End of Michaelmas Term - December 2018

It has been a pleasure to welcome the Lower Fourth to Thomas Cookes this term. They are a really fun loving group of girls who enjoy one another’s company and support those around them. I have been very impressed with their maturity in coming to speak to me and their confidence in many differing situations. They are also the tidiest Lower Fourth I have had for many years. Everything in their study has a place and everyone helps ensure this is maintained. Amazing Teenagers!

We have had a very full and yet rewarding term. Many of the girls have been diligently working and have achieved some outstanding grades. They work so hard to improve and I know the House environment is very good for them as they get support and friendship, as well as the opportunity to relax. The Upper Sixth have been working hard on their UCAS forms and I am already saddened by the thought of them leaving in the summer. Many have chosen some fascinating courses and I would like to wish them all the best with the offers that will hopefully come their way in the coming weeks and months.

We have had a few relaxing events this term. We have had a Pizza and DVD night for the Upper Fourth and the whole House pizza and bowling evening last Monday. It is so hard to find time to get together but it is lovely when we can all do something enjoyable. The girls particularly enjoyed the bowling and were able to celebrate Christmas together with Pizza. I would like to thank the PA and you, the parents, for supporting this event.







We have been very competitive, as always, on the sporting fields. Thomas Cookes has many girls who play for county, represent the area, compete to a high level in competitions (elsewhere) and represent their country. I would like to mention Natalie Hatfield. Natalie has represented Great Britain in the duathlon. She won an individual bronze medal in Egypt (during half term) and a team silver, a real talent to watch for the future.

Also, Isabella Walters has competed at a high level in clay pigeon shooting. She came fourth in a recent competition to win a car. I do hope she wins next year as she will be old enough to drive.

We began the year with our annual cake sale for Macmillan. Both you and the girls were very generous in your time and efforts for this sale. We raised about £200 for Macmillan and had a fun time. The senior girls changed the structure this year with two stalls, one in the LRC and the other in Humanities. This was very successful and something I would definitely consider doing again.


  




House Song then took over and the girls practiced very hard to ensure they had the best performance. I believe on the day it was a great performance (you can still view it on YouTube). I was very proud of the way the Sixth Form girls ran it, Victoria Walters and Katie Dew conducted and Tori Kemp accompanied them on the piano.





In the second half of the term, we have enjoyed a number of House events. Many of them sporting. However, I would like to mention the Junior Debate team of Madeline Chance and Keira Sehdeva who, under pressure, performed well in a debate regarding Charities. They were very eloquent and persuasive.

We have also had, House table tennis, House badminton, House hockey and House swimming. We consistently challenge for the winning spot. We were particularly good in junior House badminton, as we only just lost out in the final. In the pool, we achieved enough points in both competitions to win. Only to be told we had been disqualified in one of the junior relays, and therefore lost the trophy by one point. The senior swimmers were a fantastic team. Many people who had not swum for a few years got into the pool and committed themselves to the team. We won that competition.

In the hockey, we were outstanding. TC dominated the junior hockey, even though we were missing the captain, due to illness. We won both the cup and the plate competition. The seniors were very good but could not manage to hold off the might of Hazeldene on this occasion.



 




Just last week we had the mulled wine and mince pie event organised by the PA. I would like to thank the PA for all they have done this term. They work hard to ensure everything runs smoothly and the girls have a lot of fun. I would also like to thank the girls for another rendition of House Song which sounded beautiful in Cookes Room.

At this time of term, the teachers and particularly the tutors in Thomas Cookes are very tired. They still manage to help the girls with any difficulties and I know they always support me. To them, I am most grateful.

I would also like to thank you, the parents. You make my job an enjoyable one. I have been very touched by the emails of thanks that you have sent. I am also appreciative of all the gifts you have given me. I will try not to eat all the chocolate all at once! Thank you.

Just a reminder to those in the Sixth Form that the Ball is on the Saturday, 2nd March 2019. Please save the date. The booking forms will be available immediately after Christmas. The Ball is to be held at Grafton Manor.

I hope you all have a restful and happy Christmas.

Kind regards

Kay Hannah