1. Issue No. 4 April 2008
Eggar‛s celebrates a visit to
10 Downing Street for
‘Exceptional School Leadership‛
Picture courtesy of The Herald Newspaper
On Thursday 6th March, Mrs Martin was other school leaders is an amazing
one of 90 school leaders invited to a experience - it is all about partnership
reception at 10 Downing Street in working and sharing good practice.”
recognition of her role in supporting Eggar‛s continued success has opened up a
struggling schools, as a National Leader of wide variety of opportunities. Among
Education (NLE). Mrs Martin was them was a recent visit to Eggar‛s by
delighted to have the opportunity to meet National Consultant Educationalist, David
Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, who was Potter, who took time to observe lessons
there with Ed Balls (Secretary of State and talked to teachers and listened to
for Children Schools and Families) to pupils. At the end of Mr Potter‛s visit we
greet the NLEs, along with senior staff were delighted by his comments of
from the National College for School Eggar‛s being “like a stick of rock –
Leadership (NCSL). whichever way you broke it, it would be
For the last 18 months Mrs Martin has outstanding, it is like an extended family
been working with Head Teachers in seven full of individuals who care about learning
Isle of Wight Schools. “Working with and each other.”

2. Yours sincerely
Felicity Martin
Head Teacher

3. Congratulations on another outstanding
term at Eggar’s School. It is wonderful to
see how well you have settled and the
progress you are making!
Year 7 Exam week has been a huge
success with teachers being impressed
with the maturity and focus that was The dance club at Eggar‛s is really fun.
apparent during this important time. I
We have made a dance routine already
am sure this is a sign of what Year 7 will
be achieving in future examinations over and we now have some Year 8 pupils
the next few years. joining us. Our teachers, Miss McCready
On a sporty note, the Year 7 and Miss Masterman, are just brilliant
netball team have continued and are always happy for new people to
their success from the
join. We are always open to new ideas
beginning of the year by
winning a recent tournament and would be really interested in anyone
between local schools. Congratulations that has taken part in any dance festivals
to all the regular players in the team and or already dances for a club. Please come
let’s keep winning! along and share your ideas and dance
Interform sports are still keeping all of moves as we can then incorporate new
the form Tutors busy at lunchtimes on
techniques into our routines.
Tuesday’s, with a very close Danish
Longball competition looking to end
soon. As the results stand at the
moment, any one of the six Tutor groups
could win the whole years competition –
it is excellent to see such a closely
fought event. Make sure you continue to
support your groups at every match! Here are just some quotes from some of
The rewards for Year 7 this half term the Dance club girls:
have again been outstanding and I am ‘I enjoy the Dance Club because of the
certain that we as a Year Group have now fab moves and ideas that people have put
exceeded all of the past records for merit into them‛. Ciara Fearn 7CMc
totals! Each of the tutor groups has the
ability to win with the most merits, so ‘I think it is fun because of the fact that
keep working hard and trying your best. you can make up any dance moves and
I have been taking a close look at they will be included somewhere in the
everyone’s attendance as to achieve your dance routine.‛ Phoebe Anderson 7CMc
full potential it is important your atten- ‘I enjoy dance because it is a great way
dance is high. I would really like to be
to improve your skills and in a fun way
able to give Year 7s as many 100%
attendance certificates as possible. too, I love the routines I have put for-
Well done on all of your achievements so ward so far. I would recommend this to
far Year 7! anyone who likes dancing or just having
Mr J Wordsworth some fun.‛
Year 7, Year Leader By Zoe Bennett 7CMc

4. Recently 94 of our students from Years 9, 10 and Jennifer Saunders, with Bronze going to
and 11 took part in the exacting Intermediate Luke Millard, Cameron Alexander, Chris
Mathematics Challenge. This challenge is a test Capper, Kathryn Whitehead, Rhys Lloyd and
of logic and mathematical skill without the use Sophia Kelly. Our Year 9 pupils did equally well
of a calculator. The pupils rose to the test with with Silver being awarded to Laura
37 receiving certificates! Fitzgibbon, Thomas Joy, Louise Macnaghten
There was just one ‘gold‛ which was awarded to and Travis Richmond with Bronze going to
Peter Allen of 11SW, congratulations and well Charley Pugh, Eleanor Sorsby, Jacob White,
done Peter! Silver awards went to Year 11 pupils Claudia Vogt, Alice Pearson, Jessica Lock and
Rosie Croft, James Luff, Max Madgwick, Olivia Walton.
Cameron James and Hayley Ward and Bronze Well done to all those who took part and good
was awarded to James Flanagan, Jonathan Cook, luck to our Year 7 and 8 pupils who will be
Olivia MacCallum, Lyssa Badger, Kimberley entered for the Junior Mathematics
Brigdale, Lee Washington, Isobel Reid, Heather Challenge in May. Can they match the Upper
Rowland and Connor West. School‛s success?
Year 10 students receiving Silver awards were Mrs S Woodward
Hanna Gilbert, Victoria Minett, Thomas Fabian Mathematics Teacher

5. Just before half-term, our Year 10 Food
Technology students enjoyed an Indian
cookery demonstration by Mr Anil Sharma
(Indiacallingcuisine.com).
Mr Sharma visited our Food Technology
Department to give our Year 10 Students
the experience of watching and taking part
in a professional cookery demonstration.
Mr Sharma cooked a 4 course meal for the
students which they enjoyed for
their lunch!
This was a fantastic experience for the
students, which allowed them to broaden
their knowledge of multi cultural cuisine.
Thank you for supporting this event.
Mrs A Roy and Ms R Hey
Food Technology Department

6. School Calendar 2008 ­ Dates for your diary
April 7 ­ 18 Easter Holiday
SUMMER TERM 21 INSET DAY— No pupils in school
21 Y10 GCSE Geography trip to Calshot departs
23 Y10 GCSE Geography trip returns from Calshot
Y7 ‘Dr Dolittle’ trip to New Victoria Theatre, Woking from 18:00­23:15
24 Trip to ‘The Lion King’ at the Lyceum Theatre, London 17:00­12:00
28 Y10 Exam week
29 Y7 X­half Geography/Art trip to Kew Gardens
30 Y7 Y­half Geography/Art trip to Kew Gardens
Farnham College Y10 Opening Evening 18:00­21:00
1 Junior Maths Challenge
May Y11 Music Showcase at 19:00
Bank Holiday 5 School closed
6 Y9 KS3 SATs tests begin
12 Y10 Work Experience begins
Y8 depart for residential trip to Fairthorne Manor, Botley
14 Y11 GCSEs begin
Richard Robinson lectures for:­
Y7/8 – Sense and sensibility
Y10 – Why the one you fancy never fancies you?
Community Lecture from 19:00 – Why toast always lands butter side down?
16 Y8 Return from Fairthorne Manor, Botley
20 Y5 Wootey Primary pupils visit for the day
21 Y5 Andrews Endowed primary pupils visit for the day
Y7 reports to parents
22 Y5 Bentley primary pupils visit for the day
26 ­30 HALF­TERM
June 2 Return to school
5 Y7 Parents Evening from 16:00 in the hall
6 Y10 Drama exams
9 Y9 Field studies all week
Y10 Leisure & Tourism students visit to Guildford Spectrum
Y10 Health & Social Care students visit to Treloars College this week
10 Y7 Art experience
11 Y7 Art experience
13 Y10 Imperial War Museum trip
16 Y9 Field Studies
Y9 Non core exam week
18 Y10 Reports to parents
19 Y6 Induction Evening
20 Y10 Drama exams
21 Eggar’s School Fete
24 09:15 Open morning for Ys 3­5
25 09:15 Open morning for Ys 3­5
26 Y10 Parents evening from 16:00 in the hall
27 Evening with the Big Band from 19:30 in the hall
30 Y10 Modular Science exams
July 1 Y11 Repeat module Science exams
2 Sports Day
3 Y11 Leaver’s Dinner at The Grange Hotel
8 Y7 X­half Geography/History trip to Winchester
9 Y7 Y­half Geography/History trip to Winchester
Holocaust Survivor visiting Y9
10 Awards Evening from 18:30 in the hall
11 Y9 GCSE History trip to Ypres, Belgium
Y6 Induction Day
Reserve Sports Day
16 6th Great Music Challenge from 19:00 in the hall
22 Y9 Reports to parents
23 Last Day of Term

7. Eggar’s Music Department proudly took the The Rhythmatists exploded on the stage
Chamber Choir, Big Band and the with a loud and confident performance,
Rhythmatists to perform at the National expertly showing how 26 percussionists
Music for Youth Regional Festival on can perform together with great accu­
Thursday 13th March. The Regional Festival racy. Selected groups from the Regional
of this National series was held at Taunton’s Festivals held all around the country, are
College in Southampton. All three groups invited to perform again at the National
performed exceptionally well and made a Festival in Birmingham in July. However, it
real impact on the audience and the will not be until the end of April before we
judges. Positive comments were plentiful find out if Eggar’s has been chosen! What­
about the musical performances given by ever happens, fun was had by all and
each of the ensembles. The Chamber Choir we are looking forward to performing in
performed three pieces including a jazzy the Festival again next year.
arrangement of the song Fever famously
sung by Peggy Lee.
The Big Band performed two pieces with
soloists Kati Whitehead, Chris Capper and Mr M Farris and Mr N Smith
Talie Burkitt­Jones being very well received Music Department
by the judges and audience alike.

8. GCSE MUSIC SHOWCASE
CHANGE OF DATE...
This year‛s GCSE Music Showcase has been
moved to Thursday 1st of May, a change Congratulations to all of the performers who
from the original calendared date. This will participated in the Spring Concert on Thursday
th
be the second showcase following last year‛s 27 March. The evening was very well
very entertaining concert and is a chance for
attended by parents who were entertained by
all of the school’s groups and ensembles, with
you to hear compositions and performance
well over 100 pupils performing in total.
submitted as part of the GCSE course.
The event is free and will start at 7.00pm
in the school hall.
We look forward to seeing you!
EGGAR‛S 6TH
GREAT MUSIC CHALLENGE
Wednesday 16th July
After a crisp and polished performance by the
Big Band, hot from their performance at the
Regional Music For Youth Festival a couple of
weeks ago, the evening continued with a
whole host of musical styles from different
The Great Music Challenge is now in its 6th parts of the world. Notable performances
year and has established itself as one of the came from the newly formed barbershop ‘The
musical highlights of the year. The beginning Blue Notes’ singing ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’
of the summer term will see the launch of this and ‘Blue Moon’, the Rhythmatists performing
annual competition to hunt out the most ‘Nanamba’ written by our drum teacher Simon
talented performers in the school, as pupils Mellish and the concert band ending the
sign up for their chance to wow the judges at evening with a rousing selection of pieces by
the audition stage. Henry Mancini.
Successful acts will then perform live to a After such a busy term, all of the ensembles
packed hall on Wednesday 16th July in the will enjoy a well deserved rest over the
Grand Final.
holiday before the hard work starts once
again. Is it too early to start rehearsal for
When tickets go on sale for this popular event,
Christmas?!?
snap them up quickly as every year has been
sold out by the first week of release.
Mr M Farris
Mr M Farris and Mr N Smith Music Curriculum Leader
Music Department

9. Finally, all of the hard work put in to this
amazing project involving nearly 300
pupils from Alton was put into action.
th
On Sunday 30 March the performers
played to a packed audience at The Anvil
Theatre in Basingstoke. If you were lucky
enough to get a ticket for this event, then
you will know how spectacular the concert
was – a once in a lifetime opportunity to
perform with some of the country’s
greatest jazz musicians!
I am sure that this major event will get
excellent press coverage and a full report
will appear in the next newsletter.
Congratulations to all of the performers
involved from Eggar’s.

10. Homework Project Launch! Year 9 excelling again!
After the Easter holiday, the Year 8’s will face a It has been a busy time recently for the Year
new challenge with the launch of ’Project
9‛s after completing their Mock SATs which
Homework’. The departments setting projects will
be Art, Geography, History and Religious Studies. lead to the real thing in May.
Each project covers a four week timetable. Some Mr Eost is extremely impressed with the
of the projects overlap, but that will be part of the quality, determination and sheer enthusiasm
challenge for the Year 8’s to organise themselves. shown by the Year 9 Girls PE groups. They just
We believe this project style homework will give keep going when most would falter and are
students the opportunity to take more
performing better than any other Year group
responsibility and develop their independent
learning skills in terms of meeting deadlines, he has seen before!
similar to those they will face during Key Stage 4. I have had a similar report from Mr Rabani
These projects offer students exciting tasks and his BTEC Science group as their work is
involving research, investigation and planning. to a very high standard and this would
Also importantly, students will have the normally not be tackled until Year 11. Mr
opportunity to express themselves in a variety of Wordsworth was highly complimentary of
different ways and capture their imagination.
Each department will launch their projects during those pupils sitting the GCSE Science paper,
lessons, with students being required to carry out showing a most mature attitude towards the
their own research. They can make use of the exam.
internet and Learning Resource Centre at school Recently some of our Year 9 boys formed a
which holds invaluable resources. From past ‘Practical Project‛ group which has begun work
projects completed, as an example the recent on an outdoor problem solving course. Already
excellent work on Japan for Geography, students
clearly benefit from this type of challenge. All they have demonstrated their considerable
departments are looking forward to seeing the skills at fencing, ground preparation and level
results in the summer! setting of constr uction mater ials.
The Learning Challenge! Mr Campbell, who is overseeing and guiding
At the beginning of the summer term Year 8 the students, is very impressed with the hard
Tutor groups will be taking on the Learning work and excellent attitude that the boys
Challenge. The aim of the Learning Challenge is have shown.
to help students improve the organisation of Laura Fitzgibbon 9RCo and Harriet Granville-
themselves and of their learning. The Learning Jones 9KM have got the Year 9 notice board
Challenge is a flexible ‘little and often’ scheme,
up and running for which we are all very
which is broken down into eight themes, these will
be : grateful. It will have a range of information
Organisation Challenge, Memory Challenge, including exam details, the latest in the
Revision Challenge, Working Challenge, Subject competitions, future events and photos of
Challenge, Thinking Challenge and the Reflection trips. If there is something which you think
Challenge. should be on the notice board then please let
Within each theme there are short activities to
Laura, Harriet or myself know.
complete during Tutor Time. Each tutor group will
do one or two of the themes during the Summer So a big ‘pat on the back‛ to Year 9, keep up
term and this will help students gain new skills or the great work, keep collecting those
improve on existing ones. ‘oranges‛ and lets see just what you are ALL
Have a safe and relaxing Easter holiday and keep capable of!
up the good work! Mr J Foley
Mr A Wheeler
Year 9, Year Leader
Year 8, Year Leader

11. Critical Thinking It is with amazement, bemusement and
even a touch of sadness that I write this, as
Conference it will be my last official entry in a
Thirteen of our AS Level Critical Thinking newsletter as your Year Leader prior to you
Students joined 600 other students, mostly all leaving on 13th May.
from sixth form colleges, at a conference in It seems only yesterday that I took over a
fresh faced and still so new Year 7 group
London to prepare for their three hour exam
from Miss Yabsley! Then we had the
‘marathon‛ in a few weeks time. The venue excitement of Calshot in Year 8, moving on
was the Conway Hall in Holborn. The day to a very successful SATs in Year 9 which
comprised of six intensive sessions where led to all the challenges of Year
leading examination officers from OCR took 10. A memorable moment in Year 10 that I
students through various ways to prepare for cannot leave out is the prefect process and
interviews for the head boy and head girl
the exam. As Critical Thinking is skills led
positions. I think our current prefects and
rather than content centred, students were our Senior Team, including head boy
urged to practice by listening to all kinds of Richard Hibbert, head girl Hayley Ward,
arguments, watching good news bulletins as deputy head boy Richard Jarvis and deputy
well as reading plenty of newspapers. Most head girl Rosie Croft have all done us
found that the day was helpful. Alison proud. Thank you and well done to you all!
Overton 10HR reported “Everything that was And now, unbelievably, it is ‘the final count
down’ for us all in Year 11. I am confident
said was really useful.” Catie Davis 10AV
that you are all studiously preparing for the
added “the whole experience was truly approaching exams and also looking
amazing, I think that I‛ve learnt a lot, so this forward to your Leaver's Assembly and
will help me with the exams.” A final then, we have the finale of the Prom! How
comment by Chris Best 10HR of “I thought exciting it all sounds.
that the speeches were mesmerising and I I would like to thank you all for some of the
most challenging, memorable and exciting
am sure this will improve my grades” is
teaching years to date. I wish you all the
evidence that this trip was an excellent best of luck in the exams and look forward
opportunity for our promising AS students. to seeing you all dressed to the nines for
Mrs C Gerlach the Prom!
Critical Thinking Teacher Here's to a successful end to your Eggar's
Academic career.
Miss N Curtis
Congratulations and best of luck Year 11, Year Leader
to Charlie Bonner of 10DS
We would all like to wish Charlie
the best of luck in May, when he
captains the Under 15s England Roller Hockey Louise Small of 11SKi must be
Team in Germany! This is a fantastic congratulated for coming second over­
achievement and opportunity and we wish
all in the National Cross Country
Charlie and his team every success at this
international tournament. Championships last week… fantastic
Mrs D Smith news… well done Louise!
10DS Tutor

12. On 18th March our Year 10 and 11 GCSE
Science and Geography students went to
Southampton University to attend a
conference specifically designed to enhance
their studies. We were joined by schools
from all over the South East, with an
audience of approximately 200 students.
The day started with the Keynote Speech by
TV Presenter, Chris Packham, who spoke
very passionately about the worries and
fears he has for the wildlife in our oceans
and how they can be affected in particular,
by our use of plastics. One example he gave However, the poor old female dog whelk is
strangely affected by this chemical in the
sea and even a tiny amount can mean that
the female dog whelk grows male genitals.
This prevents the dog whelk from breeding
and can wipe out whole populations!
The last lecture was on giant waves and we
learned about Tsunamis and how waves can
be our friend as well as our enemy.
Following lunch there was a question and
answer session with a panel that included
was when he attended an autopsy of a giant lecturers from the Schools of Geography,
turtle that was found on a beach in Spain. Civil Engineering, Ocean & Earth Science as
When the animal‛s stomach was examined well as Chris Packham. There were lots of
they pulled out 100‛s of plastic carrier bags. questions asked and answered, but in my
This turtle was probably born 100-120 years opinion, the best question was from Jenny
ago, before plastics had been invented, and Saunders of 10JS, who asked a question of
this was the cause of his death. shopping locally against buying Fair Trade
Following Chris Packham, there were three goods from abroad. Well done Jenny!
more extremely interesting lectures It was an extremely interesting day and all
including giant floods and ice dams covering the students enjoyed the experience.
15,000 years ago, environmental impacts of Once again they were all a credit to Eggar‛s
shipping, where we learned that the humble School.
dog whelk has an extremely difficult time at
sea due to the chemical Tributyltin (TBT).
TBT is used as an anti-fouling agent on the Mrs A Sutehall
bottom of ships to stop barnacles attaching Geography Curriculum Leader
themselves.

13. On Friday 15th February 41 eager students set
off on a 22 hour coach trip to Nassfeld in
Austria for the Eggar‛s annual ski trip. Although
the journey was very long it was all part of the
holiday experience.
After a hard (but fantastic) four hours of
We were extremely lucky as most days the skiing we had hot chocolate, with cream, at
weather conditions were superb with great snow après ski to soothe our muscles.
and sunshine. Each day of skiing proved to be
just as much fun as the first!
Our holiday would not have been complete
without the evening activities which included
swimming, skittles and speed dating...
The days were filled with a handful of crashes
and other crazy incidents such as skiing straight
into piste markers, making yellow snow and
hugging trees!

14. Nice hair Mr Laycock!
Pictured above are the ‘speed dating‛ winners
Emma Young & Jamie Rawlings …. better luck
next time Mr Laycock!
I would like to thank everyone who contributed
to this trip especially Mr Laycock, for giving us
one of the most enjoyable weeks of our lives!
Leo Rossiter 8JH

15. We are pleased to announce a new link on the If you need help with homework then check the
Eggar’s School website www.eggars.net under links, if you cannot remember when your school
services, the Science Microsite. trip is, then check the calendar.
This will give information on dates of This service is continually updated and this is a
examinations, pictures of trips, competitions and new way to find out more about the Science
lecturer visits. There is a vast amount to see and Department, the Specialist Status and everything
read. Please use the site and we would welcome scientific in‐between.
any feedback. Miss McAulay
Teacher of Science and OLC Co‐ordinator

16. Year 11 Art students have come to the
end of their Art course this week. They
have worked incredibly hard for ten
hours, the equivalent of two days in the
classroom, in order to make their 'Final
Designs'. There will be an exhibition of
their work in the summer term.
Mrs S Kinteh
Charlie Hughes 11SW &
Emily Hatcher 11SKI
Anna Youngs 11SL
Emily Brown 11MR
Charlotte Withams 11KMc
By Jack Burcham 11SL

17. Ed Barney 11SW Josh Brown & Hamish Hewitt 11MR
Jack Barney 11SW
Alex Drinkall 11KMc
Eddie Barney 11SW
Jack Burcham 11SL & Mrs Brohier
Isobel Reid 11SL

18. As you know we are continuously looking for We would appreciate the support of parents
ways to raise the achievements of our in encouraging their child to use SAM
students. One of the ways we do this is by Learning Secondary and take part in the 10
subscribing to SAM Learning Secondary, Hour Challenge.
an eLearning service used by over 800,000 Our students should know how everything
students. works and this may be of interest to parents,
During the Easter Holiday we are encouraging especially the area that reports on their
our Year 11 students to take up the SAM progress and shows their marks!
Learning Secondary 10 Hour Challenge. This In addition to this we also suggest a couple of
challenge will remind them that they have useful revision websites:
access to this online service which will help
them to improve their attainment in the GCSE www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize
examinations. www.eggars.net and follow SAM
The main initiative of this challenge for SAM Learning or OLC links to subject
Learning Secondary is to raise attainment. revision and information.
SAM Learning Secondary is proven to improve
GCSE results with 10+ hours of use, therefore
we are challenging students to use it for at
least 10 hours across all subjects.
To access the service at www.samlearning.com, students will need the following three details:
Centre ID: GU34ES
User ID: Date of birth followed by two initials; first name then last name.
Example: 010895DJ is the User ID for David Jones born 1st August 1995
Password: Initially same as User ID, Learners are encouraged to change this to
something difficult to guess or work out.
Mr A Carter Miss N Curtis
Assistant Head Teacher Year 11, Year Leader
Science Curriculum Leader