We are pleased to introduce our November bulletin. In our bulletin this month there’s sporting updates, information about the Social Team’s upcoming fundraising week, the Harry Potter quiz night, updates from trips, celebrating successes and 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.
A group of Year 10 students recently had the unique opportunity to attend the Model United Nations Conference in India. A couple of them tell us about the experience.
Imogen O, said of the trip, ‘The first I heard about the trip was when my friend Ellie said “Immy you’re going to India!”, which I was pretty sure she was joking about! Later that day, however, Miss Brooks called me out of my lesson to ask if I had a valid passport and if I would like to attend a Model United Nations conference in India in 6 weeks! When I learned how small the shortlist was of students who were chosen to represent the school I felt overwhelmed with pride and a few nerves for good measure!’
‘For me the trip fell into three main elements; the people, the conference and the sights. From the moment we arrived at the airport in India we were made to feel so welcome and that feeling carried on throughout the trip. The warmth and friendship of my fellow delegates and teaching staff was incredible and since returning home I have kept in touch with several of the delegates I met and was lucky enough to be sent a video of the fireworks at the university for their Diwali celebrations.’
‘The conference itself felt like a whirlwind and day one was brilliant and exhausting in equal measures as we all tried to understand the procedures and expectations of the event. I was selected to represent Australia in the Drugs and Crime conference. Thankfully my speech on the first day went well and I was able to answer the associated questions, although seeing Miss Brooks and Mr Mason walk into my room just before I began to speak made the number of butterflies in my stomach multiply! By the second day I had a much better handle on how it works and felt confident building alliances, asking questions and giving further speeches. The party at the end of the conference will stay with me forever as I danced with some amazing Indian girls who were teaching me Bhangra dancing and were so kind.’
‘The sightseeing element of the trip still seems so surreal so I’m very glad I took photos! Unsurprisingly visiting the Taj Mahal was definitely a massive highlight of the trip and it’s hard to describe how bright it was in the midday sun. India Gate, Red Fort and Dilli Haat were also incredible places to visit, the sights and sounds were like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I must admit I was rather grateful to be back on British roads when we returned though as it’s a free for all on the roads over there!’
‘I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity and, while it will take some time to process it all, I feel an enormous sense of pride for what I achieved there and have developed skills that will help me for the rest of my life. The biggest thing I’ll take from the trip is that although we were so far from home, with different sights, sounds, smells, religious beliefs and demographics, I felt so connected to the people I met and our shared enjoyment of the whole experience. The world feels smaller in a really lovely way.’
Finley said, ‘The India trip for me has been one of the greatest opportunities of my life. I’ve been able to visit places I never would have dreamed of going, tried some amazing food and made friends and connections for life. Over the course of a week, I had the chance to do so much, visit the Taj Mahal, experience culture and foods, travel with my friends, and it’s really impacted how I view the world, not just as a whole, but also the world around me, comparing the UK and Norfolk to Delhi, and I think that’s really healthy, as having a broader view of the world can help so much in life. It’s also been incredible that I’ve been able to visit with my friends, and I think it’s deepened our friendships as well. On top of that, we all made so many new friends, like the students from Leicester that travelled with us and students from the Manav Rachna university we stayed in. Overall, the whole trip has been a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget, and I want to thank the school for making that possible.
You can see a slideshow of some of the photos below. Just click on the image and then scroll through.
Connie and Jasmine, Year 7, are new members to the Northgate News Team this year. They decided to interview Miss Gostic from the History Department. Here’s what she had to say in response to their questions:
What was your favourite lesson at school, when you were a child?
History or English – I had some really good teachers and the subjects are interesting.
Why did you want to become a teacher?
I wanted to help children do their best and feel included.
If you did not teach, what other job could you see yourself doing?
I would work in a museum – which I have done before, working in archives is really fun.
What hobbies do you have in your spare time?
I love drawing, cooking and reading lots of books!
What made you want to be a history teacher?
I wanted to keep learning and pass on my love of history to others.
Where is your happy place?
At the beach with a hot chocolate and a good book.
What do you like the most about Northgate
How nice everyone is and it feels like a real community.
Describe Northgate in three words
Inclusive, supportive, busy.
Quick fire:
Pasta or Pizza? Pizza
TV series or film? Film
Plane or Train? Train
Have hiccups all day or sneeze several times each hour? Sneeze several times each hour
What is your favourite season? Autumn
Thank you to Miss Gostic for taking the time to meet with Connie and Jasmine to answer their questions.
Jacob and Saskia, new members of the Northgate News Team, took on their first assignment of interviewing a member of staff of their choice. Here’s how they got on.
As you may know, Miss Gardner is one of our newest Art teachers at Northgate and it has come to the Northgate News Team’s attention how well she has been doing. Because of this, we (Jacob and Saskia) had the idea of doing an interview with her so we could ask her how she is doing so far. Here’s what she had to say.
What made you want to become a teacher?
Because I love art and teaching pupils. My goal is to inspire others to be creative anytime, anywhere.
You have had many roles at Northgate before, what were they?
Previously, I was the Communications Officer which meant I was in charge of things to do with the school website and social media page. I also had a job as an Art Technician which meant I organised resources for Art and Photography lessons, helped students with their work and put it on display in the school foyer for everyone to see.
Have you got any favourite artists?
My favourite artist is Ansel Kiefer because I love his unique and textured paintings. Once, I even travelled all the way to Venice to see one of his exhibitions!
As you know, Northgate has an outstanding library and is very keen on its books, what would you say your favourite read is?
It’s a very hard question but I would say my favourite book is Matilda.
What is your favourite style of art?
Inspired by my favourite artist, I am drawn to abstract art.
What is your favourite subject to teach students?
I like to teach my students anything they enjoy and I love watching them do something they’re really passionate about.
Are you enjoying your time at Northgate?
Of course, I am thrilled to be working here. It definitely helped that I had worked here beforehand and I feel that Northgate is a brilliant community.
What is the best thing about working at Northgate?
There are always so many different things going on and exciting things to get involved with! Whether it be poetry slams, art exhibitions, performances or gardening in the Orchard.
If you had to describe Northgate in 3 words, what would they be?
Community. Creative. Caring.
What hobbies do you have in your spare time?
I like to keep busy, so I have lots of different hobbies! I enjoy crocheting, gardening, dancing, going to the gym and concerts, as well as travelling to museums and galleries.
Pera, Year 8, is one of our newest Northgate News Team members. For her first assignment, she decided to interview Year 10 student, Tibet (her brother), to ask him about a charity golf day he recently organised in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Here’s what Tibey had to say.
What made you decide to organise the charity golf day?
As a Junior club captain I wanted to influence other people’s lives in a positive manner.
Why did you pick the MS Society as a charity to support?
I chose the MS Society as I have had relatives who unfortunately suffered with it and also friends with people they know who had it.
Was there anything you found challenging in organising the event?
I found asking for donations hard because it wasn’t easy contacting companies and it took a lot of my time.
What was the best bit about the day itself?
The best part was the finish in the event as it was a big relief that it ran smoothly, the positive atmosphere and great compliments we received.
How long have you played Golf for?
I played golf my whole life as my family were all involved in the game; such as my great uncle is an ex-professional, and my dad is the manager of Ayla Golf Club in Jordan. My mum and my sister play golf too and I hope to have a future in the golf industry whether it’s playing, being a coach, or a golf course architect.
How much money did he raise in total?
£1466!
A big thank you to Pera for the interview and congratulations to Tibet for organising, what sounds like, a hugely successful event.
Thomas, Year 8, and new Northgate News Team member William, decided for their first assignment that they wanted to interview a new member of staff, Mr Spurgeon from the Science Department. Here’s what he had to say in response to their questions.
What made you want to teach at Northgate?
When I was at school we played Northgate at football and they always had a good reputation at sport! When I came to look around it had a really nice vibe.
What is your favourite topic to teach in Science and why?
It has to be the periodic table – it makes me feel really smart teaching it!
Have you ever had an experiment go wrong in Science?
In an observation lesson when I was training I was heating water in a really old beaker and it exploded.
What subject would you teach if you didn’t teach Science?
PE
What are you most looking forward to now you are at Northgate?
School trips – we didn’t have many in my previous school.
Describe Northgate in 3 words.
Positive, friendly, productive
What was your favourite subject at school apart from Science?
History
Have you had any jobs apart from being a teacher?
Yes, I have worked in Next, in a brewery and as a sports coach.
What is your favourite food?
Burger
What hobbies do you have?
I enjoy playing football and building Star Wars lego sets, as well as going out for food.
‘The conference itself felt like a whirlwind and day one was brilliant and exhausting in equal measures as we all tried to understand the procedures and expectations of the event. I was selected to represent Australia in the Drugs and Crime conference. Thankfully my speech on the first day went well and I was able to answer the associated questions, although seeing Miss Brooks and Mr Mason walk into my room just before I began to speak made the number of butterflies in my stomach multiply! By the second day I had a much better handle on how it works and felt confident building alliances, asking questions and giving further speeches. The party at the end of the conference will stay with me forever as I danced with some amazing Indian girls who were teaching me Bhangra dancing and were so kind.’
Jacob and Saskia, new members of the Northgate News Team, took on their first assignment of interviewing a member of staff of their choice. Here’s how they got on.
Pera, Year 8, is one of our newest Northgate News Team members. For her first assignment, she decided to interview Year 10 student, Tibet (her brother), to ask him about a charity golf day he recently organised in aid of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Here’s what Tibey had to say.
Thomas, Year 8, and new Northgate News Team member William, decided for their first assignment that they wanted to interview a new member of staff, Mr Spurgeon from the Science Department. Here’s what he had to say in response to their questions.