Denefield Christmas Card Competition

This year’s Christmas card competition was a huge success, with Mrs Shaw receiving an incredible number of entries showcasing the creativity and festive spirit of our students.

The designs were filled with vibrant colours, imaginative themes, and plenty of holiday cheer, making it a difficult task to pick the winners!

The winners and runners-up of the competition had their entries printed and then delivered them around the neighbourhood.

The runner-up entries are as follows:

Key Stage 3 Runner-up – Rosie Vickery – Year 7

Key Stage 3 Runner-up – Hanisha Logeswarane – Year 9

Key Stage 4 Runner up – Samaria Crerar – Year 10

Key Stage 4 Runner-up – Lily-Mae Basden

 

The winners are as follows:

Key Stage 3 Winner – Isle Willis – Year 9

Key Stage 4 Winner – Victor Richards-Gutierrez - Year 10

We are thrilled to share the outstanding results of Denefield students in the 2025 UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge. This internationally recognised competition tests students' problem-solving and computational thinking skills through engaging and challenging tasks. Over 50 countries and thousands of students take part each year, making it an impressive platform to showcase young talent.

This year, our students excelled across all categories, with an incredible 21 students achieving Gold Certificates, placing them in the top 10% nationally.

1. Roman Nay

2. Jazmyn Deacon

3. Dylan Lloyd

4. Lyla Symonds

5. Emily Tyson

6. Evie Bold

7. Beau Lloyd

8. Morgan Jones

9. Alfie-Jack Sawyer

10. Ellie Lonsdale

11. Isla Willis

12. Grace Pollington

13. Lucia Stonham

14. Phoebe Clayton

15. Sami Johnston

16. Alex Brewerton

17. Ruby Osborn

18. Oscar Edgington

19. Olly Cooper

20. Harry Emmott

21. Emma Lichinchi

The following students from different year groups received Gold, Merit and Distinction and were placed in the top 10% at Denefield.

Juniors – Year 7

• Roman Nay – Best in School (Gold)

• Jazmyn Deacon – Gold

• Dylan Lloyd – Gold

• Lyla Symonds – Gold

• Emily Tyson – Gold

• Evie Bold – Gold

• Beau Lloyd – Gold

• Diya Obbu – Distinction

• Emily Smith – Distinction

• Leo Lagden – Distinction

Intermediate – Years 8 and 9

• Harry Emmott – Best in School (Gold)

• Morgan Jones – Gold

• Alfie-Jack Sawyer – Gold

• Ellie Lonsdale – Gold

• Isla Willis – Gold

• Grace Pollington – Gold

• Olly Cooper – Gold

• Lucia Stonham – Gold

• Phoebe Clayton – Gold

• Sami Johnston – Gold

Seniors – Years 10 and 11

• Oscar Edgington – Best in School (Gold)

• Marley Chohan – Distinction

• Toby Hardy – Distinction

• Joe Otty – Distinction

• Oscar Chewings – Distinction

• Benjamin Adeyemo – Distinction

• Adam Cserfalvi-Young – Distinction

• Thomas Dainton – Distinction

• Harry Hood – Distinction

• Jonah Dunford – Distinction

This success reflects our students’ incredible talent for computational thinking. Congratulations to everyone for their hard work!

Years 11, 12 and 13 Art trip to Rome

Recently, thirty students from Years 11, 12 and 13 visited Rome on an Art trip organised by the Creative and Performing Arts faculty. This trip gave the students the opportunity to experience a wide range of art, architecture and cultural landmarks first-hand.

During the trip, students explored key historic sites, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. They also visited St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Basilica, as well as the MAXXI Museum, where students experienced contemporary art installations alongside historic architecture. Seeing these sites in person helped students develop their understanding of scale, structure, visual storytelling and artistic influence across different periods.

The trip provided valuable inspiration for students’ studies and supported their creative development beyond the classroom.

Click the button below to see more photos.

See More Photos

 

Year 9 History trip to Ypres

Our Year 9 students recently took part in a History trip to Ypres, organised to deepen their understanding of World War I. This unforgettable journey allowed students to reflect on the sacrifices made during the World War I and to explore key historical sites. 

Over three days, students visited the Passchendaele Museum, Lochnagar Crater, Thiepval Memorial, and Beaumont Hamel-Newfoundland Memorial, among other significant locations. They also attended the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate, where three of our students, Freddie, Elizabeth and Georgina, laid a wreath on behalf of Denefield and Georgina was chosen to read the Epitaph.

The students also toured the Wellington Quarry, gaining insights into trench warfare, remembrance, and global contributions to the war effort. 

Click the button below to see more photos.

See More Photos

 

National Bar Mock Trial Competition 

Our students from different year groups recently represented Denefield at the Young Citizens UK National Bar Mock Trial Competition at Oxford Crown Court. They were accompanied by Miss Doyle and Miss Braithwaite from the English faculty.

The students showed excellent preparation, confidence and all our CHARACTER values throughout the day. They even faced a round against other local schools and performed with real maturity and professionalism. Miss Doyle shared how proud she was of the team and praised the students for representing the school so well.

Congratulations to: Mim L, Darcey B, Samuel M, Michael L, Finn S, Julian T, Lily B, Jess H, Lucas F, Darcy H, Maya S, Rusne P, Thomas D, Markos S and Emma N.

Kids College

Over the past five weeks, students from local primary schools took part in Kids College, a program designed to give them a taste of secondary school life. Each week, they explored new subjects, from baking delicious treats in Can Cook, Will Cook to experimenting in Secrets of Science. In Christmas Special Clay Creatures, they shaped, baked, and painted their own festive candle stands.

In their final session, students received certificates to celebrate their achievements. It was a fantastic journey of learning, creativity, and fun.

Click the button below to see more photos.

See More Photos

 

Year 8 Careers Workshop

Recently, our Year 8 students took part in a careers workshop delivered by the Education Business Partnership team. The session focussed on developing a growth mindset and helping students understand how their attitude can influence their learning, confidence and future choices.

The team explained what a growth mindset is and shared simple strategies students can use every day, such as asking questions, practising new skills and learning from mistakes.

Students then worked individually to solve a challenging puzzle designed to build resilience and problem-solving skills. At the end of the workshop, the solution was revealed, giving students the chance to reflect on their thinking and recognise their effort.

It was a valuable and engaging session, and our students showed great enthusiasm throughout. Thank you to the Education Business Partnership team for supporting our Year 8s and helping them think about their goals and the steps they can take to achieve them.

Click on the button below to see more photos.

See More Photos

 

Year 8 Spanish Play

This week, our Year 8 students enjoyed a lively Spanish theatre performance today, delivered entirely in Spanish by Onatti Productions. This was organised by Mrs Netton, Head of the Languages, Business and Travel Faculty. The visiting cast performed Un Ensayo Desastroso, bringing language learning to life through humour, expressive storytelling and lots of audience participation.

Many of our students were invited to join the actors on stage, giving them the chance to practise their Spanish in a fun and supportive environment. This interactive experience helped students build confidence, recognise familiar vocabulary, and see how the language is used naturally in real situations.

Year 8 were engaged from start to finish, and staff were proud of how brilliantly they represented the school. A big thank you to Onatti Productions for the wonderful performance.

Click on the button below to see more photos.

See More Photos

 

Sixth Form Garden by Mend the Gap

We are delighted to share that Denefield has received a generous grant from the Mend the Gap programme to develop a new Sixth Form Garden.

The project aims to transform an unused area of our grounds into a green, sustainable space where students can relax, study and connect with nature. Our Sixth Formers have already begun digging and planting, showing great enthusiasm and teamwork as they help shape this new addition to the school.

Funded through Mend the Gap, a programme supporting projects that enhance landscapes along the Great Western Main Line, this garden will not only improve our school environment but also contribute to local biodiversity and wellbeing.

Click on the button below to see more photos.

See More Photos

 

Success for Life Year 8 - Hooked

Recently our Year 8 students watched Hooked, a skit delivered by West Berkshire Council as part of their Success for Life lesson with Ms McKay.

The performance explored the pressures young people can face around vaping and smoking and highlighted why these behaviours are unsafe. Students learnt about the health risks linked to nicotine use, the impact vaping can have on concentration, attendance and wellbeing, and how quickly these habits can lead to bigger problems.

After the skit, the team led a thoughtful question-and-answer session, giving students the chance to share their views and learn more about the dangers of smoking.

A big thank you to West Berkshire Council for delivering such an engaging session and helping our students build confidence, awareness and positive decision-making skills.

Click on the button below to see more photos.

See More Photos

Year 10 – Izzy McKenzie

Year 11 – Jayla Small

Year 10 – Erin-Rose Dunk

Year 10 – Tristan Newton

Year 11 – Ryan Matharu

Year 10 – Jack Spendelow

Chris Halicki and Joe Otty

Brandon Hobson

Year 10 – Ella Nagy

Year 11 – Ethan Clarke

Year 10 – Louis Jones

Year 11 – Evie French

Year 10 –Macy Field

Year 11 – Lily Blake

Year 10 – Samuel Hickman

Year 11 – Kaliyah Chowdhary