St George’s Ascot News

27^th March 2009

Term ends on a happy note as we celebrate the safe arrival of baby William Welsh, who arrived just after midnight on Tuesday. Mum and baby are both doing well. I wish you all a very happy Easter.

HOUSE MUSIC COMPETITION

In the last few weeks there seem to have been various rehearsals in every break, lunch and after school slot – although we did reassure the adjudicator, Mr Stephen Clarke, (Precentor, Radley College), that normal work had gone on too. All this effort cumulated in a fantastic House Music Competition. The standard was very high, with star performers from every year group. Claudia’s characterful, highly musical and technically brilliant flute solo won her the cup for best performance, and the cup for the best House went to Darwin, with Churchill a very close runner up. The following evening a packed Sue Cormack Hall was treated to a concert of highlights. As each House special item and House song came to be performed to the parents, it was noticeable how many girls had identity problems as they failed to resist the temptation to join in with other Houses. Thank you to everyone for all the hard work and for making it all such good fun.

Lax internatioNAl debut

Yasmin has been part of the Wales Junior Lacrosse squad for the past 12 months. She was selected to play in the U19 Wales team at the Home Internationals. They had three games in total and won decisively 17:3, then 22:7 before losing 14:7 to England. Yasmin scored 5 goals and set up many others. Although just in the 5^th Year, this was her U19 International debut. She has also been invited to go on tour with this team to Washington D.C. and the Welsh Coach really wants her to be part of the Squad for the next World Cup, in 2011. We are very proud of her wonderful achievements, and thank the Sports Department for their support, mentoring and coaching.

100% SUCCESS IN ART

Camilla

Devon

The Art Department wish to congratulate Camilla and Devon on securing places on the Art Foundation course at University College of Arts, Chelsea. With these two joining Mi Soo) and Sophia who have already been offered places, this means that all our girls who applied have been accepted for this premier course.

NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE AUDITIONS

This term 8 girls auditioned for the National Youth Theatre. After a three hour workshop, where they learnt new skills, they were then interviewed and performed individual audition pieces. All agreed it was a great opportunity and they now await the outcome. We wish them all good luck.

A LEVEL DRAMA PERFORMANCES The L6^th drama students performed The Odyssey in an exciting and original version. They portrayed Odysseus’ fantastic journey home from the Trojan War in the round, creating ship wrecks, goddesses and all the enchanted adventures in a physical style that was highly visual, often comic but ultimately very moving. The U6^th students adapted the Greek play, Medea. Intrigued by the extent to which Medea was prepared to go to gain revenge on her husband, who had rejected her and taken a younger, beautiful new wife, they realised that all the action occurred with 24 hours, and seeing the similarities between this and the TV series “24”, they placed their version in this modern context. Medea bombed and murdered her way through before outwitting the security forces by donning a suicide bomber’s body bomb to escape and fly away to Greece to join her friend and ally King Aegeus. It was exciting and very dramatic. I hope that they all achieved high marks.

DRAMA TOUR – STOP PRESS Thank you to everyone who showed interest and applied. We are delighted to tell you that numbers are such that the tour can now be confirmed: Broadway - here we come!

THIRD YEAR CHARITY SPORTS COMPETITION 3X held a Fun Sports Competition for teachers so as to raise money to help people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The staff involved participated with enthusiasm. All had a wonderful time and some members of staff have now felt inspired to continue and maintain a keep fit programme. (Others were wondering if there was oxygen at hand to help resuscitate them!)

2^nd YEAR TRIP TO THE TOWER OF LONDON

The 2^nd Year went to the Tower of London on a much enjoyed trip. The tour was very exciting as you entered the places where many people lost their lives in horrible ways, often because of their beliefs. It was also very glamorous, as we got to see some of the royal jewellery. We were shown a plain old boring rock which we later found out was a diamond. It was amazing to see how stunning the results could be after simply polishing it. We also took part in a debate where we were put into three groups (Queen Elizabeth, For and Against) and we had to argue whether or not a Jesuit (spy for the Pope) should be put to death. Celina

CIRCUS SKILLS WORKSHOP

On the last Saturday of term a small group of 3^rd and 4^th Year boarders took part in a circus skills workshop. Not sure what to expect, everyone had an amazing afternoon learning new skills, working together and encouraging friends - especially on the trapeze.  After warm up exercises out in the lovely sunshine, the girls then divided up into groups and worked their way around the various skills - from plate spinning and juggling, to acrobatics and trapeze - before finishing the day with a human pyramid and cool down exercises.  It was fun, with a lot of laughs, and everyone achieved - just look at the photos!

UPPER 6TH BOARDERS SEE JOSEPH On the last closed weekend of term, the U6^th boarders went to a matinee performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat! Everyone was extremely excited by the prospect of seeing the show’s star Gareth Gates performing as Joseph- it is safe to say that the hero of our crushes from the age of twelve did not disappoint! A great time was had by all. Fran

Funky Fashions

Boarders from the 1^st and 2^nd Years enjoyed the Funky Fashions Workshop at Southhill Park in Bracknell. The girls designed pictures, inked them up and then produced monoprints using the press. It was a technique that none of them had tried before and they all managed to make prints that they were pleased with.

ASCOT SCHOOLS’ CROSS COUNTRY SUCCESS On Wednesday 11^th March twenty girls from the 1^st and 2^nd Year competed in the Ascot Schools’ Cross Country event. Thirty six girls competed in the 2^nd Year race. Emily ran a fantastic race and finished as the 3^rd individual competitor. Saskia and Isabelle finished 10^th and 11^th respectively, which meant that overall the St George’s team finished runners-up. In the 1^st Year race, fifty two competitors ran. Courtney finished 3^rd with Juliet 7^th and Suzanne 11^th. This resulted in the 1^st Year team finishing in first place. Congratulations go to every girl who competed.

DRAGONS’ DEN The Tuesday Club have been working on a Dragons’ Den project this term. The brief was to design a best-selling fashion accessory for teenage girls. The teams had to prepare a presentation including: · a detailed hand-drawn design (what it looks like, materials, colours, size) · approximate costs of production · how much it would sell for · profit margin · market research · product safety · possible retailers

The girls worked very hard on this project. Congratulations to the winning team of Lauren, Juliet and Zoë with their “Add it bag”. The team of “Dragon” judges were particularly impressed by their presentation skills and the fact that Lauren had actually carried out market research in person. Tuesday Thinking Club is continuing with some brain games, logic puzzles, cryptic clues and code breaking, as well as ideas for more effective revision for the exams.

1^st YEAR GEOGRAPHY TRIP TO WINDSOR The 1st Year visited Windsor to carry out an urban study. We were collecting data in order to answer three questions: Does Windsor fit the Burgess model of urban land use? Is Windsor a comparison or convenience shopping area? Are there more people in the core or the fringe of the central business district of Windsor? The girls have been working hard writing their reports and giving evidence to decide what the answers are to these questions.

Photograph by Cara

Photograph by Cara

MARY SLEIGH VISITS TEXTILES GROUP The 4^th Year Textiles group recently had the privilege of meeting the textile artist Mary Sleigh. She is inspired by all walks of African culture and design. She showed us samples of African attire including fabric cloth, beaded skirts, necklaces, bracelets and various other garments. We adapted one of her techniques of printing and wash over colouring to use in our textiles books. We all benefited greatly from her visit and all the knowledge she passed on. Blaire and Molly

Mothering sunday service

The sun shining through the Chapel stained glass windows added to the beauty of this special service. A number of Mums and Grandmas, accompanied by Dads, brothers and younger sisters joined the boarders and choir for a mixture of apt hymns, choir pieces and readings. Afterwards younger girls presented all the ladies with a small posy of spring flowers as they left the Chapel, and there was traditional Simnel cake and refreshments for all.

2^ndYEAR RS VISIT TO ST PAUL’S

On the steps of St Paul’s

2^nd Years making their mosaics

Looking round St Paul’s Cathedral was an amazing experience. We all enjoyed visiting the OBE chapel, the main body of the church and the fascinating mosaics. Everything reminded us of how central Jesus is in Christianity. The most interesting fact that stuck with me was the shape of the Cathedral. It is incredible that this glorious building is in the shape of a cross. Seeing all the little faces in the choir section was also very interesting; especially all the detail in them. Making the mosaics was really fun too, and a good chance to be creative. Everyone benefited from the trip; it was a great day out. Lucy

Some of the finished mosaics

LOOKING FORWARD

ART EXHIBITION Artist in Residence, Susannah Douglas, will be exhibiting work she has produced whilst at St George’s. Her display will be on show in the South Lawn Room from Monday 20^th April until Tuesday 5^thMay. Parents, staff and girls are warmly invited to join the Art department for drinks at the preview on Monday 20^th April, from 7 – 9 pm.

GALA Georgian Alumnae Association

GALA REUNIONS One thing about being a Georgian is making friendships that last a lifetime, and we are hoping that lots of former pupils will come to our GALA reunions at school in the summer term.  Saturday 9th May is the traditional Old Girls’ Day, and Saturday 13^th June is a 1980s reunion.  We hope that the sun will shine and that the alumnae will enjoy seeing both the familiar and the new sights round school.  The invitations are being posted this week.  If you know a former pupil who has not received her invitation, please let me know: alumnae@stgeorges-ascot.org.uk.

ENGLAND GOAL SHOOTER RACHEL DUNN AMONGst TOP NETBALL STARS TO COACH AT HOLIDAY CAMPS

net-it Netball Coaching is holding camps at St George’s during the Easter, Summer and October holidays. Led by England and Super league players and top coaches, the camps give the chance for everyone aged 14 and under to benefit from elite coaching This is an exciting opportunity to improve skills and meet some real sporting stars. For further information go to http://www.net-it.org/

FANCY A NIGHT OUT AT THE THEATRE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS? N E W …. T H E A T R E C L U B Friends of St George’s School team up with New Victoria Theatre, Woking We can now offer group discounted premium seats for some really exciting shows. Ideal for special occasions, school trips, girls’ nights out, holiday treats. Current offers include: Thriller Live ‘Tribute to the king of pop’ Buddy ‘The World’s most successful Rock & Roll Musical’ West Side Story 'The Greatest Broadway Musical of all time’ See the poster in the Parents’ area of the school website for more details.