Year 10 Gingerbread House Village

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Year 10 GCSE Food students have created their very own Gingerbread House Village

 

The year 10 Students taking GSCE Food have been working hard making a Gingerbread House Village for the last two weeks as part of their Sugars, Fats and Oils project.

They were given the exciting task to design a Gingerbread House suitable to be sold commercially, using a variety of different techniques and effects.

They needed to research and design their house using the correct dimensions, accuracy of angles, specific quantities, timings and measurements and every house had to include a surprise element inside the cavity.

The students had to understand the melt and mix method of biscuit making, the importance of accuracy when measuring ingredients, baking times and using templates. They focussed on temperature control and shape and finally the presentation.

Making their own house from start to finish was no mean feat and they were faced with some challenges too which they overcame. The importance of precision was a high priority whilst using a variety of techniques and quality controls in the production of their houses.

They all did exceptionally well and produced some outstanding houses.

Mrs Wright

Trip to Dortmund Christmas Market

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Y12 Practise their German in Dortmund Christmas Market

Year 12 German AS level students got a chance to travel to Dortmund to visit a Christmas Market and practise their German in December. Cultural experiences make a huge difference when learning a foreign language. Here is an account of their experience by two pupils:

I love Christmas – everything about it, and the perfect place for a Christmas-lover to go to is, of course, a German Christmas Market! As soon as we arrived in Dortmund and at the markets, after a long and bumpy plane journey, the feeling of festivities surrounded me, and the freezing cold air punched us in the face. It was a brisk -3° when we arrived, and whilst wandering around the markets in the evening, the temperature felt like -10°. However, the beautiful stalls, ornaments and decorations distracted us from the cold, and I was immediately engrossed in what each stall was selling. Many of them sold little Christmas gifts, such as tree decorations, Currywurst, gingerbread, chestnuts and traditional German foods. After browsing the markets, we were treated to some German Glühwein (Mulled Wine) – don’t worry, it was the non-alcoholic version (basically warm juice…). We were challenged to ask for all our meals and purchases in German, so after applying what we had learnt recently with the stall owners, we thought we had successfully asked for a German Bratwurst (sausage). We ended up with a Currywurst (sausage with curry sauce)! I don’t know if it was difficult to decipher the difference between a Bratwurst and a Currywurst because of our accents, but personally, I think our German was pretty accurate and well-spoken. Dr Venz and Mrs Johns agreed too! The currywurst was ‘different’ but tasted good, and it was exciting to be trying new German foods. We then visited a German Supermarket in an attempt to source our breakfast for the next morning, and I was very excited over the mass of new brands and new foods. I treated myself to some muffins and mango for breakfast, and kept in mind some traditional German sweets and desserts to buy later. We eventually returned back to our warm and festively-decorated hotel with full stomachs, having bought our breakfast and lots of water. We went to sleep after watching the German version of The Golden Compass, and woke up to the warm embrace of our heater as we had managed to translate the instructions! All in all, a great opportunity to practise what we had learnt at school.

Millie

When we arrived in Dortmund, I was taken aback by the wondrous setting of the Christmas market. The twinkling Christmas lights, the delightful aroma of traditional German food, Churros, roasting chestnuts, Bratwurst and Currywurst. Enticed by the smell of German cuisine, we took the plunge. Currywurst it was with a generous helping of chips. Wunderbar!

We quickly finished our food and started to explore the market. Ignoring the cold, with the help of some mulled ‘wine’, we finished the evening by going to a supermarket to get some supplies for breakfast in the morning.

We woke up the following day excited and anxious to get back to the market and with one task in mind: buy gifts! Luckily, the temperature was slightly milder . Before returning to the stalls we had spotted the evening before, we decided to visit the Reinoldi Church Dortmund and partake in a Mass. After that we went to the market where we interacted in German with the sellers. I was very pleased that some locals thought we were German! The work we had done in school had obviously paid off.

Esme

Bishop’s Acting Troupe (BATs)

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Bishop’s creates its first theatre company

Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School is proud to present BATs (Bishop’s Acting Troupe), its first theatre company! The students auditioned at the start of the year and have been working hard on their first play, which is due to be performed in April. The company was set up so that students who had a keen interest in acting, but not singing or dancing, could explore and perform plays. It also allows students to explore other interests such as costume, lighting, sound and set design. We look forward to expanding this company and continuing the fantastic work started by these talented and committed students.

Enrichment Clubs are important for the overall development and mental health of our pupils. Why not discover all that Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School has to offer here: Discover our Clubs

Logo created and designed by Bella Whittall and Gabriella Kehagias.

Silence in Court: Year 13 visit St Albans Crown Court

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Year 13 A Level law students have been visiting the Crown Court as part of their study of criminal law.

Over 30 students studying A Level Law took part in three trips to St Albans Crown Court this half term. Visits had been delayed first by Covid and then by the barristers’ strike so there was high excitement. As every day is different at the Court, each group saw different things and were able to report back to their peers.

There were many highlights: we saw a jury being sworn in, a trial with witnesses giving evidence, and sentencing hearings where defendants were sent to prison. We talked to barristers about their job in the Court, to the Police Liaison Officer and to two judges, HHJ Wigin and HHJ Wood. The students were given the opportunity to ask both judges questions about their career, which was a fascinating insight into their lives and their role in the criminal justice system. Year 13 came back with renewed enthusiasm for the study of criminal law and for their role plays in lessons learning about important legal cases.

Hertfordshire County Badminton Tournament

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U16 Team finish runners up!

On Friday 9th December, Miss Cameron and Mrs Newberry took our Under 16 Badminton team to the Hertfordshire School Games Compete Badminton Finals at the University of Hertfordshire Sports Village. The U16 team had qualified for this event last month when they won the District competition beating Chancellors and both Queenswood A and B U16 teams.

We were drawn in a pool against Presdales, St Albans High and Thomas Alleynes. Our U16 team played very well across their singles and doubles games, beating all 3 schools (winning 13 out of 15 games) which took them into the 1st and 2nd place final vs Watford Girls School.

Anna S won her singles game vs their top seed very convincingly 21 points to 8. Then Watford Girls beat our 1st doubles pair (the 2 players not selected for singles) Ella S and Anna S 12-21. Watford Girls then beat our 2nd ranked singles player Shekina S 17-21 to make it 2 games to 1 to them. We needed our top doubles pairing of Anna S and Ella S to take the win to draw level in the final and in a very close game Anna and Ella took the win 21 points to 19. With 2 games each, it went down to the final game and after playing some brilliant Badminton our final doubles pair of Shekina and Anna S just lost out 21-18 to give Watford Girls the win.

The whole team played incredibly well throughout the tournament. To only drop 5 games out of the 20 they played and to finish runners up in the whole of Hertfordshire against some of the best players in the County is an amazing achievement. This is only their 2nd tournament together and all of the girls should be very proud of themselves.

A massive thank you to Mrs Newberry for all of her brilliant work with Badminton club and for attending both tournaments with the girls. If it wasn’t for the weekly Badminton club some of these girls wouldn’t be able to play regularly and wouldn’t have such an interest in the sport.

BHGS U16 Girls Badminton Team – Anna S (Captain), Shekina S (Vice Captain), Ella S, Anna S and Jolie K.

 

Mrs Cameron

U12 A Team Win District Football Tournament

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U12 A and B teams make last 4 of the District Football tournament

On Monday 5th December, Miss McLeman, Miss Cameron and Miss Miller – McKenzie took the U12 A and B Football teams to attend their first fixture at Hertswood Academy.

The A team were drawn in a pool against the following teams – Queenswood A, Chancellors A, Dame Alice Owens, Stanborough and Onslow. Results – * BHGS 1 – 0 Queenswood A * BHGS 0 – 2 Chancellors A, * BHGS 2 – 0 Dame Alice Owens, * BHGS 2-0 Stanborough * BHGS 1-0 Onslow The A team showed excellent determination in defence and some brilliant attacking and support play to win their group and progress to the semi final.

The B team were drawn in the opposite pool against the following teams – Queenswood B, Chancellors B, Hertswood, Mount Grace and Ridgeway. Results * BHGS 1-0 Queenwood B * BHGS 0-0 Chancellors B * BHGS 1-0 Hertswood * BHGS 0-0 Mount Grace * BHGS 0-2 Ridgeway The B team showed great effort in both attack and defence in poor conditions to finish 2nd in their group. They now progressed to the semi finals where they would meet our BHGS A team.

In a hotly contested all BHGS semi final, the A team showed some excellent attacking skills to win 3-0 and make it to the final. The dogged determination of the B team pupils really made it difficult for the A team and they were unlucky not to get a goal or two of their own.

The A team progressed to the final where they faced a strong Ridgeway team. With 2 key players causing problems at times for our A team, the resilience and effort from all of the BHGS A team kept them out until the end of normal time. With 2 minutes of extra time added, our A team were unlucky not to finish off a near certain goal but for 2 excellent saves from the Ridgeway keeper.

It was 0-0 at the end of extra time and so we progressed to penalties. Each team had 5 attempts to try and win the District Final. After a tense few minutes with some excellent goals from both teams, goalkeeper Aanya P made the difference and saved 2 shots (1 about half a cm from the goalline!) to win the final 5-3 and earn the title of District Champions!

A fantastic effort from both teams in their first football tournament for BHGS. It’s been brilliant to see so many Year 7 pupils attend Football club on a Thursday with Miss McLeman and Mr Lister – we are very lucky to have so many keen footballers and an array of talent to choose from. Hopefully next time, we might even be able to enter a C team as well! Thank you to Miss McLeman and Mr Lister for all of their hard work at Football club – again, pupils wouldn’t be able to have the opportunities without staff giving up their time every week. Thank you also to Miss Miller – McKenzie for attending the tournament as an extra staff member so the girls could compete.

Well done everyone!

U12 BHGS A Team – District Champions: Ruby Eusden D (Captain) Aanya P Ruth A Alexia L Sade M Maria M Elina Ramana Poppy Wright

U12 BHGS B Team – District Semi Finalists Amy Johnson (Captain) Stephanie B Maya F Priscilla B Amenze E Carina M Favour N Shruti G

A taste of University Life for Lawyers

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Year 12 students of A-Level Law enjoyed a trip to the Law School at the University of Hertfordshire.

On 5th December 2022, Year 12 students of A-Level Law visited the University of Hertfordshire to participate in sessions relating to higher education. They heard from current students about studying at university, in particular what it would be like to study law and criminology. Students from the University ‘Street Law’ group ran an informative session about police powers of stop and search. Then the students enjoyed a sample lecture on murder.

A highlight of the trip was a mock sentencing hearing in the University’s replica Crown Court, in which a student was placed in the dock (temporarily!). An ex-student at BHGS, Julide H, who is now studying Law at the University (here pictured in her wig and gown), played the part of the prosecuting barrister. It was inspiring to see how Julide’s experience in advocacy at the University has enabled her to play the part of a confident legal professional. The trip ended with an interesting campus tour, giving an early insight into what life would be like at University.

Year 10 Conference Day – Animal Rights

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Year 10 students were off timetable to learn whether it is right to use animals for our own means.

On 28/11, Year 10 students were off timetable to take part in their first RE Conference of the year. With the overarching theme of Animal Rights, they learnt about three main topics: – Keeping animals as pets – is it fair? – Animal testing – is it moral? – Religious and humanist views on animals. After their research, students were put into groups to create a presentation on their findings. The winning group of each form had the opportunity to present to the whole year group. All students showed great character building as it takes a huge amount of confidence to deliver their presentations. Well done to Libby, Lois, Anna, Alice and Jessica in 10Au for making a fantastic presentation. They were very engaging, used a range of religious vocabulary which showed fantastic knowledge in their work.

The Club that Shall Not be Named

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Get creative at our Harry Potter themed enrichment club!

‘The Club that Shall not be Named’ meets every Wednesday after school and is a haven for all fans of Harry Potter – or Potterheads, as the most avid fans are known! Pupils in Years 7 and 8 come along to take part in a whole host of activities related to the Harry Potter series – and the more creative, the better! Over the course of the year, pupils get a chance to create and take part in Harry Potter quizzes, including scavenger hunts where items are hidden around the school and clues are left as to their whereabouts. They get to make their own spells and create their own potions, bottling them, naming and labelling them. They can create bunting, wands, howlers and snitches, and they can also make bracelets and pom-poms in their House colours. But perhaps most impressive of all was the recent Quidditch tournament organised by 8 Hadid pupils, Lorna, Esme and Jo. Members of the club were split into two teams and some were given specific roles, such as the Beaters who aimed Bludgers at those holding the Quaffle! Or Seekers, hunting that elusive Golden Snitch! Pupils got creative and enjoyed the extra exercise and have agreed that this will be a regular part of the club. With no end to the club’s creativity, maybe the next challenge should be to bring in the flying broomsticks!

Mrs Herlock

Year 12 take their Young Enterprise Business to a Christmas Market

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Year 12 Young Enterprise Business, ‘All Women Ethical’ (AWE) make history

A group of year 12 Business Studies students have been working together since September to form their Young Enterprise Business. The YE Company Programme empowers young people to set up and run a student company under the guidance of a business volunteer. Students make all the decisions about their business, from deciding on the company name, managing the company finances and selling to the public. Participants gain practical business experience and key skills. The YE business is called AWE (All Women Ethical).

The students attended their first Trade Fair at the Harpenden Christmas Market on Sunday 27th November. They arrived at 10.30am to set up their stall and were able to start trading at 12 noon till 6pm. Despite some challenging set backs with slow dispatch of products, the students were able to sell some beautiful wax burners and Christmas scented star wax melts and beautiful handmade soy vegan candles, scented with rose, lavender, gingerbread and Christmas spices. As you can see from the photos, the stall looked attractive and sales were really encouraging. Nearly all the stock had been sold by the close of the market. Takings were in excess of £300 which is the highest takings from any of the Bishop’s Young Enterprise groups in the past, thanks to fantastic teamwork. The students learnt so much about marketing, pricing and the importance of being confident to approach the public and sell their products.

AWE will be visiting the Atria shopping centre in Watford at the beginning of February, so please look out for the date and come and support us!

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Tel: 01707 275331
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Headteacher:
Mr A Wood
BA (Oxon), MBA, NPQH