SJWMS Newsletter
March 2023
School Visit to Simpsons Wine Estate
On Tuesday 24th January, Year 13 Economists had the privilege of visiting Simpsons Wine Estate in Canterbury to gain an insight into the wine industry and how their business works.
Once we arrived, the staff of Simpsons gave us an introduction into the background of their winery and the story behind Ruth and Charles Simpson, who established the estate in 2012.
After this introduction, we were led to the vineyards where the grapes are grown. Whilst walking through the vineyard, we learnt about the different types of grapes that are grown and the techniques that are used to maximise efficiency and quality. For example, candles are used during colder seasons to provide warmth to the plants.
One notable feature in particular is that all the vines are held in a metal frame to keep them in place and ensure they grow neatly. A vehicle with specialised machinery drives past the vines and shakes off the grapes without causing any damage. All the grapes are then taken and processed in their facilities which are only a walking distance away.
Continuing on from the vineyard, we were taken inside their main base of operations and shown their state of the art machinery and apparatus that are used to process the grapes.
Following this, we were then taken to their conference room and given a presentation into the economic outlooks of the wine industry. We acquired more knowledge about the success of the firm but also the potential problems they may encounter in the future. For example, as a result of Brexit, Simpsons faces increased regulations to export their products to Europe. After this, we were given the opportunity to ask questions and enquire about anything else related to the business.
Finally, to bring an end to this trip, everyone had the opportunity to take the slide down from the conference room to the bottom floor. This was definitely the highlight of the trip as we made Mr Turley, our Economics teacher, take the slide down like the rest of us. With our encouragement, he had no choice but to do exactly this, and I am sure that this was his favourite part of the trip.
Although we were not allowed to actually taste the wine for obvious reasons, this was an enjoyable and engaging experience in which we gained an abundance of valuable knowledge particularly in relation to Theme 3.
Dilhaj Ahmed, 13 River
School Visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau
Understanding the gravitas and monumental impact of the Holocaust is an incredibly difficult task, however, after experiencing a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau, and witnessing several exhibits and talks, this effort becomes a lot easier; but, despite my opportunity to have this trip, many will not get the chance to visit a labour camp in their lifetimes, so increasing the availability of such an experience and the knowledge or emotions that arise from it is incredibly important in remembering this event, and by extension, gathering lessons on the human condition to understand how we can change to ensure such genocide will never happen again.
The most instant and impacting apprehension from the visit was the dramatic scale, which is difficult to grasp now even having seen it myself; almost everything has an incomprehensible scale which truly gives weight to the number of six million - not just in reference to the size of the camps and the monotonous, repetitive blocks and roads that fill them (and the inability to even find a corner to the camps), but also within the exhibits seeing the sheer number of belongings made it easier to articulate, yet still bewildering, what over a million really looks like.
In addition to this, those possessions were personal and individual, recognising them as bits and pieces which society uses today attaches a more emotional importance to them understanding that the shoes, kitchenware and suitcases were all used by human hands much like our own. Keeping the stories alive is vital to humanity, not only must we not imagine the perpetrators as sub-human or evil, we must rightfully honour the groups that were persecuted and cement them in history.
Joseph Cornelius and Harrison Moores
Term 4 Sports Report
Hockey
Since Christmas, the school has played over 100 matches and participated in a number of county competitions. School Hockey in Kent is amongst the strongest in the country and to compete against the county's top Hockey schools is a testament to our continued improvements. The Under 12s team have performed particularly well in their 1st year of school Hockey and the numbers of boys participating in Hockey is very encouraging.
The U13s, U14s and U15s had some notable wins and some close defeats through the course of the season, the U15s were unlucky to lose in the final of the John Maylam Trophy but revenge was sweet 2 days later when they beat the same opposition. Both the senior sides had solid seasons, the 1st XI will lose a number of players who have formed the backbone of the team over the course of the last few years, however: this will provide an opportunity for some of the younger players to become the senior members and we are looking for these players to develop their leadership skills. The highlight for these boys was the tour to the West Country where they played and beat a strong Millfield School.
Netball
The Netball season started strongly with over 25 girls attending training on a weekly basis. The girls participated in the Kent school tournament against the best school's across the county. They faced tough competition but performed well and made progress throughout the tournament. They also played several friendlies throughout the season showing growth and development and having a lot of fun in the process. We look forward to developing the squad next term and building on the success. Well done to all players involved.
Rugby
The Under 12 and 13s have continued their season and have performed well with some comfortable wins and some narrow defeats; overall the season was a very positive one with a large chunk of the year group playing regular competitive Rugby. Both U12a and b sides competed in the annual Dartford GS festival, finishing 3rd out of 8 teams and acquitting themselves very well in an extremely tough group of schools.
The Senior Development XV had a short season due to adverse weather. The young squad lost to a strong Sutton Valence 1st XV, experience and weight advantage finally getting the better of them. Overall the squad showed excellent cohesion and promise for the coming season.
Other sides have competed in their respective 7s competitions. The Under 15s had their Kent 7s competition cancelled but performed superbly in their other tournaments, winning the vast majority of their matches.
The U13s and U14s both performed well in their county and national tournaments. Once again we can see the talent available, however; talent alone doesn’t bring about success, it is only when combined with dedication and the correct attitude that it brings about the desired results.
The boys senior 7 also had their county competition cancelled, this time due to snow. The girls side were victorious in their county competition and for the girls to become county champions is a credit to their hard work and dedication.
The highlight of any 7s season is the Rosslyn Park National Schools 7s for the U13s and both senior sides; both acquitted themselves well amongst tough opposition. The standard is invariably high and our aspiration is to be placed amongst these schools in the near future, unfortunately our teams didn’t top their respective pools so did not progress to the next round. Despite this, both the senior boys and girls, in particular, can take lots of positives from their day.
Over half the squad had never played Rugby before September. Stand out results were being undefeated in the Kent 7s competition including a 53-0 win against Dartford Grammar School. They also performed brilliantly against Cardinal Newmans getting the closest score to the eventual National Champions.
Mr S N Downes
House Music 2023
The theme of this year’s House Music was “Decades”. Each of the seven Houses picked their decade and we were transported all the way from the 1960s up to the present 2020s. As is tradition, the whole of Year 7 were invited to watch their peers and perform as Form groups. The requirements of the competition were: Year 7 Choir, a Junior Solo, a Senior Solo and an Ensemble of their choosing.
Houses were given extra points for costumes, presentation, comperes and programmes. There were several highlights over the two days: Year 7 Pitt’s rendition of 'Sweet Caroline'; Anthony (8 Tower) and his piano version of Britney Spears 'Toxic'; the Ensemble from Gordon’s own composition featuring Ayo Onamade - 12Go, Joris Udris - 12go & Oliver Talvilahti - 12Go; and Pitt’s Ensemble of 'Paint It Black' starring Tate Patten - 13Pi, David McGrath - 12Pi, David Famojuro - 12Pi and Will Jarvis - 9Pi. The Year 7s were particularly delighted when River House’s Compere, George Morris - 13Ri, appeared in his fifth costume of the day as a Spice Girl and ordered the four judges to join him in a rendition of Wannabe - Miss Heather was not amused!
This year’s winners were Castle House which featured the Year 7s singing 'Forget You' by Ceelo Green, Ethan St Clair - 10Ca playing Slipknot’s 'Unsainted' on the drums, Frankie Finch - 12Ca, playing 90210 by Travis Green on the piano and the Ensemble playing Rude by Magic featuring Rohan Worthington-Chennu 7Ca, on vocals, Daryan Moshtael - 8Ca, on Electric Guitar, Ethan St Clair - 10Ca on drums, Rebecca Wotton - 12Ca, on Saxophone, Inigo Beltran - 12Ca, on Electric Guitar, and Frankie Finch - 12Ca on Bass Guitar.
Huge congratulations to all Houses for a thoroughly enjoyable competition.
Mrs G Morris
House Cooking Competition
A very successful House Cooking competition with the students making an array of brilliant dishes.
7th place-Tower
6th place- Thetford
5th place Pitt
4th place River
3rd place Gordon
2nd place Castle
1st place Bridge
'I’m pleased to have won the Junior House Cooking Competition. For the starter, we made dough balls with garlic butter as well as fish cutlets. We made a medium rare steak with salt and pepper fries with some salad too. For the dessert, we made Oreo sponge brownies. Our winning dishes tasted amazing and all the judges approved. It was a great experience and really fun'.
-Luca Basso and Akshay Mondas- 8Br.
Well done to all the students involved.
Thanks again to our judges.
Miss O Carrier
Spring Concert 2023
On Wednesday 22nd March 2023, the students of The Math School performed in their Spring Concert. There were students from all year groups performing as soloists, duets and ensembles, many of them for the very first time.
We were treated to a wide variety of genres, ranging from Chopin, Mozart, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Van Halen and Slipknot; and a diverse range of instruments from Classical Violin and Piano solos, a Brass Group, Clarinet and Saxophone ensembles and several Rock Bands from Years 8, 10 and the Sixth Form Academy.
Some of the highlights of the evening were Alex (Year 8), who entertained us with the song 'On and On' by Cartoon, Charlotte Watson, 12To and Adam Greaves-Neal's, 13Ri beautiful rendition of 'Phantom of the Opera' (who knew ‘that’ high E was actually possible), Ethan St Clair's - 10Ca, out of this world drum solo of Slipknot’s 'Unsainted', complete with a timed light show, Ethan Guo’s 7To, perfect version of 'Mozart’s Turkish' March and a wonderfully enthusiastic 'Pompeii' by the KS3 Choir.
It was a long but extremely enjoyable evening leaving the audience members exhilarated and extremely proud of their children.
Mrs G Morris
Good News
On Wednesday 1st March, the girls 1st XII rugby team travelled to Dartford Grammar School for Boys to participate in the Kent 7s tournament. The girls were focused and driven from the start and it showed in their performance with some brilliant passing, rapid runs and hard-hitting tackles. The girls faced the team from Dartford Grammar in the final and came away with a convincing 19 -10 win. During the tournament, the girls racked up an incredible 105 points and only conceded 10 points during the whole competition. Congratulations to all the girls who participated in the Kent 7s tournament on their fantastic achievement.
Crest Award
Members of the Science club have been awarded the Crest Award. The Bronze Awards introduces students to project work empowering them to work like real Scientists, Technologists, Engineers or Mathematicians. Our students worked with soap, and analysed which type of soap would be best to use in hard and soft water areas.
A huge well done to: Arthur Drumm, Shawn Uwaomah, Shihab Ahmed, Sreecharan Thirugnana Sambandam, Oliver Sartain, Harry Nixon, Khush Gopal, Levi Harris-Smith, and Newton Kayode.
Good News
Michael Fankah (Former School Captain) has been selected (as a fresher!) to play in the upcoming Varsity match against Cambridge at Twickenham on the 25th of March. Congratulations!
New College of Humanities - History & Politics annual essay writing competition
Earlier this year a number of students submitted essays to the New College of Humanities for the History and Politics categories of their annual essay writing competition. The school scored a notable success, with Kofi Hayford 12 Br, coming in as runner up for the Politics category where the question was: What would have to change about ‘democracy’ in order to restore faith in democracy among young people?
Kofi's essay can be found here: https://www.nulondon.ac.uk/pre-university-programmes/essay/essay-winners-2023/
Aside from the placing runner up he received a £250 prize for his efforts. A number of other Yr 12 students entered in some excellent essays as well on topics including Law, History and Politics, facing fierce competition, with over 5,000 essays entered across all categories. All are to be congratulated. The school's participation in this competition will hopefully become a regular annual feature for the humanities department.
Mr C Nicholson
Visit to the History Dept
On Wednesday 1st March historian Marc Morris visited the History department to deliver a lecture on the reign of Edward I. Marc Morris is a leading authority on Edward's reign, which forms a key part of the GCSE curriculum. Y11 students benefited from Marc's enormous knowledge, asking a range of interesting questions that really brought out some new insights - this included a demonstration from Jasir Ahmad 11Ca, of how the Prince of Wales would be expected to actually pay homage to Edward I, had he actually showed up to the ceremony in 1274! Marc Morris will certainly be invited back next year to benefit the current Y10s!
Mr C Nicholson
UK Chemistry Olympiad
Recently, four of our Year 13 students took part in the UK Chemistry Olympiad, run by the Royal Society of Chemistry, at their own insistence (this is a competition we don't normally enter as it clashes with internal mock exams). This competition is designed to challenge the very best year 13 Chemists, such as those produced here at the 'Math'.
I'm pleased to say all four gained excellent outcomes - Their scores were:
Aaron Shoker 40, Kerim Yilmaz 39, Hadi Abbas 34, Kieran Pogoue 33. All out of 86.
Congratulations to all
Miss A Wallace
British Science Week
British Science week is celebrated in March each year, and this year the Physics Department ran a competition to design a way to save energy in the home. There were submissions across all of Year 7, 8 and 9 many of which made use of renewable resources such as solar panels or wind turbines, suggested improvements or innovations to insulation, or used sensors and automation to ensure efficient use of resources. Well done to all who entered the competition. The winning entries were chosen as they impressed us with their creativity and innovation, putting forward ideas not thought of before, or suggesting clever uses of technology to improve our homes. The winners are as follows:
From year 7, Quinn Brooks 7Ri, for his heat-recovery system;
From Year 8, Daniel El Eid 8Br, for his Adaptive-insulation system; and from Year 9 Charlie Coaker 9Ca, for his AI presence-detection system.
LAMDA Showcase Thursday 9th February 2023
This fantastic event featured performances of a selection of speeches, monologues and duologues by students from all year groups, plus scenes performed by A Level Theatre Studies students. This was a great opportunity for all concerned to showcase skills and to prepare for the LAMDA examinations. These took place on Saturday 25th February and we await the results. Good luck to all our LAMDA students!
LAMDA 2017-2022
The story so far: since 2017 we have had 194 LAMDA examinations passed by students at SJWMS; 48 with merit and 148 with distinction. All of our year 12 students who took Grade 6 and above have earned valuable UCAS points to add to their University applications, and all have shown great dedication, perseverance and growth in confidence in the process!
If your son or daughter would like to start LAMDA lessons they can see Mrs Shand in the Drama studio for more information.
Mrs J Shand
New Audio System for school productions and concerts!
The 1701 Society recently funded a long awaited upgrade to the sound system in the main hall. New speakers, a new sound desk and a complete wireless mic system have been added along with the ability to control this from the rear of the hall. This was a very generous donation and is much appreciated by our students and their audiences! Read more from our two senior students who have been learning to operate the new system.
Sam Atkinson, 13Go.
‘The new sound system is a vast improvement over the previous one, the difference is night and day. Where the old system was echoey, distorted, hard to listen to and the acoustics were misaligned, the new system is a breath of fresh air. The speakers are a large improvement, with a clear and distinct difference in sound quality particularly the differences in base, mid-range and treble (all of which can now be properly adjusted to the specific user or requirements). This gives us more room to play around with volumes for effects, or have a greater depth in clarity for bands performing in concerts.
The new system also comes with multiple new features which will be a great asset for plays and musicals. Firstly, there are different controls for which speaker emits what sounds (each with an individual volume control). In musicals for example the overhead monitor speaker on stage can be used to play a quietened music so that the actors and singers can hear their cues. There are also two floor speakers which can perform the same purpose or be wired into the Drama Studio to provide voice lines and cues to actors waiting to perform.
Finally the main speakers have a pan function which allows inputted sound to be directed between the left and right, this would be excellent to use to convey distances between actors, for example a phone call across the stage. There are also effects that can be added to the sound, for example an echo and repeat or a sound bounce, all of these can be used for different purposes and, as a whole expands the capabilities of the Drama and Music departments.
The system sounds very professional and is well organised, it should be quite easy for new students to understand and begin using with the correct guidance, allowing for this to continuously be used at a high level. It honestly makes me feel like a little kid playing with my new Christmas toys. Personally the only downside I have found to it is that I now only have less than a year to use the benefits I've said before I leave the school.’
‘The new sound system is fantastic. The updated sound board gives us the opportunity to mix the sound which will allow us to use a wider range of microphones and instruments in Music and Drama performances. The ability to play sound onto the stage as well as to an audience will make performances more immersive and allow the actors to hear themselves better. What’s more, the new system allows members of the crew to gain a better understanding of the technology and engineering which goes into theatre. Having all of the equipment we need in one system is incredibly useful and, most importantly, the quality of the speakers is so much better than we have ever had. We are able to produce a sound which is reflective of the talent that we have at the school. The diverse range of performances will all sound as well rehearsed and performed as they should do, and musicians, actors, speakers and technicians will all get a chance to experience their fields in a more mature, realistic and enjoyable way.’
Darragh Skerritt 12Ca
Attendance - Update
Dear Parent
As you will know, our current attendance policy requires you to provide a written explanation as to why your son/daughter was absent. This can either be completed via an email or a note the day of your son’s/daughter's return to school.
From the 5th January this process is changing, and to make things easier, we are going to be using a feature via the ‘My Child At School’ app which enables you to notify us of any absence by a form of text message. This means communications of any absences for your son/daughter will be easier for you and the school. The absence telephone number will no longer be in operation to report absences in January. Reporting absences can only be done by the My Child at School App or by emailing - absence@sjwms.org.uk.
In order for this system to operate efficiently can you please make sure that your MCAS app is working. If it is not please email MCAS@sjwms.org.uk for any administrative problems.
Below are instructions on how to report your son/daughter's absence via the MCAS app.
From your MCAS app go to:
Or to send a text via My Child At School:
Menu
Messages
‘+’ next to messages
Click School Name
Write a message as to why your son/daughter is absent.
When the school sends a text parents reply to the virtual number - 07860054468
Kind regards
The School Office
Important Dates - For Your Calendar
17th - 21st April 2023 - End of Year Exams - Year 9
24th - 28th April 2023 - End of Year Exams - Year 8
18th May 2023 - Year 7 Celebration Evening 6.00pm - 7.00pm.
11th May 2023 - Year 8 Parents' Evening - 4.00pm - 8.00pm
5th - 9th June 2023 - End of Year Exams - Year 7
22nd June 2023 - Year 7 & 8 Prize Giving - 7.00pm - 8.00pm.
12th - 23rd June 2023 - End of Year Exams - Year 12
19th - 30th June 2023 - End of Year Exams - Year 10
1st July 2023 - Foundation Day
4th - 7th July - Sixth Form Induction Week
11th July 2023 - Senior Prize Giving - 7.15pm - 8.45pm
Reminder to Parents - Parking
Please be mindful when dropping off and picking up your child from school, most of the roads around us are residential areas with some parking restrictions. Please try to arrange to collect your child away from school and not blocking residential driveways.
School Uniform
SIR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON'S MATHEMATICAL SCHOOL.
CONTACTS
Customer Service - Mon-Fri 9:00am - 5:30pm - 01892 837202
EMAIL: customerservice@simmonds-ltd.com
OPENING HOURS:
CHATHAM DOCKSIDE SHOP
MON-SAT 10AM-6PM
SUN 11AM-5PM
NEWNHAM COURT SHOP
MON-SAT 9AM-5.30PM
SUN 10.30AM-4:30PM
CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE
MON-FRI 9:00AM - 5:30PM
01892 837202
SI
Term Dates 2022 - 2023
Term 1
Wednesday 31st August 2022 – Only new Year 7 students to attend for induction day and Year 12s for registration (INSET Day)
Thursday 1st September 2022 – First day back for all students,
Thursday 20th October 2022
Term 2:
Monday 7th November 2022.
Tuesday 20th December 2022 to
Term 3:
Thursday 5th January 2023
Thursday 9th February 2023
Term 4:
Monday 20th February 2023
Friday 31st March 2023
Term 5:
Monday 17th April 2023
Friday 26th May 2023
Term 6:
Monday 5th June 2023
Saturday 1st July 2023 (Foundation Day – compulsory day of attendance)
Monday 3rd July 2023 (Occasional Day off in Lieu of Foundation Day)
Friday 21st July 2023
Bank Holidays and Inset Days
INSET DAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS
Tuesday 30th August 2022 (INSET Day)
Wednesday 31st August 2022 (INSET Day)
Friday 21st October 2022 (INSET Day)
Wednesday 4th January 2023 (INSET Day)
Friday 10th February 2023 (INSET Day)
Friday 7th April 2023 (Bank Holiday)
Monday 10th April 2023 (Bank Holiday)
Monday 1st May 2023 (Bank Holiday)
Monday 28th August 2023 (Bank Holiday)a
Term dates 2023 - 2024
Term 1
Thursday 31st August 2023 (Year 7 only)
Friday 1st September 2023 (All year groups return)
Friday 20th October 2023
Term 2
Monday 6th November 2023
Friday 15th December 2023
Term 3:
Tuesday 2nd January 2024
Thursday 8th February 2024
Term 4:
Monday 19th February 2024
Thursday 28th March 2024
Term 5:
Monday 15th April 2024
Friday 24th May 2024
Term 6:
Monday 3rd June 2024
Saturday 6th July 2024 (Foundation Day – compulsory day of attendance)
Monday 8th July 2024 (Occasional Day off in Lieu of Foundation Day)
Friday 19th July 2024
INSET DAYS AND BANK HOLIDAYS
Tuesday 29th August 2023 (INSET Day)
Wednesday 30th August 2023 (INSET Day)
Monday 1st January 2024 (Bank Holiday)
Friday 9th February 2024 (INSET Day)
Friday 29th March 2024 (Bank Holiday)
Monday 1st April 2024 (Bank Holiday)
Monday 6th May 2024 (Bank Holiday)
Monday 26th August 2024 (Bank Holiday)