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GCSE Results 2024
Posted on: 22/08/2024

GCSE Results 2024

Once again, students at Amery Hill School have done themselves proud! We offer huge congratulations to our ‘Class of 2024’ for their fantastic GCSE results. Throughout their time at our school, the students of this year group have shown grit and genuine commitment to their studies, and have set an excellent example, both through these qualities, and through their kindness and consideration to each other, and to other members of the school community. At Amery Hill, our school motto is ‘Education for Life’. We want our students to leave us as positive and confident individuals, who feel absolutely ready for their next steps in life, and the challenges they may encounter. And, despite two disrupted years of secondary  education as a result of the pandemic, working alongside dedicated staff, and with strong parental support, our students have shown that strength of character, aspiration and determination can achieve. We are delighted by their success and believe that it again demonstrates the importance of the school’s core values of Independence, Creativity, Active Learning, Resilience and Empathy. Our ‘Class of 2024’ is now well placed to move beyond the school gates and is in the very best place to head onto college, apprenticeships or work-based training. Although I have only worked with this cohort of students since I joined Amery Hill in September 2023, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with them, and alongside all members of our school community, wish them the very best of luck, and success and happiness in the future.   R Jeckells HeadteacherView Article
A Time for Reflection
Posted on: 12/07/2024

A Time for Reflection

Two weeks before the end of the summer term, 45 GCSE History students, along with Mr Eaton, Dr Lewis-Vidler, Mrs Stanley and Mr White, visited the battlefields of the First World War in Belgium and Northern France. We went not only to visit the sites of major events in the conflict but also to pay our respects and commemorate those who so bravely put their lives on the line. We visited many locations that students have learnt about in class and our guides were brilliant at taking us to places when men from Alton lost their lives and were buried, such as Hawthorn Ridge and Crater. On the trip we visited many cemeteries and memorials of soldiers and it was extremely touching for us to hear a few of the personal stories of the people who have their final resting place abroad, so far from home. Particularly impactful were the large memorials including the Menin Gate, where we saw the Last Post ceremony take place on the first day, Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Battle of the Somme and Tyne Cot cemetery, which we visited on our final day. It was an honour for us to be able to lay a wreath on behalf of the school. Each student placed their hand on a name of a missing soldier, to take their memory home and ensure that we will remember them. As well as reinforcing classroom-based curriculum study, we also managed to fit in time for some more recreational activities as well on our trip. On the first day, students were able to visit shops selling famous Belgian chocolate, as well as having some time to explore the rebuilt city of Ypres. We arrived at our accommodation on Wednesday just in time to watch the European Football Championship semi-final victory for England together in the Hostel conference room. Students also took the opportunity to visit the duty-free shops whilst waiting for our shuttle to and from the European continent. All of our students conducted themselves in an exemplary manner and both our guides, as well as the coach driver, remarked on how impressed they were with their behaviour. All in all, it was a brilliant learning experience, as well as being fantastic fun for everyone involved! “It was very tranquil at Tyne Cot when we placed our wreath to commemorate the dead.” Ed W “It showed us the footsteps of the people that came before us, so we can prevent anything like this happening again. It brought it to reality.” Toby M “I really enjoyed learning about what the people did and all the different places we went to.” Grace S   View Article
Community, Creativity, Culture
Posted on: 9/07/2024

Community, Creativity, Culture

We have been delighted to participate in this year’s Alton Arts Festival, a 10-day, multi-venue, multi-disciplinary arts festival in Alton. As a not-for-profit enterprise, the aim has been to celebrate the arts, community, and creativity which has provided our students with some fabulous opportunities and new experiences. Our thanks to all of the organising committee for a fabulous festival!  As part of the festival a group of Year 8 students were invited to participate in a series of silversmithing workshops run by Meon Valley Studios. The sessions had been arranged in conjunction with the Alton Arts Festival and the workshops had been funded by 'The Goldsmiths Centre’ which included the cost of silver, so that there was no cost for our students to participate. During the workshops, the students learnt how to make and personalise a silver ring. This included punching a name into it, bending the silver using a ring mandrel and mallet and then sawing the ends off using a piercing saw to cut the shape. They then used a small blow torch to solder the ring closed before filing and polishing the silver. All the students had an amazing time and were so grateful to have been given this opportunity. Their completed pieces looked incredible and were so professional. A huge thank you goes to Olivia at Meon Valley Studios for arranging these sessions.      View Article
It's a bug's life!
Posted on: 4/07/2024

It's a bug's life!

The garden created for the Alton Arts Festival by Amery Hill students was a collaboration between the Eco-Union and the Student Voice Community Committee. We wanted to make a garden that catered for as many insects as possible by creating different habitats. We also wanted to use as much recycled or surplus material as possible. Our ladybird house uses old bamboo canes for legs and pens due to be recycled for the antennae, while our bee drinker is an old lid from some laundry detergent. The birch tree and decaying wood (perfect for woodlice and centipedes) were donated from the owner of a local woodland. The plants themselves are mostly surplus from families associated with the school or from the bargain shelves of local nurseries. They have then been nursed back to a healthier state. Our aim was to strike a balance between beauty and practicality, in terms of creating a garden that caters for many different species, and we are pleased with the final result.View Article
ACAN Ambassadors Lead the Way
Posted on: 3/07/2024

ACAN Ambassadors Lead the Way

The summer term has been Eco-Union’s busiest yet! This term's main event was the Young ACAN Eco Conference. Eco-Union took 14 students down to the Maltings in Alton for a day filled with multiple workshops on environmental topics, all with a focus on protecting our rivers and oceans. Amery Hill was also represented by four of our Year 10 students who acted as Young ACAN Ambassadors, running one of the workshop sessions themselves. The day was a great success and our students were proud to stand on the stage and share their experiences and learning along with students from Eggar’s School and nine other Primary and Junior schools from the local area.  The other focus for the term has been completing our application for this years' re-certification of our Green Flag status. The application involves providing evidence of our Eco activities as a school and the members of Eco-Union have put a great deal of effort into this. We have chosen to focus on three topics for next year; Biodiversity, Litter and School Grounds. Keep an eye out for any changes to the school site in the coming year as we aim to make Amery Hill as sustainable as possible. View Article
Year 11 Prom: Sunshine, smiles, tears and mini-golf
Posted on: 26/06/2024

Year 11 Prom: Sunshine, smiles, tears and mini-golf

Year 11 gathered at the beautiful Audleys Wood Hotel for a magical night celebrating the proud achievements of their five years together at Amery Hill School. The arrival of police and fire service vehicles in the first few minutes turned out to be false alarms, as bevies of glamorous students emerged from both. They joined their fellow dapper Year 11 friends, who arrived on the red carpet from all manner of other transportation, both quirky and classic.   After welcome drinks, attendees took advantage of some rare summer evening sun, playing the many party games which the Prom Committee had organised – including limbo and mini-golf – against the beautiful background of the hotel grounds and the golden fields beyond. They then descended on the beautifully-decorated marquee for a scrumptious barbecue and ice creams. The atmosphere on the night was utterly joyful, with everyone dancing and laughing together for hours, helped along by tunes from Year 11’s best-kept secret, the band ‘Four No More’, and a staff band into the bargain. Most people seemed to end up holding their shoes, and complaining of blisters, which is generally a sign of a good night had by all! Most were reluctant to leave the party, with final memories shared and tears shed at the end. It was an unforgettable night, and a worthy tribute to a year group that has been through so much together. But they’re ready for the next adventures in their lives now, and if they approach those with half the energy that they did this prom, they will be absolutely fine! Visit https://bit.ly/3W8Jikj to view the Prom Gallery. View Article
Mini Orchard Planted
Posted on: 17/05/2024

Mini Orchard Planted

As part of the Unicef UK’s Outright Campaign students involved in the Rights Respecting Schools Award and Eco-Union joined forces to make Amery Hill a little bit greener and more sustainable. One of their ideas was to plant and grow apple trees within the school grounds. Our thanks to Haskins Forest Lodge Garden Centre for donating the trees. In September students will begin working on a new campaign and towards our goal to gain the Gold Award next year. We look forward to continuing to develop our skills and knowledge about all things Rights Respecting and the CRC View Article
The DOSE Effect - TJ Power Visit
Posted on: 29/04/2024

The DOSE Effect - TJ Power Visit

The DOSE Effect is an approach championed by Tj Power, a neuroscientist, who has been working with the school to educate our students, families and staff to help us to understand how brain chemistry affects mental health, and how the things that we do can positively influence these chemicals. We are delighted to have been awarded financial support from Waitrose Alton and Gallagher Insurance which will enable us to extend the programme to other students and families within our school community. The potential of this project is far reaching and having trialled the programme with our Year 9 students, we have already had some incredible feedback. The students have been really engaged with the programme and the workshops that Tj has run for them and the feedback suggests that it is making a positive difference for many within our community – students, primarily of course, but families too. Educating and supporting our young people to understand and further their knowledge on how to enhance their mental health will not only lead them to being more fulfilled but will help them to achieve their full potential at school and also beyond, as they turn their minds to college, perhaps university and employment. Our thanks to both Waitrose Alton and Gallagher Insurance for seeing the benefit for our students in this programme and for providing additional funds to allow us to roll out the programme to other students. What the students said... "Loved having you at my school, defo going to miss your sessions every week"  "Thanks so much WE ALL miss you already" "Thank you so much for coming into our school. I have learnt a lot from you. Also my mum thought you were amazing"  "Really interesting to learn about all the different chemicals and has definitely changed the small things in my life to make a big difference thanks so much" "Thank you so much for coming to my school. I have learnt so much from you over the past few weeks" What our parents said... “Just a quick note to say thanks so much for organising Tj Power's school visits and the talk last night.  He was brilliant!  So insightful;  I think it's great that you guys have brought him into Amery to work with the kids.  My child has been working harder at school, taking the dog for walks and has even set a TikTok limit on her phone - all off her own back! Really appreciate it.  Thanks again.” “I just wanted to say thank you for the session with Tj yesterday.  I was incredibly interesting and really gave us something to think about with the girls. I hope that other years will be able to benefit in the future- very much education for life and giving a different perspective.  We are enjoying our hugs very much!”  “Thank you for bringing Tj Power into school yesterday to talk to the Yr 9 parents - I found him really easy to listen to, I found his DOSE effect really resonated with this age group. My child and I chatted about it afterwards and already have planned some things to focus on doing from now on. I’d love to see this continue through and embed into the school. Many thanks.”  “Thanks again for organising last night. Tj is so engaging and I can see why the kids got so much out of it too. I definitely went away with some new motivation to improve things at home.”  View Article
Supporting Our School
Posted on: 22/04/2024

Supporting Our School

Thank you to those of you who have contributed to the School Trust Fund this term. We are delighted to have been able to disburse just over £2,500 to purchase some great resources for our students including sewing machines, table tennis tables, MFL language books for the library, air fryers in Food Technology, an author visit, clay extruder and die set for Art and resources for our popular Crochet and Knitting Club. In addition we’ve been able to support the Year 9 mental health programme delivered by Tj Power. The School Trust is just one way in which you can support the school. As Mr Jeckells referred to in his recent message to parents/carers, there are plenty of ways you can get involved and support the school! Here’s a reminder: Are you able to give us some of your time or expertise for one of our ‘Education for Life’ events, such as our Careers Fair or our Mock Interview Day? Do you work in an industry which could prove insightful to our students, and would you be willing to come in and talk to students about your job and role to enrich our careers education? Please get in contact with Mr Millard, EfL Co-ordinator on l.millard@ameryhill.school if you think you could help. Are you interested in getting involved in our PTA – the Friends of Amery Hill? We are always looking for a willing pair of hands to help but you shouldn’t feel you have to commit to every event. From helping arrange fundraising Quiz Nights or Wreath Making workshops to organising the bar at School Drama and Music events, it’s a great way of becoming involved, and meet other parents while supporting the school. For more information, please contact us at friendsofameryhill@gmail.com Does your employer have a match funding scheme? There are many companies which offer this, and with our school-based fundraising events not requiring much commitment, yet still eligible for match funding, this may be an easy way for you to generate funds for the school. Please get in touch at contactus@ameryhill.school if this is something which might be possible. Do you have any textiles for recycling? The school has partnered with a small Hampshire business, Astra Recycling, who recycle textiles. In return for collecting textiles the school generates a small income. The textile bank is located in the back car park of the school. Please note: the textiles bank is only accessible to parents outside of school hours; students are welcome to pop a bag into the bank as they come into school. An easier way to donate to the school When you now use SCOPAY, you will see we have added a ‘Donate to the School’ option. This is in response to a number of parents asking for an easier way of donating to the school; a little donated every now and then by a lot of people can make a big difference. Do you shop on-line? Did you know that your purchases can raise money for the school at no extra cost to yourself. Shop as normal with over 4,700 retailers, just start your shopping journey first at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/ and enter Amery Hill as your chosen charity to support us. Do you have expertise in the area of grant applications and would you be willing to offer some advice? Or perhaps you have heard of a grant scheme you think we could apply to? Please let us know on contactus@ameryhill.school Or if you prefer, you can visit our School Trust partner GoodHub and make a donation! Visit https://app.goodhub.com/amery-hill-school-trust to make a donation. If every family donated just 50p a week, it would generate over £20,000 a year! Thank you for your continued support, in whatever shape or form that comes, it really is appreciated. And, of course, a massive thank you on behalf of all of our students.View Article

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