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Eggar’s School
Summer Newsletter
Headlines
As we come to the end of another academic year I would like to thank you for your support this year. We have had so many highlights, some great
moments and many different events, and your support throughout has been superb. Last week we held our Awards Evening and, with close to 400
guests supporting the event, it was a very special occasion for our students. Our Year 11 Prom was held at Froyle Park this year and it was a magical
evening for all. I have to say the effort and commitment from the Hotel was first class and the setting was stunning which made the entire evening
fantastic. We have some beautiful photos. The Year group have worked so hard throughout the year and richly deserved their special night.
Once again thanks to our brilliant students for supporting our Open Morning on Saturday, which was superb, and over 200 students came in to
represent the school. They are such great ambassadors and the feedback from visitors was absolutely brilliant.
Our Sporting achievements have been outstanding this year. We have won so many team and individual honours, in fact too many to mention. I have to
say a massive thank you to our brilliant PE department and the many extra staff and parents who have helped out this year. Sport is thriving at Eggar’s
and, with so many awards this year, we have decided to introduce a new separate Awards Evening for Sporting achievement and plan to hold a Sports
dinner for all winners in September. Mr Michael will be in touch with more details when we return in September. I would like to just mention one student,
Edward Metcalfe who came 5th in the National Finals this year, a brilliant achievement and you couldn’t meet a more modest young man. Well done
Edward.
Thank you also for supporting our Music festival, the highlight of our Eggar’s Alton L!ve Arts Festival. We had many children from special schools as
guests during the week and it was lovely. I would also like to thank Tom Yendell for his support with the Arts week.
After many Department of Education changes over the last few years a little normality might now return. Of course we are about to have a new
Education Minister so watch this space! This year we have worked very hard to develop a new ‘Assessment Framework’. We are pleased with the
progress we have made so far but understand there is still much to do. We are also planning to increase the face to face contact between staff and
parents next year by holding more parents’ evenings. We will continue to hold curriculum information evenings to share the work we are doing on
assessment to help you understand and be clear about the progress your child is making.
I have been delighted with the introduction of the Eggar’s Experience this year, giving students opportunities to get involved in many different clubs and
activities. All staff have contributed and 52 different activities have been on offer.
I am also pleased with the positive response to our new school skirt since they went on sale 2 weeks ago and we are selling them ourselves to keep the
cost as low as possible. The girls find them much more comfortable, they are better quality, have a two inch waist adjustment, and will last longer.
However I am particularly determined to encourage all our girls to wear the skirt at a respectable length, which is a cultural change and never an easy
thing to do. Therefore I would appreciate some real parent leadership with this issue as I am sure we all wish our students to look outstanding.
We say goodbye this term to Kathy Mitchell (retiring), Kim Glassett (moving to Singapore), Martin Griffiths (moving to Devon), Fraser Lawrence (going
to London), Claire Hague (new school) and Deborah Payne, and I wish them well as they move onto pastures new. However I am very delighted with
our new appointments who commence in September.
Finally I would like to wish you all a lovely, warm and peaceful summer and look forward to seeing you again in September. Year 7, supported by Year
10 mentors, and Year 11 commence on Tuesday 06 September and Years 8, 9 and the remaining Year 10 students on Wednesday 07 September.
With best wishes
Patrick Sullivan, Head Teacher
Awards Evening 2016
On Tuesday 12 July we celebrated the achievements of our students at the annual Awards Evening
ceremony. Award winners, parents, staff and governors enjoyed drinks and nibbles, courtesy of Eggar’s
PTA, before the event commenced at 18:30. The hall was full to capacity and we were delighted to
welcome guest presenter, Dean Phillips, Alton’s Deputy Town Mayor. Following Mr Sullivan’s welcome, the
evening’s hosts Mr Farris and Mrs Lambourne, introduced each award category. Curriculum Leaders
accompanied their subject winners to the stage where they were presented with certificates and awards.
There was musical entertainment from Eggar’s Voices in Harmony led by Miss Eni-Olotu. The evening was
rounded off with a vote of thanks from Head Girl, Carys Morgan and Head Boy, Peter Morris, picture on the
front cover with Ffion Jenkins, Deputy Head Girl, Zak Angell, Deputy Head Boy, Dean Phillips, Mr Sullivan
and Mr Michael, Year 10 Progress Leader. It was an exceptional evening of celebrations for our talented
students. Well done!
Alton Mayor visits Eggar’s
There was a noisy welcome for Alton Mayor, Pam Jones who officially opened Eggar’s brand new cycle
shelters on Monday morning, 09 May. Many students cycled to school ringing their bells as they
approached the impressive new home for their bikes. The first 50 cyclists won a helmet lock and enjoyed
a delicious free breakfast. There was also a Highway Code competition with more prizes to be won.
There are two cycle shelters in different parts of the school, one for 10 and one for 40 bikes. The larger
shelter is lockable with a key code entry system. The school secured funding from Hampshire County
Council by taking part in online travel to school surveys.
Jane Austen’s Regency Week
As part of Jane Austen's Regency
week, which is annually celebrated
in Alton, we had the opportunity to
work with Wendy Phillips, a
playwright who specialises in
adapting Jane Austen's work at
Alton College.
We worked alongside Amery Hill
students and
rehearsed a version
of Jane Austen’s, Emma. Our
students were wonderful, they really
showed great confidence in being
able to work with others, be a
character they have just learnt
about and perform to a live
audience that evening. We were
only able to have one read through
and about 25 minutes to work on our
section, and they took on the
challenge like true professionals!
It was a pleasure to take them and
I'm sure you would agree, Joe Gaywood, Teigan Valder, Tania Black and Ross McKenzie look super snazzy
in their Regency wear!
Mrs A Lambourne, Drama Curriculum Leader
Leavers’ Prom 2016
Eggar’s class of 2016 celebrated the completion of their GCSE’s in style with their Leavers’ Prom at Froyle
Park Country Estate on Thursday 29 June. Froyle Park is a stunning venue set in beautiful gardens and the
students all looked absolutely amazing, and drew quite a crowd.
This is the first year we have held our Prom at Froyle and the whole event was fantastic from start to finish.
Communication between the staff at Froyle with staff at Eggar’s was superb, not to mention the support of
A&W Traffic Management who worked tirelessly to keep the traffic moving. Patrick Sullivan, Head Teacher,
commented on how committed and professional the staff were, ensuring that every arrangement was
planned and organised in great detail. Even the challenge of accommodating over 175 students and
staff, as well as many parents and family coming to watch the procession and arrival of their children was
organised down to the last detail, making the whole evening a fabulous success.
The students have worked exceptionally hard this year so this was a well-deserved opportunity to
celebrate with friends and staff. We wish them all the very best of luck in the future and look forward to
seeing them again on 25 August when they collect their exam results.
TeenTech 2016
On Thursday 16 June 10 Year 9 students attended TeenTech Hampshire, a one-day interactive STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) event founded by broadcaster Maggie Philbin.
During the morning, students were given the opportunity to invent something that would make life better,
simpler, safer or more fun. Our students designed a smart fridge, decided how it would work and pitched it
to the other schools to be judged by STEM specialists. They won the award for most fun invention as their
fridge was able to photograph who had been raiding the fridge!
After that exciting start to the day the students spent time with several different companies learning about
a wide range of STEM jobs and what they involve. This gave them an opportunity to ask any questions
about the career options STEM subjects provide. The final part of the day was spent with the National Grid
and Symantec a cyber-security company. With the National Grid, students used robots to pick up items in
a competition against each other to show how they now use robots to check for damage on power lines.
Symantec showed students a conversation between two friends and they had to use that information to
try and hack into their Facebook account. In doing so, students were able to find out information about
the other person showing how vital it is to have a strong password. Overall it was an excellent opportunity
to see and talk to people working in the wide range of STEM jobs.
Futures Day
On Friday 15 July, a group of 14
students visited Farnborough Air
Show on Friday 15 July 2016.
Futures Day is designed to give
young people a chance to see the
exciting
career
opportunities
available in the dynamic sectors of
aerospace and defence. Central
to the day was the Innovation
Zone, where students experienced
aerospace technology of the
future
and
met
academic
institutions. There was also a flying
display and by the Red Arrows!
It was a really thrilling day and
everyone
thoroughly
enjoyed
themselves.
Mrs E Larkin, Year 7 Progress Leader,
Design & Technology Teacher
Rights Respecting Conference
Year 10 students, Scout Broughton, Harvey Ford, Florence Smith, Martha Kingsley and Maeve
Taylor took part in a Rights Respecting Conference at Winchester University.
The group, alongside two other schools, addressed an audience of 120 which included Nelson
Mandela’s niece (pictured above). The presentation described the role and projects of the
Equalities Advocates groups. They also manned a stall at lunchtime, describing the work they
were involved in with other interested schools.
Mrs C Vickers, PPD Curriculum Leader
Year 7 & 8 Project Style Homework
Year 7 and 8
Project
Style
Homework
has
been exceptional
this year and the
displays of work in
the foyer have
been a real treat
for all to see.
Students
have
been
rewarded
for their hard work
through ePraise.
Pictured left is a
sample of the
Year 7 History Top
Trumps work.
UK Maths Challenge Triumph!
Number-savvy students have been celebrating their success in this year's UK Maths Challenge, with 105 winning
certificates.
Taken by students from across the year groups, the annual Maths Challenge paper is made up of unusual problem
solving questions which have to be worked out without the use of a calculator or other measuring equipment.
Leading the honours for Year 11 was Louis Kennett, who gained Best in School at the Intermediate level and a gold
certificate. He also earned a place into the next level of the competition called the Kangaroo Round, where he
gained a Certificate of Merit. Other students gaining entry to the Kangaroo Round were Alice Mealing, Anshu Pandey,
Neelesh Prasad, Roman Schunov and Callum Phillips-Beck.
Isabel James and Callum Phillips-Beck both gained Best in Year for their respective year groups. In all, 8 gold, 17 silver
and 25 bronze certificates were awarded to Years 9, 10 and 11.
In the Junior Challenge, Best in Year went to Jamie Watts in Year 8 and to Thomas Baldwin in Year 7 and in total there
were 7 gold, 10 silver and 38 bronze certificates awarded overall.
Sparsholt Success
Many congratulations to Year 11 students that have completed their 2 year courses which
include equine, animal care, motor vehicles and engineering at Sparsholt College.
These students have successfully gained their qualification in their chosen subject and were
joined by parents and family at a recent awards presentation.
I wish them all the very best for the future.
Mrs C Priddle
LSA, Off-site Learning Mentor
An interesting day in Oxford
Mrs Larkin and Mrs Davidson recently accompanied a group of students to Oxford where they had the opportunity to
participate in classes at Begbroke’s Science and Advanced Technology Centre and had time to visit Oxford’s
National History Museum, New College and Baliol College.
Iceland 2016
40 students enjoyed a fabulous 5-day Icelandic adventure during the Easter holidays. It didn’t take them
long to realise that Iceland really is geography in action! From secret lagoons and geyzers to hidden
waterfalls and the northern lights, the students experienced a huge variety of breath-taking scenery and
astonishing views.
Read eggarsiceland16 the blog which records their impressions of this beautiful island and the students
memorable trip.
Year 10 Field visit
Year 10 visited Juniper Hall Field Centre, near Dorking, to get the primary data required for their
controlled assessment. The weather just about held it together and all the students were able to collect
the required data; river width, velocity, depth and bedload size. Having spent the day knee deep in a
river the Year 10’s were pleased to get back to Eggar’s.
Many thanks to the team at Juniper Hall and Mrs Sutehall for organising the trip.
Design & Technology More Able & Talented
Year 7 Design & Technology MAT students enjoyed a super Saturday designing and making
clocks. The attention to detail was amazing with the clocks made in mahogany wood with inlaid
dovetailed joints. A massive thank you to this year’s guest woodworker, Adrian Dee from Alton
College, who led the day brilliantly, and special thanks to Colin Evans for, once again, preparing
the day faultlessly. The students were incredible and produced the best set of results we’ve ever
had!
Mr N Waite, Design & Technology Curriculum Leader
Student Achievements
Year 10 Art student, Freya Thomas-Taylor (pictured above), recently visited Alton College to take some
photographs in their studio of a stunning hand painted and augmented Van Gogh dress. Freya will be
using the images for her GCSE Art sketchbook. In recognition of Freya’s outstanding commitment to
developing her artistic practice both in and outside of school, she was presented with the Outstanding
Artist Award at Eggar’s annual Awards Evening.
Samuel Walker 7MR is passionate about fossils and on 11 March visited Lyme Regis and Charmouth for a
fossil hunt with two scout groups, the Chinooks and the Apaches from the 28 th Odiham.
On the first day, the weather was good but after looking for the whole morning, Samuel hadn’t discovered
anything! However his determination finally paid off as he found a crinoid (a star like fossil plant) as well as
many ammonites and belemnites.
Samuel reported that he’d thoroughly enjoyed the trip with the scouts and was really happy to discover a
fossil that he had not discovered before, the crinoid (pictured above right).
Jacob Fairhead 7LG (pictured left) recently competed in the
WIKF British & Irish National Championships and successfully
retained his title for the fifth consecutive year by winning 4
golds and 3 bronze medals.
In addition to Jacob’s training programme and keeping up
with school work, Jacob is also involved in Eggar’s Young
Enterprise Scheme. One of his ideas was to get sponsorship
on how many medals he could win and a price scale for a
bronze, silver and gold. Jacob was able to get a business to
sponsor him which added to the pressure of doing well in the
competition. Well done Jacob!
Congratulations also to four Eggar’s U14 gymnasts who
performed brilliantly at the British Schools Gymnastics Finals
held at Fenton Manor, Stoke-on-Trent.
The boys paring of Dylan Milner and Finn Lewis won bronze,
an incredible achievement as neither student had done any
gymnastics before they came to Eggar’s. Mixed pairs Amy
Klaire and Benjamin Dowds came 5th, only 0.15 marks short of
a medal. Having two top 5 finishes in a national competition
is amazing.
Peter Morris 10AL (pictured below)
recently competed in the Taekwondo
European Championships in Tampere,
Finland and came back with some
silverware!
Peter had a fabulous week culminating
in winning a silver medal for England in
the Team Pattern event. Patterns is a set
of fundamental movements, mainly
defence and attack, set in a logical
sequence to deal with one or more
imaginary opponents. It is a specialist,
highly practiced routine which shows
technique and skill in the Korean martial
arts. Congratulations Peter!
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Assessed Expedition
During the morning of Saturday 25 June, three Duke of Edinburgh teams set out on an expedition and
made it to the end point on Sunday afternoon, phew! Along the way they dealt with fast flowing torrents
and mud (the rain was torrential!) scaled hilly heights and still had enough energy to cook cordon bleu
cuisine before indulging in a “University Challenge” style quiz whilst packed like sardines into the group
shelter (whilst it rained again!).
Of course before the evening’s frivolity could begin, the campsite had to be found and all the teams did
a superb job with their navigation, correcting the odd error quickly and arriving in camp at their allotted
times. The support and camaraderie within teams was most excellent.
Whilst the weather was not quite what was ordered it didn’t dampen spirits and the groups’ excellent
navigation and pace setting, the like of which we have not previously seen, meant that all teams
completed their expedition in their allotted time. The assessors were very complimentary regarding the
capabilities of all three teams and they were pleased to note that emergency rations had been saved for
an emergency and had not formed part of the en route snack!
On behalf of the supporting/assessing staff - Mrs Glennie, Mr Cumner and Mr Poyner – and myself, I’d like
to congratulate Zak Angell, Daniel Beeston, Xavier Bochereau, Joe Bramley, Scout Broughton, Jamie
Carter, Erica Chaffey, Niamh Doyle, Michael Foley, Matthew Gittings, Anna Griffiths, Zach Harrison, Ffion
Jenkins, Aaron Martin, Josie Morris, James Murphy, Zoe Robinson, Toby Seeckts, Grace Williams and Alice
Woolman, who took on, and successfully completed, the challenge of their DofE Bronze Expedition. Well
done to you all.
Mr J Foley
Russia 2016
On 27 May 2016 57 Eggar’s students and seven teachers embarked on a once in a lifetime trip to Moscow.
The trips main focus was to explore the history of Russian Space Travel and highlighted by our trip to Star
City, the training centre of our very own Tim Peake. The 7 day experience was one that has left many
imprints in out students’ memories and will hopefully inspire the next generation of UK astronauts.
Not only did students get to see the training simulators used to launch and dock at the ISS, but also lifesized simulators of the old MIR space station and the Russian pods up on the ISS. They were also very
fortunate to meet three Russian Cosmonauts during our time, Alexander Volkov, Sergie Volkov (father and
son) and Alexandr Samokutyae, and even managed to try on a space suit that had been into space. All
three have spent time on board a space station and the tales and insights to the future of the ISS and
space exploration was nothing short of inspirational for the students.
Whilst space and the Science behind the Russian projects was the main focus of the trip, students also
explored the historical aspects of Moscow. Visits to the Kremlin, St Basils Cathedral, Tomb of Lenin,
changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Christ the Saviour Church, the Exhibition Park
and the War Memorial Museum were just some of the other activities they experienced.
We are already looking forward to taking the next group to Russia in 2018 to experience this truly
remarkable city.
Primary Liaison
This year we have hosted visits for 10 Primary, Infant and Junior Schools leading to over 70 separate visits
throughout the year accumulating in a footfall of approximately a thousands steps across Eggar’s
threshold! As you can see from the photos, departments have held many events and activities such as
Murder Mystery Treasure Hunts in History, Greek food cooking and tasting in Technology, aerobic warm ups
and track events with PE staff and computing skills in ICT to name but a few.
Thank you to our students for welcoming our visitors and making the activities so much fun. We had many
wonderful comments and positive feedback from the primary teachers.
On Saturday 09 July Eggar’s hosted Alton L!ve, a
school and community event for all to enjoy… even
the sun shone!
There was an excellent line up of bands and
musicians including Joe Waller, who had previously
performed on the X-Factor television show. As well as
entertainment there was locally produced drink and
food on sale including a BBQ, activities, games and
Mill Farm Cottage Experience brought along their
animals which was a huge hit for the younger visitors.
Thank you to Eggar’s PTA, staff and volunteers for
making this event such a huge success.
Eggar’s Class of 1990/1991
Come along for a school reunion if you have turned 40
between September 2014 & August 2015.
Venue: Queens Head Pub, London Road, Alton
Entry is free and weather permitting, a BBQ will be available.
If you can join us or want more information please ring
Anna Hooker (nee Pegden) on 01420 86331
Dates for the diary
The autumn term commences on:
Monday 05 September - Inset Day with school closed to students
Tuesday 06 September - All Year 7 students with Year 10 assisting mentors and all Year 11 students in school
(school buses run as normal)
Wednesday 07 September - Whole school returns
The remaining Inset Days for 2016-2017 will take place on:
Friday 21 October 2016
Monday 21 November 2016
Tuesday 03 January 2017
Friday 28 April 2017
For Hampshire School Holidays 2016- 2018 please visit
www3.hants.gov.uk/education/schools/schoolholidays
Sporting Achievements this term...
Once again students have excelled in sporting competitions and events this term. We were
delighted to present Year 8 and 10 students with Junior and Senior Sporting Colours at Awards
Evening on 12 July for representing the school. Here is a summary of their achievements.
Football:
At the very beginning of term Year 9 played in the final of the district cup against All Hallows
School, who were already the county champions, we lost 1 – 0 but the boys did themselves
proud against a very strong All Hallows team.
Athletics:
Year 7 Boys were runners up in the district competition. We had 16 medallists at the junior districts
with 10 students representing Aldershot and District at the Hampshire competition. Of these, Ryan
Martin is the county 1000m champion and he broke the championship record!
At the Senior districts we had 13 medallists with 6 students representing the district at the
Hampshire competition. Of these Ed Metcalfe has run for Hampshire and is fifth fastest in the
country in 300m.
Cricket:
Year 7 boys are district champions beating Salesian College in the final.
Year 7/8 team are Hampshire plate winners beating Connaught in the final.
U15 girls are Hampshire runners up losing in a tight final game to Connaught.
Rounders
Year 8 were district league runners up.
Year 10 were third place in the district league.
Legacy Day
As a school we came third overall at Perins with Year 7 team coming second, Year 8 and 9
coming third and Year 10 winning their age group.
Year 10 also had the opportunity to go to Bath University to see where a qualification in PE could
take you. A fantastic and inspiring place to study and something for all that went to aspire to.
Well done to you all and we look forward to many more awards next year!
Mr C Michael, PE Curriculum Leader