Bedford Girls School | News Feed

South Pacific in the Snow

2012-02-10T00:00:00

Sublime singing, creative choreography and some fantastically funny comedic timing ensured last week’s production of South Pacific was a resounding success.

Girls in Years 8, 9 and 10, as well as five boys from Bedford School, showcased their considerable talent to a packed Assembly Hall on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th February. With an evening show each night, everyone involved worked incredibly hard and created a tangible island paradise feel despite the heavy snowfall outside.

Wartime Showcase

2012-02-10T00:00:00

Chattanooga Choo Choo and some fantastic dance routines were among the many highlights of a wartime showcase staged by the Junior School on Tuesday 7th February.

Performed before an audience of parents, grandparents and special guests from the nearby Harpur Trust alms houses, the 1940s entertainment featured dancing, singing and acting and offered the girls further insight into the period and people’s lives during World War II.

Dickens with a Twist

2012-02-10T00:00:00

As part of its celebrations to commemorate the bicentenary of Charles Dickens’ birth on Tuesday 7th February, Bedford Girls' School was delighted to invite friend of the English Department, Dr Sullivan, to the Drama Studio to deliver an inspired reading of The Death of Nancy from Oliver Twist.

Despite nearly losing his voice, Dr Sullivan treated a packed house to a performance which aptly conveyed the menace, fear and abject brutality of the piece while offering everyone a contextual insight into how Dickens wrote so effectively for the spoken word.

After the reading, Dr Sullivan, assisted by two Sixth Formers, offered a short workshop on Dickens and the Victorian novel. As well as highlighting the writer’s propensity for denoting a character’s class through the use of colloquial language, he also demonstrated how the physical actions described throughout the scene are as technically impossible as they are powerful.

Thanks for the Memories

2012-02-10T00:00:00

On Friday 3rd February, during a specially written assembly, Year 12 Psychology students passed on to girls in Year 7 memory techniques for tip-top revision and workload management.

Changing the words to a favourite song and strategically placing items as prompts were among handy hints and tips the Sixth Formers offered to help the younger pupils develop.

During a pre-recorded film tour of the school, the older girls demonstrated how positioning pertinent items in prominent positions can be an excellent aid memoire. They also bravely performed a bespoke rendition of Justin Bieber’s Baby featuring carefully rewritten lyrics to serve as reminders.

Antonia Illingworth, 7CEW, said: “I really enjoyed the assembly and already use some of the techniques described. It was really helpful of the Year 12 girls to share their learning and experience with us and it was really interesting to hear what techniques work for them when they’re revising or trying to remember items on a mental to do list.”

Roman Around

2012-02-10T00:00:00

On Wednesday 8th February, Year 7 received a very special visitor when a time-travelling Roman soldier paid a call to talk about his clothes, lifestyle and environment.

Braving the cold in just his sandals, the affable centurion amazed and entertained with tales of his bravery in battle and wowed his eager audience as he described his chariot and explained about the effectiveness of his shield.

War in Bedford

2012-02-03T00:00:00

On Wednesday 1st February, Year 5 girls were treated to a taste of life in Bedford during the Second World War. Friend of BGS, Niall Creed visited the Junior School to give a talk about how the war affected Bedford and also some of the effects on Bedford High School and Bedford Girls’ Modern School which later became Dame Alice Harpur School.

Following the evacuation of many children to Bedford, both schools increased significantly in size and lessons were conducted on a morning or afternoon ‘shift’ system. As lessons could only take place in daylight, winter days were particularly busy.

The girls were fascinated to discover that during air raids girls of both schools were expected to go to shelters within the schools and carry on with their lessons. They rather liked the sound of two weeks Farm Camp in the summer even though they were assured that it was very hard work.

Mr Creed added to the understanding of what rationing really meant, by providing the girls with cakes baked to a wartime recipe and others using modern ingredients. Interestingly, a significant number of Year 5 preferred the wartime recipe.

After the talk there was an opportunity to have a good look at some of the World War II items that Mr Creed had brought. These included a gas mask for a baby (kindly loaned by the toy collection at Bletchley Park), a stirrup pump and fire bucket. There was also a piece of iron rail similar to that which was blown by a bomb from near Bedford Station into the playground at Bedford High School. It took more than one girl to lift, so they appreciated how fortunate it was that no one was hurt.

The whole experience contributed greatly to Year 5s study of World War II, the end of which will be marked next week by entertainment for grandparents and a visit to the Imperial War Museum at Duxford.

Year 6 Have the Phonebox

2012-02-03T00:00:00

Year 6 girls have been busily researching and writing entries for the BBC’s Script to Screen competition that will see one lucky team of children given the chance to write their own Doctor Who mini-adventure starring the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith.

UK pupils aged 9-11 are being encouraged to collaborate on an Olympics themed script that takes the resident Time Lord on a new quest travelling through space and time. Only one script can be submitted per school and Year 6 will vote for the script they think is the best during assembly on Wednesday 7th March 2012.

In addition to using BBC resources including specially recorded video challenges, bespoke lesson plans and printable Doctor Who, the girls have been studying the broader sci-fi genre as a whole.

Olivia Allen, 6K, explained: “This is a national competition and it’s important to us to make sure our entry is the very best it can be. Instead of just watching Doctor Who we’ve been reading sci-fi books, watching sci-fi films and listening to sci-fi radio broadcasts and podcasts to inspire us further.”

Author Visit and Signing

2012-02-03T00:00:00

On Friday 2nd March 2012, popular children’s author, Jack Trelawny, will be visiting the Junior School to read from his Kernowland series of books. A series of six fantasy adventures, the novels are exciting, insightful and hugely enjoyable.

To commemorate the event, girls will be offered the chance to buy a dedicated and signed copy of one of Jack’s Kernowland books. A rare and collectable item, each signed edition will be available for the recommended retail price of £6.99 but must be pre-ordered from the LRC and submitted with a cash payment, or cheque to the value of £6.99 made payable to Campion Books, enclosed in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the pupil’s name and Form.

While each book in the series can be ordered, newcomers to Trelawny’s work are encouraged to choose The Crystal Pool which is the first book in the series.

More information and order forms are available from Mrs Wray, the LRC Manager, or from the Junior School Library.

National Finals for Netball Stars

2012-02-03T00:00:00

Seven straight victories and a closely fought final have afforded Bedford Girls’ School’s U16 'A’ Team a place in the National finals of one of the sport’s most prestigious inter-school competitions.

On Saturday 28th January, the team took part in the 2012 Regional Round of the England Netball National Schools Competition at Hassenbrook School in Essex.

Demonstrating considerable skill and strategy throughout the tournament, Harriet Clough, Bea Caldwell, Johanna Rawlings, Charlotte Stevens, Katie Rossitter, Grace Wyatt, Meghan Pemberton, Poppy Blair and Grace Crook secured six clear wins over teams from all over the East of England, winning their group stage convincingly and acting as tremendous ambassadors for the school.

Their results against Norwich High School (16-4), Kesgrave School (13-6), Cromwell College (11-4), Broxbourne School (11-9), St Clere’s School (18-1) and Southend High School (15-8) took them through to the semi-finals where they faced formidable opponents in the shape of Notre Dame School.

After an outstanding performance, Bedford Girls’ School finished the match 14-9 ahead, taking them through to the final where they met Broxbourne who they’d already faced in the opening group games.

From the outset it was clear that the two teams were well-deserved of their place in the final and the game was a showcase for both teams and the tournament. After an incredibly hard-fought and exciting final, Broxbourne walked away with a narrow 14-12 lead and Bedford Girls’ School with a place in the National Finals on 17th March 2012.

Captain, Katie Rossiter, said: “We pulled together well and played really well as a team in the Regional Round. We faced a lot of tough competition but won most of our games by a good clear margin.

“The final was extremely close, really enjoyable and terrific preparation for the National Finals which we’re all looking forward to very much.”

Developer for the Day

2012-02-03T00:00:00

On Tuesday 31st January, girls in Year 9 worked in small groups, as part of a Young Enterprise master class called Developer for the Day. They formed in their own construction companies with the aim of submitting a competitive bid for a project linked to the Olympics.

Their brief was to plan and design a fully-equipped and functional Olympic village for athletes competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games. They also had to ensure that, after the games, the project could be readily adapted to meet local housing and community needs.

The plans produced had to meet specific criteria on housing mix, amenities and community facilities as well as being built on time and within budget. Roles, including Project Manager, Architect, Finance Director and Environmental Planner, were assigned to each group member based on individual strengths and the girls demonstrated and developed their team working, problem solving, communication and creative skills throughout the day.

During the activity, the girls were assisted by a team of Young Enterprise Advisors who complimented everyone on their focus and their enthusiasm. All the work was of such a high quality that picking a winner proved extremely difficult but exacting attention to detail and meticulous over-all bid quality saw One Development, a company formed by Georgina Cole, Lily Cassell, Natasha Banghard, Rosie Davies and Lottie Cooper-Drake, beat off stiff competition to take the day’s development crown.

A Celebration of Black History and Culture

2012-02-03T00:00:00

On Tuesday 31st January 2012, Sixth Form Student Ibuchi Chukwu visited the Junior School to give an assembly about Black History Month which is celebrated throughout February in America. Ibuchi was supported by Junior School girls, Martha Raban and Isobel Horsfall, who managed the ICT presentation of her PowerPoint very skilfully. Lively singing of two spirituals also occurred, orchestrated enthusiastically by Mr Gill.

Here, Ibuchi explains what inspired her to write the presentation and the reasons she believes it is vital people learn about other cultures as well as exploring the history and importance of their own.

“In the UK, Black History month is traditionally celebrated in October but I wanted everyone to have the opportunity to explore all aspects of black people’s history and not limit what I could share with my school mates to understanding just one part of the world.

I am really passionate about my culture and general history about my ancestry. I am proud to say I am Nigerian although, unlike my mum, dad and all their family, I wasn’t born there. Black History Month is a time to celebrate what the Afro-Caribbean community has contributed to society globally and how a shared history and culture is not restricted to where a person lives and works but is a source of pride and identity internationally.

I really wanted the girls to understand that celebrating other cultures and people’s history is fun, exciting and offers tremendous insight into exploring your own culture and society as a whole. I also wanted them to find out facts and information they can hopefully use in the future.

I talked about some present day Afro-Caribbean celebrities, such as Christina Ohurougu, Tinie Tempah, Lewis Hamilton and JLS, because I thought the girls would recognise them. I also talked about John Archer, the first person of African Descent to hold civic office in London, and Martin Luther King because I wanted everyone to understand that, as well as achieving great success in the fields of entertainment and sport, Afro-Caribbean people have had a huge impact in politics, scientific discoveries and business.

I really enjoyed preparing all the information for the assembly as well as finding out new facts about Black History that I didn’t know. One of the most important things I will take away from the experience is the need to prepare thoroughly and to be confident in my research and delivery.

There are lots and lots of people and cultures represented in the school who all share the values of bold, imaginative and reflective. I would love it if anyone would like to talk about their own culture and the things they celebrate was inspired to give their own assembly.”

Anyone interested in presenting an assembly about their own history and culture is encouraged to contact Ibuchi and, Assistant Head and Head of Pastoral Care, Mrs Willis.

Pete had the whole school in his hands

2012-01-27T00:00:00

The school was delighted to welcome renowned pianist, singer, writer and performer Pete Churchill to host our school assembly on Tuesday 24th January.

Having united the whole school in singing a rousing gospel number, Pete later treated everyone to an amazingly uplifting and inspiring Jazz performance which people have not stopped talking about.

Pete was born in London in 1961 and, following his schooling, studied music at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, - eventually returning to London for a post-graduate year in Composition and Arranging at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

He has been a Professor of Jazz Studies at the Guildhall since 1988 where his harmony classes are incredibly popular and where he directs and writes for the vocal ensemble. He is also a member of the faculty at the Royal Academy of Music where he teaches jazz composition and has recently concluded a long spell as a Senior Lecturer in Jazz Studies at Middlesex University where, amongst other things, he ran the large gospel choir.

As well as being a well-known teacher, Pete also manages a hectic freelance career both as a writer and as a performer and is equally well known as a jazz-pianist and a singer.

His long-standing interest in Music Theatre and song-writing has resulted in two appearances at the Vivien Ellis Prize for new musicals. In 1988 he won the Special Prize for the gospel musical David and Goliath and in 1992 he was outright winner with a show entitled Cecil Jackson fights back. Songs from both of these shows subsequently gained Gold and Platinum discs when released in Denmark. In 1993 Pete's reputation as a jazz pianist and vocal coach led to a year's hard labour as Musical Director for Five Guys named Moe in the West End.

Racketing Success

2012-01-27T00:00:00

Year 10 girls Tiya Mistry, Lucy King, Simran Deol and Tavleen Toor took part in Bedford’s U15 Upper School Badminton Tournament held at the Bunyan Centre on Monday evening.

After playing several rounds in their section against teams from various schools they finished runners up, winning a place in the play off for the 3rd and 4th position overall.

Their next match was a win against Bedford Academy securing a commendable third place over all. The girls all enjoyed the event and were delighted with the final result.

What the Dickens?

2012-01-27T00:00:00

To mark the bicentenary of Dicken’s birth, on Tuesday 7th February 2012, Dr Sullivan will be revisiting the school to deliver a one-off performance of the Death of Nancy from Oliver Twist.

Filled with drama, pathos and a tangible sense of mortal terror, the scene features one of the most famous murders in literary history as Oliver’s kindly, if light-fingered, protector falls foul of Bill Sikes’ fatal rage.

Dr Sullivan will be treading the boards in the Drama Studio at 1pm and the event is free to attend. However, tickets are limited and will be available from the English Department on a strictly first-come-first-served basis, from Monday 30th January.

Pupil Swims towards the Olympics

2012-01-27T00:00:00

Following an incredible 400m freestyle swim at this month’s City of Derby meet, Year 9 pupil Nicola Pasquire has won a place at the British Gas Swimming Championships in March.

One of just a handful of able-bodied swimmers in Bedfordshire to have qualified for the Olympic Trials, Nikki will be one of the youngest people taking part in the competition where she is looking forward to rubbing shoulders with Olympians such as Rebecca Adlington.

Tudor Day Success

2012-01-20T00:00:00

History came to life for Year 4 on Monday 16th January when they built two entire Tudor houses from scratch.

As part of a workshop, led by Charlie Lupton of Make your own History, the girls learnt how to chisel wood to make pegs, thatch and tile a roof and master the basics of weaving.

During the hands-on experience, pupils constructed both a normal Tudor dewelling and a rich Merchant’s house. Working in teams, the girls used historically appropriate techniques, such as wattle and daub, to complete their buildings which were big enough for them to stand up in.

In addition to learning valuable new skills, the workshop proved enormously enjoyable and gave everyone a real feel for the period, facilitating a valuable opportunity to compare and contrast different people’s experience of living in Tudor times.

Happy Puzzle Activities Day

2012-01-20T00:00:00

Lateral thinking and collaborative working were at the heart of a Happy Puzzle activities day enjoyed by Year 5 girls at Bedford Prep School on Monday 16th January 2012.

Working in groups with the boys, pupils undertook an exciting range of activities linking in to a variety of areas across the curriculum, especially Mathematics.

Developed by Psychologist of Education, Gavin Ucko, the Happy Puzzle programme uses large 3D puzzles and challenges, which might at first glance appear easy. Once pupils begin trying to solve them, however, they suddenly appear more complex. The task then becomes one of turning the apparently impossible into the possible. As they do so, each student improves their thinking skills and team work, while boosting their confidence and raising their expectations of what they can achieve in the classroom.

Competition Classic

2012-01-20T00:00:00

Ancient Warfare, Leadership and Greek and Roman Mythology are among the topics to choose from in this year's Jowett-Sendelar Essay Competition.

Girls in Year 9 and below are invited to enter a composition of between 1,500 – 2,500 words into the prestigious national writing competition and are free to illustrate the piece if desired. In answering one of five questions entrants are encouraged to apply contemporary analysis to classical history and texts and to compare and contrast the lives of people living in Ancient Greece and Rome with those of people today.

The Jowett-Sendelar Essay Competition is organised and run by The Joint Association of Classical Teachers (JACT). A membership organisation dedicated to supporting the teaching of classical subjects at all levels, it has the dual aims of defending the teaching and learning of Classics at a national level and encouraging networking and information sharing amongst teachers, students and any other individuals working in Classics.

The deadline for entries into this year’s competition is August 1st 2012 and candidates will be notified of the outcome before the end of the Autumn Term. Candidates must put their name, date of birth and school on the front cover page of their entries and not on the pages of the essay itself. The judges would like to see a bibliography or a list of the sources consulted and a word count should be included. Entries may be submitted electronically or by post.

Richard Fuller MP Visit

2012-01-20T00:00:00

The newly formed Bedford Girls’ School Politics Society opened its doors to Richard Fuller MP, on Friday 13th January 2012.

After speaking to the group for over an hour, the Member of Parliament for Bedford and Kempston took questions from the floor and invited the girls to meet him at Westminster should they arrange a future trip.

Elected to Parliament at the 2010 General Election, Richard was born in Bedford and explained how local issues and concerns underpin his passion for politics. He also spoke about the reality of life at Westminster including the theatre of Prime Minister’s Question Time and the necessity of working extremely long days.

Having been heavily involved in politics as a student, Richard decided to take a break from his parliamentary interests in his early 20s. As a partner in a venture capital firm and later a management consultancy, he has travelled extensively and has worked in several countries including Australia, Korea, the Philippines and the United States.

Asked what his best advice was to aspiring politicians, he said: “The best way to learn about politics is through getting involved in your local community and particularly with charities whose cause you feel strongly about.

“The most rewarding aspect, for me, of being an MP is being able to affect change in my home town and to give people a voice in parliament who might otherwise not be heard.

“It’s never too early to start getting involved with this aspect of politics and to start being a force for good in the environment where you live.”

Get Creative With House Competitions

2012-01-13T00:00:00

Two brand-new House competitions are offering all pupils and staff the chance to showcase their bold, reflective and imaginative capabilities through the media of poetry and photography.

As well as injecting the Spring Term with a healthy dose of creative inspiration, the artistic challenges offer a fantastic means of winning House Points and getting more actively involved in the school’s exciting House system.

To coincide with Valentine’s Day, the first competition is looking for poetic submissions to suitably celebrate February’s dedicated day of love. Poems can be witty, cynical, romantic or just plain silly and form and diction are free. The only restrictive stipulation to be met is that entries must be suitable for publication.

The closing date for the Valentine’s Day Poetry Competition is Thursday 9th February 2012. Verses, typed up as a Word document, should be sent to Mrs Jones by email. All entries will automatically receive House Points with extra points to be awarded for the best and most imaginative poem.

Following on from the tremendous success of last term’s Photographic Challenge, the whole school is also invited to enter a Mini Photographic Competition by submitting a single image that best represent one of the school’s values: Bold, Reflective and Imaginative.

Subject matter, mood and style are all open to free interpretation and creativity is of the essence. Again, all entries will receive House Points and the winning photo will be displayed in the school alongside the best pictures from last term’s photography competition as well as appearing in a forthcoming issue of The Edit.

The closing date for entries to the Mini Photographic Competition is Wednesday 22nd February 2012 and should either be handed to Mrs Jones on a memory pen or sent to her, in jpeg format, by email to kate.jones@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk.

Please ensure that your name, form and House are clearly displayed alongside entries for each competition.

Speaking out Against Hurtful Words

2012-01-13T00:00:00

Following on from a variety of projects designed, developed and delivered in response to Anti-Bullying week last term, Year 6 wrote, researched and produced a Junior School assembly to remind everyone to reflect upon how words can sometimes be hurtful.

Held on Monday 10th January, the assembly featured a contemporary re-working of the well-known rhyme about Sticks and Stones from 6P, while 6M showed some short films they had produced on the theme of cyber bullying. Girls from 6W and 6K performed a self-penned play about how openness, honesty and speaking out are often the best way to stop bullying.

The theme of the most recent anti-bullying week, held between 14th and 18th of November 2011, was "Stop and Think: Words can Hurt." During the week itself, girls attended special assemblies, undertook numerous activities and worked together to promote consideration and discussion of the issues surrounding verbal, and written bullying.

As part of PHSE and ICT lessons, students were asked to consider how mobile phones, social networking and messenger services, such as BBM, have altered the way we communicate and the need to keep themselves safe in cyber-space as well as respecting the rights and freedoms of others. Pupils also discussed how smart phones and online resources, including Facebook and Twitter, have changed the way we use words.

Girls responded so well and creatively to the tasks and activities during the week and expressed such well-considered and passionate arguments against bullying that it was decided that further work would continue in 2012.

Crew Call for South Pacific

2012-01-13T00:00:00

Budding Stage Managers, Set Designers, Theatre Hands and Riggers are required to join the crew for February’s eagerly anticipated production of South Pacific.

Girls in Year 10 and above who are interested in learning the ropes behind the scenes need to be available to attend the remaining rehearsals taking place this Sunday and after school on Wednesdays.The performances themselves are on Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th February at 7pm.

South Pacific is a musical score by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II as well as a book by Hammerstein and Joshua Logan. The story is loosely based on James A Michenser's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 novel Tales of the South Pacific which dealt predominantly with racism on the region's islands during World War II.

Considered by many critics to be one of the greatest musicals of the 20th Century, the story concerns a naïve young nurse from Arkansas who becomes romantically involved with a French plantation owner. With a large supporting cast and songs including Happy Talk, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair and Some Enchanted Evening, South Pacific serves as a record of both the romanticism and tense conflict of the age.

Tickets for the whole school production will be available soon and girls in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 who are keen to share the experience of staging a major production, for which they will receive full training, are asked to contact Mrs Redford or Mrs Perren as soon as possible.

Franklin Make Music Memorable.

2012-01-06T00:00:00

As well as supporting research and raising public awareness, the Alzheimer’s Society in Bedford aims to help people living with dementia lead full, active and enjoyable lives while continuing to play a vital role in their local community.

As part of this objective, the charity runs weekly events where people with dementia and their carers are able to express and share ideas through poetry, music and singing. Called Music4Memory, the sessions are designed to be a diverse and dynamic celebration of the enriching power of music and song.

Each year, the organisation holds a Christmas concert where people with Alzheimer’s and their carers perform with musicians, singers and community organisations at an open and free event.

On Friday 16th December 2010, the 70-strong group of regular participants were joined by Helen Morse, IBuchi Chukwu, Lucy Ackroyd, Sarah Morse, Isobel Murray, Maria Lee and Eloise Toon.

As well as joining in songs, dances and recitals, the girls treated the 70 plus participants to a rendition of Jessie J’s Price Tag which has become Franklin’s official House song following its success at last Term’s House Glee.

Lucy Ackroyd, Year 12, said: “There was a lot of singing and dancing which we all really enjoyed. It was great to meet and talk to the Alzheimer’s patients and their carers. We all found the society inspiring and are really encouraged to tell Franklin House to support this amazing charity as much as they possibly can.”

Dementia is a term used to describe various different brain disorders that have in common a loss of brain function that is usually progressive and eventually severe. There are many types of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

Alzheimer's Society staff and volunteers provide local information and services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to people affected by dementia. These local services include day care and home care for people with dementia, as well as support and befriending services to help partners and families cope with the demands of caring. From Alzheimer's Café's and Music4Memory sessions to group outings, The Alzheimer’s Society provides both practical support and an essential point of human contact to the community of Bedford.

BGS Badminton Bonanza

2012-01-06T00:00:00

Following a brilliant start to the season last term, the Year 8 Badminton A Team have started 2012 on a highnote with a place in the final round of the Bedfordshire Schools Badminton League.

Exhibiting some fantastic shots, the A Team, Clarissa Llanaj, Emily Botta, Katie Parrish and Charlotte Beechener won their group in last term’s competition and are now looking forward to further success in the next round of the competition, the date of which is to be confirmed.

Other BGS teams also enjoyed success in the same competition. The Year 8 B Team, Melissa Nash, Katie Norris, Eleanor Holloway and Izzy Buckholt, won all but one of their group games, whilst the Year 7 A Team, Amelia Buckholt, Grace Spong, Charlotte Monks and Charlotte Anderson, came 3rd overall and the B Team, Michelle Cudjoe, Christine Simmonds, Mia Armstrong, Ruth Kupshik and Gwen Scott, came a commendable 6th overall.

Simpson’s Rule at the IOE

2012-01-06T00:00:00

Novel approaches to Mathematical thinking and how the subject informs everyday living were among a range of topics students in Year 12 were asked to consider during a recent trip to the Institute of Education (IOE).

A graduate college of the University of London, the IOE has an international reputation for teaching excellence and the girls were delighted to attend an all-day programme of seminars and lectures on Wednesday 7th December 2011.

Jess Howard, Year 12, said: “The first speaker talked to us about ‘True statements that can’t be true’ which really made us think and warmed us up for the variety of Maths related lectures that followed.

“What we came away with, in particular, was an enriched understanding of how Maths is significantly influential in real life situations. Our particular favourite parts of the day were the lectures Dam Busters and the Bouncing Bomb and Maths in The Simpsons. Both were individually captivating, complete with humour and kept the four hundred strong audience engaged throughout the duration. It was a fantastic day filled with unique mathematical knowledge and we have come out of this experience with a deeper understanding of how Maths relates many professions and parts of our everyday lives”.

Christmas Fayre is a success

2011-12-09T00:00:00

On Wednesday 7th December 2011, the whole school attended a special assembly to celebrate the achievements and successes of Austen, Chanel, Franklin, Hepburn, Nightingale and Parks over the Autumn Term and to look forward to their continued growth in 2012.

Handmade bags from South Africa, mouth-watering chillies and an array of seasonal arts and crafts were among a plethora of goods on sale at Bedford Girls’ School’s 2011 Christmas Fayre.

Organised by Bedford Girls’ School Parent Teacher Association, the event attracted more than 250 visitors and generated over £1,500 for investment in future school projects.

Held on Saturday 3rd December between 2pm and 4.30pm, the fayre featured 23 professional stalls in addition to a wealth of stalls and attractions planned and manned by pupils. Guess the name of the teddy, a chance to win an MP4 in the tombola and face and nail painting proved extremely popular while music, fairy lights and decorations created a delightfully festive ambience.

Refreshments, including cakes, tea, coffee and mulled wine, were also available throughout the day in the dining room extension where visitors could also view hand-decorated baubles entered into a Junior School competition.

In addition to seasonal items and food, including wreaths, table decorations, cakes, pies and preserves, handmade jewellery and clothes were also offered for sale. Pyjamas and lounge pants were also available from new British retailer blueblancmange

Students from the Young Enterprise Group proved suitably business-minded in running their own stalls and Girls taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme were delighted by the success of their own ventures and the Junior School Choir warmed everyone’s hearts with a carol recital as the afternoon drew to a close

Bedford Girls’ School is grateful for all the hard work and generosity of the BGS Parent Teacher Association team, their helpers and the staff, parents and pupils who contributed so much time and effort to the day.

A Socktacular Knees-up

2011-12-09T00:00:00

Strange things were afoot on Wednesday 7th December when spots, stripes, stars and even skulls graced the corridors and classrooms of Bedford Girls’ School.

The bright colours and eclectic patterns were all for a good cause and were limited to the socks of girls supporting Parks House’s chosen charity, Bedford Concern for the Homeless and Rootless (BeCHaR).

In exchange for a 50p donation towards the work of the BeCHaR’s Prebend Day Centre, students in the Senior School were able to kick up their heels wearing their wackiest hosiery. As well as raising money to support homeless and vulnerable people in the town, the free-choice footwear day was designed to encourage donations of socks for the school to pass on to BeCHaR.

Ryan Flecknell, Manager of the Prebend Centre, visited the school to meet Parks’ Charity Representatives Anisha Nayer and Priya Shah. He also found time to give an interview to Bedford Girls’ School Radio Group.

Explaining exactly how donations of socks are distributed, he said: “One of the main reasons people come to the Prebend Centre is to have their basic needs met. As well as being able to eat a meal this includes showering and receiving clothing to keep them warm and healthy. While people continue to visit the centre and are given assistance with these things, we are then able to offer them our other services, such as drug and alcohol counselling, and help them to reintegrate into the local community.

“We give out an enormous amount of socks every day and donations like this are absolutely vital. We very much value our ties to Bedford Girls’ School and are extremely grateful for all the kind donations from pupils, parents and staff which directly help change the lives of vulnerable people in Bedford.”

New pairs or packs of men’s and women’s socks can be donated to BeCHaR in the Dining Room Extension up until the last day of term and Christmas stocking shaped cookies will be on sale in support of the charity during break time on Monday 12th December.

Pride in Bedford Girls' School

2011-12-09T00:00:00

Having been scouted via the school’s website, Year 10 student Ellen Shepherd put in a stunning performance when she was asked to sing at the Pride in Bedford Awards on Wednesday 30th November.

Together with Kerenza Killingbeck, Ellen won Best Individual Performance at Bedford Girls’ School’s recent House Glee competition for their song and dance interpretation of Adele’s 'Someone Like Yo'u. After video footage of the Glee was uploaded to the school’s website, Ellen was approached by the Times and Citizen newspaper who asked if she could sing at the black-tie event.

Despite only having two days to prepare, Ellen performed three songs on the night including Coldplay’s 'Fix You' as well as her House Glee winning ballad. Ellen put in a stunning performance to an audience who were astonished into silence by her emotive delivery and strong vocal performance.

Co-sponsored by The Bedford Charity, Pride in Bedford celebrates outstanding achievements and spectacular individuals throughout the borough of Bedford. During this year’s ceremony, Headmistress, Jo MacKenzie, presented the Child of Courage award.

Glee is a prime example of the fantastic array of activities and sense of belonging associated with Bedford Girls’ Schools’ House System which has gone from strength to strength since its September inception.

For another chance to view the highlights of the Glee performance at Bedford Girls' School, view below.

Tiggy-Winkle Tale

2011-12-09T00:00:00

When Beatrix Potter wrote the Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, more than 100 years ago, little could she have known how enduringly popular the busy hedgehog washerwoman would become. She might also have been surprised to see her character inspiring and informing the work of Year 4 pupils in their dance lessons throughout the Autumn Term.

Since September, the girls have looked carefully at Potter’s drawings and studied her descriptions of the anthropomorphic animals her work brings to life. Working in groups, each of the three classes made detailed observations of the characters’ traits and thought about how to physically represent them through dance.

As work developed over the term, they began to focus on Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and paid particular attention to her bustling sense of purpose, cheery good nature and industry. Having considered how best to convey her character through movement, actions and expression, the girls then began work on a choreographed four minute performance piece.

As well as incorporating tasks that typify Potter’s Lake District heroine into the dance, the girls also suggested using physical props to enhance the piece. While this presented extra challenges, including prompting the girls to think harder about spacing and movement, it succeeded in adding greater poignancy. As well as conveying the character’s busy and proactive approach to tasks such as washing, folding, rinsing and hanging clothes, the girls also succeeded in illustrating just how tired a hard-working hedgehog must be at the end of a busy day.

On Tuesday 29th November 2011, the girls staged their dance for approximately 80 parents and thoroughly enjoyed showcasing their work. They also took away from the experience the cross-curricular benefits of a glimpse into the world of women prior to the invention of labour-saving machines as well as enjoying a different way of reading and evaluating fiction.

Lesley Bream, Teacher of Dance, said: “This was a very polished piece of detailed choreography involving a great deal of research, consideration and understanding of the characters and tales of Beatrix Potter.The girls applied themselves extremely well, generated their own ideas and developed and demonstrated a great deal of enthusiasm for and understanding of the subject matter.”

Cadets Glide

2011-12-09T00:00:00

Despite changeable weather conditions and a little bit of turbulence, cadets from Bedford Girls’ School enjoyed a taste of the high life during a recent visit to RAF Henlow where they tried their hands at gliding.

After carefully watching a DVD of safety procedures and ensuring they were able to operate a parachute, the girls donned their RAF issue green overalls and went out to the hangers housing the gliders.

Each girl was then assigned an instructor before taking to the sky for half an hour’s airborne tuition and the opportunity to control a glider themselves.

Charlotte Chandler, Year 10, said: “The take-off was smooth and you were soon 100ft in the air and climbing higher. To begin with the turbulence was a bit bumpy but you were soon too high up to notice it anymore. The view around you was amazing, the sky was clear and you had windows to look out all around you. The instructor explained the different dials and about the horizon while telling you how to keep the glider steady.

“We were shown how to point the nose up and down, turning left and right, each time being given a chance to take control and do it yourself. After our first lesson in a few simple manoeuvres we were soon above Bedford Girls' School and were told to take control and fly back to Henlow. When we got close to the base the instructor took over again and brought us down for a smooth landing after half an hour in the air. It was an amazing experience and I would do it again!”

Austen Masterclass

2011-12-09T00:00:00

New insights into literature were afforded to students Years 12 and 13 when acclaimed writer and academic Richard Gill visited Bedford Girls’ School.

On Thursday 1st December, Richard delivered three lectures to Sixth Form English students beginning with presenting an analysis of Jane Eyre’s thought processes to Year 12 girls. Focussing on the affect Jane’s psyche and reasoning has on other characters and the narrative, he offered students a different and valuable reading of Bronte’s 1847 novel; before concluding with an overview of the role and function of women, men and God in Jane Eyre.

Later he talked to students in Year 13 about Pride and Prejudice and Much Ado About Nothing, highlighting the importance of character within the text.

Richard Gill is a lecturer and former Head of English whose many books include, 'How to Master English Literature', a study of Austen’s writing for the Macmillan Masterguide series and a recently completed critical evaluation of the poetical works of Christina Rossetti.

Choir Light-Up Christmas Trees

2011-12-02T00:00:00

The Years 5 and 6 Choir put in a sparkling performance at the opening of 'Bedford Hospitals Charity's 10th consecutive Christmas Tree Festival on Wednesday 30th November.

Immediately after the High Sherriff of Bedfordshire, Andrew Slack, finished his welcome address, the girls sang a beautiful rendition of Silent Night. After warm applause and accompanied by Acting Director of Music, Chris Gill, on Piano, they went on to perform the Holly and the Ivy and The Shepherd’s Pipe Carol.

Held in St. Paul’s Church, the week-long Christmas Tree Festival features a display of Christmas trees designed and decorated by local schools and community groups. The theme of this year’s festival was Light up the world and Year 5 pupils made glittering gold crowns and origami jewels for the Junior School's Christmas tree. Topped by an intricate rendition of the school’s eagle motif, the Bedford Girls’ School tree also included teal and damson to represent the colours of the jumpers worn by girls in the Junior and Senior School.

Kay Fulton, 69, from Bedford’s Prime Ministers area said: “The girls sang absolutely beautifully and the trees this year are the prettiest I’ve ever seen them.

“As soon as the choir began to sing Silent Night, I felt Christmas had really begun and the whole occasion was truly moving.”

Swimathon Success

2011-12-02T00:00:00

On Saturday 19th November, six Bedford Girls’ School students took part in the Rotary Club's Swimathon to raise money for the Prebold Centre for the Homeless and Bedford Hospitals Charity Gamma Plus Appeal.

Claudia Grant-Dawson and Erin Gibbs-Charles in Year 9 , Antonia Illingworth in Year 7, Clodagh Mackay and Elinor Bowner in Year 6 and Emily Ratcliffe in Year 5 swam 220 lengths in relay over two 50 minute sessions and raised £305 which will be split equally between the two charities.

Read Claudia Grant Dawson’s account of the day here.

Tempest Goes Down a Storm

2011-12-02T00:00:00

Year 6 gained new insight into The Tempest last week when The Young Shakespeare Company paid a visit to stage an interactive workshop in the language of the Bard.

Roxy Michael, 6P, said: “At first, the actors helped us act out the play which was fun and helped us understand it a lot more. They dressed some of us up with crowns and hats and they gave people labels to show who they were in the play. We did this with the whole year and they got everyone laughing. We acted it until about half way through the day when we stopped to watch the actors play it out.

“They did the whole play for us and it was very funny. They had all the different characters and played them very well. After this everyone understood the plot. They had very good costumes. We all enjoyed it so much and we are thankful they came in. “The actor who played Caliban was the best. He was very funny and made everyone laugh so much they could have fallen off of their seats!”

Sock it to them Parks!

2011-12-02T00:00:00

As part of its on-going commitment to working with local charities, Bedford Girls’ School is asking parents and pupils to help fund toasty toes for local homeless people this winter.

In support of Parks House’s chosen charity, Bedford Concern for the Homeless and Rootless (BeCHaR), girls in the Senior School are invited to wear their most colourful, most outrageous or most random socks on Wednesday 7th December. There will also be a sale of Christmas Stocking-shaped biscuits during morning break on Monday 12th December.

In addition, the school is appealing for donations of brand-new packs of men’s and women’s socks to be donated directly to people who are reliant on the services of the Prebend Day Centre. The number of socks given as part of the appeal will be measured by Parks’ bespoke-built Sockometer which can be found, with a donations’ box, in the Dining Room Extension.

Established in 1993, the Prebend Centre works with vulnerable people aged 16 and over, helping them take the next step towards reintegration into the local community. As well as providing hot meals, clothing, access to healthcare and multi-agency support to people at the centre, it also undertakes a range of outreach work including holistic rehabilitation work and on-going support.

Ryan Flecknell, Manager of the Prebend Centre, said: “Our principle aim is to improve the quality of life for those least cared for and most vulnerable in the community of Bedford. The town’s homeless and rootless population exceeds the national average and local fundraising initiatives like these are vital to our work in helping to change this.

“Every donation, be it socks or money, will go directly towards helping someone living in Bedford move a step closer to re-entering the local community and rebuilding a safe, fulfilling and valued life”.

Transport to Mexico is Sewn Up

2011-12-02T00:00:00

With more than 150 girls involved in the Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Scheme this year, Co-ordinator, Joy Martin, certainly has a packed schedule.

However, she has still found time to organise a trip to Mexico to drop-off donated sewing machines to one of Bedford Girls’ School’s nominated charities, Children of the Moon.

Based in a socially deprived and impoverished area of Southern Mexico, Children of the Moon provides a variety of care and services such as a basic education, clothes and toys and drop-in facilities. It also offers psychological, medical and dental care.

Recently the organisation has been helping children learn to sew. This is an extremely important skill enabling the children to make clothes for themselves and to help them find future employment.

Following an appeal for donations of old Singer machines, supporters of the charity have been faced with the dilemma of how to transport them to Mexico. After much deliberation, Joy has decided that squeezing them into wheeled bags and taking them onboard as hand luggage is the most cost-effective means of ensuring they reach the point of need.

On Tuesday 13th December, she will be giving an assembly to the whole school about the work of Children of the Moon and is inviting anyone able to donate a Singer Sewing machine or a suitable bag for transport to contact her.

Students Conquer Cambridge in Debating Competition

2011-12-02T00:00:00

Sixth Form students Caroline Ball, Helen Morse, Catarina DeSapia and Amanda Field enjoyed tremendous success at their first major debating event of the academic year.

On Monday 21st November 2011, the girls took part in the first round of the Cambridge Union School’s Debating Competition. Held at University of Cambridge, the competition offers qualifying participants the opportunity to debate with peers from schools across the UK.

Working in pairs, the competitors took part in one prepared and one un-prepared debate, competing against each other for a place in the next round. Despite extremely stiff competition, Caroline and Helen were one of two pairs in their group to progress further in the competition and will be taking part in the next round in 2012.

Caroline Ball said: “Sadly, Cat and Amanda narrowly missed out on being selected despite a terrific performance but we all enjoyed the competition”.

Expert Insight into Renal Physiology

2011-12-02T00:00:00

Girls from the Senior School and Sixth Form were given greater insight into renal physiology at the Harpur Science Forum’s most recent lecture.

On Thursday 24th November, Dr Robert Wilkins, from the Department of Physiology at Oxford University, visited the Great Hall at Bedford School to deliver a talk about Kidney Ion Transport.

Year 13 student, Bethany Kuszlewicz, said: “He told us about the absorptive processes involving sodium ions that occur within the kidney and two different pathways for chloride ion reabsorption, paracellular and transcellular.

t was interesting to learn about primary, secondary and tertiary active transport, and how they differ as well as the need for solute transporters. Everyone who came thoroughly enjoyed the talk.”

England International Trains with Lacrosse Team

2011-11-25T00:00:00

Lacrosse players at Bedford Girls’ School were able to learn from one of the best and brightest talents in the sport when elite England international Alana Livesey visited Cardington Road on Monday 21st November.

Having spent the afternoon offering hints, tips, advice and guidance to girls in Year 8 and Year 9, Livesey rounded off the day training with the first team.

Over recent years, lacrosse has gained enormous popularity and is now played in over 22% of UK schools. To further promote and support the development of the sport, the English Lacrosse Association has brought together some of the country’s best coaches and players who are assigned to help support the game in specific schools.

Bedford Girls’ School was fortunate enough to be assigned Alana Livesey whose successes in the game include a pivotal role in the England Squad who finished runners-up in the 2008 European Championship in Finland.

Livesey said: ‘It’s brilliant to have been assigned a school where everyone is so welcoming and there’s such a tremendous enthusiasm for the sport.

‘The standard of play I’ve witnessed today in all the groups I’ve worked with has been really high which is great for the girls and the English game as well as ensuring Bedford Girls’ School lacrosse players are a pleasure for me to work with.’

Model Students Unite to Win Prizes

2011-11-25T00:00:00

A group of student delegates from Bedford Girls’ School won three out of seven prizes at a recent Model United Nations Assembly at Bishop Stortford High School.

Six Form students Caroline Ball, Lucy Charatan, Amanda Field and Catarina Di Sapia won the prize for best team at the event on Saturday 12th of November. Caroline and Catarina also won prizes for being the best debaters in their respective committees.

Model United Nations (MUN) Assembly is a simulation or role play of the United Nations. Participants take on the role of delegates from MUN member countries and debate serious global issues such as climate change, conflict resolution and international terrorism.

Mad Hatters in Fantasy Land

2011-11-25T00:00:00

The Mad Hatters book club were treated to an introduction to urban fantasy fiction when author Mike Shevdon paid a visit on Thursday 17th November.

As well as reading an extract from his novel Sixty One Nails, Mike explained about different genres of fantasy fiction and described how his stories are often rooted in English Folklore and traditions.

Mike named a number of authors who inspire his work, including Neil Gaiman, Janet Envanovich and Alan Garner, and described the arduous process of becoming published.

He advised budding writers in the group to carefully follow the advice given on publisher’s websites before submitting any material. Mike has his own website, with a lot of advice for new writers, at http://shevdon.com

BBC Off by Heart

2011-11-25T00:00:00

Stunning performances and emotive monologues made for a memorable day when a trio of students represented Bedford Girls’ School in a BBC performance competition.

On Tuesday 15th November, Ellie Harbinson and Emma Hooker, both in Year 11, and Kerenza Killingbeck, Year 10, took part in a regional heat of Off by Heart Shakespeare, a BBC challenge for secondary school students who want to actively explore some of Shakespeare’s most famous monologues.

Held at the BBC Media Village, White City, London, the event started with an intensive actor’s workshop before the girls went on to perform their chosen monologues before a panel of judges.

Although the girls didn’t quite make it through to the final, they thoroughly enjoyed the day and credit the experience with improving their practical understanding of Shakespeare’s language.

Children in Need

2011-11-25T00:00:00

Cakes sales, raffles, and a colouring competition were among the activities organised by girls for this year’s Children in Need.

In the Senior School, a Give Pudsey a Surname competition saw one lucky pupil win a sizeable ceramic money-box in the shape of the fundraiser’s ursine yellow mascot and girls in Year 12 sold a delicious variety of cakes and biscuits throughout breaks and lunchtime.

A spotty-themed mufti-day brought a splash of colour to the Junior School who also held their own cake sale to raise money to help children accross the UK.

Thank you to the generous parents, pupils and staff who helped Bedford Girls’ School raise over £1,200.00 for Children in Need 2011.

Junior School Remembers

2011-11-18T00:00:00

On Friday 11th November, the Junior School joined the rest of the UK in paying their respects during a special Remembrance Assembly.

As well as learning about the significance of Remembrance Day and the first poppy appeal in 1921, the girls also learnt about the impact the poem ‘In Flanders Field’ had upon the nation. Written in 1915 by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, after he witnessed the death of his friend Lieutenant Alexis Helmer, the poem cemented the association between poppies and the horrors of World War I and is the reason the flower quickly became the symbol of Remembrance Day.

Head Girl, Rochelle Jones, led the tributes as she and other members of the Head Girl's team laid a poppy wreath before silence fell over Randle Hall as the girls honoured the bravery and selflessness of the many servicemen men and women killed and injured during active duty.

Year 12 Future Fortunes conference

2011-11-18T00:00:00

Apprentice- style challenges and expert industry advice helped give Year 12 students a flavour of the working world at last week’s Future Fortunes conference at Bedford Girls’ School.

Attended by 10 professionals working in a diverse range of fields, including business, acting, science, fashion forecasting and counselling, the all-day event provided excellent networking opportunities as well as helping students to exercise their business acumen.

One of the day’s main tasks saw the girls split into teams and developing and running a pizza business where key decisions had to be made to maximise the profits generated.

In addition to making business decisions, teams had to design and create a pizza box as well as developing their own advertising strategy.

Competition was intense, especially during the lunchtime treasure hunt, and students showed a tremendous amount of initiative, imagination and practical skills throughout the tasks.

The afternoon culminated with groups giving presentations on their experiences of the day and its learning outcomes. In doing so, students were ask to evaluate critically their own performances and reflect upon how key skills such as teamwork, planning, creativity and communication are cross-transferable from school to the workplace.

Special Visitor Brings WW2 to Life

2011-11-18T00:00:00

As part of their work on life during WW2, pupils in 5P were delighted to welcome Mrs. Kendall, a friend of the Junior School, to their History lesson last week.

Recounting her own experiences of the day-to-day challenges she faced while growing-up during the period, Mrs. Kendall enabled the children to step into the shoes of their wartime counterparts.

Amazed by how small rations were during the war and how that affected children, pupils were happy to hear Mrs. Kendall’s stories about how people used to make food go further.

Mrs. Kendall explained that life was often easier for children who lived on farms during WW2 because they could sometimes supplement their limited diet with an extra egg or a glass of milk.

As well as explaining about rationing, Mrs. Kendall also talked to the girls about air raids and how the sounding of the siren impacted on the lives of children and young people in such austere times.

In addition to offering 5P greater insight into the realities of WW2, Mrs. Kendall’s entertaining and informative stories added even greater poignancy to the Junior School’s Remembrance Assembly on Friday 11th November.

Moving Onwards and Upwards

2011-11-18T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School was delighted to welcome parents of Year 6 pupils to its Transition Evening on Tuesday 15th November.

Through a series of informative talks, parents heard about the school’s commitment to ensuring that girls joining the Senior School settle quickly and happily in their new environment.

They also learned how a team of experienced tutors would work with pupils during every step of the induction process and how the same team would remain on hand to support the girls until they are ready to move into Year 8.

Knowing that girls are most likely to flourish and generally respond well to challenges when they are feeling safe and secure, Bedford Girls’ School aims to create an environment where each girl feels known and valued.

While the core message of the evening was to convey this message to parents, information about the assessment process and bursaries was also supplied.

Parents learned that the assessment day for Year 7 will be Saturday 21st January 2012 and that assessments shall include English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning.

Dominoes span the generations

2011-11-18T00:00:00

This week our co-curricular dominoes club was joined by special guest players Pauline Stratton and Hazel Sidebottom.

Both residents at Homebrook House, a supported housing scheme on Cardington Road, Pauline and Hazel joined Year 6 regulars for several games of double six dominoes.

Members of their own dominoes club, the visitors happily shared their experience and expertise with the younger players. In turn, Hazel was introduced to Triominoes which is a more challenging contemporary version of the game and a definite favourite with the Year 6 girls.

Mrs Royden, Head of the Junior School said, “It was a wonderful opportunity for the different generations to come together and learn new skills from each other.”

Gymnastics Success - County Championships

2011-11-18T00:00:00

Congratulation to both Fleur Leech and Kara Christensen on their success at the County Championships on Sunday. The competition was held at Salto gym in Luton.

In the Women's Group Grade 2, Kara and her partners gained a bronze and were only beaten by much longer established trios. In the Women's Pairs Grade 2, Kara and her partner Alex won the silver medal, which was particularly pleasing as it was the first time they had performed this routine in competition, after moving up a grade. Fleur Leech and her partner Jon won a silver medal in the Mixed Pairs Grade 2.

All partnerships should now progress to the Regional Championships in Ipswich on 4th of December.

A great set of results. Well done girls.

Mrs N. Howlett

Teacher of Physical Education

Franklin gain RESPECT for House Glee win

2011-11-17T00:00:00

With more than 50 participating acts from across the whole school, last week’s House Glee proved an amazing success and a brilliant showcase for Bedford Girls’ School.

Held over five consecutive lunchtimes, the event saw solo artists, duos, bands and ensembles sing a diverse range of songs and experiment with an array of musical styles.

Girls also demonstrated first rate choreography skills and tremendous enthusiasm for the new House system which the event so adeptly promoted.

The quality of all performances was so high that special guest Alex Levene, Venue Manager and Arts Co-ordinator at Bedford’s The Place theatre, found judging Friday’s grand final extremely hard.

After much deliberation, he succeeded in choosing three category winners and even announced to the packed Assembly Hall that he would be happy to stage the winning Individual Act performance in front of a paying audience.

Individual act winners were Kerenza Killingbeck and Ellen Shepherd, both in Nightingale and Year 10, for their song and dance “Someone like you” by Adele.

The winning House Song was from Franklin. An amazing rendition of “Price Tag” by Jesse Jay with a fantastic rap in the middle sung by Ibuchi Chukwu which featured almost the entire House taking part!

The overall House winner for the House with the most House Points (or the most entries) went to Franklin who narrowly pipped Nightingale to the post by 1 point!

The scores at the end of the week were:

Franklin 50
Nightingale 49
Hepburn 34
Parks 26
Austen 25
Chanel 24

Trophies and certificates will be awarded at a special whole school House assembly on Wednesday 7th December.

Music is Key to Brand New Facility at GS

2011-11-17T00:00:00

A celebration of music and its ability to enrich people’s lives ensured Bedford Girls’ School hit all the right notes at the grand opening of its new music school, Trinity House, on Saturday 12th November 2011.

Facilitated by the merger of Bedford High School and Dame Alice Harpur School, the purpose built state-of-the-art facility ensures music is at the heart of the school’s identity and available for all students to partake in and enjoy.

Boasting three large rehearsal rooms, several private tutorial suites and a cutting edge music technology studio, Trinity House will enable Bedford Girls’ School to maintain standards of excellence while innovatively nurturing and encouraging new talent, enthusiasm and skills.

Fittingly, the multi-functional Trinity House was officially opened by international performing artist and composer Ken Burton whose diverse array of musical talents have seen him conduct at major venues including The Royal Albert Hall and Sydney Opera House, work with renowned artists such as Leslie Garrett and Willard White and perform on an array of television programmes including The X Factor, Ant and Dec and This Morning.

Headmistress of Bedford Girls’ School, Jo Mackenzie, said: “This fantastic facility will help us ensure that music is central to the lives of the girls here.

“As well as its intrinsic beauty, music allows us to celebrate group participation, which we have seen so well today. It is a superb way to showcase individual talents, it helps foster self-discipline and perseverance but it is also a means by which our pupils can express their own cultural identity and that of others.”

Stop and Think: Words Can Hurt

2011-11-17T00:00:00

As part of Anti-Bullying Week, Bedford Girls’ School has been encouraging all pupils to reflect upon the many ways in which words can sometimes hurt other people.

Established in 2004, the national campaign aims to educate and inform children and adults about all aspects of bullying and the harm it can cause. It also strives to empower individuals to report and tackle such issues appropriately and effectively in a variety of situations.

During the last seven days, girls have attended special assemblies designed to promote consideration and discussion of the issues surrounding verbal and written bullying.

The School Council is also busy implementing on-going plans to ensure the core message of Anti-Bullying Week, ‘Stop and think: Words can hurt’, is remembered throughout the school.

As part of PHSE and ICT lessons, students are already asked to consider how mobile phones, social networking sites and messenger services, such as BBM, have altered the way we communicate and the need to keep themselves safe in cyber-space as well as respecting the rights and freedoms of others.

Anti-Bullying week reinforces this message by further explaining that while smart phones and online resources, including Facebook and Twitter, make a largely positive contribution to contemporary communication, they also have the potential to convey upsetting content.

James Potter, ICT Director at Bedford Girls’ School, said: ‘As part of our e-safety programme we look at these issues in a variety of ways. Using discussion, role play and real life examples, we examine the steps you can take to stop permanently bullying by text or via social media if you are a victim of it.

“We also remind everyone that, while it might seem possible for online bullies to remain anonymous, texts, emails, SMS messages and internet postings can be recovered and traced even when deleted.

“Underpinning all of this is the promotion of safe and responsible use of technology, in that it is a tool which when used appropriately can enhance your life and wellbeing”.

National Maths Challenge is a definite Plus.

2011-11-17T00:00:00

Held under examination conditions at venues across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom Mathematics Trust’s Senior Maths Challenge proved a popular challenge for Year 12 and 13 students last week.

Aimed at 16-19 year olds who are studying Maths, the UKMT Senior challenge involves answering 25 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes. Completed test papers are subsequently marked by UKMT using an optical mark reader and are returned to participating schools by the end of November.

The top 40% of UK students to take the challenge receive a gold, silver or bronze certificate and each participating institution receives a Best in School certificate. Top performing students are then invited to take part in follow-on rounds and the very best can represent their country in the International Mathematical Olympiad.

UKMT Senior Maths Challenge questions from former challenges also make excellent classroom resources and the experience provides a useful national benchmark for teachers and students alike.

Sixth Form student Caterina Di Sapia said: “The challenge consisted of a short booklet of problems and puzzles ranging in difficulty. It isn't just a normal Maths test - the questions demanded imagination and lateral thinking as well as logic and mathematical knowledge.

“Overall, it was a brilliant opportunity to put our mathematical skills to the test and I thoroughly enjoyed the variety that the challenge offered”.

Battle of the Bard Photos and Update

2011-11-17T00:00:00

Congratulations to the cast of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on their stunning performance at 'The Battle of the Bard' at Bedford Modern School on Tuesday 15th November. The girls had a long day of Dress and Technical rehearsals followed by the evening performance but they remained incredibly focussed and determined to perform to the very best of their ability. The adjudicator praised them for their creative use of music, song and movement and for giving the packed audience a thoroughly entertaining performance.

Following Jane Eyre’s Footsteps on a path to the past

2011-11-17T00:00:00

A recent trip to Haworth, home of the Bronte sisters, gave Year 12 English Literature students a valuable insight into the lives and work of the writers as they found themselves immersed in the world of Victorian England. Situated on the edge of the Pennine Moors, the West Yorkshire village became the hub of a packed programme of visits, tours and experiences

Beginning at The Workhouse in Southwell, Nottinghamshire - the most complete workhouse still in existence - the National Trust owned property enabled the students to discover how Victorian society dealt with poverty using authentic archived evidence such as records of food served to residents and logs of the arduous work they undertook every day.

Exploring the work yards, day rooms, dormitories, master’s quarters and cellars gave the girls new insight into the role of workhouses and prompted them to acknowledge that, while bleak and austere, they did meet the basic needs of many Victorian poor who otherwise may have perished. The group then boarded a steam train and made their way to Haworth in true Victorian style along the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

Staying at the Youth Hostel in the heart of the village, the students were able to visit key Bronte landmarks and sites including the Parsonage Museum and the moors across which Jane Eyre fled after her flight from Thornfield. Over their two night stay in Haworth during half term week, the group also attended a drama workshop led by local actress Gilly Kerrod. Focusing on Jane Eyre’s school days, the workshop helped nurture empathy for Victorian children and proved an excellent means of bringing the novel’s characters to life.

Before returning to Bedford, the group made one last excursion to Saltaire, a model Victorian town designed, conceived and built by industrialist Titus Salt. Designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001, Saltaire found the girls immersed in Victorian Industrial life as a costumed guide conducted a richly informative tour.

Year 12 student Matilda Sturt-Hammond said: “The whole trip was a brilliant experience and really helped us understand the lives and works of the Bronte sisters.

“Going to Haworth Parsonage in particular was very interesting and it really helped me to understand the environment in which the Brontes grew up. Seeing the graveyard at the Parsonage was shocking because it showed how many people died very young in Victorian times. We also saw the Bronte treasures and this was fascinating because we were shown real letters and drawings by the Bronte family”.

A Taste of Sixth Form

2011-11-17T00:00:00

Year 11 Student Hannah Ventisei explains how Sixth Form taster lessons work.

From the start of Year 11 at Bedford Girls’ School, you are provided with Sixth Form information to ensure you are well prepared and have your key choices made before Christmas, so you can focus on your GCSEs.

There are evenings when you can find out more about A Level and IB, there’s an assembly where you can ask Sixth Formers questions without the teachers being there, most usefully, you get the chance to attend an actual Sixth Form lesson as part of a programme of taster sessions.

I had my taster lessons last week. You can pick two lessons: I chose A level Politics and Government and IB Economics because I wanted to try two subjects I’d never studied before.

My first lesson was Politics and despite it being interesting, I felt it wasn’t for me. I discovered that although I enjoyed the election on the television, studying it in class wasn’t something I was inclined to do. Without the taster lesson, I could have chosen a subject that wasn’t right for me, making my time in Sixth Form harder.

Then I went to Trinity House for my Economics lesson, which I loved. I was the only Year 11 there and only two Year 12 attended as it was an IB lesson but it was great to ask them about what they thought of IB and how they were finding it. I found that I could really trust their answers and being in such a small group meant I could ask any questions I wanted.

The future is challenging as well as exciting. Even people who said that they wanted to be doctors since they were five years old must feel pressure and a little trepidation when making their subject choices. Sixth Form taster lessons are a great opportunity for Year 11s to learn more about the Sixth Form: the perks, the work and the atmosphere.

Everyone I know has benefitted from these taster lessons in one way or another, whether it was learning that you do want to follow that subject, or that you want to do IB not A levels; it’s a preference that you could only have guessed at without this experience. For me, having a chance to preview the next step in my education has been a great help in making positive choices and empowering me to take control of my future which is what makes life fun.

Antarctic Traveller Comes in From the Cold

2011-11-11T00:00:00

When globe-trotter David Shepherd visited Year 6 pupils to talk about his time in Antarctica, he received anything but a frosty reception.

Accompanied by a life-sized cuddly penguin and numerous fascinating mementos from his time on the frozen, windswept continent Mr Shepherd talked to the girls about the unique environment, landscape and wildlife of the world’s last great wilderness.

He shared his story of adventure from 2000 when he travelled the region aboard a small Norwegian vessel. He recounted his affection for the penguins of South Georgia and his fear as stormy conditions, intense cold and rough seas made sailing around the Antarctic Peninsula an arduous but unforgettable experience. His own voyage gave him an insight into how brave the early explorers must have been as they tackled the inhospitable climate and sheer vastness of the continent.

Encouraging the girls to view the world as full of possibilities and adventures, he told Year 6 that he hoped some of them might themselves follow in his footsteps and experience the remote beauty of Antarctica first-hand.

STEM Ambassadors Help Grow Enthusiasm for Engineering.

2011-11-11T00:00:00

Creating fireworks in a glass, lessons in Photoshop and making paper towers were among a variety of enjoyable and informative activities offered to Year 6 when a group of Sixth Form STEM ambassadors spent an afternoon at the Junior School.

Supported by the Department of Education, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) aims to show pupils the diverse range of careers in each of the industry sectors with a particular focus on demonstrating how interesting and enjoyable a career in Engineering can be.

Organised and delivered by students in Years 12 and 13, the event on Tuesday 1st November, was well received by Year 6 and is likely to be the first of many ambassador-led STEM activities to come.

Year 6 pupil Judith Tarrant, said: “The afternoon was fantastic and brilliantly run and we all took part in genetically designing our own dog, learning about memory and building the strongest and tallest paper tower.

“We also saw who could make the wackiest picture in Photoshop and made fireworks without gunpowder. On behalf of Year 6, I’d like to thank the Sixth Form students and teachers for making such a great afternoon possible”

Actors Under the Spotlight for Battle of the Bard

2011-11-11T00:00:00

The School’s Spotlight Youth Theatre have been eagerly rehearsing for this month’s Battle of the Bard festival where they will be performing abridged versions of some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays.

Beginning on 15th November, Battle of the Bard is a three-day event where budding actors from local Middle and Senior Schools come together to showcase their talent to both parents and peers.

Now in its second year, Battle of the Bard is the only such event of its kind in Bedfordshire and provides an excellent opportunity for students to work in a new and exciting theatre space and to adapt their performance to the new environment.

Members of the Intermediate Level of Bedford Girls’ School’s Spotlight Youth Theatre Group will be performing their interpretation of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ on the first evening of the festival. On the same night, there will also be performances of ‘Julius Caesar’, ‘The Tempest’ and ‘Hamlet’ by other local schools.

Other members of the Youth Theatre Intermediate group are preparing a performance of Shakeseare's last play, ‘The Tempest’ and there will be an opportunity for parents and friends to see it on Friday 9th December at 7pm with a further performance on Saturday 10th December at 9.30am in the Drama Studio, Details of how to book tickets will follow soon.

This year’s Senior Youth Theatre production will be ‘The Threepenny Opera’ by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weil will be performed in March. This unusual musical written in 1928 will certainly provide the Senior Theatre Group members with an exciting challenge.

After their ‘Shakespeare experience’ the Intermediates will be starting work in January on the powerful Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ‘The King and I’, which will be performed in June.

A very small number of places are available in this class, which is open to girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 and meets on a Saturday morning from 9 -11am and anyone interested in joining in the New Year is urged to speak to Mrs. Perren, Head of Drama and Dance.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a Recipe for Success

2011-11-11T00:00:00

Record numbers of students have signed up to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme at Bedford Girls’ School this year.

The scheme involves completing a personally selected programme of activities in the four key sections of Volunteering, Physical, Skills and Expedition. Those working towards their Gold Award also undertake a residential programme and help train their peers as they work their way through the scheme. To ensure Gold Award holders are able to offer first class help and information to their fellow students, the school organizes a variety of training seminars and workshops.

Among these is a cookery workshop where girls hone their culinary skills so they can produce imaginative, nutritious and enjoyable food whilst camping out - often under arduous conditions.

As well as having to consider issues such as the quality, quantity and best way to cook the food, students also need to be mindful of how much their rations will cost, weigh and last throughout the duration of their trip.

Gold Award holders Victoria Lombardi and Laura Vanbeck recently demonstrated their outstanding ability to guide other students by cooking camembert, chicken stir-fry with couscous and chocolate fondue using only a trangia.

Having planned their own menus and bought their own ingredients, the students had carefully selected the produce to ensure it was quick to cook, light to carry and sufficiently calorific to sustain them on the most demanding of expeditions.

Students who do achieve Gold are presented with their awards at a prestigious ceremony at St James’ Palace. At this year’s ceremony on Wednesday 26th October, Lucy Scott received her award from the Earl of Wessex alongside former students Verity Barber and Ellie Ecart.

Lifeguard Training Goes Swimmingly

2011-11-11T00:00:00

In the second week of half term, five Year 12 students joined other young people from different schools and universities to complete a nationally recognised lifeguard training course.

The intensive six day course comprised two Units of materials including first aid knowledge, timed swims, different water rescue techniques and how to deal with different rescue scenarios.

Nikita Bascombe, Nicole Gwynne, Harriet Jones, Anna Martin and Nuala Maher successfully passed the course and achieved the NPLQ (National Pool Lifeguard Qualification) qualification. Everyone enjoyed the course and felt it was a great experience. The quality of instruction was outstanding and the group would highly recommend the course to anyone else.

Accredited to Nikita Bascombe (Year 12)

Building an Engineering Career

2011-11-11T00:00:00

Aspiring engineers in Years 9 to 12 are invited and encouraged to take part in a range of events and courses offered by ground breaking organisation The Smallpeice Trust.

Held at some of the UK’s leading universities and a number of specially equipped centres across the country, the courses offer young people the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and technical specialists as well as incorporating a wide variety of hands-on tasks.

Held throughout the Easter and Summer holidays, the Smallpeice Trust courses afford students a real flavour of the engineering industry and are as enjoyable as they are inspiring.

Research shows that there is a massive shortfall of engineering talent in the UK and that many businesses are recruiting overseas to fill the gap. Women are particularly under-represented and The Smallpeice Trust hopes to change this by encouraging students to see the many benefits and opportunities a career in the industry can offer.

In addition, the subsidised courses are proven to help build essential life skills such as problem solving, presentation skills, team-work as well as building confidence. They also enhance CVs and help UCAS applications really stand out.

To read about the experience of one of our students, Nikita Bascombe on her Smallpeice course click here.

For more information or to book a place on a course, please visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk or contact Dr. Penney, Head of Careers.

Cinderella and Rockerfella Year 3 Treat

2011-11-11T00:00:00

This Christmas, Year 3 are set to bring the house down with a fabulously fun production of Cinderella and Rockerfella.

A contemporary panto-style reworking of the classic tale, the story is set in a world of fame and celebrity.

Cinderella, Rockerfella (formerly known as Prince Charming), the Ugly Sisters, and the Fairy Godmother are joined by a host of additional characters, including music moguls and paparazzi, to take a fresh look at fame, fortune and how true love will win in the end.

With a wonderfully comical script, fabulous songs and plenty of opportunity for audience participation, the show promises to be an excellent talent showcase for the whole year group.

The performance will be held on Tuesday 13th December 2011 at 7.00pm in the Randle Hall.

As the cast is large, tickets have been limited to four per family, with priority given to parents of pupils in Year 3, and must be booked by 18th November.

Community Party Hits all the Right Notes

2011-11-11T00:00:00

On Saturday 5th November 2011, we were delighted to host a party for members of our local community who are visually impaired. There were over 80 attendees who came for an afternoon with friends and music.

For the occasion we had organised a band to play: 'Quintet of Six', part of the Woburn Sands Band, they played many well-known songs as well as teaching everyone a bit about the instruments they were using. As well as the excellent music from the band, Zeynep Smith played the piano whilst the guests arrived and chatted - and many people commented on her talent.

Sixth Formers from DAHS Year 13 and BGS Year 12 helped all day, organising cake, tea and sandwiches for the guests and providing presents for everyone as a memento of the day.

Talking to our guests made us appreciate how we take our eye sight for granted and how precious it really is. We had several guide dogs in attendance and it was impressive to see how well behaved they were throughout the afternoon and how intelligent and caring they were when assisting their owners.

Our guests were very complimentary about the party and we all found the experience enjoyable and very rewarding. We would encourage all next year’s Sixth Formers to be part of the experience.

Amanda Field and Caterina Di-Sapia 13NJH

Doctor and The Medics Bring You Medicine and More

2011-11-11T00:00:00

Jade Wright and Sarah Jung, members of the Sixth Form Medical Society, have launched a brand-new monthly magazine aimed at students interested in studying medicine or related subjects such as Dentistry or Neuroscience.

Designed to keep apace of the latest research, innovations and opinions in the field, the first edition of Medicine and More includes reviews of topical books and films, a look at Louis Pasteur’s lasting medical legacy and an in-depth profile of the professional life of Anaesthetists.

Alongside a collection of some of the best contemporary research articles on a diverse range of topics, the magazine also features a look at the integral function of precious metals throughout the history of medicine as well as a quiz and a round-up of relevant volunteering opportunities.

Established by Head of Chemistry, Dr. Holmes, the Medical Society provides members with an opportunity to examine, evaluate and debate all matters pertinent to the study of medicine. It also offers weekly activities organised by an annually appointed Chair.

Last half term the group enjoyed presentations on the structure of the NHS, the implications of admissions tests such as BMAT and UKCAT, discussions on mental health, including interactive role playing sessions, and debates about ethical issues such as organ donation and transplants.

Speaking about Medicine and More, Society Chair Jade Wright said: “The magazine was set up to give students the opportunity to research and present aspects of medicine that have caught their interest.

By having a diverse variety of students writing for the magazine the articles look at issues from many perspectives; historical, scientific and sociological, meaning students can gain a view of medicine's integral role in society.

The informative yet informal layout of the magazine, means that everyone can benefit from being involved, by both writing for and reading the magazine.”

Already well attended by Year 12 and 13 students, The Medical Society welcomes new members to join its Friday lunchtime meetings in S001. Anyone interested in joining or receiving a copy of Medicine and More is invited to attend the next meeting or to contact Dr. Holmes in the interim.

Children in Need

2011-11-11T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School will be bursting with fund raising activities for Children in Need next Friday 18th November.

The Junior School will be having a non-uniform day with a £1 donation to wear something spotty; a cake sale – please do bring both cakes and money to buy more; and a ‘Guess what cake Pudsey has made?’ competition!

In the Senior School and Sixth Form Pudsey will be coming to Form Rooms for £1 donations; the tuck shop will be selling Pudsey cup-cakes and biscuits; there will be a raffle to win a large Pudsey cake to take home or share with friends; a Name the Pudsey coin bank' and a Pudsey colouring competition!

It promises to be an enjoyable day across the School. Please remember to bring plenty of pound coins as we have lots of ways to help you donate them and make it a record-breaking fundraising day for Children in Need!

Jane Austen's Bath in Regency Style

2011-11-10T00:00:00

When 'Pride and Prejudice’s' Caroline Bingley opines: “I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” it’s likely her creator Jane Austen was thinking of the beautiful Regency library at Chawton House where her brother lived at the time of writing.

Now housing a specialist collection of early women’s literature, the library was one of several evocative and significant landmarks visited by Sixth Form students on a Jane Austen inspired trip over half term.

Beginning with a visit to The Jane Austen Centre in Bath, the students took part in a variety of workshops, interactive activities and excursions specifically tailored to enrich and inform their A2 English studies.

At the Centre, the girls attended a programme of presentations and seminars about the cultural, social and historical significance of Austen’s work and learnt about her life, family and her residency in Bath between 1801 and 1866.

They also attended a workshop on the language of fans where they learnt to communicate silently phrases such as “I want to speak with you”, “We are being watched”, and “My heart aches for you” in true Austen style.

Later, during the three-day trip, the students went on a guided walking tour of the spa city before heading off to Chawton Village where they enjoyed a Regency dance workshop in the manor house library and toured Chawton Cottage where Austen lived out her days and wrote her best known and mature novels.

On the way home, the students visited Jane Austen’s grave in Winchester Cathedral which proved a poignant end to a memorable and insightful foray into the author’s intimate life and world.

Year 13 Take Fresh Approach to Interviews

2011-11-10T00:00:00

Preparation, persuasion and a confident appearance are key components to a successful interview, a recruitment expert told Year 13 this week.

Jo Thurman, Head of Select for FreshMinds Group, visited Bedford Girls’ School on Monday 7th November and gave advice and practical support to help students stay ahead of the game when applying for employment and university places.

Founded in 2000 by new graduates Caroline Plumb and Charlie Osmond, FreshMinds has developed into one of the most respected and awarded research and recruitment consultancies in Europe. Working with only the top 5% of UK graduates, the company is adept at spotting interview candidates with star quality and coaching them to hone their skills and abilities.

In addition to talking to the students about the importance of a good interview, Jo Thurman led several interactive workshops and role play scenarios. She also demonstrated a number of practical techniques, including how to appear confident when nervous and how to mentally ‘step outside’ an interview situation and objectively observe, analyse and evaluate the process.

Jo Thurman said: “With competition for University places so fierce the interview is your chance to shine and differentiate yourself. Preparation is everything. Read widely, network heavily with anyone who may have some relevant insight or experience, review everything you wrote on your personal statement to ensure its absolutely fresh in your mind and then practise and practice again. Practice with family, friends, and through the excellent mock interview sessions the school provides.

“It was a real pleasure working with the girls to develop techniques to enable them to fully convey their talents in interviews.”

Pair Row Ahead to Club’s First Victory

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School Rowing Club has achieved its first ever victory in the Women’s Junior 16 Double Sculls race at the prestigious Pairs Head of the River regatta in London.

On Saturday 8th October Robyn Armstrong and Lottie Bruce completed the 4000m Mortlake to Hammersmith course in just 13 minutes 24 seconds beating arch rivals Nottingham into second place. Competing against the country’s strongest Junior 16 crews, the girls steered a perfect racing line, executed consistent rhythm and demonstrated tremendous strength and determination in the final third of the race.

Also enjoying success among the 425 crews at the National event were Tori Swann and Jade Wright who secured a fantastic 6th place in the Women’s Junior 18 Double Sculls and Jordan Bruce and Shevaun Davies who finished a respectable 13th in the same race despite only having trained together three times.

Despite a long and gruelling day in the competition, all six students were back on the water the very next day representing the club at Bedford Small Boats Head. Ably supported by the Friends of Bedford Girls’ School, students crewed 19 boats in the club’s first local regatta and achieved some fantastic results including another victory for Robyn Armstrong and Lottie Bruce who finished a clear 47 seconds ahead of their closest competitors.

On Sunday 23rd October, the Pairs Head of the River winners were awarded their trophies by double Olympic silver medallist, and three times women’s Quadruple Sculls World Champion, Debbie Flood.

Speaking after the prize-giving ceremony at Chiswick’s Civil Service Boathouse, Jacqui Round, Head of Rowing at Bedford Girls’ School, said: “As well as showing they can compete against the country’s very best on a lengthy and tricky course, the girls will go down in the history books as the club’s first ever winners.”

Asking for the Moon

2011-11-03T00:00:00

As part of its commitment to forging international charity links, Bedford Girls’ School will be hosting an array of fundraising events in aid of Mexican charity Children of the Moon.

Based in a socially deprived and impoverished area of Southern Mexico, Children of the Moon provides a variety of care and services to local children in need.

Poverty, domestic violence and other social concerns mean that many children are raised in single-parent households where making ends meet is extremely hard. The charity works with such families to ensure that children can develop in a secure and loving environment.

In addition to providing services such as a basic education, clothes and toys and drop-in facilities, Children of the Moon also offer psychological, medical and dental care.

Recently, some of the children the organisation helps have been learning to sew. This is an extremely important skill enabling the children to make clothes for themselves and to, possibly, help them find future employment.

In addition to holding fundraising events, Bedford Girls’ School Charity Committee is also making an appeal for donations of Singer sewing machines so Children of the Moon can offer this valuable skill to more children.

Anyone who has a machine to donate is urged to email: caterina.disapia@dahs.co.uk

Make a Splash for Charity

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Teams of up to six swimmers are invited to join in the fun of the Rotary Swimathon 2011 while raising money for their House’s nominated charity.

To be held at Bedford School pool on Saturday 19th November, the Swimathon is all about taking part and making a splash for a good cause. Teams can be of mixed ability and just need to spend 50 minutes in the water swimming in relay.

Organised by the Rotary Club of Bedford, the event will see all monies raised split 50/50 between a team’s chosen charity and the Gamma Plus Appeal, which aims to raise £600,000 towards the cost of a new Gamma Camera for Bedford Hospital.

Used in conjunction with a CT scanner, Gamma Cameras produce remarkably clear images of the body to dramatically improve disease detection and diagnostics. More than 80% of people who receive a Gamma Scan are cancer patients and the cutting-edge technology can dramatically improve their prognosis.

All competitors receive a commemorative medal and a prize will be awarded to the most successful school team fundraisers.

Any students wishing to combine a fun-filled day with helping a good cause should notify their Head of House and pass their details to Mrs Fudger Gálvez before Monday 7th November. Up to six girls can form a House team and Houses can enter more than one team. Volunteers are also needed to help out on the day and should ask Mrs Fudger Gálvez for details.

Don’t Forget to Give to Mark 90 Years Remembrance

2011-11-03T00:00:00

To show their support for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2011, Year 10 girls will be fundraising throughout the School from Monday 31st October until Friday 19th November.

The students will be selling poppies, commemorative crosses and wristbands as well as collecting donations during breaks and lunchtimes. This year is the 90th anniversary of the Poppy Appeal and there will be special items available marking this poignant occasion.

On Wednesday 12th October, Joanne Cockcroft from the Royal British Legion visited the school and gave a special Year 10 assembly about the charity’s aims, history and on-going work.

The girls learnt about the broad scope of the organisation’s services and were struck by the vital role the Royal British Legion plays in enabling former servicemen and women to recover from trauma and rebuild full and active lives after serving their country.

Adjudged the most effective campaigning charity in the UK by an independent survey of MPs, The Royal British Legion hopes to make this year’s appeal its most successful ever and Year 10 students are confident everyone will give generously both to help the charity’s current work and to remember the men, women and children it has assisted since 1921.

Harpur Science Forum is Out of This World

2011-11-03T00:00:00

On Thursday 1st November, Mr Mark Hempsell of Reaction Engines Limited spoke to the Harpur Science Forum about one of its current projects: The Skylon Spaceplane.

During an address at Bedford School, he explained that Skylon is a reusable spacecraft with the capacity to do 200 flights both for commercial and scientific purposes. The lecture was fascinating as Mr Hempsell went into great detail about the Skylon’s design and future aspirations. For example, the Skylon has been designed with the capability to travel to Mars which is a mind-blowing thought!

Overall, the lecture was captivating, detailed and incredibly interesting and I look forward to hearing more about Skylon in the future.

Accredited to Caroline Ball, Sixth Form student, Bedford Girls’ School.

Students Unite to Debate Global Concerns

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Crisis management, negotiation and debate were among an array of skills displayed by students when Bedford Girls’ School hosted its very own UN Summit on Saturday 15th October.

Organised by Sixth Form students Caroline Ball, Amanda Field, Cat Di-Sapia and Helen Morse, the Model United Nations event saw more than 40 student delegates recreating and experiencing the global concerns and issues faced by the organisation’s member states.

In addition to putting forward its own delegates, Bedford Girls’ School welcomed students from schools in Hertfordshire and Essex, as well as Bedford Modern, to join in with problem solving, public speaking and lobbying on the day.

Each delegate was assigned to one of 12 selected UN member states and was required to research that country’s views and opinions on a wealth of political and social concerns. They then had to prepare a detailed resolution to be debated during the summit.

Topics up for discussion included trade in developing countries, nuclear power and piracy. All delegates had thoroughly researched and considered their positions and participated confidently throughout the day.

In the afternoon, the students were presented with a surprise Emergency Crisis Resolution that challenged them to think on their feet. Presented with the scenario of a terrorist strike against a large and vital oil rig, delegates needed to use all their international negotiation and disaster management skills both to seek an immediate resolution to the crisis and to avert the possibility of further attacks.

Sixth Form student and Co-organiser, Caroline ball, said: “A Model United Nations event is a great experience for anyone interested in politics and international relations and provides a perfect forum for well-researched and serious debate.

“Organising and planning the event was time-consuming and took several months. However, this proved great preparation for the event and enabled us and our guests to experience first-hand the severity and scale of issues the real United Nations has to deal with.”

Working Holiday Boosts French Language Skills

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Variety was certainly the spice of life when two Year 13 students made a work experience trip to France over the half-term holiday.

Sara Pearson and Melanie Carlisle-Moore spent a busy week living with a French family in Descartes in the Loire Valley region where they had the opportunity to improve their French while working in a number of varied local businesses.

They were also invited to spend a day at a school in Descartes where they enjoyed meeting the staff and pupils and were able to take part in lessons.

In addition, the students enjoyed numerous excursions and visits during their time in France and were made extremely welcome by their host family.

Both girls thoroughly enjoyed their trip and would recommend it to anyone interested in improving their French and gaining a deeper insight into French life.

Christmas Concert

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Parents and friends are warmly invited to this year’s Christmas Concert, to be held at Bedford Corn Exchange, on Tuesday 6th December, at 7.00pm.

Orchestras and choirs from both the Junior and Senior Schools will be performing a wide-variety of musical styles and the ever-popular event is set to start the festive season in style.

Tickets for the event will be priced at £5.00 and parents will receive information on how to purchase them soon.

Do the Write Thing for World Book Day 2012

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Budding writers, aspiring storytellers and girls with a love of language could win a brace of literary goodies in The Learning Resources Centre’s World Book Day Short Story Competition.

Entries, of 1,000 words or less, can be about any subject and written in any style. However, whether funny, fantastical, heartwarming or heartbreaking, they must begin with one of the great story starters listed below.

The competition is open to the whole school and the winner of each of the five age group categories will receive a fiction book of their choice plus a novel written and signed by children’s author Jack Trelawny.

Completed stories, clearly marked with the entrant’s name and form, must be handed into the Learning Resources Centre by Friday 13th January 2012 and winners will be announced during Bedford Girls’ School’s World Book Day Event in April.

Here is your choice of Story Starters:

1. I heard an unearthly roaring sound coming from outside the house.........

2. I began to panic, running this way and that, losing my bearings until I tripped on a root and fell with a thud to the moist forest floor.............

3. Out of the blue, at breakfast one morning, my father announced, “ We’re going to buy you a pony,”...............

4. The attic was dusty and dark and filled with spiders’ webs, so it was a while before my eyes adjusted and saw the old trunk...............

5. A poor lot we looked, as we crammed ourselves aboard the tiny vessel, which was to carry us on the long and dangerous voyage.................

Categories are:

Years 3-4

Years 5-6

Years 7-9

Years 10-11

Years 12-13

Contemporary Poetry Steps Out of the Shadows

2011-11-03T00:00:00

In conjunction with the Poetry Book Society, Bedford Girls’ School is offering Year 11 and Sixth Form students the opportunity to shadow the prestigious 2011 TS Eliot Prize for Poetry.

Participants will be able to read and discuss the poetry shortlisted for the prize and will be asked to submit 500 words in support of their favourite poet.

In addition to encouraging wider reading of contemporary literature, The TS Eliot Prize Shadowing Scheme also offers students the chance to enter a national writing competition, attend a glittering awards ceremony and see their work published in the Poetry Book Society’s magazine.

Bedford Girls’ School will hold its first Shadow Scheme meeting in the Compass Room during second lunch on Monday 7th November.

Further information is available from the Learning Resources Centre or any member of the English teaching staff.

Speedy Hints and Tips for Multiplication Success.

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Last half-term, Years 5 and 6 took the Times Table Key Facts Speed Sheet Challenge and achieved some extraordinary results.

With just two minutes to answer 40 questions, pupils had to think accurately and at great speed to maximise their potential scores for this toughest of timed tests.

Despite the pressure, 42 Year 6 girls and a staggering seven in Year 5 beat the clock and achieved full marks.

In order to help pupils across the Junior school get up to similarly successful speed with multiplication, the Mathematics Department has produced a worksheet full of handy hints, practical tips and enjoyable exercises.

Click here to view it now.

Magic Maths is a Terrific Plus

2011-11-03T00:00:00

A recent trip to Bedford School and a host of Magic Maths activities added up to a fun and informative morning for Year 6 students.

Competing in teams of two, Bedford Girls’ School took on their Prep School counterparts over seven rounds and demonstrated their skills in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to great effect.

Each round saw a winning team from each school being applauded by the rest of the group and the activities inspired everyone to see how fun Maths can be.

Ellie Hind (6P) said: “The games were really interesting and very good fun. We always played someone different and had a break every ten minutes to keep us refreshed and we stayed for lunch.

“We all really enjoyed the morning and are looking forward to seeing everyone we met at the Boys’ School after Christmas at the Year 6 Disco.”

The Gift of Giving.

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Last Christmas, UK and Ireland-based charity the Samaritan’s Purse sent 1.12 million Christmas presents to disadvantaged children in Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

Packaged in a shoebox and wrapped in festive paper, each gift is brand new and kindly donated in support of the charity’s Operation Christmas Child appeal.

This year, the Junior School is inviting parents to support the appeal by buying a gift, boxing it up and taking it to Mrs Clare Eagles in the Junior School reception by Friday 18th November.

The Samaritan’s Purse will then collect the parcels and distribute them to orphanages in the Ukraine.

For full information about how to wrap and label parcels and to view a list of suggested gifts, please visit: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

Harvest Festival Celebration

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Where did the pineapple come from? Just one of the questions Reverend Royden asked in last month’s Junior School Harvest Festival Assemblies. Pupils throughout the school and their parents were invited to share the Christian festival on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th October.

We take it for granted where food and fresh drinking water comes from but it is always important to remember that other people are not so fortunate.

During the assemblies, pupils were encouraged to think about people around the world who face a daily struggle to find and produce enough food to eat and for whom fresh, clean drinking water is a luxury.

They also spared a thought for the farmers, growers and producers from across the globe who work so hard to ensure that we always have access to a vast array of food and drink.

This year, local residents in Rays Close have benefited from the generosity of produce collected by Bedford Girls’ School pupils and during the celebration, pupils sang a song about butterflies, gave thanks through prayer and gained an understanding about our fruit and veg, parents were even tested and the girls certainly gave them something to think about

The assemblies finished with new Junior School Head Girl, Rachelle Jones giving a speech of thanks to everyone who attended and participated in the Harvest Festival Celebrations.

In case you are wondering about the answer to the first question, the answer is Hawaii.

Year 7 and 8 Pupils Pit their Wits Against the Boys

2011-11-03T00:00:00

Despite a healthy degree of competition, a recent general knowledge quiz between Bedford Girls' School and Bedford Prep School was extremely good humoured and well-mannered throughout.

The event, held at Bedford Prep School on Tuesday 2nd November 2012, saw pupils from Years 7 and 8 representing each school in two teams of four.

Held after school and open to parents, the quiz was divided into a number of different rounds including Literature, Science and Geography. The event also included a series of questions about multi-media clips shown via the interactive whiteboard.

After an extremely close-fought and enjoyable contest the boys scored 63, beating the girls into second place with a very respectable 52 but the girls thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would welcome a rematch soon.

Anne Atkins delights at Shakespeare Workshop

2011-10-13T00:00:00

On Wednesday 5th October Anne Atkins, Radio 4 broadcaster, journalist, novelist - and Shakespeare expert-held a workshop on the great writer at Bedford High School for Girls, for all students in Year 10 and above across the Harpur Trust Schools.

This was an exciting opportunity, not to be missed by any English Literature or Language student, or anyone simply interested in Shakespeare. It proved a successful day and was very well attended.

Anne told us not to study Shakespeare, by which she meant, we should look at why Shakespeare was writing, (largely financial reasons), and at how the plays were performed.

These two factors tell us a lot about how we should approach his plays. If the acting companies only had a day to prepare a new play, almost all of that day would have been spent by the often newly-literate actors learning their lines - and the actors had only a three-line cue, plus their own lines. Shakespeare gives very few specific stage directions (so the actors didn't have to learn those, too), but expects the actors to listen - and improvise.

So, in Romeo and Juliet, Romeo comments on the apothecary's appearance - for the actor to listen to, and enact. "Famine" is in the apothecary's cheeks; "contempt and beggary" hang upon his back - all cues for the apothecary to play. Similarly, the apothecary's speech makes heavy use of the vowel sound 'i': he tells Romeo, "Put this in any liquid thing you will, / And drink.... It would dispatch you straight"; the actor would need to contort his face to make these sounds: the 'stage directions' are in the language. Even Old (Grandfather) Capulet's language is written precisely. When he estimates the last time he was at a masked ball, his words are written thus: "By'r lady, thirty years". The language is the clue: with its repeated 'r' sounds, the language Shakespeare has used indicates that Old Capulet has a strong rural accent; perhaps the reason that Lord Capulet is so keen to marry Juliet off to the eligible County Paris is that Capulet himself is a nouveau-riche.

Of course, Shakespeare couldn't spell - or could he? Often, he will elongate sounds as cues for the actor: the longer the spelling of the word ('mee' instead of 'me', for example), the greater the emphasis the actor should place upon it. Similarly, Shakespeare may place a long word, mid-phrase, for emphasis. When Portia, in The Merchant of Venice, asks Balthasar to take an urgent letter, asking him to go in "speed", and not to "Waste...time in words" Balthasar replies, "Madam, I go with all convenient speed". The long word is the one to emphasise - it reveals Balthasar's character, as a lazy individual, or at least someone who comments ironically on Portia's sense of haste.

We can learn a lot from approaching Shakespeare from the perspective of a contemporary actor. Where possible, we should be familiar with the earlier editions of his plays - not the ones in which the spelling has been 'corrected', but the ones where Shakespeare's own use of language exists, so that we can really see how he directed his actors.

Credited to Clare Everitt, English Teacher

Stop and think - words can hurt

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Anti-bullying Weeks 14th - 25th November 2011

With the slogan ‘Stop and think – words can hurt’ this year’s Anti-Bullying Campaign is focussed on tackling verbal bullying. We know that derogatory language- words and expressions that seek to demean particular groups and individuals - is unacceptable.

Through this year’s theme we aim to:

challenge the casual use of derogatory language in our school
raise awareness of the consequences of using demeaning and harassing language through technology
give children and young people the tools to challenge others when they use derogatory language, to find new ways of expressing how they feel if they are angry or upset, and to make a conscious effort to speak positively and to compliment others.

We will be working through School Council to involve our pupils in the campaign. We would also like to ask parents to help us in the formation of our Anti-Bullying policy. Please do look out for Miss MacKenzie’s newsletter for more details about this venture.

Sue Willis, Assistant Head, responsible for Pastoral Care

Austen House Treasure Hunt Result

2011-10-13T00:00:00

On 4th October, Head of Austen House, Mrs Wathen organised a lunchtime treasure hunt. Girls had to answer a series of questions, answers to which were placed around the school for them to find.

The hunt proved popular and pupils from other Houses were allowed to take part. Congratulations to all those who took part in this enjoyable activity. The final result was:

Franklin, 1st place with 5 points
Parks, 2nd place with 4 points
Austen and Nightingale, joint 3rd place with 3 points each.

Travel Feedback Request

2011-10-13T00:00:00

We recently emailed parents a link to a travel survey Bedford Girls’ School is currently conducting; it can be found here.

The outcome of the survey will play an important part in compiling the School’s Travel Plan, which aims to look at limiting the impact the journey to and from school may have on the environment. We hope that you will complete the survey and especially welcome any practical suggestions you may have on helping to reduce the traffic on Cardington Road and make the roads safer for our pupils.

The survey should take no more than 10 minutes and should be completed by Monday 31st October. We thank you for your feedback.

Natalie Morgan, Project Support Officer

A New Head Girl!

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Many congratulations to Rachelle Jones who has been selected as the Junior School Head Girl for 2011/12.

Following her work to date on the Head Girl's Team and an extremely well-written and presented short speech, Rachelle was elected by a vote of Year 6 girls and the Junior School staff.

Our congratulations also go to all members of the Head Girl's Team who wrote and made thoughtful and impressive speeches. Their effort is to be commended.

Our day out - a blast off!

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Year 5 Trip to the National Space Centre

When we entered the Space Centre, on 4th October, everyone was amazed. It really was an exciting sight. There was a giant space shuttle in front of the door!

We were led down a corridor to Tranquillity Base which had a simulator and lots of other games. We then went to a huge dome theatre, with all the planets displayed around the screen. Our guide asked us lots of questions about the planets and their moons. The theatre show was amazingly clever and we all enjoyed it!

In the café area, we saw a pretend rocket. Suddenly a puff of smoke came from under the rocket and a countdown started. We were astonished and thought the rocket was going to take off through the top of the building!!!

The gallery was an area where we could look at space facts that were laid out along the wall. There were puzzles to solve and much, much more. There was a spaceship which fitted two people in and it had lots of controls.

Last of all, we all went to the gift shop to buy some souvenirs of our great day at the National Space Centre.

Credited to: Hannah Heappey and Pheobe Miles (5B)

Coming together for creative learning

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School Year 3 girls have been welcoming the Year 2 children, from Pilgrims Preparatory School and Polam Oaks School, for a joint curriculum activity. The pupils have worked collaboratively over three mornings on a series of creative activities drawing upon their skills from Literacy, as well as other subjects from the Key Stage Two curriculum. The activities have focussed on popular Roald Dahl books - ‘The Enormous Crocodile’ and ‘The Giraffe, The Pelly and Me’, building on their work for Roald Dahl Day.

The children have had to demonstrate positive teamwork skills throughout. Our girls quickly showed that they could undertake this new responsibility and support the younger children with words of encouragement. It also provided the Year 3 girls with the opportunity to show that life in a new school is both fun and challenging.

Testing times for the new Quiz Masters

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Last week, two quiz matches took place against Bedford Preparatory School for the Years 3 / 4 and the Years 5 / 6 Quiz Masters teams. Two girls from each year group were invited from the Quiz Masters Club, which takes place every Tuesday lunchtime, to be a member of the team. There were 10 rounds of questions including Myths and Legends; Food and Drink; Sport; History and Geography; Literature and General Knowledge.

This was the Junior School’s first match against another school and they showed themselves to be worthy opponents. Although the boys from Bedford School won both matches: Years 3 / 4 team 62 – 46 points and Years 5 / 6 team 64 – 58 points, the girls felt exceptionally proud of their efforts in their first quiz match. A rematch is planned for the Spring Term and we hope the girls will build on this experience to win next time.

Members of the Years 3 / 4 team: Iris Diggle, Isabel Kupshik, Prache Agrawal and Lily Dempsey

Members of the Years 5 / 6 team: Kirsty Stark, Ruby Sutton, Jessica Adams and Bethany Fattorusso

Pupils welcome author, Barbara Spencer

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School Book Clubs and the Write On Club were delighted to welcome author, Barbara Spencer, for a lunchtime talk.

In 1967, considering herself to be destined for a life of mediocrity, Barbara Spencer hi-tailed it to the West Indies to watch cricket - the precursor to a highly colourful career spanning three continents, in which she was caught up in riots, wars and choosing Miss World.

Barbara has written for children and teens for many years and thrilled the audience with her tales of her literary inspiration, stories and characters. The girls enjoyed hearing about her 5th book - 'Time Breaking' - a story of a girl trawling through time looking for love. The book is due to hit the shelves in November 2011 and for those who can’t wait, she will be signing early release copies in Bedford Waterstones this Saturday from 11am to 3pm.

Radio Review

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Our second live Year 10 radio broadcast went on air on Friday 7th October. Junior School classes were, on this occasion, given the opportunity to listen. 6P really enjoyed the broadcast and decided to provide feedback on their listening experience.

Olivia Kemp said “My class and I really enjoyed the broadcast. We really loved guessing all the teachers’ names when they came on to talk about the school; some of the teachers were: Mr Canning, Mrs Axford and the Headmistress of the school, Miss MacKenzie. I really hope that Bedford Girls’ broadcasting group go on to make lots of different radio performances and maybe get the audience involved in some of them. My class all really had fun listening to the group and putting some comments forward.”

Caitlin Reilley said “6P all listened to the school radio broadcast. There were news and sports notices.We all enjoyed the music they played and everyone agreed that we should have a BGS jingle to go with our great radio broadcasts! We are looking forward to hearing stories about the Junior School next time. Overall, I think that it’s absolutely fantastic!”

You can make up your own mind about our second radio broadcast by listening to the clip below. We would also like to praise the musical abilities of both Tilly Wellbelove and Tor Cauldwell, for their musical contributions during the recording.

Cakes for Apple Day!

2011-10-13T00:00:00

Apple Day, on 21st October, has become a national event which celebrates our rare traditional orchards and our rich apple heritage. Since it falls within half term, we thought we would celebrate early with a special Food Technology event making Apple and Cinnamon Muffins.

The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by our enthusiastic small group of Years 6 and 7 girls and Izzie our Y13 helper. British Apples are great at this time of the year. As well as using them in our Muffins it was an ideal opportunity to taste a selection of different British apples - Cox's Orange Pippins were declared the favourites!

Enjoy more samples of the day here.

Path into Fashion

2011-10-13T00:00:00

The Bedford Girls' School Art and Textiles Council was delighted to invite former Dame Alice Harpur pupil Charlotte Jacovou to deliver a lunchtime talk about her job as a Trend Forecaster and and about career paths into the fashion industry. The event was open to girls in Year 10 and above. All were excited but few actually knew what a trend forecaster is. Ms Jacovou quickly shed light on this, as well as giving us a tour of the online trend-forecasting site Fashion Snoops and how customers can use it. It was an inspiring talk and she gave us some very helpful advice on how to get into the fashion industry. Overall, it was a great event that was really enjoyed by all who attended. We look forward to hearing more fantastic speakers giving us more information about the creative career options that are open to us.

Abiola Onabule Year 13 Art and Textiles student

U18s Triumph again

2011-10-13T00:00:00

The U18s played in the County cup for Indoor hockey, hoping to make it a double from the outdoor competition two weeks ago. They faced Bedford Modern School and Cedars to win the top place to go on to represent Bedfordshire in the East Regional finals.

The first game was against Bedford Modern School (BMS) and Bedford Girls’ School (BGS) had a strong nine person squad to pick from. A brilliant start from Ellie Gill on the forward line gave the Girls’ School their first goal within minutes of the start. BMS tried to respond with a breakthrough but Jess Haines and Flo Armitage dealt with the pressure well, keeping Anna Martin safe from having to make a save. A well taken short corner from Captain Frankie Scott gave BGS a 2-0 lead and the girls were now eager to score more. Helen Morse showed some excellent skills on the forward line, finally linking up with Frankie Scott who scored her second of the game and put the score at 3-0 going into half time. With the pace of indoor hockey, all the girls were to have plenty of pitch time. Mel Manning was proving her worth on the forward line by scoring soon into the second half and Fiona Jeffery-Sinclair and Olivia Curle coming into the game providing good defensive and attacking skills between them. Helen Morse was key up front, dominating the left-hand side and scoring excellent two goals, putting her on the score sheet. The final score was 6-0 to Bedford Girls’ School.

Bedford Girls’ School’s second game was against a strong Cedars side that had just beaten BMS 4-3 in a closely contested match. BGS were high in confidence from their first game and this most definitely showed in the way they attacked this match, Helen Morse getting her hat trick in the opening minutes of the game settled the BGS team. The hockey began to flow and superb passing and rebounding off the boards from defence through to the attack confused the Cedars defence gaining a short corner for Frankie Scott to coolly put into the goal. Soon afterwards, Helen Morse found herself scoring once more from some lovely skills to fire the ball home. Just before half time Ellie Gill had beaten a player down the right with a rebound off the board and lifted the ball past the Cedars goal keeper. The score at half time was 4-0 to BGS. Cedars were not done and came back fighting in the second half, giving Anna Martin some critical saves to make. With the squad being used again to rest players, fresh legs were put onto the pitch to try and increase the score line. Cedars were awarded a short corner which was taken well and put high into the right hand corner, making it impossible for Anna Martin to defend. Frankie Scott found herself scoring another two goals with her fast paced drag flicking in the ‘D’ which beat the Cedars keeper. Mel Manning was unlucky not to score on a few occasions just playing the ball wide of the goal but Ellie Gill down the right hand side again, beating two players and lifting the ball high into the goal to score her third of the tournament. With one minute left on the clock, Olivia Curle took advantage of the left hand side of the pitch this time, beating a defender with a roll out then a similar finish high into the netting gave Bedford Girls’ their second win with a score 8-1.

The girls were crowned champions which makes the U18s double champions in both outdoor and indoor hockey. They will travel to the University of Essex on Sunday 4th December to compete for a place in the National Indoor Hockey Finals.

Squad: Frankie Scott, Anna Martin, Jess Haines, Flo Armitage, Fiona Jeffery-Sinclair, Olivia Curle, Mel Manning, Ellie Gill and Helen Morse.

Getting ahead at interview

2011-10-13T00:00:00

As part of our Sixth Form Careers programme, preparing students for Higher Education and work beyond, we have two valuable sessions for students next term:

Year 13 Interview Techniques
Jo Thurman, Recruitment Specialist, is offering a session on essential interview techniques on Monday 7th November at 4.15pm in the Randle Hall. The advice will cover how to prepare for interview, how to impress the interviewers and how to ensure you are offered the position you want.

Oxbridge Applicants Mock Interview Evening
2012 applicants will have the opportunity to experience mock interviews in preparation for the real thing on Wednesday 9th November.

For more details contact Dr L Penney, Head of Careers.

Packed House at IB Evening

2011-10-07T00:00:00

The International Baccalaureate evening was very well attended. We were delighted to welcome parents and girls from both the Junior and Senior School to hear more about the philosophy behind the International Baccalaureate. The evening covered the IB Learner Profile, the significance of CAS and ultimately how the IB is centred on the development of the whole student – physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. It was suprising to many to see the statistics comparing the success of IB and A level students in the race for university places and work beyond; with the IB clearly out performing the traditional A level route.

If anyone would like more information about the IB, or would like to discuss it in more detail than the evening allowed, please do get in touch with our Director of IB and Thinking Skills, Mr Cliff Canning at Cliff.Canning@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

House Challenges

2011-10-06T00:00:00

At the beginning of term, Bedford Girls’ School held a House Activity morning to help the girls and staff get to know each other and quickly get the House competitive spirit under way! The outcome of two of the challenges has been finalised and we are keen to share the girls’ work with you.

Photographic Challenge

Each House was given a list of themes or titles for which they had to produce a picture. Points were awarded for the quality and creativity of the composition. You can see the entries for Chanel,Parks and Nightingale here.

Film Challenge

For this challenge each House had to produce a documentary or docu-drama about the life and achievements of the woman whose name is given to their house. This proved a challenging task for all groups. The documentary below is from Franklin House about the work of Rosalind Franklin.

Harpur Science Forum - 'Bloodhound Lecture'

2011-10-06T00:00:00

The Harpur Science Forum welcomed Dawn Fitt and Gerry Heather from Bloodhound SSC to talk to our young scientists about the Bloodhound Project. Bloodhound SSC is aiming to break the land speed record with a pencil-shaped car powered by a jet engine and a rocket designed to reach approximately 1,000 miles per hour (1,609 km/h). It is being developed and built with the intention of breaking the land speed record by the largest ever margin.

As part of the development they are hoping the project will inspire young people to get involved with careers in science, engineering, technology and mathematics. The team show how the science you learn in the classroom can be put into practice and also talked in detail about the buidling of the car. It was particularly interesting to hear how they use 'Computational Fluid Dynamics' (CFD) to create images which help them to understand and improve the aerodynamics of the car and how the shockwaves are distributed during motion.

Thank you for coming to our Open House

2011-10-06T00:00:00

On Wednesday 5th October, curent parents of girls from Bedford Girls' School were welcomed in to see the newly refurbished buildings. Year 8 pupils were on hand to escort parents and did a magnificent job representing the school. Not only were the parents able to see our new facilities but also the teaching and learning in action.

Mrs Hicks, Admissions and Development Director at Bedford Girls’ School greeted parents and ensured the day ran smoothly. She said “Many of the Bedford High School parents had not seen this site until today, following the recent merger with Dame Alice Harpur. This therefore provided an ideal opportunity to see how the school has progressed now it has become Bedford Girls’ School”.

Raising Awareness of the House Charities

2011-10-06T00:00:00

House assemblies this week were dedicated to raising awareness and providing information about the local charities each House has chosen to support.

Mrs Fudger Gálvez, Bedford Girls’ School Charities Coordinator, arranged for a speaker from each of the charities to present a talk about their work to the girls in the relevant House and answer any questions.

The House teams will now focus on developing ideas and plans to promote and raise money for their charities over the course of the year.

The chosen local charities this year are:

Chanel BRASS (Bedfordshire Refugee & Asylum Seeker Support)

Austen Ormiston Children & Families Trust

Hepburn Sight Concern Bedfordshire

Parks BECHAR (Bedford Concern for the Homeless and Rootless)

Franklin Alzheimer’s Society Bedford

Nightingale Carers in Bedfordshire

Dressing up the Roald Dahl Way

2011-10-06T00:00:00

On 30th September the Junior School had a dahlicious time, raising money for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity which helps seriously ill children.

The choice of costume was highly imaginative for both the girls and teachers, representing many of the characters from across the series of stories.

Thank you all for taking part in such an enjoyable and colourful way!

Dahlicious Time at Bedford Girls' School

2011-10-06T00:00:00

On 13th September, Bedford Girls’ Junior School celebrated Roald Dahl Day, the day that the great storyteller was born. To bring a bit of spice to the day, the Junior School Library held not one, but two competitions in recognition of the brilliant author. This Monday the winners were announced and Susanna Wray, Head of Learning Resources, was is delighted in congratulations.

Revolting Recipes Winners:

Giorgiana Roberts 4W, click here for recipe

Holly Smith 4W, click here for recipe

Cordelia Lightfoot-Jennings 4S click here for recipe and

Emily Edwards 4W click here for recipe

Roald Dahl Quiz: Rebecca Nisbet 6M

They will all receive a Roald Dahl book of their choice and a certificate.

Forging of friendships

2011-10-06T00:00:00

On a glorious sunny evening last Friday over seventy of our Year 8 girls joined the Year 8 boys from Bedford School for a film and pizza night. After socialising on the Astro everyone took their seats to watch the surprise movie Zoolander on the 'Big Screen'. The 2001 film, directed by and starring Ben Stiller, had great sing-along music and kept everyone highly amused! It was a great opportunity to mingle and get to know everyone better; especially at the interval over huge slices of pizza and a drink. We will be hosting a return visit in February and look forward to welcoming the Bedford School boys and choosing the surprise movie!

Harvest Festival Charity Appeal

2011-10-06T00:00:00

The School will be celebrating Harvest Festival on Friday 14th October. This year we have chosen to collect items for the King's Arms Project in Bedford.

The Project is a Christian registered charity working with a wide range of homeless and disadvantaged people in Bedford. In addition to the Harvest Festival gifts of food, the King's Arms Project has an urgent need for blankets and sleeping bags; mugs or plastic beakers; and woolly hats, gloves and socks. These can be brought into school from the week beginning 10th October.

The King's Arms Project provides a range of support services:

A Friday Night Meeting: a weekly outreach meal for up to 40 to 50 rough sleepers and homeless clients per session.

Night shelter: 18 bed direct-access overnight accommodation to which individual rough sleepers can self-refer. There is visiting specialist support-worker provision and weekly medical advice.

Barton House: a 14 bed hostel providing supported accommodation for between 30 to 40 residents per year. Key-workers provide basic life-skills training and support, helping residents work through issues which have led to homelessness.

Rough Sleepers Outreach Service: involving support workers engaging informally with a wide range of the ‘hardest-to-reach’ street homeless, helping them to access services and support.

We hope parents and girls will be keen to show their support for this charity. Further information about the King's Arms Project can be found here.

Year 8 Tennis Success

2011-10-06T00:00:00

Congratulations to our Year 8 tennis team of Kate Axford, Emma Brown, Octavia Cavill and Emily Hibbert; who are now among the top 16 schools' teams in the country.

The girls have now qualified to go through to the regional finals at Nottingham Tennis Centre on Thursday 17th November where they hope to secure a higher ranking. We wish them every success!

U16 Hockey County Champions

2011-10-06T00:00:00

This week the U16 Hockey squad arrived at Bedford Hockey Centre on Tuesday 4th October to play in the County Cup to emulate what the U18 squad had done a few days before. The girls had four games to play in this tournament and were finally crowned County Champions and will now go on to represent Bedfordshire at the East regional finals.

The first game saw Bedford Girls’ School face Cedars school. The game was dominated by BGS and the girls found themselves scoring five goals in the twenty minute game. Cedars tried to find the gaps through the defence and midfield but BGS were just too solid. The first goal came from Louisa Cocksedge closely followed by Sophie Mayes with two goals within minutes of each other. The defensive line of Charlotte Stevens, Larissa Keyte, Rebecca Atkinson and Frankie Kendall began to push up the pitch putting numbers behind the ball and stopping Cedars coming into the BGS half of the pitch. Goal keeper Harriet Clough had no work to do but kept encouraging the team from the back. Alice Daveney, playing centre midfield, dribbled through the Cedar defence to hit the ball hard into the back of the goal. The final goal came from some great passing down the right hand side of the pitch finding Hana Staddon free to slot it home. The final score was 5-0 to Bedford Girls’ School.

Game two was against Sharnbrook who would put more pressure on the Bedford defence. Bedford Girls’School stepped up their game and some brilliant defence work from Gabby Samuels, who was finding her feet in the new formation, and the defence/midfield linking well together found Alice Devaney free to shoot and score the first goal. Soon some silky skills from Ella Stanley gave her the space to score. The inside forwards Hana Staddon, Bea Caldwell and Georgie Hind linked well on the forward line but were also quick to react and to defend. Harry Elston got herself on the score sheet and Sophie Mayes scored her third goal of the tournament. With only minutes remaining, Ella Stanley once again confused the Sharnbrook defence with her quick stick skills and scored goal her second of the game.

Final score 5-0 to Bedford Girls’ School.

The squad went straight on to play the next game against Icknield, so were thoroughly warmed up! This gave our coach, Miss Kinnear a chance to try players in different positions. Larissa Keyte joined Charlotte Stevens in the centre defence with Rebecca Atkinson being put out onto the left half position enabling her to use her powerful hit to have chances in the ‘D’. There were goals aplenty in this game but Icknield continued to try to break through. A hat trick for Harry Elston, two for Ella Stanley and one a-piece for Alice Devaney, Louisa Cocksedge and Hana Staddon saw the final result at 8-0 to Bedford Girls’ School.

The final game was against local rivals Bedford Modern School. They were to be the hardest opponents Bedford Girls’ School were to face in the tournament. Bedford Girls’ School had the psychological advantage of knowing they had won games by huge margins during the afternoon, whilst Bedford Modern had not, so it was all to play for. Bedford Girls’ School put pressure on early, but did get caught once or twice too high up the pitch enabling Bedford Modern to break early through a very quick forward. However, Charlotte Stevens and Larissa Keyte were on hand to ensure no shots were taken in the ‘D’ and gave Zayneb Farhoud nothing to worry about in goal. The first Bedford Girls’ School goal came after a few minutes through Ella Stanley which settled the girls down to play some lovely hockey. Bedford Modern continued to try and break through but Bedford Girls’ were just too strong. In the closing minutes of the game Alice Devaney scored the second and final goal of the tournament from a well worked short corner routine.

The girls were crowned County Champions with not a single goal scored against them and will go on to represent Bedfordshire in the regional finals at Bedford Hockey centre on November 22nd. We wish them every success.

Squad: Zayneb Farhoud, Harriet Clough, Charlotte Stevens, Rebecca Atkinson, Ella Stanley, Hana Staddon, Alice Devaney, Larissa Keyte, Bea Caldwell, Sophie Mayes, Georgie Hind, Frankie Kendall, Gabbie Samuels, Harriet Elston.

U18 Hockey County Cup Triumph

2011-10-06T00:00:00

Last week the U18 Hockey team were triumphant in the annual County Cup competition at Bedford Hockey Centre. It was an extremely hot day and the squad knew that two tough matches in the heat of the afternoon sun was going to be hard work.

The first game was against local rivals Bedford Modern School. The girls knew this game would be hard fought. This, however, did not deter the girls from their goal of becoming County Champions under their new Bedford Girls’ School name. We started strongly and soon found ourselves in the BMS ‘D’ pressurising the defence. Within minutes, Olivia Curle had deflected the ball into the goal to score the first of five goals. Two more goals followed in the first half from Ellie Gill and Olivia Curle getting her second. BMS found gaps in the midfield on a couple of occasions, but they were dealt with swiftly by defenders Jess Haines and Becky Burgoine. The second half was similar to the first with Bedford Girls’ School dominating play and pushing forward in numbers', putting huge amounts of pressure on the BMS defence and goal keeper. A superb strike from Frankie Scott put us into a comfortable 4-0 lead. Ellie Gill scored the final goal to secure a great result and start to the competition.

Final score 5-0 to Bedford Girls’ School.

The second and final game of the tournament for Bedford Girls’ School was against another local school Sharnbrook. This was to prove to be another fine performance by everyone in the team and saw Megan Craddock score a hat trick. The goals were then shared out between three other players: Becky Wright, Claudia Barker and Frankie Scott. With the score line at 6-0 to Bedford Girls’ School at half time, Sharnbrook worked hard and continued to try their hardest to break the BGS defensive line. Goal keepers Anna Martin and Anna Monk saw little action throughout the tournament but were vocal from the back. The final score was 8-0 to Bedford Girls’ School.

The squad now go onto represent Bedfordshire in the East Regional round on November 10th at Bedford Hockey Centre. We wish them every success.

Squad: Anna Martin, Anna Monk, Olivia Curle, Mel Manning, Izzy Pugh, Rosie Leech, Becky Wright, Claudia Barker, Ellie Gill, Frankie Scott, Megan Craddock, Becky Burgoine, Flo Armitage, Jess Haines.

CCF cadets put through their paces

2011-09-30T00:00:00

Last weekend saw a packed and challenging schedule for our CCF cadets from our new recruits to more experienced NCOs.

The Royal Navy cadets undertook a canoeing expedition on the river Ouse from a camp site in Bromham to Great Barford; and then on Sunday sailed on Priory Lake. It was a very enjoyable two days full of new challenges that saw the girls preparing fresh food over open wood fires in a superb forest campsite to eating ration packs on the move.

The Royal Airforce section had a day’s training at RAF station Wittering, using the indoor computer controlled shooting range before moving on the Saturday evening to join the main body of cadets on the training area at RAF Barnham, located near Thetford.

The Army section with the main body of 96 cadets travelled on the Friday evening to Barnham training area for field exercises. Barnham is part of the huge STANTA military exercise covering 30,000 acres of Breckland and is ideal for holding this training. Jo Mackenzie, keen to experience a CCF activity, joined the camp on Friday night and saw first-hand how the girls work in the CCF environment.

The recruits under the watchful eye of experienced junior and senior cadet NCOs and officers learnt basic skills of living in the field such as patrolling, duties of a sentry camouflage and concealment. The senior cadet exercise involved, patrolling, harbour setup, ambushes, section attacks and the use and care of the infantry rifle.

With its lovely sunny warm weather the weekend was an outstanding success and involved not only a substantial number of BGS cadets but also for the first time we recruited cadets from the Bedford Academy. The cadet NCOs performed very well running the sections and activities in what is a very demanding environment.

We are looking forward to developing and enhancing our skills at the next field weekend at Swynnerton in Staffordshire on the 9th to 11th March 2012.

Credited to David Jackson RNR, Contingent Commander

Poetry Slam

2011-09-30T00:00:00

Bedford Girls' School cordially invite girls from Years 7-13

To a Poetry Slam
At Bedford Girls’ School, Junior Library with Mrs Wray,
Learning Resources Centre Manager, and invited staff.

On Thursday 6th October 4-5.30 pm in Room M111

Drink and cake provided - you only have to bring yourself and your favourite poem!

Places are restricted to the first 20 replies.
To book your place, please complete the attached reply slip and return this to
Mrs Wray in the LRC by Tuesday 4th October 2011.

Bedford Girls' School Dressing Up for Charity

2011-09-29T00:00:00

On Friday, 23rd September Bedford Girls’ School held its first major charity event, supporting the Gamma Plus Appeal run by Bedford Hospital Charity.

Amanda Brookes, a representative for the appeal, visited the School to raise awareness of the appeal and the work of the Bedford Hospital. The appeal aims to raise £600,000 for a new Gamma Camera for Bedford Hospital to greatly enhance the early diagnosis and prevention of serious disease.

To raise money the School organised a non-uniform day with a theme of ‘Doctors, Nurses and their Patients’. The girls entered into the spirit of the day wearing a variety of highly imaginative costumes. There was a great atmosphere amongst the students, and many took part in the house competition at lunchtime, where the best costumes won points for their House. Headmistress, Miss Jo Mackenzie said “We want our pupils to be outward looking - to recognise that it is important to give back to our local community and help make a difference to people’s lives. By supporting local charities it helps them become connected to the community, enabling them to develop a sense of belonging and responsibility. We were delighted to help Bedford Hospital and very pleased that we have raised over £700 towards their appeal.”

For further information about the Gamma Plus Appeal, run by Bedford Hospital Charity, please visit: http://www.bedhospcharity.org.uk

Rotary Swimathon 2011

2011-09-29T00:00:00

On Saturday 19th November Bedford Girls’ School will be taking part in the Rotary Swimathon 2011. It is an annual charity fundraising event that is not only for a good cause but is a really enjoyable day.

This year the Swimathon is in aid of Bedford Hospital’s Gamma Plus Appeal, raising £600,000 for technology that will improve accurate diagnosis of patients, 80% of which are cancer patients. The event will be held at Bedford School’s pool. Teams of six will swim in relay for 50 minutes gaining sponsorship either for each length they swim or for the total time.

We are hoping to enter a number of House teams to help support the Gamma Plus Appeal and the chosen House charities. 50% of the money raised will go to the Gamma Plus Appeal, and the other 50% can be donated to a team’s chosen House charity.

Any girls wishing to take part in this event should notify their Heads of House and give their names and Houses to Mrs Fudger Gálvez no later than 5th November. Up to six girls can form a House team and we hope the Houses will enter more than one team.

More information about the Swimathon can be found online at: www.rotaryswimathon.org.ukMore information about the Gamma Plus Appeal can be found at: http://www.bedhospcharity.org.uk/

Go for Gold Conference

2011-09-29T00:00:00

On Wednesday 21st of September 15 sportswomen from Bedford Girls’ School, Dame Alice Harpur School and Bedford High travelled to Edgbaston High School to attend the Girls’ Schools Association ‘Girls Go Gold’ conference. The conference is aimed at elite sportswomen at girls’ schools, who represent county and country in their chosen sport.

The day consisted of a variety of talks and presentations from Birmingham University on topics such as sports psychology, sports physiology and sports nutrition. Throughout the day we gained useful tips from experts which we will be able to use to help us improve our future performance in sport. There was an inspiring talk on ‘The day of an elite performer’ by Hannah England, who won a silver medal in the 1,500 metres at the World Athletic Championships in Daegu. But the highlight of the day for all of us was meeting Dame Kelly Holmes and listening to her empowering and motivating speech on winning medals at the Olympics. We came home armed with Kelly Holmes’ autograph, free nutritional cereal bars and smiles on our faces due to a great day!

Jo MacKenzie, Head at Bedford Girls’ School, said “What a fantastic opportunity for our talented young sportswomen to hear from such esteemed speakers about how to achieve, not only in their sports, but also life in general. The delegates took away so much valuable information and advice from the event, including the importance of good planning, determination, ‘following your dream’ and most importantly remembering to have fun and enjoy your sport.”

Credited to Shevaun Davis

Harpur Science Forum - 'Pain in the Brain'

2011-09-29T00:00:00

Pain in the Brain Lecture

On Tuesday, 20th September, Professor Nick Rawlins, a physiological psychologist from Oxford University, gave an excellent talk on the effects of pain on the brain. He included some history of brain research, which had used people with brain injuries to tell which areas of the brain controlled which behaviour. Professor Rawlins mentioned Pavlov’s dogs and his own research, which showed that the anticipation of an event often caused more brain activity than the event itself. Following the lecture, three girls were privileged enough to attend a dinner with the speaker, where many of the topics from the lecture were discussed in greater detail.

Credited to Sarah Jung

Dancing Feet

2011-09-29T00:00:00

The Junior School is moving with rhythm and style as a record number of girls have started dance classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz. The girls are arriving at class with energy and enthusiasm and we look forward to seeing them thrive as they take on the new challenges ahead.

There will be opportunities for parents to watch classes during the year and we will be staging a performance in the Spring Term demonstrating some of the exciting classwork.

All the girls should now be clear about times and venues for their lessons. If anyone is still unclear or has any Dance queries please contact Mrs Winter at Suzanne.Winter@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

For a taste of what is to come see this clip of Year 5 Dance and Drama from last year:

Year 5 National Space Centre Trip

2011-09-29T00:00:00

10…9…8…Prepare your space suits for the Year 5 trip to the National Space Centre in Leicester next Tuesday 4th October. The trip will form part of our Science curriculum focussing on the Earth, Sun and Moon.

We shall be taking a trip into space (so remember your £1 for the simulator ride) and finding out what it takes to be an astronaut. In the planetarium, we will be taken to each of the planets in our solar system, where we will be asked to compete in an interactive quiz. Luckily, we also hope to make the most of time travel to find enough minutes in the day to visit all of the galleries and the shop too! Blast off!

Seniors enjoy 100% pass rate with LAMDA Results

2011-09-29T00:00:00

Once again we have enjoyed a 100% pass rate in the Summer term LAMDA examinations. It was particularly pleasing to note that several girls achieved their Gold Medals, a fitting end to their Speech and Drama studies! Special congratulations must go to Emma Hooker in Year 11 who achieved a staggering 100 marks, the first senior girl ever to achieve full marks in these examinations. Well done to all girls who worked so hard to achieve their best.

To view the Senior school results click here

Back to nature at Cranedale

2011-09-29T00:00:00

On Friday, 23rd September, 12 AS and IB Geography students and staff, left at an early hour for the Moors and Wolds of Yorkshire. We arrived before noon and after a substantial lunch, such is the Cranedale Centre Way, we left to look at how villages in the area have changed and adapted. This was focused on the beautiful village of Kilham which has all the features of a village that has evolved over time. Plenty of data was gathered and the analysis completed in the evening provided a thorough case study to be used for exam purposes.

Saturday was a gorgeous day with lots of sunshine and warmth; just as well as this was the river study day and three sites were to be examined. After mastering the techniques and equipment the students were able to work as an effective team and there was a lot of laughter as they worked. By the time site 3 had been completed they were very efficient. Meanders and flood plains were also observed and the resulting data set will ably support the IB students when they come to write their coursework as well as provide a case study for the AS students. Our final task on the Sunday was to complete an urban transect through the small town of Malton. We took a look at the way the River Derwent has been managed and controlled with the consequences of flooding being greatly diminished.

The girls were good humoured throughout the trip and their timekeeping was admirable. My thanks go to the girls for their great company and their ability to deal with a varied and packed schedule.

Credited to Mrs Whiteley

Bedford Girls' School Staff Bike Team Rides Again

2011-09-23T00:00:00

On Sunday, 11^th September, two members of the London-to-Brighton BGS staff cycling team took part in the Cycletta South event. Cycletta is a national organisation whose mission is to inspire more women to take up cycling by arranging women-only mass cycling events around the country. Ellen Pagliaro and Linda Penney completed the 40km route in good time. Starting at Whipsnade Zoo the route covered scenic parts of the South Downs, including some challenging hills! The staff duo were cheered on by former pupil, Emily Venn, who was volunteering with St Johns Ambulance. Ambassadors for Cycletta include Gail Emms, a former Dame Alice pupil, and Victoria Pendleton, who also took part in Cycletta South and who joined us at a feeding station.

Credited to Linda Penney, Head of Careers, Senior School

The Beauty of Brass

2011-09-23T00:00:00

We were delighted to host our first specialist musical workshop on Saturday, 17th September. The day was focussed on brass instruments and welcomed pupils of all abilities.

The workshops are designed to bring specialist tutoring to our pupils; providing them with an opportunity to learn from others sharing their passion and spark their desire to further their skills.

The workshop was led by Ian Facer, a specialist brass player with over 40 years of playing and more than 30 years of teaching experience. The day covered essential, basic playing techniques and more advanced skills. The Alexander Technique was demonstrated with the benefits to brass players explained. The day ended in style as Ian performed a short recital to inspire and showcase the magnificent sound of brass.

Girls Excel with LAMDA Results

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Once again we have enjoyed a 100% pass rate in the Summer term LAMDA examinations. It was particularly pleasing to note that several girls achieved their Gold Medals, a fitting end to their Speech and Drama studies! Special congratulations must go to Emma Hooker in Year 11 and Sara Savar in Year 6 who achieved a staggering 100 marks; the first girls ever to achieve full marks in these examinations. Well done to all girls who worked so hard to achieve their best.

To view the results click here.

Jazz on the Lawn

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Last Sunday afternoon, the grey rain clouds parted just in time to allow the sunshine through and create a perfect setting for the PTA family picnic in the Junior School grounds. It was a wonderful opportunity for families to meet up after the summer break and welcome the many new families who have just joined the school.

The children had a wonderful time on the bouncy castle and space hoppers and enjoyed the freedom of the school gardens. There were opportunities to create pottery masterpieces and have their nails or faces painted by the Year 7 girls who were welcomed back to the Junior School.

As we enjoyed cream teas and Pimms on the lawn, the jazz entertainment added perfectly to the wonderful ambience of the sunny September afternoon. Many thanks to the PTA for organising this wonderfully relaxed event; the whole afternoon was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone.

Rocks, Water and Steel

2011-09-23T00:00:00

On Thursday, 15th September three coaches of year 9 pupils left the school armed with waterproofs, clipboards and lunch. We quickly reached the city of Sheffield where we were able to see the expanding residential and hi-tech area of the south as well as the Lower Don Valley to the east which was still showing signs of an industrial past. Modern functions such as the Sports Boulevard and Meadowhall Shopping Centre were also noted and explanations were given. We then drove to Ladybower Reservoir where management issues in a National Park were discussed and the use of this reservoir, from water supply to the Dambusters, was described. Very familiar ducks and friendly bees were endured before we moved on to climb the hills around the beautiful village of Castleton. The sun shone, the landslide at Mam Tor was investigated and the beautiful dry valley of Winnats Pass was discovered. Some were fitter than others but we all made it back to the coach.

The antiquated charm of the Youth Hostel won most of the girls round and the home cooked food, especially the chocolate brownies, went down a treat. After for most, a good night’s sleep and a very large breakfast, the three groups set off in different directions to avoid overcrowding the study sites. Laughter and fun was heard amongst the serious business of data collection in the two stream sections and more than one student got wetter than she expected! The magic of the caves at Treak Cliff with stalactites and Blue John was also memorable. The team worked fast and effectively and listened carefully to guidance and so a little shopping time for the girls and teatime for the staff was facilitated before we left for Bedford. From my perspective the girls were a delight to take away and their overall behaviour and good nature was commented on by the general public. Well done Year 9!

Credited to Mrs Whiteley, Head of Geography

Maths Puzzle Challenge

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Last Thursday, 15th September, we were delighted to welcome the Happy Puzzle Company to lead puzzle challenges for Year 7 and 8. The interactive sessions were designed to show how, with a positive approach and a willingness to persevere, a testing challenge can be overcome. The challenges were diverse, from optical illusions demonstrating that things are not always as they first seem; to the seemingly impossible task of removing a large ring from a number of other interlocked rings.

Great emphasis was placed on effective team work and thinking outside the box. The girls rose to the occasion, working purposefully and co-operating within their groups and with encouragement the girls were able to solve the problems and thoroughly enjoyed the session. The day concluded with an after school family activity which was good fun and very well received.

We are very grateful to the PTA for funding the event and enabling us to purchase puzzles to launch a new co-curricular club, ‘Puzzled’ which meets every Monday lunch-time.

The Future is Bright for Anneka

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Anneka Parekh left Dame Alice Harpur School with excellent grades at A level: A*: A*: A and A and a Merit in AEA (Advances Extension A level) Maths only awarded for the very brightest and best students.

She is about to read Economics at London School of Economics and Political Science and has just heard that her excellent record has resulted in her being awarded with not one, but two scholarships: a New Future Fund Studentship and the Dangoor Scholarship by The London School of Economics and Political Science.

We would like to congratulate Anneka on her achievement and wish her every success at LSE and beyond.

Shakespeare Workshop by Anne Atkins

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Anne Atkins, an actor, novelist, journalist and radio Presenter, is coming to give a free Shakespeare Workshop on Wednesday October 5th, from 4.30 - 6.30 at Bedford High School, for all students from Year 10 and above across the Harpur Trust. This is an exciting opportunity for any English Literature or Language student: or simply anyone interested in Shakespeare! The workshop will not only address the social context of being a Shakespearean Actor, and how Shakespeare's stage directions help shape the meaning of his plays, but also how Shakespeare used the lines of the play itself to communicate with the actor.

This is an opportunity not to be missed. If you wish to attend, please let Claire Everitt know, by emailing her at Claire.Everitt@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk or search for English Society Shakespeare Workshop on Facebook and click attending.

Painting Smiles on Faces

2011-09-23T00:00:00

A huge thank you to the members of Year 7 who spent their Sunday afternoon face-painting and polishing nails for the Junior School girls at last weekend’s Jazz Picnic. Their artistic flair was evident on the faces of many children transformed into butterflies, puppies and flowers for the afternoon. Many thanks to Charlotte Anderson, Zoe Hale, Eliza Ball, Mia Armstrong, Grace Spong and Maddie Coomber.

Year 8 Film Night

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Film Night

Friday 30th September, 7.30 to 9pm at Bedford School.

All year 8 girls are welcome to come and join the Year 8 boys from Bedford Preparatory School for their film night.

£3.00 per ticket Pizza and bottle water available

Join Us on Model United Nations Day

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School Debating Club is holding a Model United Nations Day on Saturday 15th October. It is designed for anyone interested in current affairs, politics, international relations and debating.

The Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the United Nations and aims to educate participants about current events, topics in international relations, diplomacy and the United Nations agenda.

Teams of four will role-play as diplomats representing a nation in a simulated session of a committee of the United Nations, such as the Security Council or the General Assembly. Participants research a country, take on roles as diplomats, investigate international issues, debate, deliberate, consult, and then develop solutions to world problems that have to be agreed by all countries.

The diplomat roles are open to students in Year 10 and above, but everyone is welcoming to attend the day and listen to the debates and issues raised. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Caroline Ball for further information: Caroline.Ball@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk

Triumphant Debut for School Radio Broadcast

2011-09-23T00:00:00

Last Friday saw the first live broadcast of Bedford Girls’ School Radio by our Year 10 pupils. Excitement had been building for days and everyone was keen to see how the day would unfold.

After a tour of the system, the girls quickly picked up the technical aspects of how to operate the station. It was then time to turn to the production of the show. The girls nominated each other for various roles in the team, such as Producer, Script Writers, Technical Crew and Presenters. They also decided on the music that was to be played.

After a couple of dry runs, the clock ticked forward to the broadcast time of 2.30pm, and the tension in the room increased. At 2.32pm, the first live broadcast of BGS Radio commenced and will be available to download soon. The girls were totally focussed on the task in hand and put on an excellent first show, which wrapped up around 9 minutes later to cheers of triumph and relief from the girls involved.

As a teacher, it was amazing to see the educational process that went into creating the show. There was virtually no input from staff and the girls were forced a long way out of their comfort zones in order to create a show that was to be broadcast live around the school. So often in education, we quite rightly provide our students with a safety net, but when it came to the live broadcast, this safety net didn't exist. If an element of the team failed in the broadcast, the school would hear it and there were no second chances to put it right. Skills like these are invaluable when it comes to moving through school and beyond. Thankfully however, the Year 10 radio team realised they were able to depend totally on each other and they all executed their roles brilliantly. The proof of the pudding is in the first show, which I think they can be justly proud of.

Elizabeth Howcroft, a Year 10 pupil who took part in the training and first live broadcast said “I wanted to be part of the radio team because I think that the radio station has a lot to offer us, as we can interview people and discuss in-school topics. The training was really useful because, although the technology is easy to use, there is a lot to learn. The day also provided me with an opportunity to learn other skills - I learnt to work with others efficiently and to confidently put my ideas across. And we all certainly learnt how much work has to go into making a radio broadcast!”

Credited to James Potter, Director of ICT

Junior Poetry Slam

2011-09-23T00:00:00

BEDFORD GIRLS’ JUNIOR SCHOOL

Cordially invite girls from Years 3-6

To The first Junior Poetry Slam

At Bedford Girls’ School, Junior Library with Mrs Wray,

Learning Resources Centre Manager and invited staff.

On Monday 3^rd October 4-5pm

Drink and cake provided - you only have to bring yourself and your favourite poem!

Places are restricted to the first 15 replies.

If the event proves very popular we may organise a second after school event,

during the first week of October.

To book your place, please complete the attached reply slip by clicking here and return this to

Mrs Eagles in the Junior School by Wednesday 28^th September 2011.

Roman Experience for Bedford Girls' School

2011-09-20T00:00:00

On Thursday 15th September 2011, our Year 3 (age 7) pupils arrived at Bedford Girls’ School to be greeted by a strange and mysterious sight. Awaiting their arrival were troops of Roman Legionnaires and throngs of Roman Goddesses led by the Roman Governor of Britain, Gaius Paulinus Suetonius! The girls were fittingly dressed and played their parts well for the occasion of their Roman Activity day.

Entering the assembly hall they discovered that it had been transformed into a Roman forum from AD 43. The girls quickly immersed themselves into various roles, learning first-hand about the Roman way of life. As the morning passed scrolls were delivered, a plague of rats struck and Paulinus Suetonius actively sought for news of the Boudiccean enemy.

In the afternoon the room was transformed once more, this time, becoming a rich merchant’s banqueting hall, the ideal place for a social gathering. Working together the girls prepared the entertainment for the feast. As the entertainment played on, the Romans ate bread, cheese and fruits served traditionally by slaves, once the gods had been honoured.

Head of the Junior School, Mrs Corinne Royden said, “The day was a perfect opportunity to introduce our youngest girls to the Roman topic, immediately capturing their interest and curiosity, whilst leaving them looking forward to learning more about the Roman way of life. It provided a wonderful taste of life from nearly 2000 years ago!”

Dahlicious Fun

2011-09-16T00:00:00

The Dahlicious Dress up Day Friday 30th September

Just £1 to dress up!

£1 to take part for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity – the money will help seriously ill chiddlersTake part in the Roald Dahl Quiz – see Junior School Library for detailsFor £1, you can dress up as a character – witch (which) one will you choose? Fantastic Mr Fox The BFG Or simply a twit!

Wear nonsense clothes or wear something back to front and inside out for the day!It’s all in aid of seriously ill chiddlers so it will be a giant peach of a day! So go home, tell your natterboxes all about it and take part in Dahlicious fun!

Confident Beginnings

2011-09-15T00:00:00

It is difficult to believe it was only two weeks ago that we warmly welcomed our new Year Three girls to the Junior School. They have quickly settled to the new challenges and opportunities of joining a new school and it is hard to recognise them as new girls already! The whole year group are proving they are confident and relaxed in their new environment, easily coping with the longer school day and new routines.

The girls have quickly been assimilated into the wider school and are enjoying all aspects of school life with great enthusiasm. Last week they actively participated in the House activity morning which saw them interact with girls all the way from age 7 to 18. The co-curricular activities are also proving to be extremely popular with girls enjoying German, Cookery club, Dance, Speech and Drama lessons and many are already learning a range of instruments.

When asked what they thought about the beginning of term and what they had enjoyed so far, their smiles and enthusiasm said it all! “I have loved the lunches because there are lots of mouth-watering foods to choose from,” said one, whilst another commented, “I enjoyed PE and voting for people to be class captain. I have loved this school from the moment I stepped one foot in the school.”

What a great start to life at Bedford Girls’ School.

Junior School Family Fun Day

2011-09-15T00:00:00

Come and join us this Sunday 18th September from 2-5pm for our first PTA event of the year. We are having a picnic with music and an afternoon of fun in the Junior School grounds: games, nail and face painting, a bouncy castle, cream teas, pottery painting and more! Everyone is welcome, bring your picnic and mat and enjoy the fun.

Family and friends attending the picnic may park at the back of the Senior School, accessed via Chethams Road (Opposite Junior Shool entrance) turn right at the end of Chethams Road and park in the staff car park.

Bold, brave and adventurous!

2011-09-15T00:00:00

Last weekend Year 10 enjoyed an adventure trip full of caving, rock climbing, night hiking, weaselling, abseiling, raft building and canoeing in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. The trip was intended to develop personal confidence and a team approach to working, to make new friends and work with new people.

Here Sue Willis, Assistant Head with responsibility for Pastoral Care gives a personal account of her experiences.

“Last weekend, Mrs Wilkins (Head of Years 10 and 11) led an adventure group of Year 10 girls and a few bold staff joined her and they were brave enough to take me with them. We went to Edale in Derbyshire, a mountainous, remote and beautiful spot.

Mrs Wilkins had arranged an amazing programme of activities led by mountain experts, but it was up to each individual to approach each challenge in whatever way her character and personality could manage it. We were divided into groups and then subdivided within them to ensure that everyone had a responsibility to each other to get the group through the challenges. So in every group there was a variety of skill as well as a variety of concerns.

Working together, nobody let their team down. Some people didn’t like getting dirty and muddy... but still did it. Some people seriously didn’t like water yet still went canoeing and some people, like me, seriously didn’t like enclosed spaces! And some people like me, didn’t actually know how MUCH they didn’t like enclosed spaces until they were face to face with a rock tunnel and realised that the only way forward was to get on their fronts and crawl, using elbows and arms to pull themselves along, over the sharp rocks and muddy puddles…

Now I know that we have been encouraging everyone to be bold, and I do believe that passionately, but unfortunately, what I hadn’t fully engaged with until I was in that very situation is that to be really bold, sometimes you have to have something to be bold ABOUT; in other words, sometimes you need to be SCARED and then be courageous in overcoming that fear. And I have to tell you, I was really, really scared. I just knew that if I wriggled into that tunnel then my helmet would get stuck and I’d be jammed in there forever.

But then, the girls in my group realised that I was having a genuinely serious moment and decided they were going to motivate me… and so they did! In the end I thought that they were coaxing me and encouraging me so much that maybe I COULD do it. So somehow, to my complete amazement, I managed to get through part of that tunnelling (it’s called Weaseling) course. I didn’t do it all but I did feel as if I‘d managed more than I would ever have done had I been alone… and I wouldn’t have done it at all if it hadn’t been for the group encouragement and strength of feeling from within the group that was making me do it.

But the same applied to all the groups; each activity was approached by girls and staff in a variety of ways; there were those who managed seemingly easily, and so they went on to encourage others and there were those who found it really hard but managed more than they could ever have expected in their wildest dreams. The staff too managed amazing things; one of us in particular managed to climb up a telegraph pole and throw herself off the top. Luckily she was attached to a harness at the time!

CCF Coastal Endurance

2011-09-15T00:00:00

This summer, eight Year 13 cadets embarked on the lengthy task of walking the 68 miles coastal path of the Isle of Wight.

This five day trip was one of endurance and perseverance; many of the group, if not all, had at least one blister on their feet by the end! The route was not as flat as the name coastal path might lead you to imagine, but each day’s walking was rewarded with stunning coastal views and amazingly good weather helped keep morale up and made the pain more bearable.

On the third day all the cadets took part in coasteering around Freshwater Bay. This involved a mixture of scrambling, climbing and jumping-off cliffs and swimming or crawling through caves! Everyone was very supportive of each other as we faced challenging moments. This gave everyone a much needed break from walking, though it was no less tiring!

We all finished the circumnavigation of the island successfully and felt proud of what we achieved. It was a unique experience that many of us are unlikely to have the chance to repeat. It emphasized the value of teamwork and brought the future senior NCO’s closer as a team, ready to lead CCF in the coming year.

Credited to Billie Seago

Hitting the High Note

2011-09-15T00:00:00

Congratulations must go to our very own Chris Gill, Deputy Director of Music for his role in the acclaimed production of Mansfield Park over the summer break.

Mr Gill was the Musical Director of Jonathan Dove's new opera Mansfield Park, based on the novel by Jane Austen. The piece was commissioned and performed by Heritage Opera, a professional touring opera company founded by Mr Gill in 2006, which specialises in opera in stately homes and other small venues.

The world premiere, at Boughton House in Northamptonshire, was attended by a star studded guest list before commencing a tour of ten performances in historic venues across the country, culminating in the opening event of the Grimeborn Festival at the Arcola Theatre in London.

The Times gave the performance four stars and described it as a 'brilliant achievement', while the Evening Standard gave it five stars and called it 'witty, brilliantly inventive'.

To read The Independent’s review click here .

Listen to Radio 4 Front Row interview with Jonathan Dove (6 minutes in to the programme) click here.

Shining in the world of work

2011-09-15T00:00:00

At the end of last term, as part of their Careers programme, the Y10 girls were briefed on the Work Experience opportunity they will have at the end of Year 11. Many of them have been looking at options over the summer. As a way of reintroducing the topic, I invited Jane and Sam Roberts from Shine Academy, specialists in inspiring students to ‘shine’, to talk to the students about how ‘Networking’ can be a valuable tool in the world of work.

The students took part in an activity which gave a practical demonstration of how this can work. ‘Career cards’ were handed to them and they had to create friendship groups with those sitting in the chairs next to them. They then spilt up to form new friendship groups. They were able to see how friends of friends can be contacted and utilised to extend the network of friends.

The students have now received all the paperwork needed for work experience via their Form Tutors and many are busy sending it to their employers whom they contacted over the summer. There will be another session next week to go through this paperwork and to clarify any questions. The deadline for paperwork to be returned for work experience is Monday 12th December. This way the students can return for the start of Spring Term and focus fully on their GCSEs.

If anyone has any questions or has lost paperwork regarding work experience then please don’t hesitate to contact Eleanor Fox on Eleanor.Fox@bedfordgirlsschool.co.uk or 01234 361900 ext. 123.

By Philippa Milton, Head of PSHE and PE Teacher.

Rehearsals start for South Pacific

2011-09-15T00:00:00

We have had a wonderful response to the Year 8, 9 and 10 production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s ‘South Pacific’. Last week nearly 80 girls auditioned for the show and although we were unable to include everyone in the cast we were impressed by the huge amount of talent the school has to offer. This production will be performed on 3rd and 4th February 2012 and we now embark on a concentrated period of rehearsals.

Jumping to Success

2011-09-15T00:00:00

Congratulations go to Katherine Stephen and Larissa Keyte from Bedford Girls’ School whom, as part of the Oakley Hunt North Pony Club, on 9th September, competed in the Blenheim International Horse trials Eventer Challenge. The girls who were one of 34 teams around the country, put in an excellent fight and showcased their skills to the full. The team ended with 20 faults and are currently awaiting the results to be announced.

They also took part in The Land Rover Burghley Horse trials Pony Club Team Jumping. In this event the team were placed 8th out of 40 teams.

Serving our Community, by Helen Hepher

2011-09-08T00:00:00

This summer, Emily Rickard, Ibuchi Chukwu and I took part in the Government’s National Citizen Service, joining a project run by the Prince’s Trust. We were in a team with other young people from different backgrounds and schools. The first week we spent away in Salisbury, challenging ourselves physically: doing outdoor activities such as raft building, hiking and crate stacking. It was huge amounts of fun and really helped our team bond.

The following two weeks we undertook a variety of community work, such as a litter picking around Bedford and a first aid course, before we started to plan our own community project. We choose to create a sensory garden in Addison Park in Kempston, transforming a piece of derelict ground. The garden will be used by the public, and especially by special schools to educate children in a safe environment. We had to design the garden, buy or get donations of material, fund raise, and carry out the construction. We planted flowers, vegetables and herbs, installed features, painted a mural and made bird boxes. It was a lot of hard work, but to see the results at the end made it all worthwhile. Everyone in the group was very proud of what we had accomplished and to finish off we celebrated at a formal event organised by the Prince’s Trust

I would highly recommend this to anyone next year who is in Year 11. I have got so much out of it: new friends, new skills and a greater appreciation of the people who do things for our community. It was a really rewarding way to spend the summer.

Trip of a lifetime for Hockey Team

2011-09-08T00:00:00

A 15 strong squad enjoyed a trip of a lifetime over the summer with a two-week hockey tour Down Under!

The girls, aged 15 -18, flew to Perth for a jam-packed schedule of match fixtures and training sessions, including a two-hour training session at Hale Hockey Club on the afternoon they landed! After the team acclimatised to the new time zone they visited three schools in Western Australia: Methodist Ladies, Presbyterian Ladies’ College and Narrogin Senior High School, playing six competitive matches against their Australian counterparts.

They took part in two training sessions run by professional Australian coaches and played against an U21 representative side comprising school club players from the Upper Great Southern region. The girls were also able to watch first-class hockey, with tickets to see the 1st Division YMCC v UWA Women’s match.

The girls immersed themselves in the Aussie experience by staying with host families and visiting a number of cultural sites including the convict embarkation port of Freemantle, learning to surf at Trigg Beach and see indigenous species at Caversham Wildlife Park.

Coach Lynda Sadler said: “Perth is home to the Australian Academy for Hockey – therefore it’s fitting that our hockey tour took them to this part of the world. The girls have come away from the trip with new friends, great team spirit and even more tactics at their disposal. It has certainly served the girls well in preparation for the beginning of our UK hockey season at Bedford Girls’ School."

The tour also provided a trip down memory lane for Head Jo MacKenzie, who accompanied the team on their visit to Presbyterian Ladies’ College where she studied as a girl. She met with Headmistress Beth Blackwood, and hopes to build a relationship between Bedford Girls’ School and her former school by offering student exchanges, linked lessons and maybe even teacher exchanges.

Students on Course for Career in Structural Engineering

2011-09-08T00:00:00

Over the summer holiday, Nikita Bascombe Year 11, gained a unique insight into what is involved in the design and construction of a structure. Organised by educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust and working in partnership with Coventry University, she gained a valuable practical knowledge of some of the greatest engineering challenges of our time.

Over the four-day residential course, she joined fifty students aged 16 and 17, to learn about the fundamentals of structural engineering including pressures, stresses and strains. They spent time discovering the principles of statics, mechanics, different structure forms and materials. Working in small teams, the students competed against each other in two bridge building tasks, with constraints such as a set budget and certain test criteria. Students were able to use the knowledge they had recently gained as they built their structures, including looking at the strength of various materials to see how their inclusion may necessitate a change in design.

As part of the course the students enjoyed a campus tour, giving them the chance to explore the university's facilities, including the recently built Engineering and Computing building. This gave them an opportunity to test their understanding of the information they had recently gained by seeing a structure first hand.

Throughout the four days students developed life skills such as teamwork, communication, problem solving and time management. They also had the opportunity to find out about relevant engineering degrees, under the guidance of technical specialists who provided valuable careers advice. Social activities included a film evening, sports night and a barbeque on the penultimate night when students and supervisors had the opportunity to socialise and share their experiences of the week.

Images copyright, courtesy of Smallpeice Trust.

Meet our new Head Girl’s team

2011-09-08T00:00:00

Congratulations to our new Head Girl’s Team for 2011-2012.

Back row: Olivia Allen, Clodagh Mackay, Millie Temple, Ellie Hind, Emily Baker, Daisy Mann, Judith Tarrant, Izzy Cole

Front bench : Rachelle Jones, Lily Smith, Cecilia Castell

Our Year 6 pupils and class teachers will now vote for one of these team members to be elected Head Girl. We wish all the team good luck and lots of fun in their new roles.

Year 6 Personal Development Residential Trip

2011-09-08T00:00:00

An exciting residential trip has been planned for our Year 6 girls in May next year. As part of their personal development programme the girls will be staying at the Kingswood Centre in West Runton, Norfolk from Tuesday 8th to Friday 11th May 2012.

The girls will enjoy opportunities to stretch and challenge themselves physically and mentally through activities such as abseiling, archery, canoeing, caving, go-karting as well as plenty of time exploring the coast. The residential aspect will help them develop their emotional maturity and independence as they prepare to join the Senior School. It promises to be a fantastic learning experience; that will see the girls grow in confidence, strengthen their friendships and have a lot of fun in the process! A separate letter with full details will follow shortly.

Celebrating Roald Dahl Day

2011-09-08T00:00:00

Roald Dahl Day takes place every year on 13th September, on the birthday of the world's No. 1 Storyteller, and 2011 will be no different! There are events happening all over the world. We are celebrating by holding two competitions that are open to all girls in the Junior School.

The first is a ‘Revolting Recipe’ competition in honour of his fantastic book and a Roald Dahl Quiz. All you have to do is write your own ‘Revolting Recipe’ - make it as revolting as possible!

If you don’t feel like creating a recipe, but do know your peaches from your chocolate the second competition is a Roald Dahl day quiz to see how big a fan you are. You can download the quiz h ere.

We will draw a winner from the ‘Revolting Recipe’ entries and the Roald Dahl quiz. Both winners will receive a copy of one of his wonderful books.

To enter put your name and form on either your recipe or completed quiz sheet it and bring it to our Junior School Library before the end of school on Tuesday 13th September. You can enter both competitions if you would like to.

The winners will be announced in a future newsletter.

Good Luck and happy reading!

New houses, new friendships!

2011-09-07T00:00:00

Having spent the Autumn Term choosing our House names and colours it was with excitement that we gathered for our inaugural House Assembly and activity morning on Wednesday. It was our first opportunity for all girls from Years 3 to 13, (the House Officials) and staff to join together in their newly allocated Houses.

The House assemblies set the tone for the morning with inspiring words from the Heads' of Houses, before the competitive challenges of the activities got the girls working together with Sixth Formers guiding and supporting our youngest pupils. Activities included creating a House song, flag, newsletter, web page, poster and notice board to help them communicate their House news and achievements. There were also quizes, photographic, fashion and film challenges to enable the House members to get to know each other better and start to form new friendships and bonds across year groups.

The morning was a great success with all involved already feeling a sense of pride and ownership of their house; laying the foundations of what we hope will become an integral part of our school community.

The seeds of learning

2011-09-07T00:00:00

The Junior School has grown apace over the summer. Not only have all the girls come back a shoe size larger or a shirt size bigger, the fruits of their labours from the Summer Term have blossomed over the holidays. The girls have been excited to find that their spring seedlings are now runner beans, carrots, sunflowers and pumpkins!

As the first carrots were unearthed, there were audible gasps and exclamations of ‘Wow! Look what we grew!’ and ‘I didn’t expect their leaves to look like that!' Other girls asked, ‘Can we eat them now or do we have to wait until they’re cooked?'

Hands became muddy and new shoes less polished, but the thinking and learning experienced was evident throughout the whole process.

We are excited about our future garden projects and look forward to to growing and learning together, in more ways than one, over the coming year. Well done to all of our budding gardeners!

New Era at Bedford Girls’ School

2011-09-02T00:00:00

An aura of anticipation filled the grounds and hallways of Bedford Girls' School on Thursday as it opened its doors for the start of the new term and a new era for the school following the merger between Bedford High School for Girls and Dame Alice Harpur School.

Head, Jo MacKenzie, said "Over the summer, the site at Cardington Road has undergone an amazing transformation and we start the academic year in ownership of a new, stylish and uplifting learning environment. We are now the proud owners of a new music centre, a functioning radio station, two new labs, three state of the art ICT suites, additional car-parking facilities and a fabulously modern reception area which the girls absolutely love

It is a new school, it feels like a new school and we are so proud of what we have achieved in a very short time. "

Girls' Glorious GCSE Results

2011-08-25T00:00:00

Jubilant scenes swept across Bedford Girls’ School this morning as another outstanding set of GCSE results were announced for Bedford High School and Dame Alice Harpur pupils.

Girls, parents and staff were thrilled as news spread that over 20% of pupils had achieved straight A*/A grades.

Head of newly merged Bedford Girls’ School, Miss Jo MacKenzie, said: “This is a fabulous achievement. With almost two-thirds of results at A*/A grade, our school community has much to celebrate. Following on from our outstanding IB and A Level results, the quality of these grades clearly reinforces our academic status.”

“I am very much looking forward to welcoming these girls back in to our Sixth Form next week; it is going to be an exceptional start to Bedford Girls’ School and encourages all our pupils to aim high.”

Photo Captions Left to Right - Jenny Barnes, Jess Howards and Lucy Charatan. All three girls did extremely well and are delighted with their results. Lucy was especially pleased with her 10 A*s and all three girls will be continuing onto Bedford Girls’ Sixth Form next month.

Record Top Grades for Bedford Girls’ School

2011-08-18T00:00:00

At the newly merged Bedford Girls’ School, girls, parents and staff from Bedford High School for Girls and Dame Alice Harpur are celebrating top scoring A level results - with over one third of students from both schools achieving 3 or 4 A* and A grades at A level.

Head of Bedford Girls’ School, Miss Jo MacKenzie, said: “We are very proud of our students and absolutely delighted that so many academic records have been broken. It is testament to the very hard work of the students and staff, and the support given to them by our parents.

At both schools over 18% of entries were at the top A* grade and over 50% of entries were at A*/A grade – which is double the national average. These excellent results have brought much deserved university success, with all our students achieving the grades they needed for competitive places in Medicine, Law and Mathematics.

Following on from the exceptional IB results at Bedford High School for Girls in July, when they topped the national league tables, it has been an extraordinary year of results for both schools and is a formidable start to Bedford Girls’ School.”

Minibus donated to Eversholt Lower School

2011-08-09T00:00:00

On Friday 15th July Eversholt Lower School became the lucky beneficiary of a 17-seater minibus, donated by Dame Alice Harpur School in Bedford.

Deputy Head of Dame Alice, Fiona McGill, handed over the keys to new owner Headmistress Chris Warren. Chris said: “We’re a small country primary school and don’t currently have a minibus, so this is a wonderful gift and will enable us to take the children on more trips and activities. They’ve kindly stripped away the old logos, so we can make it our own and I’m sure it will serve us well for many years to come!”

The merger between Dame Alice and Bedford High School for Girls has created the opportunity to re-use and recycle resources and materials as the Senior Schools come together this September to form Bedford Girls’ School. Last week the school girls donated over a tonne of uniform to a school in Kenyan via the Salvation Army and they’ve also set up projects with School Aid and Read International donating books. At the end of last term Dame Alice was also awarded ‘Green Flag’ status by the external inspection body ‘Eco-Schools’ in recognition of their work to make sustainable development part of the life and ethos of the school.

Bedford High School Record-Breaking IB Results

2011-08-09T00:00:00

Scenes were jubilant at Bedford High School for Girls in July as the school received its best ever International Baccalaureate results, with an average points score of 36.47 and over 20% of students scoring at least 42 points (out of a possible 45).

The outstanding results and celebrations were further endorsed by The Times who ranked the school third in its IB league table based on average points score and number of pupils achieving the top grades.
Using the standard UCAS tariff - the normal way of equating IB success with A level achievement -28% of results were equivalent to the A* grade at A level, 61% were equivalent to A*- A and 89% A* - B grade equivalents.

Individual credit must go to Bryony Couchman who achieved 44 points, just one point short of the highest possible score achieved by less than 1 in 500 candidates.

Head of Sixth Form and IB Studies, Cliff Canning said “We are really delighted by these successes and are confident that as the girls progress to University they have received an excellent foundation for independent learning.”
Bedford High School for Girls is currently merging with its sister school Dame Alice Harpur to form a new school for girls aged 7-18 called Bedford Girls’ School. The International Baccalaureate will form a key part of the new Bedford Girls’ Sixth Form when it launches this September.

New School Uniform for Kenyan Kids

2011-07-07T00:00:00

Over a tonne of uniform has been donated to Kyamutwoi School in Africa by pupils of Dame Alice Harpur and Bedford High School, ahead of their schools’ merger to become Bedford Girls’ School in September.

Before the last bell rang for summer on Friday, the girls changed into mufti and packed up their old school uniform into special recycling bags provided by Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). SATCoL operates the official Salvation Army Clothing Collection Scheme which usually runs clothing banks and door-to-door collections across the UK, however on this occasion SATCoL teamed up with the two schools to help promote awareness of the importance of textile recycling and its impact on the environment to pupils.

Estimates show that over a tonne of clothing was collected, and it is now on its way to be re-used in a Kenyan school in Kyamutwoi – a small rural community approximately 80km east of Nairobi.

Talking about her decision to give the girls the chance to donate their unwanted clothing to charity Headmistress Jo MacKenzie, said: “For many girls, their uniform symbolises special memories of their time spent at school, therefore it’s a privilege for them to know that their contribution will make a real difference to other school children, while cutting down on unnecessary environmental waste.

“We’ve worked hard to re-use and recycle what we can and I must give special thanks to Dame Alice’s ‘Green Society’ who’ve worked tirelessly implementing a range of initiatives over the last few years to improve the School’s carbon footprint. Just two weeks ago we were awarded the coveted ‘Green Flag Status’ by external inspection body ‘Eco-Schools’ in recognition of our work to make sustainable development part of the life and ethos of our school.”

Paul Ozanne, National Recycling Coordinator for Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL) said: “It’s wonderful to highlight the benefits of textile recycling to children at a young age. It can often get overlooked when we think about recycling; many people regularly recycle their bottles, cans and newspapers but textiles are actually the country’s fastest growing household waste stream, so we need to do more to stop our old clothes ending up in landfill. It’s been a pleasure working with pupils of Dame Alice Harpur and Bedford High School and we’d like to thank everyone involved for their continuing generosity.”

Green Flag Status!

2011-07-04T00:00:00

Dame Alice Harpur School has been awarded ‘Green Flag Status’ by international award programme ‘Eco-Schools’, in recognition of the pupils’ work to make sustainable development part of the life and ethos of the School.

Having achieved Bronze and Silver status in 2010, Dame Alice’s ‘Green Society’ has been working hard over the last year launching a range of initiatives to improve the School’s green credentials. The team impressed Eco-Schools with their work for School Aid, donating 53 boxes of library books to African schools, and also their links with Read International who are soon to be the beneficiary of 110 boxes of books. The whole school community has engaged with the drive to recycle paper, re-use and refill water bottles to cut down on environmental waste and also collecting stamps for the RSPB’s albatross campaign.

It appears that Dame Alice has become the first Senior School in Bedfordshire to achieve ‘Green Flag’ Status.
Eco-Schools Assessor Mr Paul De Koning, said: “The fact that the Eco-Schools programme is so pupil led means that this school is somewhat unique and can provide a good stimulus for other schools. The girls themselves have organised the Eco-Schools programme and have achieved a very creditable and impressive standard in respect of commitment, enthusiasm, enterprise and effectiveness. Well done!”

Eco-Schools is one of five environmental education programmes run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), guiding schools on their sustainable journey, providing a framework to help embed these principles into the heart of school life.

London-Brighton Bike Ride

2011-06-19T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School raised over £3,000 for the British Heart Foundation on Sunday 19th June thanks to the efforts of a 20-strong team of teachers, staff and friends of the School.

Led by Headmistress Jo MacKenzie, the team cycled a whopping 54 miles from London-Brighton, successfully battling their way up the notorious Ditchling Beacon Hill to reach the seaside resort in the afternoon.

The last members of the team crossed the finish line in just over 7 hours, glad to be off their bikes and ready to enjoy well-earned celebratory drinks on the beach.

Bedford Girls' School launches Junior School

2010-09-01T00:00:00

Bedford Girls’ School celebrated the official opening of its Junior School by poet and artist Diana Syder on Friday 17^thSeptember 2010.

Parents, pupils and local dignitaries including the Mayor of Bedford joined in the day’s festivities which included the unveiling of a plaque, planting a silver birch tree and a tour of the new School.

Year 6 girls got a chance to take part in an art and poetry workshop that afternoon run by Diana. Her poem “Prayer to a Telescope” has been adopted by the School as an expression of its vision; it includes the line: “Let me keep an open mind and stay up-to-date so I understand as much as I can in the time I’ve got and not, in my lifetime, reach the limits of my imagination”.

Head Jo MacKenzie feels that this idea is central to a successful education: “It is about the whole individual, how a girl learns to think and reflect, to make full use of innovative technologies in her study whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

Bedford Girls’ School is founded by the merger of two highly successful and respected schools – Bedford High School for Girls and Dame Alice Harpur School. Its aim is to blend the best traditions of the two existing schools and offer an exceptional education experience to girls in the region.

With the initial stage of the launch successfully underway the School is now looking ahead to create a vibrant Senior School and Sixth Form community which will emerge over the next two years and be based on the Cardington Road campus along with the Junior School.