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MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER
It has been another fabulous half-term at the school with numerous highlights.
We were delighted to welcome the Mayor of Broxbourne, Patsy Spears to our Christmas concert which was a tremendous success. A sell out audience saw some beautiful performances by some very talented individuals and I particularly enjoyed hearing the various choirs in action. The full choir, when the junior and senior pupils performed as a collective, had the best part of 140 pupils involved. There were also some magical individual performances. Accompanying the mayor on the evening were representatives from “Talents in Broxbourne” - they are hosting a talent show for secondary school students in early February and a number of our pupils were selected to take part based on their performances in the event. In truth a whole range of our pupils could have been selected such was the range and depth of talent on show. If you are interested in attending the event details are here:
https://www.hertfordshirestudios.com/event-details-registration/talents-in-broxbourne-1
Earlier in the term we saw some fabulous performances in the school’s House Plays. We were very grateful to Rachel MacNeill , an ex-student and now professional performer who gave up her time to act as our judge in the evening. Well done to Hepworth for their winning performance of All by Myself, directed by Philip Kamau and Jasmine Lawson-Shaw and, indeed, to pupils involved in all the plays. What was particularly noteworthy was how supportive the different houses were of each other’s performances.
As I write Year 11 are in the middle of their mock examinations and Year 13 mock examinations have been and gone. We have tried to support them with their approach to revision by once again running sessions by renowned psychologist and learning expert Dr Martin Van der Spoel. This time of year is often a turning point for both year groups and I am sure they will respond positively to the feedback they receive from teachers. As you may be aware we run a “mock results” day for Year 11 which is designed to give them a taste of what it will feel like to open their results envelope in the summer whilst still having enough time to turn things around if they are not happy with the contents. If you are a parent of one of these two year groups you may yourself be feeling the pressure. (Some parents indeed have a child in both year groups which probably felt like a good age gap all those years ago but may be less so now!). If you require support in supporting them look no further then the excellent resources on our school website on revising effectively that can be found here:
https://www.broxbourne.herts.sch.uk/338/revising-effectively
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have spotted some scaffolding on the school roof. This has been in place to facilitate the installation of solar panels which are now in place. We are very pleased to see this project reach its final stages. We will see the benefits in terms of both reduced (and more certain) energy costs for the school as well as reducing our carbon footprint. We are hoping to have a formal “ribbon-cutting” in due course with members of the school’s Sustainability group front and centre (when the winter rain finally stops!).
The school’s role in the local community is something we are very proud of and always looking to build on. Mrs Balsdon has formed a new Pupil Community Action Group who have proved both eager and highly effective in ensuring that our pupils are involved in some wonderful work out in the community. Do read her update on this work later in this newsletter.
I would also like to thank parents for their contributions to the HABS Christmas appeal. HABS are a local charity the school works closely with who provide support for families in need.
Tuesday Trekkers in Festive Mood
At this time of year I always look back on my New Year’s resolutions from the last year - most of which are usually fitness related (and rarely met…). This year I have done better than usual (though not quite meeting the somewhat ambition goals). Partly this has been aided by my participation in the Tuesday Trekkers - a staff and sixth form running club that runs after school each Tuesday. This week we sported Santa hats to get into the festive spirit and received appreciative beeps from the traffic on the High Road. By all means encourage your children to set some new year’s resolutions this year - I have been encouraging them in assemblies to link them to our school values - Be Kind, Work Hard and Show Respect.
All that remains is for me to wish you all a happy and restful Christmas break and a very happy New Year as we head toward 2026. I am sure it will be another great year for the school.
Peter Clift
Headteacher
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS
INSTALLATION OF SOLAR PANELS
Following a lengthy process, we are pleased to announce that we have installed approximately 500 solar panels on the roof of the school. Once commissioned, this will enable us to reduce energy bills and to reduce the carbon footprint of the school. In due course the data gleaned from this provision will be used in the curriculum, and we will seek wherever possible to involve pupils in the analysis of the environmental and economic benefits of the system.
END OF TERM AWARDS
We thoroughly enjoyed our autumn term celebration assemblies with musical performances, readings, and examples of work produced this term. A variety of pupils were recognised for their contributions throughout the autumn term.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance continues to be a whole school priority. Access to high quality teaching and learning can only happen when pupils are in school. The "Broxbourne's Club 100" continues to be a positive tool to reward and celebrate high levels of attendance. There is a strong correlation between high attendance and high achievement. Being in school increases pupils' chances of positive outcomes.
PRODUCT DESIGN
Year 9
Mrs Brandon’s Product Design classes have been working on a new chocolate product and campaign for Cadburys. They carried out research on suitable flavours, designed a logo and corresponding package for a unique chocolate shape that they have designed and made the mould to test. Look at these incredible results.
FOOD TECHNOLOGY
Year 10 GCSE Food and Nutrition pupils developed their knife skills in an apple carving competition this term.
Pupils were also tested on their knowledge of nutrition and cooking skills this term, and were challenged to either - Make a dish high in iron and high in fibre or make a dish suitable for vegans and high in protein.
Some of their creations can be seen above.
Year 11 GCSE Food and Nutrition pupils have been working on their Non-Exam Assessment’s this term, ready for their food practical exam in March.
DRAMA
A highlight of the Autumn Term is always the House Plays Competition.
This year our adjudicator was a previous student of The Broxbourne School, Rachel MacNeil who studied A Level Drama here before going onto a degree and a Masters in Scriptwriting at UEA and a successful career in performance.
Rachel decided that the Best House Play trophy should go to Hepworth’s production of All By Myself. The Best Staging award was presented to Attenborough’s 2008 which was written by the director, Year 12 Harry Draper. Best Actor was Siobhan Welch Year 12 and Best Supporting Actor was Shenaya Dissanayake Year 8.
SIXTH FORM TUTORING
With well over 50 Year 12 tutors, our Sixth Form Tutoring Programme for English, maths and science is very much under way. Each week, the atrium buzzes with activity and shared knowledge. We would like to thank all those Year 12 tutors and Year 11 tutees for their dedication and commitment in the run-up to the December mock examinations.
Have a restful break, ready for more Spring term collaboration!
MUSIC NEWS
Autumn Performance Platform
Our first concert of the new school year was a Performance Platform concert which are smaller, more intimate concerts than our full scale end of term ones. These concerts give performers from all years and abilities an opportunity to perform in front of a smaller audience to build their confidence and experience in this area . They are always such lovely occasions as pupils get to hear other performers from different year groups playing different instruments. We enjoyed a range of solos including the flute, violin, piano, saxophone, classical guitar, drums and our first ever steel pan solo! Well done to everyone who took part and to our wonderful team of peripatetic teachers who prepared our students so beautifully.
INSPIRATIONAL VISIT - DR MARTIJN VAN DER SPOEL
In November, we were thrilled to welcome back for the third year Dr. Martijn van der Spoel, a renowned chartered psychologist with qualifications from London and Chicago, including a PhD from the Institute of Education. Dr. van der Spoel is not only a highly skilled psychologist but also an exceptional motivational speaker, inspiring young minds to reach their full potential.
LIBRARY NEWS
This Autumn term was a very busy one in the library. We ran a ‘Guess Who’ quiz for the students where they had to guess the member of staff hiding behind the book and we also ran our termly book sale where there were bargains galore.
PAPER AEROPLANE CHALLENGE
Year 7 have been learning about forces and their effects. This led to the paper aeroplane championship between 6 forms.
The winner with a whopping 13.2m was Jack Banks, followed by Christopher Miele with 10.4m and third place was taken by Bella Thaxton with 10.0 m.
Well done year 7!!
HISTORY NEWS
KS3 House History Quiz
A group of fabulous A-level History students ran the annual History House Quiz this half term for an equally fabulous group of Year 7s and 8s.
Questions ranged from identifying famous historical figures, landmarks and objects to a music round. Knowledge was excellent with the exception of some very quizzical looks at the picture of a landline telephone.
KEW GARDENS
Year 9 students took part in an exciting geography trip to Kew Gardens, where they explored the wonders of tropical rainforests and learned about their ecosystems in a hands-on environment. This educational visit was a perfect opportunity to bring their classroom lessons to life! The students had the chance to explore the stunning range of plants and trees at Kew Gardens. Highlights of the trip included the Treetop Walkway, where students enjoyed breathtaking views of the towering trees and got a unique perspective on forest canopies. They learned about the crucial role rainforests play in the global environment, discovering more about biodiversity, conservation efforts, and climate change impacts. Throughout the day, the students were engaged, inquisitive, and respectful, demonstrating excellent behavior as they explored the gardens. It was a day full of learning and fun, with everyone leaving the trip with a greater appreciation for these vital ecosystems.
A TASTE OF FRANCE - YEAR 9 FOOD TRIP
Year 9 pupils from the Food Department embarked on an exciting three-day French culinary adventure.
The pupils delved into the world of French gastronomy, beginning with a visit to a sweet shop to witness the creation of delicious treats. Next, they enjoyed an unmissable experience at a chocolate factory, learning the entire fascinating process from the raw cocoa bean to a finished chocolate bar. They rounded off their practical learning at a local bakery, where they picked up tips on making perfect croissants and French bread. The trip culminated in a memorable visit to the festive Amiens Christmas Market.
COMPUTER SCIENCE NEWS
COMPUTER SCIENCE NEWS
KS3 CyberFirst Girls Competition
We are very proud to share the excellent results achieved by the following Year 8 Broxbourne pupils who competed against schools from across the UK in the CyberFirst Girls Competition 2025 (nccs.gov.uk)
Working in teams, the girls tackled a range of challenging computing tasks, including cryptography, logic, artificial intelligence and networking. Winning teams were awarded certificates, badges and house points
TRIPLE BYTE (Broxbourne Winners) - Aneeqa Mohomed, Rozerin Ozcan, Sophie Price and Emily Resmerita. 4 LEAF CLOVERS (2nd Place) - Silvia Clayton, Amelie Crockett, Darcey Wright and Matilda Smith. BLEH (3rd Place) Lottie Kimber and Lucy Varney.
Special congratulations to TRIPLE BYTE who placed 7th overall across the East of England competing against all other participating schools.
PE NEWS
PE NEWS
It has been a fantastic half term of sport, with pupils proudly representing the school across football, netball, basketball and swimming. We would like to congratulate all pupils involved for their commitment, enthusiasm and dedication to school sport.
In November, the Year 8 and 9 netball teams enjoyed a weekend tour to Leicester. This was, as always, a highly rewarding experience, providing opportunities to compete against Nottingham High School and Loughborough High School, as well as to train and tour the facilities at Loughborough University.
Well done to all of our girls’ football teams who are currently competing in the district league and county cup competitions. We look forward to sharing updates on their progress next term. Congratulations to the Year 7 B team, Year 8 and Year 11 boys’ football teams, all of whom have progressed to the quarter-final stages of their respective county cup competitions. The senior boys’ team have also made a strong start to the season with wins against Chauncy and John Warner, and will continue their campaign in the district and county league cups. A special mention goes to the Year 8 boys’ football team, who have reached the last 32 of the National Cup, from a field of over 700 schools. Their next fixture will take place in the first week back in January, and we wish them the very best of luck.
Finally, well done to all pupils who have taken part in basketball fixtures this term and to those who represented the school at the second district swimming gala of the year.
MATHS / CHESS REPORT
MATHS / CHESS REPORT
We started off strongly this term with the Mathematical Olympiad for Girls and Mathematical Competition for Girls. Congratulations to Miwa Crouch, Year 13, and Belle Lee, Year 11, who both achieved a Distinction in the MCG. Congratulations also to Tasmin Seaman, Lydia Ackroyd, Amelia Evans, Paige Hunt, Caroline Murdoch, and Imogen Wilson who all achieved Merit certifications on the MCG. Congratulations to Emili Marangoni who achieved a certification in the MOG.
HOUSE UPDATE
HOUSE UPDATE
Following the success of many house competitions this term, including the Year 7 Mob race, the MFL quiz, the Geography quiz, the fruit carving competition, House plays, the History quiz, and the library’s Guess the Teacher Behind the Book quiz, I’m delighted to reveal that we have had a significant change in how the house points are looking this year:
In 4th place, with 300 points - Attenborough.
In 3rd place, with 335 points, is last year’s house cup winner, Dickens.
In 2nd place, with 365 points, - Hepworth.
In 1st place, with 400 points, is Nightingale.
This is an amazing achievement as Nightingale have not been in first place for eight years! Well done to everyone who got involved, and we hope to see more of you at house events next term!
YEAR 13 CHRISTMAS SOCIAL
Year 13 students took part in some well deserved Christmas fun and relaxation this week. Ace of Lanes in Bishops Stortford hosted our students and they enjoyed pizza and chips as well as some Tenpin Bowling! We hope all the students have a great Christmas break and come back refreshed and ready for the last push towards the summer exams.
YEAR 12 CHRISTMAS QUIZ
YEAR 12 CHRISTMAS QUIZ
Year 12 students enjoyed a Christmas quiz in their final General Studies lesson of 2025. The quiz covered a range of topics including science, history, general knowledge, and culture. Students had lots of fun and showed great Christmas spirit as they worked together and celebrated the end of the year.
PSHE
PSHE
Six of our amazing A-level Sociologists gave assemblies to Years 7-10 on the theme of Disability History Month. They highlighted the rights that have been won for, and by, people with disabilities since the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act as well as statistics that include the 800,000 children in the UK who are currently young carers. This was to tie in with our PSHE theme this term which has been respect and healthy relationships.
With the holidays approaching, below are some resources for support and activity ideas that link to our PSHE theme this term:
Keeping children safe online:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/
Dealing with challenges during the holidays:
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/seasonal-events/christmas/
Ideas for activities in the holidays:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z6rwtcwhttps://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/things-to-do/woods-through-the-seasons/winter/.
Teenage sleep support:
https://teensleephub.org.uk/
CHARITY EVENTS
CHARITY EVENTS
A huge thank you to everyone who donated to the HABs Christmas appeal this year. We raised £2619 as well as all the wonderful donations of toys and gifts. This was all very gratefully received by HABs who will put it to good use this Christmas. Broxbourne has really made a difference to the lives of a number of families in our local community.
Additional fund raising days have also raised much needed funds for other charities; £627 was raised for BBC Children in Need and £981 for Save the Children and Herts Young Homeless.
Thank you to everyone who donated!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
This term, we are proud to announce the launch of our very first Pupil Community Action Group! Comprising enthusiastic Year 8 and 9 pupils, the group will dedicate their time throughout the academic year to supporting and serving our local community. This initiative offers a fantastic opportunity for Broxbourne pupils to live out our school values beyond the classroom and make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Key Dates:
5th January - Return to school
7th January - Year 13 Reports Home
7th January - Year 12 Sociology Trip
13th January - Drama composition recordings
16th January - Year 11 Mock Results Day
17th - 24th January - German Exchange (to Germany)
21st January - Year 11 Reports Home
22nd January - Year 11 Parents' Evening (4.30pm - 7.30pm)
26th - 30th January - Year 11 Options Meetings
27th January - Year 13 PE EAPI Mock
28th January - Intermediate Maths Challenge
29th January - Year 9 Enterprise Day
30th January - Year 11 Maths Walking Talking Mock Exam
3rd February - PSHE Day
4th - 5th February - Year 10 Work Experience
5th February - Year 11 English Walking Talking Mock
9th February - Year 13 PE EAPI Exam
9th February - Year 12 Geography Trip
11th February - Spring Performance Platform (5pm)
11th -12th February - Year 11 Performance Recordings
12th February - Year 12 Parents' Evening (4.30pm - 7.30pm)
12th February - Year 13 Music Recitals
13th February - INSET DAY
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