St George’s Ascot

25^th Sept 2009

Welcome to the first e-News of the new academic year. Term started on a high as we celebrated the outstanding GCSE and A Level results. With 82% graded at A or B, and a 100% pass rate, our outgoing U6^th did us proud. Our best wishes go to all of the girls as they begin their Higher Education courses. The following week, the old 5^th Year, receiving their GCSE results, were awarded a fantastic 89% A* to B, with 71% at A or A*, and all girls matriculated into Sixth Form. Nine girls achieved all A or A* grades, with Enid and Katy both achieving 11 A*s. We are proud of all our girls. Congratulations to them and to their teachers.

BUSY FIRST WEEKEND FOR LOWER SIXTH On the sun-kissed first Saturday of term the Lower Sixth enjoyed a cheerful and exhausting leadership and teamwork training day provided by the army. From the camouflage face paint through the problem solving tasks to the amazing and enormous inflatable assault course – not forgetting the press ups for misdemeanours or moans along the way - they ran, worked through the tasks as teams and cheered each other on until everyone collapsed onto the warm grass for the concluding talk. Warm thanks were given to ART22 army group for a great day and then we all crawled off to have a shower. Just a few hours later the camouflage paint and track suits had been replaced as the girls emerged looking beautiful in their evening dresses for the ceilidh with Eton College. Despite the rigours of the training day, they danced the night away with everyone packing the floor for every dance - even if the steps sometimes owed more to enthusiasm than tradition.

When Sunday dawned and brunch had been consumed the girls were off again to take part in a charity walk on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Society as you can see below.

MEMORY WALK SUCCESS

Alzheimer's is a distressing condition that sadly seems to affect loved ones in many if not most of our families and those of friends. Here at St George's, particularly in the Sixth Form, we have been developing our links with the Bracknell and District Alzheimer’s Society, who kindly offer our girls opportunities for community service and also provide important experience for girls considering a career in medicine. In order to try to give something back, most of the Lower Sixth girls and several boarders of all ages took part in the first ever Memory Walk for this area. The Sixth Form Team

CLARIDGES – HERE WE COME Tara and members of the Head Girl’s team accompanied Mrs Jordan to Claridges for the launch of the Tatler Schools’ Guide. A good evening was enjoyed by all, made all the better from reading the glowing report featured in the magazine.

1^st IMPRESSIONS The new 1st Years have all settled in really well and as well as making lots of new friends, they have been starting lessons and even went on an Art trip this week. The first week was very busy, but also lots of fun, as we all got to know each other. 2^nd Year shadows kindly showed the 1^st Years around the school so that no-one got lost.

I just remember being excited about everything I was going to do next. I really like learning all the new things. Kate I thought it would be hard to make friends, but no, it was easy. I am always excited for a new day to begin Ellen School is going great so far and I am really enjoying it. Rebecca My highlight was Mother and Daughter Netball. Unfortunately I hurt my foot in the first game but I carried on playing. My Mum and I had a great time. Lucy My first week as a boarder was great fun. We had a social on Friday! I am looking forward to next week. Katarina I thought I was going to be nervous, but straight away I enjoyed meeting my form. I soon forgot my nerves and settled in well. Sarah

NEWS FROM DRAMA DEPARTMENT Success with the National Youth Theatre Manpreet and Katie returned to school elated after their two weeks with the NYT. Both were thrilled with their experiences – “the best fortnight ever” – and they are now eligible to be selected for NYT productions in future years. That’s where Helen Mirren started! Eton Plays Polly gave a star performance in Donkey’s Years by Michael Frayn, which was the Eton College summer play. Play in a Day The Drama department hosted 40 girls and during the day coached them as actors and technicians in a performance of a specially written play The Voyage of the Beagle. The visitors worked hard and presented a lively and amusing performance that told the story of Charles Darwin’s famous voyage during which his observations of the natural world led to the thinking that resulted in his Theory of Evolution.

READATHON We very much hope that the 1^st and 2^nd Years will rise to the challenge of this year's READATHON, which begins after exeat and goes on until the end of half-term. All the money raised from sponsorship will go to local childrens’ charities. The DofCFS's BOOKED UP scheme should get the 1^st Years off to a flying start, as they will each receive a free book from this year's exciting selection.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER NETBALL MATCH

Four spirited teams of Mums and their daughters enjoyed a morning of netball and socialising. Despite the fiercely competitive support coming from the accompanying Fathers, the Mums were commended at the end for their generous play. Although there were the occasional requests for oxygen, the Mums clearly had fun.

BOARDERS’ OUTING TO WE WILL ROCK YOU The Upper Sixth enjoyed a trip to We Will Rock You!, Ben Elton and Queen’s explosive West End musical. Girls and teachers threw themselves into loud renditions of Queen’s famous numbers, waving hands and stamping feet for emphasis. When the audience’s demands for Bohemian Rhapsody were met, all stood to sing their hearts out; and as the song reached its climax, who should emerge from the depths of the stage but the curly-haired figure of Brian May, hammering away on that famous small red guitar; the icing on what was a really wonderful trip.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING The Chapel was packed with girls and parents for a beautiful service of seasonal music and readings. As with school tradition, 1^st Year boarders carried baskets of harvest gifts down the aisle, doing so with graceful poise. The congregation did its best to give Mr Hillier enough volume as we sang the “father friendly” pitched hymns. Afterwards everyone sat at long trestle tables in the dining room, as we joined the boarders for a fabulous rustic supper.