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Winter Term 3 Newsletter
February 2024
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Spring is just around the corner!
Term 3 may be a shorter Term, but we have plenty of great stories, achievements and news to share with you all.
If you don't already follow us on social media, please do!
You will be able to view regular news stories, updates and reminders.
Denefield Website Denefield Online Safety Denefield Instagram
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During this Videocast, Mr Towill provides a summary of what has been a short but busy Term 3 here at Denefield.
Unfortunately, a transcript is not available for this video, but we have taken on board your feedback future use of this function.
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Dates to remember:
Important dates for our returning week - Week A:
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Monday 19 February |
All staff & students return to school at 8.28am |
Thursday 22 February |
Key Stage 3 CHARACTER awards |
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Our students have had some amazing news this term and I am thrilled to be able share their successes.
We are delighted that several of our Year 13 students have secured offers for competitive courses at highly prestigious universities.
Frankie (Law with German), Emma (Psychology) and Judith (German) have all secured offers from the University of Oxford.
Keeley and Amy have both secured offers to study midwifery.
The students navigated a rigorous selection process, involving aptitude tests, detailed applications, and several interviews. It is a fantastic achievement to have received this offer.
We are extremely proud of all the students.
Congratulations to our Year 13 student, Kelsey who has received an unconditional offer to the Central Film School, London.
'I am really excited, it was my first choice!' Kelsey will be studying Practical Film Making and is thrilled to be offered her unconditional place after presenting her portfolio and excelling in a tough interview process.
English, Media and Film Studies teachers Mr Neale, Miss Meyer and Mrs Tarrant are all very proud.
Mr Neale, Head of Film Studies has said 'The Central Film School is so selective, it only takes around 200-300 students a year, your place is truly deserved Kelsey.'
Two of our Year 12 students have been successful in gaining places on the Royal Berkshire Hospital Youth Forum after a rigorous application process.
Tanzika and Freddie are aspiring towards working in the medical field. As part of their role they will be involved in the decisions made by the Royal Berkshire Hospital and make changes to influence hospital decisions, improving services for young people and future generations.
They will have the opportunity to get involved in regular Youth Forum meetings, training workshops, Hospital walkabouts, interview panels and get involved in projects around the hospital.
A really exciting step in their career aspirations- well done!
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Sporting and extra-curricular achievements:
Football:
A super performance by the Denefield Virtu Academy 18’s team, with a 3-2 win away to Basingstoke Town.
The students pictured are all part of our Virtu Football Academy Coaching Programme.
Denefield offers a Post-16 Football and Education Academy Coaching Programme for players aged 16 to 19. A pathway for aspiring players to combine their academic studies alongside excelling in their development and progression as a player.
Denefield Under 16 Girls and Under 14 Girls Football teams had a 5-a-side tournament where they both finished second.
Netball:
Denefield Under 15 girls Netball team are top of the League.
Our Under 15 Netball team have won two and lost one game and are through to the finals after half-term. The results are below.
Well done team!
Under 16 Netball won 20-10 vs Reading girls.
Basketball:
Our Under 16 Girls team were victorious with a 19 v 16 win in their game against The Holt.
Our Under 14 Girls team is pictured below.
Our Under 16 Girls Basket Ball team, pictured below.
Extra-curricular:
Year 9 swimmer, Nina has qualified for the Regional Championships:
In recent weeks, Nina has competed at the counties in swimming and won two medals, qualifying her for the South East Regional Championships.
Nina has been swimming for Reading swimming club for the past four years and dedicates 12 hours a week to training.
Nina recently competed in the Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire County swimming championship and swam extremely well, winning two silver and two bronze in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and 50m and 100m freestyle respectively. She also made the finals for the 50m butterfly and achieved 6th place. All of these swims have given her the consideration times to compete in the South East Regional Championships which will be held later in April.
One noticeable achievement in Nina’s 50m freestyle puts her as the 37 fastest under 14 year old girl in England. How amazing Nina, well done, and we wish you the best of luck in your up-and-coming events.
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The 'scores on the doors'
Below you can see the leaderboard for positive House Points.
Our Head of House team and staff organise Inter-House competitions across the year. The points awarded in these competitions will determine who wins the Denefield House Cup at the end of the school year.
Mr Wright, Head of Kentwood House is pictured above with the Denefield House Cup.
Congratulations to Kentwood House for winning the 'mystery' inter-house penalty shoot out on Monday 5 February!
Denefield's poetry competition:
Congratulations to our Year 8 winner, Sam. Students were asked to create a poem about Denefield that shows how proud they are to be a student here. Well done to everyone that entered, Mrs Doyle was thrilled to receive so many entries for her first House poetry competition.
Sam won a framed copy of his poem, which has also been published on the school website, and the large bar of chocolate he is holding!
What makes me proud about Denefield
I have always loved it here
Where the skies are always clear
Our new lives around the corner
To be fair some rooms are like a sauna
I love the way we love to learn
And our passion for education will always burn
The way teachers teach may be different
But all students are significant.
The food here is so delicious
And our passion for kindness is vicious
Life is always so good
But not as good as the pud
Our Character values are so important
And it stops those whom want to be discordant
Our houses keep us together
and we always try to work together
Denefield makes me so proud
So, let's say it aloud
And I do not jest
This school is the best
An Inter- house Geography quiz is coming up, watch this space!
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Library Berkshire Book Award visit:
Reading Blue Coat School kindly hosted the Berkshire Book Award event. Schools found out the Berkshire Book Award shortlist and took part in a creative writing session by Alex from Igniting Writing.
13 Denefield students attended the visit "I loved meeting students at other schools and sharing our love of books".
"I enjoyed reading the stories other people had written."
Thank you to Mrs Fogarty, Denefield Librarian and Learning Resource Centre Manager, for organising and leading this visit.
Year 11 Geography Field Trip, Bristol:
Year 11 students were in Bristol completing the second of their two field trips for the GCSE. Whilst there, the students visited four sites, walking from Temple Meads station to the Cabot Circus shopping centre, collecting data to uncover the impacts of regeneration on environmental quality and the role of the physical landscape in influencing the city.
Despite the early start and the cold weather, students worked really hard and made the most of the experience, spurred on by the promise of retail therapy at the end of the day!
Year 11 will now use their data in class to write up their findings and draw conclusions which will prepare them for their Paper 3 exam in June.
Year 11, 12 and 13 Art visit to Florence, leaves today!
46 Denefield students set off early this morning - we can't wait to hear all about the visit and share photos and videos with you all.
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Greenpower:
We are raising money to fund this seasons' Greenpower team.
To raise funds, two teams of ten Denefield staff and students have taken on the following challenge:
The teams will aim to cover the distance of the accumulated miles from the last race of the Greenpower finals, which is approximately 3278.4 miles by Saturday 23 March 2024.
They will be walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, swimming and more!
We will keep you up to date with the teams' progress!
Edurio Survey - feedback and results:
A letter was sent to all parents/carers on Tuesday 30 January with feedback on the stakeholder surveys that we conducted in November 2023.
Please head to our Events section and view the Headteacher's Open House for a more detailed summary and presentation of the Edurio Survey - feedback and results.
Parent Trustee Election Outcome:
The trust board are pleased to announce that Lynsey Austin-Goddard has been elected as a parent trustee.
Lynsey has said ' It's an exciting opportunity! Having your child’s best interests at heart means that I'll also have Denefields best interests at heart, which makes me committed to Denefields continuous improvement for the benefit of your child.'
We would like to congratulate Lynsey and thank all those who showed an interest in the role.
Futures Fair - Friday 3 May 2024:
Thank you to everyone that has agreed to support our Futures Fair. Please note, the change in timings for the day.
On Friday 3 May 2024, we are holding a Futures Fair to introduce students to different employers, colleges, apprenticeship providers and universities.
Mrs Jackson, our Transition and Careers Lead is currently seeking support from local businesses, Trustees, parents and carers to ensure we have a great range for students to meet on the day.
If you are interested in helping out and are free between 11.00am and 3.30pm on Friday 3 May, please email careers@denefield.org.uk
Many thanks for any help you give!
Register your interest:
As part of Reading Football Club's Grassroots Initiative, at the end of last year, they offered a selection of prizes to be won. I am pleased to announce, Denefield won the top prize of 50 tickets to Reading VS Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday 9 March 2024.
Please use this form to register your interest by 8.00am on Tuesday 27 February 2024. A ballot will then be drawn and winners will be notified via email.
We will allow a maximum of two tickets per student. Please only register your interest if you are available for the game on Saturday 9 March 2024.
Tickets will be given to students on the week commencing Monday 4 March 2024.
Good luck!
Do you have any unwanted batteries?
There is a collection tub in our main reception - we are currently at 345!
If we collect enough, we will be in for the chance to win a prize!
Lead guitarists! we need you!
We are looking for a competent guitarist who is interested in playing the lead guitar for this year's school show 'We will Rock You'.
Can you read music?
Do you like Queen back catalogue?
Do you want to help us out?
Are you free on the week of 19 to 21 March 2024 in the evenings?
Please email shw@denefield.org.uk for more information.
Rates to be discussed.
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Denefield Shield:
Our PE Ambassadors hosted the Denefield Shield - a mixed teams, football tournament for Year 5 and 6 pupils on our 3G pitch.
Local primary schools Park Lane, Purley C of E, Long Lane, Birch Copse and Downsway all took part in a mixed team tournament to win the Denefield Shield!
Purley team member, Esme watching her team play.
Above, Ollie, Freddy and Jack - three of our PE ambassadors who helped organise and run the tournament.
Thank you also to Sophie R, Lilly W, Grace H, Lauren Burden, Charlotte W, Max H and Albie M for your support on the day.
Ruby above, about to go on the pitch!
Congratulations to Birch Copse, pictured above, who won this year's Denefield Shield, and very well done to everyone for taking part.
Success for Life – Drugs Education, dog handler visit:
As part of our Success for Life programme, which covers all aspects of personal, social and health education (PSHE), Denefield has a drugs education strategy to ensure every student has an opportunity to learn and understand the risks, law and facts about harmful drugs and substances.
This term we had a four-legged visitor join the community to conduct a site search.
The purpose of site searches is twofold: firstly, to ensure that your child is learning in a safe and drug-free environment; secondly, it is a clear message to all students and members of the local area that illegal substances will not be tolerated in any form at Denefield School.
Bailey (the spaniel) conducted a thorough search before being present at a Year 7 assembly where students were introduced to our drugs programme. Luke (the handler) answered any questions students may have about what they do.
Students enjoyed watching Bailey and Luke at work, and we are happy to report that no substances have been found on site during any of our site searches.
Space To Learn:
Earlier this month, the Science department ran asteroid masterclasses with visitors from the National Space Academy 'Space to Learn' team.
Students had the opportunity to build a CD hovercraft and Oxygen and Hydrogen Rockets - which really did blast off!
'It was cool, I got to work with people I don't normally get to'
2Engage- 'Risking It All' performance to Year 9 students:
On Wednesday 7 February, 2Engage performed for Year 9 students - This interactive performance and workshop touches on many of the issues looked at in Success for Life lessons, such as exploitation, unhealthy relationships and drugs and alcohol.
Students and staff were given the opportunity to ask questions about what they had seen in the performance and were also asked by the 2Engage team to identify what risks they had spotted, and how they can be avoided.
The team have been touring local schools and also performed a parent-specific session on Tuesday 6 February at the Arlington Arts Centre.
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Applications to Denefield Sixth Form for September 2024 closed on Monday 8 January, and we were thrilled to see so many students applying to join our community but also to continue their studies here.
The number of external students applying, our Year 11's wanting to stay on, and total applications have risen significantly.
Interviews are currently taking place.
Sixth Form Enrichment:
There have been a number of exciting visits during enrichment this term. On Wednesday 7 February group the group was split in two and, on rotation, took part in three team-building activities.
One half of the group were outside on the courts with a member of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, who led team building activities, but focusing on leadership within the team.
The other half of the group were in the main hall, with their lazer tag guns and headsets! Working as a team, the smaller groups needed to make it across to the other side of the hall without being tagged by their opponents - a great exercise and the group really enjoyed putting their communication, leadership and teamwork skills into practice.
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School News and Events, Term 3
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Year 9 Options Evening - Thursday 25 January
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Our Year 9 students and their parents/carers joined Denefield staff on Thursday 25 January at their Options Evening - part of the transition process to the next stage in their education.
The options process during the transition to the next stage in education, will allow our students to make choices for GCSE/BTEC Level 2 and the school will aim to continue to ensure the breadth and balance is maintained in their curriculum through the pathways set.
The evening outlined the different types of qualifications available and students and parents/ carers have been provided with a list of subjects which can be studied.
It is hoped that all the information you will need to make your choices has been covered, but staff are always happy to help and advise you should you have any queries or need more information.
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Headteacher's Open House - Monday 5 February
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Thank you to those who attended our Headteacher Open House on Monday 5 February.
View all Q&A's and the Edurio Survey presentation
During this meeting, Mr Towill shared a presentation on the feedback you provided in the recent Edurio Survey. A summary of your feedback and results can be found in the presentation on our website - click the button above to view all our Headteacher's Open House Q&As and the survey presentation.
The next Headteacher's Open House will be announced in the new term.
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Thank you for reading and enjoy your half term break.
We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday 19 February 2024 at 8.28am.
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