Review of the year 2017: August
Year 11 students celebrate getting their GCSE results. Picture: Knights Templar School - Credit: Archant
August saw Progress 8 results released – the first lot since the new 1 to 9 grading system was rolled out nationwide in the last academic year.
Back row Joanna Le Fevre; Max Dawson; Farozha Urrehman; Ryan Nash; Tatenda Chiwereza; Ben Vaughan; Willow Rowlands; Adrian Botha; Cynthia Wordingham; and Erin Oliver. Students and staff at Stevenage's Nobel School celebrate their GCSE results. Back row: Joanna Le Fevre, Max Dawson, Farozha Urrehman, Ryan Nash,Tatenda Chiwereza, Ben Vaughan, Willow Rowlands, Adrian Botha, Cynthia Wordingham and Erin Oliver. Front row: Headteacher Martyn Henson, Ewan Pickering, Danielle Atkinson, Anna Thomas, Jessica Rowe, Thomas Salter, Ella Acton,Tyler Teague, Eliesha Netherwood, Elliot Bird, and head of Year 11 Ryan Spence. - Credit: Archant
But headteachers at all six Stevenage secondary schools decided against publishing their progress scores, citing the potential for confusion as the reason for holding back the results.
Marriotts School headteacher Beth Honnor said: “Throughout the year, schools across the country have struggled to predict and assess what students will achieve as no grade boundaries were in place. The new system has led to confusion for students, parents and schools alike.”
August also saw one of the few remaining veterans of the Second World War Dunkirk evacuation receive a standing ovation after being invited to watch Dunkirk at Cineworld in Stevenage.
The Cineworld team gave George Edward Clark, 98, a free ticket to the blockbuster directed by Christopher Nolan, along with other members of the Royal British Legion.
George Clark relaxing at home with his war medals - Credit: Archant
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At the end of the movie, staff introduced him over the tannoy and was followed by an emotional standing ovation from other filmgoers.
Talking about screenings, on August 10, a Letchworth couple appeared on a BBC TV show organised by their children.
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Daniel and Amy Allen appeared on CBBC’s Marrying Mum and Dad in that month after their girls – Felicity, Emily and Evie – excitedly told them about the show and gave them permission to apply.
The children kept the wedding arrangements a secret from Daniel and Amy apart from the date.
Christopher, Evie, Amy, Daniel, Christian, Sebastian, Felicity, Emily and Lucy. Picture: Amy Allen - Credit: Archant
Amy told The Comet: “The wedding day was one of a kind. They centred it on our love for music and gave use a music festival themed wedding at Bluntswood Hall in Buntingford.”
Also making the news were young people from Hitchin who gave back to their community during a summer holiday scheme to raise money for charity.
The youngsters took part in the National Citizen Service – better known as NCS – and were busy baking hundreds of cakes to help raise money for Herts Young Homeless.
Phoebe Males from the NCS team said: “By doing this we hope we have spread a positive message about young people in our Hitchin community.”
The NCS youngsters planning the Henlow family fun day in aid of Muscular Dystrophy UK. - Credit: Archant
