Dear parents,

“Bicycles save the world.”

It was with this phrase that two of our students ended their dance routine last Friday at the ‘Dance and Gymnastics Showcase’. Their imaginative and innovative routine culminated with Bethany on her bike holding up signs advocating the use of the bicycle as a route to solving the issue of climate change. It was great to see our students looking for different ways that they can have an impact on the world around them, and to be a force for good. I was particularly pleased that this occurred in an event which ran from Year 4 in the Junior School through to Year 11 - what a good example of the values for which we stand given to our younger students.

On the same day, Year 8 took a trip to Parliament to see democracy in action. They witnessed both the climate change student marches, and demonstrations over Brexit. It is difficult to think of a more interesting time to visit the seat of government and I hope the students got a sense of the importance of the times we are living through. I hope they also felt that they are a part of these changes. For young people yet to be allowed to vote, it is often easy to see democracy as something that the adults do, that they are excluded from, but I would encourage all students at Stephen Perse to take an active interest in it.

I believe that is is crucially important for a school to open its students’ eyes to these matters and to engage in debate and discussion with them. Why? Schools that do so will produce young people who are informed, confident to make their own judgements, and who have the moral perspective to stand up for what they believe in. These actions may be small and individual, but they add up to be a very powerful voice.

Bicycles might not save the world, but they might be making Cambridge a little bit better.

Kind regards,

David Walker

Head of Senior School

Head of Sixth Form - Announcement

As you are aware Miss Naomi Atkins was appointed as Vice Principal 11-18 in September last year alongside her role as Head of Sixth Form. At the end of the academic year, Miss Atkins will be stepping down as Head of Sixth Form to focus on her role as Vice Principal 11-18. Miss Atkins will continue to lead the 11-18 Leadership Team and ensure we are delivering on our aim and values with both the Sixth Form Colleges and Senior School.

We are delighted to welcome Spencer Pinkus as our new Head of Sixth Form from September 2019. A Cambridge English graduate, Mr Pinkus initially practised as a Chancery barrister in London before joining the teaching profession in 2011. He is currently Head of Enhancement and Enrichment at The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, as well as a teacher of English and Drama. Mr Pinkus has also acted as a Sixth Form tutor and university applications adviser for several years.

Tricia Kelleher is looking forward to meeting with Mr Pinkus during the Easter holidays and learning more about him which will be captured in a new podcast.  

Mr Pinkus will be attending the next Sixth Form Colleges Open Evening on Thursday 2 May and looks forward to meeting as many of you as possible.

 You can register for the event here. 

Listen to the first episode of the SPF Podcast, a series of conversations between members of the Stephen Perse Foundation, staff and students alike.

After the successful Cambridge Model United Nations conference at the beginning of March, Principal Tricia Kelleher sat down with Secretary General and 6th Form student Justin. They discuss the conference and why it is important that young people collaborate internationally in the current political climate.

Listen to the SPF Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfdrKmqYA9c&feature=youtu.be

Read more Senior School news here.

Sports Round-up

This has been a particularly busy period of fixtures and tournaments with many Senior School students representing the school on the sports field.

The netball results are once again flooding through with very positive results. The Senior School A teams are continuing to be quite a force on the local scene, but perhaps more impressively it is the strength in depth that stands out the most. There are far too many results to mention here, but it looks like there will be some pleasant statistical reading at the end of the term.

On 7 March, our U14 girls took part in the Kelsall U15 netball tournament held at Brentwood School. Despite terrible winds and playing in a tournament against teams in the year above, the U14s took to the court with great determination. Playing a very strong Bancroft A team in the first match the girls managed to secure a much needed win. This set the tone for the rest of the tournament and winning the pool they went straight into the semi finals. The wind was strong and the stakes were high, and at times the ball had a mind of its own. Despite the most courageous effort the girls narrowly lost 5-4 to Brentwood A. Well done ladies for an outstanding performance.   

The hockey term has also quickened in pace as the Year 7’s and 8’s get involved with more Saturday fixtures. A tough weekend against Kimbolton has kicked the boys into action and the progress on the pitch has been plain to see. The U12’s then successfully beat Joyce Frankland Academy 3-0 on Saturday and the U13’s will attempt to match them this weekend.

Congratulations to Alex N and Oliver N who represented Cambridgeshire and Suffolk hockey teams respectively last weekend. Also, a very well done to Poppy C who has just been included in the Senior Ladies Cambridgeshire Cricket squad for this Summer.

For all the other fixture news and results remember to check the website www.stephenpersesport.com and follow us on twitter @SPFSport.

See the full Senior School calendar here.

Upcoming events

Rock School have their first external gig at The Portland Arms - a well established and popular venue for Cambridge’s live music scene - on 1 April 2019, kicking off at 7.30 till 9.00pm. This will finally enable you as parents to come and see the amazing progress our bands have made since the start of Rock School two years ago. We have approximately eight bands (around 40 students) who will all play at least one song on the evening and these musicians are working really hard each week to learn their songs and practise their performances. Hitherto, students have played in front of lunchtime crowds of peers in our senior school hall to a great response. They also successfully competed in the Battle of the Bands heats and (in some cases) final but have never had the chance till now to perform on a professional stage.

Please book your free ticket (4 per student in the first instance) here.

Don't miss the IB and A Level Visual Arts Spring Exhibition! Friday 29 March, 18.00-20.00 at the Visual Arts Centre

Second Person Narrative - Year 9 production

7.30pm Thursday 28 and Friday 29 March 2019

'Off you go then and best of luck. It's bound to be different this time though some of it might seem familiar. The big questions, we mean. The beginnings, middles, endings, et cetera. Still, not to worry, it's all a work-in-progress.'

You are born a girl. You grow up. You grow old. You die. But who is in control of your life story? Can you actually choose your destiny? And how do you forge your own identity along the way?

Jemma Kennedy's play is a fabulous piece of ensemble theatre written specifically for young people. It is part of a series of new writing called Platform from Tonic Theatre and Nick Hern Books  that aims to address the gender imbalance in theatre.

To purchase tickets, please use the links below:

Thursday 28 March

Friday 29 March

PFA Notices

Second-hand uniform sale

A team of dedicated volunteers, ably led by Bing Chai, ran a successful second-hand uniform sale at the Senior School on Friday 1 March.

We're very grateful to all parents who donated uniform or came by on the day - the cut-price offer made over £1,200 for the PFA to invest into activities and events, and we're always open to ideas on how best to spend it.

Next PFA meeting

If you'd like to make suggestions for PFA activities and events, or otherwise get involved in organisation and volunteering for these, please do come to the next PFA meeting at the Senior School at 8pm on Wednesday 1 May 2019.

We're trying out the 8pm start to get around bedtimes for kids, so I hope this helps..! We'll lay on some refreshments for anyone who comes, and will send out the invitation to all via ClassList.

Summer Fair 2019 - survey results

Finally, we recently ran a survey for the Summer Fair 2019 with some great feedback. The preferred date and venue for the fair is Friday 28 June 2019, from c.5.30-8.30pm at the Senior School (to be confirmed!).

This should allow us to make use of the outdoor stage that the PFA has committed funds to supporting - we might be able to arrange some musical performances from the students (maybe even from the odd parent too - hands up, please!).

Get involved!

If you'd like to add your 2p on any or all of the above, then please do get involved by contacting the PFA directly either via your year-rep / the PFA committee on ClassList or by email on: stephenperse.pfa@gmail.com