Hello

What a busy week! Scholarship and entrance examinations took place this week for Senior School, GCSE and Sixth Form entry. It was lovely to see all our new applicants.

Please join us for our ‘Our Future Matters’ Art Exhibition on Saturday 5th February between 10.30 and noon. The artwork is a culmination of work submitted to the Junior School Art Competition by local primary schools. The quality of artwork produced in previous years has been outstanding and we are looking forward to exhibiting the pieces produced this year.

Our Year 10 pupils have completed their Work Experience week with, as always, excellent feedback from the employers. We look forward to hearing all about their experiences.

The Year 10 students will also be embarking on a special Eurolinks Day in March which helps to consolidate their knowledge of the languages they are studying. Could you spare a couple of hours to help? Please click here to learn more.

Please make a note in your diaries of the following dates this month: -
• PHPA Meeting - 3rd February
• ‘Our Future Matters’ Art Exhibition 5th February 10.30 to noon
• Half term – 11th to 18th February inclusive
• Coffee Concert – 22nd February

A full list of events can be found on our website.

Don’t forget – look out for your Moulin Rouge May Ball invitations!

Buttercup News is now available from the website and is available on both Facebook and Twitter. Why not share our news with your friends.


The Polam Hall Team

Busy, Busy, Busy

Can it only be Wednesday? What a busy start to the week! Monday saw the Middle 5 students sent out into the big wide world of work, whilst the Upper5 (joined by a few new faces) had the opportunity to experience A level study Polam style! I would like to thank both students and staff for all their energy and enthusiasm. Tuesday and a Music Centre's worth of Year 6 pupils joined me to sit the 11+ Scholarship papers...I think we were all ready for the hot chocolate and biscuits midway through the morning! and then this morning the 11+ papers were replaced by those for GCSE and Sixth Form scholarships. Busy, busy, busy! Music auditions, sports interviews, interviews with the Head, marking and the hosting of those students who are new to the school...well done to all those who have been involved!

Polam Hall E-newsletter

Hello

It is always wonderful to hear about our former pupils and so we were delighted to hear that Laura Dunning graduated from Newcastle University in July 2010 with a Medicine and Surgery MB BS.

A Polam Hall inspired patchwork bedspread, designed, stitched and kindly donated by Mrs Mandy Young, is currently being raffled. The bedspread can be viewed in the main foyer. Raffle tickets are available from the Junior & Senior School offices at £1 per ticket.

Please make a note in your diaries of the following dates this month: -
• Sixth Form Taster Day – 24th January
• Senior School Scholarship/Transfer Day – 25th January
• GCSE & Sixth Form Scholarship Day – 26th January
• PHPA Meeting - 3rd February
• ‘Our Future Matters’ Art Exhibition 5th February 10.30 to noon

Your Moulin Rouge May Ball invitations will be with you soon. Join us for a night of spectacular entertainment at Rockliffe Hall - please book early to avoid disappointment.

U4 reports will be given to the students to bring home on Tuesday, 25th January.

A full list of events can be found on our website.

Buttercup News is now available from the website and don’t forget – you can follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.

The Polam Hall Team

Food Glorious Food

Polam Hall School boys are making their debut in the first big theatrical production since the school introduced a new “Diamond” structure.

The latest Junior School musical extravaganza to take to the stage at the school’s Liddiard Theatre is Oliver!

Oliver! is the colourful and lively adaptation of the famous Charles Dickens story which includes well-known songs as Food Glorious Food, Pick a Pocket or Two, Reviewing the Situation and Oom-Pah Pah.

Since September, boys across the full 2-18 age range, have been able to join the school.

The new framework involves separate teaching for boys and girls at secondary school and mixed boys’ and girls’ classes at junior and sixth form.

Previously the school, in Grange Road, Darlington, only took boys and girls at its nursery and sixth form.

As a result of the school’s new structure, roles such as the Work House Boys are played by male pupils rather than being undertaken by girls as in past productions.

Angela Foster, Polam Hall School’s Junior School Head Teacher, said: “Staging theatrical productions is an important part of school life as it helps pupils with their confidence and presentation skills.

We have had a fabulous time preparing for this wonderful production which showcases the pupils’ many talents. Everyone involved deserves to be congratulated for their hard work. “

Hello

The Junior School pupils have thoroughly enjoyed their performances of Oliver this week and it was a treat well worth waiting for.

All parents are invited to our Open Meeting this coming Tuesday (18th January) at 6pm. We hope you can join us.

The winners of this month’s PHPA Numbers club are:
• First Prize - Number 33 - Mrs V Ashley
• Second Prize - Number 35 - Mrs S Robinson

We also had an extra draw this month which relates to our August 2011 (12th) draw to help to cheer a couple of people up! The winners are:
• First Prize - Number 57 - Mrs S Dove
• Second Prize - Number 46 - Mrs H Black

Congratulations to all! Don't forget to join the PHPA at their meeting on Thursday 3rd February at 7pm in the Senior School Library.

Don't forget to get your raffle tickets for the patchwork bedspread. Raffle tickets are available from the Junior & Senior School offices at £1 per ticket.

Please make a note in your diaries of the following dates this month: -
• GCSE & Sixth Form Music Award Auditions – 21st January
• Sixth Form Taster Day – 24th January
• Senior School Scholarship/Transfer Day – 25th January
• GCSE & Sixth Form Scholarship Day – 26th January

A full list of events can be found on our website.

Buttercup News is now available from the website and don’t forget – you can follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.


The Polam Hall Team

New Year, New Term

Sitting in Stayback this evening so thought I'd blog...back two days - am I allowed to say that I rather like this two day week idea? Not very impressed by the arrival of more snow-not least as it always seems to have a curious effect on the students and it made outdoor duty at lunchtime a little chilly. Busy term ahead for all - I've been putting the finishing touches on the Scholarship arrangements (11+, GCSE and 6th Form) and the Sixth Form Taster Day, all week beginning 24th Jan!

I'm looking forward to Oliver next week - Tess has been practising on a daily basis over Christmas - I've had to take every part from Dodger to Nancy (her long-suffering brother is less than thrilled). It's been lovely to hear the pupils rehearsing ,and to bump into mini milkmaids and knife-grinders etc in the foyer.

Last term seems a long time ago but here's a little reminder of the Christmas Treats shared by Staff and Sixth Form before we finished.

Polam Hall E-newsletter

Hello

Welcome back to Polam Hall. Everyone here would like to wish you a happy and successful 2011.

There has been much in the news recently regarding the recurrence of Swine Flu. Can parents please keep their children away from school if you suspect they have, or are diagnosed with, Swine Flu.

A Polam Hall inspired patchwork bedspread, designed, stitched and kindly donated by Mrs Mandy Young, is currently being raffled. The bedspread can be viewed in the Liddiard Foyer. Raffle tickets are available from the Junior & Senior School offices at £1 per ticket.

Please make a note in your diaries of the following dates this month: -
• Oliver (Junior School Production) – 11th/12th & 13th January 2011
• Bridging Day for Y6 pupils – 14th January
• Senior School Music Award Auditions – 19th January
• GCSE & Sixth Form Music Award Auditions – 21st January
• Sixth Form Taster Day – 24th January
• Senior School Scholarship/Transfer Day – 25th January
• GCSE & Sixth Form Scholarship Day – 26th January

A full list of events can be found on our website.

Buttercup News and the Polamite Press are now available from the website and don’t forget – you can follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.

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The Polam Hall Team