Independent Schools

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Newbury Weekly News

St Helen & St Katharine A rich and rewarding education

ST HELEN and St Katharine is a school where success is celebrated but not revered. Pupils achieve excellent academic results and the school’s goal is to ensure that every girl achieves success as she defines it, so that she can believe in herself, her talents and abilities, and so that she will feel prepared and equipped for life beyond school. Eager to learn, and motivated to do their best, pupils take advan- tage of the many opportunities on offer. The school encourages them to challenge themselves and to take risks, both academically and beyond the classroom, and is also committed to creating a secure and supportive environment in which girls feel they can make mistakes as they learn. Junior Department In the Junior Department, Year 5 and Year 6 girls can explore, discover, achieve and reflect. A friendly, happy and vibrant place to learn, buzzing with activity and positive energy, this is an ideal environment in which pupils are nurtured and supported to find out what they like to do, what they are good at and to find the best way forward. The Junior Department is nestled in the heart of the school. The specialist, experienced and inspirational teaching and support team devotes time to getting to know all the pupils. Individuality is cherished and

celebrated and knowing every girl’s strengths and potential, recognising what delights and motivates her, helps the team to adapt learning to extend and inspire pupils to enable them to become an independent, confi- dent, highly engaged, inquisitive and enthusiastic learner. Lower School When Year 7 pupils join, the staff make sure that they feel happy, secure and confident in their new environment, so that they settle quickly, form friendships, learn successfully and develop fully their individual talents. Getting to know each girl before she joins is important; during the summer term, the Lower School tutor team visit the girls in their primary schools and invite them to an activity day, where they meet their tutor and form group. Girls in all year groups are organised into one of four houses, for inter-house competi- tions and social activities. Houses are led by staff heads of house and offer leadership roles to girls as house captains in the sixth form and house leaders in other years. The house system offers opportu- nities for girls from different years to spend more time together, develop skills such as teamwork and leadership and foster a sense of competition throughout the school. Lastly, and most importantly, they are fun.

ment and good communication are all of fundamental impor- tance during these three formative years and the school is proud of its tutoring system that enables staff to take an all- round approach to a pupil’s progress. Sixth Form The Sixth Form is an exciting and formative experience, a point of transition and transfor- mation from teenage to adult life. The vision for St Helen’s sixth form is to create an environment for students that will spark their

intellectual spirit and imagina- tion. Teaching staff foster a curiosity about ideas and a encourage a willingness to take risks within a culture that nurtures self-esteem and recognises endeavour along- side outcome. It is of huge social importance that young women have the personal and intellectual confi- dence to play a leading role in the complex world of the 21st century, where opportunities and possibilities abound, yet deter- mination, self-reliance and

Middle School The Middle School comprises Years 9-11. On entry into Middle School, girls are rearranged into four new tutor groups in which they stay for the three years. The school welcomes a number of new entrants at this stage who are integrated into the newly- formed groups. This is a time of significant development. A sound understanding of the personal ups and downs in a girl’s life, support, encourage-

resilience are a prerequisite. The school’s expertise is in work- ing with aspirational young women providing the environ- ment and space for them to excel and develop the necessary skills and self-assurance to prepare them for life beyond school. There is so much more to St Helen and St Katharine. Have a look round at one of the Open Days and discover the difference. You will be most welcome. St Helen and St Katharine, Faringdon Road, Abingdon, OX14 1BE. www.shsk.org.uk

Please do join us at our Open Days this Autumn. Open Day – Saturday 1 October Sixth Form Open Evening –

High flying results 2016 : GCSE 94% A*– A A Level 92% A*– B ( 66% A*– A)

Thursday 6 October Junior Department Open Afternoon – Thursday 13 October

Time to Fly

Independent day school for girls aged 9-18 ABINGDON • OXFORDSHIRE

Getting your daughter where she wants to go. Dedicated school bus routes from across the Thames Valley – www.jointbus.co.uk

01235 530593 www.shsk.org.uk