The Christ’s

Chronicles
May 2010 Issue: 67

Welcome to the latest issue of Christ’s School’s newsletter.

Future events for your diary

8th May PTA Richmond May Fair
11th May Preparation for Working Life exam – Year 10
Years 7/8 Cricket v Whitton
Years 7/8 Girls Rounders v Whitton
13th May Years 9/10 Cricket v Hampton Boys
Years 9/10 Girls Rounders v Whitton
Boys Borough Athletics trials
14th May Girls Borough Athletics trials
18th May Years 7/8 Cricket v Shene
Years 7/8 Rounders v Shene
19th May Year 11 Study leave begins
20th May Years 9/10 Cricket v Teddington
Years 9/10 Rounders v Shene
Year 10 School Leavers Booster injections
25th May Years 7/8 Cricket v Hampton Boys
Years 7/8 Rounders v Waldegrave
27th May Senior Leadership Team – Drop-in session 3.30pm - 6pm

You can also check the school events calendar, which is updated regularly for more diary
dates on our website.

Reviews
Year 9 History Trip to the Battlefields March 2010
On Friday 26th March at 7.a.m. 66 year 9 pupils and 7 intrepid members of staff set off for a 2
day trip to the World War I Battlefields of Belgium and France. We left in 2 coaches and
were in the Belgian town of Ypres by early afternoon. From here we visited the German
Cemetery at Langemark and also Tyne Cot allied cemetery. After a brief, albeit smelly foray,
to a restored trench system we had our evening meal of Chicken and Chips for us Carnivores
and a U.V.O for the herbivores (Unidentified. Vegetarian. Option).
That evening we were present at the Menin Gate in Ypres that is held every day at 8PM to
remember those who gave their lives in the Great War. Annie Botta and Ceci Calf laid a
wreath for our School. Annie had found the name of one of her relatives earlier in the day at
Tyne Cot cemetery.
After a night in the Hotel where all the pupils went to bed on time and were asleep within
minutes ( I wish) we awoke early to the sound of Mrs Swan singing, which has been
likened by one of the pupils to a “banshee in considerable Pain” . After a quick breakfast we
set off again and visited the Somme where we saw some preserved trench systems and a huge
mine crater that had been blown on the first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.
On an uneventful return journey, apart from one of the Coaches breaking down in Calais that
is, we arrived back to School at 8 PM on the Saturday. A rather tired and bedraggled bunch
were met by happy parents at the School Gates.

I would like to take this opportunity to praise the behaviour of the Year 9’s as it was superb.
Sean Pollard

Duke of Edinburgh's Award 

 
22 Year 11 students were invited to the Richmond Borough’s Duke of Edinburgh’s awards
ceremony at Hampton School on Friday 23rd April.  The students who attended were
presented with their bronze award certificates and badges by the Mayor of Richmond. 
During the ceremony they were praised for their outstanding achievement.  One of the
speakers was Claire Owen from Stopgap, a Richmond business which supports the
scheme, who stated that, after qualifications, the award is the next most desirable
achievement to have on a CV.

So, what did Christ’s students gain from participating in four sections of the award scheme?

Skills:
“I have enjoyed being the sports ambassador and I believe I have worked hard. The highlight
for me was giving the speech at the City Hall in London.” (Katie)
“I realised that there is more than just reading thrillers and romances. I found genres which I
had not read before. It helped to open my mind to new things.” (Rumika)
“I enjoyed cooking each meal. I learnt a lot and I will continue cooking regularly.” (Ella)
“I enjoy playing guitar and I also enjoy performing as part of a band. I have performed in
school concerts and out of school at parties.” (Jack)
Physical:
“I’m really glad that I did Parkour because I never do outside of school activities and I really
enjoyed it” (Josie)
“While I was taking part in football training I felt very good about being part of a team, I also
thoroughly enjoyed playing in the match at the end of the season.” (Jessica)
“I have achieved a 1st Dan Black Belt in Karate. I am now training for five hours a week to
continue to learn more and become closer to achieving the 2nd Dan Black Belt”. (Jack)
Expedition:
“Although the expedition was hard, I loved it because I did it with my friends, making it fun
and enjoyable.” (Sheikajoy)
“I enjoyed being part of a group, contributing to the team and helping out team mates. I also
liked using a map and compass and improving my navigational skills. My favourite part was
testing myself in my fitness to see if I could walk with a heavy weight on my back.” (Arlind)
“I thoroughly enjoyed my expedition. I found it challenging at times but felt a great deal of
satisfaction by completing it. We worked very well as a team.” (Charlotte)
“I had an amazing time and learnt a lot of new things.” (Katie)
Volunteering:
“Helping with reading allowed me to help other pupils and it made me realise how much
patience I have as a person”. (Rumika)
“I have gained experience in teaching martial arts to children and helping them progress and I
have been a good role model for them as they look up to me because I am the first Black
Belt”. (Jack)
“Helping an 8 year old with English difficulties to improve his reading meant I felt a sense of
achievement with his progress – the student finally passed his exam after three attempts!”
(Charlotte)
A number of Year 10 students and some of the older students in Year 9 are currently working
on their award, which includes training for their expedition this summer. More Year 9
students will be given the opportunity to sign up for the award later this term.
Claire Lorenz

Ski 2010
 
In the first week of the Easter holidays (all be it one day late due to the French ferry strike) 37
Y7, 8, 9 and 10 pupils set off for the slopes.
 
This year we chose to go to a different area of Austria, Sallbach. Our fantastic hotel was
situated between the villages of Saalbach and Hintergleim. Every day we had ski lessons for
four hours, the conditions were fantastic with bright sunshine and lots of snow.
 
In the evening we experienced many different activities, the highlight was the International
Junior Ice Hockey tournament where we supported England as they were beaten by
Switzerland!
 
I would like to officially thank Mr McPaul, Ms Humberstone and Miss Hicklin for all of their
support on the trip and to all of the pupils for their excellent attitude and company.
 
Look out for letters for next year soon!! (We are going to the same hotel and resort)
 
 Georgina Bean
Guardian Trip
Mr Butler took 25 year 9 pupils to visit the Guardian newspaper as part of their Citizenship
studies. They were shown how a newspaper front page was created and then put in to action
their newly acquired skills. Using the day's news feed they had 3 hours to report on the main
stories of the day and create a front page to meet the 2pm deadline. Mr Butler commented,
"Some appalling headline puns apart, everyone did fantastically and should be very proud of
the front pages they created. This was the first group I've taken on this trip who all met the
deadline and produced such a high quality of journalism." 
Author, Pauline Fisk’s visit
Pauline Fisk visited the school on Thursday, 29th April and took a Year 9 assembly talking
about her new book ‘In the Trees’ and what inspired her to write it.
Student reviews:
There was a surprise in store for Year 9 students when they
had an author, Pauline Fisk, came to give a talk about her new
book ‘In the Trees’.
She told us about how she came up with the book and the
adventure behind it. Pauline had travelled to Belize with her
son, where she found out what it was like for students on their
gap year. She trekked through the jungle and met lots of
people on the way.
I found Pauline’s talk inspiring and uplifting. It was
fascinating learning about an author’s life and I can’t wait to
see her again.
Wendy Barnes – Ms Chaudhry’s Year 9 English class
When Pauline Fisk, the well known author, visited us to talk
about her inspirational story that led to a fantastic book, we were thrilled. At first we were
delighted by the prospect of missing one of our English lessons, but this soon turned into
intrigue. Her talk of poachers, drug rings, Mayan villages and the amazing jungles of Belize
shone a light into a part of the world that in our eyes was full of darkness. Thank you for your
visit.
Fahris Mansour– Ms Chaudhry’s Year 9 English class
Last Thursday, Year 9 were treated to an author’s visit. Pauline Fisk came into Christ’s
School and spoke to us about her forthcoming book ‘In the Trees.’ We were informed of how
she had travelled deep into the Belize jungle to find an unusual plot for her book. She
enthralled the year by telling us how she had visited the jungle with her son, only to find a
story waiting to be written. At the end of the talk, we had an opportunity to buy the book and
others, by Pauline that were available for signing. The year group left the hall inspired.
Isabel Ireland- Ms Chaudhry’s Year 9 English class

IBM visit Christ’s

A team from IBM visited the school on 21st April with robots!
Students took part in ten pin bowling and a ‘strictly come robot dancing’ competition with
prizes for the best 30 second programme.
Fantastically popular with the students.

Work Experience
Year 10 students went on work experience from 20th to 30th April.
Following a briefing in school students started their work experience jobs which varied from
working at a dentist surgery, a television studio, an architect’s office, an RAF base, an
accountants, a vet’s surgery to working at a zoo, a rugby league club, a theatre, an hotel, a
football coach, primary schools, hairdressers and major retail outlets.
The feed back from employers has been very positive; many students have been offered a
part time or Saturday job in the future. One student was offered an apprenticeship.
Employers were asked to complete a reference for students which will go on there files and
may be used for college applications and can be included on students C.V’s.
The students were visited by teachers whilst at their work placements and teachers were
asked to photograph them; these photos will be part of an evaluation presentation which is
great fun for the students to see themselves in their different working environments.
Student feed back has also been very positive, some didn’t want to return to school!
 At the Tropical Zoo at Syon Park

Working at Electrical Management Services

 Indalo Hairdressing

Future Events

Summer Extra-Curricular Programme from April 2010 -June Half Term 2010

After school After school After school After school After school
Lunch time
DAY 3-4.30pm 3-4.30pm 3-4.30pm 3-4.30pm
12.55 – 1.35pm
Sports hall Soccer pitches Rugby pitch Outside Courts Drama Studio

Handball
All Year’s Mixed
MONDAY
Sports Unlimited

Tennis
Boxing Rounders Cricket
TUESDAY Girls
All Year’s Mixed Girls Boys
All Years
Harlequins Yr’s 7/8/9 Yr’s7/8/9
Borough Match’s Tennis Courts
JP TR &NE
ESG

Tennis
Athletics
Boys
All Year’s Mixed
All Years
WEDNESDAY MG Contemporary
Tennis Courts
All Yr 7/8 Mixed
ESG

Rounders Cricket
Fitter Kids
THURSDAY Girls Yr’s 10/11
Yr 7/8/9 Mixed
Yr’s 10/11 TR & MG
Invitation only
Borough Match’s SB

Cricket
Girls
All Years Contemporary
FRIDAY
Sports Hall All Yr 9/10/11
MCC
Borough Athletics Trials
Boys 13th May – Girls 14th May
Students representing Christ’s school
Under 15’s Boys Under 17’s Boys
Will Bloomfield -1500 m Chai French – 100m
Daniel Zautashvili – 400m Matt Bryan – 1500m
Michael Garn – 800m + High jump Luke Theologou – Discus
James Adegbindin-Alawiye – Shot Josh Tuckey – High Jump
James Ojomoh – Javelin
Under 15’s Girls Jordan Gayle – Shot
Ellie Donnell – High jump Under 17’s Girls
Zoe Blackmore – Long jump
Rhianne Connell – 100m + Long jump
Khian Graham-Minott – 200m
Emil Mayer - Discus
Good luck!

Sporting achievements
Year 8 girls Rugby League Cup have made it to the National regional final. Well done!
Year 8 boys qualified for the National Rugby Union Cup but have not made it to the finals.

Other Information
Oliver Production
The school production of Oliver will take place from 7th - 9th July. Students from Years 7, 8
and 9 are now in rehearsal.
Tickets will be available after the half term break.
Lord of the Flies DVD on sale now!
There is now a DVD available of the Lord of the Flies school
production at £5.
Please send in your orders and money to Sarah Brown.
Richmond Art Society- Spring exhibition

Christ’s would like to help raise awareness of the Richmond Art society who have generously
offered us half of their commission for any purchase by a parent following this add.

The next exhibition will be held at Vestry House, 21 Paradise Road, Richmond, TW9 1SA
from May 22 to May 31. Opening hours will be from 11am until 7pm.

www.richmondartsociety.com

Higgins Group – Construction Company request

Higgins Group have asked us to inform parents that they are currently working on a building
contract at 293 Lower Richmond Road and would like us to discourage our students from
playing on or adjacent to the site which is situated in the Lower Richmond Road and Manor
Road area.
 CHRIST’S SCHOOL PTA MARQUEE
at the Richmond May Fair 8th May 2010!

FIND US
HERE!

ADULT & KID’S TOMBOLAS

HOMEMADE CAKES AND BISCUITS KRISPY KREME DOUGHUTS

STARBUCKS COFFEE

SILENT AUCTION – HERE ARE JUST SOME OF OUR

FANTASTIC PRIZES:
Additional information:
To contact Staff by e-mail please use their first initial and then surname written as one word
followed by generic ending: @christs.richmond.sch.uk
There is also a quick link via school website

Holidays:
Half Term – 29th May to 6th June
Monday, 7th June back to school
Summer Term ends- Thursday 22nd July 2010 at 12.30pm

Timetable for school day

All students to arrive at school and be ready for registration at 08.30
Morning break 10.40-10.55
Lunch break 12.55-13.40
End of school 15.00

Winter uniform required: blazer, white shirt and school tie until Monday 19th May and then
students can wear their summer polo shirts.