Author: highsted_admin

Each year in June, Highsted hosts its annual Open Day and welcomes over 100 Year 5 students from the surrounding areas, in our annual taster day!  The theme in this report was High Seas and everyone really entered into the spirit of the day, teachers and students alike.

There were treasure hunts, map making and pirate drama galore, some of which can be seen in the pictures below.

As always, our current Year 7 pupils and new Head Girl team showcased the school brilliantly, acting as cheerful and helpful guides throughout the day and we would like to say a massive thank you to them for all their efforts!

We would also like to say a massive thank you to the Year 5 children and parents who participated in the day and made it a real success.  We hope you enjoyed the day and hope to see you all in the future!

Each year in March we have been joined by members of the Sittingbourne Over-55 Fellowship group, who gathered in the school hall to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment.

The guests were treated to a variety of performances by the Highsted music department including the choir, wind band, the Origin and also several soloists. It was the debut performance of the Folk Band and Rock Band to members of the club as these groups were just formed this year. A number of GCSE students performed their compositions and had the opportunity to rehearse their assessed performance pieces.

Whilst watching and listening, the guests enjoyed cakes and biscuits cooked by the lower school students and were served hot drinks. The afternoon ended with an exciting raffle with many great prizes won.

The event was enjoyed by all and we look forward to hosting the concert again next year.

Isabel P was delighted to learn that she was the overall national winner in the PlaySafe competition.

Annually all Year 9 Design and Technology students submit exciting toy designs to this competition aimed at raising awareness of product safety and consumer protection.  Her toy design was one over four hundred entries from the Kent area alone. Prizes were awarded at the time, but in May, just as the nexct year’s entry deadline approached, Isabel received an invitation from the Trading Standards Institute, the competition organisers, to a posh lunch and presentation in London including a ride on the London Eye.

Isabel, her parents and the Head of Design & Technology, were entertained at a restaurant overlooking the Thames by representatives from both TSI and the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA). The event included a speech from Ronald Earl, the Director General of the BTHA,  who praised the quality of Isabel’s design and shared some amusing stories about some of the other entries. He also emphasised how important the TSI’s role is in protecting the public from faulty goods and rogue traders, as well as educating future consumers through competitions like Playsafe.

After lunch the party were given VIP treatment on the London Eye, with a personal guide and refreshments. During the ride Leon Livermore, Chief Executive of the TSI, presented Isabel with the winner’s certificate.

Well done to Isabel who proved a very worthy winner and ambassador for the school, as have other Highsted girls who have won other prizes in the competition over the years.

Highsted celebrated National Insect Week by holding a series of bug related events, including a showcase of all the weird and wonderful creatures in the Biology Department.  Students are also holding a Creative Writing Competition, Art and Photography projects, plus an ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get me Out of Here’ style competition. 

The Biology Department houses many spiders and other interesting insects that students look after, feed and care for in Animal Husbandry Club all year round.

So find your inner insect and make sure you join in the fun!

A group of students from Years 10 and 12 at Highsted Grammar School was recently treated to an inspiring visit to Queens’ College, Cambridge, encouraging high aspirations in their future university applications.  Queens’ is one of the oldest Cambridge colleges, having been started in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou, queen of Henry VI, and re-founded in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville, queen of Edward IV.

Over the centuries its distinguished alumni have included the sixteenth century humanist Erasmus, the Elizabethan Archbishop of Canterbury John Whitgift and, in recent years, the broadcaster Stephen Fry, NASA astronaut Michael Foale and BBC newsreader Emily Maitlis. Among the highlights of the trip was an opportunity to view parts of the college not often open to visitors, including the Old Library, built in 1448.  The girls were also able to visit the university’s world-famous Fitzwilliam Museum of art and antiquities.

Discussion with current Queens’ undergraduates enabled the students to think about what goes into an Oxbridge application and find out what they can do now to make gaining a place a real possibility. Year 10 student Chloe H recalled: “We met with a second-year student currently studying natural sciences at Queens’ College who guided us around the college campus and the many facilities that are available to students. She also gave us an overview of life at Cambridge, such as the different clubs and some of the exciting events that are held.” After the tour Maria McElroy, the College’s School Liaison Officer, explained about the admissions process, including the importance of GCSEs and what makes a successful Cambridge applicant.  She also gave the girls an overview of the different subjects and courses offered at the college.

Chloe added: “One of the most important things I found was that in order to be considered for the university, you have to show some outside interest in the subject you are thinking of taking. For example, someone interested in science could show their passion for the subject by spending a few hours a week reading science journals such as the ‘New Scientist’, or meeting with others interested in the same field to discuss views and opinions. Maria also encouraged us to do research into our subject areas and look at MOOCS (massive open online courses) offered by some of the leading universities to get a wider base of knowledge.”

Sixth form student Amber M, who is studying biology, chemistry, English and history and has just completed an extended project on antibiotic resistance, commented: “I found the tour of the campus extremely inspiring, especially exploring the heritage and traditions which make Cambridge unique. As the tour was given by a current student it provided a helpful view on life at Queens’. Obviously Cambridge is very competitive, so gaining an insider’s perspective of what the university looks for in an applicant was very relevant, as I’m now at the point where I need to start my applications.”

Hayley S, a fellow Year 12 student, said: “Visiting Cambridge was truly inspirational. It was very encouraging to witness how supportive and committed the teachers are to motivating students both to pursue their passions and to achieve their full potential.  I was surprised by the university’s natural beauty and placid atmosphere along with its strong historical heritage.”  She added: “Despite the fact that Oxbridge is highly competitive, I realised that with determination and tenacity to succeed and follow my goals it is achievable. With my passion for biology and chemistry, if given the opportunity I would love to study science in the future and hopefully take a route into healthcare or research.”