Emillie Ferris, 17 years old and in Year 13, entered a piece of work entitled ‘Some might call it magic’. From a field of 1,707 entries she has been shortlisted to the last 15. The shortlist is chosen by Royal Academicians.

It a photographic piece of art work. Emillie said she wanted to capture the dreamlike, childhood notion we have all had at one point; wishing we could fly.

Emillie is hoping to go to Lincoln University to study Media Production in the Autumn. She has enjoyed photography since she was 12 and has her own website showcasing her photographic art skills.

Four of our students took part in this special event involving Haverhill Choral Society and Sudbury Choral Society. They joined together as the Verdi Requiem requires such big forces to perform. They played and sang in the atmospheric  St Edmundsbury Cathedral to an audience of approximately  480.

Steven Huckfield  (Year 13) and Jessica Harburt (Year 12) were singing in the 150 strong choir. Bartie Shirm (Year 11) played cello and Lewis Tingey (Year 13) played double bass in an orchestra of 60. The orchestra is a group of individuals from the Suffolk area mainly (but also included two cellists from the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra).  Bartie and Lewis were asked to play to give them valuable experience. Lewis is going to the Royal College of Music in September.

 The evening was a resounding success and we are hoping that this will not be an isolated event and look forward to another in the future. Well done to all concerned.

The students had the opportunity to actually get into the trenches and wear authentic uniforms. This helped to bring what they have already learnt to life and to empathise with the plight of the soldiers.

Various activities are being arranged for the event and we hope that family members of our Years 7 and 8 will attend; this can include young children and Grandparents. All we ask you to do is bring along a picnic and a blanket/chairs.  Students can wear Red, White and Blue on this day.

There will be a biscuit making competition that will be judged like a WI competition. Details of the biscuit recipe can be downloaded below.

Tea and cakes can be purchased from our World Challenge and Madagascar Groups who are raising funds for their trips next year. Unfortunately, if the weather is not suitable for a picnic, we will have to cancel at short notice.

If you have received an invitation and are able to attend please send in the reply slip to the office in C block by Monday 21 May 2012.

The tour started with a short film in their plush cinema with the stars of the Harry Potter films telling the audience about their experiences growing up on set. The cinema screen lifted to reveal the doors to the Great Hall. The gigantic doors were opened and the students were led in.  The atmosphere was electric and the attention to detail on every single prop was amazing. We were allowed to wander around Dumbledore’s office, Harry Potters dormitory bedroom, the Weaseleys kitchen. We could stroll up Diagon alley, the cobbled wizarding alley where Harry buys his wand, it was jaw dropping.  17,000 wands in the shop all with hand written labels. 

Outside was the house where Harry lived with his aunt and uncle, Vernon and Petunia Dursley, (it was an actual brick built house) This is the house where it all began, also the life size house where Harry’s parents were killed, the Knight bus and the bridge that appears in the last film.  

In the creature shop we saw masks and models of the characters which were spookily life like. Lastly the huge model of Hogwarts set in a room on it’s own with atmospheric lighting and music – again was amazing.

The students saw behind the magic of some special effects, had the chance to be filmed against a green screen on a broomstick and learnt some things about the filming process.

In short, a great day that incorporated education and fun!

Monday 16th the students arrived at school 4.30pm

Tuesday 17^th – All students, both Italian and their English host partners went to London for the day.  They had a guided tour of Westminster Abbey – being told about the royal wedding and seeing where Kate & William walked up the aisle. They also saw Poets corner. There was a walking tour of the big tourist sites; Buckingham Palace, Horseguards Parade, Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, also a little free time for the students. Unfortunately the weather was a little on the chilly side.

Wednesday 18^th – Italian students and their accompanying teachers went to Cambridge for the day. They had a tour of the colleges and tourist attractions.

Thursday  19^th – Italian students came into school with their host partners and took part in a carousel of three activities; baking traditional English tea; learning how to bake scones, victoria sponge, shortbread etc. Painting workshop, painting English landscapes and a Photoshop workshop. At the end of the school day the Italian and English students enjoyed a delicious English high tea.

Friday 20^th – Italian students left school at 6.30 a.m. to fly home.

Our students will be going to Italy in September for the return leg!