWGSB Connect, from former students who tell us what they've been up to since leaving TWGSB, and inspiring our students and recent leavers as to what options could be available to them after leaving school.
Alumni and former staff, please click on the stories below to explore TWGSB Connect News and join our rapidly growing community of 720 members if you haven't already done so: Join | TWGSB Connect
Thank you so much for the story contributions and please keep them coming in.
Thank you also to all the parents and alumni who responded to our shout out for enrichment/careers talks to our Sixth Form. We had a fantastic response and are very grateful. The enrichment leaders will be in touch soon if they haven't already.
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Ross Wells (Class of 1996) Tells Us About his Career in PwC and Cyber Security |
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Alumni and Parent Community – Great response from our shout out for talks to our Sixth Form, thank you! We will be in touch. |
Alumni, please follow our TWGBS Alumni CONNECT socials to hear when new alumni news is published:
Send all your alumni news, recent releases, career updates and achievements to: connect@twgsboys.kent.sch.uk