Stephen Seabridge, Stoke-on-Trent's inaugural Poet Laureate, has been in school the last two days speaking to the pupils and running workshops with Year 5. We were delighted that Stephen agreed to be the judge for our first Junior School poetry competition. All the finalists met Stephen in our assembly and you can read the poems of the three winners here

We were honoured that Stephen had written a special poem for his visit.

Poetry in the world of Stephen

Often, I find myself on stage, at the front of a hall,

like this one, and people might ask me, Stephen,

what does poetry mean to you?

And I say that it means this, and that,

and that it might mean this and that too,

but what I really want to say is…

Poetry is the light peeking out on the horizon

in the morning when the sun starts to rise.

Poetry is the clean breeze on a summer’s day,

and the soft white of midwinter snow.

Poetry is the speck of dust falling,

that small circle of something

that can tell the entire history of the earth.

Poetry is the touch of soft cotton,

the dance of the light on a piece of silk.

Poetry is what helped a little boy like me

who didn’t read very much, helped him

on the way to finding his words.

Poetry is the way of looking inward,

and outward, at yourself, at others,

it is the way of seeing all that around you

that is grace, that is a marvel.

Poetry is me and poetry is you.

On Friday 28 September England International Hockey star, Sam Ward, declared our new Astroturf open and ready. 

He has enjoyed considerable success in the last four years with appearances at the World League Final (2015) and both the Euro-Hockey championships and World League Semi-Finals in 2017.

He cut his teeth as one of the "Banana Bunch"; the name for Leicester Hockey club's mixed youth development group. After Leicester he moved on to Beeston, where he earned a reputation as a prolific goal scorer on the domestic scene.

Sam gave a series of masterclass sessions with opportunities for all our aspiring hockey players to learn first-hand from an England International!

Headmaster, Mr Getty, commented on how inspiring it was and how fortunate for our young sportsmen and woman to have an Olympian in school.

Following the masterclass sessions, Sam took part in a Q&A session where pupils of all ages quizzed Sam on what life is like an England International.

 

As part of the Extended Project Qualification, students are required to present their project in an accessible manner to a non-specialist audience. Each student has been involved with their presentation for over a year, with the presentation acting as a culmination point.

This year's cohort put on a wide-ranging display of presentations including reflections on: 'Immortality in antiquity', 'The controversy of Euthanasia' and 'Antibiotic's Apocalypse'.

It was a pleasure to see how diverse our Sixth Former's interests were and the detail they went into to master their topic area with such confidence and skill. Such an experience will no doubt prepare them well for life after Sixth Form.

For information about the benefits of the EPQ go to the:

Sixth Form Curriculum page

Mr Getty announced the appointments of Senior Prefects in the first assembly this morning. 

Head Girl is Sandali Agarwal and Deputy Head Girl is Millie Wain. Head Boy is Charlie Nash and Deputy Head Boy is Aum Chaudhary. They will lead a team of 24 prefects, supporting the Headmaster and Senior Staff and assisting with pastoral duties amongst the younger pupils.

National fears over tougher new GCSEs were dispelled at Newcastle-under-Lyme School as the school celebrated a stunning set of exam results with almost 30% of all grades achieving the new Grade 9/A** result.

The school increased its top grade performance despite claims that the new GCSE would be more demanding securing a very impressive 62.2% grade 7-9 or A**-A pass rate. Current Headmaster, Nick Vernon, was delighted and commented, "These results are superb and a wonderful testimony to the hard work of the pupils and our dedicated staff team. To have almost 2 out of every 3 entries securing an A**-A or Grade 7-9 is a fantastic achievement.

Furthermore, it is only fair to give praise to Eleanor Burnham, Sidonie Coker, Freya Edwards, Emma Li, Rebecca McCabe and Nikhita Nachiappan who secured a perfect sweep on grade 9s and A*s which is quite exceptional".

New Headmaster, Michael Getty, who takes up his post in September, was also present on the day and echoed Mr Vernon’s sentiments adding, "This year group has done incredibly well. The number of top grades secured is very high and it is spread right across the board from subjects as diverse as Art to Latin and the Sciences. In Chemistry over 81% of all grades were at grade 7-9, with this being even higher in Physics at 84% and 88% in Biology. The same success has been seen in Art, 89% and Latin at 92%.

This year group is now placed incredibly well as it moves towards Sixth Form and A-level study to reach for the stars once more."

More information can be found on our Examinations Page

Once again students at Newcastle-under-Lyme School have delivered a strong set of A Level results with 57 per cent of entries being awarded A* to B grades.

Furthermore, the School has seen an increase in the proportion of entries gaining the highest A* award as we continue to strive to deliver the highest academic quality and value to all our students.

12 out of 84 students achieved at least three A Levels at A* and A grades. Choi Ling Yu achieved all three subjects at A* gaining her a place to read Medicine at Birmingham University.

Ananya Arora achieved 2 A*s and 2 As. She will take up a place to read Medicine at Selwyn College, Cambridge.

Places were also taken up at some of the UK's most prestigious universities including St Andrews, University College London and the London School of Economics.

Headmaster, Nick Vernon commented, "These results are a great credit to the School. We know we send these students on their way well equipped to embrace their future opportunities." 

More information can be found on our Examinations Page

Newcastle-under-Lyme School played host to the 'Glow in the Moonlight walk', organised by the Douglas Macmillan Hospice. With a beautiful summer sunset as the back drop, participants of all ages took to the starting line as they took part in either the 5 mile or 10 mile route.

For the first time in the history of the event, spanning over ten years, traditions were broken as men were invited to join to take part in the event as well. 

Participants were covered in neon paint, dresses and flashing merchandise as they embarked on one of the many routes available as part of the charity walk. 

The School premises were transformed into a festival-like atmosphere with a Glow-fest stage and Glow-fest markets set up on the Upper Close.