Goffs School Newsletter
July 2016 - Designed by Digital Leaders
New School Building
Hello from the Interserve team,
Progress remains good – even with the wettest June on record construction works are keeping on track.
Brickwork to external elevations is now complete as is the Trespa panelling to stair cores and the rendered panels are not far behind. Internal areas are moving at an equally impressive pace with the vast majority of internal walls now complete, decoration ongoing, vinyl flooring going down, glass balustrade installed, doors going on and fixed furniture due in the next few weeks.
Goffs Students Rodja Kurt and Rhys Southall have joined us on work experience this week and become the 2 newest members of the construction delivery team!
The big push is now on with the light at the end of the tunnel well and truly in sight.
Sports Hall
External view – East elevation
Bronze DofE Award - Year 10
Over the course of this year, 30 Year 10 students successfully completed their DofE Bronze Award. This involved 3-6 months of volunteering as well as separate physical and skilled activities such as football, photography and even baking! The most exciting section of the award is always the overnight expedition. The students successfully navigated a 2 day, 20km route through Thetford Forest, with just a few tumbles and midge bites along the way. All students cooked their own dinner - a particular shout out goes to Conor Newman for the tastiest looking meal - before enjoying toasting lots of marshmallows over a campfire (expertly constructed by Daniel Harris). Huge congratulations to all students involved - this is a massive achievement and you should be really proud of yourselves!
The students involved were:
- Kaiyan Ali
- Katie Andrew
- Tilly Cooke
- Tyler Curtis
- Caitlin Firn
- Sacha Foley
- Katrina Gibb
- Taylor Gilbert
- Rosie Grant
- Daniel Harris
- Jenny Hendle
- Hania Imran
- Olivia Klust-Giroud
- Marissa Kodikara
- Ryan Law
- Aiyana Lowry
- Lucy Marks
- Chanel Melin
- Isabel Nabil
- Conor Newman
- Abigail O’Donnell
- Samantha Richards
- Laura Sutton
- Melike Temizturk
- Lisa Townley
- Olivia Turner
- Shannon Walby-Williams
- David Ware
Miss Poag and Miss Fleeman
Summer Concert
On the 21st June, the Music Department held the Summer Concert, which featured students performing solos and duets as well as 2 bands – “The Daylight Shadows” and “The BTEC Band”.
The students presented the first half of the concert and performed admirably. Highlights included students performing their own compositions such as Geran Elwin playing his “Complicated Flirt” for piano and Hannah Grainger performing “Palindrome for Piano” – both pieces were composed for exam coursework and were warmly received. Matheus da Silva gave the premier performance of his own song “One-Way Road” and Amy Clark brought the house down with a superb rendition of her GCSE coursework song – “Tell Me”, brilliantly accompanied on the piano by Matheus Da Silva.
Huge congratulations to every student who took part in this fantastic concert. The standard of performance was superb and made Mr Taken very proud indeed!
The second half of the concert featured special guests the Thundersley Brass Band, conducted by Mr Taken.
They performed a wide variety of popular music, including an unusual version of George Michael’s “Faith” and the concert ended in typical Last Night of The Proms style with Elgar’s “Pomp & Circumstance Military march No. 1”, with the audience joining in with “Land of Hope and Glory”.
A truly memorable evening of superb music – making and many congratulations to all involved.
Mr Taken
Year 11 Prom
On Friday 8th July, we held the Year 11 Prom at Hatfield House. Students clearly made a huge effort with their outfits and many arrived in limousines, vintage cars or in one case a party bus!!! The Senior Leadership Team also joined the occasion and were dressed in black tie and party dresses. Even Mr King wore a 'dickie-bow', even if it was over his standard PE kit!
On arrival, students had group photos and a welcome drink before the evening's celebrations got underway with a DJ and the Prom awards. Students also had a photo-booth where they could take photos for their memories. In true Prom fashion, many of the girls decided that their shoes might have been a poor choice as they were giving them blisters. However despite a queue of shoes being looked after by staff, it did not dampen the spirit and enjoyment of the evening.
Our thanks go to Maria Thornton and Nicky Walters for their organisation of this event.
Next year’s Year 11 Prom is booked at the same venue for Friday 30th June 2017, so save the date if you are going into Year 11.
Tom Sparks
Vice Principal, SLT Link for Year 11
Cadets - Goffs Students’ Taster Day at St Edmunds College
On 24th June 2016, eight students from Year 8 visited St Edmunds College for the Annual CCF Taster Day.
Our students observed other students' Conduct 6 Section Battle Drill which is a battle field exercise.
During the Day, Goffs students gained experiences on what they will be taking part in next year when they sign up to join Goffs School CCF.
From September we are looking to expand our Goffs School CCF. if you would like more information please do not hesitate to contact Aziz Rahman on arn@goffs.herts.sch.uk
Aziz Rahman
Goffs School
Youth Worker
Year 11 Leavers' Evening
On Thursday 30th June 2016, we held our Year 11 Leavers' Evening. Hosted by Mr King (Director of Learning for Year 11), it was an opportunity to celebrate our students’ time at Goffs and wish them well as they continue to the next stage of their education. Over 150 students attended the event with their parents and the school hall was full. Many teachers also attended to celebrate.
The evening had contribution speeches from Mr Sparks (Vice Principal) and Karen Lawrence (who was their Director of Learning in Years 9 and 10), a special assembly from Mr King, musical performances of compositions by Year 11 students, a range of awards voted for by the students including; most likely to be the next prime minister, most likely to be a pro Footballer and most likely to win an Oscar. In addition, the evening showcased a range of photos of their time at Goffs from Years 7 to 11. The final part of the evening showed all of the students’ Year 7 photos which I know was enjoyed by most students and parents.
After the event, staff, students and parents celebrated at a drinks reception. The feedback from both parents and students was fantastic and we look forward to being able to hold this event in future years.
Tom Sparks
Vice Principal, SLT Link for Year 11
NC Summer Camps 2016
Year 13 Graduation - Class of 2009
27th May 2016 saw the official graduation ceremony of our Year 13 students. It was a momentous day full of pride and joy, but was also tinged with a bit of sadness as we saw the finished products of seven years teaching at Goffs start to make their way onto the next stage of their lives.
The students had dressed for the occasion with their graduation gowns and mortarboards. The ceremony started with a celebration of achievements. The formal awards were presented by the teaching and pastoral staff teams followed by student-led awards, hosted by Lois Attard, Joe Goldsmith and Jordan Mayne (the outgoing Head Boy, Head Girl and Deputy Head Boy).
The students and staff then returned to the Sixth Form Common Room for a celebration lunch and official graduation photographs. A great day was had by all involved.
We wish all our Year 13 students every success in their exams and courses, and look forward to celebrating with them on Results Day.
The Sixth Form Team
Attendance and Punctuality
Our current attendance for July 2016:
YR7: 97%
YR8: 96.4%
YR9: 96.3%
YR10: 95.0%
AVERAGE: 96.2%
CONGRATULATIONS to Year 7 yet again for being top for attendance – FABULOUS!
We are also delighted to see our attendance reach our target of 96.2%.
Finally the summer has arrived!!!! May I wish you all a fabulous summer and I look forward to seeing you all back in September!
Mrs Francoise Grote
01992 424200 ext. 230
Reading with your Child Event: 13th and 15th July 2016
Last week Miss Everist held two 'Reading with Your Child' events in the LRC from 08:15 to 09:30 for Years 7 and 8 students. Students from both year groups brought in their dad/mum/carer to the LRC to join in on the activities.
The aim of the sessions was to encourage parents to continue reading with their children at home, as well as encouraging a love of reading and promoting the importance of it outside of school.
The morning events were a huge success, both parents/carers and students enjoyed their morning here with us.
A massive thank you must also go to Miss Grant, LRC Manager, for organising the activities that took place in these events - the treasure hunt was my favourite!
Miss S Everist
English Teacher/Literacy Co-ordinator
Sports Week 2016
The annual Goffs School Sports Week took place during the last week of June 2016.
There were record attendance levels this year - meaning that more students participated than ever before. Each year group from Years 7 to 10 had their own sports day during sports week. Students represented the four Houses: Falcon, Eagle, Hawk and Pheonix. During Periods 1 and 2 all of the students competed in forms against each other in Rounders and Dodgeball. During Periods 3 and 4 selected students competed in the field events: long jump, high jump, Discus, Javelin and shot put.
During the afternoon the students competed in the track events whilst the rest of the form groups and teachers cheered on the competitors. The final event of the day was the relay which was well contested to huge cheers from those watching.
The effort of all the students involved was a pleasure to watch and a credit to both the students and the school. Many thanks to all of the staff that helped run the events. Special thanks to Miss Ball, Miss Fleet, Mr Stanger and Mr Tucker for organising the week.
Mr M Seller
Head of PE
Curriculum Enrichment Day July 2016
In July we were able to give the students a wide range of activities on our Curriculum Enrichment Day. The sessions were designed to support our students’ social, emotional welfare and well-being and also personal development. The day was full of exciting sessions that included exploring British values, tolerance of others, road safety, personal safety and anti-social behaviour.
We also had a motivational speaker in school to explore aspirations and goals with Years 8 and 9. The students in Years 7 and 8 were set the challenge ‘Who murdered Miss Enstone?’ to develop and extend the work they have done this year on their Building Learning Power skills. This was a great activity designed specifically for our students to develop and extend their collaboration skills in particular. Students in Year 8 were also challenged to a ‘Numeracy Slam Down’ which engaged them in a Maths competition.
The students had a fantastic day and enjoyed the activities designed for them.
Mrs Allum
Associate Assistant Principal
Exam Results Days
KS5
Students can collect their results from 9.00am until 12.00 noon on Thursday 18th August 2016. Students who are continuing into Year 13 should confirm their courses on this day.
GCSE
Students can collect their results from 9.00am until 12.00 noon on Thursday 25th August 2016. Students who are going into the Sixth Form should confirm their choices before leaving on that day.
Mr T Sparks
Vice Principal
Goffs School
Email: admin@goffs.herts.sch.uk
Website: http://www.goffs.herts.sch.uk
Location: Goffs School, Cheshunt, United Kingdom
Phone: 01992 424200
Twitter: @Goffs_School