Sports News

Sat 17th May
FOSA Fun Day
Fri 23rd May
Whole School Photograph

Middle School Production of Treasure Island

March 08

At the end of the Spring Term 2008, all members of the Third and Fourth Forms presented Treasure Island, a musical play. The play was written and directed by our own Mrs Meg Verrall. Three full audiences applauded superb performances which were the result of many weeks' hard and enjoyable work. A DVD of the show is available at the school.

2008 - A RECORD YEAR FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!

March 08

During the Spring Term 2008, sixth formers were awarded a total of seventeen scholarships and awards at senior schools. These awards are tenable from September. Our pupils won awards at Abingdon School, Bradfield College, Canford School, Downe House, Headington School, Marlborough College, Millfield, The Oratory School and Pangbourne College. A few more awards will be attempted in the Summer Term, but we can already say that 2008 is a record year for sixth form scholarships. Well done!!

International School Award

February 08

St. Andrew's has been awarded the International School Award from the Department for Children, Schools and Families. To gain this award at intermediate level we had to demonstrate a high level of international project activities over the previous 12 months. This we achieved easily with our varied activities, including trips abroad, charity work, video links with partner schools in Europe, foreign food days in the dining room and relevant curricular work.

We are now looking forward to the next phase where we will soon be applying for the highest level award possible. For this we are planning much bigger projects with more foreign schools and more trips overseas.

Ofsted Boarding Inspection Report

January 08

During the Autumn Term, the school underwent an Inspection of Boarding by Ofsted. In every key area of inspection, St Andrew's was adjudged 'Good' and the overall rating of boarding at the school was 'Good'. In the Summary, the inspectorate wrote that the school provides 'a good overall standard of care to pupils who choose to board, and those who do find it a fun and enjoyable experience.'

The Report has now been published on the Ofsted website. To find it go to www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports and search under Boarding Schools RG8 8QA.

The school found the inspection to be a useful process and is responding to the small number of minor recommendations.

Flexi-boarding at St Andrew's is indeed fun, convenient and a great experience. Parents are encouraged to consider using the service. If you would like a tour of the girls and/or boys' boarding house, please contact the school office.

Visit to Slovak School

January 08

Following two years of eTwinning projects with the primary school of Sarišské Dravce, in the Sabinov region of Eastern Slovakia, it was time for a teacher to make a personal visit. Thus, at the end of the Autumn Term, Mr Farquhar set off towards the 'Heart of Europe'. The purpose of the visit was to attend a planning meeting involving five nationalities. Over the course of five days Mr Farquhar and the other teachers from Slovakia, Finland, Czech Republic and Turkey ironed out the details of a much larger project proposal. On completion of a successful application this would release funding to exchange pupils and staff between all of the participating nations, starting in September 2008. Let us hope for a successful outcome.

New Learning Resource Centre

May 07

The New Learning Resource Centre has opened next to the History Department. The new room accommodates the senior reference library and has a suite of computers with internet access. A smartboard and plasma television with ceiling speakers and seating for a class make this room an excellent additional study facility. Many rooms at St Andrew's have nicknames and we are seeking a nickname for our new LRC!

New Swimming Pool

April 07

The completely rebuilt swimming pool, now measuring 25 metres in length, is in use. We are looking forward to establishing new record times in competitive swimming in our pool and of course to enjoying lots of recreational swimming sessions during the summer term.

English Literature Character Day

April 07

On 23rd April we celebrated St George's Day, William Shakespeare's Birthday and World Book Day by inviting all pupils to come to school dressed as a character from English literature. All English lessons on the day were given over to discussing the characters chosen, and there was a grand parade during the morning. Teachers in all departments entered into the spirit so that, for instance, Stig of the Dump was teaching Geography, Captain Hornblower was running the Mathematics Department, James Bond was in charge of Modern Languages and the School Office became Narnia. Lunch was suitably English bangers and mash followed by Big Ben cookies and custard. A memorable day indeed!More Images

History Day

March 07

On 26th March, we held another History Day at St Andrew's, for the senior part of the school. The day was led by Kevin Hicks (The Bowman from Warwick Castle) with great style. The morning was devoted to the Tudor period, including an archery display; in the afternoon we learnt about life as a soldier at the Battle of Waterloo. Many members of the school dressed in appropriate costume and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day - including the History Day Lunch!

Classroom Video Link with France

March 07

Children in the Third Forms were pioneers in an exciting new development at St Andrew's in March. Head of ICT, Ian Farquhar, had set up an internet video conference between our Modern Languages Department and the Ecole Parodi in Blois, central France. Children on both sides of the Channel (who had already sent introductions to one another by e-mail) took it in turns to sit in the 'hot seat' and ask each other questions, some in French and some in English, with teachers Glyn Thomas and Haig Howard lending support in the St Andrew's classroom where necessary. Using a webcam and a microphone, the entire year group was able to hear their French counterparts and see them 'live' on the large classroom Smart Board screen. This was likely to be the first of many such links, as plans are being drawn up for further video conferences with Blois, as well as a similar arrangement together with a school in Slovakia, using German as the common language.

Official Opening of our new Music Centre

November 06