‘Stand Together’

Mrs A Wallis, Deputy Year Leader: Year 11 and HLTA, writes;

 To show support within the community, Stanborough School were invited to join other schools from Welwyn and Hatfield at a Holocaust Memorial event. All the schools that attended performed presentations on Nazi Persecution, the Holocaust and the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia at an event called ‘Stand Together’.

The students that took part in the event were Sarah Pennell and Joseph Lansiquot, both from 9BM and Jack Hadley from 10H. They were able to explain the effects and events that Anne Frank’s family experienced during the Holocaust. Laura Wells chaired the whole proceedings and introduced all the schools.

The event took place at the Campus West Theatre on Monday 27^th January.  After the performances all the students and staff were able to go out on to the Campus outdoor arena where there was two minutes silence to show respect for all the atrocities that people have endured over many years. There was then the release of Symbolic Peace Doves, followed by refreshments. The students were able to browse the brilliant art work that the students in Year 9 created to portray the atrocities from the holocaust and the genocides.

 The students and staff were very moved by the whole experience and the respect the students showed was outstanding.

 “I really enjoyed the experience as I think it is important for us to learn about all these genocides so they don’t happen again. We are the people that can do something about it as it is our future.” Sarah Pennell 9BM

“I really enjoyed the Holocaust Memorial Day because it helped me understand how people suffered during that time.” Joseph Lansiquot 9BM 

“It was an honour to be invited to the Holocaust event. I had the pleasure of introducing all the secondary schools who produced wonderful, informative performances and presentations.” Laura Wells 10K

The students were fantastic and were a real credit to the school. It was a very emotional morning, but each and every student showed compassion and understanding. It was a pleasure to experience such an important world event with them. Well done to all those who performed and participated in the morning.

Mr A Martin, Year 7 Deputy Leader, writes:

During the course of last week, Year 7 students visited the Spy Missions centre in Milton Keynes, where they were able to work in groups to solve mathematical problems. These problems weaved themselves into a spy mission, which each group had to tackle. This included climbing through ventilation shafts and dodging laser beams  between each puzzle room.

Everyone had a great time, here are some quotes from some of the students:

“It made me feel like a proper spy.”

“Spy missions was one of the best trips I’ve been on.”

“I liked all the fun activities.”

“We had to stop a missile from launching into London.”

“I loved the assault course and the slide at the end.”

“The escape room was the best.”

“The best part was dodging the lasers.”

Mrs G. Elliott, DofE Co-ordinator, writes:

Y10 Bronze Award Walking Group – Training/Practice Expedition – 11^th and 12^th May.

Our Y10 Bronze Award participants took part in a two day training programme run by Wilderness Expertise, our Approved Activity Provider, to give them the necessary skills to cope with the expedition section, such as camp craft, navigation, and first aid.  This is the first year group who are taking part in our new programme where the Training and Practice Expedition has been replaced by a training weekend.

Charlotte Preston 10K and Dominique Clarke-Payton 10O wrote:

On the 11^th and 12^th of May, we went to school at 8.45am and started our training for our DofE expedition in July. On the first day, we learnt all the necessary skills we will need, such as First Aid skills, campcraft, navigation and map reading. We learnt to use a compass, read coordinates on a map and we started mapping our route for the Qualifying Expedition. We also looked at what kit we would need and the importance of it. After lunch, we went outside to put up tents, which was tough but fun; the instructors and teachers were really helpful. Then it was time for dinner and we prepared food on trangias. On the second day we used our map reading skills during a 4 ½ hour walk. During that time, we also practised emergency scenarios. We came back to school at 14.30 and were dismissed at 15.00. We then went home feeling excited and ready for the real expedition in July. Thank you to Mrs Elliott, Miss Bowen and Miss Bradbury for giving up their weekend.

Student comments:

‘I thoroughly enjoyed the weekend, I feel prepared for the real expedition after doing an 11km practice walk with an instructor on the second training day. The walk was very rewarding, despite the tiredness afterwards.’ Teya Kindred 10O

‘I really enjoyed the DofE training because it taught me skills to carry out the assessment to the best of my ability.’ Jensen Read 10S

‘I really enjoyed the DofE training as it has enabled me to go for camping in the future with the skills I learnt, for example putting up a tent correctly and using a Trangia to cook’. Josh (Year10)