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End of Term

The last few weeks of term are always hectic and I would like to thank all those pupils, parents and staff who have participated in trips, events and Prize Giving evenings.

This week saw the Year 7 Performance of their Thriller dance project, a very successful Year 7 Prize Giving and a hugely successful first ‘Verulympics.’ The House competition culminated in the presentation of the new Hawkes House Competition Trophy to Jennings House.

The full results of the 2010 House Competition are given below:

Hawkes House Cup Results

This incorporates sports day, inter house sport, Science quiz, attendance and the Verulympics.

6th Brampton  3562

5th Hamilton  4224

4th Churchill   4868

3rd Park          4947

2nd York         4951

1st Jennings    5406 Winners 2010

P A Ramsey

Farewells and Departures

We are also sorry to be saying goodbye to a number of staff who have done great service to the school. Mrs Barltrop, who has worked with us for the last 18 years has been an inspirational Food Technology teacher, a memorable form tutor and an outstanding Head of Sixth Form & IB co-ordinator. However, to restrict our praise of Mrs Barltrop to these formal functions would be to entirely miss the point of what she has given the school which is an immensely caring approach to pupils’ welfare and learning both in and outside the classroom.

Mrs Barltrop has also been a staff governor, member of the common room committee and supporter of, and caterer to, innumerable school events. She will be sorely missed.

Mr Clarkson also leaves the school to take up the post of Head of History at Queen Elizabeth Girls’ School in Barnet. We will miss his passion for his subject, and his determination that all boys succeed and his energetic participation on the football field. I would also like to bid farewell and wish good luck to the following teaching staff: Mrs Barnes, Mrs Watterson, Mrs Clarke, Mr Steadman, Mrs Baroni, Mr Smith and Mrs Turner.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish pupils, parents, staff and governors a restful and peaceful summer break.

P A Ramsey

Uniform Reminder

Pupils should return to school in September in full school uniform, including blazer and tie, wearing shoes, not trainers. Pupils are not allowed to wear ear-rings, and haircuts must be practical and avoid extremes of fashion.

School’s Out!

With the end of term in sight, your parents and carers can find a complete guide to summer holiday events and activities at: http://www.allaboutstalbans.com/summer-holiday-2010-st-albans/2

Extended Schools

Linking Schools and the Community

Parent Support

The Nexus office will be closed during the school holidays. Do not feel that you are alone over the summer holidays – you can always contact Parentline Plus by telephone 0808 800 2222 or visit the website www.parentlineplus.org.uk.

For details of Nexus courses happening during the summer holidays, as well as courses running next year, please visit our website at: www.hertsextendedschools.org.uk/nestalbans/, or via the Verulam website

Jo Maher

Speed dating in Spanish, French and German!

15 Year 10 pupils spent a fantastic time on Wednesday, 14 July at Stags practising their speaking and listening skills. Here is what they had to say about their experience.

Spanish

Miercoles, el catorce de julio fuimos al colegio de Stags para hablar con las chicas en español, francés y alemán. Las chicas eran muy habladoras y inteligentes. Fue una experiencia de valor y fue muy divirtido. Después de charlar con las chicas comimos bocadillas y bebimos zumo de naranja. Todas las profesores eran extremamente simpatícas. Lo pasamos bien y nos gustaría mucho volver otra vez.

Translation

Wednesday, 14th July we went to Stags to talk to the girls in Spanish, French and German. The girls were very talkative and intelligent. It was a very enjoyable and valuable experience. After chatting with the girls we ate sandwiches and drank orange juice. All the teachers were extremely nice. We had a great time and we would very much like to go back.

Alex Harper, Steve Fernandez.

German

Am Mittwoch, den 14. Juli sind fünf Schüler zur Stags gefahren, weil wir Deutsch mit anderen Schülerinnen üben wollten. Wir haben ‚Speed Dating‘ mit der deutschen Klasse von Stags gemacht. Wir haben fünf Minuten mit jedem Mädchen gesprochen. Die Mädchen waren sehr freundlich und auch sehr nett. Danach haben wir mit den Mädchen das Mittagessen gegessen. Das war sehr interessant, und wir hoffen, das in der Zukunft wieder zu machen.

Translation

On Wednesday 14 July five pupils went to Stags because we wanted to practise German with other students. We did ‘speed dating’ with the German class from Stags. We spoke for five minutes with each girl. The girls were very friendly and also very nice. Afterwards we ate lunch with the girls. It was very interesting and we hope to do it again in the future.

Jason Tang, Henry Draine and Josh Wainwright

French

Le mercredi dernier nous sommes allés chez Stags. Nous avons parlé avec les filles en français, espagnol et allemand. Nous avons parlé pendant cinq minutes de nos passe-temps et de nos vacances d’été. C’était génial. Nous aimerions y retourner.

Translation

Last Wednesday we went to Stags. We spoke to the girls in French, Spanish and German. We spoke for five minutes about our hobbies and our summer.

Jordan Johansen and Thomas Bishop

Fencing Club

Once again there has been another successful term for the Fencing Club. Over the past 10 weeks, 14 boys from years 7-10 have been developing their sword fighting abilities. The 10 weeks of training came to a grand finale with the boys competing in an inter school competition to determine who is the current master-at-arms. With this term’s club comprising of intermediate fencers who started in the first terms and boys who only started this term, there was a great range in abilities. However after 10 weeks the standard was consistently high. Overall, every team member contributed to what was a very close fought and highly competitive competition. Nonetheless experience was the eventual winner with George Barnett winning Gold and Daniel Fox taking Silver. Bronze medals were awarded to Oli Yr9 and Abiq Yr 7 who both started this term. - Well Done

The Fencing Club also contributed to boys completing their physical aspect of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme - Well Done

For the very first time, the Fencing Club will be taking part in this years VerOlympics and is set to be running though out next term. We look forward to welcoming anyone interested in trying this fantastic sport. For more information please contact Mr Toley.

Paul Davis - Verulam School Fencing Coach