It was another very busy week in school, with Year 11 students who are studying Food Technology GCSE completing their practical assessment.  The quality of the three-course meal produced in 3 hours was wonderful and I'm sure there were a few practise sessions at home beforehand.  Many staff were very willing to help with the tasting!  There was a wide range of dishes that showcased different cuisines from the around the world as well as the talents of the students. 

The Senior Student Team interviews have started this week, and it is always a pleasure to spend time listening to the students outline their achievements and commitments outside of school.  I am in awe of their energy and determination to ensure that members of our community are supported.  I am very much looking forward to the remaining interviews next week.

OXBRIDGE SUCCESS 

We wanted to share the fantastic news that six of our Year 13 students have been offered places to study at Oxbridge this autumn. Four will study at the University of Oxford and two at the University of Cambridge after their A Levels.
The students were supported in the application process by their Tutors and subject specialist teachers, and by the school’s Potential High Achievers Programme. Charters has developed strong links with the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford over recent years, and the school’s PHA Programme gives Year 12 students the opportunity to explore the similarities and differences between these two world-leading institutions by visiting individual colleges and taking part in workshops led by visiting academics.

Very well done to the six students who have offers from these world renowned universities - we are incredibly proud of you.

Ofsted judged that the Sixth Form provision at Charters is 'Outstanding' during their 2023 inspection, and admissions for September 2025 open in October for both internal and external applicants.

Our focus this week has been 'Curiosity, Motivation and Confidence' especially in relation to National Careers Week.  All week, guest speakers have been visiting the school to share their career experiences with our students who have been encouraged to be curious about what opportunities may be out there for them. Next week, with many spring religious festivals on the horizon (Ramadan, Passover, Easter, Varsakhi, Holi), we are focussing students on Unity whilst continuing the theme of Curiosity.

All students have Personal Development lessons, part of which includes careers advice. Please click HERE to take you to the Upcoming Opportunities page which is updated regularly with information and advice.

Some opportunities on this page involve a cost. Any student who feels that the cost of a course on this page is prohibitive, please do consider asking your parents/carers to apply for support through our Unity Fund or if you are in the 6th Form the Bursary Fund. 

Take a look through our social media using the buttons above and check out this week's news stories below.

National Careers Week

Year 12 - Oxford Trip

Alumni Success/International Women's Day

Eco Society

To support the #LetGirlsPlay campaign students wore their PE kit to school today and took part in the biggest ever football session event.  We made a pledge to England Football that over 250 girls would be playing football in PE lessons on 08 March and we're pleased to say we were successful.

Students in all year groups and staff met on the astro at second break and had three attempts to see how many 'kick-ups' they could do as part of a House competition for the most entrants and highest score.

Entry to the IDTA Theatre Dance Awards are obtainable only through nomination by the Association’s examiners when taking the higher grades.

Over 500 candidates out of more than 7,500 are nominated each year for these awards and those who are successful are awarded a trophy and a cheque to further their dance career.

Year 9 student Tilly competed in the Ballet Grades section with 90 nominees. The nominees are taught three pieces of choreography in front of the judges and audience, and over the course of two hours they perform the pieces they have learnt. The final 26 are then announced, who later perform the final piece of choreography.

Awards given are Special Commendation, Runner Up and Winner.

Tilly was announced as the IDTA Ballet Grades Winner 2024!

Very well done Tilly on your remarkable achievement.

VISIT OF THE DRUGS DETECTION DOGS TODAY

As many parents and carers will be aware, we periodically invite a company into school which specialises in drugs detection. This is primarily done as a preventative safeguarding measure and part of our proactive and robust approach against use of illegal substances.

Today, Friday 08 March, we had our second visit of the year, this time unannounced, and we are delighted to report that there were zero indications over the day. We intend to maintain a high profile and zero-tolerance approach in the area and continue to focus on educating students on the dangers of illegal substances. This includes the uncertainty of what may be in vapes. We do appreciate the support that we have received from the school community regarding our actions here and thank you for delivering a consistent message at home.

RAMADAN

Next week marks the start of Ramadan for the members of our Muslim community, we would like to wish you all a very happy Ramadan.  A Prayer room has been set aside in school for any students or staff members who wish to pray.

A SPRING SONG

On Wednesday 20 March at 7.00pm in the Main Hall, Charters talented music students will present our annual Spring Concert. This is guaranteed to be an enjoyable event, with a full programme of varied music for which students have been rehearsing since the beginning of the Spring term.

Please do join us on this lovely occasion!  Tickets - £4.00 each -  can be bought via ParentPay or at the door on the evening.

Refreshments will be available to purchase at the interval.

We look forward to welcoming you!

THIS WEEK'S THREE PEAKS REVEAL 

Mr Cumner was revealed as the next member of the Charter's Three Peaks Team this week. Keep following our social media channels to discover who will be joining him and Mr Metson.

Our staff are undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge with the aim of raising money for our Unity Fund; a discretionary source of financial assistance for our disadvantaged students whose families may be experiencing financial difficulties.

We are aiming to raise £10,000 and although the challenge does not take place until June, with the support of local businesses we are already nudging our fundraising thermometer in the right direction. Our thanks to Sunninghill Carpets & Flooring Ltd, Forest House Veterinary Group, Domestic Appliance Care & Repair and Jacksons Chartered Accountants, Ascot.

Find out how YOUR business could help raise it's profile to a wider audience & help us achieve our goal of raising £10,000 for our Unity Fund here:

Sponsorship Opportunities

Individuals can also help by donating funds and any donation, no matter the size, will make a real difference. If you are a UK Taxpayer and tick the Gift Aid box, we can claim an additional 25% from the government at no extra cost!

Donate Here

Thank you to EVERYONE who supports this initiative, at whatever level. We are so grateful for your help.

MINIBUS DRIVERS NEEDED 

The Three Peaks Challenge Team are in need of four minibus drivers! If you, or someone you know, is interested in helping with the fundraiser on 27-30 June 2024 please reach out to Miss de' Ath at outdoored@chartersschool.org.uk. She will be able to provide more details and information on how to get involved. 

Find out how out students got on at their sports fixtures this week...

Football - EBSFA League:

Charters Football Teams have been busy this week playing 5 EBSFA League Fixtures. Below is a summary of how they got on – well done to everyone!

Monday

• The Year 10 Girls won 6-4 against Sandhurst

Tuesday

•  The Year 8 Girls won 2-0 against Kings Binfield
•  The Year 11 Boys lost 3-1 against St Crispins
•  The Year 8 Boys lost 2-0 against LVS

Wednesday

•  The Year 7 Boys lost 5-2 against Sandhurst

FUEL EASTER PROGRAMME

STARGAZING

Please click the image above for more information.

WMSO SPRING CONCERT 2024 

The Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra will be performing on 9 March at St Mary's Church Maidenhead.  Tickets are now on sale via: WMSO (thelittleboxoffice.com)

Saturday 9th March 2024 at 7.30pm
in St Mary's Church, Maidenhead.

Villa Lobos The Little Train of the Caipira
Ginastera   Harp Concerto
Elgar          Symphony No.1

Soloist:  Jamaal Kashim - Finalist, WMSO Young Musicians' Competition 2022

WMSO is pleased to present a couple of great works from South American composers and one from a more familiar one, rather closer to home. The Little Train of the Caipira by Villa Lobos is a miniature tone poem depicting a steam train typical of those that were widely used in the Brazilian interior at the time of the composition in the 1930s. He uses a wide range of percussion and advanced harmonic structures to produce music that imitates the sound of the trains, while at the same time creating a strong sense of Brazilian melody.  Argentinian born composer Ginastera wrote his Harp Concerto in 1956 and it shows off the instrument to great effect, combining Ginastera's interest in folk music along with his later expressionist style. We are delighted that Jamaal Kashim will be playing this piece, having been a finalist at our Young Musicians' Competition in October 2022.
And then we come to Elgar's symphony No.1 - This work received immediate critical and public acclaim after its première in 1908.  It went on to receive over 100 performances in the years that followed and it has remained a firm favourite in the repertoire ever since. It is surely one of his greatest works.

Tickets: £20, £5 (student/child) 

HOLIDAY CAMPS

Empower & Elevate are currently offering 20% off for early bookings and parent referrals - available until Sunday 10 March 2024.

Over the Easter holidays there is a Futsal workshop, for children in Years 7 -9  to come and give it a go! There iwill also be a girls only session.

FUN RUNS

 

FUNDRAISING

Use code CHARSCHOOL when booking Queen Anne Enclosure tickets for the Spring Family Raceday at Ascot Racecourse on 24 March & generate a 25% donation for our school!

It’s FREE for U18s &there’s lots to do - Animal encounters, roaming entertainers, arts & crafts, cinema screening & lots more...

Book tickets here: bit.ly/3uD8QvY

HOPE CHURCH FOOD BANK

The Hope Church food bank takes place each Tuesday from 12pm-1pm. 

The items include mainly fresh food and bakery items donated from local supermarkets. The food is at the end of its shelf life (but still perfectly fine to eat!) and would otherwise just go to waste. Bring a bag to fill up, stop for a chat and a cup of tea (and cake!!) and warm up in the church. ALL welcome, no voucher/referral required.

Hope Church, Sunningdale, The Hope Centre, High Street Sunningdale, (next to Nag’s Head).

Please CLICK HERE for more details.

 

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PARENT CURRICULUM/SUPPORT INFORMATION

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