|
Autumn Term 1 2024
Newsletter
|
|
What a great start to the year!
Our newsletter is where we celebrate the achievements of our students, staff, and the school each term.
In this edition, let us reflect on the fantastic events and successes we have seen so far this academic year at Denefield.
If you are not following us on social media yet, make sure to do so! You will get regular updates, news, and reminders.
Denefield Website Denefield Online Safety Denefield Instagram
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Important dates for our return - Week A
| Date |
|
| Monday 4 November |
8.28am students return to school. Term 2 begins |
| Monday 4 November |
Year 11 Core PPEs begin |
| Wednesday 6 November |
Year 9 Ypres - History visit |
| Thursday 7 November |
Year 9 Ypres - History visit |
| Thursday 7 November |
Year 10 Drama visit - Blood Brothers |
| Friday 8 November |
Year 9 Ypres - History visit |
|
|
|
New this week in the Futures Bulletin
NHS nursing and allied healthcare insights, Lloyd’s banking webinar, Cross Country trains launch their apprenticeships and Wates construction and engineering webinar for female apprenticeship posts.
Click the button below to find out more
|
|
|
|
Extra-curricular achievements
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
This term, more than 50 students aged 14-16 received their Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. The students' achievements were celebrated during a special presentation evening. Over six months, the students participated in a number of activities, including volunteering in their local community, taking part in physical exercise, and learning a new skill. The group also took part in expeditions in the local area and the New Forest, giving them a chance to develop new skills such as navigation, campcraft and teamwork.
During the presentation evening, students were congratulated by the Headteacher, Mr Towill and Chair of Governors, Mr Keable. All spoke highly of the long-lasting impact of the DofE journey, and gave a reminder to thank all the staff and volunteers who support the DofE award scheme.
Miss Yates, the DofE Leader, said ‘I am so happy to be celebrating with these amazing students, with all their stories of sacrifice and determination, pain and perseverance. By participating in the Duke of Edinburgh it allows us to provide inspiring adventures and open possibilities to the outdoors’.
Congratulations to all the students!
Greenpower
This term, our Denefield racing team travelled to the final at Goodwood after securing the 'wild card' entry for consistent performances throughout the year. We entered the finals with confidence, having just received the new Denefield overalls. Both cars performed well, with Denefield Racing car 1 coming 29 out of 50 and Denefield Racing car 2 coming 42 out of 50. With the little tweaks and improvements the team has planned, there is a bright future ahead for Denefield Greenpower.
We would also like to thank our volunteers Mrs Herbage, Mr Dixon, and Mr Dew for all their help throughout the season and to anyone who sponsored us during our crowd-funding campaign last year. Thank you to all the companies that have donated this year, especially to Mr McCarthy and the Offshore Circuit Racing Drivers Association.
Well done to the team for making the school proud!
If you would like to be a part of Greenpower, please contact Miss Simpson at smp@denefield.org.uk.
|
|
This term, our students showcased their talents and teamwork across a range of sports. From football to rugby, they played with determination and spirit, winning several matches and making Denefield proud. Well done to all the teams!
Girls Football U16
| Girls Football U16A |
Scores |
| Denefield vs The Wren School |
3-0 |
| Denefield vs The Bulmershe School |
3-0 |
| Denefield vs The Abbey School Reading |
6-0 |
| Denefield vs John Madejski Academy |
6-0 |
| Denefield vs Highdown School |
0-2 |
| Denefield vs Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School |
6-0 |
| Denefield vs Little Heath School |
1-3 |
| Denefield vs The Bulmershe School |
3-0 |
| Denefield vs Little Heath School |
1-3 |
| Girls Football U16A |
Results |
| Played |
9 |
| Won |
6 |
| Lost |
3 |
| Drawn |
0 |
Girls Football U14
| Girls Football U14A |
Scores |
| Denefield vs Barbarians |
2-0 |
| Denefield vs The Abbey School Reading |
3-0 |
| Denefield vs Blessed Hugh Faringdon Catholic School |
1-2 |
| Denefield vs Maiden Erlegh School Reading |
3-0 |
| Girls Football U14A |
Results |
| Played |
4 |
| Won |
3 |
| Lost |
1 |
| Drawn |
0 |
Girls Football U14 league is still running, so these results are not final.
Boys Rugby U15
| Boys Rugby U15A |
Scores |
| Denefield vs Reading School |
0-20 |
| Denefield vs Bohunt School Wokingham |
0-20 |
| Denefield vs St Crispin's School |
0-20 |
| Boys Rugby U15A |
Results |
| Played |
3 |
| Won |
0 |
| Lost |
3 |
| Drawn |
0 |
Boys Rugby U15 league is still running, so these results are not final.
Boys Rugby U14
| Boys Rugby U14A |
Scores |
| Denefield vs Bohunt School Wokingham |
0-20 |
| Denefield vs Waingels College |
20-0 |
| Denefield vs St Crispin's School |
0-21 |
| Denefield vs The Forest School, Winnersh |
0-30 |
| Denefield vs The Wilink School |
5-35 |
| Denefield vs Little Heath School |
0-20 |
| Denefield vs Highdown School |
0-20 |
| Boys Rugby U14A |
Results |
| Played |
7 |
| Won |
1 |
| Lost |
6 |
| Drawn |
0 |
Boys Rugby U13
| Boys Rugby U13A |
Scores |
| Denefield vs Maiden Erlegh School Wokingham |
10-30 |
| Denefield vs Bohunt School Wokingham |
5-30 |
| Denefield vs The Wren School |
25-0 |
| Denefield vs The Forest School, Winnersh |
0-30 |
| Denefield vs Reading School |
10-30 |
| Denefield vs St Crispin's School |
20-0 |
| Boys Rugby U13A |
Results |
| Played |
6 |
| Won |
2 |
| Lost |
4 |
| Drawn |
0 |
Boys Rugby U13 league is still running, so these results are not final.
Boys Rugby U12
| Boys Rugby U12A |
Scores |
| Denefield vs Bohunt School Wokingham - A |
5-35 |
| Denefield vs The Wilink School |
15-10 |
| Denefield vs The Emmbrook School |
25-0 |
| Denefield vs River Academy |
20-0 |
| Denefield vs John Madejski Academy |
20-0 |
| Denefield vs Waingels College |
20-0 |
| Denefield vs Reading School - A |
25-0 |
| Denefield vs Reading School - B |
25-5 |
| Boys Rugby U12A |
Results |
| Played |
8 |
| Won |
7 |
| Lost |
1 |
| Drawn |
0 |
|
|
The Great Denefield Bake Off
The Great Denefield Bake Off was divided into two rounds. In the first round, students were asked to bake tarts following the autumn theme and out of 12 students, eight were chosen as finalists.
These eight students then participated in the final round in which they were tasked with baking a double layer cake around the theme 'A garden of expression'.
The winner of The Great Denefield Bake Off 2024 was Tilly, a Year 9 student from Langley House. Ava-Grace and Charlotte secured second and third place respectively. The judges had a tough decision with seven other fantastic bakes to try.
A massive well done to everyone who took part!
The Great Drawing Challenge
The Great Drawing Challenge came to a close and Enzo, a Year 7 student won the competition. Four finalists were chosen by tutors and had to draw a live portrait of Dr Mills, Head of Norcot House, using charcoal. They had just 20 minutes to complete the challenge, and they all did a fantastic job.
All four students received praise from the house teams for their impressive work. Enzo’s drawing earned him the top spot, securing the win not only for himself but also for his house, Kentwood. Congratulations, Enzo!
Bag2School
As part of this year’s house competitions, Denefield participated in the Bag2School initiative. Students, parents/carers, and staff generously donated pre-loved clothes, helping us raise money. While the amount raised may seem small, the donation drive had a big impact on our community, bringing everyone together for a great cause.
|
|
|
|
Year 7 Windsor Trip
Over 180 Year 7 students visited Windsor as part of a History and Geography trip. They completed Geography fieldwork, which included creating a field sketch and completing a survey. The survey centred around 'How Windsor was developed and how it has been adapted for tourism'. Additionally, students saw a Motte-and-Bailey style Castle as well as the state apartments. All of this will be covered in upcoming Year 7 lessons and, therefore, was a great opportunity for them to build on their understanding of key geographical concepts. The students were all impeccably behaved and attentive throughout the day; members of the public commented on how well they were doing. It was a great first trip for Year 7 Denefield students.
 
Sixth Form Create your Future Visit
Denefield Sixth Form students visited UCAS Create Your Future Career show in London. It was a great opportunity for the students to explore creative courses, apprenticeships, and careers from art, design, journalism, and music, to drama, fashion, and beyond – all in one place.
Sixth Form visit to Newbury College
Year 13 students visited Newbury College Destinations Expo. Our students had the chance to meet and chat with a number of employers and universities - finding out about different courses and career paths available to them. Students also got involved in fun activities and demos related to each sector.
See more photos
Olivia Bailey MP visits Denefield
Olivia Bailey, our local Labour MP, visited Denefield to discuss important issues like education priorities, school funding, and future plans for our students. During her visit, she met with Mr Towill, the Headteacher, along with the school’s Trustees. The meeting focused on how we can continue to improve resources, teaching, and learning opportunities for all students at Denefield. Olivia also toured the school, meeting students and staff to hear their thoughts and experiences firsthand. We are grateful for her support and for taking the time to engage with our school community.
|
|
|
|
We are excited to introduce a new feature in our newsletter – 'Staff Spotlight'. In each edition, we will highlight a member of our dedicated team, sharing their personal journeys and achievements.
This term, we’re proud to feature Mr Dawson, who has shown incredible resilience and strength through a life-changing double lung transplant. Read more about his inspiring story.
Mr Dawson is part of the Science faculty and has been a part of Denefield for almost eight years now.
|
|
'I’ve been teaching at Denefield for about eight years, and my passion for education has always been about inspiring curiosity and growth in students. However, my health journey has been a significant part of my life, particularly when I underwent a double lung transplant.
Before the transplant, my condition was deteriorating rapidly, and the emotional and physical toll was immense. I relied heavily on the support of my family, who relentlessly travelled from Cape Town, spending thousands of pounds to be by my side. I was also fortunate to have dear friends like Lucile and Corrine, whose presence kept me grounded. At school, Mr Crossley from the science department was a true source of strength. He witnessed my decline every day and provided countless pep talks that helped me push through, even when the pain felt unbearable. Mr Crossley encouraged me to keep exercising, and once I was on the transplant list, his support became even more vital. Mrs Quinton from HR also played a crucial role, ensuring my medical and workplace needs were met, allowing me to balance my health and my teaching responsibilities.
Although they were both key figures, the entire staff at Denefield supported me both pre- and post-transplant. A particularly touching moment was when a member of the cleaning staff gave me £10 as a donation towards my trip to the European Transplant Games, which was an unforgettable gesture of kindness.
Since my transplant, life has changed dramatically. I was selected to represent my hospital in sports, which led me to competing in the British Transplant Games. From there, I was chosen to represent Team GB in Lisbon, Portugal. Just a month ago, I received the incredible news that I have been selected to represent Great Britain at the World Transplant Games in Dresden, Germany, in August 2025.
The experience has given me a renewed outlook on life. Every day feels like a gift, and it has shifted how I approach both my personal life and my work. For anyone facing serious health challenges, I’d say that leaning on those around you and staying hopeful, even in the darkest moments, is essential. Maintaining a positive attitude isn’t always easy, but for me, knowing that every moment post-transplant is a second chance motivates me to keep moving forward'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year 7 have reached the end of their first term at Denefield. We are immensely proud of how each and every student has settled into their new environment and routine. The photos below were all taken on the first day of term.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denefield opened its doors for prospective students and their parents/carers on Wednesday 18 September. The event was filled with excitement as Year 6 students, along with their parents/carers, toured the school, getting a real feel of the atmosphere and visiting different departments.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the highlights was the talk given by Mr Towill, our Headteacher, who shared the school’s vision, academic achievements, and future goals. Feedback from parents was overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the sense of community and support at Denefield.
Thank you to everyone involved in making the evening such a success. We look forward to welcoming all of them to the next academic year at Denefield.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Following our Open Evening, we invited Year 6 pupils and their parents/carers in for tours. Parents/carers and students toured around the school, getting a real feel for our facilities, classrooms, and daily life at Denefield.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our Year 10 and 11 students recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Seville, Spain. During the four-day trip, students had the chance to explore the city’s rich history, visiting iconic landmarks like Seville Cathedral, La Giralda tower, and the Alcázar Palace.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The itinerary was as follows:
Day 1: Students arrived in Seville and went for a walk to the restaurant. They had a chance to see the beautiful surroundings of the hostel they stayed in.
Day 2: In the morning, students visited El Real Alcázar, the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda tower. Later in the afternoon, they went on a walking tour of the city, through the quarter of Santa Cruz and finally visiting the famous Plaza de España.
Day 3: To start the day, students had a Spanish lesson in a language school. This was followed by one of the highlights of the trip - a Flamenco lesson led by a professional dancer in El Museo del Baile Flamenco. In the afternoon, students had the opportunity to see the city of Seville from the river Guadalquivir on the boat cruise.
Day 4: On Thursday, students visited El Museo de Bellas Artes, stopping at the covered market 'El mercado de Triana'. On their way to the museum, students also tried the very famous Churros con chocolate. After that, they had lunch at Las Setas de Sevilla, a modern urban landmark. During the afternoon, students enjoyed free time in the quarter of Santa Cruz.
Day 5: On the last day, the group walked by the river Guadalquivir remembering different anecdotes about Seville they had learnt throughout the week. Students had free time in a local shopping centre, and then started making their way back to the airport.
'It was brilliant to see students engaged in all activities, trying Spanish cuisine and appreciating Spanish culture. They were all keen to practice and develop their speaking skills, especially during the meals asking the waiters questions in Spanish or at the hostel asking the receptionist. We were particularly impressed by their kindness, helping each other and helping us. Overall, it was a great pleasure to take them all to Seville, and we hope they had as much fun as we did' - Miss Fitipaldi.
See more photos
|
|
|
|
Thank you to everyone that came to our first term's Headteacher's Open House on Monday 30 September. Denefield values parental partnership, and it is a great opportunity to discuss, listen and learn from each other. It was great to see all the parents/carers who attended and participated in the discussion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sixth Form students were visited by the South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, who ran a Restart a Heart workshop. Students learnt how to work as a team and perform CPR safely. This important training helped prepare students to respond confidently in emergency situations, potentially saving lives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We proudly announce that this year our school show is going to be 'High School Musical'.
The auditions for the show have recently taken place, and we had a lot of interest. The names of the final cast will be announced very soon, so keep checking this space.
|
|
|
Macmillan Coffee Morning
This term, Denefield hosted its annual Macmillan Coffee Morning to help raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. We are proud to announce that our staff contributed and helped raise £387.60 for this cause.
West Berks Foodbank
We are proud to share that we successfully collected over 10 crates full of food and essential items for West Berks Foodbank. The donations came at a crucial time, supporting the foodbank’s 'Hungry Holidays' scheme.
Thanks to the kindness of our students, parents/carers, and staff, who made a meaningful contribution to the local community. Our efforts will help replenish stock and continue supporting families in need as we approach the Harvest Festival period. Thank you to everyone who contributed!
|
|
|
|
Thank you for reading and enjoy your Autumn half term break.
We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday 4 November 2024 at 8.30am.
'8.28 at the gate!'
|
|
|
