Chloe & Layla Cheering Champs

Chloe (9C1) and Layla (9D3) are cheerleaders at local club, Crimson Heat Tigers, and have both been selected to represent their club at the World Championships and at Summit in Florida, the two biggest cheer competitions in the world next April.

The girls recently spent the weekend in London, taking part in try-outs for the National youth cheerleading team. The try-outs were gruelling and the standard was incredibly high, but they have both been selected to represent their country for the 24/25 season!

They have put in hours and hours of practice in preparation, in addition to their usual training regime, and it’s paid off. Congratulations girls. We look forward to hearing about your adventures in the States and beyond!

Extended Project Qualification

Before half term we held our annual EPQ Showcase in the Hall. The Extended Project Qualification (commonly known as EPQ) is a Sixth Form Year 12 course. Students undertake independently led research in a topic of their own choosing, supported by a staff mentor and study skills workshops on topics such as research and time management.  It is a fantastic opportunity for students to acquire and practise the skills to undertake extensive independent work. The course is worth 50% of an A Level and represents a significant body of work.

Each year, the showcase is an opportunity for students to reflect on their experience, celebrate their achievement and share their project with our school community, which included the Sixth Form Team, tutors, teachers and Year 12. Visitors were treated to around 50 presentations on as diverse an array of topics as causes of criminality, the ethics of animal organ transplants and the search for extra-terrestrial on other planets and so much more!

Mr Owen, Co-Head of Sixth Form, says: “I am so proud of all the students who have successfully completed their EPQ. It really prepares students for what they will need to do when they go to University and builds those hugely transferable skills such as how to present effectively. I had a hugely enjoyable time, wandering around and learning more about some really interesting topics. The Hall had such a magnificent buzz, which was so enjoyable to be a part of”

Rhodium Reading Challenge Champions

Congratulations to Year 9 students Divi and Izzy who have both completed the St Bart’s Reading Challenge. In order to join the honour roll of those who have achieved this milestone, Divi and Izzy both read at least 57 books across the five challenges in order to complete the final Rhodium Award – an amazing achievement!

In recognition of this impressive dedication to reading, both girls were congratulated by Dr Fitter, Headteacher, and Mrs Hewetson, St Bart’s Librarian. Mrs Hewetson also enjoyed compiling a hamper of goodies for Divi and Izzy, including books, stationary, treats and their rare Rhodium Badge to be worn with pride.

Katherine at Real Tennis French Open!

Real tennis is the original racquet sport from which the modern game of tennis is derived. Today there are just 45 active real tennis courts in the world; rectangular indoor courts with high walls on all four sides and a high ceiling. In September, Sixth Form student, Katherine, took part in the 2024 Real Tennis French Open in Paris. She tells us about it…

“Last week I had the amazing opportunity to take part in the 2024 Real Tennis French Open. It was an incredible experience to be able to play amongst (and against!) the top seeded women in the world; in the singles semi-finals I had to play the world number two, something I will never forget! I also played in the doubles competition, which was a baptism of fire… I’d never played competitive doubles before, but it was a fantastic way to learn. The whole experience was a great way to meet the top players, as it was my first Open- hopefully the first of many! And it counted as the residential for my Gold DofE, which was a bonus!”

KS3 Awards

The KS3 Awards Evening took place last week to recognise the effort and determination shown by our current Year 10 students throughout their first three years at St Bart’s. Students were rewarded for their commitment to both subjects and their Houses, and those who have achieved their Gold Awards were also recognised.

The proceedings were ably led by Miss Thorne, Assistant Headteacher, with awards announced by our Heads of Faculties and Subjects, as well as our Heads of House. Presenting students with their Gold Awards was Daisy Hutchinson, Governor, and, in the final presentation, Tricia Ray, Charitable Foundation Trustee, handed out trophies to those students from each House whom received the most nominations. The winners were:

  • Curnock: Alexa Brown
  • Davis: Freya Machon
  • Evers: Oliver Comber
  • Patterson: Millie Taylor

It was fantastic to see so many students celebrated and to see and hear the wonderful support from their families and friends, who enthusiastically applauded every prizewinner.

European Day of Languages

On Thursday 26 September, it was the European Day of Languages. At St Bart’s, in the MFL Faculty, we like to celebrate all languages all week! We have had a lovely week celebrating the richness and diversity that learning different languages brings. Year 8 and Year 9 had an assembly to show how languages can open doors to new opportunities and how much it can enhance your professional profile if you have a language on your CV. We also explored our general knowledge about customs and traditions in other countries via a tutor time quiz. The canteen celebrated by preparing dishes from around the world with the Mexican enchiladas being the firm favourite I think! Year 7 and Year 8 students created their flags to show the differences in cultures of the languages they are learning here at Bart’s or shared the culture of the language that they speak at home. The flags joined together to make a wonderful bunting that certainly brightens the MFL corridor, making it a vibrant and welcoming space to enter. At the Open Evening, the Year 6 parents and students voted for their favourite and I am pleased to let you know the winners were:

Runners up:

Matilda E (7C3)

Matilda P (7C3)

Aanya (7C3)

Michelle (7D2)

Tilly (7D3)

A huge thank you to all the students who took part in the competition. Also, a huge thank you to the parents who support Languages and help us promote the celebration of diversity and empathy that comes from understanding different languages and cultures.

St Bart’s Scoops Sports Awards

We are delighted to announce that several St Bart’s students and a member of staff have been awarded West Berkshire Schools Sports Awards. They were nominated in the Summer Term in a variety of categories and then shortlisted and invited to attend the awards evening where the winners of the categories would be announced.

The evening was opened with a special welcome from Maxine Smiles Cooke, School Sports Network Manager, and then followed by an eye watering performance from Felix Clements who was a Breakdancing semi-finalist on last year’s Britain’s Got Talent.

Invitees were also privileged to hear an inspirational talk from Lesley Owusu who represented GB at World, Commonwealth and European Stages in the 400m.

The presentation of awards followed with plenty to celebrate.
Congratulations to the following students and team who thoroughly deserve their awards, presented by Felix Clements and Lesley Owusu, for outstanding performances and commitment to their sport and leadership throughout last year.

Sports Performer of the Year: Beth Maclean (11D3)
Beth was highly commended and presented with a trophy for her outstanding netball achievements, which include her selection to the Surrey Storm short squad, competing at the School Games in Loughborough and winning a gold medal.

Beth also achieved very highly in athletics where she achieved excellent results in the 800m and javelin and qualified to represent the County.

FA Footballer of the Year: Isla Clare (11D2)
Isla Clare was highly commended and presented with a trophy for her outstanding achievements in Football. She played for Swindon and later in the season was offered a 1-year contract with Chelsea U16s, which is a fantastic achievement. We all wish you good luck for this year and future years ahead.

Young Leader of the Year: Amelie Goodwin (11C1)
Amelie Goodwin won this award for her excellent leadership skills and dedication to supporting numerous after school clubs and festivals, including School Games opportunities and support in primary schools. She has been an inspiration and is an excellent role model.

FA Football Team of the Year: U16 Girls Football Team
Our U16 Girls Football Team won this award due to their hugely successful season which included getting through to the last 16 of the English Schools Cup and County Cup finalists.

Huge congratulations to them all, they should be very proud of their achievements.

Last, but not least, Mrs Leach, Teacher of PE, won an Outstanding Contribution to the Partnership Award for her work as a School Sports Co-Ordinator. Head of Department Physical Education, Miss Ostinelli, said “We’re thrilled that Mrs Leach’s work has been recognised with this award. She has worked tirelessly to promote participation in sport for all students by organising alternative PE co-curricular activities, working with feeder primary schools and developing opportunities for student leadership in PE. She’s an integral part of the team here at St Bart’s and inspires colleagues and students alike. Her award is very much deserved.”

Well Done Ella

Congratulations to Ella (13P1) who represented her pony club last Friday at Blenheim International Horse Trails.

Ella and her horse jumped a brilliant round in the arena eventing 100 competition with an unlucky pole down to come 25th out of a 110 in the class.

 

BPhO Computational Challenge 2024

Huge congratulations to Year 13 students Aayush Joshi and Sohaib Alam who have been awarded a prestigious Gold Award in the BPhO Computational Challenge 2024.

The BPhO encourages the study of physics and recognises excellence in young physicists through annual competitions. In order to compete for a Gold Award, Aayush and Sohaib attended a series of weekly online talks on Computational Physics given by Dr Andrew French of Winchester College. These sessions were held in order to train and expose applicants to a range of areas of computational physics before the release of the competition and its theme in April.

This year’s competition theme was on modelling projectile motion, with applicants completing nine different challenges in a programming language of their choice.  Aayush and Sohaib chose C++ and began the first challenge by plotting the horizontal and vertical displacement calculated using suvat equations (A level Physics and Mathematics curriculum). Towards the end of the challenges, the students were using verlet integration to model bounces, as well as modelling the path of a projectile experiencing air resistance with different cross-sectional areas. This is extremely advanced physics and coding, and is a truly a fantastic achievement.

Students’ Summer Achievements

While the summer holidays provide an opportunity to rest and recuperate, it’s also a perfect time to put more into your interests and hobbies. Three students have been doing just that.

During the first week of the summer holidays, Olive (11C1) swam at the Swim England National Summer Meet in Sheffield. She qualified for three events – the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke. Olive had 3 great swims and she made the finals in two of her events finishing 10th overall in her age group for the 100m breaststoke and 7th in the 200m. She also achieved new personal best times in these distances. Overall it was a very successful first National level competition! Congratulations Olive.

Congratulations also to Jessie (10C1) who was selected for an U15 England Football National Camp in the summer holidays. This was a huge achievement and Jessie thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The hard work and sacrifice she’s shown for so many years is paying off!

We’ve reported in the past about Harry’s (8C2) promising DJ career. This summer Harry played festivals such as Boardmasters and Carfest, and made celebrity DJ contacts such as Chase & Status and Judge Jules. He opened Reading Pride and finished the summer playing at a Newbury festival. Well done Harry!

St Bartholomew’s School, Andover Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6JP

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