Celebrating Denefield Friday 24 September 2021
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Celebrating Denefield Friday 24 September 2021
Celebrating Denefield…
I have been exceptionally impressed by Denefield students this week.
On Monday a very large number of students signed up for our extra-
curricular activities which will take place at lunch time and after school,
which commence next week. There are many of these clubs that I am
eager to visit, not least Kinball club. How is possible to play a game with
three teams simultaneously, and with a ball over a metre in diameter?
Only Miss Smith from PE knows the answer, and I am keen to find out.
Please scroll down to find our extra-curricular timetable.
I would like to say a huge thank you to the many students who helped
out at our Open Evening on Thursday. We had over a hundred Year 7
students running tours, and nearly as many Sixth Form students, some
of whom ran tours and some of whom directed car park traffic. Other students supported
different faculty areas. Helping out in this way shows the pride students have in their school. It
also helps them develop their CHARACTER values, including confidence, and articulacy – in this
case the ability to communicate effectively with primary school students and their parents/carers.
The evening itself was busy and enjoyable. I chose to give four talks in the hall rather than the
three we had scheduled, so high was the demand. I would like to give a very big shout out to the
students who spoke so beautifully alongside me – Lulu and Harrison from Year 7, and Amelie and
Sam from Year 13, our head girl and head boy respectively.
We are running daytime tours for prospective parents and carers every day from 27 September to
22 October; if you or someone you know wishes to book a place, then please contact
admissions@denefield.org.uk
With best wishes for a pleasant and enjoyable weekend
Mr E Towill MA (Oxon), Headteacher
Included in this edition...
Diary dates – academic year 2021 – 2022
Tuesday 28 September Year 7 Curriculum Information Evening
Thursday 7 October Year 10 Parents Evening
Friday 8 October INSET day
Celebrating our students…
Gymnastics success
A big shout out to Mollie in Year 7 for her
achievements in her gymnastics competition last
weekend.
She finished first overall in her age group with
individual pieces yet to be confirmed. She also
finished 1st on floor, 5th on vault and 6th on beam in
the combined results against the 12 year olds and
the 13+ group. Mollie has also qualified in the top six
highest scores for the South of England Regional
team and will be going back to Nationals weekend of
5 to 7 November!.
Well done Mollie and good luck for the Nationals!
Success in the University of Oxford History Faculty
Huge congratulations to Sam in Year 13 from everyone at Denefield on his success in the Julia
Wood essay competition.
St Hugh’s College, Oxford runs an annual essay competition, open to all Sixth Form students in the
country, for which students produce a 4,000-word essay on a historical topic of their choice.
Applicants research their topic using sources and historians’ interpretations, using them to plan
and then write their work.
Sam’s essay explored depictions of General Franco, the infamous leader of fascist Spain in the
mid-20th century, by historians and in popular culture. Sam’s family history is intrinsically linked to
Francoist Spain and the stories his grandmother has passed down the generations gave him the
inspiration for his work. His main argument was that interpretations of Franco are rooted in the
context of the person/society that produced that interpretation, and that the way he and Spain
were seen reflected the political context of the 20th century.
The St Hugh’s College, Oxford History Faculty received over 400 entries to this competition and
awarded only 40 commendations. Sam’s essay was very well received and he was awarded one of
the commendations.
Commendation winners were invited to a celebratory event at the college on Saturday 11
September. It was a chance for Sam to meet the other winners and talk to the professors who
marked their work.
This is an outstanding achievement so well done Sam!
Celebrating our students…
U16 Girls Football
Well done to the U16 girls who had an impressive start to the football season with two wins out
of two games!.
Denefield vs Holme Grange 2-0
Denefield vs Prospect 2-0
Well done girls, keep up the great work!
Celebrating our curriculum…
Computing and ICT
In the Computing and ICT department we currently teach one lesson a cycle to Year 7 and 8. At
Year 9 the subject braches into two distinct areas, IT and Computing and students have two
lessons a cycle in preparation to choose either the BTEC Tech Award in Digital Information
Technology or Computing GCSE.
These two options continue through GCSE and into Alevel depending on demand. Students gain
key knowledge and skills in the three main areas of the computing curriculum: Computer Science
(programming and understanding how digital systems work), Information Technology (using
computer systems to store, retrieve and send information) and Digital Literacy (evaluating digital
content and using technology safely and respectfully).
The UK Bebras Challenge
The Bebras Computing Challenge introduces computational thinking to students. It is organised in
over 50 countries and designed to get students all over the world excited about computing. The
Bebras challenges are made of a set of short problems called Bebras tasks and are delivered
online. The tasks are fun, engaging and based on problems that Computer Scientists often meet
and enjoy solving. The tasks can be solved without prior knowledge but instead require logical
thinking. The aim is to solve as many as you can in the allotted time. Every year Denefield take part
in this competition. The top achieving students in the four oldest age groups are invited to attend
a final round and celebration. This takes place in Hertford College and the Department of
Computer Science at Oxford University. In the past we have had students who have been
successful.
Each student will
receive a certificate
that will be either
Best in School,
Distinction, Merit or
Participation.
The next Bebras
Challenge will be on 8
to 19 November 2021
and all students in
KS3 will be taking Computational Thinking Challenge
part.
Here is an example of a challenge – See if you can solve it…You can check out the website here as
well if you need more practice.
Celebrating our curriculum…
Get to know Miss Yates
I have always loved computers and have a GCSE and A Level in the
subject. When I was at school my teacher choose me to go on a
school trip to Hewlett Packard where I had to work with other
pupils from other schools. We had to produce a presentation for
the Board of Directors and my teacher and parents came to watch.
I was very nervous but my group won and we were all given a
calculator and a trip to the Science Museum, I can’t remember
exactly what we had to do but it was a great experience that I
remember to this day and influenced me to study the subject
further.
What topics are we going to be learning about in Terms one and two
Year 7 – Introduction to using Denefield’s systems and the basic applications.
Year 8 – Understanding the concepts of programming in Scratch.
Year 9 – Advanced coding and computation thinking activities in Scratch Online.
Year 10 – In Computing students will be working through the first 3 chapters of Computer
Systems. These are Systems Architecture, Memory and Storage and Computer Networks.
Year 10 – Digital IT – Exam – Thurs 10 February (AM) 90 Minutes. Students will then work on
coursework elements.
Year 11 – Computing - The Year 11 are learning about Unit 2 - Computational thinking, and
algorithms. They will have a mock exam on this paper just before Christmas.
Year 11 – Btec – This class are working on their final unit of course work and are currently
analysing supermarket and holiday data.
Year 13 BTEC IT – Exam - Mon 24 January (AM) 2 Hours
Information Technology Vs Computer Science
What is the difference between the two terms, and which field holds the best opportunity for a
promising career?
There is an overlap in the two fields, but there are some major differences, and you might be
drawn to one or the other because of your personality and aptitudes.
Computer science is focused entirely on accurately programming computers using mathematical
algorithms to program systems to run more efficiently, including in the design and development.
At a glance, IT (Information Technology) careers are more about installing, maintaining, operating
networks, and databases. IT is more the business side of things and actually using computers,
whereas Computing/Computer Science tends to be more about how computers actually work, at
varying levels. It's the same industry, and there's some significant overlap between the subjects.
However you than think of it like this…...
We can all drive cars but mechanics know how they work,
We all use computers but it’s the Computer Scientists that create the code.
Other news…
Extra curricular activities
In a first for Denefield we launched the ‘Big Sign Up’. The event was held on Monday 20 September
for students to sign up and express their interest in participating in an extra-curricular activity
either at lunchtimes or afterschool.
There is a wide range of clubs on offer covering every age group, from surfing to baking, walking to
feminism and enterprise to chess; these were published in last week’s newsletter. Many of the
activities have certain requirements and some are seasonal, but it does not stop anyone attending
or joining an activity at any time. Students just need to ask a teacher.
All activities will fully commence in the week beginning the 27 September, although some have
started this week! It was great to see so many students come along to sign up. It is fundamental
and important that our students have the opportunity to take part in activities outside of lesson
time to help with their mental health and wellbeing.
Our Extra-curricular activities will work alongside timetabled lessons and the character values to
develop young people's confidence to interact socially with others. It will allow them to extend their
friendship groupings; and provide them with new skills and abilities that will no doubt support
them with future aspirations.
Other news… Please see below for our programme of extra-curricular activities, which will take place during lunch times and after school, from Monday 27 September
Other news…
Other news…
Library news
Do you want to be in with a chance of winning a copy of R.J Palacio's book Wonder and her new book
Pony?
Enter the Mystery Photograph competition from Puffin Books
and The Reading Agency! Open to those aged 13 and under,
this is a creative writing competition. Look at the mysterious
photograph and in no more than 250 words answer the
questions "who do you think this woman is, and what can you
tell us about her?"
Find out more and enter online
Good luck!Community notices … Bikeability
Community notices …
West Berkshire Police
Please see below message from PC Tim Emery (Safeguarding Officer, West Berkshire Police)
I think few can deny that the last 18 months of so have been amongst the most challenging in our
lifetimes. Throughout the pandemic, I have been grateful that I am a Police Officer and my
childhood was back when it was. I am sure for many children; social media must have been a real
lifeline during these difficult times. This month has seen them return to school which I am sure
was with treated with mixed blessings.
Here in the police we have noticed a small spike in low-level reports, especially amongst Key Stage
3 students. The age one can get in trouble with the police is 10 years old. That’s the age limit, not a
target and thankfully most young people are able to wobble growing up, away from the strong
arm of the law. In 20 years of policing, I can honestly say I have never arrested a 10 or 11 year old,
and I can count on one hand the number of under 14s I have had to take to the police station.
However, even without police involvement, such incidents can be upsetting which add to the
pressures of what are difficult times. Keep that open dialogue with your children. Take time to
check out websites like getsafeonline.org and generally keep the advice consistent. I would be
retiring if I could charge a £1 for every time I said, “Think very carefully before you post”. Just a
second to think, “Would I be comfortable with my Grandma, Head Teacher or Police Officer seeing
this post” can make a difference.
The small handful of silly incidents colleagues have been picking up have all too often started with
a group chat or comment on social media. These are difficult times but let’s all work together to
make sure that every child has the best start into the new term.You can also read
