News Archive 06 to 07

GCSE Results 2007 Results at Friends’ School Saffron Walden showed another very pleasing improvement on last year with 92% of pupils achieving 5 or more A*- C grades and an overall A*- G rate of 99.9%, with 76% of pupils achieving 8 or more A*-C and 60% of all grades at A*- B. Click here to see our press statement.

Click here to see a summary of our A Level and GCSE Results for 2007

A level Exam Results 2007 Click here to see our press statement. Photos show a few of our students after getting their results.

Students at Friends’ School Saffron Walden were celebrating a superb set of A level results this morning. 35% of the grades were at A (11% above the National Average), 65% at A and B (15% above the National Average), with 93% A-C (19% above the National Average). Overall the pass rate was 100%. Well done.

Year 8 Activity Week Outdoor Activities 2nd to 5th July 2007. Click on the photo to see more.

A, AS level and GCSE Art Coursework 2007. Click on either photo to see more.

Year 7 Trip to Sheringham 2 - 4 July 2007 Click on the photo to see more

Year 11 and Sixth Form Summer Ball 29 June 2007 at Bury Lodge Stansted Click on the photo to see more.

Sports Afternoon 20th June 2007 Lister 1060, Tuke 990, and Mennell 782 Click on the photo to see more.

Year 7 Geography Field Trip to London 'Docklands' 28 June 2007. Click on the photo to find out more.

Summer 2007 Newsletter This is being mailed to all parents at the start of the summer holidays, but if you would like to download a copy then please click on the image on the left.

We raise money for the Alex Ruffell Memorial Fund that supports Chidobe Primary School in Zimbabwe. Click on the photo to find out more about this connection.

Year 8 History Trip to the Tower of London 16 May 2007 Click on the photo to see more

Year 10 Geography Trip to London 'Docklands' 10 May 2007 Click on the photo to see more.

Year 11 Examined Drama Performances May 2007

Friends and Families Day Saturday 19th May 07

Click here to download the speeches made by the Head, Graham Wigley, and by members of the Quartet on 'Friends and Families Day'.

Many thanks to the PTA and their helpers who did such a spendid job with their BBQ on Saturday and raised £337 for the PTA.

Christian Aid Thanks to Gill Kinnear and Helen Golden for their assembly to back Christian Aid’s ‘Flush out Poverty’ campaign to provide improved sanitation and clean water in less economically developed countries. We have in the last week raised almost £100 which will pay for a toilet; piped water and a tap; and for a well to be cleaned. Many thanks to those who supported this charity.

Year 7 Book Mastermind Tensions were high when almost 30 pupils in Year 7 took part in the Book Mastermind competition organised by the School Librarian, Janice Weatherall. Instead of choosing a subject as they do on TV, the Year 7 pupils  chose a book to answer their questions on, and had to answer up to 20 questions in two minutes.

Notes for New Parents.

Summer 2007 Calendar

This has been mailed to all parents but you can download a copy here or from the Parents' Page, as a pdf file or as a Word document. It will be updated from time to time.

Joint Quaker Schools' Choir Sunday 1st April 07 at Ackworth School in Pontefract. 'The Armed Man: A mass for Peace', by Karl Jenkins. Click here to see more

End of Term DISCO 29 March 2007 A great success. Many thanks to the Quartet for organising this event. Click on the photo to see more.

Year 7 visit to Linton Zoo 29 March 2007 Click on the photo to see more.

Spring Term Newsletter

This is being mailed to all parents but if you can't wait or are not on the list, click on the image on the right to see this online.

"Cabaret" This was held on Fri 23 March 07. Dress was black tie, and tickets were £15 per head and included a buffet dinner. Click on the photo on the left to see the Year 8 contributions from South Pacific and the spoof of The Sound of Music.

International Evening This was held on Thursday 22nd March 7.30 to 9.00 in Assembly Hall. Click on the photo on the right to see more.

Our Sixth Form Biologists visit the Human Genome Project at the Sanger Centre in Cambridge. 21 March 2007

Some amazing facts: Although there are over 3,000 million bases in the DNA of the Human Genome, they only code for 32,000 genes, but each gene can in fact code for more than 1 protein! 45% of the Genome DNA codes for repeated base sequences whose function is still unknown. The computers at the centre handle 350 terabytes ( 1 terabyte = 1000 gigabytes) of information and are constantly being upgraded.

'Frosty and the Snowmen' Gig in aid of 'Khandel light' - another great success. 16 March 07.

Click here to find out more about 'Khandel light' that supports families in one of the poorest parts of India. £120 was raised for 'Khandel light'. Many thanks to all who supported this event.

Comic Relief - D of E Cake Sale 16 March 07

Congratulations - the cake sale organised by members of Year 10 for their Duke of Edinburgh Award, raised £205.39 for Comic Relief. Thank you to all who supported this event.

Sponsored Tennis Challenge for Comic Relief.

Alice McGee in Year 8 and James Morris in Year 9 challenged Gavin Greenaway and Mariana Dorkham to a sponsored mixed doubles tennis match -  “Friendledon”. The pupils won 6 to 2!  Alice and James raised a healthy £130 between them for Comic Relief through pledges from pupils, teachers and family. Well done. We look forward to the next match!

Andrew Motion - the Poet Laureate - visits Friends' School - Thursday 8th March 07

Click here to visit Andrew Motion's website. Click here to read a review from the British Council of Arts.

Students from Friends' School and Saffron Walden County High - were delighted to meet Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate, on Thursday afternoon when he was in the town as part of the Essex Book Festival.

He had agreed to lead a seminar for 25 students in the library of Friends' School before his main appearance in the evening.

He talked about his work, read some of his poetry and shared with them the joys and constraints of being Poet Laureate.

Science Lecture

Quarks Club and sixth form physicists welcomed Dr Helen Mason as their first guest speaker this term. Dr Mason’s field of research is solar physics, particularly the ultraviolet and X-ray spectrum of the Sun. She has worked on a number of space projects and is currently part of the research team working with a satellite called SOHO, (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory), a joint Japanese/NASA project.

After lunch hosted by Quarks Club members, Dr Mason described how SOHO, the most sophisticated observatory ever built, is providing new data about the internal structure of the sun and the processes on its surface. This data is revolutionising what we know about the sun and how it impacts our own environment. The subject is fascinating and our pupils were eager to ask questions and to understand how the scientists were able to draw accurate conclusions from the data received.

Year 7 and 8 Rugby Practice 1st March 2007

Click on the photo to see more

Tesco Computer Vouchers These are now available until 13 May. We are collecting these and there is a box for them in Reception.

Click here ( providing you are online) to listen to this audio clip of 'Thought for the day' by Clifford Longley on 26th February 2007 about Quakers and their role in the abolition of slavery. For printed version click here. (copyright 2007 BBC)

The Insect Play, by the Capek brothers Click on the photo to see more from this Year 9 &10 Drama production. February 2007

Indian Dance Theatre Workshop with Year 8 pupils and girls from the SWCHS on Monday 19th February.

Year 8 Geography trip to Epping Forest November 2006 Click on the photo to see more

Pirate Rock Show 2007 Click on the photo to see more

Sixth Form Quaker Pilgrimage 2006 Click on the photo to see more

Snow on Thursday 8th February

In common with many of the schools in the area we had to close on Thursday and provide a special programme for the boarders which included time to enjoy the snow.

A level RS trips to Buddhist Centres

6i Religious Studies students on visits to the Buddhist Centre in Cambridge, and to the Marpa House Tibetan Buddhist Centre, as part of their A level course.

Members of the 6ii Physics class in the museum at the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge. “Seeing the original apparatus used there to make the discoveries they have been learning about always inspires my students”, says Christine Sleight.

Year 10 Exam Timetable February 2007 for after spring half term

Make-A-Wish Foundation A cheque for £455 being presented to James Nixon of the 'Make-A-Wish Foundation'. The money was raised by pupils through an austerity lunch, non-uniform day and the Pirate Rock Show. Make-A-Wish Foundation grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses.

Spring Term 2007

Click here to download a copy of the Calendar for the Spring Term. (Pupils are also being given hard copies to take home for you)

Click here to download a copy of the Weekly Activities programme for the Spring Term

Sixth Form Bowles weekend and World Challenge day. Photos now uploaded - click on the photo on the left to view.

'Happy Christmas' The drawing on the right was produced by Alice Irwin in Year 8, and was used for the School's Christmas Card this year.

Friends' School Christmas Words and Music Held in St Mary's Church, Saffron Walden on 13th December 2006. A great success. Thank you to all.

Amnesty International Last Friday lunchtime pupils signed 170 Christmas cards for Amnesty International. Find out more about the work of Amnesty at www.amnesty.org

Latest Newsletter for Autumn term 2006 Click on the image on the right to download a copy of this expanded 6 page newsletter which we have just received from the printers and which is being posted to all at the end of term.

1963 Film of the School Click on the image on the left to see the 1963 Film of the School made by former pupil Matthew Robinson in 1963. It is in 3 parts on 'YouTube'.

Boarders' Christmas Dinner Tuesday 5th December 06 We have broken tradition, and for the first time for many years this event took place on a weekday evening, rather than on a Sunday, so that all boarders were able to attend.

The Christmas Lunch for the Senior School will take place at 1pm next Tuesday 12th December.

AS Level Practical Performance November 06

A photograph from the recent AS Level practical performance. The piece was written by the girls themselves and it was called ‘Crisps Wine and Cheese’. Tom Didenko created the set, Ben Frost the lights and Linnea Hallgren the costumes. The actors are Ro O'Brien, Sandie Dickinson, Megan Warner,and Becky Hobbins.

Whitechapel Mission

The senior school are collecting small presents for the homeless who attend the Whitechapel Mission over the Christmas period. Suitable gifts should be small in value. Examples are a pair of socks or a warm pair of gloves or a hat, which could be wrapped with a small bar of Chocolate. Women as well as men attend the mission so it would be a good idea if the parcels were labelled according to suitability. A box has been placed in reception. We are also collecting toiletries for their use – travel sizes such as those used in hotels are especially suitable-again a box is in reception for these.

Thank you for your generosity

To find out more about the Whitechapel Mission click here.

Term Dates for 2007 - 2008 - approved by Governors on 21.11.06

In pdf format or in rtf Word format

AS and A level Exam Timetable for January 07

A draft version can be downloaded by clicking here.

Year 10 Geography Field Course to the Lake District 24 - 27 September 2006 Click on the photo to see more.

Remembrance Day and White Poppies

Why are some wearing white poppies? Click on the poppies on the left to find out more. Also click here to find out more about the Peace Pledge Union. Their shared belief is that war and violent conflict are neither necessary nor inevitable. Their shared aim is to work towards creating a just world free from war.

Click here to find out more about our last Year 11/10 History trip to the WW1 Battlefields.

Year 7 Girls Netball Club dressed for Halloween! Many thanks to our gap student Jacquie Lewinski for running this club and taking these photos.

Year 8 RS Lesson Year 8 RS pupils had the opportunity to re-enact the Hindu festival of HOLI (New Year). The sweets are an important part of this event and are called 'barfi'. They are similar to fudge and were made by Religious Studies teacher Helen Golden.

10 mile 'Great South Run' Emma Wilson, our Artist in Residence, will be taking part in this run on Sunday, October 22nd in Portsmouth for 'MIND'. The website for MIND is www.mind.org.uk It would be much appreciated if you felt able to sponsor Emma at http://www.justgiving.com/emmaswilson

Where do we live? Many thanks to parent Olly Stephens for producing this Google map. It is based on postcodes and does not show exact locations of properties. We hope that parents will find this interesting and useful without being too intrusive. Click on the map image on the right to see the full version.

Ben Okafor 27 Sept 06 A great success. Click here to find out more about Ben Okafor. Also see www.benokafor.com

Check out these links that Ben recommended:

The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers: http://www.child-soldiers.org/

Save the Children: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/

Quaker Schools' Week Click here to see the article appearing in the Independent newspaper on Thursday 21st Sept 06. Click here to find out more about musician Ben Okafor who worked with us on Wednesday 27th September. Also see www.benokafor.com

Pupils making peace doves

Click here to see the events that happened in School to celebrate Quaker Schools week starting on Monday 25th September 2006

Click here to join the majority of our parents who subscribe to ParentMail. No cost involved.

Maths Puzzles as part of Quaker Schools' Week.

Two historical puzzles by Quaker Benjamin Banneker - the first famous African American mathematician/scientist - born in Maryland USA in 1731. Click here to find out more about Banneker and to see another puzzle, or 'Google' to see many more sites.

1. A gentleman sent his Servant with £100 to buy 100 animals ( including 1 of each type of animal), with orders to give £5 for each Bullock, 20 Shillings for cows, and one Shilling for each Sheep, the question is to know what number of each sort he brought to his master. (20 shillings in £1).

2. Divide 60 into four Such parts, that the first being increased by 4, the Second decreased by 4, the third multiplyed by 4, the fourth part divided by 4, that the Sum, the difference, the product, and the Quotient shall be one and the Same Number.

Thanks to Colin McCrea.

Form Photos Sept 2006

Pupils will be able to order 5 x 7.5 inch copies of the form photos during form meeting next Friday 29th September at a cost of 50p each to go on the school bill. Copies will be on display outside the dining hall. Please liaise with your son/daughter to ensure that orders are placed.

www.PieceforPeace.co.uk Have a look at your prose and poems about peace on this part of the Quaker School's website. It is not too late to submit your own material. Click here or on the dove on the left to find out more or send your entries with your name and age to entries@pieceforpeace.co.uk This is part of Quaker Schools' Week starting on Monday 25th September 2006, following the International Day of Peace on Thursday 21st September.

Whole School Photos Archive 32 'Whole School' photos from 2005 to 1922 have been scanned and are now on the website. Click on the photos on the right to access these.

GCSE Exam Results 2006

Students and staff at Friends' School are celebrating another excellent set of GCSE results today with a 98% overall pass rate (A* to G). 88% of students in Year 11 gained 5 or more GCSE's at grades A* to C with 70% of the students obtaining 8 or more of these grades. 85% of the students achieved 5 or more grades A* to C, including Maths and English and 55% of the grades awarded were at A*, A or B.

Gabriel Polley said "I am really pleased, my results are fantastic and a lot better than I expected". Gabriel, who achieved 4 A* and 6 A grades will be studying A levels in a combination of Science and Arts subjects at Friends' next term.

In value-added terms, 75% of students achieved results better than their attainment at the beginning of Year 10 would have suggested. A delighted Graham Wigley, the new Head of Friends' School said, "These value added results are excellent; they are a true measure of the quality of teaching and learning in the School, and the individual care and support we offer our students. The results provide a super springboard which will enable us to start our new academic year with a real feeling of optimism."

Click here to see a summary of our A Level and GCSE results for 2006

Thursday 24th August 2006

A and AS Level Exam Results 2006

Students were celebrating this morning following another set of excellent A level results. 30% of the grades gained were at A (6% above the national average) with the A to C pass rate at 78% (72% in 2005).Overall a 100% pass rate was achieved for the second year running and all students taking English, Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and History achieved A and B grades.

James McCall achieved A grades in History, English and Film Studies. "I am completely flabbergasted by my results. With 3 A grades I have won a scholarship to read English and Creative Writing at Lancaster University next year". Having achieved 3 A's and a C, Jackie Shaufeld was also celebrating her results " after dreading my results for so long, its amazing to open the envelope and find results I've only dreamed about".

The new Head, Graham Wigley congratulated the students and paid tribute to their teaching staff. 'These are excellent results for a non-selective Sixth Form. 84% of the students achieved grades as well as or better than expected on entry to the Sixth Form. The wealth of individual care and guidance and the quality of subject teaching at Friends' is evident from these results and I look forward to leading a school with such a dedicated staff'.

Click here to see a summary of our A Level and GCSE results for 2006

Thursday 17th August 2006

Our Adopt Sri Lanka Twins Project Click here to access the June Newsletter from the Twins Project or click here or on the image on the left to access our Rekawa School page with photos of the project.

Year 8 and 9 at Harlow Outdoor Education Centre July 2006 Click on the photo to see more.

Year 8 and 9 at Grafham Water during Activity Week - July 2006. Click on the photo to see more.

Year 7 Trip to Sheringham 3 to 6 July 2006 Click on the photo to see more

Latest copy of 'The Avenue' Click here or on the image on the left to download a copy of our latest newsletter, for Summer Term 2006.

Examples of A & AS level and GCSE Art Coursework June 2005 Click on the image on the right

Summer Ball 30th June 06 'A Great Time' Click on the photo to see more.

Year 7 Trip to London 'Docklands' 15 June 2006 Click on the photo to see more.

Sports Day 14th June 2006 Click on the photo to see more. Results: Mennell 758, Tuke 644, Lister 63.

'A Comedy of Errors' by members of the 6i Drama group - May 2006 Click on the photo to see more.