30 January 2015

From the Head Teacher
Dear Parents/Carers
Another really impressive mid-year Art Exhibition was displayed yesterday evening in the Sixth
Form Centre. The quality and superb talent of our Art and Photography students never fails to
impress and is a wonderful show case for their final assessments in the summer term.
Congratulations to all who exhibited their work and my thanks go to Miss Bowman and the Art team
who set up the exhibition.
Assemblies last week to all students focused on the development of a Growth
Mindset, taken from research by Professor Carol Dweck. Students are
encouraged to exercise the brain and work undertaken in PSHCE lessons also
supports this work with the development of Resilience, particularly focused
in Year 7 on the Penn Resilience Programme. In addition, Mrs George has
provided guidance to all teaching colleagues on the development of Building
Learning Power, which will be a focus in all lessons next week.
I draw your attention to the Erasmus Plus Conference which we are holding on Wednesday 11
February, with the focus on Sustainability. Further details are in this edition of Stagslink via Mrs
Buckley.
Next week the Post 16 Team will be explaining the practicalities of the application process for our
Sixth Form. This will be during the Year 11 assembly, scheduled for Thursday 5 February. During
this assembly, the team will advise students of our Post 16 application procedures and remind
students of the curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that we have on offer at Post 16. The
application form should be completed by Monday 23 February, to enable sufficient time for fulsome
discussion.
Year 11 BIG INTERVIEW DAY – Year 11 students have been busy preparing for their Mock
Interviews which will be taking place on Friday 6 February 2015. The day is supported by IBM as
well as other local businesses. The purpose of the day is to provide all students in Year 11 with the
opportunity to practice the skills needed for an interview. Each student is required to bring their CV
that they have been preparing in PSHCE lessons with them on the day. Students are allowed to wear
their own clothing on the day, as required in the sixth form, which is business dress as they would at
a real interview. You can support your daughter in preparing for her mock interview by sharing
your own experiences of interviews to help raise awareness of what they can expect on the day.
If you would be able to assist with the day by taking on the role of an interviewer please contact Mrs
Nawathe.
Many thanks to Mrs Wheatley who arranged for boy band ‘In Hindsight’ to perform for Years 7 and
8 students earlier this week with the message of eSafety and cyberbullying. This was a superb
reinforcement of the messages that we are continuously reminding our students about in relation to
eSafety, a topic that is also being covered in PSHCE. Tuesday 10 February is Internet Safety Day to
draw further attention to this issue and if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We are currently arranging for an eSafety Parents’ Information Evening later in the year, details of
which are to follow.
Next week we have a number of events where I do hope that you will be able to join us – the annual
PTA AGM is held on Tuesday 3 February at 7.15pm in the Library. We also welcome Zigi Shipper
to STAGS on Tuesday who travels around the country and farther afield as an Auschwitz survivor
recalling his experiences, made even more poignant with events marking the 70th anniversary of the
liberation of the concentration camps.
A reminder please to contact the school if your daughter/son contracts any infectious illness such as
chicken pox. We have a number of students with low immunity and so we alert them to ensure that
they are also safe and cautious in this event. Please follow the guidelines given by medical
practitioners for the period of incubation appropriate to the infection and therefore remain away
from school during this time.
Finally, a reminder also please to check Schoolcomms – we utilise this method to contact parents but
there were a number of examples last week when staff provided updates on trips and visits but
students had not been aware of the updated communications.
Your support in this matter is very much appreciated.
Margaret Chapman
30 January 2015
EVENTS NEXT WEEK
Tuesday 3 February
An Evening with Zigi Shipper,
Holocaust survivor, Main Hall
- 7.00pm
PTA AGM, Library - 7.15pm
Wednesday 4 February
Year 11 Hitler on Trial,
Radlett Centre - 9.00am to
1.00pm
Thursday 5 February
Year 13 mock results day
Year 13 reports issued
Year 13 Parents’ Evening 4.30pm to 7.00pm
Year 9-11 intermediate Maths
challenge
Friday 6 February
Year 11 IBM Big Interview
Day, Main Hall
Year 12 mock results day
UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday 9 February
Year 11 MFL written
assessment week
Wednesday 11 February
Year 10 Core Science catch-up
ISA - periods 1 to 4
Year 11 GCSE PE practicals
Erasmus Conference, Main
Hall - 4.30pm to 6.00pm
Thursday 12 February
Year 11 reports issued
Year 11 mock results day
Please park in the
tennis courts through
the blue gates for all
evening events
London Bus Strike Days
We have been advised that the Unite union have called further 24-hour bus strikes in London for three dates: 5, 13 and 16 February.
At this stage Metroline have to assume that the strikes will go ahead. Again, they will probably not know until the day of the strike
exactly how many drivers will report for duty – it could be more than last time but it could potentially be less.
Metroline have assured us that they will again aim to prioritise those buses which are shown in their timetables as being extended or
diverted to serve schools.
If we get any further helpful information, we will pass it on to you. Metroline have updated their website (www.metroline.co.uk/
routes/london-bus-strike.html ) with the current position, together with their Twitter account @MetrolineH. They will use these
media to try to keep the public up-to-date regarding developments as they know them, particularly on the day.
While we realise that parents will be anxious to know the situation so that they can plan accordingly, we should emphasise that it is
difficult for Metroline to give accurate, detailed information in advance of the morning itself if the strikes go ahead.
As previously, we recommend that parents have contingency plans in place in case Metroline are not able to operate any of these
journeys.
Metroline have apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused due to these circumstances which are not within their control.
Mr P Lerwill, Business Manager
Netball News
‘We scored so many goals we lost count!’ - Year 7 win League match against Townsend
On Thursday 22 January a squad of ten excited players took to the court to continue their league campaign. They started strong with
Florrie Green r estr icting movement in our defensive cir cle and Catherine Buck using the edge of the cir cle to suppor t the
shooters’ movement, thus resulting in a 5-0 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter saw 6 players move position to challenge
themselves and all continued to show their talent finishing the first half of the game with the score at 7-1.
Going into the second half of the game STAGS brought on three new players
into the mix with Maddy Stanley and Georgina Bentley maintaining a tight
defensive unit. Myla Comiskey made her debut in the shooting circle and
demonstrated a calm, confident performance to push the lead forwards to 10-1.
Further positional changes saw Lottie Peterkin feeding the circle well, giving
Hannah Rider the oppor tunity to comfor tably position her self near the
post and finish play with accurate shooting. Townsend voted Hannah player of
the match and STAGS won 14-1. Year 7 student Lottie Peterkin said “Our team
co-operated brilliantly together during the match and were eager to work
together to win. Our goal was accomplished by playing hard and intercepting
passes to ensure our shooters got the maximum opportunity to score. In fact we
scored so many goals that we eventually lost count!”
Year 8 win impressive League match against Loreto
Fantastic performances of skill and ability were delivered on Tuesday afternoon 26 January as STAGS girls acknowledged the
importance of the game and courageously stepped up to the plate. With 2 quarters drawn, the final scoreline did not reflect the intensity
of the game. Loreto presented as a feisty, ball-hungry team who were physically present on the court. STAGS players adapted well
after some quarter time discussions and the third quarter saw changes with STAGS taking the lead 7-1. This impressive lead gave
STAGS the edge and boosted their confidence in what was a very physically demanding match. A special mention must be given to
Hannah Martin and Elyse Baker for their calm and collective play thr oughout their time on cour t. Ellie Slaughter was voted
player of the match and the final score was an impressive 8-2, which is a comfortable 7th win of the season for the Year 8 squad.
Year 7 netball squad enjoy fast paced friendly with Loreto girls
On the afternoon of Tuesday 26 January, a Year 7 netball squad with many new players took on a determined Loreto side. All 9 players
demonstrated their ability to adapt and continue to play to their best despite having the lead throughout the game. PE Teacher Miss
Rose was proud of everyone who played in this game and would like to give a special mention to Pia Ortone for consistent tight
defending, Hannah Niven for her support of the attacking play and Anna Lofts for her excellent direct circle movement. Finally Grace
Moule was voted player of the match and STAGS went on to take the game 7- 0.
Excellent team work! Well done girls!
For up to the minute details, follow us on twitter@STAGSPE #weareSTAGS
Miss C Rose, PE Teacher
Year 11 Parents’ Evening
Upcoming Payment Deadlines
Thursday 12 February 2015: 4.30pm - 7.00pm
Please encourage your daughter to make appointments for you to speak
to her subject teachers.
Year 8
Normandy trip: June 2015
Many thanks.
2nd instalment of £200 is due on Monday 2 February
2015
Mrs S Parrett
KS4 Student Support Officer
Mrs C Hanna
Finance Assistant
The German Work Experience Exchange
Two weeks ago five STAGS Year 13 students welcomed their German exchange partners to the UK to participate in the German
Work Experience Exchange . This fantastic arrangement is set up in association with the Mataré Gymnasium in Düsseldorf and
has been running since 2009. Year 13 student Amy Nicholas gives us her account of this valuable experience:
“On the morning of Tuesday 20 January I and four other STAGS students involved in this year’s German exchange had to say
goodbye to our exchange partners. We had already spent a week with our partners in Düsseldorf in May last year, and now it
was our turn to play host to our exchange students for 10 days in the UK. A key part of the exchange was that the students had to
participate in a week long work experience in an English company or organisation. Every exchange student was able both to
develop their English and enhance their future employability (many of the exchange students are interested in working
internationally with English in the future). I think what’s so great about exchanges like the one we run at STAGS is that you
begin to understand the enormity of the world you live in; by forming friendships with people who speak a different language, it
becomes apparent that the English language is far from all there is! Without really realising, you improve your confidence in
speaking German, and I certainly surprised myself (and indeed my non-German speaking friends, watching bewildered) each
time I found myself having a semi-casual and fluent conversation in German!
I think it would be fair to say that the exchange partners were shown a pretty good time during their week in England. The
individual host families arranged outings to the theatre, Harry Potter studios and sight-seeing trips into London. There was
rarely an evening with nothing on. I introduced my exchange to my favourite British TV show (Miranda) whilst my exchange
Gina introduced me to some of her favourite German-speaking music artists. Inconsequential as it might seem, it’s this kind of
involvement and interest in another culture that inspires my interest in languages. As part of my degree next year I will spend a
year in Germany and after this fantastic week I honestly cannot wait. I think more than one of the participants have made friends
for life and will be keeping in contact long after the end of their school or German-learning careers. It was such an excellent
opportunity and I would recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in learning a language.”
Many sincere thanks to the partner families for accommodating and entertaining their guests and to Frau Buckley for putting
together such a memorable exchange.
Amy Nicholas, Year 13
Severe Weather Procedures
This is a reminder about the school closure procedures in the
event of extreme weather.
In the event of such weather a decision about whether the school will be open or not will be made by 6.15am to ensure the health
and safety of all students and staff.
If the decision is to close the school for the day the following arrangements are put in place:
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


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A prominent message is put on the school’s website
A message is put on the school answer phone
An email and a text are sent to all parents who have supplied their contact details to the school
Three Counties Radio (92.1FM) and Heart (96.6FM) and Radio Verulam (92.6FM) are informed and announced the
closure at regular intervals
A senior member of staff comes to the school to inform any students or parents who arrive at the school
The Head Teacher follows Hertfordshire’s school closure notification system so that updated information regarding
school closures throughout Hertfordshire is available at www.hertsdirect.org
Please note that, even if the rest of the school is closed, public examinations WILL take place for those candidates who are able
to get to the school.
Mr P Lerwill
Business Manager
Team Envy part of Young Enterprise Company Programme are hosting a
Ladies Pamper Evening
On Thursday 12 March 2015
17:30 - 21:30
At St Albans Girls’ School
We are offering the chance for beauty therapists to book a treatment area
to offer our guests treatments (lasting 15 or 30 minutes) such as:
Henna
Pedicures
Threading
Hopi Candles
Manicures
Reiki
Massage (e.g. Indian head, foot/leg, and back)
We are also offering the chance for you to book a craft or jewellery stall
The cost of holding a stall or treatment area is £20
For more information or to book a stall or treatment area
please email [email protected] by Friday 6 February.
Careers Clips
Making STAGS Greener
Last Thursday we held the first meeting of the Eco Team representative led by the Year 12 Green Leaders.
They are focusing on three main areas this school year to make STAGS a more environmentally sustainable school.
On the second Thursday of each month we will be having a ‘Switch Off Day’. During the day students and staff are requested
to switch off or reduce their use of energy. For example at the end of the lesson switching off the computer monitors and
projectors in classrooms.
Every Monday the Eco Team will be reminding their form groups to collect up all the recyclable paper around the school.
Every classroom has a paper recycling box and for every bag of paper collected up by the Eco Team their houses will be
awarded 5 House Points.
Finally we will be working with Bag2School to provide the facility to recycle clothing to all members of the school
community. This service will also help to raise funds to make the work of the Eco Team sustainable. See below for more
information on the first Bag 2 School collection in February.
The Year 12 Green Leaders are pleased to announce that the school has organised a textile collection
with Bag2School in order to raise funds to improve the recycling facilities in the school.
Bag2School are the UK’s leading textile recycler and fundraiser working with schools and since its
inception in 2001 they have now paid out over £20 million.
As well as raising vitally needed funds for our school’s environmental work, it also helps the environment by helping to divert
unwanted textiles away from landfill. A recent DEFRA report has shown that textile collection schemes are helping to reduce
the volume of textiles discarded as municipal solid waste. However it is a fact that as a nation we still send 1,081,000 tonnes of
textiles to landfill every year.
By getting involved in our Bag2School collection, you have an opportunity to sort through your cupboards and wardrobes and
donate unwanted textiles in the bag provided – this can include adults’ and children’s clothes, shoes (tied together please),
hats, belts, handbags and soft toys. Please note bedding, curtains, and household linen cannot be accepted (refer to
www.bag2school.com for details). It will also raise awareness amongst the children of the benefits of recycling and reuse.
Bag2School will be collecting fr om our school on Friday 27 February 2015. Please br ing your bag (or bags!) to Main
Reception and help us have a really good collection.
Year 10 Rotary Interact Club
Year 10s have the opportunity to set up the first STAGS Rotary Interact Club.
Rotary is a worldwide network of inspired men and women who translate their passions into
relevant social causes, to change lives in communities.
Made up of over 1.2 million Rotary members - known as Rotarians - in 34,000 Rotary clubs in
200 countries and geographical areas around the world, Rotary International forms a global
network of business, professional and community leaders who volunteer their time and talents to
serve communities locally and around the world - and form strong, lasting friendships in the
process.
At STAGS the Rotary Interact Group will be working towards two projects, one local and one international. Their local
fundraising project will be in support of the local women’s refuge. For their international project they will be working to
purchase a Shelter Box which is sent out to areas who experience natural disasters as an initial level of aid.
Any Year 10 students interested in participating in the Rotary Interact Club or who would like more information should speak
to me.
Miss E McHugh
Assistant Headteacher
The First Holocaust Educational Week At STAGS
This week, marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration
camp Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945, and to commemorate, STAGS is in the midst
of its first ever Holocaust Education Week. Holocaust Memorial Day is an
international event, falling each year on the 27th January. It is a time to remember
those who died and suffered during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides in
Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. During this week each year group carried
out different activities to mark the occasion, all within this year's theme of 'Keep
the Memory Alive'. On 20 January Year 9 students visited St Albans Masorti
synagogue to meet Kitty Hart, a Holocaust survivor who survived 18 months in the
infamous Auschwitz-Birkenau. They also heard from Kitty’s grandson Daniel,
about his experiences growing up as a descendant of a Holocaust survivor, and how
he plans to keep Kitty's memory alive. STAGS became Guardian of Memory to a
young girl named Eszter Husz, who was just thirteen when murdered by the Nazis.
The girls lit a candle in honour of her memory and to mark this solemn day.
Finally a Memory Makers Art competition was set up across the school and
invited entries from Years 7-10. The competition used stories from the
Holocaust to inspire the students to produce thought provoking visual images.
The standard of the entries was amazing and after much deliberation Year 10
student Macy Usher was chosen as the winner and Year 7 students Poppy
Manders and Jone Esterhuysen were both runners up.
Miss Austin
RS Curriculum Leader
Macy Usher, 10H
Miss Austin gives her account of her visit to Auschwitz-Birkenauin, Polland
In October 2004, Miss Austin spent a week in Krakow, Poland to try and understand the terrible events of the Holocaust for
herself. She gives us a full account of her visit in her own words:
“I had been studying the Holocaust of 1939- 1945 for ten years, and had never before had the opportunity to visit AuschwitzBirkenau, the place where the Nazis murdered over 1 million men, women and children simply for being Jewish. I didn’t know
what to expect, but was comforted by the fact that I was visiting with my old Head Teacher, Dame Helen Hyde, a Holocaust
expert. We spent a few days in the city of Krakow, learning the history of Judaism in this beautiful city. We visited the Jewish
ghetto area, and even went to the factory of Oskar Schindler, the German business man who saved the lives of 1200 Jews. The
factory is now a museum, and it was really special being able to visit a place that is an incredible example of how humans can
look after each other.
Our final day in Poland was our trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Nothing could have truly prepared me for what I was about to
experience. We arrived very early in the morning, and began our tour of Auschwitz I, the main camp with the famous ‘Arbeit
macht frei’ sign. This camp was mainly for housing prisoners of war in old army barracks, and is now a museum to the victims.
Personal objects are on display throughout; rooms full of shoes, spectacles, pots and pans, luggage, even human hair. It was
difficult to take in what I was seeing.
We then made the short journey to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the second camp where most of the Jewish prisoners were kept, and the
gas chambers were in operation. I was astounded at how vast the site of the camp is. It was difficult to imagine the thousands of
people who once lived there, in the worst conditions known to man. The memorial there is a simple one, but very moving, and it
was here that I could truly reflect on what I was witnessing.
It is still taking me time to fully process and come to terms with my visit to Auschwitz, but what it has made me realise is the
importance of Holocaust Education, and how it is vital in helping to create a better, safer future for all. Reading, writing and
arithmetic are important, but only if they serve to make us more human.”
Mrs D Johnson-Smith
PR & Marketing Co-Ordinator
Year 12 Meet St Albans MP Anne Main At The Houses Of Parliament
On Tuesday 27 January Government and Politics students from Year 12 were very privileged to visit the Houses of
Parliament and the Supreme Court as part of their studies. Deputy Head Girl Rhianna Kerr gives us her account of
the day:
“The day started with a tour of the House of Lords and we were able to see where the Queen gets ready before the
opening of Parliament. In addition we got to see the statue of Queen Victoria and the old Commons hall where a
Suffragette had chained herself to a statue! Whilst we were there we were fortunate to spot the ex Home Secretary
John Reid (now Lord Reid) and the speaker Rt Honourable John Bercow getting ready to hold a session.
Government and Politics teacher Mrs
Tolley kindly arranged for us to have a
question and answer session with Anne
Main, MP for St Albans. She began by
giving us an outline of her role as an MP,
admitted to having rebelled from her party
over 30 times and spoke about how she got
into politics. We then were able to ask her
questions, which included: ‘What are your
views on Europe?’ and ‘Do you think the
next general election will end in another
coalition?’
The day was rounded off by a tour of the Supreme Court, which was across the square. We were able to go in and
see a case about insurance and then we looked around the exhibition outlining its history. However, I think the
highlight was seeing Hugh Grant in the café! Everyone was a little starstruck!”
Many sincere thanks goes to Mrs Tolley for organising such a very special memorable day. All Year 12 students
clearly learnt a lot and had a fantastic time!
Rhianna Kerr
Deputy Head Girl
Glaxo Smith Kline Inspire New Generation Of Scientists
On Wednesday 21 January, STAGS was delighted to welcome Sylvia Court
from Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK). Sylvia is involved in graduate recruitment,
and is a great role model for our students, having worked in industry as a
Scientist for a number of years. She is a STEM ambassador (Science,
Technology, Engineering and Maths) and supports and enthuses many of our
students in Science of all ages.
Sylvia came to run a DNA workshop for Year 10. She started by talking to the
year group, explaining what DNA was (deoxyribonucleic acid), how it was
discovered and how Scientists had encoded the human genome. She also
explained how scientific research is furthering medical advances, using DNA,
including genetic engineering, stem cell research and in the manufacture of
pharmaceuticals. The girls found out some amazing facts about DNA. For
instance we share 40% - 50% of our DNA with cabbages and 98% with
Chimpanzees!
After a very inspiring presentation in the Main Hall, nearly 200 girls were invited
to the Science labs to conduct an experiment that enabled them to extract their
own DNA from cheek cells! The students were very excited to spot wispy white
strands of their DNA in their falcon tubes. They also enjoyed making up an
origami model of DNA and discussing some of the ethical questions; for example
– should everyone’s DNA be held on a database? The nature of their discussions
showed that they had clearly understood the theory and had the ability to apply it
to their own personal lives.
On behalf of the Science Department we would like to thank Sylvia for coming to
STAGS and giving the girls such a wonderful insight into the world of DNA. We
look forward to welcoming her back again next year. Thank you also to our
amazing teachers and technicians for their help and support on the day.
Mrs S Reason
Chemistry Curriculum Leader
STAGS Wins Under 12 District Futsal Once Again!
STAGS kept up their impressive record in District futsal and football competitions on Thursday 22 January winning the Under
12's and coming runners up in the District Futsal competition at Samuel Ryder Academy. Futsal is an indoor 5 aside football
game that requires improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in a small space.
The Under 12's won in a very tight competition with the
top 3 teams all level on points at the end with STAGS
winning because of goal difference after a great 2-0 win
against Samuel Ryder. The Under 14's started with a great
5-0 win against Samuel Ryder but narrowly lost 2-1 in a
tense game against Sandringham which meant they
finished runners up. This is the second year that teams
from both age groups have either won or finished runners
up in this competition which means both teams qualify for
the County Futsal Championships in March with the
Under 14's following in the footsteps of last years team
who finished runners up in the county competition overall.
Well done to all girls involved!
Miss L Cripps
PE Curriculum Leaders
Year 8 Students Strike The Pose For Spanish Catwalk Show
On Monday 19 January 2015, Year 8 students participated in a
lively catwalk show to help them improve their Spanish! In
preparation for the lesson, students from Mrs Antona’s class
were asked to bring in their favourite outfit and to write a
description of what they were wearing in Spanish.
At the beginning of the lesson the girls were given clear instructions on how to walk down a run way with poise and style by Mrs
Johnson-Smith, Mrs Johnson-Smith. After their briefing they simply could not wait to strike the pose, and move to the rhythm
of the music! The focused students came down the catwalk and when they got to the end each individual student described their
outfit to the rest of the class. A plethora of colourful onesie and sports inspired outfits flowed down the runway to the delight of
a cheering audience. Year 8 students Hannah Coote and Lily Brown both agreed it was a fun lesson and they definitely preferred
this way of learning to being in the classroom!
Spanish teacher Mrs Antona said “This experience enabled the students to apply their recently acquired knowledge in context
and develop their confidence in speaking Spanish to an audience.”
Many thanks to Mrs Antona for arranging such an inspiring lesson, Mr Taylor, Assistant Site Manager for setting up the runway
and to Mrs Johnson-Smith, Mrs Johnson-Smith for the helpful tips on catwalk choreography.
Mrs F Buckley
Modern Foreign Languages Curriculum Leader
Mírame a mí. ¡Llevo un
pijama de Winnie the
Pooh! Es rojo y amarillo. Qué
mono, ¿no?
Look at me. I am wearing a
Winnie the Pooh onesie! It’s
red and yellow. Isn’t it cute?
¡Mira! Llevo un pijama de
pinguino. Es blanco y
negro. ¡Qué elegante!
Look! I am wearing a
penguin onesie. It’s black
and white. How elegant!
Curie House Collect Generous Donations For Trussel Trust
Last week was the Curie House charities week, raising money and
donations for our charity the Trussel Trust Foodbank.
We have been overwhelmed with the generosity of all the parents and
students who have taken the trouble to bring in every item - from
shower gel to cat food! On 10 February we are planning to visit the
local Harpenden Food bank, so that we can see first hand all the good
that everyone's donations will do.
We are still happy to take donations from anyone that did not get the
chance last week, these can be taken to Main Reception up until 9
February. Thank you so much for all the support we have received so
far.
Mariam Kenner & Alex Cook, Curie House Captains
www.teenagecancertrust.org
Clear Rounds For STAGS Students At NSEA County Qualifier
On Saturday 24 January four students Isabelle Turnbull and Shannon Mulhern in
Year 11, Emily Ivory and Jessica Allen in Year 7 braved freezing conditions to
represent STAGS at the National Schools Equestrian Association (NSEA) County
qualifying competition for Beds, Herts and Bucks. This was held at Bury Farm
Slapton. The girls remained extremely focused and composed, their aim being to win
a place in the County Finals at Addington in October 2015.
The first competitor entered the ring at 8.30am and some classes had over 105
competitors! Jessica rode a great double clear on her pony, Glenmore Lad in the
70cm class and Shannon Mulhern also jumped a great double clear too on her pony
Hello Juno (80cm class). Despite their best efforts the girls came just outside the
places, however it’s the taking part that means the most! STAGS would like to say
well done and thank you to all the riders who represented the school at this event. The
next Equestrian Team Championship Qualifier will be held at Bury Farm on 14
February.
Laura Turner, NSEA Team Manager
Mrs D Johnson-Smith, PR & Marketing Co-Ordinator
Top Hat Stage School
30% DISCOUNT FOR ALL STAGS STUDENTS
Top Hat Stage School operate at STAGS each Saturday. They offer part time theatre arts training for 4-17 year olds and also run
a successful acting agency with children and teens currently in west end roles, Hollywood movies and TV & commercials. They
are currently offering students of STAGS a 30% discount on fees whilst your child is one of our current students.
Top hat has 2 schools on a Saturday: 10.00am - 1.00pm and 2.30pm - 5.30pm. Children
attend a 3-hour session each Saturday; an hour of signing, an hour of drama and an hour of
dance (both Tap & Jazz) as well as working towards regular shows in large scale theatres.
In fact last year they performed at the Drury Lane in the West End.
Terms are 12 weeks long and cost £205 for 6 years and above for students of STAGS
(usually £295) or £130 for 4-5 years (usually £185).
To book a FREE trial, please contact Top hat directly and quote STAGS OFFER on 01727 812666.
[email protected]
www.tophatstageschool.co.uk
Mr R Oxley, Premises Manager
St Albans Girls’ School
Erasmus Plus Conference
Eco-Life Our Way
Wednesday 11th February
4.30 to 6pm
Join us for the launch of our project on
SUSTAINABILITY
in the Main Hall
During the conference you will have a
chance to:
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learn about our partner schools in Spain
and Germany
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learn about local environmental issues
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learn about STAGS Green initiatives

learn more about the Erasmus Plus
project and how you can get involved.
More information from Mrs Buckley
Year 9 Short-story competition winners to
be announced.
“If we all share just one story with one other person,
we will have taken a huge step towards keeping the
memory alive”
An evening with Zigi Shipper,
Holocaust survivor, Auschwitz-Birkenau
“
I feel the luckiest man alive.
I survived.”
Tuesday 3rd February
7pm, Main Hall
St Albans Girls’ School
All welcome
Please RSVP to Miss Austin by Friday 30th January
Email: [email protected]