Posted on: 7/04/2022Bar Mock TrialsMembers of the Jury, I stand before you to deliver the closing statement for the prosecution, my name is Mrs Pretsell and I represent the Crown in the case against Amery Hill. The charge is that the students of Amery Hill performed brilliantly at the Southern Region Mock Trials Competition, and brought prestige and honour to both themselves and the school. Members of the Jury, this is an occasion when the only credible verdict you will be able to return is guilty: they were brilliant. Let me remind you of the facts of the case; our barristers: Lucy D, Albie P, Isabel P and Chloe S were dedicated and clever lawyers who prepared their cases meticulously and questioned with an unerring dedication to clarity and precision. They were brutal - woe betide anyone who ever wants to take them on in an argument. Supporting the barristers were the four witnesses who were questioned in these cases. The Amery witnesses: Max J, Griff P, Aleya S and Orla T were guilty of knowing all the facts of their stories, conveying their testimony with great confidence and standing stalwart against fierce questioning. Running the court were another two students guilty of brilliance and coolness in the demanding courtroom drama. Anya F, our court clerk, was peerless and Sophie J (usher) was as cool as a very cool cucumber. Finally, other schools were kept on their toes by the brilliant and incisive services of jury members Sian L and Hazel R - nothing was going to get past them as they exercised their civic duty with true professionalism. Admittedly, the Amery Hill Team did not win the competition but in mitigation it must be noted that they were Year 10 students and they were challenging teams from 6th Form Colleges. They are David facing very many Goliaths. They might not have defeated Goliath but they gave him bruised shins, broken fingers and a nasty suspected concussion. So finally, members of the Jury, as you decide if this team from Amery is indeed guilty of being brilliant, I charge you to remember that these students worked so hard for five months preparing this case, they conducted themselves perfectly and they made Mrs Smith and me feel so incredibly proud to be their teachers. You must return a unanimous verdict of guilty.View Article
Posted on: 26/06/2023Amery Hill School Announces New HeadteacherAmery Hill School in Alton is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Headteacher, Mr Rob Jeckells, who will take up the position, in September 2023, after the summer holidays. Mr Jeckells is a highly experienced Deputy Headteacher from Kings’ School in Winchester. The comprehensive recruitment process included seeking external independent advice as well as involving a broad cross-section of Trustees, staff and students in the school. One of our objectives was to find a Headteacher who understands and shares our outlook, which is rooted in strong values. Throughout our discussions it was clear that Mr Jeckells, not only shares our focus on academic excellence and high achievement for all, but will continue to develop our ethos and vision in the future. We would like to congratulate Mr Mann, our current Headteacher, who has been appointed as CEO of Wildern Academy Trust and will take up his new position in September. Rob Jeckells said: ‘It will be my honour and privilege to lead Amery Hill School. I am a strong believer in the power of education to transform lives, and I’m ambitious to build upon the work of the current Headteacher and staff. The opportunity to lead Amery Hill School and serve the whole community is hugely exciting for me and I’m looking forward to leading the school into the next phase of its history.’ Lorna Vickery, Chair of Trustees, said ‘We are very sad to see Mr Mann depart and thank him for all the hard work and dedication he has shown to ensure the very best for the students at Amery Hill School. Mr Mann has worked tirelessly with the Senior Leadership Team, staff and Trustees over the last five years to strengthen the academic excellence of our school and maintain our caring ethos, whilst steering the school through the Covid pandemic. We look forward to a bright future for the school with Mr Jeckells, whilst wishing Mr Mann every success, health and happiness with his future career.’View Article
Posted on: 12/07/2023Students have once again been awarded a coveted Eco-Schools Green FlagStudents have once again been awarded a coveted Eco-Schools Green Flag. The Eco-Schools Green Flag is an international accreditation that recognises efforts to raise environmental awareness amongst young people, whilst taking action to make their school more sustainable. Amery Hill School is proud to announce that it has retained its status as an accredited Eco-School. The Eco-Schools programme was established in 1994 and is now delivered in more than 70 countries across the globe. The programme prompts young people to explore a variety of environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Students are then empowered to plan and deliver environmental actions in their school, local community, and beyond. This year, the Eco-Union has continued to build on the strong foundations set out at the start of the school’s Eco-Schools journey and in recent months has completed an Environmental Review. This has really highlighted the scope and positive impact of many eco initiatives implemented over the past three years. Promotion of earth day, numerous recycling initiatives, eco competitions and fundraising for key climate change charities are just some of the work the Eco-Union has spearheaded. “The Eco-Schools Green Flag award is an internationally recognised symbol of high environmental standards. The students and school staff are to be commended and deserve immense credit for their hard work, determination, and creativity to retain the school’s status as an accredited Eco-School. They are an inspiration to us all.” Mr Mann.View Article
Posted on: 6/04/2022Quiz Night SuccessOn Friday 1st April, Friends of Amery Hill held their first fundraising event in a long time with a well supported Quiz Night raising funds for the school; it was a great success in so many ways. It was wonderful to see the hall so busy and everyone really enjoying themselves. We had over 100 attendees, comprising of 14 teams. The cash bar, offering a selection of Prosecco, red and white wine, ale, lager, water and soft drinks was well supported and the picnics brought by individuals looked delicious. A very special thank you to our quiz master, Hannah Fry. Hannah was amazing and kept the noisy hall of people under control, whilst testing their knowledge with a great selection of questions, some of which had the teams stumped. Many congratulations to the winners, ‘Where’s Graeme and Liz?’ who received a trophy and a small box of Easter Eggs! The losers, ‘Govs and the Old Govs’, were awarded a very appropriate wooden spoon, carved with an upside-down smile. During the interval, the £1 coin roll brought out everyone’s competitive streak. After the throwing of many coins, the winner was Fiona Pearce who won a lovely bottle of champagne. Many congratulations Fiona! A fabulous £1,106 was raised from ticket sales, proceeds from the bar and the coin roll, which will go a long way to buying additional equipment for the school. We have recently been able to purchase a new PA System for the hall, with remote microphone, sound system and speakers - it certainly proved its worth on Friday night. A big thank you to the parents and staff who helped at the event. We really do appreciate all of your support and this could not take place without you. We do have a few more events planned for the summer term. Do keep a look out in the weekly parental bulletin for updates. If you would like to become involved with helping at these events please email us at friendsofameryhill@gmail.comView Article
Posted on: 6/04/2022Quiz Night SuccessOn Friday 1st April, Friends of Amery Hill held their first fundraising event in a long time with a well supported Quiz Night raising funds for the school; it was a great success in so many ways. It was wonderful to see the hall so busy and everyone really enjoying themselves. We had over 100 attendees, comprising of 14 teams. The cash bar, offering a selection of Prosecco, red and white wine, ale, lager, water and soft drinks was well supported and the picnics brought by individuals looked delicious. A very special thank you to our quiz master, Hannah Fry. Hannah was amazing and kept the noisy hall of people under control, whilst testing their knowledge with a great selection of questions, some of which had the teams stumped. Many congratulations to the winners, ‘Where’s Graeme and Liz?’ who received a trophy and a small box of Easter Eggs! The losers, ‘Govs and the Old Govs’, were awarded a very appropriate wooden spoon, carved with an upside-down smile. During the interval, the £1 coin roll brought out everyone’s competitive streak. After the throwing of many coins, the winner was Fiona Pearce who won a lovely bottle of champagne. Many congratulations Fiona! A fabulous £1,106 was raised from ticket sales, proceeds from the bar and the coin roll, which will go a long way to buying additional equipment for the school. We have recently been able to purchase a new PA System for the hall, with remote microphone, sound system and speakers - it certainly proved its worth on Friday night. A big thank you to the parents and staff who helped at the event. We really do appreciate all of your support and this could not take place without you. We do have a few more events planned for the summer term. Do keep a look out in the weekly parental bulletin for updates. If you would like to become involved with helping at these events please email us at friendsofameryhill@gmail.comView Article
Posted on: 10/07/2023Prom 2023On 28th June, the students of Amery Hill School’s Year 11 bid farewell to their five memorable years of education with an extraordinary prom held at the prestigious Audley's Wood Hotel. The evening was nothing short of magical, filled with glamorous arrivals, heartfelt celebrations, and unforgettable moments. The prom night commenced with a red carpet reception, where students descended from an array of transportation options, ranging from tractors to sports cars and even diggers. The students, clad in their finest attire, made grand entrances that reflected their unique personalities and added an extra touch of excitement to the event. Inside the beautifully decorated marquee, the air buzzed with anticipation as the students eagerly embraced the night's festivities. The dance floor quickly became the centre of attention with everyone on their feet throughout the night. There was a really lovely atmosphere, with laughter, joy, and heartfelt goodbyes filling the air, creating a memorable finale for their time at Amery Hill. The Year 11 prom will undoubtedly remain etched in the hearts of the students as a cherished memory of their school years. We are incredibly proud of all they have achieved, as it has not been a smooth 5 years of education for them (thanks to a global pandemic). However, they took this all in their stride and have really done themselves proud in their last few months with us. Everyone at Amery Hill wishes them all the luck in the world as they move forward into the next phase of their lives and start a new exciting chapter in their schooling. Check out the Prom photos 2023 GalleryView Article