Posted on: 12/07/2023Students have once again been awarded a coveted Eco-Schools Green FlagStudents have once again been awarded a coveted Eco-Schools Green Flag. The Eco-Schools Green Flag is an international accreditation that recognises efforts to raise environmental awareness amongst young people, whilst taking action to make their school more sustainable. Amery Hill School is proud to announce that it has retained its status as an accredited Eco-School. The Eco-Schools programme was established in 1994 and is now delivered in more than 70 countries across the globe. The programme prompts young people to explore a variety of environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Students are then empowered to plan and deliver environmental actions in their school, local community, and beyond. This year, the Eco-Union has continued to build on the strong foundations set out at the start of the school’s Eco-Schools journey and in recent months has completed an Environmental Review. This has really highlighted the scope and positive impact of many eco initiatives implemented over the past three years. Promotion of earth day, numerous recycling initiatives, eco competitions and fundraising for key climate change charities are just some of the work the Eco-Union has spearheaded. “The Eco-Schools Green Flag award is an internationally recognised symbol of high environmental standards. The students and school staff are to be commended and deserve immense credit for their hard work, determination, and creativity to retain the school’s status as an accredited Eco-School. They are an inspiration to us all.” Mr Mann.View Article
Posted on: 4/07/2024It's a bug's life!The garden created for the Alton Arts Festival by Amery Hill students was a collaboration between the Eco-Union and the Student Voice Community Committee. We wanted to make a garden that catered for as many insects as possible by creating different habitats. We also wanted to use as much recycled or surplus material as possible. Our ladybird house uses old bamboo canes for legs and pens due to be recycled for the antennae, while our bee drinker is an old lid from some laundry detergent. The birch tree and decaying wood (perfect for woodlice and centipedes) were donated from the owner of a local woodland. The plants themselves are mostly surplus from families associated with the school or from the bargain shelves of local nurseries. They have then been nursed back to a healthier state. Our aim was to strike a balance between beauty and practicality, in terms of creating a garden that caters for many different species, and we are pleased with the final result.View Article
Posted on: 5/03/2024Nathan Ward WorkshopMiss Burrell, Head of Art We were very lucky to have Amery Hill alumni Nathan Ward visit the department again this year to work alongside our Year 10 GCSE Fine Art and 3D Art students. Nathan is a paper and cardboard artist and began by showing the students examples of some of his recent projects which included multiple installations at the National Trust property Waddesdon Manor as part of their Christmas displays. He then did a demonstration where he taught the students different techniques on manipulating paper and how to construct 3D shapes before they were then given the opportunity to create their own artwork to be displayed as part of an underwater scene. The students really enjoyed having the opportunity to work collaboratively and create their pieces over the course of three periods and the final displays look fantastic. View Article
Posted on: 26/06/2024Year 11 Prom: Sunshine, smiles, tears and mini-golfYear 11 gathered at the beautiful Audleys Wood Hotel for a magical night celebrating the proud achievements of their five years together at Amery Hill School. The arrival of police and fire service vehicles in the first few minutes turned out to be false alarms, as bevies of glamorous students emerged from both. They joined their fellow dapper Year 11 friends, who arrived on the red carpet from all manner of other transportation, both quirky and classic. After welcome drinks, attendees took advantage of some rare summer evening sun, playing the many party games which the Prom Committee had organised – including limbo and mini-golf – against the beautiful background of the hotel grounds and the golden fields beyond. They then descended on the beautifully-decorated marquee for a scrumptious barbecue and ice creams. The atmosphere on the night was utterly joyful, with everyone dancing and laughing together for hours, helped along by tunes from Year 11’s best-kept secret, the band ‘Four No More’, and a staff band into the bargain. Most people seemed to end up holding their shoes, and complaining of blisters, which is generally a sign of a good night had by all! Most were reluctant to leave the party, with final memories shared and tears shed at the end. It was an unforgettable night, and a worthy tribute to a year group that has been through so much together. But they’re ready for the next adventures in their lives now, and if they approach those with half the energy that they did this prom, they will be absolutely fine! Visit https://bit.ly/3W8Jikj to view the Prom Gallery. View Article
Posted on: 9/07/2024Community, Creativity, CultureWe have been delighted to participate in this year’s Alton Arts Festival, a 10-day, multi-venue, multi-disciplinary arts festival in Alton. As a not-for-profit enterprise, the aim has been to celebrate the arts, community, and creativity which has provided our students with some fabulous opportunities and new experiences. Our thanks to all of the organising committee for a fabulous festival! As part of the festival a group of Year 8 students were invited to participate in a series of silversmithing workshops run by Meon Valley Studios. The sessions had been arranged in conjunction with the Alton Arts Festival and the workshops had been funded by 'The Goldsmiths Centre’ which included the cost of silver, so that there was no cost for our students to participate. During the workshops, the students learnt how to make and personalise a silver ring. This included punching a name into it, bending the silver using a ring mandrel and mallet and then sawing the ends off using a piercing saw to cut the shape. They then used a small blow torch to solder the ring closed before filing and polishing the silver. All the students had an amazing time and were so grateful to have been given this opportunity. Their completed pieces looked incredible and were so professional. A huge thank you goes to Olivia at Meon Valley Studios for arranging these sessions. View Article
Posted on: 22/08/2024GCSE Results 2024Once again, students at Amery Hill School have done themselves proud! We offer huge congratulations to our ‘Class of 2024’ for their fantastic GCSE results. Throughout their time at our school, the students of this year group have shown grit and genuine commitment to their studies, and have set an excellent example, both through these qualities, and through their kindness and consideration to each other, and to other members of the school community. At Amery Hill, our school motto is ‘Education for Life’. We want our students to leave us as positive and confident individuals, who feel absolutely ready for their next steps in life, and the challenges they may encounter. And, despite two disrupted years of secondary education as a result of the pandemic, working alongside dedicated staff, and with strong parental support, our students have shown that strength of character, aspiration and determination can achieve. We are delighted by their success and believe that it again demonstrates the importance of the school’s core values of Independence, Creativity, Active Learning, Resilience and Empathy. Our ‘Class of 2024’ is now well placed to move beyond the school gates and is in the very best place to head onto college, apprenticeships or work-based training. Although I have only worked with this cohort of students since I joined Amery Hill in September 2023, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with them, and alongside all members of our school community, wish them the very best of luck, and success and happiness in the future. R Jeckells HeadteacherView Article
