Apprenticeship successes for our Year 13s

'We are really proud of our students who have secured places on highly competitive programmes for when they leave.' Says Mr Peacock, Head of Sixth Form. 

Jude has a place on a Level 3 Sales & Marketing apprenticeship at Energy Central Solutions in Bracknell.

Charlie has been accepted onto a Level 7 Accounting apprenticeship for Crowe.

Bradley has been accepted onto a Level 6 apprenticeship in Submarine Engineering for BAE systems.

Congratulations to all three students on their excellent achievements. We wish them every success in their next steps.

An exciting opportunity for four of our Year 12s at the Eton College University Preparation Courses this summer:

Every year,  Eton College, one of the most prestigious public schools in the country, runs a non-residential summer school for high-achieving state school pupils interested in broadening their knowledge in a particular field. The purpose of these courses is to give students a flavour of degree-level study.

Last year we had four students accepted from a very large field of highly-qualified applicants.

Of the 850 applicants for this year's courses, only 550 were successful. I am delighted that four of our Year 12s have been accepted.

Millie will take her place on the History of Art course.

John will be exploring works of literature on the English course.

Lucy and Brianna will both be looking at all matters of sustainability and environment on the Geography course.

Congratulations on an excellent achievement.

Campainging for the next Head Boy and Head Girl has begun!

10 Sixth Form students have began their campaign to become Head Boy and Head Girl for the next academic year. 

The students have submitted a brief campaign video that has been shared with students and staff, who will be able to vote for the candidate they feel is best placed for the role of Head Boy and Head Girl for the next academic year. 

Our candidates will then speak to our students and be interviewed before it is confirmed who has been successful. 

We will, of course, share this news with you all once we are in a position to do so. 

Well done to our 10 running candidates for their brilliant video applications- Tanzika, Lily, John, Harlen, Megan, Andy, Freddie, Alice, Paris and Alex. 

Wishing you all the best of luck!

Summer 2024 exam season:

The summer exam season is well underway, with 216 exams being run throughout the school between Monday 2 May 2024 up to the end of this term. 

Exam season isn't easy. Well done to our students for all of their hard work and determination during this tricky time. 

Also, a big thank you and well done to the staff supporting the smooth running of the exam season. 

Layla gets her wings:

Layla has been attending RAF air cadets since last September where she completed a 12-week training induction with Hawk Flight.

Upon completion, she gained her classification and is now part of RAF 381 squadron based at Brock Barracks.

Layla absolutely loves this and attends parade nights without fail every Monday and Wednesday. It offers fantastic opportunities and enables them to gain qualifications and chances to rise through the ranks. Layla has now achieved her first wings, having taken to the skies at RAF Benson in a Grob Tutor aircraft where she was lucky enough to take the controls and even had to wear a parachute for the occasion!

Layla is hoping to complete her shooting and cyber communications in the next few months and is hoping to be chosen to go on an expedition to Windermere at the beginning of summer.

Fantastic Layla, what an amazing journey!

Year 10 student, Bella wins at the Ditton Regatta:

On Saturday18 May, Bella entered the WJ15 category at Thames Ditton Regatta and her and her rowing partner won against Wallingford girls.

Bella has been rowing for coming up to 2 years. She joined Reading rowing club on a 'learn to row' course, and loved it. Bella is now in the junior / development squad. Well done Bella- what an achievement! 

District Athletics:

It's the summer term and athletics competitions are well underway. On Thursday 9 May, Denefield students took part in District Athletics at Palmer Park amongst other local schools.

53 students, made up of Years 8, 9 and 10, represented the school, competing in the long jump, high jump, running and javelin.

Denefield under 15 girls came 3^rd out of 13 schools.

Denefield under 15 boys came 2^nd out of 13 schools.

Individual athletics performances:

Ash won the 100m in 10.9 with Ellis came 2^nd in 11.4 seconds.

Lola won the triple jump with a jump over 9m and came 3^rd in the 300m. 

Darcy won the 100m. 

Benny finished 2^nd in the shot put.

Reneille won the discus and Sam came 3rd. 

Jack finished 2^nd in the 400m.

Sam finished 3^rd in the 100m. 

Students that finished 1^st or 2^nd have qualified to represent West Berkshire at the county athletics on Saturday 8 June!

Well done to everyone that attended and congratulations on all that you achieved-look at all those medals!

 

The Denefield Year 9 girls football team are in the Bekrshire County Cup final:

Congratulations to our Year 9 girls team, who have made it into the County Cup final after beating Theale Green 3-2. The final is on Monday 3  June at Cantley Park vs Piggot. 

Good luck team - we can't wait to hear the results! 

Football tournament: 

The results are in! 

Eager footballers from Year 7 to Year 10 were asked to sign up to the House football tournament and the results are as follows:

Year 7 boys: Sulham

Year 7 girls: Langley

Year 8 girls :  Sulham

Year 8 boys: Langley

Year 9: postponed due to rain,  results to follow!

Year 10 boys: Kentwood and Langley

Year 10 girls: Kentwood 

Well done to everyone involved- big points were won!

House scores:

It is not long until the House Cup is presented and the scores on the doors are...

It is all still to play for, with more competitions and opportunities to be awarded all the important House points!

 

Sports Tour, Holland:

Denefield students and staff had a packed agenda for their visit to Holland over the Easter break. Full details can be found in School News and Events below. 

Women in Black:

On Thursday 18 April, a group of our year 9, 10, 11 and 12 students enjoyed an evening performance of Woman in Black at the Wycombe Swan.

The Wycombe Swan is one of the UK's leading regional theatres. The Theatre plays host to a wide range of productions throughout the year including Drama, Plays, Comedy, Family Shows, Music and much more. Pictured below. 

Athletics competition:

Please view extra-curricular and sporting achievements section for more information and photos of our recent athletics competition. 

Year 12 University of Winchester visit:

On 18 April, Year 12 students headed to The University of Winchester for the UCAS Discovery expo 2024. It was a chance to speak to more than 50 exhibitors, including universities from all over the UK and apprenticeship providers, as well as speak to UCAS advisors or attend subject talks or guidance presentations. 

It was a lovely sunny day to also make use of all the facilities the university had, including the fabulous food stalls!

Welcome to the world, baby Clare!

Mr Clare and Miss Meyer are celebrating the arrival of their first baby, Margot. 

We are all so thrilled with the news, and we can't wait to meet her. Mr Clare and Miss Meyer have kindly shared these photos with us. 

Exciting funding announcement:

Earlier this term, we announced to parents and carers of our students, our successful bid for funding!

We are all extremely excited for these changes to be implemented and thrilled to be able to share our plans with you all.

To find out more about this investment and other exciting plans for investment in our school, be sure to watch our weekly Videocast, as Headteacher, Mr Towill talks us through the announcement in more detail.

Watch our announcement Videocast here

Our new canopy has been installed:

The front of our school looked slightly different when students returned from their Easter break. 

Over the Easter break, a new canopy was installed at the front of the school, outside of the canteen. This new canopy provides our students with protection from all the elements the UK weather brings- and we have had some great feedback! 

Mr Dawson adds to his growing collection of medals! 

Last year Mr Dawson was recovering from a double lung transplant-read on to hear about all of his recent, truly inspiring achievements. 

'A year ago, I was still in the hospital recovering from multiple strokes after a double lung transplant. But guess what? I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Swimming breast stroke, 400m and 5km track and table tennis at the European Transplant Games in Lisbon this July!

It's an opportunity to celebrate organ donors and the power of active sports. Couldn't have done it without Denefields' support!'

Above, half of the team in Oxford earlier this term. 

Mr Dawson also ran the Reading half marathon on Sunday 14 April. He says 'I have never been into sports- maybe my donor was sports person!'

 

Four members of Denefield staff became Low Terrain Duke of Edinburgh Leaders:

‘We intrepid four went out to the New Forest to become Low Terrain Duke of Edinburgh Leaders and experience the same as our students who sign up for Bronze Award and beyond. The weather was very kind, unlike the distance we travelled – circa 27km. Cooking and camping all without hitch. Thoroughly enjoyable, very informative and looking forward to imparting this learnt information to our students.’ Says Mrs Saverton, Administration Team Leader.

The group of staff were in Brockenhurst in the New Forest on Friday 17 May and returned on Saturday 18 May.

‘It was amazing! We learnt so much and experiencing what the students have to do was a unique insight into how much of an achievement it really is for our young people!’ says Mrs Davis, Assistant Head – Director of Key Stage 4.

Uniform plea:

The student support team are running low on spare uniform. If you happen to have any unwanted uniform, in good condition and with our newer logo, please can it be brought in to our student reception.

Thank you.

We are seeking work experience opportunities:

Are you able to support us in providing work experience placements for our Year 12 students?

Our Year 12's have a week off of their usual timetable from Monday 1 July to Friday 5 July 2024.

We can work around your availability within that week, if a full week is tricky! So please do feel free to get in touch and we can chat about our options.

Please contact careers@denefield.org.uk if you are able to support.

Denefield Futures Fair:

On Friday 5 May, Denefield hosted 27 employers and businesses for our Futures Fair. To find out more, please read on to School News and Events.

Follow Denefield Futures on Instagram

Sixth Form enrichment - a visit from the Army: 

On 1 May, the Sixth Form team were joined by three members of the Army during their enrichment time on a Wednesday afternoon.

The group were split into two and worked in teams to complete exercises run by our visitors. They focused on team building, leadership, following rules and problem-solving. 

One group were able to complete a task using a method our Army visitors had never seen before- well done team!

Sixth Form First Aid training:

On Wednesday 15 May, our Sixth Form group attended First Aid training. They learnt to apply bandages and the importance of using the recovery position- whilst having a good time and working as a team!

'it is something I have seen before but I feel way more confident having had a refresher!' says Sixth Form student. 

 

Year 5 information evening: 

On Tuesday 7 May and Tuesday 14 May, Year 6 students who have a confirmed place as Year 7 students in September 2024, gathered in our Da Vinci space. 

Over the last two weeks, we have been excited to welcome Year 5 pupils and their families to our Information evenings. 

On these evenings visitors were addressed by Headteacher, Mr Towill, Mrs Holley as Director of Key Stage 3, Mrs Jackson as Transition Leader and a group of  Year 7 students.  We outlined everything our school had to offer, from academic learning to extra-curricular, facilities to welfare and much, much more. Our Year 7 students loved to mention how good the food in our canteen is! 

Mrs Jackson also informed parents about the admissions process and about upcoming events to help them decide if Denefield is the right school for them, including daytime tours and our Open evening.  It was standing room only in our Da Vinci space, with many families from our neighbouring schools and further afield. 

For anyone who missed this, please keep an eye on social media and our website for more information about our events and our school.

During the autumn term, parents/carers of current Year 5 pupils will be asked by their Local Authority to choose a secondary school for their child to attend in September 2025.

Taking on board feedback from previous years, we have made arrangements for a limited number of visits during the first week of next term for those who want to visit early in the process.

This is an opportunity to visit Denefield in the day time and get a feel for what it would be like to be part of our school community- watch our students and teachers going about
their day-to-day business!

We will be holding more tours in September 2024, but if you would like to book a tour next term, please follow the links provided in the communication sent out to Primary school parents and carers on Wednesday 15 May.

 

In conjunction with Henley Rowing Club, British Rowing is putting on rowing taster sessions in Henley during half term.  These will be free of charge, last around 60 minutes and give children a chance to experience the sport on the water.  

Village concerts:

 

Madden Swim School have started taking booking for their summer intensive swimming lesson crash courses.

As the spaces on these courses are limited, please let them know as soon as possible if you would like your children enrolled this summer.

The next 5-day intensive crash course is planned for 5-9th August; 9am and 9:30am at Downe House School pool, Cold Ash near Thatcham, and 2pm and 2:30pm at The Oratory School pool, Woodcote, near Reading.

The benefit of running the course in their style, is that siblings swim at the same time. 

In addition to the crash courses, there is availability in their weekly term-time swimming lessons at Downe House School pool on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and Monday and Thursday afternoons. The Academy classes, swimming lengths, are Sundays at 10am, and Thursdays at 5:30pm.  

We look forward to hearing from you to enrol your children to our upcoming lessons, please email julie@maddenswimschool.co.uk.

 

 

We are looking for professional, caring and motivated individuals to join our team of lunchtime controllers, all of whom are committed to supporting our students over their lunchtime breaks. Work is available for up to five days per week, between 12.55pm to 1.40pm, term time only.

The successful candidate should:

• be energetic and enthusiastic and enjoy working with young people
• possess excellent communication skills and be able to use their initiative
• be able to work calmly and effectively in a team
• possess a good standard of spoken English
• be able to manage children’s behaviour in a positive manner