Posted May 3 - 2024Headteacher's Newsletter
what's happening at Chesham Grammar
Posted on: January 13th 2023
Head's Blog
NEW STAFF THIS TERM
We have welcomed some new - and some not so new - members of staff to CGS this term. We are delighted to have Gary Compton and Camilla Howie back with us, in maths and physics respectively. Also joining the maths team is Megan Foy while my new PA, Michelle Tillyer, has started this week. Next week, we welcome staff in German who will be covering Miss Sichla's maternity leave and I will introduce them in my newsletter next Friday.
NATIONAL CAREERS CHALLENGE
This week, we have held two Enterprise Days, one for those in year 7 and the other for year 10 students. The students were off timetable for a day, working in teams with staff from The Inspirational Learning Group, undertaking the National Careers Challenge. This involved them working on a real-life business challenge. Year 7s were asked to develop a promotional campaign that would encourage a local transport firm or the local authority to adapt their vehicles to hydrogen fuel. This challenge was set by Air Products while those in year 10 worked on a challenge set by NatWest. They were tasked with creating a new product or service that would support NatWest's business customers to 'go green' by saving energy or reducing their carbon footprint. In both cases, the students worked together to develop a marketing and promotional plan before pitching their business to the judging panel. The aim was to help develop skills including team-work, communication, problem solving and creative thinking. I know from the conversations I had with students that they enjoyed the experience. Huge thanks to Mrs Lovelace and Miss Lindsay who organised these events and who worked alongside staff from The Inspirational Learning Group during them. Well done to the winning team from each year group. They will now go forward to represent CGS at the National Finals in the summer term. We have won this national competition three times previously so we have high hopes for them! It was lovely to see our national champions from last year, now in year 11, taking part on the judging panel at the end of each day.
BUGSY MALONE TICKETS
Tickets for our school show, Bugsy Malone, are now on sale via our website. There are two casts, each performing two shows so do check the cast and the date carefully before purchasing tickets if there is one in particular you wish to see. Our school shows are always superb, showcasing the creativity and talent of our students and staff. Please do come along and support. It takes place at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham from Wednesday 1st to Saturday 4th February with three evening performances (Wednesday to Friday) and a matinee on Saturday.
CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
CGS has a history of success in cross country. The Bucks School Cross Country Championships take place on Wednesday 1st February at Stowe School and any student who wishes to be considered for the school team should complete the form Mr Stoddern has sent out to them by Wednesday 18th January.
WELL DONE AND BIRTHDAY TEAS
Well done to Henry in year 8 who has been selected to play cricket for the Lords Youth Team. This is an excellent achievement and we are very proud of him.
Happy 12th birthday to Emilia, Barney, Revanth, Alice and Kelly in year 7 and to Lucy, Ethan, Jacob, Ollie and Josh in year 13 who have recently turned 18th. It was interesting to hear about different approaches and attitudes to birthdays so close to Christmas and New Year when I met them for birthday tea this week.
PUPIL PREMIUM FUNDING
In this above link is information from Mr Bradbury about additional funding for students, known as the Pupil Premium. Any child who is eligible for free school meals or who has been at any time during the last six years can claim this additional funding. Evidence shows that in most schools, some of those who are eligible do not apply. Please read the information attached and contact Mr Bradbury in confidence if you would like to apply for this. We know from experience that it can make a significant difference and it enables the school to offer additional financial support with a range of things from school visits to uniform.
PE AND SPORT
It has been great to see sports fixtures back underway this week. There have been fixtures in basketball, netball and football. Results can be found on the PE Department Twitter feed. I also retweet these on the main school account @CGSBucks. The extracurricular programme including fixtures for next week is in the link above.
Good luck to our U13 boys who take part in the zone final of Table Tennis England's National Schools Championships in Birmingham tomorrow.
HOUSE QUIZ FINAL
Finally, I very much enjoyed watching the final of the House Quiz in the hall today. Over the course of last term, each tutor group took part in several rounds of the quiz with the top two in each House competing in the final this morning. There was a very healthy blend of fierce competition and great fun. Thank you to Mr Spittle and to the Sixth Formers who helped run the event. Overall winners and therefore House Quiz Champions for this year were S09. Well done to them.
With best wishes for a relaxing weekend,
Annmarie McNaney
Headteacher
