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Art and Photography Department Trip

Thirty five Year 12 and 13 students participated in another amazing Art and Photography Department trip to Amsterdam last week. The days were packed with walking, dodging bicycles and trams, galleries, eating and laughter.

With four galleries in total to explore, the students were able to experience work spanning from the 17th to the 21st Century. Famous works by Rembrandt and Vermeer were astonishing and the Modern Art and Photography gallery proved to be extremely engaging and thought provoking. At the photography gallery students were encouraged to engage and discuss the works which is an important part of the photography curriculum. Students also learnt about managing and curating the space within the gallery and were informed on how artists sell their work. In addition to gallery visits, we also toured the house of Anne Frank. This became a sombre yet captivating and moving experience. 

An all-inclusive trip; students enjoyed the restaurants and the food was excellent. Free time was spent exploring shops, eateries, sketching and taking photographs in the city centre. There will be a small exhibition of some of the fantastic photographs taken during the trip, these will be displayed in school in the foyer of the Hadfield Art Suite at a later date. 

Many thanks to the students who behaved impeccably and to Mrs Giles and Mr McKeown for their utter professionalism and for giving up their time.

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20th March

Future engineers reach new heights at Cambridge physics experience

Members of the Year 7 and 8 Science Club recently swapped the classroom for the historic halls of the University of Cambridge, taking part in the prestigious Cambridge Physics Experience. The day began with an inspiring tour of Churchill College, where pupils gained a unique insight into the architectural and academic history of the site. This was followed by an engaging presentation on university life, highlighting the long-term benefits of higher education and offering the group a glimpse into the exciting opportunities that await them in the future. The afternoon shifted from theory to practical engineering as the pupils were tasked with a series of high-stakes Martian challenges. Working in competitive teams, they were charged with designing and building model Mars Rovers capable of navigating a simulated rocky and sandy Martian terrain. In addition to the rovers, the teams had to construct landing modules engineered to survive a precarious drop from a high balcony. The competition was fierce, but it was our very own team 'Dux' that claimed the title of overall winners. Their rover outperformed the field by traveling the furthest distance across the challenging surface. Furthermore, their meticulous approach to the mass and structural integrity of their landing module paid off, resulting in a perfectly soft landing that impressed the judges. It was a fantastic day of hands-on science that showcased the ingenuity and teamwork of our junior scientists.
20th March

Duke of Edinburgh update: A busy month for our pupils

It has been a landmark month for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at the school, with pupils across all year groups pushing their boundaries from the local landscape of Chorleywood Common to the rugged terrain of Scandinavia. The Gold Award cohort has seen an impressive 54 pupils sign up this year, many of whom recently gathered for a specialised food tasting session. This practical workshop allowed the Year 12s to trial various expedition rations, ensuring their packs are filled with both nutritious and palatable fuel ahead of their demanding practice trek through the Lake District this March. Preparation for the Gold Award reached a new peak on 1st March during a comprehensive training day led by Hepworth Adventures. The sheer scale of this year’s ambitions was evident as pupils mapped out diverse routes; 25 participants are currently preparing for the wilds of Otta in Norway, 13 are bound for Poland, and another 13 are focusing on UK-based expeditions, while one pupil prepares for a bespoke kayaking challenge. Under the guidance of Hepworth staff, these pupils fine-tuned their menu planning and equipment lists, ensuring they are fully equipped for the specific demands of the Gold environment and their upcoming qualifying aims in early summer. The spirit of the award is equally vibrant in the younger year groups, with 91 Year 10 pupils recently completing their Silver training day. Guided by a dedicated team of St Clement Danes staff and parent volunteers, the pupils took to Chorleywood Common to sharpen their navigational skills through a series of practical exercises. The day also involved intensive route planning for their qualifying expeditions in May and June, alongside sessions on the logistical challenges of group catering in the wilderness. Meanwhile, the Year 9 Bronze Award continues to see record engagement, with 182 pupils set to undergo their own training day on March 7th. Led by the School of Outdoor, this upcoming session will provide the foundation for their first expeditions, with photos and details of their progress expected to follow soon. Beyond the physical challenges of the trail, the school community recently gathered to celebrate the formal achievements of our participants. The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire presided over a prestigious award presentation, during which he commended the pupils for their resilience and commitment. For those who missed the event, the full presentation slides and the keynote speech have been made available online, documenting a proud chapter in the school’s long-standing history with the DofE program.