Newsletter – December 2024
A shorter newsletter this time around, reflecting that we have finally reached the end of a very long school term of over 15 school weeks. I can see that staff and students need a well earned recharge!
A lot has been achieved this term and I salute the dedication of the year 11 and 13 students who have had mock exams over the past few weeks. They conducted themselves admirably and this ‘dress rehearsal’ will show where additional revision and effort needs to be applied (there are after school revision sessions in most subjects that will start again in the new term.)
We have held a number of successful large scale events this term, from open evening to fireworks night and the traditional the Abbey Service. Students have been brilliant ambassadors and nothing makes me prouder than when students talk enthusiastically about their school, and particularly to external visitors. Winning debates, football matches, maths and STEAM challenges are testament to the diverse interests of our students and staff. Next term is also busy with sixth form open evening, culture day and the restoration of the joint STAGS and Verulam year 7 disco!
I hope you will join me in thanking Verulam staff for their efforts this term. I can affirm that each of them want the best for young people, even if sometimes we have to call you with less welcome news or we sometimes make a human mistake. Education is our greatest opportunity to give an irrevocable gift to the next generation, and we work hard to make the school a better place every day.
Have a restful break with your families and we return again at 8:35 on the 6th January 2025.
Mr Moane
Headteacher
Christmas around Verulam
Plea from Food Technology
Please could we ask parents and carers to save any Heroes/Celebrations and other Christmas chocolate tubs for the Food Technology department over the break. They are really useful for when we make cakes or anyone forgets their Tupperware! They can be dropped off on the first week back or send students in with them and drop them in T3. Many Thanks!
Pastoral
Getting through the Christmas Holiday Break
Christmas is not the most joyful time of year for everyone. Reach out if you need to…
Mental Health & Wellbeing Support
If you are struggling with aspects of your wellbeing, consider making use of some of the free support available to you.
You can contact the school using the Sharp system sharp@verulam.aetrust.uk
This will be monitored by the Designated Safeguarding Lead during the Christmas holidays.
Practical advice and support for young people youngminds.org.uk
If you need local mental health support 0300 123 3393 mind.org.uk
If you’re having suicidal thoughts samaritans.org 116 123
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious giveusashout.org anxietyuk.org.uk 0344 477 5774
If you’re struggling with grief cruse.org.uk
Local support: justtalkherts.org theolliefoundation.org LGBTQ+ youngprideinherts.org
Trips & Visits
Year 10 Art trip to Tate Modern
The year 10 Art students visited the Tate Modern on Thursday 12th December. The free collection exhibitions consisted of a huge variety of contemporary works – from ‘Babel’ by Clido Meireles to the more well-known paintings of the Cubists. Students had opportunities to interact with artworks sometimes through listening, sometimes through walking round or in-between the sculptures and also by watching ‘films’ in the specially designed cinema rooms. The Tate constantly refreshes and improves their displays ensuring a wide range of different styles and techniques can be seen on every visit. The most obvious difference for the students, is of course the size of the works – which never translate over computer screens! It was a great opportunity for the students to see real life artworks and note the pencil lines, the mistakes and in some cases the rough edges. Students were asked to sketch and draw their favourite pieces and they also had a little quiz to complete as they meandered around the displays.
‘I found the exhibition interesting because you can view the pictures & sculptures from all angles. I liked the way Clido Meireles used different radios to build his tower! They were working too so I could hear the news today!’ JF.
‘I really enjoyed the Mike Kelley exhibition. There was such a variety of work to see from one person. I liked his films the best!’ JO.
Mrs C Tomlin
Director of Creative Arts
Curriculum Enrichment
The Great Debate – National History Debating Competition
On Wednesday 11th December, Elliot and Tobi in Year 10 competed in a national debating competition with Mr Pettitt in London against many other schools including Haberdashers. Organised by the Historical Association, The Great Debate is a public speaking competition where students had only five minutes to present their speech arguing their answer to the question.
This year, the question being asked was: How can your local history tell a global story?
Both Elliot and Tobi explored the local history of their area and identified how this can help represent and understand a wider global story. The judges, Dr Robin Whitburn of UCL and Anne Marie Stephenson of the Historical Association, commented how historically rigorous and compassionate the speeches were. The competition was an ideal opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in speaking to an audience and developing their debating skills, confidence and self-esteem.
Elliot and Tobi provided excellent arguments and should be proud of their contributions.
After an hour of careful deliberation between the judges as the standard was so high, they announced that Tobi won the heat, progressing to the semi final. His speech was eloquently delivered with a narrative arc of empire, bringing in both the Roman and British Empire and how local migration patterns into St Albans can be seen as a window into a global story. Huge congratulations Tobi!
Mr Pettitt
Extra Curricular
Spring Term Clubs
Details of lunchtime and after school clubs and activities for the Spring term can be found on the website by following the link here. All clubs will be starting again on the first week back in January.
Mr Toley
Sports Round-Up
December has not been the busiest month for the department due to the extreme weather conditions and the hall being unavailable for mock exams. However, pupils have been engaging in orienteering, both at school and at Sandpit Lane during lessons. There has been some superb effort displayed, and the boys have thoroughly enjoyed this alternative sporting activity.
The Year 7 rugby team wore their new sponsored shirts for the first time, which was greatly appreciated by all. If you are interested in sponsoring a team, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Please see below a summary of the games that have occurred this month.
| Football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Result | Type | Report |
| U13 Simon Balle School | Lost : 0 - 5 | National Cup - Round 4 | |
| U12 Robert Bloomfield Academy | Won : 3 - 1 | National Cup - Round 4 | |
| Goals: | |||
| Kosh, Lee(2) | |||
| MVP | |||
| Lee | |||
| U16 Enfield Grammar School | Won : 7 - 3 | ||
| U15 Chauncy School | Lost: 2-3 | County Cup Rd 3 | Goals: Chow, Reed MVP Abdul-Rahman |
| U16Queens School | Lost 4-7 | National Cup - Round 5 | Goals: Oscar R (2) Joe R Jago A MVP: Jago A |
| U12 Enfield Grammer | Won 1-0 | National Cup - Round 5 | Goal: Louis S MVP: Charlie S |
| U14 Onslow School | Won 6-0 | County Cup Round 3 | Goals: Luke x2 Harley x2 Paolo and Remy MOTM - Remy |
| Rugby | |||
| Opponent | Result | Type | Report |
| U12 Rugby League Champions Schools | County Champions | National Cup - Round 1 | |
| U14 Regional Rugby League Tourn | County Champions | Tournament | |
| U12 Hitchin Boys' School | Won : 9 - 7 | Friendly | |
| MVP | |||
| Stimpson | |||
| U12 Rugby League Champion Schools Regional Finals | Regional Finalists | National Cup - Round 2 | |
| U16 Champions School Rugby League | Regional Finalists | Tournament | |
Mr Errington
Site Improvements
New Carpet and Curtains
Exciting developments in the Drama Studio in the past week have seen a brand new carpet, new curtains as a backdrop for performances, and a great new lighting board so that we can use the lights creatively in the studio. These are long-awaited upgrades that have turned our studio into an amazing space for teaching and performance. We are lucky to have such a great space!
Mr Moseley
Rewards and Awards
Reading Challenges Buzz
This December saw two Christmas Reading challenges in the library, including a Marvel short story advent calendar challenge and a ‘Read Your Way Through Christmas’ challenge. Well done to everyone that has completed these and received some Christmas prizes!
Our author of the month was Charles Dickens and our special pick ‘A Christmas Carol’.
Celebrate the new year in January by taking part in more exciting events in the library including Chinese New Year and the big January Readathon!
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Miss Pettitt
Coming Up
Monday 6th January
All students return to school
Tuesday 7th January
Yr 11 Edexcel Award in Number and Measure (Level 2)
Wednesday 8th January
Year 11 Berlin Trip Info Evening
Thursday 9th January
A-level RE Trip to Townsend School
Sixth Form Open Evening – 6pm
Friday 10th January
Yr 11 Edexcel Awards in Algebra (Levels 2 and 3)
Monday 13th January
Sixth Form Open Morning
Tuesday 14th January
LiBF Exam
Wednesday 15th January
Year 13 Parents Evening
Thursday 16th January
Year 7 Disco – 7-8.30pm
Friday 17th January
Yr 11 Edexcel Awards in Algebra (Levels 2 and 3)
