Dates for the Diary
NOVEMBER
3rd GCSE Citizenship trip to Houses of Parliament
4th King Lear Trip
5th King Lear Trip
5th 18:00 Prep for Best KS4 support evening
6th Year 11 GCSE Art Trip to London
11th Remembrance Day
12th Year 9 Progress Evening
19th Coffee and Cake morning for Grandparents and Carers
21st Year 10 Cooking
24-6th December Year 11 Mocks
24th Ordnance Survey Trip
28th Year 10 Cooking
29th Christmas Themed Craft Fayre
DECEMBER
1ST Oakhaven Light up a Life concert
2nd KS1 Gym Festival
3rd Year 5 & 6 Basketball Festival
5th KS1 Gym Festival
8th INSET DAY
9th Year 10 Festive Lunch
9th Year 8 Natural History Museum trip
10th Year 11 Festive Lunch
11th Year 8 Festive Lunch
12th Wear Something Different Day
12th Year 7 Festive Lunch
15th Year 9 Festive Lunch
15th Young Carers Paultons Park Trip
16th 18:00 Christmas Concert
19th Early Finish for Christmas
Message from the Leadership Team
Dear Noadswood families,
It’s been a vibrant and inspiring start to the year at Noadswood. Students have thrown themselves into new learning with creativity and enthusiasm — from building dens in Redwood’s outdoor sessions to exploring Pop Art, music, and an exciting range of curriculum projects. Across all subjects, there have been highlights to celebrate: fieldwork in Geography, marshmallow molecules in Science, Cadbury-fuelled business trips, and brilliant literary beginnings in English. In the arts, student creativity has shone through, with national art awards and stunning work across year groups. Sport has seen competitive success in rugby and netball, while the Library has loaned over 650 books already! With exciting events ahead – including Careers Week, the annual panto trip, festive activities, and revision support – we’re proud of our students’ achievements so far and look forward to a fantastic term to come.
Thank you to all of our Key Stage Four families who will be joining us on our Prepare to Perform Evening on Wednesday 5th November. If you haven’t signed up, it's not too late, just email Mrs Rollett- erollett@noadswood.hants.sch.uk.
We hope that you all have a restful half term. As always, if you have any urgent concerns over half term, please email info@noadswood.hants.sch.uk and mark as urgent.
Best wishes,
Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team
Redwood
It has been a busy start to the new school year here at Redwood. Our students have worked hard settling back into routines and lessons.
In outdoor learning, the students have been enjoying den building and have continued with their projects in their independent time, finding different resources to elevate their shelters. The students have been learning about Pop Art in the Redwood art classes and are exploring their creative abilities in Music.
Next term we are looking forward to our annual trip to the pantomime and exploring opportunities within our community and local environment.
Arbor
Are your details correct on Arbor? It is important that we have accurate information for your child on Arbor - particularly contact details. If you need to notify us of a house move, please attach proof (such as a utility bill or driving licence) so we are able to make the change - a photo is fine, or you can bring evidence to Reception during school hours. If your child has a sibling hoping to join us in September, these addresses do need to match. Please email data@noadswood.hants.sch.uk if you have any queries.
SUBJECT NEWS
Maths
In Maths we have been introducing Year 7 to new topics using manipulatives. Here is 7B, they are exploring equivalent fractions with the use of Cuisenaire Rods.
Science
Mellow mallows in Science! Year 10 students have been studying ionic bonding this term. We used pink and white marsh mallows to model the transfer of electrons in ionic bonding. Metals lose electrons to form positive ions, which non-metals gain electrons to form negative ions - this can be seen in the photograph attached. We kept an eye-on the marshmallows, but did eat them in the end.
English
Year 7 have made a fantastic start to their English lessons this half term! They have shown great enthusiasm, creativity, and curiosity as they’ve explored new texts and ideas. We've got to know some Greek Gods; we've read some of Chaucer's work; we've unpicked some of Shakespeare's language; we've had a look at some rather creative Roald Dahl texts and explored persuasive techniques. Well done year 7!
For Year 10, it's been the first half term of GCSE English. This is the first time that Year 10 have had the experience of Language and Literature as two separate subjects. We've made a good dent in Macbeth and explored some Jacobean context. We've been working through key skills and writing techniques in our language lessons alongside this. It's been great to see so much enthusiasm and curiosity from the students - well done Year 10!
A gentle reminder that homework booklets have been given to all students in years 7 to 11. These must be kept safe and handed in to the class teacher accordingly. Please ensure they don't get lost!
Official revision sessions will begin for Year 11 after October half term. Please see your class teacher for more information.
Geography
The geographers have made a fantastic start to the year. Year 7 have been undertaking fieldwork in the school grounds and investigating what makes a good geographer. Year 8 have been analysing the continental drift theory and how plate tectonics can lead to earthquakes and volcanoes. Year 9 have been climate scientists looking at the causes, impacts and solutions to saving our planet. Year 10 have made a fantastic start to their GCSE, looking at rainforest and desert biomes. And finally, Year 11 have impressed us with their extra level of focus as they enter their final year with us. The revision sessions after school have been well attended and they are producing some detailed exam answers both in class and at home. A quick reminder that BBC Bitesize (https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zy3ptyc) has a whole range of resources to support years 10 and 11 with their revision and exams. The UK Polar Network has launched its annual Antarctic Flag competition this month (https://polarnetwork.org/education-and-outreach/antarctic-flags/)
History
The History Department were delighted to receive some incredible homework from our Year 8 students on the Mughal Empire. Students could choose one or more of the emperors we have studied and complete various types of homework, such as poetry, diaries, biographies, leaflets, fact files, tweets, posters, storyboards or commemorative plaques, to demonstrate their understanding of their chosen emperor and how he ruled.
INCREDIBLE WORK was submitted, and the History Department would like to congratulate Year 8 on their fantastic efforts with this homework task. Well done, everyone!
Art
The Art Department has had a vibrant and productive start to the term, with students across all year groups fully immersed in exciting projects that showcase their creativity and growing skills.
Year 7 have been exploring the fundamentals of observational drawing through still life focusing on fruit and vegetables. This has given them a fantastic opportunity to develop their use of tone, shape and texture while learning how to compose visually interesting pieces.
Year 8 are getting hands-on with clay, channelling their imaginations into the design and creation of fantastical dragon heads. This sculptural project allows students to experiment with 3D form and surface detail.
Year 9 are combining Art and Literature as they study Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, using themes and imagery from the novel to inspire their lino print designs. This project encourages thoughtful interpretation and careful planning, as they begin to explore more advanced printmaking techniques.
Year 10 Fine Art students have now begun their landscape project, diving into observational drawing, composition, and a range of media as they develop personal responses to natural environments. At the same time, Year 10 BTEC Art students have made a strong start on Component 1, exploring the theme of consumerism through artist research, and will eventually experiment and develop their own ideas.
Our Year 11 Fine Art students are deep into their autobiographical project, producing personal and meaningful work that reflects their identities and life experiences. Their sketchbooks are becoming rich documents of exploration and self-expression.
Year 11 Photography students have turned their lenses toward the natural world, focusing on the art of capturing landscapes in all their beauty and variety. Students have been challenged to experiment with composition, lighting, and perspective to convey mood and meaning through their images.
Meanwhile, Year 11 BTEC students are busy developing their practical art skills in preparation for their January exam, with a focus on refining techniques and understanding how to respond to a creative brief under timed conditions.
Just a that reminder Art catch up sessions are available to GCSE AND BTEC students every Tuesday. This is a good opportunity for students to catch up on any work not completed and have the support of Art Teachers.
Art Club is available to Year 7 and 8 students every Thursday, Week B with Mrs Mansbridge.
Check out Hilllers’ press release showcasing students from Noadswood who entered their designs to the light up trail last December. We were extremely proud of the students whose designs won and were selected for the trail. We as an art department were thrilled to also receive a £1000 that went on art supplies for students to use.
‘Arty pupils at a Hampshire school are top of the class after the Art department landed a £1,000 prize in the annual Schools’ Challenge set by Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens… for the second-year running.
Noadswood School in Dibden Purlieu won the ‘grand’ prize as student Freya’s design was selected as the winning entry and featured on illuminated baubles as part of the multi award-winning light trail at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens near Romsey.
Noadswood student Abigail came third and also secured a runner up prize of family tickets, as did runners up Millie and Isabelle.
“We received thousands of entries and the standard was very high, but the artworks by Freya and Abilgail really stood out, showcasing their incredible talent and creativity,” said Light Up Trails’ co-directors Libby Battaglia and Lucinda Croft.
‘The art prize funded new photography equipment for the school, as well as gelli plates for a project based on abstract landscapes, and paint for students to get involved with the Jurassic Furzey event at Furzey Gardens, a woodland garden and cafe at instead operating in support of those with learning disabilities.
A dinosaur painted at Noadswood was among the artworks featured on a special prehistoric trail this summer before being auctioned.
Noadswood Headteacher, Kathryn Marshall, said: “We love the Light Up Trails at Hillier Gardens, and we are so proud of our students’ success in the competition. It means the world when we find our talented artists’ work as we explore the beautiful light displays.”
Back for 2025 with a completely reinvented route in new themed zones and even bigger and better installations, tickets are already selling fast for Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens with Peak and Off Peak prices remaining frozen at 2022 prices.
The all-new light art trail will be open from Thursday, 27 November until Saturday 3 January with more magic and sparkle than ever before as well as an updated food and drinks menu’
For more about Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens At Christmas and to book tickets, visit https://www.lightuptrails.com
It’s been a fantastic term so far, and we are incredibly proud of the hard work, enthusiasm and creativity being shown by all students across the department. Have a great half term!
The Art Department
Media Studies
Year 10 have made an excellent start to GCSE Media Studies this half term. They’ve settled in quickly, shown great enthusiasm for the subject, and are already developing strong analytical and creative skills. We've delved into newspapers and discussed the importance of bias, political differences and target audiences.
Year 11 have been finalising their coursework projects. It has been fantastic to see so much passion behind the work that's been produced - including a vast selection of original images that have been captured by students. Alongside this, Year 11 have been revising ahead of their mock exam at the end of November.
A reminder that coursework sessions will run after school, once a week, after October half term. Please see your teacher for more information.
Food Tech
A Zest for Learning: A Great Start to the Term in Food
We're delighted to report a fantastic and energetic start to the new term in the Food Technology department! Our kitchens are already buzzing with activity as students across all year groups dive back into practical cooking and essential nutrition lessons. It looks set to be a very busy and productive term!
Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9): Building Essential Life Skills
Our younger students are focusing on establishing a strong foundation of practical cooking skills and nutritional knowledge.
• Year 7 has started with the basics, mastering hygiene and safety in the kitchen before moving onto simple but vital skills like chopping, measuring, and following a recipe to produce their first delicious, healthy dishes. This is all about ensuring they feel confident and independent when handling food.
• Years 8 and 9 are building on these skills, tackling more complex techniques and focusing on healthy eating guidelines.
Examination Groups: Full Steam Ahead
For our older students, the term has kicked off with a concentrated focus on their high-stakes coursework and preparation.
• GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition students are deep into their first Non-Examination Assessment (NEA), which requires extensive research and practical experimentation. This term is crucial for collecting data and completing their first NEA.
• T Level students are engaging well with their topics. They are linking their theoretical learning to real-world issues, preparing them brilliantly for their practical and written exams.
Supporting a Healthy, Busy Term at Home
To help your child thrive this term, we encourage you to support their learning at home:
1. Ingredient Organisation: Please help them remember to bring in their ingredients for practical lessons. Students are given a printed list, a copy is sent via ClassCharts and students are reminded of their cooking date in class demonstration lessons.
2. Containers: It is really important that all students bring in a container to take their food home in.
We look forward to sharing more of our students' culinary creations and successes as the term progresses.
Team Food
Business Studies
On Monday 20th October, 42 Year 11 Business Studies’ students, accompanied by Mrs Stevens, Mr Cross, Mrs Lavetiviti and Mr Newsom, visited Cadbury World in Birmingham. On arrival, they were whisked into a talk giving an overview of Cadbury and how it’s changed over the years. Links were made between key parts of their Paper 1 exam and Cadbury as a business. After the talk it was time to collect a few free bars of chocolate (a highlight for many), before heading in for a tour of the factory. Throughout the tour, students had the opportunity to see how many of the parts of business that we have studied over the last year work in real life, as well as experimenting with tempered chocolate. We finished the day with a 4D film and a ride through chocolate making, before heading home. A very enjoyable and educational day out!
Modern Foreign Languages
Modern Foreign Languages
Year 7 pupils have made a good start to their Modern Foreign Language lessons. They have been learning greetings, introductions, how to express how they are, the alphabet, age, numbers 1-31 and birthdays.
Pupils who study French in Year 8 have been learning about TV programmes, films and celebrity culture in music and film. Those who study German have also been learning about films and TV programmes, as well as the perfect tense. Pupils studying Spanish have been learning about food, mealtimes and eating out.
In Year 9, pupils have been studying the topic of holidays. We have been delighted to welcome Mrs Pithers into the Year 9 Spanish lessons. Mrs Pithers had children who went through Noadswood and got in touch to kindly offer her time to do 1:1 speaking practice, which is of huge benefit to our students. If there is anyone who would be able to offer their time to do something similar for pupils studying French and German, please get in touch.
The Year 10s have made a good start to their GCSE courses and are reaching the end of their first module of work. Year 11 pupils are continuing to progress through the remaining modules of their GCSE and have been offered weekly after-school revision sessions, to prepare them for their mock and GCSE exams.
Mr D’Arcy is once again running the Duolingo Club on a Monday after school for anyone who wants to learn a new language.
PE
This term, our rugby lessons have shown grit, teamwork, and outstanding sportsmanship. From intense games in lessons to competitive fixtures, our students have risen to every challenge with enthusiasm and determination. Their personal journeys have all been unique, but with the support of peers and staff, coupled with fantastic camaraderie, rugby has been enjoyable again this year.
Each year group has competed against schools across the New Forest with gusto and skill and we are delighted to help transition players to Fawley RFC, to continue their Rugby journey through the remainder of the club season.
Our netball teams have had a stellar start to the year! The commitment shown across all year groups has led to some fantastic results and even better teamwork. A particular highlight was the U16 Netball Team’s winning a fantastic match away to Ringwood in hostile surroundings and having a three goal swing in the final quarter, to win 8-7 in a closely fought contest. The U16s remain unbeaten, and we are hopeful of a league win this season!
As we move into the winter months, we enter the cross country, basketball and badminton fixtures so there is still plenty of sport on offer here after school!
No signups required - just turn up and enjoy!
On Monday 13th October four of our pupils represented Noadswood in the Hampshire Schools’ Golf Strokeplay championships. Effectively a scratch event, our boys did well to qualify, as more than half of the field was balloted out based on their handicaps. The course at Hockley was playing long and the greens were still recovering from autumn maintenance, nevertheless Charlie S and Jackson P low scored with a creditable pair of 80s, nine over par. In March we will be sending two teams to the Hampshire Schools team event, again to be hosted at Hockley GC.
Performing Arts
In the Performing Arts, we have lots of exciting things already going on or happening in the new half-term. We have our production of OLIVER! Jr. fully cast, with rehearsals starting on our first week back – we’ve been beyond impressed at the talent displayed during our audition process and it has been very difficult to make our final decisions! Though we’re a long way away, the dates for your calendars will be April 28th-30th.
In Dance, our pupils are hard at work in all the different groups, preparing for the Gym & Dance show; from the Year 7 Gym & Dance club to both the Junior and Senior Artistic Squads, there will be plenty of acts to see! Another set of show dates for your calendars will be, February 4th-5th.
There can be music heard in many areas across the department and the school in general here at Noadswood, with all our ensembles and soloists preparing diligently for a variety of events during the new half-term.
Our involvement will span from external events such as a second visit to sing at Lantern Community in Ringwood, the Oakhaven Hospice Light Up a Life Service, Southampton Hospitals' Charity Christmas Wrapping Station at West Quay and the Hythe Huddle Christmas party, through to our very own Noadswood Christmas Concert (auditions coming soon!) Our final note-worthy date will be for our Christmas Concert on December 16th.
Needless to say, we’re all very busy and appreciate all the hard work and dedication our pupils put into the Performing Arts here at Noadswood!
All the best from Mr Watkins, Mr Burton, Mrs Smith, Miss Costa and Miss Marshall.
Literacy and Library News
It has been a busy and exciting first half term for Literacy and our lovely Library!
As mentioned in previous newsletters, we successfully launched our Tutor Reading Programme, and it has been wonderful to see so many students exchanging their Noadswood Book Bucks for small prizes in recognition of their enthusiasm and engagement during tutor reading sessions.
Over the summer, Year 7 students were set the challenge of reading Lost by Ele Fountain and writing a book review. We received a fantastic range of thoughtful and creative reviews, making it incredibly difficult to choose our winners. However, after much consideration, we are delighted to announce and congratulate:
Alice
Elvie
Morgan
If your child still has their borrowed copy of Lost at home, please could we have this returned to the Library.
Students have also had the opportunity to take part in our Bookmark Competition, with many spending their lunchtimes and breaktimes in the Library designing and colouring their entries. The winners of the bookmark competition are:
Zofia( Yr 9)
Gracie-Mai ( Yr 8)
Sofia ( Yr 8)
This half term has seen an unprecedented number of book loans, with over 650 books borrowed from the Library! We are thrilled to see so many students choosing to read for pleasure and make full use of our resources.
Finally, a huge shoutout goes to Noah (Year 11) and Ezra (Year 9) for their incredible dedication to reading. Our records show that last year Noah read an amazing 218 novels, while Ezra completed 364 manga books — truly remarkable achievements! Keep up the fantastic work!
At Noadswood, we are committed to improving literacy and recognising the powerful impact that reading has on both the academic success and emotional development of our students. If you have any concerns about your child’s reading progress or feel they might benefit from additional support, please don’t hesitate to contact Miss Walker at ewalker@noadswood.hants.sch.uk.
Religion, Philosophy and Ethics
This academic year has started well and it is nice to see students attending lessons ready to learn with enquiring minds.
Year 7s are looking at 'The 7 Dimensions of Religion' - Identifying what makes a religion.
Year 8s have started to look at Buddhism, putting into context what they learnt last year.
Year 9 students initially addressed the topic of 'Multiculturalism'. They are now learning about the religion of Islam
Year 10s are looking at the topic of 'Crime & Punishment' - Why punishment exists? Which punishment works? Why the UK abolished the death penalty and whether they think there is a need for capital punishment.
All years are thinking hard and discussing well.
GCSE Citizenship
Studies in GCSE Citizenship have started for Year 10 and continued for Year 11 with looking at the news and being aware of the ever-changing world around us.
We are looking forward to our trip to London after half term where we have a planned visit to The Houses of Parliament, a sight-seeing trip on The London Eye and a tour of The Royal Courts of Justice.
It will be interesting to be able to see things from the other side for a change!
Careers
It has been an incredibly busy and inspiring start to the new school year in Careers. We kick started the year with our annual Careers Fair for students in Years 9, 10 and 11 and parents and carers. There was a brilliant turn out and it was wonderful to see and hear so many conversations about all the different careers and education pathways that students can choose from.
Year 11 heard from eight of our local colleges and learned about their courses and extracurricular activities. Students also heard about apprenticeships and T-Levels; education pathways which they will be exploring again in the Spring term, as apprenticeship vacancies begin to open. Year 11 have taken all the information in their stride, and it has been fantastic to hear that so many have already attended college open events.
College applications are now open. Please see college websites for deadlines which have also been included in the Year 11 newsletter. Applications should ideally be completed by the end of the Autumn term. Open event dates have also been shared by Careers advisor Gordon Lewis and they have been included in the Year 11 calendar. If your child needs support, they should arrange an appointment with Gordon Lewis by going to the Careers Office or by speaking to their tutor. We know that lots of students have already attended their college interview. We would like to say a huge well done and wish everyone with upcoming interviews the best of luck.
We would like to remind students that they can apply for more than one college and should still apply for college even if they are hoping to do an apprenticeship. If your child is interested in doing an apprenticeship, please inform Gordon Lewis to ensure that they are included in the upcoming workshops and talks. Information about apprenticeships can be found here: https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
Meanwhile, Year 10 students have started thinking about work experience and mock interviews. An incredible number of families attended the work experience information evening, and we had some inspiring conversations about the types of placements that students are considering. Impressively, some students have already applied for their placements, reflecting the determination and engagement the year group have. In Life Skills lessons, students are beginning to plan and write their covering letters and CVs. Once these are completed, they will need to be uploaded using the file drop on the Careers Frog page. For information about work experience and mock interviews, please see the information pack that Gordon Lewis sent out following the event.
If you would like to be a mock interviewer, interested in supporting the Careers Day, or if you are able to support the work experience programme by offering a placement to a student, please get in touch with Careers Lead, Miss Clews, at jclews@noadswood.hants.sch.uk.
A group of Year 9 students attended the Iconstruct event last week. The day gave students the chance to speak to workers from the construction industry and to find out more about the different construction job roles in the area. They also heard about education pathways in construction, including apprenticeships. The day was very hands on, with students having the chance to try bricklaying, using equipment and some students were even able to sit in a lorry and a digger. Students were also challenged to present the information they had learned about a company to a panel which entered them into a competition. The Year 9s took on the challenge with courage and bravery and we commend them for their teamwork and efforts.
Here are some key dates to keep in your diaries:
3rd-8th November 2025 – Green Careers Week
19th December 2025 – Deadline for CV and covering letter submission
10th-16th February 2026 – Apprenticeships week
13th February 2026 – Work experience placement form deadline
5th March 2026 – Mock Interviews
6th-10th July 2026 – Work Experience Week
Please see the brilliant opportunity that SETA are offering. This event is aimed at students in Year 11.
All things Festive
Join us for some festive fun!
✨ Christmas Craft Fayre Saturday 29th November 2025– Browse beautiful handmade gifts, decorations and treats: perfect for the holiday season.
Enjoy a warm, festive atmosphere with refreshments, raffles, and plenty of Christmas cheer!
🎀 Wreath Making Workshop Wednesday 3rd December 2025 – Get creative and design your own stunning Christmas wreath to take home.
Countryside Education Trust
Celebrate autumn this half term with The Countryside Education Trust.
On Tuesday 28th October you can visit the Treehouse Study Centre and Hartford Woods to have a go at woodland arts and crafts and connect with nature in this beautiful woodland. Have a go at making your own bow and arrows; try your hand at hurdle fence weaving; immerse yourself in living history at the cob cottage or make your very own besom broom in time for Halloween! We will also have a Lego stall for you to build your own Lego woodland! There will also be more active ways to explore the woods by taking part in our tree ID walk; photography walk and by going on a trailer ride. There will be plenty of refreshments too!
Tickets available at Events