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Northgate Way | Northgate High School
We are pleased to introduce our January bulletin. In our bumper New Year bulletin this month there’s a Cross Country roundup, interview with a spelling bee champion, Christmas card competition winner, amazing art and design exhibition and much more.
We hope that you are able to take some time to have a look at all the goings on at Northgate from the last month and enjoy seeing what we’ve been up to. Please share with your friends and family via our Facebook and twitter pages.
Miss Theobald (School Council Coordinator) + Northgate School Council.
Earlier in the term were reported that our Spelling Bee had been buzzing with energy as Year 7 and 8 students tackled a tricky selection of spellings, inspired by their autumn curriculum and key age-related words. From limericks to Wordle, they learned the initial list through fun and creative activities!
Top scorers from each class advanced to the week’s Semi-Finals, facing additional spellings and surprise tie-breakers. After a tense competition, the 6 top scorers moved on to the Final, with even more challenging words ahead!
English teachers have been really impressed with the manner in which the Year 7s and 8s took on this challenge – the year groups have been ‘a-buzz’ with excitement!
A massive well done to all students; particular well done to the semi finalists and finalists. Standards were really high and it was a close run competition to get into the next round.
A special shout-out to Miss Woodier, our fantastic spelling bee pronouncer, who donned an awesome costume!
It was time for the finals and it was a close fought contest. Congratulations to all the finalists and in particular, winner Emily Z (7Mot). Miss Theobald caught up with her to ask her a few questions about the experience.
What was the best thing about being part of the spelling bee?
‘The ending (of course!) It was really fun, we got cupcakes and Miss Woodier was dressed up as a bee. I also got to pick a book as a prize! I also loved it when I got a trophy (who wouldn’t)?!’
What was the trickiest word to learn?
‘Entrepreneur. I kept thinking enterpreneur or entreprenaur!’
How did you practice the spellings?
‘I put the words in a spelling test generator.’
How do you feel about winning?
‘I’m really happy. I wasn’t expecting to even get to the semi finals!’
What were the other competitors like?
‘They were really kind about it and no one was sad. I also made a friend!’
Have you always been good at spelling?
‘I always practice and in primary school I got £1 for every 10/10 I got and I was quite wealthy (for an 8 year old)! I still mess up though.
Miss Theobald also spoke to Tess C who won the Year 8 competition:
What was the best thing about being part of the spelling bee?
I got to learn new words and their meanings and I got a free book.
What was the trickiest word to learn?
I think the trickiest word to learn was probably commemoration.
How did you practice the spellings?
I got my mum to read them aloud to me and I would say the spelling back. I also would sometimes have a quick look over the words and write them down then go back over them to check any mistakes.
How do you feel about winning?
I felt incredibly happy and I was so proud to show all my friends and family the trophy and certificate.
What were the other competitors like?
The other competitors were very happy for me and they did really well in their spellings as well and in the end there was only one point difference between the winner and second place.
Have you always been good at spelling?
I would say I have because I have always been a very enthusiastic reader and widened my vocabulary that way.
Mirren, Year 10, decided that instead of interviewing a member of staff at Northgate, she would interview Poppy, Year 9, who is in her second year of being part of the Northgate News Team. You can read the interview below:
Mirren: “So, what have you done in the News Team so far?”
Poppy: “I’ve mainly done the news and I wrote about the Cambridge Trip.”
Mirren: “Ooo okay nice! What is the best part about being in the News Team?”
Poppy: “Probably finding out new information about people who you don’t know.”
Mirren: “Do you have any advice for people who are looking to join the News Team or get into
journalism?”
Poppy: “Make sure to be confident and talk to teachers and people who you wouldn’t normally
talk to.”
Mirren: “How long have you been in the team?”
Poppy: “Since last year so that’ll be two years now.”
Mirren: “Can you give us a little sneak peek into what’s being worked on right now?”
Poppy: “I’ve not been doing anything right now apart from the interview with Dr Gray!”
Mirren: “Do you prefer writing interviews or blogs?”
Poppy: “Interviews.”
Mirren: “Why is that?”
Poppy: “Because with blogs it can take you a long time to think about something to write but with interviews you have the information so it’s easier to write down.”
Mirren: “Okay and finally, how do you respond to high pressure situations?”
Poppy: “I tend to stay calm and just get on with it and just try not to worry about it.”
In our latest staff interview, Alfie Year 8, spoke to Mr Clark from the English Department. Mr Clark joined Northgate in September 2023. Here’s what he had to say in response to Aflie’s questions. First up, some ‘this or that’ questions:
Pineapple on pizza – yes or no? No
Maths or Science? Maths
Cats or dogs? Dogs
Vacation or staycation? Vacation
Camping or glamping? Glamping
Home cooked meal or restaurant? Home cooked
Book or film? Book
Message or voice note? Message
Refugee Boy or Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night? Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night
Sweet or savoury? Savoury
Fiction or non-fiction? Fiction
Summer or winter? Winter
What is the best thing about working at Northgate?
My form
Have you had any other jobs apart from being a teacher?
I was a gamer and I worked on a mushroom farm!
What is your favourite book to study in lessons?
1984
Describe Northgate in 3 words
Interesting, amusing, difficult
What hobbies do you have outside of school?
I play the guitar, draw and cook.
If you were not a teacher, what job do you think you would have?
Librarian
What genre of books do you like to read?
Dystopia
Thank you to Mr Clark for taking the time to answer Alfie’s questions. We always look forward to finding out a bit more about our teaching staff and support staff at Northgate. We look forward to the next interview.
We were lucky enough to welcome author, Sufiya Ahmed, to Northgate in November. Northgate News Team members Lena, Tapiwa and Eloise, Year 7, give us their thoughts on the visit and also interview Mrs Gill, Head Librarian, about inviting authors into Northgate.
‘I felt very intrigued when the author came to tell her life story about becoming an author and it showed us how much work it took for her to become an author.’ – Lena
‘I felt like the author talk was showing how hard you have to work to become an author. She had loads of books declined but then finally succeeded.’ – Eloise
‘I thought that it was a really fun and exciting experience for all the years that saw it.’ – Tapiwa
Now for some questions for Mrs Gill, Head Librarian:
What is the best thing about having authors come into Northgate?
It introduces a new genres and experiences to students.
Can you describe the different workshops/sessions that the recent author Sufiya Ahmed did?
We had a workshop for 6 – form students it was based on criminology and the talks. Year 7 and year 8 talks were about WW2. Year 9 was about forced and arranged marriages, similar to Romeo and Juliet.
What type of activities work best when authors come to visit?
If authors talk is interactive means students will participate and if likely fun and engaging.
Who would be your dream author to visit Northgate?
I have so many authors I’d like to introduce to Northgate students.
What advice would you give students if they are thinking about becoming an author?
Read expose yourselves to many situations and carry a notebook to write your ideas and everybody’s story is unique.
We are pleased to introduce our December bulletin. In our bulletin this month there’s updates from the Library, a celebration of our Class of 2024, Northgate marks Remembrance Day and much more.
We hope that you are able to take some time to have a look at all the goings on at Northgate from the last month and enjoy seeing what we’ve been up to. Please share with your friends and family via our Facebook and twitter pages.
Miss Theobald (School Council Coordinator) + Northgate School Council.
English teachers have been really impressed with the manner in which the Year 7s and 8s took on this challenge – the year groups have been ‘a-buzz’ with excitement!
What was the best thing about being part of the spelling bee? 
How did you practice the spellings? 
Miss Theobald also spoke to Tess C who won the Year 8 competition:
In our latest staff interview, Alfie Year 8, spoke to Mr Clark from the English Department. Mr Clark joined Northgate in September 2023. Here’s what he had to say in response to Aflie’s questions. First up, some ‘this or that’ questions:
We were lucky enough to welcome author, Sufiya Ahmed, to Northgate in November. Northgate News Team members Lena, Tapiwa and Eloise, Year 7, give us their thoughts on the visit and also interview Mrs Gill, Head Librarian, about inviting authors into Northgate.
Now for some questions for Mrs Gill, Head Librarian:
