Interacting with Science at @Bristol

At the end of September the year 7s and 8s set off for their annual trip to the interactive science museum, @Bristol.


The two hour coach trip was justified by the fantastic experience of the huge range of activities on offer. Pupils ran on the hamster wheel to power a complex system of water ways, froze their own shadows, made stop frame animations and ran their own TV studio.


The shows on offer were equally impressive, with exploding hydrogen balloons and fizzy pop-rockets made from old film canisters. We relaxed for a while looking up at the autumn night sky in the planetarium and listening to ancient Greek tales. All agreed it was a great day of learning and fun and the year 7s are looking forward to their next trip.

– Words and photos by Natalie Vlachakis (Science teacher)

Close call netball

Here's a report from our recent, hard-fought Under 13 Netball match against the Cherwell School.

In the first quarter, Cherwell got the first point – but Leckford Place quickly came back to equalise, with Christina Zamura (GS) scoring, set up by Genevieve Reeves. This set the tone for an extremely well-matched game.

Quick plays from Martha Carrdus (WA) and Cassie Senn (C) through the center third meant that we were in Cherwell's third for most of the first quarter. In the second quarter, we took the lead thanks to a goal from Jessie Weeks (GA) – but Cherwell was determined to equalise, and had some quick plays up the court resulting in 2 more points.

Our third quarter was our best, with two more points set up by Jessie for Christina to score. Emily Rudaz (WA) made some great movements on the court (her opposition could not keep up!); meanwhile, Sophia Saban and Sulma Ali (WD) put up an excellent defence.

Early on in the fourth quarter, Cherwell had scored two points; we had taken one more. Our defence held up brilliantly as both Helene Asbjornsen and Morgan Lee battled to keep the ball out of the D. Thanks to their efforts, the score ended on 5-4 to Cherwell.

Player of the match went to Morgan Lee for her outstanding defending.

Comment from Sophia Saban:
'Although we didn't win, I really enjoyed it. It was my first netball match and it was great to put the skills we learn in PE into practice. I also really enjoyed the competition.'

Team: Jessie Weeks (Capt), Genevieve Reeves, Sophia Saban, Emily Rudaz, Cassie Senn, Helene Asbjornsen, Martha Carrdus, Morgan Lee, Cristina Zamura, Sulma Ali

– Words by Jo Kalies (Sport & Activities Coordinator)

GCSE Results - 41% A/A* grades

2010 has been another super year for d’Overbroeck’s at Leckford Place.

We are proud that every one of our students gained at least 5 GCSE’s at A* to C – such an important benchmark for success. Over 40% of grades were at A*/A and almost 70% at A* to B.

Results Day was a wonderful occasion with many students celebrating success. Three students gained nine A*/A grades and another three clocked up eight each.

This year for the first time Year 10 joined us on Results Day to collect their results for History and Geography Modules. It looks as if 2011 could be a bumper year for top grades based on these early indications. An outstanding 75% of grades in History were A*/A, for example.


Other results highlights

There were outstanding subject results too. 60% of Art grades were at A*/A with no-one gaining less than a B. 100% of English Literature grades were A* to C, a huge achievement. And an amazing 77% of French grades were at A*/A.

Many congratulations to all our Year 11 (and Year 10) students on their achievement.

Swept away by a Tempest

This term’s imaginative and daring reimagination of The Tempest saw Shakespeare’s last, great play relocated to a technological scrapheap in the Pacific.


The Tempest is, famously, a play that sits uncomfortably within its ‘comedy’ genre: falsehood, betrayal, absolute power and impending death are woven into its fabric. Fittingly, the d’Overbroeck’s production (directed by Drama teacher Joe Swarbrick) accentuated the text’s unsettling ambivalence.


There were moments of huge dramatic impact – as harpies writhed and shrieked, and ships were torn apart in raging seas – but also times of quiet introspection.

Lydia Hassan dominated the play with an extraordinarily nuanced rendition of Prospera, veering from rage to exhultation to troubled introspection. The resulting performance was powerfully compelling – all the more remarkable when you consider the fact that this is a role typically wrestled with by professional actors as they near the end of their career.


Tal Fineman and Will Cronk’s treacherous plotting was suitably distasteful, Felicity Hughes’ Miranda and Joe Wolfensohn’s Ferdinand enacted a haltingly tender courtship, and a troupe of shimmering Ariels were in turn impish and cacophanous.


Meanwhile, the drunken ramblings of Stephano (Sam Rigal) and Trinculo (Daisy Jordan) were hilarious – offset by the disturbing presence of Sixth Former Emma Gonnella’s brilliantly played Caliban.


View a slideshow of photos from the performance:

– Words by Tom Parnell

Diverse musical talents on display at the Summer Soiree

Tuesday 29 June saw friends and family flocking to the school hall for the annual Leckford Place Summer Soiree. In what is now the Soiree’s fourth year, the audience was treated to an incredibly diverse range of items. From beginners to experienced performers, the night was an excellent chance for students to showcase their musical talents and gain valuable performing experience.

Solo items – ranging from piano, violin, recorder and drum items to vocal performances – were presented by Charlie Baskerville, Edith-Rose Scott, Hamza Khan, Lucy Arque, Gabriel O’Toole, Tal Fineman, Tim Howard, Sam Rigal, Meelie Smith, Joseph Kenyon-Gewirtz, James Lambert, Felix Clarke, Cole Thornicroft, Eve Martin, Felicity Hughes, and Clifford Carr.


Jazz Club (above) strutted their stuff with renditions of Van Morrison’s ‘Moondance’ and ‘My Funny Valentine’ by Rogers & Hart, and Vocal Group showed off their talents, following up a performance of a Latin hymn with ‘Rhythm of Life’ from the musical Sweet Charity, by Cy Coleman. The strength of Leckford young composers was also on show, with original pieces performed by Caleb Pakeman, Will Finnerty and Lydia Hassan. GCSE Music students’ composition coursework also provided incidental music before the concert.

A Year 10 band including Will Gildea, Will Finnerty and Olivia Frazer-Smith performed pieces by Muse and AC/DC, whilst the concert concluded with strains of Motorhead from Tal Fineman, Harry Bridge and Will Goodfellow.

Well done to all performers! We look forward to seeing you at the Winter Concert in December.

Watch a slideshow of more photos

— Words by Melanie Ward

Sports Day 2010 - in words and photos

25 June 2010 saw the annual Leckford Place Athletics Sports Day, held at Tilsley Park in Abingdon.


It was a glorious day for a fun-packed festival of sporting talent – appreciated by a sizeable crowd of spectators. The morning focused on field events, with competitors taking part in the javelin, shot putt, discus, high and long jump. There were many outstanding performances; special mentions must go to Sam Gillingham with a throw of 37.5m in the Year 8 Javelin, and Ben Elwell throwing 11.21m in the discus.


The track events took place in the afternoon and saw some very competitive races at each distance.


Outstanding students of the day were Tess O’Shea receiving 4 gold medals, Cassandra Pearce receiving 5 gold medals, and Sam Gillingham receiving 5 gold medals. The victorious House, meanwhile, was Windrush.

Congratulations to all who took part in the competition, and thanks to all staff who helped officiate and to parents for coming to spectate.

View a slideshow of more photographs from Sports Day

— Words by Martin Procter; photos by Oliver Stone and Tom Parnell

Year 9 sent down the mine ...

Have you ever wondered what an explosion feels like in the pitch dark, below ground in a coal mine? Our year 9 can now tell you having visited the Black Country Museum last Thursday. We were kitted out with helmets and lamps, and headed off into the mine, watching our heads on the very low beams. Our guide explained to us the true horrors of working down there from the age of about 6 or 7 for many hours a day.

Glad to return to the sunshine and daylight we then 'went to school'. Perhaps the mines would have been preferable to life in the school room, chanting tables, writing on squeaky slates and trying to avoid the wrath of our cane waving teacher. Mark's group were late arriving at their lesson so their leader deservedly got the cane.



Margaret shouldn't have laughed so much, though, as she was then caned for wearing nail varnish; Flo, Sophie and Lucy were also summoned to the front of the class for this vanity and referred to as 'Jezebels' and 'circus girls'. Flo's scream when caned could have won her an Oscar!

Thoroughly chastened, we were keen to leave the class when Robbie rang the bell, and hurried off for a lunch of first rate fish and chips – 'succulent', as Felicity called it. The traditional sweet shop provided more to eat in the form of gob stoppers and boiled sweets with wonderful flavours like 'rhubarb and custard'.

Then it was into more mines but this time by canal boat. Despite drips of water falling on our heads, many reckoned this was the highlight of the trip; “it was fun and interesting” (Peter), “it was relaxing and they explained how the rocks were formed” (Laura).

Our final activity was a trip to the Victorian fairground. For Jacob, this was the best bit of the day, especially the carousel. As it gathered speed, Leckford students could be seen hanging on for dear life as they whirled round and round and up and down. If that was a little too energetic for some the swing boats and helter skelter offered more sedate options. A number of students also left the rifle range clutching prizes!



All in all, it was a great day out and a wonderful, interactive way to learn about work and life around Dudley at the turn of the last century.

Writeup by Margaret Horton