Celebrating Denefield Friday 5 February 2021
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Celebrating Denefield Friday 5 February 2021
Celebrating Denefield
Dear parents and carers,
I hope you are safe and well as the days get longer and
lighter. It has been another busy, enjoyable and successful
week at Denefield, as shown by this bumper newsletter. Thank
you to all the parents and carers of Year 8 students who joined
us for the parents’ consultation evening on Thursday, and
thank you for the positive feedback on our live lessons. I
spend much of my time in school observing live lessons, or
with Study Club students, and I can see how hard students are
working, and how organised and clear their lessons are. There
has been much talk in the press about lost learning time as a
result of lockdown; it is clear that because of students’ hard
work, and the determination of their teachers, most Denefield
students are keeping up well.
Thank you to all parents and carers of Year 11 and Year 13 students who completed the
government’s consultation on replacement for examinations this year. We are expecting the
final government proposals the week beginning February 22 February – the week after half
term. We are also expecting to find out that week what the government’s plans for reopening
schools are. The Prime Minister has said previously that schools will not open before March 8.
This week is national Children’s Mental Health week, and it is fitting that the last lesson of this
week for all year groups was a wellbeing activity, which many will have undertaken with their
family or household members. This has also provided an opportunity for hardworking staff to
take a short period of time to focus on their own emotional health and wellbeing.
I do hope you have a lovely weekend.
Mr E Towill MA (Oxon), Headteacher
Diary dates – academic year 2020 – 2021
Thursday 11 February Year 8y Parents’ Evening
Monday 15 to Friday 19 February Half term
Other news…
This week has been N a t i o n a l C h i l d r e n ' s
M e n t a l H e a l t h A w a r e n e s s W e e k , and
reading for pleasure is great for your wellbeing! If you
want to dive into a good book there's lots of books and
audio books available for free on the Sora App!
Download the free app to your phone or access Sora
online. Login info and links are here:
http://www.denefield.org.uk/Learning/Library-and-
Resource-Centre/Eclipse
Or, you might prefer to watch/listen to author
Neil Gaiman read some of his books online for
free! Simply go to his website:
https://mousecircus.com/videos
H a p p y r e a d i n g !
S c h o o l s ' I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tr i a l s - U n d e r 1 5 G i r l s
Ellie M in Year 9 was recently nominated by the Berkshire
FA to attend trials for the International Schools team.
Unfortunately, The ESFA have reluctantly decided to
abandon any hope of being able to proceed with the
national trials and operate the international team this
season. This is disappointing for Ellie but what an amazing
achievement being nominated and something we want to
celebrate.
W e l l d o n e E l l i e , keep on working hard and
fingers crossed for next season!
Remembering…
Holocaust Memorial Day
– when Auschwitz was liberated
Wednesday, 27 January, 2021
Holocaust Memorial Day
The following poem, written by one of our pupils Alex M in Year 9, was part of our conflict poetry
module in English this term. He drew on his own family history to write the poem and it deals
with the experiences of Jewish people on the trains to concentration camps in WW2.
Fated
I am starving and struggling,
The guard above my is beating, scarring,
We were stolen from home and our lives torn apart,
I'm not there yet, but I know my fate: dying
The wounds on my body are stinging, burning,
The others on the train are squeezing, crying,
Our businesses destroyed and our families torn apart,
I'm not there yet but I know my fate: dying.
By Alex M, Year 9
Other news…
Leg 3…Milan to Croatia…
T h a n k y o u to all students across the year groups and staff members who have continued to
send across their runs, walks and cycles! During this period of time exercise is so important for your
mental and physical health, allowing us all to take a much needed break from screens and
technology.
This week we managed to work up 417km making our grand total 2015km or 1252.4miles.
This means unfortunately we did not make it to our destination, however, the terrible weather has
impacted everyone this week. This does mean that next week we need that extra push!
Individual awards go to:
Best year group: Year 9 - 342km!
Year 7 runner: Max D Year 10 walker: Lucy D
Year 7 walker: Harry L Year 11 runner: Josh H
Year 8 cyclist: Harry G
Year 8 walker: Matthew H Staff runner: Mr Crossley
Year 9 runner: Hannah C Staff walker: Mrs Walters
Year 9 walker: Lily S Staff cyclist: Miss Golda
Our next stop is Corfu in
Greece, which is 488 miles
away, get walking running
or cycling!
Celebrating Denefield…
Introducing Denefield’s Lockdown Legends
Over the past couple of weeks, Denefield staff have been asked to nominate their ‘lockdown legends’ to
recognise all of our brilliant students who have been producing some fantastic work, engaging brilliantly with
their online lessons and being supportive and helpful to others. Below is a selection of the reasons for
nominations – look out before half term to see if you have been nominated. We are really proud of the
amazing hard work, dedication and level of engagement so many of you are showing – keep it up!
He is making an For enthusiastic For consistent
engagement in live Doing brilliantly and
exceptional effort to always giving it a go participation in
keep involved with his lessons and for always every lesson and
learning through live being willing to share some brilliant work
lessons his ideas and support submitted
others with their work
Great in class quizzes. Always
Outstanding work
Consistently works contributes with
produced
hard and positively thoughtful,
independently
contributes to every accurate
throughout lockdown
lesson comments
For giving 100% to Comes into school She just quietly gets on
his learning, every day with a smile with her work, submits
attending all on his face. He is everything and is
lessons and for polite and friendly to working very well
keeping on top of adults all the time. He
all his work is a ray of sunshine
Study Club Stars
Our study club students are working hard at school: logging
onto their lessons, taking part in PE demonstrations and
getting used to yet another way of working. This week we
introduced Study Club Stars, where our cover team have
identified students in their group who has worked hard,
engaged positively in their online lessons and showed respect
to everyone. Congratulations to the many students who have
so far collected their reward!
Other news…
University News
Update…
Our students have had yet more offers this week. 92% of applicants now hold at least
one offer, with half the remaining students having virtual interviews for their courses in the
coming weeks. The Sixth Form team has been helping with interview preparation and
practice. We wish them the best of luck.
Of our 21 students who have applied to Russell Group universities, 13 have already
received at least one offer from those prestigious institutions. Offers include:
• Law at Exeter, Belfast and Manchester
• Maths at Manchester, Bristol, Warwick and Newcastle
• History at UCL
• Philosophy at Birmingham
Congratulations to all students
Mr Peacock will be taking the first assembly of next term for Year 13 to explain the next
steps with UCAS.
Year 11 Sixth Form Interviews:
Members of SLT, Heads of House and the Sixth Form Team have been conducting
interviews with Year 11 students who have applied to the Sixth Form. The remainder of
these will take place next week.
We have all been extremely impressed with the quality of these interviews. Our
aspirational students have shown real enthusiasm and maturity in discussing their aims for
the future. They have demonstrated how they would contribute to the excellent ethos of
Denefield Sixth Form.
For those who have yet to apply, there is still time. Please find the link to the online
application form here: Application Form for Denefield Sixth Form
Mr Peacock
Other news… This week we are delighted that a group of our Year 10 and 11 students had the opportunity, as some of the first in a Berkshire pilot, to take part in an innovative programme developing strategies to learn effectively and thrive during lockdown. Berkshire Youth and Greenham Trust have sponsored this Student Wellbeing Programme with former Rugby International, Andries Pretorius from Aspire2Be London. We hope they really benefit from the project and are able to share some of the tips with their friends and family.
Other news…
On Thursday 28th January, we were very
fortunate to have been invited to take part in
Microsoft's DigiGirlz Day. I am proud to say
that we had 44 Year 7, 8 and 9 girls sign up for
the event from home and key worker study club.
The event is designed to provide girls with a better understanding of what a career in
technology is like. During the event, students interacted with Microsoft employees and
managers to gain exposure to careers in business and technology and to get an inside look
at what it's like to work at Microsoft. The students found out about the variety of opportunities
available in the high-tech industry and explored future career paths as well as having the
opportunity to make a play computer games and learn about exciting new technology.
‘We learnt about virtual reality,
holograms and making games. It
was really good fun’.
- Harriet and Bridie, Year 7
‘Thank you to the Microsoft DigiGirlz team and everyone for
making it happen especially the parents who signed their
children up and the girls for being so enthusiastic’. - Mrs Jackson
Spotlight…
Meet the team behind the Science…
Name: Mr Crossley
Experience: Science and physics teacher - Current head of
department. Experience in the engineering design industry.
Qualifications: 1st Class honours degree - Design Engineering
from Bournemouth University. PGCE teaching qualification from
the University of Southampton.
Favourite topic/s: Mechanics, innovation and pedagogy (the
practice of teaching).
Outside of school: Fitness, sport, music, travelling and friends
and family are integral parts of my life. I follow Manchester
United football club but had a Southampton season ticket for
three years! I have enjoyed many music festivals over the years
including Glastonbury, Reading, SW4 and V festival. I have
travelled to Thailand, Australia and New Zealand where I
pretended not to be petrified when doing a sky dive and the
Nevis high wire bungee jump.
Name: Miss Morgado
Experience: Science and Physics and Chemistry teacher for 6 years in
England
Qualifications: Honours British bachelor's degree in Physics and
Chemistry from the University of Algarve
Favourite topic/s: Organic and radioactivity.
Outside of school: I like art and music. Travel is a passion.
Name: Mr Thomas
Experience: Science and Chemistry Teacher, Standards Leader
for Chemistry. I have worked at Denefield for 5 years.
Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Chemistry with Forensic Analysis from
the University of Reading. Postgraduate Certificate in Education
(PGCE) from Oxford Brookes University.
Favourite topic/s: Organic Chemistry (all about carbon
compounds)
Outside of school: I am a keen walker and enjoy long walks near
my home in Oxfordshire. I am also really into skiing and get out
to the French Alps as often as I can. I’m missing that as I haven’t
been able to go this year.
Name: Mrs Turner
Experience: I started my teaching career at Denefield back in
2004, 17 years ago!
Qualifications: Biology degree and Masters in teaching at Oxford
Brooks University
Favourite topic/s: Cellular biology and plant physiology
Outside of school: I am a Disney obsessive who enjoys cooking,
music/singing (badly) and building large Lego creationsScience…
Name: Mrs Modi
Experience: Science and Physics teacher for 20 years and at
Denefield for eight years
Qualifications: Masters in Physics from University abroad
Favourite topic/s: Energy
Outside of school: I love to cook, travel and spend time with family
and friends. My favourite destinations are Maldives and Croatia.
Name: Mr Dawson
Experience: Science and Biology/Chemistry/Physics teacher
for 22 years and at Denefield for five years
Qualifications: BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology At University
of Western Cape
Favourite topic/s: Homeostasis
Outside of school: Hiking trails
Name: Mr Pritchard
Experience: Science and Physics teacher for 32 years and at
Denefield for nine years
Qualifications: Honours Physics degree and PGCE from the
University of Wales
Favourite topic/s: Forces and Motion – “Well it’s about sport and
travel isn’t it”.
Outside of school: I am an avid Reading Football Club supporter
since 1974 and I love to travel. My favourite destinations are
Thailand and the Maldives
Name: Mr Binnington
Experience: Science and Biology teacher for 7 years, three of
which as Head of Science. Currently working as an Assistant
Head and Director of KS5
Qualifications: BSc Biology, Bath Spa University; PGCE
Secondary Science and MSc Learning and Teaching, Oxford
University; Currently working towards an NPQSL at UCL Institute
of Education.
Favourite topic/s: Ultrafiltration and the kidney, and evolution
Outside of school: Sports including rugby, cricket and golf;
Music - I play the piano, cello and guitar; Spending time with the
family and walking our dog, Bilbo.
Name: Mr Lean
Experience: Completed teacher training at Denefield Now in my
4th year of teaching. Previously worked as a football coach
in Canada, and as a sport scientist at a High Performance Cycling and
Triathlete Unit in Essex.
Qualifications: Degree in Sport and Exercise Science from the
University of Essex.
Favourite topic/s: Chemical Calculations
Outside of school: I love playing football, I mainly play 5-a-side in the
evenings after work. I am a massive foody, I love trying new foods
from all over the world. My favourite food is either Indian or Italian.Science…
The biggest events expected to happen in science this year…
COVID 19
❖The most obvious concern is the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines,
which began with Pfizer’s in December.
❖Other companies have their own vaccines on the way.
❖Elsewhere in COVID news, the World Health Organization will
dispatch a team of investigators made up of virologists,
epidemiologists, biologists, and public health experts to Wuhan,
China, where the pandemic began, in order to trace the origins of
the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Space Exploration
2021 is shaping up to be an action-packed year for those of us with our eyes set
on the final frontier. China's Tianwen-1 mission is scheduled to reach Mars on
February 10. Its first exploration of Mars would also be the world's first orbiter-
lander-rover combo on the Red Planet. But Tianwen-1 won't be all alone out
there. Launched on July 30, 2020, NASA's Perseverance Rover is expected to
land on Mars on February 18. The rover will search for the leftovers of microbial
life, take core samples, and explore ways to generate oxygen from the planet's
atmosphere in preparation of sending humans there in the future.
Climate Change
By now everyone has heard the apocalyptic predictions: Sea level rise, killer storms, vanishing
coastlines, starvation. Hybridization is becoming more common as the planet warms. "Grolar
bears" are a hybrid of polar bears and grizzlies, and there's also the blynx (bobcat plus
Canadian lynx), a flying squirrel hybrid, shark hybrids, and even a cross between the Antarctic
blue whale and a smaller pygmy whale.
Climate change may also lead to undead microbes rising from their graves and killing us.
According to the BBC, in August 2016, 20 people in Siberia were hospitalized with anthrax.
Scientists think the anthrax came from a frozen reindeer carcass that had been buried in the
permafrost for 75 years.
The only thing that makes swimming at the beach not super terrifying is the fact
that shark attacks are exceedingly rare. By some estimates, your chances of
getting attacked by a shark are roughly 1 in 3.7 million but climate change
could be altering all that. According to Time, the surge in fatal shark attacks is
related at least in part to climate change, as the oceans get warmer, sharks
venture into more northerly waters.
Algae blooms are pretty typical in warm waters, but they're becoming larger,
more frequent, and extra-toxic. Algae blooms are caused by cyanobacteria,
also known as blue-green algae, which is appearing in lakes and reservoirs
where people swim. It's not just really horrible to look at and smell — it's also
poisonous exposure may cause nausea, vomiting, rashes, dizziness, and fever.
All this horror pales in comparison to the real threat to humanity — the
pending extinction of chocolate. So in a way, all the zombies, sharks, toxic
food, and waters full of green sludge don't really matter.
According to Business Insider, chocolate could be gone by 2057. Cacao,
the plant used to make chocolate, only grows in a very narrow strip of
land just 20 degrees north and 20 degrees south of the equator. But
thanks to climate change, unseasonably dry, warm temperatures in that
part of the world could end the whole industry.Science…
Science Topics
What our students will be studying in Science this term:
YEAR TOPICS in term 3 and 4
7 Chemical Reactions, Ecosystems and Energy, Electricity & Magnetism
8 Plant and Animal Physiology, Waves
9 Infection and Response, Rate of Reactions and particle model
10 Organisation, Rates of Reaction and Electricity
11 Inheritance, Chemical Analysis and Electromagnetism
Recommended Reads:
What If?: Serious Scientific
Answers to Absurd
Hypothetical Questions
Topical
interest…
by Randell Munrow
The Rules of Contagion:
Why Things Spread -
and Why They Stop ‘What’s happening in Year 12 biology’
by Adam Kucharski Year 12 biology are currently looking at the
Human Immune System, Monoclonal
Antibodies and ‘ELISA’ testing.
Women In Science: 50 They have been linking this curriculum
Fearless Pioneers Who requirement into current COVID- 19 and how
Changed The World
the tests actually work.
by Rachel Ignotofsky
Recommended watch from Year 12
teaching - click here to view
*(suitable for top set Year 11 and up)
All The Light We
Cannot See
by Anthony Doerr
The Science Book: Big
Ideas Simply
Explained
By DK EyewitnessScience…
Student shout outs…
Year 7 Kira K, Mim L-I and George F 87% + on educake progress
Ollie M (Subject hero), Adam C and Nick M Great participation in lessons
Year 8 Sam H and Ella P 80%+ on educake progress
Jacob C, Joseph C and Charlotte G Great participation in lessons
Emily P, Katie C and Max W 76%+ on educake progress
Freddie C, Max W, Anya H-J, Hugo Z, Dominic M, and Great participation in lessons
Aiden T
Year 9 John G and Anton H 77%+ on educake progress
Frankie H, Paris B, Bethany L and Nacho A-R Great participation in lessons
Finley H and Hannah C 100% educake completion of set
quizzes
Hannah C, Noah E, Anya P and Kaitlin S Great participation in lessons
Year 10 Valerija R, Dylan T and Katie G 90%+ in educake progress
Johan Z, Daniel C, Joanna R, George C and Jack W Great student participation in lessons
Bethany L, Chloe J, Will H, Lucy D and Lucas T 100% completion of educake tasks
Caelan D-H, Charlotte P, Lucy D, Lucy C, Andrew H and Great student participation in lessons
Ellie C
Year 11 SUBJECT HERO: Zac M Outstanding dedication to all areas of
his studies
Matt B, Rojin Y, Aimee L, Holly G, Beth M, Evie W, Amy 100% completion of educake since
C and Adam H lock down
Nathan W (plus all above) Great participation in lessons
Josh P, Megan T and Sophie C 100% completion of educake THIS
ACADEMIC YEAR
Maddie G, Jack T, Alfie W, Megan T and Evan M Great student participation in lessons
KS3 Science Lauren B (Yr7)
KS4 Science Sorrab N
KS4 Biology Jack J and Zac M
KS4 Chemistry Glenn M (Yr11)
KS4 Physics Julia B (Yr11)
A Level Biology Jess E-E
A Level Chemistry Katalina P (Yr12)
A Level Physics Katie SSpotlight…
Mathematics – Get to know us!
The teachers in our Maths department were asked the most important and
revealing question: What is your favourite Mathematical formula?
Mrs Gibson – Head of Department
She has a degree from Birmingham University
Hobbies: reading, running, gaming and painting
Favourite formula = the Sine Rule
Miss Fallahi – KS5 Leader
She has a degree from Toronto University
Hobbies: cooking, reading and staring at her pet dragon Milo
Favourite formula = the Binomial Expansion
Miss Bennett – KS3 Leader
She has a degree from University College of the Caribbean
Hobbies: cooking, travelling and hiking
Favourite formula = the Cosine Rule
Mr Robinson – KS4 Leader
He has a degree from Leeds University
Hobbies: fitness!
Favourite formula = the Volume of a Sphere
Miss Pullen-Clarke
She has a degree from Hertfordshire University
Hobbies: travelling, football, puzzles and reading
Favourite formula = the Quadratic Formula
Mrs Breakenridge
She has degree from Dundee University
Hobbies: painting, paddle boarding and playing piano
Favourite formula = the Compound Interest Formula
Mrs Donald-Onuama
She has from Nnamdi Azikwe University
Hobbies: cooking, table tennis and travelling
Favourite formula = SOHCAHTOA
Mrs Williams
She has a degree from Goldsmiths College, University of London
Hobbies: playing the piano and learning how to play the harp
Favourite formula = the Quadratic Formula
Mrs Holley
She has a degree from University of Hull, University College London
(UCL), University of Reading
Hobbies: Skiing, reading and walking
Favourite formula = Spearman’s RankMathematics…
Mathematics
Some examples of your work during lockdown!
Students have been working so hard during lockdown and we have examples of their work to prove
it! We have been really impressed that students have continued to take pride in their work and
maintain the high standards that we see in class.
We love that students are marking their work in red pen, showing workings and correcting mistakes.
Keep it up!
What to watch? What to read?
BBC Two – The Maths Channel Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
BBC Four – Magic Numbers Genius The Game by Leopoldo Gout
W h a t ’s n e x t ? . . .
Year group
7 Area and perimeter
8 Area and perimeter
9 Solving equations
10 Rounding and estimation
Indices and standard form
11 Ratio and Proportion
Numerical methods
12 Integration
13 Addition and Double-angle formulae
RadiansMathematics…
Ye a r 7
Nathan M Millie P-J
Niamh Z Kiera F
Tyler A Frankie J
Bridie M Lauren B
Ye a r 8
Taya A-G Fabien C-W
Daniel F Jacob C
Matthew H Sophie H
Phoebe H Charlie T
Xander L
The following students
have been recognised
by their teachers for Ye a r 9
working incredibly hard Paris B Leah G
during lockdown. Kelsey M Liam T
Frankie H Sam D
Ella W Cerys C
Well done to you all!
Ye a r 1 0
Holly S Joe E-E
Johan Z Toby W
Tabish J Monica Y
Abi T Bethany H
Amy R Myles A
Ye a r 1 1
Sam G Josh H
Darja P Azaan B
Tom S Sophie B
Aimee C Toby O B
Olivia H Sunny ACommunity Notices…
Music Maestros
Berkshire Maestros Half Term
Music Sessions
Berkshire Maestros want to give ALL
students the chance to access high quality
music education. As part of this, they run
holiday courses. This February half term,
they will be running a series of courses for
only £10! Some of these require an
instrument and a bit of musical experience
(perfect for those doing In2Music, Play On
or have just started lessons), some are for
more advanced students, and some are for
complete beginners, no experience or
instrument needed!
Click on the link below to find out more:
https://www.flipsnack.com/bmaestros/febru
ary-half-term-music.htmlOther news… Covid-19 safety on a page
Other news… Covid-19 information from Public Health England
You can also read
