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Extra Curricular Activities

At Central Newcastle High School, extra curricular activities play a very important part in the all round education we are able to offer pupils.  The information contained within this booklet is by no means exhaustive but gives a flavour of the activities currently available.  As the academic year gets underway new clubs will be formed and pupils are encouraged to put forward their own suggestions for new clubs.

 

Art Club

For all girls. Meets on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes in the Art School.

The aim of the Art Club is two-fold, allowing students to carry on producing coursework with all materials available to them or to simply produce art work of their own choice as a relaxing extra-curricular interest.  The Art Club is run by Miss Goldie, Mrs Richardson and Mr Stone throughout the year.

Life Classes

For girls in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13. Meets after School in 10 week blocks throughout the year in the Art School

It is particularly important for students applying to Art College to attend these classes as it will aid them in producing a portfolio of work. It is also looked on favourably by universities for students applying through UCAS to study more academic subjects.  The Life Course improves students' drawing and measuring techniques and overall awareness of the human body.  The course deals with studying the female form. It is run by Mr Stone and Mr Rankin.

Animation Club

For all girls. Meets Tuesday lunchtime in the Photography Studio

This is anew club for this academic year. The idea of the club is simple enough: we want to have fun and explore the possibilities and potential of stop-motion animation using digital video cameras and Apple Mac computers. Initially we intend to work mostly with modelling clay animation, as Nick Park uses with the Wallace and Gromit films and we plan to divide our time between exploring animation techniques, developing our animation skills and creating short animation films.

We will be producing a complete animation short incorporating work around use of digital video and digital audio equipment, creating and editing digital animation footage, working with various forms of audio to create background music, voice-overs and sound effects, adding video and audio filters to get the right atmosphere and generally being highly creative with all sorts of digital media. Girls who get involved in the club and wish to spend more time working on their films may be able to borrow equipment to take home over weekends or holidays. Eventually, we expect to start taking on commissions for video footage from across School to develop interesting learning resources and we may even put ourselves forward for a competition or two!

Classics Society

Meets on Thursdays or Fridays

We invite visiting speakers to talk about a wide variety of Classical subjects, from Greek Medicine to Cicero's speeches.  Girls enjoy watching and discussing films and videos on classical themes, playing games and organising activities such as ‘Call My Bluff' or a Roman feast.

The Classics Department runs a varied programme of extra curricular activities throughout the year including the following.

Greek plays in English translation

  • Joint productions with RGS in the original Greek are usually staged in March every second year. Andromache was our last production in March 2005.
  • Lectures and Sixth Form Conferences
  • Visits to Greek Plays 
  • Visits to the British Museum
  • Classics Society: we have regular visiting speakers and a variety of other activities.
  • Classical Association Reading competitions
  • Villiers Park courses

Trip to Greece

Open to girls in Years 10 and above.

The Classics Department has a long tradition of running trips to Greece every two years in the October half-term holiday. The trip is aimed at Year 10 and above  The trip  takes 8 or 9 days and during that time we travel over a large part of the country, visiting many of the most significant sites. These include famous ancient sites such as Olympia, Delphi and the Acropolis of Athens, Corinth, Mycenae and the Theatre of Epidaurus. We also visit medieval or Byzantine sites such as the Monastery of Ossios Loukas. Just as important is the experience the girls gain during the trip of the vibrant culture of Greece as it is today, with opportunities ranging from eating in typical local tavernas to spending the evening being entertained in the Plaka district of Athens.

Modern Greek

For girls in Years 10 and above. Meets on Tuesdays at 12.55pm until 1.30pm during the Autumn Term

During the Autumn Term, the Classics Department runs a series of lessons in Modern Greek, in which the girls develop a basic understanding of the Modern Greek language and culture. Whilst these lessons are timed to complement the October half-term trip to Greece, all girls in Years 10 to 13 are welcome.

Senior Debating Society

For girls in Years 10 -13. Meets on Mondays from 4pm - 5.15 pm.

The Senior Debating Society is aimed at all seniors who want to practise their public speaking skills, with especial emphasis on British Parliamentary debating, and the many inter-school competitions that occur in the winter/spring. Debating, as well as being fun, is an excellent way to develop confidence and communication skills, which are so important in many areas of life.

Last year we regularly had a group of 16-20 participants; varied activities include short games such as ‘Just a Minute' and ‘Good News/Bad News', video analysis of speakers, exercises aimed at developing different skills, and bi-weekly live debates. A possibility for the future is to arrange friendly debates with other local schools.

Junior Debating Society

For girls in Years 7 - 9. Meets Friday lunchtime from 12.55pm - 1.30pm.

Do you have a strong opinion on current issues? Do you believe passionately about saving the planet? Do you enjoy standing up for your rights? Then this society is definitely for you!

The Junior Debating Society meets every week in the Learning Centre. Girls are given the opportunity to argue and debate a wide variety of topics that are relevant to them. You will receive training through workshop sessions in debating procedures and discuss debating techniques, including parliamentary style exchanges. These skills will prepare you for the ultimate test of the end of year competition and support your critical analysis of the wider issues in a variety of curriculum subjects and real life situations.

The North East Book Award

For girls in Year 10. Meets every week in the Library during the Autumn Term.

The North East Book Award is designed to promote and broaden reading among young people and alert them to the new fiction available, which is aimed at their age group.

A shortlist of books is drawn up by local librarians and teachers. The shortlisted books have to "possess that indefinable tingle factor", be new in paperback during the previous year, and be written by an author resident in the UK. The shortlisted books will be made available to the panel of reviewers who will read them, then discuss and vote for their favourite. Discussions are led by the girls under the guidance of Mrs. Elliott, the Librarian.

The girls will have opportunities to exchange views with other participating schools in the region via e-mail, to produce a review magazine and contribute to a dedicated North East Book Award website. They will also take part in a trip to Waterstones in Newcastle, to help to select new books for the Library. Reading will begin in October, voting will take place in early January, and the award will be presented at a party night in January.

History Society

For all girl. Meets at regular intervals throughout the year.

The History Society is open to all girls who have an interest in exploring History and attending historical events. It does not meet on a regular basis but at various intervals throughout the year and in the past girls have organised a variety of activities including:

Visits to York and Edinburgh

  • Lunchtime talks on a variety of subjects including ‘Growing up in Northern Ireland' and ‘Aushchwitz and the Holocaust'
  • A historical cookery competition
  • The showing of historical films including ‘All Quiet on the Western Front' and ‘A Man for All Seasons'
  • A trip to the battlefields of the First World War
  • A historical quotation competition

The Historical Society is always looking to expand and diversify their range of activities. Currently a trip to York is being planned for Years 7 to 9 in October 2006 and Mr Lovell will be organising an ‘historical balloon debate'.

Law Society

For girls in Years 10 and 11. Meets Thursday lunchtime.

New for September 2006, Miss Bellerby is running a ‘Law Society' for girls in Years 10 and 11. It will involve learning the background of the English legal system for example types of court, legal procedure and the roles of different people in the court system.  It will also involve the acting out of trials, the discussion of recent legal issues, and debates on proposed legal reforms.

Mathematics

Maths Help Club

For all girls. Meets regularly, check with your Maths Teacher.

Do you need extra help with your Mathematics class work or homework? If so, come along to Maths Help Club when members of the Maths Department will be available to provide help and support.

Sudoku and Chess Club

For all girls. Meets every Wednesday from  1pm - 1.30pm  in the Mathematics Department.

Sudoku and Chess Club is open to all girls and is run by Mrs Prince on a Wednesday lunchtime from 12.30pm - 1.00pm in the Mathematics Department.  If you would like to challenge yourself by doing fiendish Sudoku or by trying to outwit your friends in a game of chess that why not come along.

Modern Foreign Languages

For girls in Years 11, 12 and 13. Meets Tuesday lunchtime in Hiley House.

French, German and Spanish Clubs run every week on a rotational basis for any girls in Years 11, 12 and 13 who wish to develop their language skills in an informal setting.

We either show a film, discuss magazines, research topics of interest on the Internet or explore the sense of humour of different nationalities.  There may also be the opportunity to learn how to cook regional specialities and we hope to invite the occasional guest speaker.

Year 5 Spanish and Year 6 German Club

Both of these clubs provide the opportunity for younger children to taste two of our foreign languages taught in Year 7.  Each club happens once a week, at lunch time.  The tone is light with the emphasis on fun, singing and games.  Senior girls help to run both clubs at Chapman House so if you would like to get involved with this then speak to Mrs Lishman.

Music Activities

For all girls. Takes place every lunchtime and occasionally after School in the Music School.

Musical life at Central Newcastle High School is lively and vibrant.  All girls are encouraged to take part.  Membership provides the opportunity to improve musical skills and to play in concerts, along with the chance to make friends and enjoy music.   There are no auditions.  Nevertheless, we achieve high standards and have a growing reputation in the area.  We have recently performed at Newcastle Cathedral, the Assembly Rooms and at the Sage (with Sir James Galway and the Northern Sinfonia).

We aim to foster the talents of all girls, whatever their musical skills, so all may take part.  Our strongest musicians enjoy the chance to perform major works; recent performances include Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Mozart's A Major Piano Concerto.   The soloists in these works are girls in the School.

The Festival Choir repertoire is mainly classical and it has enjoyed success in local music festivals.  Highlights include the regular Carol Service at Newcastle Cathedral. As well as shorter works, the choir has also taken part in performances of major works such as the Fauré Requiem  and Haydn's Nelson Mass. Last December the choir performed at the Sage with Sir James Galway, who said he was ‘delighted to work with such an excellent choir'. This year the Festival Choir will be performing alongside world famous soprano Hayley Westenra.

The Gospel Choir was formed in 2004 with the aims of broadening the horizons of existing singers and attracting girls who wanted to sing, but who were not interested in the mainly classical repertoire of the Festival Choir.  The Gospel Choir is large, popular and vibrant, singing not just Gospel music but also jazz and show songs.  This choir has also performed at the Sage and was extremely well-received.

The First Orchestra caters for girls who play at grade 5 standard and above.  The repertoire is by no means all classical, but every year the orchestra performs at least one classical symphony and often accompanies girls in concertos.  Recent performances include symphonies by Schubert, Mozart and Haydn.  This year the Orchestra is participating in an exchange visit with a school in the south.

The Second Orchestra nurtures the skills of girls who have not yet reached the standard required for First Orchestra and is open to all girls, from beginners to those of grade 4 standard.  The repertoire is easier and often lighter than that of First Orchestra.  On this recording, the Second Orchestra has joined forces with First Orchestra to play the pieces from Stone's Latin American Suite.

Open to all, the Jazz Band specialises in jazz and swing music.  Each year we hold a jazz concert and girls are encouraged to develop improvisation skills. 

The Brandling Camerata is our advanced chamber orchestra.  It was founded in 2003 to provide opportunities for our more experienced string players.  Most of its repertoire is baroque concertos.  It has performed Telemann's Recorder Suite, Corelli's Christmas Concerto, Bach's Double Violin Concerto and Brandenburg Concerto no. 4.

Jam Club

For all girls. Meets on Tuesday lunchtime at 12.45pm until 1.30pm in Newton Laboratory.

This club is run by Mr Morton and Mr Newman (two Science teachers!) and is for those who are interested in playing or learning to play guitar, singing and harmonizing.

Poetry Society

For all girls. Meets weekly.

Listening to poets, reading, exploring poetry, discussing poems, creating a poetry magazine. This is what the Poetry Society is all about. Occasionally poets are invited to school to give readings. Mrs Beale coordinates the running of the Society so see him if you would like to get involved.

Physical Education

For all girls. Clubs meet every lunchtime and some after School .

The PE Department have an extensive timetable of activities open to all girls who are interested in both competitive sport and/or just for fun.  Click here for the full time table.

Ski Trips

Three Ski trips are arranged each year.  In December/January 06/07 Year 8 are flying to Alpe D'Huez in the French Alps.  During February half-term the Sixth Form Ski trip is to Austria at St Johann in Tyrol, and finally Year 10 spend the first week of the Easter holiday in the glacial resort of Les Deux Alpes.  Skiing is a great part of these holidays but numerous other activities including ice skating, swimming, ten pin bowling and the inevitable disco and fancy dress     competitions also form an important part of the trip.

World Sports Tours

In August 2005, forty-six girls travelled to Australia for a hockey and netball tour lasting 23 days. As well as opportunities to play Australian netball and hockey teams, the trip took in many locations on Eastern Australia including an unforgettable trip to the Barrier Reef.  We are currently planning our next tour to New Zealand and Fiji for Summer 2008.

Science Club   

For girls in Year 7 (Sixth form girls are invited to help). Meets every Thursday in the Science Centre.

Science Club meets every Thursday in rotation; Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In Biology we have already made bird feeders since term started in September. This term we will decorate lab coats, plant bulbs, do leaf prints for Christmas cards and probably do taste experiments.  In Physics we make hovercrafts, design rockets and learn about aeronautical engineering. For Chemistry, we will be fire writing, making crystals, sparklers, crystal gardens and carrying out practical project work.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award

For girls in Year 10 and above.

Mission Statement: The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is committed to providing for young people an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach.

The award is a four-section programme with three levels:

Bronze (for those aged 14 and over - completed in Year 10)

Silver (for those aged 15 and over- completed in Year 11)

Gold (for those aged 16 and over- completed in Sixth Form)

Girls design their own award programme, which can be geared to their choice and interest. They can choose to start new activities or some develop a hobby or skill they are already interested in. We have girls helping out at Charity Shops and Brownies, taking up new skills like dressmaking and music. Dancing, wall climbing and playing tennis are some of the Physical Recreation activities.  We are regularly out on Expedition - normally in the rain! The Cheviots, Lake District and Durham Dales are regular venues for weekend training hikes as girls learn about navigation and camp craft in preparation for their assessment Expedition.  The award develops self confidence and self reliance. Girls gain a sense of achievement and responsibility. New talents and abilities are discovered and the award is fun! It is widely recognised by employers and people involved in education because of the benefits to young people.

Outdoor Activities - ‘Howtown' Trip

For girls in Year 9 and above

Following on from a highly successful weekend in  March 2006,  when 43 girls from Year 8 and 9 spent a weekend at Howtown Outdoor Activities Centre beside Ulswater, we are now hoping to make this an annual event.   Activities include Gully Scambling (walking and scrambling up a mountain stream), climbing on a rocky crags or up tall trees, canoeing Canadian style and a night time walk.

Allotment Group

For girls in Year 8. Meets on Thursdays and some Monday lunchtimes at the allotment

The Allotment Group was started last academic year by girls in the current form 8A.  At the moment we are trying to tidy up after a few weeks of neglect over the summer holiday but we have courgettes the size of marrows, pumpkins for Halloween, potatoes and a variety of herbs. A good crop of raspberries and strawberries were consumed over the summer months as well as beans, peas and lettuces.  We need to dig the ground this term, prepare it for planting in the spring and sort out the raspberry canes.  The girls are keen to diversify this year and to try to sell their produce!

Year 12 Enrichment Programme

There is a varied Enrichment programme running this year to supplement the Year 12 curriculum followed by each student.  The programme has options such as cookery, Ceroc Dancing and various voluntary service opportunities.  As part of the programme girls can also opt to do the Community Sports Leadership Award which leads to a qualification and focuses on the development of leadership skills through working on community based sports projects. All girls in Year 12 are expected to pursue an ‘Enrichment Activity' at some point throughout the year.

EDNA

For all girls. Meets weekly in Eslington Tower.

 

EDNA is a creative writing group open to all ages.  We meet to write and to share ideas an inspirations.  Our members have won prizes in national competitions and have been published.  We have occasionally sold our own publications to raise money for charity.

This year we are very lucky to be able to make use of the new facilities in Eslington Tower so that we have a really good space in which to meet and to display our work.  If you are interested in joining EDNA then please speak to Ms Clare.

Sixth Form Vet Society

For girls in Years 7 and 13. Meets fortnightly on a Monday lunchtime

The Central High vet club was established last year and is run by a member of the Sixth Form, Rebecca Marr our Head Girl. Anyone interested in pursuing an animal related career or anyone who is simply keen to learn more about animal care is welcome to attend.

During meetings the club members discuss topical issues, do presentations and share any ‘animal experience' that they have.  In the future, the club hopes to invite numerous guest speakers and possibly organise some fundraising events in school to raise money for an animal welfare charity.

Sixth Form Film Society

For girls in Years 12 and 13. Meets on Thursdays.

 

A wide range of films are shown over lunchtime and after school.  They are designed to introduce to girls a variety of films and give them some appreciation of the history and variety of the cinema. Watching such films often leads to interesting discussion afterwards which the girls thoroughly enjoy. See Mr Beale if you are interested in attending the Film Society.

Amnesty Youth Group

Meets on Fridays

 

This groups' aim is to raise awareness of human rights issues and to campaign for a more just and peaceful world.  The group is run by Sixth Form girls with some help from staff.  We conduct assemblies to raise awareness of issues and get involved in various local and national campaigns against the abuse of human rights.

Young Enterprise

For girls in Years 12 and 13. Meets on a Wednesday lunchtime.

The young enterprise programme gives the students in Years 12 and 13 the opportunity to prepare themselves for the work environment by running their own company. The programme runs for one year and requires the students to set up and run a business.  They will elect a board of directors, raise money and develop their own ideas as to a product or service that they can provide.

Students are encouraged to enter their team for the regional competition and also to do the Young Enterprise examination which is nationally recognised. Students who participate in the programme can gain useful experience of numeracy, ICT, communication, leadership, motivation and much more.  No previous experience is required, just willing volunteers to get involved.

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