Our end of term magazine takes a look back on the second half of the first term here at Waldegrave, covering all aspects of Waldegrave life from around the school to trips and visits and our community fundraisers.
CONTENTS
WELCOME A message from our headteacher. 03
04
AUTUMN HIGHLIGHTS A showcase of some of our most exceptional moments.
WALDEGRAVE COMMUNITY Our recent charity events and PTA fundraisers. 19
38 47 50 36 25
PERFORMING ARTS Take a look at our Drama and Music departments recent events. SPORTS Hear all about our sports teams and their recent matches and tournaments. TRIPS & VISITS Students have enjoyed participating in a number of trips and visits this term. EXTERNAL ACHIEVEMENTS Spotlighting our students’ accomplishments beyond the classroom. AROUND SCHOOL Outside of lessons students have loved getting involved in lectures and challenges.
As we break up for Christmas we have much to celebrate at Waldegrave. Following our best ever Progress 8 score which placed the school at the top of the borough, we were delighted to be recognised in The Sunday Times Parent Power List as the 8th Best Comprehensive school in the UK. We are so proud of our staff and students. We were also awarded the music mark in recognition of the outstanding work of our music department. It really is a privilege to be part of the Waldegrave community. It has been a very long term, packed with learning, trips, speakers, performances and competitions. As families you don’t always have the opportunity to join in these events so I hope you enjoy reading all about them in the following pages. When
talking to some of our Year 7 students this week, I was delighted to learn that they have really loved their first term with us and it has exceeded their expectations. Long may that continue. I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday with plenty of opportunities to rest and catch up with loved ones.
LINDT COMPETITION
In a burst of festive creativity, our Year 7 students recently participated in the Lindt Christmas Competition, a delightful opportunity to showcase their innovation and marketing skills. Tasked with designing a brand new product for the renowned Lindt chocolate company, students worked individually and collaboratively to conceptualise, create, and present their imaginative ideas. From the array of impressive entries, two standout designs emerged victorious. Congratulations to Laura P from 7PUN, whose inspired creation of a Santa's Workshop-themed advent calendar secured the coveted first-place position. The runner-up, Man Kiu N from 7EST, wowed the judges with a brilliant concept for a hot chocolate bomb creation. This competition not only allowed our students to explore their creative prowess but also provided a platform for them to engage with industry professionals. Mr. Parker and the dedicated Lindt representative, Jay Shah, had the challenging task of selecting finalists from the pool of exceptional entries. As we celebrate Laura and Man Kiu's sweet success, we applaud all the Year 7 participants for their imaginative contributions. The main aim was to have some fun and be creative, which our students most definitely did! The collaboration between our school and Lindt reflects our commitment to fostering innovative thinking and providing valuable experiences for our students.
XMAS CARD COMPETITION In a burst of festive creativity, students showcased their artistic skills in this year’s RE Club Annual Christmas Card Competition, and the results were nothing short of spectacular. The entries poured in, each one beautifully illustrated, highlighting the immense levels of talent across the year groups. A huge congratulations goes to Mia W in 9FBH, whose card emerged as the shining star of the competition, taking 1st place. Mia’s winning creation featured a charming hand-drawn illustration of an open gift box cradling two adorable kittens in peaceful slumber, adorned with the warm wishes of ‘happy holidays’. The runner-up, Yovela H in 7PIR, secured her place with a beautiful hand-drawn card that depicted a wonderful classroom scene; each student sat at their desks, joyfully expressing ‘Merry Christmas’ in various languages.
The culinary talents of eight of our students alongside four representatives from Twickenham School took centre stage as we recently hosted the local round of the Rotary Young Chef competition. President Chris, Yvonne, and Gordon, from Twickenham Rotary Club, were delighted to witness the skills displayed by all the students.
The competition, which the Rotary Club sponsor, is the first round in a four- stage National competition, with great prizes for the eventual overall winner, which includes a training day in a Michelin starred restaurant! Charged with the task of preparing a two-course meal for two within a budget of £18, our skilled contestants faced the rigorous evaluation from our judges, assessing their planning, costing, healthy menu choices, workspace neatness, hygiene practices, presentation skills, and, of course, the overall taste of their dishes.
Thomas Rowlandson, head chef and joint owner of the renowned A.Cena restaurant in East Twickenham, served as the lead judge. Impressed by the diverse
range of flavours reflecting global cuisines
and the strong emphasis on healthy eating, Thomas offered encouragement to the students, on the value in later life, of continuing to develop their culinary skills.
At the end of a great contest, Connie S in 10SDR
was adjudged the winner, with a delicious tasting and very healthy menu:
Second place went to Aditi A in 10FJA with her meal comprising;
With the victory secured, Connie and Aditi, both proud representatives of Waldegrave, will advance to the next stage: the District final, which is set to take place on Saturday, 3 February 2024. We cannot wait to see how they get on and we wish them the best of luck! “It was amazing to see many different cuisines made by lots of different people. All with their own story behind why they made their own food. For me I just wanted to push myself, so I chose to make a chocolate fondant, as it has very difficult timings. However the biggest challenge was cooking with a gas oven which I’ve never done before. The thing I would do differently next time is make my own ice cream as well, just to push myself even more. My favourite moment of the competition was when I turned out the fondant and it was perfectly cooked. I'm glad all the work paid off! I’m looking forward to the next round and I can’t wait to cook again!” - Connie S, Winner “This was a great experience for me to build up my confidence in myself. My favourite moment is when we all finished our dishes and got to try everyone else’s dishes and see how amazing they all were. I was proud to embrace my indian culture and showcase all the amazing food we have in the country. I am feeling nervous for the next round as there will be many more amazing cooks to compete against but I will try my best and hope to create more amazing food in the next round.” - Aditi A, Second Place
BLM BHM POETRY COMPETITION The National Black History Month Poetry Competition 2023 as part of the Black History Month celebrations was launched this year to
honour the amazing achievements and contributions of black women in various fields – from literature, music, science, politics, and social care to campaigners, nurses, and everyday heroes who have made a difference to our lives. The purpose was to recognise the significant impact of black women in a range of areas, while inspiring and empowering future generations. At Waldegrave we decided to run the same poetry competition in school as well as encouraging students to submit their entries into the national competition. Here are a few examples of some thoughtful and powerful poems written by students which encapsulated the theme...
~ Paige L
~ Megan S
~ Sabaa Q
~ Defne A
BAKE OFF
The Great Waldegrave Bake Off has come to an end for our KS3 and KS4 year groups!
All participants did a fantastic job with baking and decorating their ‘semi-naked cakes’, which was the theme of this year's bake off! All the judges were completely wowed with the high level of skills shown throughout this competition, and were very impressed with the look and taste of all the cakes produced. It was a tough decision to crown a winner in each year group, but after carefully analysing the presentation, taste, texture and technical skills involved a decision was made and we can proudly announce the winners and runner ups across the five participating year groups.
Well done to everyone who took part in this year’s bake off!
BAKE OFF
Congratulations to the baking champions of 7SSH - Eva, Eliza and Belle - who clinched the sweet victory with their impressive four-layer cookie dough and chocolate cake!
“The bake-off was such a fun experience as everyone was helping each other and there was a real sense of community.” - Abby
BAKE OFF
Well done to Gaia, Hala and Abby in 8PWA for stealing the show with their pumpkin spice cake and being crowned the star bakers of their year group! “It was a very fun experience and I really enjoyed it. It was really fun baking alongside other classes.” - Hala
BAKE OFF
Congratulations to Imogen, Maya and Rosalie in 9FWD for being crowned star bakers. Their rose and vanilla melted ice cream themed cake stole the show in our Year 9 Bake Off!
“I enjoyed pushing myself out of my comfort zone and achieving something new.” - Ofeliya
BAKE OFF
Well done to the winners of our Year 10 bake off Hasna, Abi and Ofeliya in 10FJA with their heavenly Biscoff salted caramel masterpiece!
“It was fun to collaborate with my classmates to create an original recipe.” - Abi
BAKE OFF
Congratulations to Annabelle and Bella in 11PON for taking the victory as star bakers. Their show-stopping vanilla and almond cake with cinnamon buttercream stole the spotlight!
“I enjoyed the friendly competition and the atmosphere of the event.” - Hasna
We would like to say a massive thank you to Cucina and all their wonderful staff who went above and beyond to deliver Christmas lunch to the whole school over two days. The tables were beautifully laid, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was filled with festive joy.
XMAS LUNCH
“Having the opportunity to help organise the staff panto has been such a lively and hilarious journey. I have particularly enjoyed watching the staff transform into their characters: performing their roles with such dedication and admittedly, infectious humour. It’s incredible to witness the sheer and inspiring talent that emerges during the rehearsals - especially in the songs! Overall, it has been such a rewarding experience and I am very excited for the grand performance!” - Molly A, 11PGC
As part of celebrating UK Parliament Week we welcomed Munira Wilson MP into school to meet with our Student Parliament. Munira spoke to the students about her work as an MP as well as what motivated her to go into politics. The students followed up with a range of questions for Munira about local and national issues including diversity, young people’s engagement in politics and conflict. The questions were really well thought out, and it was clear that students were genuinely interested in the topics they asked about. Munira was able to engage our students in debate, especially around whether 16 year olds should have the vote, which split opinion.
“I found this experience to be very interesting and beneficial, being able to hear from an active member in our parliament. Being able to have an insight into her role in our community was incredibly inspiring and has opened my eyes to a career in politics. Munira Wilson has been our local Mp for many years and has achieved so much in this time, to be able to ask her questions about certain plans for our community was my favourite part of this experience.” ~ Emilia R, 10PRE
“I loved being able to speak with someone who spends their life with the people we just get to see from media influenced news, this and her experience was so fascinating to me.” ~ Florence V, 8FCO “I enjoyed having an insight into a career that we hear a lot about but don’t actually know a lot about.” ~ Hasna B, 10FJA “I enjoyed hearing about her job and getting an idea of what sort of things her job involves. I liked hearing about how she manages problems she has dealt with.” ~ Sara C, 9FPO
PTA
There has been a whirlwind of activity at the PTA in the run up to Christmas. We kept the drinks flowing during four fabulous nights of the Annie production, lumberjacked 54 Christmas trees and found happy homes for a wardrobe of pre-loved skirts and jumpers. A massive thank you to the PTA’s devoted group of volunteers and school staff who overcame subzero temperatures at the Christmas tree and uniform sale and who kept returning to serve drinks across the four performances of Annie. We raised a massive total of £1800 across these three events. Just what the school was hoping for this Christmas! The money raised plays a vital role in supporting the school and enhancing the experience of all students. If you would like to help, have some fundraising ideas or just want to say hello then please reach out to us at pta@waldegravesch.org.
The PTA would like to wish all our volunteers; those who support our activities; and all Waldegrave families, staff and teachers a very Happy Christmas and New Year. See you in 2024!
EMILY CHARITY EVENT
On Friday 1 December, I hosted a charity concert raising money for Music For All, which supports underprivileged children in their music education, funding lessons and activities to encourage the pursuit of their musical careers. In winning the Master World Trader’s scholarship, I received £400 to run this event, combining musical acts with a raffle and a silent auction in order to raise the most money for this charity. During the night there were performances by Year 11, 12 and 13, with much talent being appreciated through both solo and group acts, as well as those from the BRIT school and previous Waldegrave students. The set consisted of various genres, with songs ranging from Bugsy Malone to Amy Whinehouse. There was a house band that consisted of Year 12 and Year 13 students which accompanied various duos and solo performers, with the final song being Teenage Dirtbag as a round off to the night. The music was very successful, with each performer bringing their own styles and arrangements to their respective pieces.
EMILY CHARITY EVENT
With the raffle, pizza and refreshments we were able to raise more funds for Music For All, with the lead prize being an acoustic guitar. There were also various smaller prizes including a free music lesson, vouchers for coffee shops and signed books. The silent auction was also successful, with both Delonghi coffee machine and an electric guitar signed by Take That being excellent prizes that helped to reach the target amount raised.
Overall, the concert was a success, with the total amount raised over £2000 for Music For All. I’m extremely grateful to the Music department and Mr Parker for helping me organise this event, as well as all the performers involved who truly made the night so special, and my family and friends who supported me in making this night possible.
~ Emily M, Year 13 student
REMEMBRANCE DAY
In school we joined the nation in commemorating Armistice Day. Following a week of assemblies delivered by Ms Lane to students considering the reasons why we still honour this day, we marked the period of Remembrance with some of our musicians playing the Last Post around the school. Everyone then participated in a minute of silence in respect for those that have fought in conflicts to defend our freedom and protect our way of life.
CHILDREN IN NEED 17 November was BBC’s Children in Need Day. Students and staff got into the spirit by taking part in our non- uniform fundraiser event to raise money for a very worthy cause. Some of us wore spots in line with this year’s theme. It was a great way to raise money - thank you to everyone who took part.
XMAS JUMPER DAY
At Waldegrave, the holiday spirit took centre stage as students and staff participated in our Christmas Jumper Day.
Laughter and festive cheer echoed through the halls as students adorned themselves in an array of Christmas Jumpers, accompanied by whimsical headbands and tinsel.
£304
Thanks to this exciting opportunity, seven wonderful teams of Year 9 students met in school and pretended to be real life spies, solving mysteries and challenges. Translations, puzzles, enigma - they embarked on a quest to learn more about the world, from the history of South America to the Tour de France: all the online challenges were based on the discovery of different cultures and languages. Through the missions that were given to them, students not only learnt more about the different traditions across the globe, but they also used skills such as logic and teamwork. Well done to all the teams!
Year 9 French students enjoyed a morning at St James’ Primary School participating in a French Storytelling Leadership Workshop with Year 2 pupils, telling Eric Carle’s renowned tale of the The Very Hungry Caterpillar in French (La chenille qui fait des trous…). The morning was spent with our students applying their leadership skills confidently and fine-honing their presentation skills, teaching Year 2 pupils new vocabulary around eating and food. The event was conducted in French with tasks ranging from retelling the delightful story to the primary school pupils, to leading speaking, writing and drawing activities related to the book. It was a full morning at the school, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.
“I found the workshop really good for confidence building and to learn reading skills all whilst speaking in French.” - Holly
“I really enjoyed this workshop as it gave me a chance to improve my confidence in speaking and I got to meet some really cute kids.” - Meg
“I think this workshop was really fun and enjoyable because we got to interact with the children and it improved my improvisational skills.” - Emma
"I liked going to St James’ and seeing all the kids happy and joyful learning French." - Parker
"I enjoyed the French & Drama storytelling workshop as it was a very fun and enjoyable experience. I feel as though it has helped me progress with my confidence in speaking French and widened my French vocabulary. We had a very nice time at St. James’ and it was nice to see the kids enjoying it. One of my favourite parts was probably presenting the story." - Caitlin
“I was so impressed with their performance and how well they worked together as a team. The staff and pupils of St James' couldn't believe how confident they were with their French and how good they were at interacting with children.” - Madame Dion-Jones
FESTIVAL OF SCIENCES Waldegrave hosted its first ever Festival of Social Science in collaboration with Royal Holloway and St. Mary’s University! Our students joined us for lively discussions on cutting-edge research in politics, economics, and psychology. We delved into topics ranging from using technology to diagnose autism at an early age to enhancing migration support in the UK. Additionally, we explored the use of football fantasy to
understand inequalities in the labour markets. The event ignited heated debates, and, fingers crossed, it ignited a passion in future students to make a substantial impact on the UK!
“I really enjoyed the festival and I benefited from the experience as it opened my eyes to different routes that social sciences can take me. It was very interesting to hear about all the ways social sciences are fixed into everyday things in the ways we least expect and especially since the speakers were so enthusiastic and had deep understanding and enjoyed the topics they were talking about.” - Joey D
“I really enjoyed attending the festival of social science. It taught me so much that I was unaware of how big a variety of social sciences are. The speakers were all so engaging and I was so interested in what they all had to say. It was a fantastic opportunity and can’t wait to see if it happens again next year!” - Madina B
GLOBE PLAYERS
We were delighted to welcome back to school ‘The Globe Players’ theatre group. After a successful delivery of performances to last year’s English GCSE students, they returned to the school to provide a number of interactive workshops, bringing the English Literature set texts to life for our Year 10 and 11s. Students commented on how useful it was to see the whole play without interruption to help them understand the structure of the play and the character arcs. The actors also added a commentary on the context of the plays which help students grasp the ideas and perspectives of the writers.
“The performance of A Christmas Carol was very engaging and the actors were enthusiastic, they involved the audience and explained some parts. It was performed with great skill and energy. There were moments of laughter but also the key moments of Scrooge’s transformation hooked everyone. The costumes brought the production to life and portrayed the period of time, Victorian England, to a high standard. A Christmas Carol performed on stage showed the novella in a different light and a different perspective on how the characters felt across the story. The ghost of Marely was highly amusing and very well portrayed. The supernatural theme was developed well even as it was in the form of a play and the key moments across the novella were of a very high standard. It was a lovely end for the Year 10s to finish the novella off. A wonderful production for our final Friday afternoon!” ~ Emilia L, 10FHE
“Fiona Tolan gave a thought-provoking lecture on
'The Handmaid's Tale' giving insights into Atwood's motives when writing the novel. She focused on the power of narrative and storytelling in the modern environment which
helped us to gain a deeper understanding of the text.” - Eva G, Year 13
As part of our enrichment programme, Sixth Form English Literature students had the opportunity to hear a lecture about their A level prose text 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood. Fiona Tolan, who lectures on Contemporary Women's Writing at Liverpool John Moores University, delivered a fascinating lecture on 'The Politics of Memory'. We also welcomed 'A' level students from Teddington and Turing House to experience a Literature lecture at university level. The students commented that the talk was useful and gave them a greater insight into the novel.
MARK BLAGROVE
Waldegrave was thrilled to welcome Professor Blagrove, an esteemed researcher specialising in sleep and dreams at Swansea University, into our Sixth Form. Our Psychology students were treated to an insightful session exploring contemporary psychological insights into the intriguing world of dreaming.
Mark’s notable findings in sleep studies, from the effects of sleep loss on suggestibility to the role of dream-sharing on empathy, provided our students with a wealth of knowledge. His talk sparked engaging discussions among the students, delving into the reasons we dream and the potential evolutionary function of dream-sharing in human history.
ACTION BREAKS SILENCE
As part of the 16 days of activism against gender based violence, Year 10 experienced a powerful ‘empowerment through self defence’ workshop delivered by the charity Action Breaks Silence at Waldegrave school. The charity focuses on engaging, educating, and empowering communities to end violence against women and girls. The aim of the workshop was to understand that self-protection is not just about physical skills but a belief that you have the right to stand up for yourself and feel safe, and recognising that you can empower yourself by building a healthy self esteem and confidence. The workshop was both informative and interactive, led by a team of diverse trainers. Our students took full advantage of this unique opportunity to learn ways to keep themselves and others safe. They learned strategies on how to respond to and resist a number of scenarios of violence/abuse and knowing how to be an “active bystander” by helping peers seek support if they have experienced violence/abuse. It was clear students were both learning new techniques and knowledge whilst enjoying themselves through this important workshop.
“After the workshop I felt I had learnt how to keep myself safer by using self defence. Although the topic was serious it was presented in a fun and safe environment.” ~ Eda B
ACTION BREAKS SILENCE
Two of our Year 7 classes had the opportunity to participate in a tester Sustainability workshop hosted by Mike Hardisty, a STEM ambassador who works in sustainability. Throughout the workshop students learned about the use of fossil fuels, atmospheric methane and CO2 levels, electricity in vehicles and how people can tackle climate change. Students then took part in a team quiz, applying old and new knowledge to guess facts, come up with ideas and win an exciting prize! STEM ambassadors aim to inspire girls in school to take up STEM subjects, and introduce the incredible academic and career opportunities. Overall, our students found this fun, educational and a great way to learn about climate change, as well as potential career interests!
“The workshop was both educational and fun. I really enjoyed the quiz which was really fun. I'm very glad we did it and I learnt a lot!”
“I enjoyed everything we learned but I especially liked it when we learnt about ways to reduce emissions. I also liked the questions.”
~ Nikki C, 7PUN
~ Eleanor P, 7PUN
“Overall I loved the creativity and thought that has gone into this. The Quiz was challenging and pushed our team’s. It was great fun!”
~ Bella F, 7PUN
YEAR 8 CHRISTMATHS QUIZ
CHRISTMATHS QUIZ Immediately following on from their end of term test, the quiz enables Christmas to start early. Held before and after lunch, during Maths lessons, the day before the end of term, all of Year 8 competed in house groups to win epraise points for their houses, sweet prizes for themselves and the opportunity to hold the brand new trophy. The excitement for the competition was palpable for anybody coming into the hall, all the students were determined to put their Maths learning (albeit interwoven with some Christmas trivia knowledge) to good use. Loads of fun was to be had too with Mr Reynolds and Mr Trevelyan taking their turns as quizmasters, starting off singalongs and giving their best karaoke’s. There were cameo appearances by Mr Doan and Mr Sweeney as well as the presentation by Mr Goulbourne but main thanks must go to Ms Patel, Ms Fraser, Ms Granat, and the band of Year 12s and TAs who all had the mammoth task of marking all the quiz papers, for each of the three rounds! The winning team before lunch was “Festive Elves” from Pankhurst (India C, Gaia S, Deniz S, Dakshina AP and Minnie N). After lunch the winning team was “I want Presents” from Franklin (Hannah W, Matilde W, Zoja B, Urnee G, Clara M). The overall winning house for the quiz, with the honour of displaying the trophy, is Seacole.
EXTERNAL CELEBRATIONS A big congratulations to Zahra from 8EFR for her amazing performance in her club Kick Boxing Tournament. She was able to finish with the gold medal from the competition.
Congratulations to Minnie M in 7FLE and Daisy G in 7EDA who both qualified to represent Richmond in their U13 girls team for the London Youth Games Cross Country race! They both represented Richmond for the first time last year in their U11 team where they won a bronze medal.
Well done to Safaa B in 10FHE and Amelia R in 10EAH who have both passed their Grade 4 Flute exam.
Congratulations to Samia I in 10SHO who received a Level 2 in her Korean Topik exam - the highest level possible for that exam!
Well done to Evelyn B in 8EMU for receiving a Merit in her Grade 4 Piano exam.
Well done to Isla in 10SHO who has been awarded a Jack Petchey Award for commitment to Scouting! Isla is an Explorers Scout and takes part in many scouting events. She has just obtained the Platinum Scout Award and is a Scout Young Leader, volunteering with the Beavers group each week.
EXTERNAL CELEBRATIONS Well done to Florence P in 8FCO who marched with the Sea Cadets at the Lord Mayors show in London. Her unit appeared on the BBC footage of the event! She also took part in the remembrance Sunday parade though Richmond.
EXTERNAL CELEBRATIONS
Well done to Grace W in 10SDR for passing her Grade 4 Piano exam.
Congratulations to Kate W in 11PON who has passed her Grade 8 Trumpet exam with a Distinction! What a remarkable achievement, well done.
Well done to Cecilia in 9FWD for achieving a Distinction in her grade 5 Violin exam.
Well done to Ameiyah J in 12RFG who has achieved a Distinction in her Grade 8 Guitar exam!
Well done again to all those who received an award. It was a delight to see that Eleanor (Y8), Milly (Y11) and Zaina (Y12) were all in attendance alongside Ms O’Brien who received her Leader Award Grant which she has used for a new Samba Band!
We started the school production of Annie at the end of last Summer term. We have been rehearsing Annie 3 nights a week and all the hard work paid off. All of the staff and students pulled together to create a wonderful and memorable production. Some audience members were even saying that it has been our best yet! Many students from Year 11, 12, and 13 came to help with front of house duties, backstage and played in the band. The Performing Arts team are immensely proud of the students and their achievements!
“I was lucky enough to recently be involved in the school's production of Annie and although I was already excited by this idea, after the experience was over I must say it was nothing like I could have ever imagined. We rehearsed three days every week and no matter how tired we were, we always left in a better mood than when we arrived. I think the most fascinating thing about this was that even if we wanted to go home, we always left with an incredible sense of accomplishment by the end. It felt like it would never end at the beginning but when performance week finally rolled around, auditions felt like yesterday. Backstage we could barely contain our excitement and as the week went on, even though we were tired, every night was still just as thrilling. From opening night to the last night where everyone arrived in pyjamas, the entire production was full of surprises. The mic swaps, the quick costume changes, the running to stage doors, never have we felt so much anticipation and excitement at the same time. I think the most astounding part of this experience was the community we were able to build, with people from different years and form groups, connecting in a way that otherwise they would not have and forming friendships. Overall, I think the entire experience was absolutely amazing and incredibly rewarding, I am so grateful to have been part of it.” - Luciana B
Year 11 and 12 Drama students were taken to see The Woman in Black at Richmond Theatre. They were gripped by this spooky tale and amazed how the actors created so many characters and locations with their cast of 2 and minimal props and set. They are looking forward to analysing the production in more detail in preparation for our Live Theatre review. Year 12 students will use the production to influence their Devised piece. Some students had seen the film of The Woman in Black prior to the trip but the suspense and tension that was created in the theatre was palpable! They were gripping the edges of their seats from start to finish! “The play was brilliant! I was so scared as the tension rose, especially during the 2nd Act - so was Mr Page!” ~ Milly M, 11FLE
LA TRAVIA
Year 12 and 13 Music students spent an evening at the London Coliseum to see
Verdi’s La Traviata performed by the English National Opera. The students enjoyed being inside the opera house and exploring the balconies as well as hearing an opera for the first time.
Elodie M in Year 12 wrote the following review of the experience: “It was a beautiful opera with talented musicians and singers. The acting and singing was so passionate and amazing it moved some of us to tears. It was truly an outstanding masterpiece.”
ENO offers under 21s free tickets to all their operas which is a fantastic opportunity available for all our students!
On Friday 18 December the school hosted its second ever carol service, at St Augustine's Church in Whitton. All three Waldegrave choirs performed in a traditional carol service of nine lessons, both as separate choirs, in a massed piece, and also leading the congregational carols. It was a great evening that succinctly captured the Christmas spirit and I’m sure that everyone who attended, both as performers and audience, thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you to the choirs, the instrumentalists, the readers, and all who attended as the congregation. We hope you all enjoyed the night as much as we did! ~ Kate W, Headgirl Year 11
I really enjoyed the carol concert and having the opportunity to express myself. I love singing and have been singing since I was two. I was really proud to be chosen to perform the opening solo of Once in Royal David City to start the concert off. I was also a little nervous but told myself if you’re ever nervous having to perform in front of others, focus on the achievement and how far you’ve come. The concert set the scene for Christmas and I love Christmas so it was a perfect night. ~ Lila N, Year 7
CAROL CONCERT
WINTER FESTIVAL
Amidst the wintry December night, Waldegrave School hosted a spectacular Winter Festival that echoed with the enchanting melodies of its talented music ensembles. The Main Hall came alive at 7 pm, setting the stage for a captivating musical journey that showcased the hard work and dedication of our students throughout the term. As anticipation filled the air, the event kicked off with the Senior Orchestra, whose harmonious tunes reverberated through the audience, setting the tone for an unforgettable night.
The diverse lineup of performances featured the String Orchestra, Swing Band, Ukuleles, and the dynamic Don't Fret group, each contributing to the symphony of sounds that filled the hall. We also enjoyed some fantastic performancesby our Year 9 Dance students. Adding a unique touch to the evening, student-led year group bands took the stage, infusing the event with youthful energy and creativity. The musical extravaganza wasn't confined to instrumental performances; the Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and the Y7 Singers lent their voices to the celebration, creating a harmonious blend of vocal talents. The night reached its crescendo with a reprisal of a captivating number from the school's recent production of Annie, leaving the audience filled with a sense of warmth, joy, and the true spirit of the season.
KINGSTON CHOIR SINGING
In a heartwarming celebration of music and community spirit, the Music department orchestrated a delightful outing for a group of students spanning various year groups to Kingston. The destination was none other than Kingston's Fenwick Centre, where the air was soon filled with the joyous melodies of our choir singing Christmas songs. As shoppers bustled about their day, our choir serenaded them with festive tunes, creating a harmonious atmosphere that echoed the spirit of the season around the shopping centre. This was a wonderful opportunity for our choir to connect with the local community. Voices blended in perfect harmony as the students shared the magic of Christmas through their music. The Fenwick Centre became a temporary stage for our talented choir, and their heartfelt performance resonated with the shoppers, leaving smiles on the faces of those passing by.
KS3 SPORTS
KS3 students dived straight back into the sporting action after the half term break, with an intense Netball match against Christ’s. Despite a valiant effort, the Year 9 team faced a 13-3 defeat, with Isla K earning Player of the Match. However, the team swiftly rebounded a week later, dominating Turing House in a home match, securing an impressive 25-5 victory. Player of the Match Matilda S showcased exceptional skills. Towards the end of November, the Year 9 Netball team entered a tournament, triumphing in one match against Turing House but facing two defeats, ultimately securing a commendable 3rd place overall. Mia N's stellar performance earned her the Player of the Tournament title. Transitioning to Basketball, the Year 8/9 team participated in the RSSP tournament at the end of November, emerging as runners-up. Victories against Twickenham and Grey Court set the stage for a captivating semi-final against SRRCC, resulting in a resounding 11-4 win. The final against Christ's was a nail-biter, with Waldegrave narrowly losing 2-0. The sporting fervour quickly continued on as the Year 8/9 Basketball team faced Christ's at home the day after the tournament, valiantly battling a tough opponent but succumbing to a 12-24 loss.
KS4 SPORTS
December brought great Cricket success for our U13 team. They emerged victorious in the RSSP indoor tournament, defeating St Richard Reynolds, Turing House, and RTS, securing a place in the next round! The term concluded with a KS3 Rugby match against St. Richard Reynolds, resulting in a 35-10 loss. Despite the defeat, the team worked brilliantly together, with Captain Marie H and try scorer Kiera E displaying outstanding resilience.
Like KS3, KS4 students dived straight back into the sporting action after the half term break, where the Year 10/11 team faced Christs away, engaging in a closely contested match that concluded with a 12-10 loss. Milly V's stellar performance earned her Player of the Match. We witnessed another victory for the Year 10/11 Netball team at home against Turing House, securing a remarkable 37-3 win. Flo N's exceptional performance earned her the Player of the Match accolade.
KS5 SPORTS
The U16 Basketball Tournament at the end of November saw Waldegrave finishing 2nd, with a notable 16-7 victory against Twickenham but facing a 10-16 loss against Grey Court. Our Year 10 Netball team also participated in a tournament at LEH, finishing 3rd in their pool. Despite not making the playoffs, the team showcased commendable teamwork and sportsmanship. December marked the triumph of the U15 Cricket team in the RSSP indoor tournament, winning against St Richard Reynolds, Turing House, and RTS, securing qualification for the next round in January! Finally, the Sixth Form Football team displayed excellent teamwork and sportsmanship in their recent match, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory against Orleans at home. This term we have seen great commitment to sporting excellence, resilience in the face of challenges, and the indomitable spirit that defines our athletes. As the term concludes, we celebrate these achievements and eagerly anticipate the continued success of our students in the upcoming year!
PHOTOGRAPHY TRIPS
A Level Photography students immersed themselves in the Taylor Wessing Photo Prize Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. The show was an engaging collection of portraiture and students were able to explore new artists and new visual languages while linking it back to the work done in the classroom. After the exhibition, the students set out on an urban shoot, capturing the energy of Trafalgar Square, Westminster Bridge, and the lively Southbank. This hands-on experience allowed our students to further develop their practice and enhance their photographic skills while leaving them inspired and excited to explore their creativity. “I found this trip very enjoyable, as I really admire portrait photography, and I was able to see a wide range of different portraits. Each one had a unique story behind it, and I was definitely inspired by the trip. I also had fun taking photos in London and taking in the sights.” ~ Amy B, Year 13 student
Y10 V AND A TRIP
The students travelled by public transport to the museum and then worked in two groups covering a variety of activities to support the work covered in class for the syllabus specification. They were mainly focusing on products for their specialist area of timber to develop knowledge about the selection of materials, construction, how designs have change, culture influences and decorative techniques. During the day the students visited five galleries, each with different activities to do: Furniture - looking at materials, construction, and finishes, Arts and Crafts, including the Scottish school - looking at the work in particular from Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the William Morris company; Architecture - to understand model making and the materials/techniques used; Jewellery - looking at forms; Japan - to understand the influences of the culture; Design 1900-Now - looking at the influences throughout the last century , researching the work from designers and companies and lastly the shop - to observe how timber has been used to attract customers to purchase products.
“The product Design School Trip to the Victoria And Albert Museum was so beneficial and enjoyable. On the trip we got to see a range of different rooms, which really helped me to see a wide variety of items created by famous designers all from different cultures. Seeing these designs helped me to understand many techniques and styles. I got to understand and analyse these designs with the worksheet given, which I really enjoyed filling. Now I feel like I have more knowledge and experience on so many different types of design; from Japanese furniture to jewellery; architecture to 1900’s designs, that I can use in my future projects.” ~ Dora C, 10SDR “The V&A trip was overall fun and quite productive. I had loads of fun looking at different exhibits and was very interested in the architecture and modelling section.” ~ Eda B, 10SHO “The trip allowed me to gain a useful insight into the processes of decoration and finishes, as well as the work of designers like Eileen Gray. I now look forward to incorporating those processes in my future projects and be inspired by the works and history of design the V&A offers.” ~ Safaa B, 10FHE
Year 12 English Literature students enjoyed a trip to the Rose Theatre, Kingston, where they saw a production of Arthur miller’s ‘A View from the Bridge’. This iconic example of American theatre will be useful in adding some context to their study of the more contemporary and less-known examination text, Sweat. The key themes of work, the pursuit of the American Dream and the lives of the common man are evident in both, and very much at the heart of American contemporary drama. The Year 12s were mesmerised and left reeling by the dramatic impact of a play that explores that the intensity of tragedy is not just reserved for kings, princes and the nobility.
“I found A View From The Bridge very helpful in understanding the characters in the play we are currently studying, Sweat. The main character Eddie is very similar to one of the central characters in Sweat - Tracey. Both characters feel a sense of ownership over their position in
society and begin to spiral when they begin to lose this position. Both Eddie and Tracey use prejudice as a scapegoat for their insecurities, Eddie calling the immigration office as a last resort and Tracey blaming race for her promotion and job loss. However, both characters are presented as characters the audience should sympathise with, as the audience watches their journey and how they did not originally set out to be hateful people, but the positions they were put in made them desperate.”
~ Sophie A
Credit: The Other Richard
Credit: The Other Richard
“A View from the Bridge is a brilliant play of romantic and political tragedy that draws and entices you in from the very first scene. The play has a spell-like ability to keep the audience hooked onto the tragic story of Eddie, a working class man, his family and the many misfortunes and calamities they face. The story is one of death, heartbreak and opens up the minds of the audience to the unjust law system of 1950s America: a system that is still in effect in many places today and continues to exploit the most vulnerable and poverty stricken in society. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the play and although I had not read the play prior to seeing it, it far surpassed all my expectations. The dynamic staging consisted of a bare stage furnished with only chairs, a swing, smoke and a bright fluorescent light which illuminated the words “red hook”. Outstanding acting added further to not only my enjoyment but the complexity and dynamics of the play, which as an English student I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated, allowing me to dig deeper and analyse different meanings, reasons and explanations for and about this play. Moreover the play was able to showcase how brilliant a playwright Arthur Miller was, encapsulating his story and spirit and carrying on the legacy that is, A View from the Bridge.”
~ Isolde H-J
Credit: The Other Richard
Y12 SOCIOLOGY / PSYCHOLOGY IN ACTION
In November Year 12 A level sociology students spent the day at the annual Sociology in Action conference in London. In a cutting-edge and inspiring programme, leading sociologists, academics and media personalities addressed a range of challenging and powerful questions on how society functions, the factors which influence our choices and how we experience life. It was a unique opportunity for students to immerse themselves in today’s big sociological issues. It really brought the sociology curriculum to life as we heard from Professor Ann Oakley on her research on the domestic division of labour in the home. Professor Oakley is 79 years old and began her research on gender roles in the 1970s. She argued that whilst there has been some move towards gender equality in the home and workplace, there is still a long way to go.
We listened to and were inspired by Professor Jason Arday’s research on the areas of ethnicity, social class and higher education, intersectionality, mental health, neurodiversity and inequality. It was fascinating to hear his own experiences growing up neurodivergent in the British education system and his journey to become the youngest Black professor at the University of Cambridge. Students will be well prepared for the Crime and Deviance topic we cover in Year 13 as we heard from Professor of Criminology, Simon Harding about his research into gangs, knives and youth violence. It was fascinating to hear about his research on the role social media has played in the rise of county lines and increased violence in certain areas of the country. This presentation also linked well to the research methods topic students study as he told us some of the unique ways he secured interviews and observations with the gang members.
“I recently had the opportunity to attend the Annual Schools Eco Conference along with nine other Waldegrave students from the Eco Committee. This year, the conference was held at Holy Cross School in New Malden. The first speaker was Elliot Newton, the Kingston Biodiversity Officer who spoke about what we can do in our schools to help encourage wildlife. He inspired our future plans to plant wildflowers at school, make bird houses as a DT project and create dead wood structures for many insects including stag beetles. Afterwards, we heard from Angela Munden from Greenpeace who told us about food production, wrapping and waste. She encouraged us to eat less meat (95% of chicken is industrial meat), talked about food packaging alternatives and inspired us to help stop food waste (30% of food is wasted) in the canteen. At lunchtime we played a range of fun, environment related games including eco snakes and ladders and higher or lower which taught us facts about pollution and green issues. Everyone who played them received a cardboard pen for participation. The final speakers of the day talked about climate change and environmental justice. They showed us that the countries producing the most CO2 are the countries which are least affected by climate change and vice versa. Some of the teachers also played a game which showed equality, inequality, equity and justice. The day was packed with fun, exciting and educational activities which we all enjoyed.”
ECO CLIMATE CONFERENCE
~ Amelie M, 7FLE
Year 12 Spanish students made their way to the BFI with the brightest disposition possible on a rather rainy day where they took part in a workshop on the film they are studying: Volver by Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar. The workshop was conducted mainly in Spanish and the students were offered an overview of Almodóvar’s work. Students explored his themes,
GERMAN / SPANISH BFI TRIP characterization and his style. Well done to Nora G (12KNO) and Luke R (12AMZ) for making really perceptive contributions, microphone in hand.They studied key scenes and engaged with in-depth textual analysis. The event finished with the screening of the film which left them shocked, intrigued and curious to learn more about the genius that is Almodóvar. The event was really inspiring and students left the BFI with plenty of ideas
in their mind as to what essay questions they would be writing about. Students truly seized the day!
Year 13 German students enjoyed a day at the BFI on the Southbank participating in a German Study Day led by Dr Judith Rifeser exploring The Legacy of East Germany through Film. The morning was spent with students building their cultural capital, expanding their vocabulary and improving their critical film analysis skills. The day was conducted in German with tasks ranging from debate to arguing their points and justifying opinions. After lunch they were treated to a full length showing of the 2003 film Goodbye, Lenin! “This interactive and highly informative day was led by Dr Judith Reisler, whose passion and knowledge about filmmaking was clear throughout. We learnt about camera techniques and the importance of sound and lighting in four different films about life in pre-1989 East Germany, and ended the day with a screening of our A Level set-work, ‘Goodbye, Lenin!’ on the big screen. Afterwards we all felt more confident in our knowledge of the film, as well as gaining a new understanding about the film techniques used by a variety of German directors.” ~ Charlie K and Lindsay D, Year 13
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