Headteacher's Newsletter

what's happening at Chesham Grammar

Posted on: November 18th 2022

Head's Blog

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING

Last night, we held our Sixth Form Open Evening for our own year 11 students and those from other schools who wish to join our Sixth Form in September. There is always a wonderful 'buzz' in the school during open evenings and I hope that those of you with a child in year 11 found it useful to be able to talk to teachers and current year 12s across the subject areas your child is. considering at A level. Please get in touch if you have any questions. As a reminder, all the subject information and entrance requirements can be found on our website, in the dedicated Sixth Form area. Thank you to the year 12s who were here helping last night. As always, they did us proud.

QUIZ NIGHT

As I write this, the FoCGS are preparing the hall for the quiz which is taking place this evening and I am looking forward to seeing those of you who are attending. Thank you for your support and I hope you have a fun evening!

PSYCHOLOGY VISIT

On Wednesday, 44 year 13 students following the A level psychology course attended a Holocaust learning workshop at the Imperial War Museum in London, at the end of which they were asked to use their

subject specific knowledge to try to grapple with the question of why it happened. In the afternoon, they visited the Royal Courts of Justice where they
were given the opportunity to prepare

and re-enact a murder case. Every student played a role, and they were all superb. The Royal Courts of Justice staff running the session said that it was the best group they have had in a very long time and the accompanying CGS staff were very proud. Thank you to Mrs Harris for organising this.

CELEBRATION OF SPORT

I am very much looking forward to welcoming parents and students to our Celebration of Sport Evening next Thursday postponed from July, to celebrate the commitment and achievements of our students last year. I am also very much looking forward to being able to hold our first GCSE Certificate Presentation and Prizegiving since 2019 which takes place next Friday afternoon and to welcoming parents of those who took their GCSEs here in the summer. The students missed out on so much of the usual experience of a CGS student across GCSE, including some wonderful trips and visits and it will be good to be able to formally recognise and reward their hard work, resilience and achievements.

BIRTHDAY TEA AND CONGRATULATIONS

Happy 12th birthday to Anvi, Alice, Francisco, Amelie and Josie in year 7 and congratulations to Matthew, Holly and Millie in year 13 who have recently turned 18. As always, birthday teas were amongst the highlights of my week.

Well done to Jack in year 11 who has recently passed Grade 6 piano with Distinction. Jack is also one of a number of CGS students involved in Berkhamsted Youth Theatre's production of Beauty and the Beast being staged at The Court Theatre in Tring from December 1st to 3rd. The students involved, either as cast members or back stage, are: Darcy, Clemmie, Lucas, Aimee and Gemma in year 13, Jack, Raffi and Delilah in year 11, Grace in year 10 and Liam in year 8. For those in year 13, this will be their last appearance with BYT after a number of years as members.

STUDENT PHOTOS

Gillman and Soame took individual student photos of all those in years 7, 10 and 12 at the start of term. We have been asked to let you know that if details of how to order these have been mislaid, you can contact Gillman and Soame at action@gillmanandsoame.co.uk or on 01869 328200 with your child’s name and quoting the security password cheshamgrammar496tvk2022 and they will be able to assist you.

TOY BANK

Thank you so much for all the donations for the local Toy Bank. Mollie and Rohan, our Head Students who made the request, are delighted with the response.

FOCGS CHRISTMAS FAIR HAMPER DONATIONS

A reminder that the FoCGS are collecting donations for the Christmas Hampers from next Monday 21st November – Wednesday 30th November. Information about the items they would like was sent home yesterday. If any parent is able to help with the packing of hampers at school at any point between 4- 9pm on Wednesday 30th November, the FoCGS would love to see you and you can sign up here. A reminder also as Black Friday and the Christmas shopping period approaches that you can effortlessly raise money for the school by picking The Friends of CGS as your charity on Amazon Smile or use Easy Fundraising. (Reg Charity no: 295740). Thank you!

SPORTS AT CGS

Last Saturday, three teams represented the school in the regional round of the National Cross Country Cup at Stowe School. Well done to them all. The Junior Girls were Nia, Arianna, Scarlett, Elena and Sophie while those in the Inter Girls team were Olivia, Alice, Alicia, Anna, Catherine and Izzy. Finally, those in the Senior Boysteam were Ernie, Sean, Euan, Sammy and Archie. All ran well with the Inter Girls and Senior Boys qualifying for the Nationals which take place at Leeds Grammar School at the start of December. Congratulations. Mr Stoddern and Miss Day-Haynes were so proud of everyone involved. During the week, the senior boys beat Sir William Borlase's Grammar School 2-0 in football, their first win in some time! Also in football, both our senior girls and U12 girls are through to the next round of the National Cup, having won their matches last Friday. Well done. The year 10 boys lost their County Cup football game v Walton High 2-3, having come agonisingly close to equalising and forcing extra time. As always, well done to all the students who have represented the school with pride this week. Best wishes to the students who are going to the London Aquatics Centre tomorrow to represent the school at the National Swimming Finals. Next week’s fixtures can be found here.

With best wishes for a relaxing weekend,

Annmarie McNaney
Headteacher