Challney High School for Girls joins the Chiltern Learning Trust

In 2016, after careful consideration, our Governing Body took the strategic decision that it would be in the best interests of our school if we were to join the Chiltern Learning Trust.

Following on from this decision, many months of careful planning and consultation with students, staff and parents, we are delighted to announce that as of Wednesday 1st March 2017 we are now officially part of the Chiltern Learning Trust.

Acting Headteacher for Challney High School for Girls, Estelle Jennings, said:

“I am delighted that Challney High School for Girls has joined the Chiltern Learning Trust.  This is an exciting time for the school as this will bring a wealth of opportunities to work in close collaboration with schools across the Trust. We are confident that the support and challenge that being part of a Multi-Academy Trust brings will enable us to continue to improve student outcomes and provide an excellent educational experience for all.”

Chief Executive of the Chiltern Learning Trust, Mr Adrian Rogers, added:

“We are delighted that Putteridge High School and Challney High School for Girls have joined our family of schools. We look forward to working together to continue the super progress being made in both schools currently. As a Luton and Bedfordshire based Trust we want the very best education for our community.”

The Trust’s two existing secondary schools, Denbigh High School and Challney High School for Boys, were the two highest performing schools in Luton in the 2015 and 2016 GCSE examinations. Both secondary schools are also judged to be ‘Outstanding’ and have received national recognition for the progress that their students make between arriving in Year 7 and leaving at Year 11. It is the Trust’s aim to help further improve the attainment of pupils at Challney High School for Girls so that we can share similar success.

The Trust also provides a wide range of centralised services which will help to support and develop our school in other areas of our operations including finance, ICT, human resources and staff training and development. This additional capacity and support will be extremely valuable to our school and will enable our senior leaders to focus more of their efforts on the further raising of standards.

Challney High School for Girls joins the Chiltern Learning Trust

We are delighted to announce that today the school officially joins the Chiltern Learning Trust.  This is an exciting time for the school as this will bring a wealth of opportunities to work in close collaboration with schools across the Trust.    We are confident that the support and challenge that being part of a Mulit-Academy Trust brings will enable us to continue to improve student outcomes and provide an excellent educational experience for all.

To find out more about the Chiltern Learning Trust please click here

Good Causes Week 2017

From the 6th February until the 10th February, we held our annual 'Good Causes' week. This year we raised money for Keech Hospice and Unicef. Once again, we are totally blown away by the staggering amount of money raised! We have raised £4360.60 for these great charities. The atmosphere in the school throughout the week was simply amazing and once again, the girls excelled themselves in their participation and enthusiasm. The market place event that took place on the Thursday and Friday brought everyone together for these worthy causes. Every year group played their part in one way or another. This is the most amount of money we have ever raised as a school during this week. A huge thank you to all the students, staff, parents and carers, who also played their part in making this week so successful.

Miss Ponsonby

Chelsea's Choice

On Monday the 27th February, the School was visited by a theatre company called 'Alter Ego'. Year 8 students had the opportunity to see a performance called Chelsea’s Choice. The main theme was CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation) and it raised the profile of this topic for our students, as well as reminding and encouraging them to keep safe while on-line. The cast were fantastic and really engaged all of the students, who were a fantastic audience and a credit to the School.

Two evening performances have been arranged for parents, carers and professionals in Luton.

• 28 February 2017 6pm for a 6.30pm start at Stockwood Park Academy, Rotherham Avenue, Luton LU1 5PP
• 9 March 2017 6pm for a 6.30pm start at Lea Manor High School, Northwell Drive, Luton, LU3 3TL

If any parents/carers would like to book a place for either of these showings, please email Safeguarding@luton.gov.uk providing your name, organisation (if applicable), and contact number and the number of seats requested for the performance.

News from the Mathematics Department

We are very pleased to announce the results following The UKMT Intermediate Mathematical Challenge which was held in February:

Year 10
The best in year and silver award goes to Sinthuya Thabenthiran.
Bronze awards go to Kaya Hussain, Antara Mubbashira, Haneefah Munir and Sana Ali.

Year 9
The best in School, best in year and silver award goes to Aneesa Ahmed.

This is a national competition held every year for the most talented mathematicians in the country. Well done to all of those students in Year 9 and 10 that participated.

OPTIONS EVENING ON 2ND MARCH

Year 9 students will be soon making choices about some of the subjects they will study during Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11).

English, Mathematics and Science, together with Physical Education, Religious Education and Personal Development form the compulsory core curriculum.  In addition to the core curriculum, students will also study three option subjects.

There is a wide choice of optional subjects designed to allow each girl to work to her strengths.  Students already have a copy of the Options booklet that gives details of these.  You can find a copy on the website.  It is the School’s principle that each student studies a broad and balanced curriculum. Languages, Humanities, the Arts and Technology subjects should be given equal consideration.  

Options Evening on 2nd March 2017 will give parents (and students) the opportunity to understand the Options process and to meet the teachers who teach the Optional subjects to learn more about it and ask their advice on its suitability for their daughter.

The programme for the day:
4.30 pm to 5.00 pm – Presentation by Mrs Jennings (Acting Headteacher) and Mrs Menon (Acting Deputy Headteacher and in-charge of Curriculum)
5.00 pm to 7.00 pm – Parents and students to visit Optional subject teachers (in various venues)

Actual Options choices forms will be handed to students for completion on 3rd March 2017.  The final deadline for handing in Options forms (signed by a parent) is 10th March 2017.

SUMMARY OF ENRICHMENT DAY ACTIVITIES – 28TH FEBRUARY

On 28th February 2017, students of Years 7 to 9 at Challney Girls will be taking part in enriching activities that will help them to consolidate and extend what they are learning in school in their lessons.

Year 7 students will be working with the company Talk the Talk to improve their listening and speaking skills.

Year 8 students are getting an opportunity to either visit the Saatchi Gallery, take part in Computing and Science masterclasses at the University of Bedfordshire (Luton Campus), work with a Chef, create an art banner, learn weaving or to make an electronic gadget.

Year 9 students will be completing a STEM activity with the help of a company called EDT or visiting either the Natural History Museum or the Science Museum.

WAP Times Tables Competition

Two of our Year 7 students will be attending the West Area Partnership “Times Tables” competition, which is taking place at Leagrave Primary School on Wednesday 1st March 2017. This final is a culmination of a series of competitions held during maths lessons followed by a knockout competition two weeks later. The students will be accompanied by Mrs Chowdhury.  We all wish them well and I am sure they will both be a great credit to the School and themselves.

World Book Day - 2nd March

World Book Day is a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and most importantly it is a celebration of reading. In fact, it is the biggest celebration of its kind, marked in over 100 countries, all over the world. World Book Day is also an opportunity for students and staff to help to raise money for children in the developing world who may have no access to books.

This year is the 20th Anniversary of World Book Day and the theme is ‘Do Something Booky’. At Challney High School for Girls we are celebrating this theme in a variety of ways. The students and staff are invited to come to school in fancy dress, dressed as their favourite book character, to help raise money for Book Aid International. Book Aid International is a charity dedicated to increasing access to books and libraries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Since 1954, Book Aid International has sent more than 32 million books to libraries in the developing world. Prizes will be awarded to the best dressed student in each year group.

All of our students will receive a £1 World Book Day voucher. The can be exchanged in school for one of the special edition World Book Day books, or, alternatively the voucher can be used in any book shop.

The students will also be able to take part in the ‘Guess how many books there are on the trolley’ competition to win a library goody bag.

Most importantly it will be a day to talk about and share our love of reading and all things ‘Booky’!

Happy World Book Day!

National Citizen Service

National Citizen Service (NCS) is a once in a lifetime opportunity for your son/daughter. This adventurous and life-enhancing programme is currently available to young people in Year 11 and Year 12 and places are funded by the government. We are very supportive of NCS as it is the biggest youth development programme in England giving young people the opportunity to develop new skills and make new friends whilst having fun over school holidays. Some of our students last year took this amazing opportunity and we’re keen for more students to get involved this year too.

What does NCS involve?

NCS participants embark on an outdoor adventure residential taking part in activities like climbing, archery and zip-wire. Young people then continue their adventure with a residential week, based locally. They complete activities that will enhance their personal skills, including practical workshops, and visiting local organisations. Participants then spend the following two weeks designing and delivering a project that will have a positive impact on their community.

NCS is a 4 week programme that takes place during the Summer Holidays (July & August).
The summer dates are:
Option 1: Monday 17th July 2017 – Thursday 10th August 2017
Option 2: Monday 24th July 2017 – Thursday 17th August 2017
Option 3: Monday 31st July 2017 – Thursday 24th August 2017

The programmes above are divided into four phases. These phases are:
Phase 1: Outward bound activity centre residential visit (Monday – Friday)
Phase 2: Local residential (University campus) – skills development workshops (Monday – Friday)
Phase 3: Social Action Project planning and delivery (2 weeks: Monday – Thursday)
Phase 4: Celebration Event – where they receive a certificate signed by the Prime Minister

Why take part in NCS?
• Participants will develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills.
• Young people will be engaged in a positive activity.
• All graduates of NCS receive a certificate signed by the Prime Minister.
• NCS is recommended by UCAS, leading universities and UK employers.
• Participants will make new friends and gain memories that will last a lifetime.

What does NCS cost?
The Government invests over £1,500 in each NCS place so parents are asked to pay just £50. However, if your son/daughter receives free school meals they are asked to contribute just £10 and bursaries are available for those who may face financial barriers. The cost includes transport for the first residential week, activities, accommodation, food and trained CRB (DBS) checked staff.

This is how you can guarantee a place on NCS for your daughter…
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity which cannot be missed. This programme runs on a ‘first come first served’ basis so to secure a space you can ….

1.  Visit www.learnbydesign.co.uk/ncs-school-link-east-ea1/ to find out more and sign up
2.  Sign up over the phone by speaking to a member of the NCS Team on 01827 337237
3.  Sign up online by visiting: www.ncsyes.co.uk

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact NCS on 01827 337237 or ncs@bydesign-group.co.uk as they’d be happy to help.

Science CREST Club

The Science department runs a weekly CREST club for KS3 students.  The CREST Awards scheme is run by the British Science Association, and aims to inspire and engage students in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).  During CREST club, students have the opportunity to plan and carry out their own investigative work, whilst working towards a nationally recognised award.

Our current CREST group are working on a Bronze CREST Award project called ‘Accident Investigations’, examining what happens to different types of materials when they break in different ways.

CREST club meets every Wednesday, 3:20-4:20pm in SC4.

What is happening in Mathematics?

If you would like to help to support your daughter’s learning and progress in Year 10 and 11, here are some Maths resources that you may like to access. You can access each resource by following the link.

• Corbett Maths, 5 a day

• Mr Barton Maths on YouTube

• Onmaths.com

• PiXL Maths APP

• VLE Maths Watch

Highlights:

The Mathematics Department are running intervention classes for invited Year 11 students on the following dates:

Saturday January 21st 2017, 9.30am to 1.30pm

Saturday January 28th 2017, 9.30am to 1.15pm

Saturday February 4th 2017, 9.30am to 1.30pm

Saturday February 11th 2017, 9.30am to 1.30pm

Coming soon…

Video clips on Key topics in Maths

Art Workshop

On Tuesday 6th December some of our Year 9 art students had the opportunity to take part in a workshop organised by Luton Culture. Students were told about the history of Bedfordshire Lace and then shown samples from Wardown Museum's collection. Students were then asked to draw their own lace inspired patterns. The drawings the students produced will be printed and used as activity worksheets for children and families visiting Wardown House.

'Art and Ambition' at Challney Girls!

Challney High School for Girls held an all day event for all students, focusing on careers in Art and Design and opportunities for further education in Luton. The girls were able to meet business people and course leaders as well as students and practitioners to discuss their career plans and review the options available to them.

Luton Sixth Form College and Barnfield College were in attendance and their teams were on hand to answer the girls' questions. 

Thanks to all those who took part and prepared such excellent presentations

The girls found the day inspiring and as they considered their aspirations they were surprised to see how many careers involve Art and Design in one form or another.

Football Tournament

Our U13 girls did fantastically well during a recent football tournament arranged by Luton Town Football club. They qualified into the second round of the tournament where they got to play at Luton Town Football ground during half time. Unfortunately they narrowly lost out to Queensbury Academy however all the girls did extremely well.

Acrobatics Workshop

On Friday 4th November some of our GCSE Dance students had the opportunity to take part in an acrobatics workshop organised by Luton Culture. The girls had a fantastic time and learnt a range of skills that they will use within their course.

Challney Girls Race for Life 2016

On the 21st October 2016, our annual Race for Life took place here in school. This is for the third year running and once again, the weather was on our side despite being a little cold! The school was a sea of pink and the effort that some students went to was phenomenal! Once again, the generosity of our students, their families and our community has completely blown us away. As a school, we have raised the staggering amount of £6412.92 for Cancer Research. I cannot thank everyone enough for their efforts with this and we know that this money is going to a very good cause and indeed a cause which is close to many of our hearts. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to our amazing students for their participation and enthusiasm with this event. You are simply amazing!

Basketball Results

The Year 8 basketball team played exceptionally well against Chalk Hill academy, winning 42-2! Well done girls fantastic result!

Open Evening 13th October 2016

It was great to see so many parents and potential students at our open evening on 13th October. Some information from that evening can be found here and you can also view our prospectus.

Open Evening Presentation

Harrison Catering

We are very pleased to announce that from Tuesday 1st November 2016 we will have a new catering provider starting at the School. The new company are called Harrison Catering who are a well-established family owned business.

Please see the Dining section of the website for more information.