Schools news round up (Including Our future Remembers our past)

Poppies planted at Tring School to mark Armistice Day in centenary year

Tring School marked Armistice Day in this centenary year with the unveiling of a plaque to commemorate 100 years since the start of the first World War.

The moving ceremony took place at the school on Mortimer Hill on November 11 – Armistice Day – and included the planting of poppies and crocuses by headteacher Sue Collings, teachers pupils and Sixth Form students.

Berkhamsted schools unite to remember wars and pray for peace

Year 5 pupils from six primary schools in Berkhamsted came together on Tuesday, November 11 for a very special remembrance service.

To mark the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War and the first year that all the schools in the town have had primary status, a joint service was held at St Peters church at 11am.

The service was taken by all the town’s clergy of different denominations that provide pastoral care to the schools.

Children from each of the schools took part in the service, reading from war poetry and singing memorial hymns.

The service ended with the children shaking hands with their new friends in different colour uniforms and saying: “Peace be with you.”

Greenway Primary School and Nursery, St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Westfield Primary and Nursery, St Marys C of E Primary School, Thomas Coram C of E School and Bridgewater Primary School all took part in the solemn event.

Katherine Ellwood, headteacher at Greenway Primary School, said: “This is an historic year for Berkhamsted schools and these Year 5 children will be the first to leave their primary school and go straight on to secondary education.

“We wanted to mark the occasion with a show of unity across the whole community, and what better way than this poignant remembrance service.”

Cavendish School welcomes special guest for a Remembrance Day assembly

On Monday, November 10 the school was visited by Peter Gibbons, chairman for the county of Hertfordshire and for the Hemel Hempstead Branch of the Royal British Legion.

He spoke with students in Year 9 about his work with the Royal British Legion and also the importance of the Poppy Appeal.

Mr Gibbons also has a personal connection with school because he was a student at Cavendish, starting in 1971.

Mr Gibbons held an assembly with pupils during which he explained his military history and also how he came to work as a volunteer for the Royal British Legion.

He then read the Exhortation and the Last Post was played by languages teacher Deborah Archer along with Ashley Coombs, a pupil in Year 9 of the school.

Students were then give the opportunity to ask Peter questions about his military life and his work with the Royal British Legion.

The whole school also held a two minute silence on Armistice Day, November 11.

Abbot’s Hill pupil supports National Dyspraxia Awareness Week

Abbot’s Hill Pupil supports National Dyspraxia Awareness Week

Fifteen year old India Carmody, from Berkhamstead who attends Abbot’s Hill School, was recently invited to visit the Houses of Parliament to attend the announcement of Dyspraxia Awareness Week last month, , where Emma Lewell-Buck MP and Edward Timpson MP both spoke.

India said: “I was invited because of my ongoing work for the Dyspraxia Foundation.

“It was very informative and gave me an opportunity to gain advice from many specialists and fellow activists.

“School can be tough for all teenagers – but with the help of my family, friends and teachers, I have been able to work out some simple coping techniques which do make things easier and help me to keep on top of things.

“As people become more aware of dyspraxia, I hope that teachers and other teenagers will understand that that people like me are not being deliberately difficult, stupid or clumsy – we’re just a bit different and we need to tackle the tasks that others take for granted in a slightly different way.”

The Dyspraxia Foundation – the only national charity in the UK dedicated to raising awareness of the condition – has re-launched its helpline, employed an Information Officer and is also introducing a new Teenage Information Officer, who will be available to offer advice for young people experiencing any difficulties associated with dyspraxia and share info via the charity’s social media networks.

Are you a former pupil of Ashlyns School? Then get in touch!

Ashlyns School is seeking former pupils to sign up to its Alumni Scheme inpartnership with the Future First scheme.

The school, which was praised by Ofsted for its good-quality careers advice and talks by visiting speakers, is looking to build on its success.

Careers co-ordinator David Ritchie, launching the network, said: “People who have visited the school recently include sportsmen and women, an award winning author, the US Ambassador, business professionals, successful entrepreneurs, scientists and engineers.

“They were all able to inspire our students.

“We are confident that there are many more former Ashlyns students who would be prepared to help the current members of their old school, and who can have a dramatic impact upon how our students see the world.

“If you were once a student at Ashlyns, we want you to get in touch!’

Headteacher James Shapland said: “We are delighted to have signed up for Future First’s scheme.

“ There is nothing more powerful than former students sharing their inspiring stories with students still at school.”

Ashlyns School is one of nearly 400 state schools and colleges across Britain which have registered with the charity Future First to set up networks of former students or alumni.

Former students can sign up to Ashlyns’ Alumni scheme by visiting the school website, by emailing David Ritchie through the school on [email protected])or by clicking on the Former Students link on the website futurefirst.org.uk