Tabitha Speaks Out!
We are very proud of Year 9 student Tabitha who has won the Final of the Year 9 ‘Speak Up, Speak Out’ Competition in the Borough! This is a great achievement for Tabitha. Her speech could not have been better delivered, and it was an absolute pleasure to watch Tabitha, and our other Year 9 finalist, Abigail, take to the stage and represent the school with such confidence, flair, presence and erudition. The final order of the winners was:
1. LPGS (Tabitha)
2. Harris Academy Beckenham
3. Newstead Wood
This is a high standard competition and there were 17 finalists. The judging is very close, and it is a great achievement to get placed in the top three. This is the second year running of such success for LPGS, having gained Second Place last year (Havana, now Y10).
Huge congratulations to Tabitha and to Abigail – they both did a superb job.
Mr. Green
Spanish Exchange with Colegio Cisneros Alter, Tenerife
In January we resumed our long-standing Spanish Exchange with our partner school from Tenerife. The Spanish students came to stay with us for a week and during the day they visited the sights in London and then came back to spend time with us in the evening. They also spent a day with us in school where we took part in a typical British sports day and we also helped them to practise their English by writing poetry with them. We also went to see the Mary Poppins musical with them which was a great experience for both schools. We are looking forward to visiting them in Tenerife next month! - Miss Artini
"On the first day of my Spanish Exchange coming over I was really nervous but over the week the nerves went away, and we had fun. We saw Mary Poppins the musical on the first night and it was amazing. On the weekend, as a group, we took our Spanish students ice skating and went bowling and they really enjoyed it. They didn’t mind the bad weather because it was different from it being sunny all the time in Tenerife. At home I played card games with my exchange partner and watched some Netflix. I gave my exchange a hug when he left but I wasn’t too sad as we were going to see each other again in just over two months. I had a really good time and I would definitely do it again!" - Jasmine R, Year 10.
"During the week, my exchange partner and I went ice-skating, to London, watched some films and more. I really enjoyed spending time with my exchange and all the others too, because although it was sometimes a little challenging to communicate, they were extremely friendly and kind. I had an awesome week and I am very excited to see my exchange again, and her family too, in Tenerife next month!" - Sofia H, Year 10.
GCSE PHOTOGRAPHY - Dora Maar at Tate Modern Feb 2020
On Monday 3rd February 2020 GCSE Y11 Photography students traveled to Tate Modern in central London to see Photography work by Surrealist, Dora Maar and the Mexican photographer Graciela Iturbide.
All students are working on their examination theme called ‘Event’. Studying the work of these pivotal Photographers will aid our students to consider how artists document and communicate everyday events. This will hopefully give our students the chance to gain important primary research to help them develop and support their own growing ideas and responses.
2020 Pan American Brazilian jiu-jitsu Champion!!
Zuri returned home from California just before the end of this half term as 2020 Pan American Brazilian jiu-jitsu Champion after winning Gold in the tournament, her 3rd title and second consecutive win at this particular championships.
Like her sister, Zuri's sporting discipline has transferred to her academics and Zuri was moved up to the top maths set before half term! We are very proud of Zuri and her tenacity and commitment.
Nia, won double Gold at the European Championships in Lisbon at the end of January, making her the youngest UK female to win Gold in both her own weight division and the open weight division. She was subsequently featured on BBC London News last Wednesday 19th February at 6pm after BBC sport journalist Emma Jones covered Nia's story. We were especially proud of the angle they took and the way Nia came across in the interview, promoting and bringing awareness of the female contributions to Jiu jitsu.
UCA Workshop KS5 Visual Arts - Creating Virtual Identities
On Monday 13th January 2020 the Visual Arts Department was able to host a creative workshop with UCA led by artist Monika Krupa. This is part of our growing partnership with UCA which is helping our KS5 students develop their understanding of future career paths in the creative industries.
Travel and Tourism Department
Year 13 Tourism students were visited by AC Group, the Travel and Tourism departments vocational link.
Rob Russell, joint CEO, presented to students employment opportunities in the Travel and Tourism industry as a number of Year 12 students are looking for jobs in this sector.
This valuable information also helped students gain an understanding of the next topic for their upcoming exam in the summer. Rob is a constant support to the Travel and Tourism department at LPGS and we all thank him for his valuable contribution.
Life Drawing - Visual Arts Faculty
Life Drawing classes started again in February 2020. We have a good mix of very dedicated and determined students and staff who are all working hard to hone their observational drawing skills with the help of local artist Hugh Henderson.
Music Department
In half term, we received the wonderful news that our audition to perform in Disneyland Paris on tour in October 2020 was successful, so huge congratulations to all members of the LPGS Jazz Band and tour choir. The panel are renowned for their very high standards and we were given the following feedback:
‘A wonderful audition. The choir had an exquisite blend of voices and harmonies and the Jazz Band showed good skill and musicianship throughout. There was a lovely depth and quality to your work.’
In addition to the audition preparation, last term also saw the premiere of two ‘firsts’ for Langley Girls. The first ever LPGS Platform Concert was on Tuesday 11th February which was a chance for anyone in the school to perform whatever they wanted. The less formal evening was a wonderful opportunity for students who might not have put themselves forward otherwise to show off their bravery and talent. The programme included songs from shows, classical repertoire and a variety of tracks from current artists which kept the audience guessing as to what was coming up next!
The following day we hosted the BYMT Hub singing workshop and concert which was attended by nearly 200 students from 6 different schools across the borough. 45 singers were invited to represent Langley Park Girls School and they thoroughly enjoyed putting the repertoire rehearsed in advance together with such a large group of like-minded students. BYMT are launching the Bromley Youth Choir in September so if interested please get in touch with them (www.bymt.co.uk ).
The second group of Year 7 students learning an instrument are now well under way and through the generosity of parents, we have been able to provide more students with an instrument to take home for the duration of their course. If you would still like to sponsor an instrument for £90, it is not too late, just let Mr. Sizer know via email: rws@lpgs.bromley.sch.uk
This term sees our Year 11 and 13 students perform their final recitals and complete their composition coursework as well as a very busy two weeks of concerts as follows:
Tuesday 24th March - LPBS Festival Gala concert 1 (7.30pm) – MAT Orchestra members
Wednesday 25th March – LPLT Piano Evening (tbc) – Selected LPGS pianists
Thursday 26th March - LPBS Festival Gala concert 2 (7.30pm) – MAT Orchestra members
Friday 27th March – LPLT Festival concert (6.30pm) – LPGS Jazz Band + MAT Orchestra members
Tuesday 31st March – LPGS Easter Cabaret concert (7pm) – MAT Orchestra members + LPGS Jazz Band, Chamber Choir, Trumpet Belles, Ivory Lounge and selected soloists (audition date to be confirmed)
Wednesday 1st April – LPGS Year 7 Learn an Instrument Scheme concert - all Year 7s on the current scheme
Please add these dates to your diary!
Miss. Sheppard
Positive Pete-Mentoring Service - for Young People aged 7 – 18
Could you be that person that helps make a difference to a young person’s life?
Positive Pete is a registered charity committed to helping young people. We believe that all young people have value regardless of their background or the current circumstances they find themselves in.
We are looking for Volunteers to train as Mentors to work in schools in the Beckenham/Bromley area
We support you by: Providing Accredited training, which takes place on a Saturday, along with ongoing support.
To find out more about how to become one of our Volunteer Mentors contact: Denise Riley at - DRiley@positivepete.co.uk
Credits:
Created with images by Osman Rana - "untitled image" • Nick Fewings - "A visit to the Tate Modern, where I captured this person taking a photograph of some modern art. I loved how he was silhouetted and I also captured the image on his phone."