Amery Hill School

Newsletter
Spring term 2018

Rock Challenge ‘Catfish’

wins awards

Visit to Kerid, a volcano crater lake

Thousands of young people across the country were
involved in this year’s ‘Be Your Best Rock Challenge’
event, with Amery Hill participating in one of the
regional events at The O2 Guildhall, Southampton
last month. The challenge was for the students and
their teachers to create and be involved in their own
production, from conceptualisation through to the
live performance.
excellence for choreography, stage use, visual
enhancement, entertainment and stage crew. The piece
highlighted an important message about internet safety
and the dangers of talking to strangers online. Students
worked together creating the choreography, selected and
recorded the music for their soundtrack and were
involved in costume and set design. Continued on
page 3.

Nine schools from across Hampshire and Surrey

competed and attracted a large audience, supported by
Southampton City Council and Hampshire County
Council. Amery Hill's production 'Catfish' secured 4th
place with the panel of specialist judges from the
performing-arts industry awarding a number of awards for

Students enjoy visit

to Stubbs Farm see page 19
Welcome...
Mrs Wylie, Headteacher
Welcome to our spring Newsletter. You will see that this
term, despite being the shortest one, still contained a
huge number of exciting activities and events, both in and
out of the classroom. This really does reflect the core of
our ethos - Progress, Opportunity and Care – and there is
no doubt that the opportunities that students can access
at our school continues to develop every term. It is clear
to see that academic progress is being supported across
all subjects, with much work now being done to ensure
that Yellow Year are ready for their approaching exams.
We continue to work with our own school staff, parents,
external agencies and medical health professionals to
provide exceptional care for all of our students. Our
Zumos App is now fully active and providing individual
support for our young people with their mental health.
Year 11 have had the opportunity to access some
Message from our Chair of Governors
Mrs Jacky Wilde
Dear Parents,
You will have seen from my recent letter that our
Headteacher, Mrs Wylie, will be leaving Amery Hill School
at the end of the summer term for personal reasons.
Mrs Wylie has worked tirelessly with the Senior
Leadership Team, staff and governors over the last three
years to strengthen the academic excellence of our school
and maintain our caring ethos. The staff and governors
are naturally sad to lose Mrs Wylie but we are confident
that the team she leaves behind will deliver the same high
standards with energy and passion.
Mrs Wylie’s leadership and our dedicated staff have
secured exceptional educational outcomes for our
students. Our 2017 GCSE results placed us as one of the
top performing schools in Hampshire and our results for
English and Maths placed us in the top 7% of
comprehensive schools nationally. We are extremely
proud of our students, families and staff for securing these
results and we are confident that Amery Hill School is now
Parents’ Evening Bookings
Following a hugely successful trial of a new on-
line system for booking parents' evening appointments,
we have now adopted this as our way of working in the
f u t u r e . we are trialling a new, secure
Response to the initial trial with Year 10 parents
included positive comments about the ease of the
system and the fact that parents were in control of when
appointments were made and with which teachers. Staff
also expressed their approval of the system, enjoying
the ability to communicate with parents effectively
before and after the evening as well as appreciating the
organisation of appointments not taking up class time.
Full instructions will be provided to all parents in the run
up to the relevant parents' evening during the year, so
please look out for these details at the time.
2
developmental Yoga techniques with Mrs Billington of
Seasons Yoga which will hopefully give them some
strategies on looking after themselves during this
stressful time.
We thank all parents for their support and understanding
during the difficult weather we have been
experiencing. We always make these difficult decisions
with the best interests of the safety of students and staff
in mind. Sometimes working with our transport providers
can prove difficult and I apologise for any disruption and
issues that this can cause. We always work to improve
our procedures and appreciate feedback that is given to
us by our parents.
I hope that the Easter holidays will be a time of sunshine
and peace, with Spring finally arriving for all of us.
in a strong position to continue this progress as we seek
to appoint our new Headteacher.
The process of recruitment has already begun with the
intention of making an appointment as soon as practical. A
Headteacher who shares the Governing Body’s visionary
outlook which is rooted in strong values will be our focus.
This will ensure Amery Hill School continues to provide a
supportive and nurturing culture and to strive to be
outstanding in every aspect.
In the meantime, a key focus will remain on our Year 11
students as we work with them to prepare for their up and
coming exams. As Governors we wish them all the best
and know that their hard work and dedication will be
rewarded.
We thank Mrs Wylie for her dedicated leadership of Amery
Hill School during her tenure and wish her the best for her
future. We will provide further updates to you as we
progress through this exciting time over the coming
months.
S t u d y b u g s
Attendance App
We are pleased to announce that
system for reporting your child’s
absence due to illness, called
Studybugs. We ask that you
download the free Studybugs App or register yourself on
the Studybugs website and use it to tell us whenever your
child is ill and unable to attend school. The system will
automatically send you a confirmation message so that
you know that the school has received your alert.
The main reason for this trial is to help us know sooner if
your child is unaccounted for. Visit https://studybugs.com/
about/schools for more information and to register.
Rock Challenge
Mrs Haynes, Head of PE
Talking about the members of the Amery Hill community came out to
event, Mrs Haynes, support our performers and to share in their
Head of PE said "We success. Being placed 4th was a fantastic achievement."
are so proud of all of
the students who
participated in this
year's event, from the
performers and back
stage crew, to the props, staging and costume team. They
all worked incredibly hard and put on a performance which
was thoroughly entertaining while delivering a really
important message about staying safe when using online
media and the internet. It was wonderful that so many

3
Green Year News
Mrs Mouland, Year 7 Progress Leader

Poetry Competition Year 7 Art Week

A big well done to every student who participated in our This year, Year 7 focussed on different surfaces and
Year 7 Poetry Competition. Each tutor group chose a textures around their home and local area. They worked
poem and then performed it in assembly to the rest of the hard taking a selection of photographs over half term
year group. I was very impressed by the acting skills and which they then turned into an interesting drawn
the students’ ability to interpret poetry. G1 was voted composition. The students then learnt clay working skills
number one by the judges. Congratulations! to turn their idea into a clay tile. After firing, these tiles
will be dipped in white glaze and then the students will
be sprinkling glass frit into chosen sections before re-
Attendance matters firing which will fuse the clay into the clay. We can't wait
Year 7 students have been closely monitoring their own to see what the finished tiles look like!
attendance and we have been helping them understand
the importance of attending school and engaging in their
lessons. There will always be cases and situations when
a student may not be able to attend, in which case could
I please remind parents to contact the school, via either a
phone call or by using the Studybug App. Year 7
students started the year in September looking
exceptionally smart and we have been reminding and
encouraging them to maintain this standard going
forward. Please ensure your child comes to school in the
correct uniform. Should there be a genuine reason why a
student is not in correct uniform, please make contact
with the school.

Below PE hosted a fantastic inter-tutor group competition

which saw students brave the cold weather to play football,
hockey, basketball and more. It was great to see the team
work and competitiveness in our students. Thank you to
everyone who participated

Below left Year 7 students welcome Madame Stanzin, a Head

Teacher from Druk Padma Karpo School, India. They asked ma-
ture questions and found it fascinating to have such a wonderful
insight to students’ school experience in India

Left Our little

acorns are
growing! The
tallest one cur-
rently stands at
18cm tall

4

Fundraising efforts reach Kenya
Amery Hill School’s Year 7 students took part in a Twelve
Days of Christmas charity initiative in December which
saw them raise funds for a number of local organisations
including the Alton Food Bank, the Winchester Night
Shelter, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust,
Sports Relief and the NSPCC. But their fundraising efforts
didn’t stop there, and a collection of classroom equipment
was sent to a school in Kenya. Amery Hill School students
have been involved in volunteer work with African schools
in the past so when the opportunity arose to connect with
this incredible continent, and in particular Kiteghe School
in rural Kenya, students embraced the challenge.
The opportunity was presented to Amery Hill School by
Dr Suzanne Payne, who is an Ambassador for African
Promise, a registered charity which aims to develop
learning environments whilst improving pupil and teacher
welfare. Suzanne has been supporting the charity since
2013 when she accompanied a group of medical students
from Western Kentucky University on a visit to Kasigau.
Since then, Suzanne has worked tirelessly to raise
awareness of the work of the charity amongst her friends
and by speaking to local groups and holding various
fundraisers. The funds that Suzanne has raised to date
have enabled African Promise to extend their feeding
programme to support the pupils at Kiteghe, as well as to
sponsor educational trips and activities at the school.
“Kiteghe Primary School and the entire Kiteghe
community wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to
the Payne family for the visit you made for us at the
beginning of the year 2018. All of the presents you
brought to us are of high help in the learning and we
highly thank you for that. We wish that you also pass our
gratitude to all whom you involve in supporting us.”
Talking about the seemingly endless fundraising capacity
of Amery Hill students, Headteacher, Mrs Elizabeth Wylie,
commented “Our students’ fundraising efforts have had an
incredible and far-reaching impact this past year. I am
immensely proud of their selfless attitude and willingness
to help support others less fortunate than themselves. My
thanks to everyone who supported the Twelve Days
initiative - students, parents and staff.”
We are looking forward to developing the relationship that
they have formed with Kiteghe School into 2018 and
beyond.

Amery Hill students collected pens, pencils, erasers, rulers

and board chalk amongst other classroom equipment
which was taken to Kiteghe School in early January by the
Payne family. Vincent Mwadilo, the senior teacher at
Kiteghe School, has written to the Payne family saying,

5
Orange Year News
Mr Board, Year 8 Progress Leader

Foundation Options Towards a common future

It was great to see so many students and their parents at
the recent Foundation Options evening; I hope parents
found the event informative. As explained on the evening,
Year 9 students will continue to study seven core
curriculum subjects that will develop analytical and
problem-solving skills required for successful onward
GCSE studies. In all of these subjects, students will begin
studying the relevant GCSE curriculum. In addition, they
will have the chance to study three Foundation Options
subjects.
Students have been learning about aspects of the
Commonwealth ahead of the Heads of Government
meeting in April 2018 in the UK, including the topics that
will be discussed which might, one day, affect their future.
Students have also been given the chance to decide on
topics which will form part of our in-school debating
programme which will be held later in the school year.
They have chosen subjects including the amount of plastic
in the world’s oceans and the detrimental effect it has on
the environment, Donald Trump and future jobs.

Staying Well with Cardiac Rehab Holland Football Tour

A small selection of Year 8 students have visited the The Year 8 boys are currently on tour as we go to print
Cardiac Rehab centre in Alton as part of a ‘Staywell and completed a number of fundraising initiatives to raise
Scheme’ which is also encouraging them to become more money for aspects of the tour: cake sales, running and
involved in community life. The students have learnt about rowing the distance to Holland and a parents vs. teachers
the heart, diet and exercise as ways of improving lifestyle 5-a-side friendly football game all contributed to the cause.
and health. The Year 8 students will be visiting a number
of primary schools to pass on their knowledge to younger
pupils and to share their understanding of how the heart
works and how to look after it.

Shakespeare inspired shoe boxes

Year 8 held an exhibition of their representations of the
fairy bower in A Midsummer Night's Dream. We had shoe
box theatres, make-up designs, costume designs, mood
boards, and lots of baked versions and interpretations of
the set. A creative and delicious interpretation of our
greatest playwright's works.

Attendance matters
In our last Newsletter we talked about the correlation
between attendance and academic achievement.
Mrs Mulligan has continued to work on the Year group’s
attendance and I am pleased to report an improvement.
This can only have a positive impact for the outcomes of
students and we continue to celebrate the excellent effort,
behaviour and attitude shown by so many.

The inter tutor games recently concluded with students

from all tutor groups competing in football, hockey and
basketball. It was great to see a huge number of students
bracing the cold weather and competing.

6
 MFL Department
Mrs Lehmann, Head of MFL
French and German. On our most recent trip we taught
Language Leaders pupils the words for household pets in German and
By Monty Austin, 8O5 genres of books in French.
Language Leaders is a group of students in Years 8 and
Thirty-four of us have already visited six primary schools
9 who all have an interest in languages, culture and
and are currently preparing our next visits. We are all
teaching. Becoming a Language Leader enables students
looking forward to it! I would recommend joining the
to learn more about the language they choose to study at
Language Leaders team if you enjoy studying French or
Amery Hill School and effective ways of teaching. The
German.
group encourages and enables students to become more
confident and comfortable in classes because of the
regular trips we take to nearby primary schools to teach

Below left and right, Year 8

paintings titled ‘Extraordinary
world’. Students developed their
artwork from observational
drawings, study of landscapes
and compositions creating some
incredibly eye-catching and vivid
artwork.

The Freeman Library News

Scholastic Book Fair

In March, the Library hosted its second Scholastic Book
Fair. Last year we sold £986 worth of books, which
equated to almost £500 of free books for our School
Library. This year, we really hope to break the £1000
mark.

Carnegie Book Club

In January, a new Book Club was launched, exclusively
for Year 8. The club will be shadowing the Carnegie Medal
2018, which is an award that showcases the very best of
Young Adult Fiction. Every Tuesday lunchtime the book
club meets in the Library to discuss books, swap books,
watch book trailers and videos and eat donuts. In June,
we will vote on our favourite Carnegie title (see photo left).

7
Blue Year News
Mrs Winch, Year 9 Progress Leader
It’s been another very busy and enjoyable term working
with Blue Year. Back in January, just as the year group
were making choices about their Options, we enjoyed an
afternoon off timetable to watch a lively and engaging Year 9 Polytile reduction printing
performance about Post-16 choices.

In March, we celebrated World Book Day by guessing
which books our staff have been reading. The box of
chocolates and congratulations goes to Megan Smith in
9B1 who correctly guessed 7 out of the 13 correct
answers!
This term there have been many students involved in
extra-curricular activities. From music performances to
Girls’ Rugby and from Rock Challenge to BBC School
Report (see below), Year 9 have been making the most of
the opportunities available to them. These activities are
reported on separately in this edition. Finally, I am
delighted to report excellent progress across the year
group and am looking forward to Year 9 maintaining this
diligent approach as we near the end of Key Stage 3.

Reporters Club
Mrs Winch, Head of Media
The school hosted its fifth annual BBC School Report
event this month with 30 Year 9 students experiencing
what it is like to be a journalist for the day. The students
worked in small groups and had the chance to research
some interesting topics as well as learn the techniques of
constructing and conducting a good interview. The
reports produced by the students covered a variety of
topics, including sustainable development, the
importance of the arts and explored mind-challenging
concepts such as the reality of imagination!
have enjoyed being able to work
closely with my friends”. Another
group of students reporting on
mental health issues said “We enjoyed working
independently and creatively, yet overcoming problems
by working as a team. I really enjoyed filming, editing and
using the Mac books.”
The students’ reports can be seen on the VLE, or
accessed from the link on the school’s website.

Jess and Hannah, both Year 10 BTEC Media students

helped facilitate the day and explained the role of the
Reporting Teams. “Their task was to plan, research, carry
out interviews and produce a report on their chosen story.
All the reports were posted live onto the school’s VLE.”

One Year 9 student researching “The dangers of the

internet” spoke to us about their experience working on
the BBC school report project, saying, “It has been a
really fun and good experience as we don’t get the
opportunity to do this kind of thing in normal lessons. I

8
Red Year News
Mr Gibson, Year 10 Progress Leader
Looking ahead Success in public speaking
Red Year are about 40% of the way through their GCSE As ever, the year group has been busy with extra-
courses! Students are coping well with the new curricular activities. Bella, Abi and Annaka have won the
specifications and emphasis on final exams in these regional heats for the Rotary speaking competition –
courses and have definitely learnt a lot from the recent 2- congratulations to them. Many students helped organise
week exam period, especially in terms of managing their events for Year 10/11 RAG Week, raising over £250 for
revision. We are advising students to create each of two charities nominated by Red Year students –
comprehensive revision timetables on paper or online including sponsored silences, cake and sweet sales and
(e.g. at getrevising.co.uk) and any help that can be given a staff versus students basketball match.
at home in future would be beneficial. We had easily our
best ever turnout at a Red Year Parents’ Evening last
half-term (trialling the new online booking system) and it
is very evident how hard families are working to support
schoolwork routines at home. Please do feel free to keep
contacting teachers with any concerns in the coming
weeks and months.

Students have started meeting our Careers Advisor to

discuss possible college and career pathways – everyone
will get a chance to do this. We will also notify the year
group of Open Days at colleges, but we’d encourage
families to keep an eye on those from home too. It is
definitely not too early to be visiting local colleges.

Inspiring excellence
There have been several trips and events of note for the
year group this term. 25 Red Year students were invited
to attend a Gifted and Talented Evening at Alton College,
where they took part in critical thinking workshops and
attended a talk from an Oxford University professor giving
tips on steps to take towards applying to top universities.
On the last day of this term, the whole year group will be
visiting Alton College for tours and a Focus Day about
healthy living. We also recently had an inspirational
speaker, entrepreneur Dominic Irvine, come to speak to
the year group about taking control of their futures
(https://www.speakers4schools.org/speakers/dominic -
irvine/) – feedback from students about this was
extremely positive.

Attendance matters
Our focus in the coming weeks is to improve attendance
and to elect our prefect team. We continue to monitor
attendance closely as we look ahead to next year’s
exams and are already starting to see predicted grades
fall for students with attendance below 90%. Attendance
rose significantly during the exam weeks and this
indicates that if students push themselves, they are able Despite being beaten by staff in the charity
to attend school in all but the most extreme match, the Year 10 Boys Basketball Team have
circumstances. In terms of prefect applications, letters finished at the top of the league after winning
outlining students’ suitability as role-models in the school their final match against Tomlinscote School
need to be in by Wednesday 28th March. Final decisions
on successful applicants will be based upon attendance,
attitude and staff consultation. We hope that many
students will apply and consider how they can ‘step up’ to Year 10 Reports
being leaders who help shape our school community. The next interim reports for Year 10 will be issued in the
Successful applicants will then be invited to apply as first week of the summer term.
Senior Prefects and/or Head Boy and Girl if they wish to
be interviewed for those positions.

9
 Primary Liaison
Mr Gibbs, Deputy Headteacher
What a busy term! We have had the pleasure of
visiting many local primary schools and welcomed
many of their pupils to Amery Hill. Their enthusiasm to
embrace new challenges and explore our school is
always great to see, with our students getting as much
out of the experience as our visitors. With such a
broad spectrum of educational experiences on offer,
pupils have had a chance to really get to know what
an ‘Education for life’ really feels like. We have some
exciting opportunities planned for the summer term,
including the Primary Vocal Festival which we will be
co-hosting with the Hampshire Music Service.

Mathematical minds from local schools are

challenged in the Primary Maths Challenge
while artists from Anstey Junior School create
some turtally amazing clay reptiles!

10
The preparation for our March Music Makers Primary
Schools event involved visits from six primary
schools and over 140 pupils and students. The
experience was thoroughly rewarding, and not just
for the primary pupils involved. From outstanding
vocal performances to wind, string and brass
ensembles, we were very proud of the progress
made by the primary school pupils and also the
Amery Hill students who supported them and helped
make the evening’s performance such a success.
From the feedback received, our audience clearly
thought the same!

“I had to write and say what a brilliant evening that was tonight.
Thank you so much for ALL the hard work you put in to making it a
success. It was so lovely to witness the way the children grew in
confidence in such a short time. I always think that
pastoral care is a priority at Amery and your students showed this
in the caring way they looked after our pupils and helped them with
the music. Thank you for giving them the brilliant
opportunity of playing in a large orchestra - they absolutely loved
it!”

“Thank you so much for organising last night’s Pupils from Anstey
concert. We realise that there was a lot of work Junior School have
involved and it must have taken a lot of time to enjoyed drama work-
source so many different standards of music shops inspired by
for so many different instruments!” Michael Morpurgo’s
Kensuke's Kingdom
“Thank you so much for inviting our children to and we are looking
take part in the music event on forward to welcoming
Wednesday. They came back absolutely pupils from The Butts
buzzing on Thursday morning and the parents for a series of drama
have all commented on how lovely it was.” workshops on Phillip
Ridley's Krindlekrax.

Language Leaders
from Years 8 and 9
have been touring
local primary schools
to deliver creative
French and German
lessons to Year 5
and 6 pupils. Their
diligent approach,
work and effort has
been really appreci-
ated by our primary
school colleagues.

11
Yellow Year News
Mr Lewis, Year 11 Progress Leader
Extra opportunities
Yellow Year are so very close to completing their
educational journey at Amery Hill, with just over six weeks
of academic teaching time left until the GCSE exams
begin in May. Various initiatives have been launched to
ensure the students are well prepared for the months to
come, including the formal revision timetable, the
mentoring scheme, one-to-one support from subject
teachers and the informal ’drop in’ revision sessions.
I have been impressed with the attendance at these
sessions and I urge students to continue taking advantage
of these extra opportunities. Tutor time continues to be
used to help with revision strategies and writing
personalised revision timetables to help students manage
and balance their commitments, both in and out of school.
The targeted Year 11 Parents’ Consultation Evening was
another opportunity for students to receive personalised
support on how best to reach their full potential.
Students in Year 11 were busy
sitting another round of mock exams
in English, Maths and Science and
teachers will work with the students
to analyse these results and fill in the
gaps in knowledge so the students
are fully equipped come the summer
term.
End of year celebrations
Whilst individual progress is paramount, we have also
made time to get excited about our Yellow Year hoodies,
Year Book and the Prom. We have been busy fundraising
to support this and our KS4 RAG week raised nearly £500.
The Passport to the Prom has been encouraging students
to maintain great attendance, show positive behaviour for
learning and completing their homework and revision to a
good standard. The Prom will be held at Froyle Park in
June and we are busy planning behind the scenes to
make this a night to remember. More to follow on what is
always a highlight in the school calendar.
Finally, I would just like to say I am very proud of Yellow
Year for their determination and tenacity in these final
months and I wish them EVERY success in their GCSE
exams and lives beyond.
The standard of students’ GCSE
artwork is exceptionally high this year. Why not join
us for the GCSE Art Exhibition on 25th June?
Isobelle Munckton

Laurie Mason Rachel Cooper

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12
 Art Department News
Ms Burrell, Head of Art
Photography Competition Singing Sands, Eigg
The Art suppliers GreatArt have kindly donated £100 worth Martha Rye Lees
of art materials to the Art Department which will be
awarded as prizes in a photography competition to be
launched in the summer term.

More details to follow soon. Meanwhile, be inspired by our

last ’Zoom into Life’ competition winner, Martha Rye Lees,
who submitted a stunning photo of Singing Sands, Eigg
(right). Students were challenged to take a photograph of
an outdoor space that was special to them.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Mr Cross, DofE Co-ordinator

DofE gives participants an opportunity to do something
completely new or improve on things they might already
be doing. It takes them out of their comfort zone and into a
place where they’ll push themselves and have new
experiences. The aim is to build confidence,
resilience, skills for work and widen friendship groups and
it is more enjoyable if they have fun doing it. DofE can
help to carve out a better future as Colleges, Universities
and employers regard a DofE Award highly so it will help
to open doors. We try to offer a challenge here at Amery
Hill and encourage students to get involved and make a
positive difference.
Most of the current Year 11s have completed their Bronze
Award with some signing up to start their Silver Award.
The Year 10 group having had a slightly earlier start date,
are well on the way to completing a couple of sections by
Easter and the aim is to achieve their Bronze award once
the expeditions are undertaken in the Summer Term.
Year 9 students were introduced to the Award Scheme
just after Half Term and who knows what interests and
opportunities await them - if they decide to accept the
challenge?

13
 English Department News
Mrs Pretsell, Head of English
“For never was a story of more
Shakespeare amuses Year 9 woe. Than this of Juliet and her
Year 9 students were amused and enthralled by a recent Romeo."
interactive performance of Romeo and Juliet by the Young
Shakespeare Company. With murder and love on the
agenda, students experienced an amazing
performance by this
talented and inspiring
group of actors who
brought the play to life.
The students thoroughly
enjoyed the performance
even though it didn't go at
all well for the "star
cross'd lovers."

PE Department & Girls’ Rugby News

Mrs Digby, Girls Rugby Coach
Think you don’t like mud?
Then think again! This month both the U13 and U15 Girls’
rugby squads have participated in a Development
Afternoon at Basingstoke RFC. The aim was to develop
their skills while having fun. The coaches were so
impressed by the Amery girls that they were all invited to
play for Basingstoke the following Sunday, which three of
them did and thoroughly enjoyed.
We are now looking forward to the development of the
Alton RFC Girls’ teams, under the leadership of Mrs Digby,
who has been a true inspiration for our girls. Look out for
the launch which will be happening over the next few
months. Many of our girls are already taking part in the
London Irish coaching which is being held at the Alton
School on a Tuesday from 5-6pm. Any girls who are
interested are encouraged to get in touch.
Following Mrs Digby’s published interview with The Sunday
Telegraph, she has just recorded a podcast with Brian
Moore, ex-England Rugby player. The article focused on
Alton RFC and the development of the Ladies and Girls
Teams. You can listen to her podcast with Brian Moore at
www.podbean.com/media/
share/pb-t8j3h-8c634b and
hear how the NatWest
Rugby Force grant has
helped to welcome new
members, girls and ladies
included, to the club.

Year 10 basket ball team finish top of their Our Year 9 mud-loving rugby girls, actually looking
league having won all their matches quite clean for a change!

14
Students get creative for writing
c o m p e t i t i o n s
This term we have had a number of enthusiastic students
write some incredibly expressive and creative pieces for
the Rotary Club ‘A different perspective’ and the BBC
Young Writers Competitions. The imagination and
creativity has been brilliant and we wish them luck in the
competition. Here we showcase one of the entries.

Time by Rachael Boll I’ve heard it all.

I see everything from where I am, Each laugh,
propped up against the side. Every lie,
Quietly forgotten, as my friends pass by
hardly ever used… and
It happens to us all in time. by
But for me it’s different, They never stay long,
for me it’s a constant - too soon they leave,
a truth in the passage of and I’m
time. alone
Content talking to the with only
boxes, time.
talking to the
shelves,
thoughts lost It’s become my
in the midst of friend.
time. A companion of sorts, one that will never
die.
There's not much to do here, As my thoughts come
not much to say - slower,
and if there is I've said it before. and my love
After all there's little I that can hard earned,
say if I I know I’ve always got
don't move time.
from my place by the door
Our friends all look so
Its years since I did any sweeping young
felt my twigs brush on the ground. to me
I am the as I lay against my side.
only one, alone, as I laugh at myself - I haven’t moved for 28 years - the perfect passage
a deep of
but loud time.

happy sound “It’s changed!” they tell me “It’s all brand new!
It echoes through the old store room, Oh to see more I’d give my life”
bouncing off the whispers that follow But I am perfectly content to
They call me a lay on my side, and
crazy old fool, listen to the murmurs
but the of
words time.
have never caused sorrow.
I've been here longer than all these darlings, And I treasure them,
I've been on the right side of time my memories dearest,
Time wears at me, as it does to us all, but I know that I'll which hold me safe at night,
last just fine. Because even as more years
These youngsters still think that age is a go
curse, one that by,
I know I’ll be alright.
shows on your face
But I and the mop, the bucket, the shop know that age I may not be used,
is a continuous race and I may not be loved - but for a broom
I've no idea why what do you expect?
I was chosen by time Instead I sit,
to live on in this place. in the comfort of knowledge that for
I stay here squished, content in this cupboard many
despite its lack of space. more
years
I’ll be left.

15
 Maths Department News
Mr Eacott, Head of Maths

Women in Mathematics UK Intermediate Maths Challenge

Hampshire Collegiate School hosted their first ever
conference celebrating women in mathematics. Amery
Hill was fortunate enough to be able to take 14 students to
the event which was aimed at girls and boys who are
considering A Level Mathematics and Further
Mathematics and organised through the Further
Mathematics Support Programme (FMSP). Our students
joined over 100 students from seven schools at Embley
Park, which was the family home of Florence Nightingale -
who was a pioneering statistician.
Junior Team Maths Challenge
Teams of Year 8 and 9 students from Amery Hill School
and Eggar's worked alongside A level students recently to
compete in the annual Junior Team Maths Challenge,
designed to stretch more able students.
On Thursday, 1st February students from top set maths in
Years 9, 10 and 11 took part in the UKMT Intermediate
Maths Challenge. There were lots of great performances
across the year groups with Ariana Hawkins achieving
best in school and top of her year group. Ben Williams,
Helen Slater and Isabelle Jones also finished top of their
respective year groups. Congratulations go to the
following students for their fantastic results:
Bronze: Aleezah Aspinwall, Isobel Austin,
Grace Belmonte, Oliver Brice, Arabella Davis,
Harvey Diment, Jonathan Hall, Joshua Hedley,
Annaka Herrmann, Jack Howard, Hamish Hudson,
Fred Kavanagh, Hollie Lines, Kitty Moran, Oberon Moran,
Ellie Norfolk, Lucy Phillips, Emma Porter,
Kieren Robinson, Jake Sadler and James Way

The challenge is now a regular event in the Maths Silv er: J os ephine Ade yem i, Ellie As hle y,
Department's annual events and consisted of several Ethan Aspinwall, Danila Astrakhantsev, Eleanor Austin,
rounds including Sam Bridger, Alex Bull, Henry Collins, Rachel Cooper,
cross numbers, a Josh Cranston, Joanna Hughes, Isabelle Jones,
shuttle round and a Christopher Martin, Amy McCusker, Joseph Friend,
relay round. The Lily Richens, Helen Slater, Zac West and Joseph
challenge was Williamson
collaborative with
two students from G old: Catherine Groom , Ariana Hawk ins ,
each school on each Sam Seymour and Ben Williams
team supported by
an A level Maths Further congratulations go to Ariana Hawkins,
students from Alton Sam Seymour and Ben Williams for qualifying for the
College. follow-on ‘Kangaroo’ round. We wish them luck for the
future rounds of the competition.

DT Department News
Ms Murphy, Head of DT
Following the success of the tea light/candle holder club
before Christmas, students have asked to continue the
wood working club this year. A number of students have
even brought their own pieces of tree branch/trunk from
home to use.

We've got students making headphone and mobile phone

holders, pin pictures, candle holders, boxes and more.
Their imaginations are running wild. It's great to see their
creativity and enthusiasm outside of the normal
classroom environment.

16
 Science Department News
Ms Williams, Head of Science

Quantum behaviour
A selection of Year 10 Physics students recently attended
a seminar at Alton College given by a visiting physicist,
Dr Anna Posazhennikova from Royal Holloway,
University of London. The students heard of her research
into the strange quantum behaviour of condensed matter,
such as superconductivity, changing magnetic properties
and super-viscosity. Her research explores this behaviour
and considers how we might utilise this in future
inventions.

Amery Hill School Trust

At Amery Hill School we are passionate about providing
the best possible education for our students, supporting
them to develop their interests and flourish as we provide
them with an ‘Education for life’. Part of that includes
providing an environment with state-of-the-art facilities,
equipment and opportunities to allow them to experience
and achieve success.
voluntary and is both valued and appreciated. If every
family in the school donated just 50p a week, it would
give the Trust an annual income of over £20,000 which
would be fantastic.
We do hope you will consider participating; thank you for
your continued support.

The Amery Hill School Trust has been set up as a

registered charity to help raise money to support the work
of Amery Hill School. Monies raised by the Trust are used
to support projects and activities which are not covered
within curriculum budgets and already the Trust has
enabled the school to grow and develop. Thank you to
those of you who have contributed in the past and
continue to make regular donations.

Your child will be bringing home a leaflet over the next

week or so which provides more information about the
Trust; why we need it, how you can help and how it can
make a difference for every student at Amery Hill. If you
have any queries, please do drop an e-mail to our Trust
Administrator at trustadmin@ameryhill.hants.sch.uk or
alternatively further information can be found on the
school’s website at www.ameryhill.hants.sch.uk.

Any contribution you choose to make, be that through Recent purchases from the Trust’s funds include
regular donations or a one-off payment, is entirely a contribution towards the school’s accessible minibus, athletics
bibs, music stand covers, science equipment and IT equipment

17
 Music Department News
Ms Worwood, Head of Music
Recital Evening and Results
As always we support many students with ABRSM
exams, theory and practical. These took place last week
and in preparation, students performed some of their
pieces at the ABRSM Recital Evening. The music was of
a very high standard and we wish everyone doing exams
good luck. Congratulations to students below who
passed their exams in the autumn term.
Hampshire at the Hall
We are delighted to be participating in ‘Hampshire at the
Hall’ in April which promises to be a spectacular
showcase of young talent featuring 2000 performers from
Hampshire. We will be part of a massed samba band of
250 performers at The Royal Albert Hall and our students
will also be part of various massed ensembles. With a
choir of 1000, dancers, drummers and a newly
commissioned work “My World”, rehearsals will continue
throughout March and April with our colleagues from the
Hampshire Music Service.

Malta Music Tour

Not content with a very busy spring term, we are already
looking forward to the summer term’s events including co-
Candidate Instrument Grade Result hosting the Vocal Primary Festival in July with Hampshire
Music Service and our music tour to Malta in July.
Ethan Aspinwall Guitar 5 Pass
Rehearsals are underway with some challenging new
Leeona Aspinwall Guitar 3 Pass music being mastered.
Lucy Bayliss Viola 6 Pass
Grace Christer Piano 2 Distinction
Arabella Davis Violin 5 Merit
Joshua Jones Trumpet 4 Merit
Lewis Kelley Violin 2 Merit
Lewis Kelley Piano 3 Distinction
Emily Micklefield Flute 3 Merit
Emily Neil Theory 5 Pass
Sophie Richards Trumpet 5 Pass
Thorfin Rolfe Piano 1 Merit
James Sunderland Voice 4 Pass
Music Mark
Isobel Vickery Piano 6 Merit We were delighted to have been
nominated by the Hampshire Music
We were invited to take part in the Farnham Festival’s Hub and to be awarded Music Mark membership. This is
Jazz Evening, where our Jazz Ensemble performed in recognition of our commitment to providing numerous
Birdland with Eggar’s, Alton College and a couple of outstanding enrichment opportunities in music, as well as
Farnham bands. We also had the opportunity to perform excellent music provision in the curriculum. The school
some new pieces Apache and Few Good Men. The has commanded an unrivalled reputation for excellence
Spring Concert was the last event in this term’s busy in music for many years, so this professional recognition
calendar which was an incredibly full and varied is being celebrated by all involved with the performing
evening’s entertainment, with the new Boys Choir making arts at Amery Hill School.
their first public performance.

“We are delighted to become Members of Music Mark, which follows our success in the Hampshire
Chairman’s Year of Music Awards in summer 2017”
Ms S Worwood,
18 Head of Music
 Geography Department News
Mr Parker, Head of Geography
Stubbs Farm Visit
The annual visit to Stubbs Farm this year was a great
opportunity for the current Year 7 to learn in more detail
about where their food comes from. The family run Stubbs
Farm has been hosting visits from Amery Hill students for
well over 30 years and the visit supplements and enhances
the work the students had been completing on their ‘Food
and Farming’ unit in school. A beef cattle farm with over
150 cows is the ideal place to learn about local food versus
food miles and the current issues facing UK farming with
Brexit on the horizon.
Dressed in wellies and warm coats the students were given
a guided tour of the farm noting the farm equipment, the
winter crops being grown, the buildings on the farm and of
course the highlight, the beef cattle sheds! Many students
were able to feed the young animals in the sheds, with
either the high energy maize mixture or silage. They also
witnessed the animals’ reaction to their area being invaded
by numerous excitable strangers.
The farmer, Mr Stephens, was happy to answer the
numerous questions that
the students had. Most
students left the farm with
a stronger understanding
of farming in the UK, the
challenges it faces in the
future and how their food
is actually produced.

Many thanks go
Mr Stephens and his
family for accommodating
us once again.

.
Keeping in touch
Our alumni, where are they now?

Scholarships for Excellence Alton College

The annual Alton College Foundation Scholarships for Debating team
Excellence Awards took place recently with many former- Congratulations to the
Amery Hill students receiving awards. Trevor Heley, Debating Team (right) who
Managing Director of the Foundation, congratulated the travelled to Magdalen College
new scholars paying tribute to the incredibly high calibre School in Oxford to take part in
of applications this year and the subsequent outstanding the regional heat of the fiercely
quality of the winning students. The following awards contested debating
were presented to former Amery Hill students: competition. Three of the six
students who made up the
Sir Simon Robertson, presented the Dischma Trust team were ex-Amery students
Scholarship for Excellence in Modern Foreign Languages Peter Baillie, Lucy Bayliss and
to Lucy Bayliss. Alf Hamer. A particular well
done to Lucy, our former Head
The Craven Brothers Scholarship for Excellence in Girl and Aga Slursarska
Engineering was presented to Crystal Knight by Jamie (former Mill Chase Academy
Campbell of the Ellis Campbell Foundation. student) for winning a place in
the National finals of the
The Scholarship for Excellence in Music was awarded to Oxford Schools’ Debating
Ben Jones by George Heller, sponsor of the scholarship Competition.

The Alistair Graham Scholarship for Excellence in Modern

Foreign Languages was presented to Isobelle Miles by Sir
James Scott, sponsor of the scholarship.
The Rotary Club of Alton Scholarship for Mathematics
was presented to Montague Moran by branch member
Keith Arrowsmith-Oliver.
19
Oxford beckons
Congratulations to former
student Seren Irwin (above right) who has received
a conditional offer to study Geography at Oxford. Seren is
one of 53 students from Peter Symonds College who
have been successful in their application this year.
 Proudly supporting our community

Keeeeep Dancing! Lasham Music Festival 2018

Amery Hill was delighted to support Alton’s third Stand Up The Lasham Music Festival takes place this year at
to Cancer Zumbathon which had a Strictly Come Dancing venues in Lasham, Alton and Alresford, bringing exciting
theme with local celebrity, Katya Jones, winner of Strictly musical talent from all corners of Europe to a local,
Come Dancing 2017, opening the event with Alton’s Town Hampshire audience.
Mayor, Cllr Dean Phillips.
The 2018 festival will be launched with a Gala Evening at
St Mary’s Church, Lasham and the festival programme
Kate Sadler and Mandy Wilson, Zumba Instructors from
includes a performance of Faure’s Requiem given by the
Alton, set up the Stand up to Cancer Zumbathon in 2016
acclaimed choir of St John’s Church in Alresford and
but never anticipated it would raise so much money for Vivaldi’s Four Season’s. Outreach activities will also take
Cancer Research UK. “The event has snowballed, it’s place with local schools lead by Kathy Hart from RNCM
simply amazing – it is credit to the enthusiasm and hard
Manchester and some of the recipients of the Esseham
work from the local community and all the Zumba
Music Charity grants will be performing during the festival
participants! We literally made every move and every
weekend.
shimmy count!” Proceeds from the events, over £11k and
counting, have been donated to Southampton Cancer
Research UK.

There’s something for

everyone with three routes of
25, 54 and 74 miles on quiet
roads along with a fantastic 7
mile kids off-road and forest
ride and our Children's Fun
Field Challenge. The event is
on Sunday 20th May at Alice
Holt in Farnham with all the
proceeds going to
Challengers.

20
 Music for ‘Mind’
This term has been incredibly busy in the Music De-
partment with a number of extra events bringing to-
gether pupils from our extended community of local
primary schools.
Thank you to all par-
ents and teachers for
their support and en-
couragement for our
Amazing day of fundraising young performers.
Students got behind the fundraising efforts for Our talented Year 11 students also put on a small re-
Sport Relief, which is always one of the most cital concert in aid of the charity MIND. They per-
enjoyable charity days the school runs. This year was no formed pieces from their GCSE exams and others in-
exception with the focus on getting active and doing cluding a whole class performance. Well done to all
’Whatever moves you!’. With a mass Clubbercise dance involved - a great evening’s entertainment for a very
fitness session running throughout the day, the school hall good cause.
was transformed into a club atmosphere with glow sticks,
lasers and disco lights. The Amery Hill mile was run by many THE AMERY HILL SCHOOL
students with a samba band to encourage them, A massive
‘thank you’ to everyone who supported our fundraising efforts.

Good luck to our London Marathon FRIDAY 18 MAY @ 7.00pm

runners!
Good luck to Mrs Percy and Mrs Rayden who are both taking Please come and support us, it’s a fun night and
part in this year’s London Marathon. our biggest fund raiser of the year. Money raised
will support the school in many ways
Mrs Rayden has chosen to run the
London Marathon for Girlguiding Bring your own nibbles but please support
UK. Having been involved in our fund raising bar!
guiding since the age of 7 as a
Brownie to now being a Unit Single tickets £7.50 ~ Table of 8 £50.00
Leader for a guide unit and ranger
Tickets can be purchased on-line via the Scopay
unit in her local area, Mrs Rayden
is hoping to raise £2000. You can website. Book early to avoid disappointment!
read her story at Over 18s only
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/
lucys-girlguiding-marathon

Mrs Percy is fundraising for

Alzheimer’s Society having
secured her marathon place
through Alton Runners. Talking
about her chosen charity, Mrs
Percy said “I also took part in the
memory walk last year and saw
how many people Alzheimer’s
touches and would like to help
raise funds to support the
society’s research and support
offered to sufferers and their
families.” Visit the following link for Mrs Percy’s story,
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/natalie-percy3.

21
Extra-curricular Activities
Summer Term 2018
All activities are from 3:00pm to 4:00pm unless specified.
Homework Club takes place daily from 3:00pm to 4:00pm in ICT2.
Teaching Assistants are on hand to help.

Monday
Music: Lunchtime - Double Trouble
Choir in MU1
GCSE Surgery in MU2
PE: Cricket - Years 9, 10 & 11
Rounders - Years 7 and 8
Media: Amery Quill News Reporters Club - Media Suite - All years
Art: Saatchi Club - Year 9 - ART2 (by invitation)
Library: Lunchtime - Year 7 Harry Potter Story Club
Geography: Lunchtime - Geography Club - All years
Marvel Club - All years

Tuesday
Music: Percussion Ensemble in MU1 & MU2
PE: Athletics Club - All years
Drama: Drama Club - Drama Studio
RS: “Thunks” Philosophy Club - Yrs 7 & 8 (RS1); Yrs 9, 10 & 11 (RS2)
DofE: Year 9 Award Group Meeting - SCI 7
Library: Lunchtime - Yr8 Carnegie Book Award Reading Club

Wednesday
Music: Lunchtime - Wacky Wind (by invitation)
Wind Symphonia Grade 4 upwards in MU2
4-5pm - Music Theory Group in MU2
RS: RS Ambassadors - Lunchtime (RS2)
Peace Jam - Lunchtime (RS1)
Drama: Prefect Rehearsals - Drama Studio

Thursday
Student Hub 8:15a.m - Spelling Group - All years
Afterschool drop in support session - open to all
Music: Guitar Ensemble - 8am
Jazz Band Grade 4 upwards in MU2
Concert Band Grades 1-3
Lunchtime - Liquorice Sticks All clarinets Grade 2 and above
RS: Interfaith and Beliefs Group - Lunchtime (RS2)
PE: Cricket - Years 7 & 8
Rounders - Years 9, 10 & 11
DofE: Year 10 Award Group Meeting - SCI 7
Art & Science: New club (Yr 7, 8) - SCI3 or ART1
Chess Club: All years MA2
MFL: Spanish Club - Yrs 7, 8 and 9

Friday
Student Hub 8:15a.m - Drop in session - Student Hub
Music: Boys Vocal Group - MU2
Orchestra - MU1
GCSE Aid - MU2/Office
PE: Fitness Club - All years
Mixed Touch Rugby - All years

“The Angry Society” (Debating Society) - Meets monthly - dates to be advised

22
 School Calendar
Wednesday 28th March Spring Music Concert

Thursday 29th March Last day of Spring Term

Monday 16th April First day of Summer Term

Thursday 19th April Years 8 and 9 German Trip

Tuesday 1st May Years 7 and 8 Exams

Monday 7th May Bank Holiday

Monday 14th May to Friday 22nd June GCSE Exams

Thursday 17th May Year 8 Parents’ Consultation Evening

Friday 18th May School Quiz

Friday 25th May Last day before half term

Monday 4th June First day after half term

Friday 8th June Year 9 Paris Trip

Thursday 21st June Year 7 Parents’ Consultation Evening

Monday 25th June GCSE Art Exhibition & Summer Music Concert

Wednesday 27th June Year 11 Prom

Friday 29th June Sports Day

Tuesday 3rd July Open Evening - early school closure

Wednesday 4th July Late Opening

Friday 6th July Year 6 Transition Day

Monday 9th July Year 6 Parents’ Information Evening

Tuesday 10th July Year 10 GCSE History Berlin Trip

Friday 20th July Prize Giving

Last day before summer holidays

For up to date information, please refer to the calendar on our website

With so many amazing trips and activities planned,

follow us on Twitter @AmeryHillAlton for all our latest news

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