1. A SPECIALIST SCIENCE COLLEGE
Issue No. 3 February 2008
NATIONAL AND LOCAL RECOGNITION FOR
EXAMINATION RESULTS
In the recently announced Government 5+ A* to C grades, including English and
league tables, Eggar‛s was again Mathematics, and last year were placed
recognised as being in the top 25% of 7th most improved school in the country.
schools nationally for the value we add This year we have performed equally as
to pupils‛ progress. This year we well and have been placed in the top 10 of
achieved this in two categories: ‘KS2 to secondary schools in Hampshire.
KS3′ and ‘KS2 to KS4′. We are extremely Last term Eggar‛s was identified as a high
pleased and proud to be nationally performing specialist school and, as a
recognised for the academic progress by result, we have successfully applied for
our pupils and believe this reflects the Training School status. This will begin in
hard work of teachers, pupils and April this year. Eggar‛s is already working
parents over the last academic year. to support and partner several other
For the last four years Eggar‛s students schools to help them to raise attainment.
have achieved approximately 75% 5+ A* In December we were notified that we
to C grades; 10-15% higher than the have achieved the Gold Advanced level
national average. Eggar‛s pupils have also accreditation for the Specialist Schools &
performed well in the new standard of Academies Trust, Consultant School.
3. By the time this Newsletter has been printed, Year 8
Year 7 have had a fantastic first exam week will have been completed and the pupils
term and we are now working will know most of their marks. I am sure there will be
plenty of smiles from good results and outstanding
hard towards our second term at
achievements. Year 8 is a year when students can
Eggar‛s. Some of the pupils have build the foundations and learning blocks for success
achieved over 300 Merit points in Year 9.
which will mean an ‘Eggar‛s Award‛. We have It is important for pupils to review their Academic
also had a very high attendance level in the Review Targets and focus on what they need to
first term — keep it up complete in readiness for the next Academic Review
Year 7! Day on Thursday 20th March.
So far this year all Year 7 We have plenty of extracurricular clubs available
tutor groups have taken
after school which I know many Year 8 students
attend, and there are plenty of budding athletes
part in interform, which is
showing great promise. If you did not attend any
a sports competition last year – have a go this year. You may discover a
between year tutor groups. Last term 7CMc hidden talent!
won the cone run, with the next event of Andy Murray Watch Out!
uni-hock (which is a form of hockey) between Alex Gasson (8LL) is an aspiring tennis player. He
finalists 7CMc and 7HW, which came down to a plays to county and national standard. In fact, there
goal difference and resulted in 7HW winning. is a chance that Alex will be going to Rome in April
This will mean 7CMc having 11 points, 7HW to play in an international tournament.
having 8 points and 7 KG having 8 points to-
2012
Oliver Davis (8JH) recently won two gold medals in a
wards their final scores at sports day in the
swimming competition in Cranleigh. Congratulations
summer term. Oliver!
At the end of every half term we have tests to Dancing On Ice
make sure that we are keeping up with our Alice Easton (8JH) has achieved a gold level in
work. The results are in and apparently we are iceskating. Well done Alice!
all doing really well — which is great news! Spiderman
The Valentine disco arranged Ed James (8JH) has just taken part in a rock
for Years 7 and 8 was sizzling climbing competition. He is still waiting the results.
So fingers crossed for you Ed! Let us know how you
with fun and we all enjoyed
got on.
dancing the night away (well, until
Singing
9pm!), thank you to the teachers for arrang- Aimee Mackenzie is taking part in the ‘Showoffs’
ing this event, it was great fun. talent competition. Aimee is a talented performer
The Year 7s are currently raising money for who has composed and written her own songs.
their chosen charity, the Kware project. This Please let us know how you get on. Good luck!
is a very worthwhile cause that helps young Rounders
children and families living in slums of Kenya, 8AL will be planning a rounders charity match, boys
Over the coming months we will be taking part versus girls. The boys will be anxious to avenge the
netball defeat. This will take place once the weather
in more fundraising for this charity and hope
improves.
you will all support us.
Have a good halfterm break!
By Rebecca Drury, Lettie Buxton and Mr A Wheeler
Alissa Kirkwood of 7CMc Year 8, Year Leader
4. School Calendar 2008 Dates for your diary
February 18 22 HALF TERM
25 Return to school following halfterm
27 Mock Trial rehearsals until 17:00
March 1 Mock Trial Competition at Aldershot Magistrate’s Court 09:0013:30
5 Alton College Open Evening from 18:30
6 Y11 AS Students visit to Critical Thinking Conference at Conway Hall,
London
10 Y9 KS3 Mock SATs tests week
11 Science Lecture Enigma – from 19:00 in the hall
18 12 x Y10 Students visit to Conference ‘The Use & Abuse of our Oceans’ at
Southampton University
19 Farnham College Y11 Opening Evening 18:0021:00
20 Academic Review Day 1:1 reviews with pupils, tutors and parents
Bank Holiday 21 Good Friday school closed
Bank Holiday 24 Good Monday school closed
25 Y7 Exam week
26 Y8 Reports to parents
27 Rehearsals all day for Spring Concert
Spring Concert from 19:00 in the hall
28 Musicians workshop at Amery Hill School 13:0018:00 for performance on
30/03/08 at the Anvil Theatre
29 Musicians workshop at Amery Hill School 14:0017:00 for performance on
30/03/08 at the Anvil Theatre
30 Musicians performing at the Anvil Theatre, Basingstoke from 12:3015:15
and 18:4019:00
31 Y11 Drama exams this week
April 2 Y11 Music Showcase
3 Y8 Parents Evening from 16:00 in the hall
7 18 Easter Holiday
SUMMER TERM 21 INSET DAY— No pupils in school
21 Y10 GCSE Geography trip to Calshot departs
23 Y10 GCSE Geography trip returns from Calshot
Y7 ‘Dr Dolittle’ trip to New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 18:0023:15
24 GCSE Music students trip to ‘The Lion King’ at the Lyceum Theatre, London
17:0012:00
28 Y10 Exam week
29 Y7 Xhalf Geography/Art trip to Kew Gardens
30 Y7 Yhalf Geography/Art trip to Kew Gardens
Farnham College Y10 Opening Evening 18:0021:00
May 1 Junior Maths Challenge
Bank Holiday 5 School closed
6 Y9 KS3 SATs tests begin
12 Y10 Work Experience begins
Y8 depart for residential trip Fairthorne Manor, Botley
14 Y11 GCSEs begin
Richard Robinson lectures for:
Y7/8 – Sense and sensibility
Y10 – Why the one you fancy never fancies you?
Community Lecture from 19:00 – Why toast always lands butter side down?
16 Y8 return from Fairthorne Manor, Botley
20 Y5 Wootey Primary pupils visit for the day
21 Y5 Andrews Endowed primary pupils visit for the day
Y7 reports to parents
22 Y5 Bentley primary pupils visit for the day
26 30 HALFTERM
5. June 2 Return to school
5 Y7 Parents Evening from 16:00 in the hall
6 Y10 Drama exams
9 Y9 Field studies all week
Y10 Leisure &Tourism students visit to Guildford Spectrum and Y10 Health &
Social Care students visit to Treloars College this week
10 Y7 Art experience
11 Y7 Art experience
16 Y9 Field Studies
Y9 Non core exam week
14 Y10 GCSE Drama Trip to StratfordUponAvon
18 Y10 Reports to parents
19 Y6 Induction Evening
20 Y10 Drama exams
21 Eggar’s School Fete
Y10 Drama students visit to StratforduponAvon depart at 08:30am
22 Y10 Drama students return from StratforduponAvon at 16:00
24 09:15 Open morning for Ys 35
25 09:15 Open morning for Ys 35
26 Y10 Parents evening from 16:00 in the hall
27 Evening with the Big Band from 19:30 in the hall
30 Y10 Modular Science exams
July 1 Y11 Repeat module Science exams
2 Sports Day
3 Y11 Leaver’s Dinner at The Grange Hotel
8 Y7 Xhalf Geography/History trip to Winchester
9 Y7 Yhalf Geography/History trip to Winchester
10 Awards Evening from 18:30 in the hall
11 Y9 History trip to Belgium
Y6 Induction Day
Reserve Sports Day
16 Music Challenge from 19:00 in the hall
22 Y9 Reports to parents
23 Last Day of Term
Some dates are subject to change,
please check by visiting out website at
www.eggars.net/calendar
or by contacting the school office on 01420 541194
6. GCSE & KS4 Information Evening
Thank you to all Year 9 pupils and parents
for attending this event. It was an ideal
opportunity for me to introduce myself to
you all as your new Year 9 Progress Leader, Fourteen dance students (seven
and I look forward to getting to know you all from 10AV) represented Eggar’s
over the coming months. School in the Hampshire Schools
This event was highly successful and we Dance Festival at Thornden Hall,
hope it provided you with the information Winchester. They had been
required to make the best decision practising for the prestigious event
regarding Option choices. for four weeks and had been
Year 9 Parents Evening rehearsing every lunch time, three
The very high attendance by pupils and days after school and for two
parents meant teaching staff were kept Sundays. All the hard work paid off
th
very busy right through the evening. All of as on Wednesday 6 February they
our parents evenings are a valuable performed a ‘phenomenal’ dance.
opportunity to discuss your child‛s progress Miss McCready and Miss Masterman
within subjects and, for Year 9 in particular, helped with the routines and
in having the opportunity to discuss and ask organisation. Eighteen schools took
any final questions with regard to the GCSE part overall and Eggar’s was
Options. definitely one of the better
From the parent feedback we received, it performances.
appears you all very much appreciated the
quality of the consultations regarding your
sons and daughters. One parent wrote, this
is an exceptionally well organised and
informative event. The planning for the
evening was much better than I have
experienced at other schools with all the
teachers in one room. Moreover I am really
impressed at how well the teachers know
not just the performance of my child but
also his personality and potential.
In summary an excellent evening. Thank you.
On this note I would personally like to thank
all the teachers and well done to our Year 9 So well done to all of the girls who
pupils who are working really well and making took part especially Zoe Walker,
excellent progress towards their SATs and Alice Rhodes, Jess Sheppard, Ella
KS3 levels. Goldsmith, Jess Nixon, Amy Hide
Mr J Foley and Bethany Dickinson.
Year 9 Progress Leader By Catie Davis 10AV
7. 2008 has got off to a great start with
Oli Jenner of 10AV and the rest of the
MUSICAL SUCCESS…
Back in November, seven pupils, including
myself, went to Petersfield to take our
music exams. I took my Grade 3 flute
exam and, I have to
admit, I was pretty
nervous! To start with
we were ushered into a
small waiting room and
after a short wait I
was called in first.
Eggar’s school Rugby team winning the With my flute and music in hand I was
semi-final against Henry Court. It was welcomed by the examiner and I played
5-0 at half time to Eggar’s and they my pieces which consisted of performing
continued to build up the score and my study, aurals and scales.
when the final whistle blew, the score It took a month for my results to come
was 31-0 to Eggar’s!
through. A pass is 100 points and I
Unfortunately our boys lost the final
19-0 to Hounsdown School. However, managed to pass with 117! I am really
they can hold their heads high pleased and relieved I passed. I would
as apparently the other team like to say thank you to my flute
were ‘huge’! Well done Oli and teacher, Mrs Lacey, for helping me learn
the rest of the team for getting
and play my pieces.
through to the final.
Our Tutor, Mr Varndell, has also been Rebecca Martin 10JO
getting sporty and on Sunday 13th
April will be taking part in the London
M a r a t h o n . On Wednesday 6th February, Mrs Hayward
Apparently this will took myself and two other Year 10 students to
be marathon number visit the British Museum in London. This was a
three for Mr Varndell chance to look at ceramic pots to help with our
and this time has GCSE Art studies. Due to our work experience
decided to ‘walk’ the at Sparsholt College, we had missed the original
trip. We travelled to London on the train and
course with a friend
underground and as one of the group didn’t
(as last time, he told want to use the lift we had to climb 175 steps! At
us he took part when he was in his the museum we took time looking at the
thirties!) and will be wearing a costume ancient Turkish and Egyptian section. We also
and dying his hair! He is walking the went to view the construction of the glass
26.2 miles in aid of the Samaritans, so domed roof.
any sponsors are welcome, and Tutor The best part of the day for me was travelling
Group 10AV wishes Mr Varndell the on the underground as I have never been on it
best of luck! before, but I would hate to live in London
By Catie Davis 10AV because there are too many flats and too much
graffiti.
Ryan Heighes 10AV
8. PUPIL ATTENDANCE We would appreciate your
We are pleased to be able to tell you that our school support in ensuring your child
attendance figure is in the region of 94%. As I am brings to school a bottle of
sure you are aware attendance figures are collated by
the Department for Children, Schools and Families water every day. It is very
(DCSF) and are used as an indicator for the important that all students
performance of a school.
We have managed to achieve a relatively high
have plenty to drink through-
attendance figure by ensuring that we have in place out the day and following
effective systems for recording and monitoring pupil sports activities. Although it
attendance.
For those parents who may not be aware of the is the winter children can get dehydrated,
procedures, should a child be absent from school, we which can lead to lack of concentration
would like to take this opportunity to explain:
and headaches.
¨ If your child is unable to attend school
please telephone the school on the Our students have the opportunity to buy
morning of your child’s absence, using the drinks bottles for 25p each from the school
automatic telephone message
service office which can be filled at break and
¨ Should a parent not telephone to explain lunchtimes using the fresh water
their child’s absence, you may be dispensers in the school hall.
contacted by the school
¨ On your child’s return to school, following
any absence, a letter must be provided
to explain the absence
The DCSF deems that should your child arrive after ACADEMIC REVIEW
the register is closed, they will be marked as absent.
To improve your child’s attendance it is important
DAY
that any late arrival is accompanied by a letter of Thursday 20th March 2008
explanation.
We would appreciate your help and support in this
As you are aware we have two Academic
matter in improving the attendance of our students. Review days planned per school year.
Our second 1:1 reviews with pupils,
tutors and parents will take place on
PAYMENTS Thursday 20th March. These meetings
If you are sending in a payment to school for a will focus on progress and in particular
trip/visit please, where possible, pay by cheque how effectively your child has worked
to ‘Eggar’s School’ and write your child’s name
towards the targets set on the last
and tutor group on the reserve. It would also
be appreciated if these could be sent in an Review Day. Teachers will gather
envelope marked with the child’s name, tutor information which should lead to more
group and purpose of the cheque e.g. trip name. useful discussions about your child‛s
Please do not send one cheque for payment of attainment and their potential progress
many items such as a trip, music lesson, bus
at school. As on the last occasion, the
pass etc, please send a separate cheque for each
activity. If you do not have a cheque book and school timetable will be suspended.
need to pay by cash, this must be made known Pupils will attend school with their
to, and given to, a member of the reception staff parent or carer for the academic review
and a receipt for payment over £10.00 will be only at an appointment time convenient
issued. It is important that pupils do not carry
sums of money during the school day. to yourselves.
Thank you for your support.
9. Pupils also took part in guided tours of
the gallery focusing on a range of self
portraits and their meanings. They
were pleasantly surprised at how many
famous faces they recognised in the
spectacular gallery.
This proved to be a very successful and
informative visit with gallery staff and
teachers commenting positively on the
pupils behaviour throughout the trip.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT
GALLERY
On Friday 1 st February the Art LAUNCH OF GCSE EXAM
Department took 47 students on an ON VIRTUAL LEARNING
educational visit to the National
Portrait Gallery in London. At first we ENVIRONMENT
didn‛t think we would get there on time A new resource has been added to the
as we were stuck in traffic due to an Eggar‛s Online Learning Centre (OLC)
accident in Farnham. Eventually we to assist pupils in their preparation for
arrived in London and had an al fresco the GCSE examinations in Art and
lunch in Trafalgar Square in the Design. The resource should be
glorious spring-like weather. accessed by all pupils completing the
Pupils were fasinated by a Falconer and exam this year. Along with many
his bird of prey, which now patrols the helpful links and guidance on how to
complete the exam, pupils have the
opportunity to contact teachers and
peers through the forums. We hope
that this will enable pupils to ask
questions and continue with their exam
more quickly if they encounter
problems. The resource is being
constantly updated and will grow
throughout the exam period. News on
square and has the job of keeping the the exam is also broadcast via the OLC.
pigeons at bay. We would encourage all pupils to check
Inside the Gallery pupils had a range of this resource as often as possible
tasks to complete. We began by whilst preparing for their exams.
studying portraits, which included
Prince Charles, Richard Branson and Mr P Colburn-Jackson
Damon Albarn (from Blur). Art Department
10. As we approach the final months of Year 11 We would appreciate parents support and
it is very important that our students remain encouragement in ensuring their sons and
focused and committed to achieving their daughters are able to attend these
full potential in their forthcoming worthwhile sessions.
examinations.
We have put together, as shown below, a
timetable of coursework and revision Miss N Curtis
sessions to assist our students with their Year 11, Year Leader
preparation and revision for their GCSEs.
COURSEWORK AND REVISION OPPORTUNITIES
SUBJECT DAY TIME LOCATION
Technology Wednesday 3.15 – 4.30 T1
Art (Mrs Kinteh) Sunday 10.00am – 3.00pm
th
17 Feb A1
Art Easter holiday 10.00am – 4.00pm
th th
(Mr Colburn Jackson) 14 – 18 April A2
Every day after school
and lunchtimes
PE (RE) Monday 3.15 – 4.30
Lunchtime M1
Music (MF) Monday & Wednesday 3.15. – 4.30 MS1
English (Dept.) After ½ term
See list posted in 12.40 – 1.15 E1
English corridor
Maths (Dept.) Individual pupils see teacher or M1
Mr Drake for information & appointments
ICT (KP/JF) Wednesday & 3.15 – 4.30 ICT2 and ICT3
Thursday
Health & Social Care
Leisure & Tourism (SM) Wednesday 3.15 – 4.30 ICT1
Geography (AS) Thursday 3.20 – 4.30 G1
Science (JW) Wednesday 3.15 – 4.15 S6
MFL (REo.&MR) Monday & Thursday 3.15 – 4.15
3.15 – 4.15 F2
History Friday 3.15 – 4.30 H1
Drama Thursday 3.15 – 4.30 Drama studio
RE Start of Summer Term 3.15 – 4.30 R1