22nd July 2010

Dear Parents

4x4 Final

The final of this event took place yesterday at the Motor Heritage Centre in Gaydon and was a very close competition this year.  Unfortunately, we did not bring home a trophy but our teams should be highly praised for their commitment.  Each team had technical issues during the day which they competently and quickly resolved to the judges’ satisfaction.  They worked incredibly hard to reach this stage working after school and at lunchtimes. The two teams involved this year were:

Team ‘Ducktape’ – Ross Harrison, Alex Fisher, Dan Parker, Arjun Patel and Oli Rose.

Team ‘Wheel’ – Michael Sledge, Jake Childs and Joshua Iszatt.

Next year a year 11 team will also be entered.

I would like to thank Mr Langdon and Mr Rolph for their support and time they gave to the students to enable them to enter this event.  I would also like to thank the parents who made the journey yesterday to support the students involved. 

Summer Music & Art

The Art Exhibition relocated to the school site from the Corn Exchange this week.  The exhibition was extended to include GCSE pieces.  Two and three dimensional art was on display and the students should be congratulated on the high quality of the exhibits.  The summer concert was well attended by parents and friends and the audience were entertained by a wide variety of music played by individuals, groups and ensembles.  New additions to the programme were the vocalists with two boy soloists, and the Chamber Group performing for the first time in front of a large audience.  This is an area the music department is keen to develop further.  I would like to thank the large numbers of staff who supported these events, in particular Mr Wright, Mr Camm, Mrs Ecclestone and Mr Todd.

Sport

The year 7 cricket side played their District Final against Turnford at Broxbourne Cricket Club this week.  With Hale’s two captains, Alex Carter and Max Hoskin, winning the toss and choosing to bat, they started slowly and after 8 overs the run rate was lower than expected.  Alex Carter then joined Ben Davies at the crease and the two of them both hit 50s in quick fashion, putting Hale into a commanding position at the interval with 139 on the board.  In reply Turnford lost both their openers quickly thanks to great pressure from Brad Dawson and Max Hoskin.  In the field Hale were much superior and this led to two superb run outs in the innings, taken by wicketkeeper Michael Ives who was outstanding throughout.  Turnford were eventually bowled out for 60, meaning a victory margin of 79 runs.  This win capped off a fantastic season for the boys and one which is a great stepping stone for their entry in the County Cup next year.

The year 9 cricket team capped off a successful season on Wednesday afternoon by winning the District Cup, beating John Warner in a closely fought match.  Captain James Frost won the toss and decided to bowl first against a strong batting line up.  RHS bowled and fielded exceptionally well, taking six wickets, three of those coming from Dom Jay, and John Warner only managed to gain 102 after the 20 overs.  Unfortunately we were slow replying, losing some early wickets from accurate bowling.  However, Nathan Mead and Callum Armitage held their nerve, gaining 38 and 23 runs respectively which helped Richard Hale bring home the Cup for the second year running.  Mr Martin would like to take this opportunity to thank parents for their support and assistance with transport over the season.

In the Stephen Moore Challenge (Athletics) against Sele, Leventhorpe, Newport Free Grammar, Birchwood High, Sir Frederic Osborn, Turnford and Chauncy, Richard Hale won the U13 Division 2, U15 Division 2 and Over 15 Division 2 resulting in us becoming the Overall Division 2 Winners.  Individual champions were:

U13 – Stan Voss 200m, Dan Hill 800m, Jamie Dee 1500m, Reuben Omolu Discus, Max Ellis Javilin, James Lonngren-Sampaio Triple Jump, Jamie Dee Long Jump, Craig Devine High Jump and Kieran Parkhouse, Max Hoskin, Stan Voss and Jack Green in the Relay.

U15 – Alex Aves 100m and Long Jump and Relay, Callum Armitage Relay, Liam Dee 800m (new championship record), Liam Cloona 1500m, Alex Allen High Jump and Liam Dee Triple Jump.

Over 15 – Craig Lewis 200m, Tom Carter 400m Hurdles, Redmond Boulton Javelin, Martin Boyd 800m and Bill Thorne Discus.

DofE

With the qualifying expedition for the year 13 Gold participants last week the very busy term of expeditions is now over.  The Gold expedition is a real challenge both physically and mentally and it depends heavily on the weather.  The hot dry conditions in this area were absent in Wales where it was very wet.  Sadly this meant that a few people were unable to complete their venture although everybody tried extremely hard.  In another year it could have been so much easier if they had had good weather.  Mr Clarke, DofE Co-ordinator, says his abiding memory is of a great bunch of young people who, he has no doubt, will soon be able to add Gold Award to their CV.    Next year the number of pupils taking DofE awards will increase to 250, one of the biggest in Hertfordshire.  I would like to thank Mr Clarke, Mr Clayden and Mrs Cove for organising last week’s expedition.

Examination Results

Examination Results will be ready for collection by students as follows:

Thursday 19th August              A2 9am – 10am, AS 10am – 11am

Tuesday 24th August   GCSE 9am – 10am

If any student needs to speak to a member of staff about their results they should speak to Mrs Sanders, Sixth Form Administrator, who will arrange a time on the results day or on Monday 6th September after midday.

Pupil News

Congratulations to the following students:

Ben Purcell, year 8, who competed in the 800m at the ASA East Region Open Water Championship recently gaining a Silver medal in the overall 13/14 age group and winning the Hertfordshire Junior Championship.

Oliver Plumley, year 9, who has been selected to compete at the British Cycling’s Inter-Regional Track Cycling Championships in September.  The event will be in Wales where 13 regional teams of 7 young athletes (16 and under) will come together to compete in an exciting programme of events that mirrors a Senior World Championships.

Natasha Page, year 12, who has been attending the Eton Choral Course for the past week and will be singing live with the Eton Choral Course Choir, and singing a solo,  on Wednesday 21st July in the Radio 3 Choral Evensong at 4.00pm. 

Hertfordshire U13s became runners up in the Hertfordshire Colts County Cricket competition, beating Letchworh in the quarter final, Chorleywood in the semi-final losing to Hemel Hempstead in the final on the 18th July.  Richard Hale students involved from year 8 were Ashan Abeywickrema, Nye Greenfield, Euan Ridley, Conor Kilgallon, Jamie Aumayer, Henry Davies and Nick Page.  From year 7 Alex Carter and Bob Davies.

George Collins and Benjamin McCulluck, both year 7, who took part in the Ware Raft race as part of a four man team from their scout troup 2nd Ware St Marys.  Not only did they beat all the other scout teams involved but they also beat a number of other teams including the team from Hertford Police Station.  They had a timed raft build prior to the main event, entered the water and after a slightly wobbly start got into fantastic pace.  They rowed from the Ware Library car park up the river to the Saracens Head bridge where they turned and stormed against the oncoming current to a breathtaking finish.  The also broke the standing record by five minutes finishing in 12 minutes.  The team were presented with a trophy by the Mayor.

Former pupil, Stephen French, will be featured on Alan Titchmarsh’s programme on ITV on Sunday playing a trumpet on horseback.  He is now lead trumpeter in the Household Cavalry.  His brother, Robert, was awarded his PhD in Nano Technology and will be doing post doctorate studies in the Netherlands.

Keeping Safe This Summer

Hertfordshire County Council in association with the Hertfordshire Constabulary have sent the following advice for young people this summer.  Please pass on the advice to your children.

“Hertfordshire is one of the safest counties in the country!  Please help us keep it that way by taking some easy steps to keep you and your belongings safe and stay out of trouble!.

• Know where your phone, IPod and cash card are and keep them out of sight in public places.
• Remember that it is illegal to carry a knife or other weapon.
• When online look out for the red panic button if you feel threatened by someone.
• When out and about try to walk with friends, stick to well lit areas and avoid short cuts, alleyways and quiet car parks.
• Always tell someone where you are going and when they can expect you home.
• If someone asks you to steal something or sell drugs for them, say no and tell someone that you trust.
• Bullying, making threats, litter and noise are all anti-social behaviour and could result in police taking action – don’t get involved, stay out of trouble.
• If you are under 18 but feel pressured to drink alcohol you can get advice, information and support from www.channelmogo.org.

For more information for young people please visit:

www.herts.police.uk/youngpoeple/index.php

Finally, I would like to thank the parents for their support of all the activities mentioned in my letters.  The school can only offer an extensive extra curricular programme if it has the support of both parents and staff.  Our students are indeed very fortunate.  I would like to wish you all a very peaceful and relaxing summer.

Stephen M Neate

Headmaster

Forthcoming Events

Forthcoming Weeks