St George’s Ascot

20^th November 2009

GOODBYE AND HELLO After years of loyal service, Mrs Margaret Harman, the Head’s PA, retired. Having gained her BA (Hons) with the Open University during the summer, she intends taking further training in teaching adult literacy and will also be building up her homemade cakes business, “Ascot Cakes”, so she is not planning to put her feet up. We wish Margaret well and at the same time warmly welcome her successor, Mrs Jacky Witt. We hope Jacky will be very happy with us.
Which one is Pocahontas?	Sunday afternoon congress									Tidewater time out
WILLIAMSBURG During Half Term the St George’s party made its way to Washington DC. After a day of exploring, we continued our travels to Williamsburg. As well as enjoying seminars on civil rights with the William and Mary University students, we explored colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. We had a fantastic time exploring, learning, researching in William and Mary’s spectacular library, experiencing university life and enjoying free time. Jenny and Georgia (L6)
What’s this thing for?						In class at William and Mary
TRIP TO VENICE
To quote Erin, the Photography, Art and History of Art trip was like a “magical dream”. While the art historians and photographers explored various churches and squares, whose beauty was only emphasised by their magnificent setting in a city that is so magical it seemed surreal, the artists marvelled at the contemporary art exhibition of the Biennale, as well as more traditional works. No trip to Venice would be complete without joining the hundreds of other tourists in exploration of St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge. We came home with our brains full of beautiful images and our legs exhausted from the walking. We had all had a wonderful time and had seen some amazing sights and works of art. Our five days were very memorable and everyone, including the teachers, enjoyed themselves. Kirstin and Arianna (U6)
DRAMA STUDENTS ON BROADWAY
What an exciting and action packed trip this was! We had 3 super workshops. The girls learnt some really convincing stage combat techniques, had great fun in a theatre sports workshop and then sang and danced their socks off as they learnt a routine from Shrek the Musical. The theatrical highlight was the Off-Broadway production of Our Town.
STAFF SHOOTING STAR
Our ace clay pigeon shooter and referee, Mrs Angela Farmer-Mason, Upper Sixth Housemistress and our medical assistant, has added another great achievement to her list of successes. Not only did her team, Gwynedd, win the Welsh Championships but Mrs Farmer-Mason is the new Welsh National DTL Ladies Champion.
South East Berkshire U14 Netball Tournament The U14 netball team took part in the South East Berkshire Netball Tournament, which was held at St George’s. St George’s found themselves in the Plate competition, and went on to become the eventual winners.
SPECIAL CHAPEL SERVICES Illuminated only by candles and with the younger boarders already dressed for bed, Chapel Choir brought the busy school day to a peaceful reflective end by singing the Night Prayer plainsong service of Compline. Eight girls then went on retreat on the Friday in preparation for their Confirmation Service on the Saturday afternoon. The Right Reverend Bishop John Bone led the service in the School Chapel, and afterwards friends and family joined the girls for tea.
anti bullying week
A few weeks ago all the girls in 1^st to 4^th Year attended an excellent Bully4u workshop run by the Black Cat Theatre Group. It was easy to follow, kept everyone’s full attention throughout and, although at times very amusing, it also delivered some hard hitting facts. This last week has been national anti-bullying week, which this year has focused on cyber bullying. The issue of internet safety and cyber bullying is the subject of the current heads’ top tips on the website www.MyDaughter.co.uk.
LACROSSE COUNTY PLAYERS This year we are proud to have representation in both the U18 and U15 Berkshire County Lacrosse Program. Isabella) has been selected to the U18B County team and in the U15 Programme, Poppy Anais) and Emily have all been selected. We wish all the girls good luck in their upcoming county tournaments! This past weekend Isabella and Helen) participated in the Centex Regional Lacrosse Tournament. Both Isabella and Helen did a great job not just representing St George’s but also the Queen Anne’s Region. The girls helped their region finish tied for 2^nd in the tournament. It was a great day of high level lacrosse where our girls did very well.
ACTS OF REMEMBRANCE
				Remembrance Sunday was celebrated by an evening service of moving readings and music. On 11^th November members from across the whole school community met in the Chapel for the Act of Remembrance, after which the choir sang Peter Aston’s short anthem “They Gave Their Bodies to the Commonwealth”.
4^TH YEAR CHARITY -  ULTIMATE DODGEBALL FUNDRAISING PROGRAMME The 4^th Year competed in a sponsored dodge ball tournament in aid of the British Heart Foundation. All girls played well and a great time was had by all. Congratulations go to 4X who won the competition. Our thanks go to all the parents and friends who have supported this worthwhile event by sponsoring girls.
Friends theatre trips In the last two months, The Friends of St George’s Theatre Club had two very successful trips to Woking Theatre to see Wuthering Heights – the Ballet and Chicago.  The parents who attended enjoyed the best seats in the house.  The evenings were successes all round with a very short journey to Woking, easy parking and the quality of a West End production at a reduced price.
TEXTILES TRIP TO THE KNITTING AND STITCHING SHOW The A level students went to Alexandra Palace to see the Knitting and Stitching Show, which exhibits work from freelance artists and graduate students. The exhibition offered us a huge chance to meet lots of artists and ask them questions about their inspiration and ideas. The graduate students’ stalls gave a great opportunity to see new and ambitious work and find out about courses offered at colleges and universities. Jade
BOOKED UP It was with great excitement that the 1^st Years took possession of their eagerly awaited free books from the government's BOOKED UP scheme. We are sure that they will enjoy their books. Happy reading!
AN INSPECTOR CALLS
A large party travelled to the Novello Theatre, London, to see a performance of "An Inspector Calls". This play is a GCSE examination text so this gave an opportunity to experience its powerful message as Priestley intended, as part of a theatre audience. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the play and expressed some very perceptive, critical comments; we were delighted that this proved to be entertaining as well as useful revision.
ROTARY YOUTH SPEAKS COMPETITION Two Intermediate and three Senior teams entered this year’s Rotary competition. They were all complimented on their performances which were articulate, thoughtfully written and confidently presented. Congratulations go to all the girls involved, but especially to Anna and Artemiz who were the best individual speakers in their respective classes.
NEW WRITING FESTIVAL Of all the highly enjoyable new plays that were entered, four plays, all of which are very different in style and subject matter, will be performed next term. They are: Spirit in the Fire by Richard Bramble (aka Anna), Maurice and the New School by Savannah Amazon (aka Kate), Credit Crunch Holiday by Lucinda James (aka Ellen) and The Frozen Dancer by Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell (aka Lucy and Emily). Congratulations to all the authors.
ALEXANDER HOUSE PARTY The Alexander House Party was a huge success. The 6th Form worked really hard all day to decorate the dining room and around school with blue and silver. There were helium balloons, stars and twinkly lights everywhere. We began with drinks before an amazing meal. The entertainment performed by the girls after supper was great fun! Everyone loved the evening, and went home singing Twist and Shout, the House Song for this year.
HOUSE NETBALL The House netball competition was played with great enthusiasm, energy and friendly rivalry. House hoodies were the unofficial uniform as the flood lights blazed down on a kaleidoscope of blue, yellow, green and red. The all important results were: JUNIOR –1^st Becket SENIOR –1^st Alexander OVERALL –1^st Alexander. Thanks go to the hard working eagle eyed umpires, who came from the 4^th Year upwards, all the supporters who braved the Autumnal chill factor and to the PE staff for all they did to make it such a happy and successful event.