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Weekly Newsletter

January 17, 2025

Headmaster’s Welcome


Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

I am delighted that the recent spell of cold weather has been and gone.

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The trial GCSE examinations started on Monday and will continue next week. Our Year 11 pupils seem to be coping fairly well with them.

 

I am delighted that the swimming gala which took place last Sunday went so well for our Bethany pupils. All of them who took part achieved personal best times which is a terrific achievement.

 

A travel company called True Adventure is helping us organise a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in July 2026. They came into School on Tuesday morning to talk to pupils in Years 10, 11 and 12 about this. There is an equivalent talk for parents about this trip on Thursday evening starting at 5.15pm in the Pengelly Performance Centre.

 

We plan to trial a cashless tuck shop in the last two weeks of this half term. Pupils will not be allowed to use their phones to make purchases because phones are not allowed to be switched on during the School day but they can use their existing bank cards. The option of paying by cash will also remain.  During half term, this provision will be reviewed. A judgement will made then as to whether it should continue or not.

 

Last Sunday, we had a number of pupils who left Bethany 30 years ago, return to visit Bethany. It was a poignant occasion given that one of their number is terminally ill. There is a separate article on their visit and I am delighted that they enjoyed it so much.

 

Our sports fixtures resumed this week with somewhat mixed results. I wish the various teams well in their respective fixtures next week.

 

The Chinese Philosopher, Confucius once said a person who has committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it is committing another mistake. Given that I believe that I always learn something new every day, I must be making a lot of mistakes!

 

Have a good weekend.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Francie Healy

Headmaster

Latest Bethany Blog


This week’s Blog has been written by Mrs Iles, Head of Food and Nutrition at Bethany School. She shares the exciting culinary journey our pupils have been on since September, highlighting creativity, skill development, and a passion for cooking.

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Since the start of the school year, the food room at Bethany School has been a hub of creativity, learning, and skill development. Pupils from all year groups have embraced the opportunity to enhance their culinary expertise, from foundational techniques in Key Stage 3 to advanced preparations in Year 11. Here’s a look at what’s been happening.

 

Year 11: Preparing for their upcoming assessment

For Year 11 pupils, the year so far has been packed with challenges and opportunities. They’ve been working diligently towards their Controlled Assessment, a pivotal part of their studies. This includes a 3.5-hour practical session, where they design and prepare suitable dishes for their customers and the establishment they are cooking for. This practical is a culmination of their planning, creativity, and technical skills.

 

Earlier in the year, they participated in a mock assessment, where they cooked one dish within lesson time. This provided them with the chance to refine medium-to-complex skills, such as precise knife work, timing, and presentation. Their hard work was evident as they tackled the challenge with determination and focus.

 

In addition to their assessments, Year 11s have been mastering advanced culinary techniques, including blind baking, caramelisation, piping, segmenting citrus fruits, and chocolate work. To further inspire their creativity, the food room hosted a visit from Tallow Restaurant in Southborough earlier this year. This gave pupils invaluable insights into presentation techniques, the benefits of cooking with local produce, and the importance of sequencing in professional kitchens.

 

Year 10: Progressing with Pastries and Pasta

Year 10s have been building on the knowledge they gained in Key Stage 3, stepping into more complex territory. They’ve been learning how to create pastries and pasta from scratch, developing both technical skills and confidence.

 

A significant focus for Year 10 has been sequencing recipes to make practical lessons more efficient. By carefully planning each step, they’ve been able to produce dishes like lasagne and individual apple pies, balancing flavour, texture, and presentation while managing their time effectively.

 

Key Stage 3: A Creative Foundation

The first rotation of Key Stage 3 classes has seen an impressive variety of dishes prepared by pupils, demonstrating their creativity and enthusiasm for cooking.

 

Year 7 began their culinary journey with a focus on knife safety, creating colourful fruit art and preparing simple yet satisfying dishes like muffins, couscous salad, and mac ‘n’ cheese.

 

Year 8 explored the science of baking through a scone experiment, learning about correct ratios and ingredients, and comparing their own Welsh cakes to shop-bought versions. They’ve also made their own flavoured butter, fried rice, mini carrot cakes, and traditional carbonara, showcasing a mix of traditional and modern recipes.

 

Year 9 took on more advanced challenges, including chocolate Swiss rolls, pizza, apple cakes, and homemade bread rolls served with burgers. These dishes required precision and attention to detail, which they executed brilliantly.

 

Cooking as a Life Skill

Beyond the practical skills, all students have been building their theoretical knowledge, understanding how to work safely in the kitchen and how to maintain a balanced lifestyle using the Eatwell Guide. The food room isn’t just about cooking; it’s about preparing pupils for life, equipping them with the skills to make healthy, informed choices for their future.

 

The Bethany food room continues to thrive as a space of inspiration and growth. With the enthusiasm and dedication of its young chefs, we can’t wait to see what exciting dishes they’ll create next!

 

Mrs Iles

Head of Food and Nutrition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latest Sports News


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The latest sports news from Bethany School. This week’s sport included the 1st XI football team facing a tough fixture, traveling to Berkshire to take on Reddam House. Meanwhile the Bethany hockey team returned to action in a friendly match against Claremont.

Football | Bethany 1st XI v Reddam House
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Bethany’s 1st XI football team travelled to Berkshire for their opening cup game of the season, facing a challenging fixture against Reddam House on a difficult pitch. The long, wet, and sticky grassed pitch hampered Bethany’s ability to implement their preferred style of play, but they started brightly, dominating possession and controlling the tempo during the first ten minutes.

 

Despite their strong start, Bethany found themselves trailing midway through the first half. A corner conceded by the visitors led to a goal-mouth scramble, where Reddam capitalised on Bethany’s inability to clear their lines, bundling the ball into the net to make it 1-0. The score remained unchanged at halftime, leaving Bethany with work to do in the second half.

 

Both teams battled for supremacy with some good play from both sides, but the hosts doubled their lead when a fine shot hit the post, bounced out, and ricocheted off the outstretched Bethany goalkeeper before nestling in the back of the net. Reddam continued to control possession in vital moments of the game, their slight dominance was rewarded with a third goal, securing a 3-0 victory.

 

Final score: Bethany 0-3 Reddam House

Player of the Match: Ollie Hughes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hockey | Bethany 1st XI v Claremont School
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In a friendly match against Claremont, the 1st XI boys worked on skills and tactics as they returned to hockey this year. The team performed well, with Ollie Hughes scoring a brilliant reverse stick goal and Jojo Clements-Hunt adding another great finish.

 

It was a valuable practice match, setting the team up nicely for next week.

 

Final score: Bethany 2-0 Claremont

Bethany Swimmers Shine at Kent Schools Championships


Bethany School’s swimming team made waves at the Kent Schools Swimming Championships in Margate on Sunday, 12th January, delivering standout performances against fierce competition from over 40 schools across the county.

 

With packed heats and up to 15 races in some events, the Bethany swimmers rose to the challenge, achieving remarkable results with personal bests and medals aplenty!

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Darcey and Arabella led the charge with personal bests in both the Junior 100m backstroke and 100m breaststroke events. Competing against older swimmers, their strong performances highlighted their skills. Darcey shaved over three seconds off her previous times, while Arabella also achieved notable improvements, cementing their places as rising swimming talents.

 

 

Harry celebrated a top-six finish in the Junior 100m freestyle, clinching a medal after trimming one second off his personal best. Oliver excelled in the Junior 100m butterfly, earning a top-six medal, and secured a stunning 3rd place in the Junior boys 200m individual medley (IM), breaking his personal best by nearly a second.

 

 

Not to be outdone, Hamish competed admirably in the Inter 100m breaststroke, securing a personal best by two seconds while racing against older athletes. Meanwhile, Grace faced some of Kent’s fastest swimmers in the strongest heats of her age group. Her dedication paid off with a top-six medal in the Inter 200m IM, showcasing a technically impressive swim after a competitive performance in the Inter 100m breaststroke.

 

This event showcased the Bethany team’s commitment and talent, setting the stage for more success in future championships. Congratulations to all swimmers for their efforts and achievements!

 

Mr Payne
Director of Sport