Have a lovely Christmas break

We would like to wish all of our students, staff and parents/carers a restful and safe holidays, and look forward to seeing you all back in January.  Merry Christmas!

Investor in Careers

We are delighted to inform you that we are applying for the Investor in Careers awards!  Over the coming months I will keep you informed of our progress.

Mrs Maguire

Castle Competition year 7

Yesterday the Year 7 students displayed their castles they have made as part of their History project.  The competition was a great success, with lots of lovely pieces, and lots of votes being cast!

Results of the winners will be announced in January, well done to all who took part!
Mrs Bailey

Year 7 consultation evening this Thursday

Just a reminder that the Year 7 Consultation evening is this Thursday 7th December from 5pm to 8pm.  Students should have made appointments with teachers already so the evening runs smoothly.

New Books in the Discovery Centre!

These new books have just arrived into the Discovery Centre, including the brand new David Walliams "Bad Dad" and Dork Diaries "Crush Catastrophe", as well as Tom Gates and Barry Loser!

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Success

A massive congratulations to our year 11 student Ryan for achieving Bronze medal in an international diving competition in Ireland last week. This is a fantastic feat, coming in the highest place out of any other national competitors in his category for his age group and 3^rd overall out of around 50 competitors from around the World!

Netball

Netball

Year 8 girls netball vs Beaumont – the girls had their best performance of the year so far against Beaumont. They are now working well as a team and taking into the games what has been learnt in practice, although they didn’t win, they matched Beaumont player for player down the court unfortunately injuries and missing players had an effect on the overall score. POM - Chiara

FRIENDS OF TOWNSEND

FRIENDS OF TOWNSEND

We are fast approaching ‘BLACK FRIDAY’ so do start thinking about how this big event could benefit the school! It really is easy to support the school just by doing your Christmas shopping.

Log into https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/fotownsend and start shopping! The school gets a percentage of everything you spend but it does not cost you any more. This year the school has already raised £1,500 but we could do so much more over the festive period if we all just Think Black Friday- Think Friends Of Townsend!’ Please consider using the easy fundraising page (Friends of Townsend) and start raising funds for your child now!

Rugby

Rugby

On Wednesday 16th November the year ten boys played against Bushey Academy at home. Starting of the game with a great kick from Luca the Townsend boys quickly felt comfortable playing against the well matched opposition. Tackles in the game resulting in lots of turnovers for Townsend resulted in the first try from Emmanuel who out paced all the Bushey team with ease, Oliver 'the kicker' went on to take the conversion but unfortunately missed his first kick, the Bushey boys then realised they had underestimated the Townsend Team and came back with a try, they too missed the conversion, Townsend played the ball to Nayeem and he ran past the whole team again...with ease it seemed the 'Bushey boys' could not cope with Townsends pace on the wings. Oliver scored the conversion leaving us seven points ahead. We gained possession again and with a long pass from Morgan (c) the ball once again was with Emmanuel who ran passed the whole team and scored. However the try was scored along the side line leaving a very 'tough kick' unfortunately we did not score.

Bushey Academy came back with a try and a conversion...

The score was tied at 17-17

Ref-Mr Still decided with not long to go we would kick to win, three kickers approached with Oliver first, the ball was sure to go through the H, it did indeed, the Bushey boys also scored. Luca and Morgan (C) also scored the 'kick to win' conversions.

It came to quick fire rounds Nayeem stepped up to take the kick and got it straight through. The Bushey boys scored also.

It came to our final player Gabor who unfortunately missed the kick which the Bushey Academy boys scored.

Well played to all the team and many thanks to the Bushey boys and a large thanks to Mr Still for setting up the match for us to play

Written by Captain - Morgan

YEAR 7 PARENT/CARER CONSULTATION EVENING

YEAR 7 PARENT/CARER CONSULTATION EVENING

This is taking place on Thursday December 7^th from 5pm-8pm. We look forward to seeing all our parents/carers at this event. Students can make appointments from next week once the arrangements and procedures have been explained to them.

ANTI - BULLYING WEEK 2017

ANTI - BULLYING WEEK 2017

Pupils from all years have taken part in a successful anti- bullying week where the theme of All Different All Equal has been addressed through various talks, activities and curriculum work.   Please do encourage your child to tell you about the activities they took part in.  We are also launching RAISE Ambassadors this year.  RAISE stands for respect, achieve, inspire, support and encourage. RAISE Ambassadors will continue to promote the wellbeing and equality of our pupils at Townsend. We have already had over 70 applications! Please do encourage your child to talk to Miss Scott to find out more.

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND

Each month we have a different values focus for the school. For November our value focus is Peace ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’  Matthew 5.9.  Our values for each month will be shared in daily worship sessions. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their meanings with a particular reference to how we lead our everyday lives.

Friday - Children in need and Anti Bullying week

Friday is a non uniform day (please bring in £1 to donate) with all money raised donated to Children in Need.  There is also a competition of "Would I lie to you" teachers vs students in the hall, pop along to see this too!

A big thank you to Miss Scott for all of her Anti Bullying activities this week, and to sixth form students for Children in need activities.

Anti Bullying activities - Thursday

Today visitors from the Special Olympics organisation visit year 7 to speak about their own experiences and about being a part of this special community.  We also have an anti bullying poster designing competition and friendship bracelet making taking place in the Discovery Centre for all years at lunchtime.

Anti Bullying week - Wednesday

Today author Sue Hampton is visiting Townsend to chat about her own experiences of bullying, with students also able to buy signed copies of her books which tell stories about her own experiences.

Today is also the launch of R.A.I.S.E - a network of students helping the school community, lunchtime in the Discovery Centre.

Finally after school today is a Cinema screening of Beauty and The Beast which explores themes of acceptance, individuality, friendship and non judgement.  Snack are also provided!

Anti bullying week activities - Tuesday

Today for Anti Bullying week, there is a sibling support group running during lunchtime in the Discovery Centre, for those who help other siblings with disabilities or learning needs to chat with others and share their experiences.  

Children in need activities

The sixth form students are running various Children in Need activities throughout this week, including:

Monday - House points quiz, lunch time in the Hall from 1.20pm, 50p to enter.

Thursday - Children in need bake sale, all cakes 50p

Friday - Would I lie to you staff vs. students, tickets cost £1

Anti Bullying week - various activities running all week

From Monday 13th November to Friday 17th November it is National Anti Bullying week, and to celebrate there are lots of activities being held each day at Townsend.

Today we have compliments cards being given to all students to give to someone who they would like to compliment.  We also have the launch of a pop-up peers support group with Sixth Form students helping to support younger students with concerns.

Also today we are launching an LGBT support group, with a visitor coming in to speak to students about their own experiences of supporting this community.

Check back with Miss Scott who is running the programme for the week for details of the next activities!

PE Results

Results

The year 7 netball team had their first game of the year against Beaumont on Thursday. It was definitely a learning curve for some who haven’t played competitive 7-a-side netball before, with some great improvements throughout the game and a development in understanding of the rules and tactics. Unfortunately we lost 8-4, but will go forwards in training knowing what has to be done to improve. Player of match – Megan

The year 9 netball team showed that training hard really does pay off with their first win of the year beating Nicholas Breakspear 5-2! It was a very closely fought match with strong players running through both teams. But Townsend managed to pull away in the 2^nd half by maintaining control and calmness. Player of  match – Skye

The year 7 boys football team played against Beaumont on Thursday evening in a very close match, which they battled hard right through until the end drawing 3-3! Goals from Kipp (2) and Godfrey. Player of match - Tyler

Christmas Concert - 13th December

Christmas Concert - 13th December

As Christmas approaches we are starting to prepare for our end-of-term concert. This year it is being organised by the Year 10 GCSE Music group, who are being assessed for their planning of the event and their performance. The Year 10s have organised a meeting at Monday lunchtime in MU3, for any interested students to sign up to perform. We would love to give as many people as possible the chance to perform, and would love this event to be really diverse, so whether you are a singer, instrumentalist, actor, dancer or poet we hope you can come along on Monday and find out more.

SASSMA concert - 20th November

SASSMA concert - 20th November

On Monday 20th November, the St Albans Secondary Schools Music Association will be putting on a concert at the Alban Arena. This will feature performances from nine schools, including Townsend. Participating students will be rehearsing at the Arena during the morning of the 20th, then performing in the evening. Students wishing to take part should come along to the next rehearsal on Tuesday lunchtime at 1:30. Tickets are on sale for £5 (plus £1 booking fee) from the Box Office on 01727 844488 or online at aaboxoffice@ilife.co.uk

Year 11 sixth form taster day and open evening

Year 11 sixth form taster day and open evening

On Thursday the year 11 students completed a day in the life of a sixth form student, attending various mini-lessons in A-Level and vocational subjects. This was followed by the sixth form open evening, which proved to be an informative and positive evening. We hope that students and parents found it useful and we thank you all for coming to the event to help make it a success. The Year 11 students were focused and engaged throughout the day and their feedback comments have been really brilliant. If anyone was unable to attend the open evening, please see us to collect the information pack and application form for the sixth form.

The application deadline for joining the sixth form in September 2018 is January 12th 2018.

Mrs Buckland and Miss Gibbons

Year 13 field trip - regeneration on in London

Year 13 field trip - regeneration on in London

On Monday and Tuesday of last week we completed another successful field trip - this time in London. Year 13 students were gathering data to assess the perceptions of people about whether the regeneration in Stratford has had a positive influence and led to improvement in the quality of life for people in the area since the 2012 Olympics. As always the students conducted themselves in an excellent manner, worked hard and achieved great results.

Mrs Buckland and Mrs Gates

Christmas fundraisers

Christmas fundraisers- once again we are holding our Annual Christmas Hamper Raffle. This is a good fundraiser and with our other initiatives makes money to purchase additional items and equipment for departments benefitting all students.

Your help would be greatly appreciated if any parent/carers can provide festive items for the hampers please send them in to the school office eg bottles of wine and sparkling wine, chocolates, novelty festive items, crackers, tinned and boxed foods etc.

Christmas and Sponge Puddings sale - this was very popular last year. We have attached an order form to Parentmail. Please do try to support this fundraiser- the products are really good quality

Thank you. 

Friends of Townsend

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND 
Each month we have a different values focus for the school. For November our value focus is Peace ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God’  Matthew 5.9.  Our values for each month will be shared in daily worship sessions. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their meanings with a particular reference to how we lead our everyday lives.

A LEVEL BIOLOGY FIELD TRIP 2017

A LEVEL BIOLOGY FIELD TRIP 2017

Last week 15 A’ Level Biology students accompanied by 2 members of Townsend staff went on the annual field trip to Kirby Grindalythe, North Yorkshire.  The purpose of the trip was to carry out essential practical work under the expert eye of the Cranedale Centre’s tutors using a multitude of very expensive equipment that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to use.  The area provides unparalled access to the large variety of ecological areas that have to be studied at A level.  These ranged from freshwater streams to forests to the coast.  A typical day started at 8 for breakfast, something Mr Morgan particularly enjoyed!  At 9am students were either in their dedicated classroom studying practical and statistical techniques needed for the day ahead or off in the minibus to the morning’s location.

Some of the week’s activities included investigations into coastal ecosystems and the photosynthetic pigments contained in seaweeds , a study of sustainable lobster fishing at Bridlington harbour, dissection of owl pellets and a visit to a trout farm to look at how it fits in with the environmental requirements of the local water systems.  The main investigation was a comparison of two rivers to see the effects of the invasion of signal crayfish on the freshwater ecosystem.  This was finished off by a competition to find the largest crayfish of the day which was a very close run thing!

The students captured snails at night in the forest, set humane traps to examine small mammals and even went on a bat walk using sensitive detectors to locate and identify different species.

Evening meals were at 6 and again especially enjoyed by Mr Morgan!  Then it was back to the classroom or a night walk to end the day at 8.30.  The small amount of free time the students had was spent playing table tennis or bar football or just relaxing after a hard day.

Mr Morgan would like to thank all the students for their excellent attitude and behaviour during this intense but highly enjoyable week of study.  Our students are always complimented by the staff at Cranedale for their conduct both in lessons and during the small amount of leisure time they had.  Special thanks also goes to Mrs Sawyer who came on the trip despite it being her birthday while we were there.  The centre’s chief cook baked a cake and we all sang happy birthday which went some way to making up for her not being with family at this special time.

Mr Morgan

YEAR 11 GCSE PE TRIP TO MORFA BAY

YEAR 11 GCSE PE TRIP TO MORFA BAY

A fantastic time was had over 4 days when 21 GCSE PE students travelled down to South West Wales to stay at the Morfa Bay activity centre. Here the students tested themselves against the elements and each other by participating in a range of activities including; sea kayaking, coasteering, abseiling, rock climbing, assault course event, team challenges, zip wire and archery. The students were great ambassadors to the school which made the trip hugely successful and very enjoyable. Photos from the trip can be found on the school website. Thanks to Miss Pennifold & Mr Anderson who gave up their time to go on the trip.  Mr Still

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND
Each month we have a different values focus for the school. For October our value focus is Unity “Have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind”  1 Peter 3:8.  Our values for each month will be shared in daily worship sessions. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their meanings with a particular reference to how we lead our everyday lives.

VISIT TO BATTLEFIELDS YEAR 9

VISIT TO BATTLEFIELDS YEAR 9

The Battlefields Trip to Ypres returned on Sunday with a bus full of very tired year 9 pupils. The three days were packed full of information about World War I and pupils saw for themselves the enormity of the event. We visited a number of Commonwealth Cemeteries where pupils were told about battles that took place, and about individuals who were buried there. We also visited ‘In Flanders Museum’, The Christmas Day Truce, the Pool of Peace, Tyne Cot, Langemark, St Georges Church and Menin Gate. Some pupils wrote messages on our wreaths that were laid at Tyne Cot, Langemark and ‘The Last Post’ Ceremony at Menin Gate. The pupils were an absolute credit to the school. They stood out so much from other schools with their school uniforms so much so that an official at ‘The Last Post’ Ceremony asked us to seal the road behind the buglers. Following our visit, Mr Wellbeloved received this email we thought would be nice to share with you.

Dear Mr Wellbeloved

My wife and I were at the Menin Gate on Saturday evening for the ceremony of The Last Post. Fifty five of us, many ex military like me, had walked 100 kms in 3 days along part of the front line (raising funds for the Army Benevolent Fund), finishing at the Menin Gate. She and I went to look at the wreaths laid that night and I just wanted to say how moved we were by what was written on the wreath from your school. It was beautifully expressed and captured exactly what we all feel, and it stood out amongst the other wreaths laid that night.

I see from your website that it was your Year 9s who were visiting the battlefields and we would appreciate it if you could pass on our congratulations and thanks to whoever wrote those words. They meant a great deal to us and were all the more powerful coming from that age group.

With best wishes
MK

YEAR 11 SIXTH FORM INFORMATION EVENING 7.00PM This Thursday

YEAR 11 SIXTH FORM INFORMATION EVENING 7.00PM

We would like to invite all parents/carers of year 11 for this evening to find out what 6^th form at Townsend has to offer. We do hope you can make it with your child and look forward to seeing you on the night. Students do not have to wear school uniform.

DIVERSITY DAY Friday 20th October

DIVERSITY DAY

Well done to all students who took part in the diversity celebration!

The students outdid themselves this year with their creative displays and it was a joy to see our school community coming together to celebrate.

Congratulations to the following form groups:

1st place: 11 Canterbury (South Africa)

2nd place: 8 Canterbury (Croatia)

3rd place: 7 Exeter (Japan) and 12/13 Canterbury (Morocco)

Ms Sheppard and Miss Scott

Primary school teachers visiting this afternoon

Townsend look forward to welcoming our year 7 students' primary school teachers after school, so they can show you their new school and chat to you about their experiences so far!  See you from 3:30pm!

Year 9 Battlefields Trip

We wish all our year 9 students an exciting trip to the battlefields and look forward to hearing stories of your visit when you return.

Year 10 Consultation evening

Year 10 consultation evening starts at 5pm this evening, we look forward to seeing as many parents as possible.

Bowling Trip for 100% attendance last year

Congratulations to all the students who received 100% attendance last year, and have fun on your celebratory bowling trip this afternoon!

YEAR 7 PRIMARY TEACHERS VISIT TO TOWNSEND

Year 7 students have sent all their letters to their ‘old’ primary schools and we are eagerly waiting the replies to see who can come to visit students on Monday October 16^th. We will contact you through next week as soon as we get replies so that you have sufficient time to make alternative arrangements to collect your child on this day at 5.45pm. Students have invited one, two, or three adults of their choice from their primary schools and we are hoping that many will respond favourably telling us they can come. I know the students are excited and looking forward to it. Thank you for your support in anticipation. Miss Lingwood

Mental Health Awareness Day

Today is Mental Health Awareness day, make sure you do something today especially to celebrate awareness!

DAFFODIL PLANTING

We are looking for free or ‘good deals’ for daffodil bulbs. We are hoping with our Year 7 students will help with planting 1500 daffodils around the school.  If anyone has any contacts that would be able to support us with this please contact the School Office. Thanks

Year 13 Biology Field Trip

We wish our Year 13 students a safe trip for their Biology work and look forward to seeing them all return this Friday!

Morfa Bay rip returns

Welcome back to our year 11 PE students who went on their trip to Morfa Bay over the weekend, we look forward to hearing your stories from the trip!

Macmillan coffee morning tomorrow

Townsend school are once again this year supporting Macmillan coffee mornings, to raise funds for the charity.  Cakes will be on sale in the Sixth form area at break time, please do bring money in to support this great cause.

Open Evening this Wednesday

Townsend school will hold its open evening this Wednesday 27th September from 6:00 – 8:45pm.  We look forward to seeing lots of prospective students and their parents on the evening and please do share the event around with others who may be interested.

European languages day Tuesday

Next Tuesday is European languages day and to celebrate, all students in years 7 and 8 will be making Lebkuchen (German gingerbread).  The best decorated cookies will win house points for their group!  Make sure you take your creations to La4 at break time for judging later in the day!

model railway exhibition this weekend

The St Albans Model Engineering society will again be holding an exhibition here at Townsend this weekend - fun for all the family!  Please come along and join us to see models, have rides and take part in the games of the day!

Summer holidays start now!

We hope you all have a lovely summer break, well done for a fantastic year and we look forward to seeing you all back in September!

Craft Club

Over the past year a new addition, Craft Club, has been taking place in the Discovery Centre.  Along with help form STEP and Mrs Trigg, students have had the chance to sign up for this exclusive club and try their hand at a number of different activities and skills, including clay, paper craft, sensory bottles, dream catchers and solar systems!

If you would like to join up next year please see Mrs Rice once the notice has gone out in September!

Shakespeare Exhibition last week

Last Friday saw a Shakespeare Exhibition being held in the Discovery Centre.  Students from years 7 and 8 have been working on a project in which they have to create their own Shakespeare related artefact, along with a write up of what it is and how they made it.  The centre was open at lunchtime for all students to view the pieces, as well as for staff to judge the winning entries!  Well done to all students, such a lot of work had gone into the projects and they looked fantastic!

Successful Year 6 taster day

Last Thursday the year 6 students who are joining Townsend in September all came in for a "Taster Day" with different session run throughout the day to show what life at Townsend is like.

Subjects students took part in included PE with a game of rounders, French (learning the alphabet), Art (drawing sweets), Media studies (learning media conventions and terms), Science (making Magnesium Oxide), Music (creating rhythms in groups), Drama (learning skills in games) and Food Technology, making cookies, which were given out to the whole group in the afternoon before going home.  Students also met STEP who work closely at Townsend, and were also reacquainted with their form tutors for an ice breaker session.

A big thank you to all the staff who supported and ran sessions on the day, and a huge thank you to Miss Scott who organised everything ready for the sessions.

We look forward to seeing all the year 6 students in their purple Townsend blazers in September!!  

SPORTS DAY results!

SPORTS DAY

A big thank you to all parents/carers who came in on Wednesday to support our students on another fantastic Sports Day. Luckily the weather came through and we were able to hold the event as planned.

All student performed fantastically across the events with a range of success stories leading up to a very close final score, with only 6 points between forms in some year groups, showing that every competitors scores counted greatly to the overall forms performance.

Results:

Year 7

	Girls	Boys	Overall
1st	Exeter	York	York
2nd	Canterbury & York	Durham	Exeter & Durham
3rd		Canterbury
4th	Durham	Exeter	Canterbury

Year 8

	Girls	Boys	Overall
1st	Canterbury	York	Durham
2nd	Exeter	Durham	Canterbury & York
3rd	Durham	Exeter
4th	York	Canterbury	Exeter

Year 9

	Girls	Boys	Overall
1st	Canterbury	Exeter	Canterbury
2nd	Durham	Canterbury	Exeter
3rd	Exeter	Durham	Durham

Year 10

	Girls	Boys	Overall
1st	Canterbury	Durham	Canterbury
2nd	Exeter	Canterbury	Exeter
3rd	Durham	Exeter	Durham

OVERALL WINNERS: CANTERBURY

"The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part. Just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." Pierre de Coubertin

Physical Education

CELEBRATION CEREMONIES

CELEBRATION CEREMONIES

We warmly invite parents/carers to attend the following Celebrations for your children.

All celebrations begin at 2pm

Year 12 Tuesday July 11th

Year 10 Monday July 17^th

Year 9 Friday July 14^th

Year 8 Tuesday July 18^th

Year 7 Wednesday July 19^th

MUSIC Summer Showcase - Thursday July 13th 7pm

MUSIC

Summer Showcase - Thursday July 13th 7pm

Tickets are available priced £2 or £1. They can be bought from the Office, from Music or on the door. Please lend your support to what is shaping up to be a really exciting event, and a great way of showcasing all the great work done in Performing Arts this year.

SPORTS DAY FRIDAY JULY 12th

SPORTS DAY FRIDAY JULY 12th

All students will take part in our ‘school games day’ on Wednesday July 12th starting at 12.00. Currently the weather looks like it may be hot so students advised to use sunscreen lotion, to wear hats and to drink plenty of water. Shelter from the sun and water will be available on the day. Should the weather suddenly change from sun to rain students should be prepared for normal lessons as well.

Parents/Carers are invited to this school event and any past student who wishes to attend must do so either by arrangement with Mrs Pennifold Head of Physical Education or accompanied by a parent/carer. All visitors should sign in at the table by the large canteen under the covered way. Thank you.

We have attached the schedule of events for the day to parentmail. Please see additional information under the Sports heading in the Subject Area

YEAR 7 Celebration picnic

YEAR 7

Celebration picnic

On Wednesday we are holding form picnics on the lower field (weather permitting, in form rooms if wet) to celebrate the first year at Townsend. Students should have signed up to bring in an item to food or drink to share with the form. Students may also wish to bring their own sandwich, a picnic rug, outdoor games and sun cream.

NEW INTAKE EVENING THURSDAY JULY 6TH

NEW INTAKE EVENING THURSDAY JULY 6^TH

On Thursday 6^th we welcome our new Year 7 students for Sept 2017 with their parents/carers. If you have any unwanted uniform please do drop it off into school before this date so we can make it available to our new families who may be interested. If you by any chance are able to assist with our new Intake Evening on Thursday from about 5.30-7.00 we also would be very grateful for your help. It is very welcoming for nervous parents/carers to see friendly faces who can reassure them about what life is like at Townsend! Please contact the school office and leave your details for Miss Lingwood.

CELEBRATION CEREMONIES

CELEBRATION CEREMONIES

We warmly invite parents/carers to attend the following Celebrations for your children.

All services begin at 2pm

Year 12 Tuesday 11^th July

Year 11 Wednesday June 28^th

Year 10 Monday July 17^th

Year 9 Friday July 14^th

Year 8 Tuesday July 18^th

Year 7 Wednesday July 19^th

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Life’s most persistent and urging question is ‘What are you doing for others?’ – Martin Luther King

Year 11 Prom Thursday 29th June 2017 Aldwickbury Park Gold Club

The event that all year 11s have been waiting for is finally here!  The evening will start at 7.00pm and the venue have requested that students begin arriving from 6.45pm onwards so that they can promptly serve the meal at 7.30pm after arrival photographs and welcome drinks.  If your son/ daughter is attending the event please ensure that you have made arrangements for collection no later than 12 midnight.  If you are attending the evening to watch students arrive please ensure that you park in the allocated car park (to the right of the golf club when you drive into the main car park) to avoid blocking the turning circle for the students transport to arrive.  As a reminder the address for Aldwickbury Park Golf Club is Piggottshill Lane, Harpenden, AL5 1AB.  As a tutor team we hope that all students have a fantastic evening and the weather remains dry for students on the day! 

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND
Our value focus for June will be Appreciation

‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.’  John 3:16   Our values for each month will be shared in daily worship sessions. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their meanings with a particular reference to how we lead our everyday lives

Year 11 Celebration Ceremony Wednesday 28th June 2017 2pm

Year 11 Celebration Ceremony Wednesday 28^th June 2017 2pm

Thank you to all parents /carers who have indicated that they wish to attend the NRA ceremony on Wednesday.  We ask that students, parents and guests arrive at 1.45pm for starting at 2.00pm.  We hope that you can join us afterwards for refreshments in the small canteen.  If anyone would still like to attend please do contact the school to make us aware so that we can ensure that there are enough seats available.

EID MUBARAK

EID MUBARAK
As Ramadan draws to a close over the weekend we would like to send our best wishes to all our students who will be celebrating Eid ul-Fitr today.

House points so far!

7 York - 1955 
7 Exeter -1937 
7 Durham - 1711 
7 Canterbury – 1639
8 Canterbury – 1160 
8 Exeter – 1117 8 
8 Durham – 1116 8 
8 York – 1053
9 Durham – 799 
9 Exeter – 779 9 
Canterbury – 677
10 Canterbury – 807 
10 Exeter – 593 
10 Durham – 545
11E - 99 
11G - 109 
11L - 158 
11P - 103 
11R – 113
12/13 Durham – 169 
12/13 Exeter – 144 
12/13 Canterbury – 127

Year 7 Work Shadowing 6th July

Please make sure you return your forms by 19th June at the latest.  Mrs Maguire

Donations to FEED

Over the last term we have been collecting food and other items for the charity FEED which is based at St Albans Vineyard Church on Brick Knoll Park Estate. This is a charity which helps over 80 families within the area who struggle to feed their families, giving them food, help and support every Monday. I am happy to announce that we collected over 80 items for FEED and still have more which will be collected by Carol Cahill who heads up FEED at St Albans Vineyard Church. Thank you to all Parent/Carers and students who contributed, we really appreciate the effort you made and hope this continues next year. A special thanks to some forms who went above and beyond what was asked of them and to the students who helped load Carol's Van, Well done!  Miss Bailey

welcome back!

Welcome back to all students, we hope you have had a lovely half term break!  Raring to go for the last half term before those summer holidays!

Happy Half Term!

We wish all of our students and parents/carers a happy and safe half term break, and welcome you back on Monday 5th June!

Beginning of Ramandan

Today is the start of Ramadan for those who celebrate this.  Please take extra care in the heat if you are fasting for this festival.

Abbey Service this week

This Thursday 25th May the school are attending the final Abbey Service of the year at the Cathedral in St Albans.  Please can parents make arrangements to collect their children in a designated place in the town centre after the service has finished at 3pm.

Athletics Results

A good first competition at Ware last week with some great results including top 3 finishes in the following events:

U16 boys

100m – 1^st – Emmanuel

400m – 1^st – Dan

High Jump – 1^st – Yaw

Long Jump – 1^st – Emmanuel

Triple Jump – 1^st – Dan

Relay – 2^nd

800m  - 3^rd – Callum

U14 boys

Hurdles – 2^nd – Euan

High Jump – 2^nd - Charlie

800m – 3^rd – Bailey

Discus – 3^rd – Bailey

1500m – 4^th – Aaron

Triple jump – 3^rd – Nathan

Javelin – 3^rd – Ryan

U16 girls

100 1^st – Dara

Javelin 3^rd – Yasmin

Relay – 3^rd

U14 girls

200m – 2^nd – Skye

High Jump – 3^rd – Adrianna

ACCELERATED READER

ACCELERATED READER

This is a scheme that is aimed at improving student’s levels of literacy. It engages children with reading and ensures students are reading at the appropriate levels. It also develops understanding of texts. The scheme involves all Years 7 8 and 9. In year 10 and 11 students continue with reading in lessons but the reading is more focused around GCSE work. It has become noticeable over recent months that are a number of students are not bringing in reading books on a daily basis and we would be grateful for parent/carer support in ensuring that this situation changes. Thank you for your support

Year 11 PE and Art exams this week

Well done to all those GCSE PE students who completed the practical part of their exams this week.  Well done also to the Art students who have now completed their practical exams this week too, and good luck to all students for the next set of written exams.

Thought for the week

“Step with care, and great tact, and remember that life’s a great balancing act”

– Dr Seuss

Year 10 work experience

Year 10 students have been on work experience this week, with lots of different placements being organised.  We hope you are all enjoying your time in the workplace and look forward to hearing all about it soon!

End of term today 12:30pm

We would like to wish all students and their families a lovely break over the Easter holidays, and look forward to welcoming them back on Monday 24th April.

Term ends at 12:30pm today, so students should take their normal route of transport home as school buses will be arriving at this time.

Happy Easter!

Tenner Challenge completion

I am immensely proud of the 35 year 7, 8 and 9 students who signed up for the Tenner Challenge.  In total, £259.41 was donated to various charities and £259.41 was made in profits.  A big thank you to the year 12 students who supported, in particular to Zoe M and Natasja C.  Also a big thank you to year 7 students Kiandra B and Patrick C who were invaluable in their help with organisation.  Thanks of course to form tutors and teachers at Townsend, as well as parents and carers of the students.  I look forward to next year’s challenge!

Mrs Maguire

MAYOR’S PRIDE AWARDS 2017

MAYOR’S PRIDE AWARDS 2017

Townsend was a finalist at the Mayor’s Pride Awards 2017 at St Michael’s Manor this week. We were nominated under the Inclusive Communities Award in recognition of a ‘community initiative that genuinely unites people of different ethnic, faith or social economic backgrounds’. Although the Awards recognised Townsend as an inclusive school it made particular reference to the ‘Break and Tech’ Saturday club that supports community members to improve their IT skills. The Club is run by sixth formers. 

Although we did not win the Award it was a proud evening for us. It was also interesting that another finalist in our category was one of our  parent/carers and yet another associate of the school (ex-student) was recording the evening for Radio Verulam!

A big thanks to Mrs Quenet (Governor) and Mr Kelleher (who helped set up the club). I think we can say we are a true ’community school’!

H McKenzie

TERM DATES

TERM DATES

Can we remind you that term ends on Friday April 7^th at 12.30. The dedicated school buses will collect students at 12.30.

A number of parents/carers have also been asking about our September start date – this will be Tuesday September 5^th for year 7 and Year 12 and for Years 8, 9,10,11 and 13 it will be Wednesday September 6^th. The teaching staff will return to school Monday September 4^th for training. Other dates for next academic year will be on the website next week.

New £1 coin launching tomorrow

The new £1 coin is launching nationally tomorrow.  To raise awareness of this, Learning for Life sessions this week have been specially planned around this event, so students gain information about this historic event!

Comic Relief day!

Today Townsend have been celebrating Comic Relief and raising money for this great cause.  Sixth form students have been hosting activities for younger students throughout the week, including a Townsend Talent show, Bushtucker trial and film screenings.  There has also been a bake sale as well as non uniform, with all of the money raised being donated next week.

Earlier in the month, Year 10 were off timetable for the day to attend a careers fair in our Discovery Centre.  Numerous speakers from different vocations attended the event, setting up a stall with promotional material, to chat about their experiences and what is involved within their particular field.  The talks were extremely insightful to the students, with lots of valuable information shared.  A big thank you to all of our speakers, and to all of year 10 who listened intently throughout the day, even with a lot of information being processed in one go!

Tenner Challenge is complete!

After four exciting weeks the Tenner challenge is now finished.  All money borrowed will be repaid on Monday.  I will update you next week on how well the businesses did!  Mrs Maguire

Reminder, Drugs awareness workshop this Thursday

Our Drugs Awareness workshop takes place this Thursday at 6pm.  Available to all parents, if you would like to attend, the last day for booking is TODAY!  Please call the school office to book your place.

WORLD INTERNATIONAL WOMANS DAY Wednesday 8th March

Do you know that Danella Bagnall is the chief product engineer at Jaguar LandRover? Do you know that Amanda Chessell is a distinguished engineer for IBM? Do you know that the World Economic Forum predicts the gender gap won’t close entirely until 2186?

On Wednesday 8th March during form time we will celebrate World Woman’s Day. The theme this year is #Be Bold for Change and further details are available on https://www.international womans day. During form time this week we will be looking back at some iconic women who brought about change, observing some current women who continue to lead change and look will discuss how we might reach equality before 2186.

DRUGS WORKSHOP- OPEN TO ALL PARENTS/CARERS

For the second year running Townsend will be hosting a Drugs Workshop for parents/carers on 16^th March between 6-7.30pm. The workshop is free of charge again this year, however, this is the last year the council will provide the funding. It is designed to inform parents about alcohol, cannabis, cocaine and psychoactive (legal highs) abuse and is run by Vanessa Rogers who is an acclaimed UK PSHE specialist. Your child will bring home a letter today. If you are interested please return the reply slip by 10^th March. Thank you

Mrs Maguire

World Book Day Thursday 2nd March 2017

World Book Day is this Thursday!  All students will receive their £1 book token this week, to be able to purchase one of the WBD books from their local book shop or supermarket for free!

Join us in the Discovery Centre at lunchtime on Thursday to take part in an interactive World Book Day Quiz, with prizes to be won too!

Abbey Service tomorrow

Our Abbey Service is taking place tomorrow at 2pm.  Parents, please can you arrange a place to meet your child in St Albans at 3pm once this is finished.

Update for Enterprise

TENNER CHALLENGE – up date

Students collected their money last week and have now started on their quest to show their Entrepreneurial skills. Over the 4 weeks of the program there will be a mini competition each week. This week’s theme is “Logo”. The team that designs the best “Logo” for their business stand to win £50 in Amazon Vouchers. Our year 12 students will be meeting with individual business teams on Monday lunchtime to offer guidance. Please continue to encourage and support your child with this opportunity. “Good Luck” to all businesses. Mrs Maguire

STUDENT INVENTORS

The students Investors Challenge finished before half term. Well done to all the year 12 students who took part. Although we didn’t have a winning team, it gave our students the opportunity to experience some of the workings behind trading shares. This experience will prove beneficial in their studies. Well done.  Mrs Maguire

TENNER CHALLENGE

The Tenner Challenge is an initiative run by Young Enterprise to encourage young people to set up and run their own business for a month. Throughout March 2017, eighty students from years 7, 8 and 9 have applied to take part. It will involve students forming a business on their own or as part of a team and borrowing £10.00 to use as start-up capital to get their business off the ground. At the end of the month the students will repay the £10.00 plus £1 to Young Enterprise. From the remaining profit students will give 50% to a charity and keep the other 50%. The scheme is designed to develop and build skills including creativity, resilience and problem solving, using real money to calculate risks in business. We have several 6^th form students who have volunteered to mentor our younger students. I will keep you updated throughout this challenge. If your child is one of those who has volunteered please do encourage them in this exciting project. Thank you. Mrs Maguire

Townsend students published in "Spine Chillers"

'Spine Chillers' was a national creative writing competition that Townsend entered last summer. Students were asked to write an exciting mini saga in no more than 100 word as their entry to the competitions. A great number of our students had work which was selected to be used in the final version of the book - they are all now published writers!  Congratulations to those students who were successful to be published!  To order your own copy of the book, please visit the Spine Chillers website for details, or contact Miss Noble DOL English at school.

YEAR 11 PARENT/CARER CONSULTATION EVENING TUESDAY JANUARY 31ST.

YEAR 11

PARENT/CARER CONSULTATION  EVENING TUESDAY JANUARY 31^ST.

We look forward to seeing all year 11 parents/carers at the evening on Tuesday 5-8pm.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Happy Chinese New Year to all of those who celebrated it on Saturday 28^th January. This year it is the Year of the Rooster, the tenth animal in the cycle!

WORSHIP AT TOWNSEND - Value for the month

Our value focus for January is Hope. We wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and saviour, Jesus Christ.’ Titus 2:13

Our values for each month will be shared in daily worship sessions. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their meanings with a particular reference to how we lead our everyday lives.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION results

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Results:

Year 9 girls volleyball team came 2^nd in the district tournament – POM - Noemi

Year 9/10 boys volleyball team came 2^nd in the district tournament, progressing to the county round

Year 7 netball lost 5-3 against Roundwood – POM – Baba

Year 10 Netball lost to Samuel Ryder Academy – POM – Charlie

Year 7, 8 and 9 girls played in their first district futsal tournament this week, a great experience for all, don’t forget Monday afterschool is girls football club – come along to practice your skills for the next tournament on the 6^th and 7^th Feb.

YEARS 11-13 APPRENTICESHIP FAIR

WEDS 1^ST FEBRUARY 5.00PM-8.00PM

This is an opportunity to come along and find out more about apprenticeships and what training providers and companies have on offer. The event is taking place at our Consortium Partner School Marlborough Science Academy. All are welcome.

YEAR 7 CASTLE COMPETITION

Last term all year 7 students were asked to research, plan and make a medieval castle for their autumn term extended learning project. All of the students made an incredible effort and many of the castles produced were of an exceptional quality and very historically accurate. On Monday 16^th January all of the castles were displayed in the Humanities classrooms at lunchtime and both staff and students were given the opportunity to vote for what they considered to be the best three castles. The votes have now all been counted and the winning students were:
1^st place: Billy 7D
2^nd place: Kerri 7E
3^rd place: Baba 7C
A huge well done to those three students and all of the other year 7 students who worked so hard on their castles. The winners will be announced in the year 7 collective worship on Friday afternoon where they will each receive a certificate and a small prize. The students can now collect and take home their castles from the History classrooms.   Mrs Davey