Rotary chef competition
Sackville chefs cook up a storm
Congratulations to Bella Collins and Hannah Plumb from year 10 who secured first and second place at the latest round of the Rotary Young Chef competition on Saturday 19 January. Both girls go forward to the next round of the competition in March.
Ofsted feedback
99% of parents would recommend Sackville to another family
Thank you to the more than 200 parents who completed the Ofsted ‘Parentview’ questionnaire in advance of the inspection on January 10th. We are delighted to share some of the outcomes, all of which we find very positive. Perhaps the most heartening is that 99% of respondents would recommend us to another parent. Equally encouraging for us is that at least 97% of respondents strongly agree or agree that their child is happy, safe, well looked-after and makes good progress at Sackville. Every respondent viewed the school as well led and managed.
We would like to add that the success we achieve is based on a three-way partnership between us, the students and most importantly our parent and carer community. Thank you for everything you do to support us.
Sixth form in Germany
Sixth form international work experience in Germany
Our sixth form work-experience trip is in full-swing in Hamburg once again. After flying out on Saturday January 12, the group spent a day visiting Berlin before commencing their placements. A variety of work is being sampled by the students, including in a pharmacy, a hotel, a secondary school, a law firm, a shipping company and a refugee centre. Thanks to Mrs Valentine, Mr Whitehead, Mr Grant, Mrs Rooke and Mrs Plumb for accompanying the students.
Night at the Musicals
Magical ‘Night at the Musicals’
Our year 11, 12 and 13 performing arts students rounded off a very busy week at Sackville on Friday January 11th with a special evening performing extracts from musicals such as Les Miserables, The Book of Mormon, Chicago, Ghost and Memphis. These performances were interleaved with scenes from Blood Brothers. A performance to gladden the heart of all of the friends, parents and staff present – and to once again show that the performing arts are alive and well at Sackville.
Pictured here are (back) Ethan Allen, Finn Crawford, Bailey Johnson, Georgia Cotterell, Maisie Barnes, Tom Whitwick, Melissa Turner, Nuha Diaz, Oliver Howland, Beth Peadon, Alex Flude, Louis Maxwell, Joe Lancaster, (front) Rebecca Hollins, Anika Rahman, Amy Hawtin, Ethan Chapman, Juno Phitidis and Maddie Wrigley. Well done everyone!
Sussex Engineers Taster Day
Undergraduates of the future shine at Sussex University
Congratulations to our year 7 and 8 students who were excellent ambassadors for the school during their visit to Sussex University on January 9th 2019.
Students were lucky to enjoy a taste of media studies, philosophy, engineering, history of art and physics. Only a few short years and they will be completing their UCAS applications!
Revision Evening
Revision evening a complete success
Thank-you to the students, parents and carers who attended our year 11 information evening on January 8th. They were treated to talks from Mr Millican and Mr Hayden on how to survive the next five months. These were followed by workshops from Mrs Stromfield, Mrs Stuart and Mr Rahim on how best to succeed in the crucial core subjects, which amount to at least five GCSEs for each student.
It’s never too early to wish our year 11s ‘good luck’, as they move towards there second set of mocks. We know that with the support of home and school anything is possible!
Xmas 2018
Christmas at Sackville in full swing
Christmas is always a special time of year at Sackville, and with the holiday starting on a Wednesday, our celebrations began in the last full week of term.
Thursday and Friday saw the school Christmas dinners served in the Rose Restaurant. A record number of meals were ordered this year: our canteen and support staff cooking and serving more than 400 full roast dinners over two days. A very special thanks has to go to Jayne Palmer and her staff for managing this Herculean feat.
Also on Thursday and Friday we had our celebration assemblies for our new year 7s, where many edible prizes were dispensed by Mr Thompson and his team.
Over the last weekend of term, our year 9 German students have been visiting the Christmas markets in Aachen – and have even seen some snow!
Our carol service has become a firm favourite on the school calendar and has become increasingly well known in the town. We were delighted to welcome Mr Brooks, a former Headteacher of Sackville in the 1980s and, of course, Mrs Joslin, widow of his predecessor. The mayor and rotary members joined us as well as you, the parents, who are of course the most important people of all! The students performed superbly throughout and the school governors were kind enough to lay on refreshments at the end. All in all, it was a wonderful community event.
In the midst of all the fun we managed to fit in a celebration photo with all of our year 10 sports leaders, in recognition of the work they have done since half term at lunchtimes with students from Estcots. We also took the opportunity to have a special celebration with our year 7 transition plus students.
Our students have worked very hard over this long term and marking the end of it with festivities is fitting!
Observatory open evening
Perfect stargazing conditions for the last observatory open evening of the year
The weather for once smiled on the Sackville observatory open evening on Wednesday 12 December. Clear skies allowed over thirty guests views of the Andromeda Galaxy, Orion Nebula, Pleiades and even Comet Wirtanen.
The waxing crescent moon however provided the best photo opportunities, as you can see here.
We had some lovely feedback from those present, with one guest saying
Wow, what a fantastic evening stargazing on a clear but cold night. Thanks so much to Mr Bush, your knowledge is incredible and I am inspired to learn more. Especially loved the Pleiades star cluster. Can’t wait for the next evening.
More open evenings follow in the new year. You can find more information on the Sackville Observatory Facebook page.
Year 13 drama Midsummer’s Night Dream
Midsummer comes in midwinter …
Our year 13 drama students treated a highly appreciative audience to two different interpretations of scenes from Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream‘. We were transported from a dismal December evening to the enchanted setting of Shakespeare’s comic masterpiece by the sheer exuberance of the performers.
Both groups performed in the style of the Kneehigh Theatre Company, which always demands deep reserves of energy. The performances this time were especially high-octane, and had the audience in frequent fits of hysterical laughter.
All this makes us anticipate all-the-more their devised pieces, the performing arts showcase and the school show next term. Congratulations on two fantastic performances!