Noadswood Termly Newsletter December 2025

We have had enriching curriculum experiences such as the Citizenship visit to London, and valuable community links were strengthened, including with Orchard Infants where we were blown away by the children and staff’s incredible work in creative thinking and some terrific Food Technology partnerships. Across all subjects, we have seen determination, curiosity and pride in learning, alongside festive performances and events galore that have captured the spirit of the season and all that we love about Noadswood. We are incredibly proud of our students and staff, and we wish all our families a peaceful and relaxing festive break and a happy, safe and healthy New Year. If you need us over the holidays, please email info@noadswood.hants.sch.uk, marking your mail as urgent, and we will make sure things go in the right directions. I could not be more thankful for your support, involvement and challenge, and that of all your children. With all our best, Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team

Redwood

  We are very proud of our students for their hard work and resilience throughout this term.  They often push themselves out of their comfort zones to try new experiences and to embrace all that we have to offer.    The Forest School area has been a welcomed addition with our students' enjoying campfires, whittling, tool skills and den building.  We are looking forward to some warmer, drier weather when we can establish the use of the greenhouse and the garden.   Cooking sessions are always a favourite, and our budding chefs and bakers have created some tasty treats to take home and share with their fellow students including Christmas cupcakes.   In Lego Education, pupils have been making robots with Lego. They have created robot hands, swinging machines and even robot footballers. The pupils build the robot out of Lego and use a coding programme to control it. They have worked well as teams and showed creativity and intuition.   In Social Skills we have been talking about body language. Did you know that the words you say are only 7% of the communication? Everything else is the way you say it and body language. The pupils came up with dozens of ways that our bodies can "talk" such as gestures, eye contact and posture.   Ink printing has been a huge success in Art lessons, which will finally produce a series of animal prints.  In the new year the students will commence the AQA Awards.   Our Year 11 pupils continue to enjoy time with Crazy Creatures, learning about different animals and working towards additional AQA Awards.   We end the term with our annual trip to the Mayflower Theatre for Panto and a whole provision festive lunch, prepared and cooked by our Year 11 head chefs.

We wish you all a restful Merry Christmas Mr West and the Redwood team

Year 7

Year 7 have made it to the end of their first full term at Noadswood. From the excitement of the first day to navigating new classrooms and timetables, Year 7 have shown resilience and adaptability. Many have embraced the challenge of making new friends, joining clubs, and finding their place in our school community. Year 7 have been involved in lots of sports fixtures including netball, rugby and cross country. Well done to all those who have represented the school. Year 7 have also embraced the non-sporting extra-curricular opportunities too, with choir performances, Christmas concerts, school production rehearsals, Baking Club, Art Club and many more. Meet the Tutor evening gave the opportunity for parents and carers to meet their child’s tutor, the event was well attended and feedback on the students was positive. At the beginning of October, we had our Team Building day followed by our Year 7 Disco, both gave the opportunity for the year group to start to bond and form new relationships. Last Friday, Year 7 had their first Festive Lunch, the whole year group were invited to the hall to join in with raffle draws, Christmas tunes and festive food. Year 7 conducted themselves brilliantly. The first term has been one of adjustment and discovery. As we look forward to the remainder of the academic year, we are confident that Year 7 students will continue to build on the foundations they have established, developing both academically and personally. Their positive attitude and determination give us every reason to anticipate further success in the months ahead. Wishing you all a restful festive break. Mrs Way and Mr Payne

Year 8

Year 8 have made a great start to the school year. When we returned in September it was hard to believe how fast Year 7 had flown by and that we are now, once again, already a third of the way through this academic year. It was really pleasing to see how mature the pupils were when they returned after the summer holiday and what a difference a whole year in secondary school makes. Year 8 have been involved in a wide range of activities this term, and here are some of the highlights... Many Year 8 pupils were involved in our Open Mornings and Open Evening in September and represented the school brilliantly, showing prospective parents what Noadswood is all about. We also had our annual Celebration Evening back in October, which was a fantastic event, where we were able to recognise successes from Year 7. It was great to see so many pupils invited to receive awards for outstanding effort, progress and achievement. A wide range of certificates, vouchers, books and awards were presented on the night, recognising what a fantastic first year at secondary school the year group has enjoyed. There have been lots of sporting fixtures, firstly the for the boy's rugby team. They played some highly competitive games, showing big improvements each time they took to the pitch. There are a number of boys in the team who would make good club rugby players, and they have all been encouraged to continue developing at one of our local clubs, hopefully meaning they return next season with even more experience and skill. We have been able to get lots of girls along to netball training resulting in fixtures arranged for both A and B teams which has allowed more pupils to represent the school against local opponents. The New Forest District Cross Country competition took place at Gang Warily with Year 8 putting in some great individual performances helping the U15 teams place 3rd in the boys’ and 2nd in the girls’ competition. Despite the Basketball League being an U14 competition and predominantly made up of Year 9 players, we have had a number of Year 8 boys represent the school this term. Many of them being vital members of the team. We have even had one Year 8 pupil playing in the U16 team. Keep up the good work! And finally, a Badminton Tournament with lots of Year 8s representing Noadswood in the New Forest Competition. The Grandparents Coffee and Cake morning took place a few weeks ago and it was nice to see lots of Year 8 pupils join their family members. It was also great to see lots of Year 8 pupils contribute by baking cakes and biscuits for the event. The Festive Lunch was a roaring success with the whole year group coming together in the school hall, enjoying the festive celebrations. Nearly 50% of the year group opted to have the festive roast dinner which was great to see. For those who didn’t opt for the roast dinner option, they were still involved by bringing their own versions of a Christmas lunch in the way of lunchboxes, meals deals and lots of other festive nibbles! The festivities kicked off with a mass game of musical statues, awarding two winners from each house for being the last standing (still!). This was followed by random prize draws, with one winner from each tutor group receiving a selection box, and three lucky students from across the year taking home bigger prizes, including festive mugs and Christmas socks. Despite the boys' call of “fix” all eleven winners went to girls in the year group much to the boy's disappointment. However, the draw was 100% fair, and 100% random - Miss Towsey has said she is going to investigate the probability of drawing eleven girls in a row out of 240 possible pupils!

It has been a long, busy and at times, tiring term but everyone should be proud of what they have achieved over the past 15 weeks. Being involved in something at school in addition to lessons is the best way to pass the time and get the most out of it, so well done to all. Everyone can now relax for a couple of weeks, enjoy the celebrations, try not to eat too much chocolate, and hopefully come back in the New Year refreshed and ready to go again. Well done Year 8 and see you in 2026.

YEAR 9

Dear Parents and Carers, As we come to the end of the Christmas term, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly fantastic few months for Year 9. It has been a privilege to watch them develop and grow, not just academically, but in maturity, confidence, and character. I am incredibly proud of the way they have stepped into their role as the oldest year of Key Stage 3, showing real responsibility and enthusiasm for school life. One particular highlight has been the outstanding work of our Junior Prefects. They have thrown themselves into their roles with energy and commitment, helping at school events, supporting younger students, and acting as superb role models across the school. Their leadership has been noticed and appreciated by staff and students alike. Year 9 have also enjoyed impressive sporting success, especially in rugby and netball. Both teams have demonstrated fantastic teamwork, resilience, and determination—qualities that extend far beyond the pitch. Their achievements have been a source of great pride for the whole year group. A real celebration of the students’ achievements came during our Annual Celebration Evening, where so many Year 9s were recognised for their effort, progress, and achievements throughout the previous school year. The number of recipients this year truly reflects the hard work and dedication they have shown. It is always such a tough decision to choose these awards – a huge testament to the incredible characters we have in our year group. Another standout moment this term was our STEM trip to Williams Racing. Students were inspired by the engineering and innovation on display and had the chance to see cutting-edge technology in action. Their curiosity and engagement throughout the visit was wonderful to witness. We also recently held our Year 9 Progress Evening, where teachers shared incredibly positive feedback about our students’ development. Their determination, growing independence, and strong work ethic are making a real difference. Thank you for your continued support at home—it plays a huge part in their success. I always enjoy attending the Christmas concert and the performances of our incredibly talented performers - to perform on their own, in groups or even as part of the choir takes huge amounts of bravery, so hats off to all of them for filling our evening with wonderful performances. Finally, no Christmas term would be complete without mentioning my personal favourite: our chaotic, joyful, and thoroughly festive school lunch. Between the Christmas cracker jokes and the enthusiastic singing, the students made it a memorable occasion filled with humour and community spirit. Thank you for your ongoing support this term. I wish you and your families a restful, happy, and healthy Christmas break. I look forward to welcoming our wonderful year group back in January, ready for another exciting term ahead. Have a wonderful Christmas! Miss Laura Ebblewhite and Mrs Diane Lavetiviti

YEAR 10

As we wrap up the autumn term, we want to celebrate the fantastic start Year 10 has made to their GCSE studies. It has been wonderful to visit classes and see the wealth of effort and commitment students are showing towards their learning. This term has been full of achievements and memorable moments. A huge congratulations to our Netball team for their incredible success in winning the league—what a fantastic accomplishment! Last week, the whole year group came together for a festive lunch, which was a lovely way to celebrate the season and strengthen our sense of community. Over the half term all 3 of the Food classes have shown brilliant teamwork in cooking a Christmas lunch together and a big thank you for the delivery of a dessert each time whilst I was teaching. Looking ahead, many students have already secured work experience placements for next July, and a large number have completed their CVs and letters of application in preparation for our mock interview evening next term. These steps are vital in building confidence and skills for the future. Please be aware we need the CVs and letters of application by the first week back in January to enable all the preparation for this event and work experience needs to be secured by February half term with the online applications. We are proud of the determination and enthusiasm Year 10 has shown this term and look forward to seeing this continue into the spring term. Wishing everyone a lovely festive break and all the best for the New Year. Year 10

YEAR 11

As we approach another important milestone in this cohort’s time at Noadswood, I can’t help but reflect on what a fantastic term Year 11 have had. They returned from the summer holiday ready to face the challenges of their final year of secondary school and, for the vast majority, have maintained this positive attitude right through to the end of term. It has been a real pleasure to watch the year group grow into such a focused and mature set of young people. One of my personal highlights was attending our Celebration Evening and seeing so many Year 11 students receive awards across a wide range of subjects, recognising both their effort and achievement. It was particularly pleasing to see such a significant number receiving our special awards. It truly was a wonderful way to begin the term. This term has also seen a number of enrichment opportunities take place, with students visiting Cadbury World with Business Studies, Tate Modern and Tate Britain with the Art department, Fort Nelson with the History team, and our GCSE Citizenship students visiting Parliament and the London Eye. I must also highlight how impressed I have been by the excellent conduct of many of our Year 11 students. Forty students reached Christmas without receiving a single negative Class Charts point, with a further twelve having just one minor setback along the way. Their consistently high standards of behaviour and effort have not gone unnoticed and are very much appreciated. Much of this term, as well as the remainder of the year, has been dominated by mock examinations. I would like to commend Year 11 for the mature and committed way in which they approached these assessments. Overall, the exams ran very smoothly, and many students will rightly feel that their hard work and revision have paid off. I am also mindful that some students may feel disappointed with certain results. It is important to remember where we are in the process and that there is still significant time between now and the summer examinations to adapt, improve and make progress. When we return after Christmas, Year 11 will attend a mock exam results assembly on Wednesday 7th January, where results will be shared and guidance given on next steps. Students will receive a results-day style sheet reflecting their grades just as they would in August. As we head into the Christmas break, it was lovely to come together as a year group for our Festive Lunch — another ‘Noadswood last’ for Year 11. It was an enjoyable occasion for all, with chocolate prizes awarded and tutors joining their tutor groups to enjoy a traditional roast turkey lunch with all the trimmings to the tunes of Christmas hits! It would be remiss not to mention those Year 11 students who took part in the Christmas Concert; their performances and technical support were a real credit to them and added to the sense of celebration as we drew the term to a close. This term has reinforced just how far this cohort has come. Every day I see a group of mature, bright, funny and hardworking young people who have embraced the challenges of being the senior year group and faced the pressures of exams head-on. I would like to wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and a happy New Year. I very much look forward to welcoming the year group back in January, refreshed, re-energised and ready to make the most of their penultimate term at Noadswood. Stuart Wilkinson

SUBJECT NEWS

English

  In Year 9, students have been responding extremely well to their study of Jekyll and Hyde. Lessons have sparked thoughtful discussion, with pupils showing growing confidence in analysing character, themes and language. Their engagement and maturity when exploring the novel’s complex ideas have been particularly pleasing.   A big well done to Year 11 who completed their English Language and Literature mock exams. Many students should be proud of the progress they are making; these mocks have provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on strengths and targets as we move forward.   Below are some images of the John Lewis Christmas advertisements that have been created by our Year 9 students at the end of this very busy term. Inspired by the emotional storytelling and thoughtful themes of the famous campaigns, students planned narratives, wrote scripts and considered how language and structure can create impact.

Maths

  It is that time of year again. GCHQ have released their Christmas Card Challenge. This year there is one for Key Stage 3 and another for Key Stage 4.  If over Christmas, you are looking for a puzzle feel free to have a go. Both puzzles are on the school website under Whole School communication – then Whole School

Science

It’s been another busy term in science; our students continue to excel both in scientific understanding and investigative skills. Lots of our GCSE students are actively considering STEM based work experience and college courses. Year 7 started the year with an introduction to science skills including getting a ‘Bunsen Burner license’. Since then, they have been busy learning about cells, reproduction, particles and energy. Year 8 have studied elements, compounds and mixtures as well as learning about the wonders of the human body. Year 9 have been developing their investigative skills including conducting their own investigations on a wide range of topics. It was fascinating to hear their presentations. Since then, they have learnt about cell biology and particle theory. Year 10 are embarking on their GCSE studies. This term they have learnt about digestion and organisation of the human body. They have also studied lots of chemistry including bonding, quantitative chemistry and lots of chemical reactions. Year 11 were busy preparing for their mock exams. They have studied waves, homeostasis and crude oil. They now only have one topic left to learn before focussing on revision for GCSE. Science Club has continued this term, the students have enjoyed a range of experiments including a highly competitive tower building challenge.     Congratulations Toby on winning the science book of the term!

Computer Science

Year 10 and 11 Computer Scientists entered the Bebras Challenge, which is an international competition run in 30 countries hosted by the Raspberry Pi Foundation.  It is a computational thinking challenge with various online puzzles to solve.  The students worked diligently for 45 minutes, and it was impressive to see how conscientious they were.     The top students from juniors (10-12) were Casper and Rose.  Finn was the top senior to win the competition.  They all achieved gold awards.  This is only awarded to the top 10% of entries.   Half of the students entered from Noadswood either achieved a merit (top 50%) or distinction (top 25%) for computational thinking.  

Geography

  It’s been a fantastic term across the Geography Department, with students showing great enthusiasm, creativity and curiosity in their learning.   Year 7 have been practising their map skills and getting to grips with the key features of atlases and OS maps. We’ve been particularly impressed with the beautifully designed front covers they created for their class books — a brilliant start to their Geography journey!   Year 8 have continued their work on tectonic hazards, comparing the impacts of earthquakes in countries with differing levels of development. Their analytical skills have really shone through, especially in the way they’ve used place-specific detail to explain why the effects of natural disasters vary so widely.   Year 9 wrapped up their climate change topic and have now ventured into life in the Arctic. Drawing on texts such as Melt by Ele Fountain and researching real-world features like the Global Seed Vault, they’ve gained a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people and ecosystems in extreme environments. Their eco home homework tasks were a real highlight — creative, thoughtful and full of sustainable ideas.   Year 10 have moved on to their second GCSE unit: Urban Issues and Challenges. Using Rio de Janeiro as their main case study, they’ve explored both the opportunities and challenges created by rapid urban growth and developed a strong understanding of the complexities of life in major cities.   Finally, Year 11 have been working incredibly hard in preparation for their mock exams. We are proud of their commitment and look forward to providing them with constructive feedback to support their progress in the coming weeks.   Well done to all our Geographers for an excellent term — we can’t wait to see what next term brings! 🌍

History

  🏛️ Year 11 Historians: Revision Success!   Year 11 historians have had the opportunity this half-term to attend bespoke revision sessions in preparation for their Mock GCSE examinations on Germany 1919–1939 and Elizabeth I 1558–1588. We are delighted that so many students participated and encourage those who did not attend to join us in the new year, when the sessions will resume—starting with sessions to support the March mock examinations.   🔍 Cold War Scavenger Hunt – 11 December 2025   Our final session focused on The Cold War 1945–1990s. Students took part in a fun and interactive scavenger hunt around the school, collecting answers about the Cold War and solving a secret code connected to a historical phrase.   📸 Students worked in teams around the school, looking at clues.   🌍 This Cold War-theme focused on Eastern and Western blocs.   🏆 Team Prizes and Fun 🎉   In addition to supporting their studies, students competed for three team prizes, making it a fun and memorable way to conclude their historical studies for 2025 and prepare for the last unit of study starting January 2026.   Well done to all those who took part—Team History is proud of your enthusiasm and hard work!

MFL

  It was so lovely to see our class of 2025 students return for Awards Evening in November and to be able to recognise their amazing achievements in French, German and Spanish.   We are also incredibly proud of our current Year 11 students in the way they have shown resilience in their mock exams and their mock speaking exam.   Mrs Pithers has continued her hard work completing speaking practice with the Year 9 Spanish class and has been able to extend this to the Year 11 Spanish class. The students have engaged well with this invaluable opportunity of 1:1 practice.   We are very grateful to Mrs Westbrook for letting us know about an amazing opportunity to welcome a French-speaking teacher to our school. Towards the end of January, we will be welcoming Ms Olluri into the department to do some work with our students studying French – what an amazing opportunity!   As this term draws to a close, we wish all students and their families and carers a very happy and restful holiday season.

GCSE Citizenship

  On 3rd November, our Year 10 & 11 GCSE Citizenship students embarked on a trip to London, where they would immerse themselves in the heart of our nation’s democracy. This visit allowed them to connect their classroom learning with real-world experiences. The students explored key civic institutions, including The Houses of Parliament and The Royal Courts of Justice, gaining invaluable insights into the workings of our government and legal systems.   Tour Highlights   The day began with a guided tour of The Houses of Parliament, where students learned about the legislative process and the importance of civic engagement by participating in a workshop on 'Pressure Groups'. During a guided tour which took us into The House of Lords our students were impressed by the grandeur of the building and the historical significance it holds. Following this, the group took a brisk stroll along The Embankment to The Royal Courts of Justice where the building's architecture was impressive and quite intimidating once inside. It was great to be able to have a glimpse at the working of these buildings from the inside rather than just seeing them on the TV or in textbooks.   Fun on The London Eye   To cap off the day, the students enjoyed a ride on The London Eye, where they took in the breath-taking views of the City. This experience was not only a great way to end their trip but also provided a unique perspective on the capital’s rich history and vibrant culture. We even played a game of 'eye spy' trying to name all the prominent buildings that we had previously spoken about in lessons.   Thank you to all the staff and parents who supported this trip, ensuring our students had a day filled with learning and sightseeing!

Media Studies

Students have been exploring a wide range of media forms, including magazines, newspapers and film posters, developing their understanding of how media texts are constructed and how they communicate messages to specific audiences. Alongside this, they have begun to study the film industry, gaining insight into production, distribution and marketing, and learning how films are shaped by both creative and commercial influences. Well done Year 10! Year 11 students have been taking their revision extremely seriously in preparation for their mocks. Alongside this, students have shown strong focus and commitment to completing their coursework, demonstrating organisation and determination with creativity. Well done Year 11!

Food Technology

  We have been working with our local fish and chip shop, and they have helped us to secure 40 FREE Hake fillets for our GCSE students to cook via the Fish in Schools Hero Programme.   Tails Chip Shop in Dibden Purlieu have been amazing, and we would like to highly recommend them for their customer service and delicious food... it made our lunch time a lot tastier!

Art

  It’s been a wonderfully busy and creative term in the Art Department, with lots going on across every year group. We’re delighted to share some of the fantastic work our students have been producing!   Year 7 students are wrapping up their still-life drawings of fruits and vegetables. They’ve shown excellent observation and shading skills and are now getting ready for their drawing assessment. We’re excited to see their final pieces!   Year 8 have been exploring colour theory, focusing on complementary colours and developing control when using paint. Next, they’ll be moving on to landscape painting, taking inspiration from the vibrant work of David Hockney.   Year 9 have thoroughly enjoyed the practical process of printmaking, creating expressive and imaginative prints based on their theme, A Christmas Carol. Their enthusiasm and experimentation has been wonderful to see.    Year 10 BTEC Art students continue to work on their theme consumerism. They have been producing great mood boards showing their own inspiration and ideas on what consumerism means to them.   GCSE Fine Art students have been studying landscapes and experimenting with soft pastels, producing atmospheric and expressive artwork. Year 10 Textile Artists have been busy weaving and felting, working within a landscape theme and creating beautiful textured pieces. Year 10 Photography students are continuing their work on portraiture, exploring lighting, composition, and creative editing.

Performing Arts

  We’ve been full steam ahead in the Performing Arts department, with all sorts of preparation and performance for both Christmas and future events! In Dance, preparations are ongoing for the annual Gym & Dance Show which takes place in the first week of February 2026. We have the Year 7 Gym & Dance Club performing, our Junior Artistic Squad, our Senior Artistic Squad, and our gym competition teams displaying their work. We also have examples of curriculum work from both the Year 10 and the Year 11 BTEC classes, as well as students being given the chance to audition their own creation on January 14th after school, to see if they can secure a place in the show.   In Music, we’ve had different events across the festive period; we’ve been singing at the Lantern Community at Folly Farm, at the Cornerstone Church, West Quay, Hanger Farm supporting the Oakhaven Hospice event, as well as at the Noadswood Craft Fayre. We’ve heard nothing but praise for the hard work and talent our pupils have demonstrated at all these outings, acting as wonderful ambassadors for our school. To end the festive season, we’ve had our usual Christmas Concert – we’ve had a blast listening to the wintery performances and hope that our audience did too!   Our weekly rehearsals for OLIVER! have been powering on and pupils have been making great progress, once again showing us how capable they are; whether it’s the acting, singing or dancing, we’re making strides that are bringing us closer to the finished article. As we move into 2026, keep an eye out for any information we have regarding our show days at the end of April! We hope you'll have a wonderful break and to see you back in the New Year! Mr Watkins, Mr Burton, Mrs Smith, Miss Costa and Miss Marshall

PE

  Celebrating an Incredible Sporting Term at Noadswood!   This term has been nothing short of exceptional for Noadswood’s sports teams, with achievements that make us all proud.   Rugby Triumphs Our rugby squads have had a fantastic season, showcasing skill, teamwork, and determination. We’re thrilled to announce a record number of pupils have transitioned to Fawley Rugby Club, continuing their passion for the sport beyond school. This milestone reflects the strength of our rugby program and the commitment of our players and coaches.   Netball Glory Its been a fantastic season for all our teams, most notably our U16's. The U16 girls’ netball team delivered an outstanding performance throughout the season, culminating in winning the league title! Their hard work, resilience, and sportsmanship have set a brilliant example for younger players and brought well-deserved recognition to Noadswood.   Cross Country Success Our cross-country athletes also shone brightly, with a fantastic turnout and competitive spirit. Impressively, 50% of the Noadswood team qualified to represent the district, a testament to their dedication and endurance. We couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.   A huge thank you to all the students, teachers, and supporters who made these successes possible. Here’s to continuing this momentum into the next term!

Study Skills

  Year 10 Study Skills – Autumn Term Update This term, our Year 10 students have been working towards their AAQ Unit Award Certificates as part of the Study Skills curriculum. During Autumn Term One, the focus was on Animal Management, and students successfully worked towards six certificates. These included units in Small Animal Care, Cats, Dogs and More: The World of Domesticated Animals, and *Animal Care – Dogs. A particular highlight was welcoming our school dogs into lessons to support the practical learning. Students also enjoyed a fantastic visit to Longdown Dairy Farm, where they completed two additional certificates: An Introduction to Farm Animals and Farm Animal Care. This hands-on experience helped bring their classroom learning to life. In Autumn Term Two, the programme has moved on to a series of Life Skills units. These sessions cover essential topics such as living independently, budgeting, managing emotions, being a teenager, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. Looking ahead, the Study Skills curriculum will continue to offer a broad range of valuable learning opportunities over the next two years, including units on First Aid, Volunteering, and more, supported by both in-school activities and external visits.