When we arrived at the University of Hertfordshire, we were greeted by University Ambassadors who study a range of subjects from Engineering, Computer Science to Fashion. We started off with a seminar on the different routes to apprenticeships. Some of these apprenticeships included working for the Metropolitan police (MET) at a level 7 apprenticeship which could earn you £30K/annum all the way to working as a chef with a level 2 apprenticeship which could earn you £12K/annum. Next we found ourselves in a careers workshop delivered by career coaches. We learnt that jobs need applicable skills, we put this to the test by getting into groups of 3/4 we were then given spaghetti and marshmallows to try and build the tallest tower without it falling over. We used many shapes to try and create the most stable structures, they were then measured and ranked in height order.

After this we had a talk about the many career opportunities that one could pursue whilst studying at University and how having a job could benefit you massively and improve the skills needed. We looked at how career services worked, they can help with CVs and cover letters exploring different career options available to students. You can also have mock interviews with them. There are lots of different part time job opportunities at the university, such as becoming a student career coach. For lunch we got to go to their canteen called The Forum. There was a restaurant, a premier, subway, a coffee place and much more. There was a vast seating area where you can have lunch whilst you study or just socialise with your friends. 

After lunch, we received a seminar on the benefits of going to University and what it would be like learning there. The lecturer explained to us how the University provides a wide range of opportunities across many courses provided by the university.  There are many clubs and social groups for students to join at the university, which allow students to further improve their employable skills.  Along with these clubs, many housing arrangements are available such as studio rooms, en-suite rooms and shared rooms. University life is vastly different to primary and secondary school life; no longer being jam packed with lessons and instead having many free periods for students to enjoy, socialise, study and work.

The final event of the day was the University of Hertfordshire- College Lane Campus tour.  We were shown the entire campus. We first visited a housing block and saw what the living spaces looked like.  Next we were shown around the various facilities the University had. We had the chance to see several flight simulators that the engineering department uses. We saw the University’s formula one car that students designed and created. We were told how students from all faculties are involved in this and have the chance to go abroad to race in various races. Following on we were given the chance to visit the student support areas such as the student union and the careers support team. The tour was definitely the best bit of the day, getting to see so many different facilities at the University and seeing students going about their normal day.

Jack F and Dean H- Year 10

In the penultimate week before the Christmas holiday, our year 11’s came into school to experience a day as a KWS sixth former. Students arrived in their smart, casual sixth form  dress and participated in a full timetable of sixth form lessons. Some highlights included the dissection of a heart in an A level biology lesson, a practical session of ceramics and pottery making and a comprehensive analysis of the taxation system in economics. The year 11’s stepped up brilliantly to the rigour and extra academic demands of the sixth form lessons and gained a valuable insight into what learning at Key Stage Five will be like. They also got to experience more independence as they enjoyed some study lessons in the brand new sixth form study area and in the dedicated sixth form section of the canteen, including snacks, coffee and hot chocolate. Hertfordshire University ambassadors also provided some extremely valuable advice for the two years ahead in sixth form as well as giving their own tips about choosing university courses and about  life as an undergraduate.

Here is what some of our year 11’s had to say about the day:

‘I really enjoyed the range of lessons on offer and it gave me a good idea about what subjects I am going to consider taking next year. Rayan P.

‘I liked the independence of coming in as a sixth former and not being in teacher led lessons all the time. We could use the canteen throughout the day which gave us more freedom than we have as year 11’s.’ Ella H.

I enjoyed my lessons and loved coming into school in my sixth form uniform.’ Maria C

The KWSixth Open evening is taking place on Monday 15th January 6pm -8:30pm. We look forward to welcoming our Year 11 students. We also welcome external visitors on the evening  who are interested in joining our new sixth form. No need to register in advance.

Applications can be made via the school website KWSIXTH Welcome – Katherine Warington School (kwschool.co.uk) 

The deadline for completed application is 2nd February 2024.If you have any questions about the coming sixth form evening or the application process please contact Mr Laing on c.laing@kwschool.co.uk

In PE, we have had a series of fixtures to conclude the fixture calendar for this academic term.

Our Year 8 boys have progressed to the quarter finals of the county cup after a dominant 6-1 win. Goals from Ethan H x2, Ed J, Thomas C, Ayaan and Juan J-B saw us secure our place in the next round in January. The boys played very well in challenging conditions and we very much look forward to the next round.

Our U13 girls had a fantastic experience playing in a football tournament at Watford’s training ground. The girls equipped themselves very well, finishing 3rd overall. 

Well done to both Isobel J and Ali C who represented Hertfordshire county schools this week. ⚽️ They both represented KWS with pride and we are all proud of you.

Our rugby season concluded with a blocked fixture against Beaumont. Year 7&8 yet again dominated their fixtures, demonstrating solid defence as well as evasive ball carrying in possession. Both these age groups have shown themselves to be very strong within the district. To that end, Year 7 won a district competition hosted by Nicholas Breakspear School, without conceding a try in the tournament. A Daniel Penfold try late in the game won the tournament for KWS. Well done to our Year 9 squad too – the focus for next year is increasing the squad size.

We look forward to welcoming the inclusion of two additional blocked fixtures next year – against Dame Alice Owen and Watford Grammar. 

Well done to our u12 netball team on their 10-4 win over SJL in the district cup. They are now into the semi final, so good luck with that. POM was identified as Sophia D. Also we wanted to mention the Year 8A netball team on their 20-12 win v NBS. POM Scarlett🏐. 

Penultimately, as I am sure you are aware, we are in the exciting position now where our 3G astroturf pitch will be available to use from January. With this in mind, we need to ensure all students using the pitch have the correct footwear. Students will therefore need plastic-studded footwear only, whilst flat soled, metal studs and dimpled shoes/trainers are not allowed. All students in Year 7-9 will need to ensure they have the correct footwear for the astroturf in January. Students in Year 10 and 11 who take part in outside sports during their core PE lessons will also require the correct footwear, as well as any students wanting to use it during break and lunchtimes (when it is available to be used).

In the short term, all students in Year 7-9 will all be required to have plastic-studded boots for their curriculum lessons in the first 3 weeks in January. In the long term, Year 7-9 students will be given advanced notice of when they will require boots and when they will need just trainers. 

While we appreciate that this comes at an expense to parents, we very much appreciate your support with this and also hope you recognise what a fantastic facility your child has available to use.

Finally, rugby training is on tomorrow at St Albans Rugby Club in Smallford from 9-10am. All are welcome to attend with gumshields.

Mr Alexander

Firstly, a reminder that the students always have access to their eLibrary and that all books in the library are also available to be borrowed for the holidays. If they take them out now, they won’t be due back until January and we have some really wonderful new books available. If they are in Year 7 and 8, they can also keep recording their reads for their reading challenges – nothing better that curling up with a book on a cold and snowy (or perhaps, more realistically, rainy) December day!

Last week, in year 7 library lessons, we ran a book spine poetry competition. This involved the students searching the library to pick books whose titles could go together to make a poem. We were very impressed with how hard all the students worked and the brilliant poems they produced. It was very hard to choose our top three but congratulations to Dexter R, Harris MM, Tom F and Jayden JB; Martha H, Evie T and Izzy H; and, Emma M, Emily W and Melissa N – your poems were our top three, so you win a prize and your poems will be displayed up in the library in the new year. 

Finally, last week we also ran a wonderful lunchtime crafting session. Students from across the school came at lunchtime to help decorate our library for Christmas and we were very impressed by how responsibly they worked.

Happy Christmas!

 

The Library

A massive thank you to the generous KWS community for contributing to the Rotary boxes.  The shoe boxes have now left KWS and are making their way to children in orphanages and to elderly people in eastern Europe.