Sawston Village College's Termly Magazine

The

FountainSawston Village College’s Termly Magazine Autumn 2018 Issue 58

Photo Nic Marchant The ‘Oh! What a Lovely War’ production was a huge success. In this issue: Children in Need Page 5 Battlefields Trip Page 14 Vote 100 Project Page 7 Oh! What a Lovely War Page 15 Geography Cake Off Page 11 Debating Society Trip Page 17

See page 15 for more information about this wonderful production put on by the College’s Drama department recently. Oh! What a lovely War

Photos by Nic Marchant

Meet the Artist Evening An evening with local artist Daniel Hutchings Thursday, 14 March, 7.00pm - 9.00pm ££5.00 per person (£3.00 School Years 9-11) Join us for an intimate evening with this inspiring artist, originally from Australia. Daniel will be demonstrating and discussing his art live for our audience. Daniel’s framed artwork will be raffled at the end of the evening. Book your place through our website. www.sawstonadulted.org A work by Daniel Hutchings

2 Welcome A very warm welcome to the autumn edition of The Fountain magazine, so ably edited by our Pupil Senate. As you will see from the range of articles, it has been another extremely busy term with pupils actively engaged in arts, community and sporting events. The term began with moving assemblies delivered by the Senate, sharing their own examples of inspiring historical leaders whose influence in their field changed the world for the better. Yet we do not need to look to the past or on the global stage to find inspiration as we can see it all around us at Sawston Village College. It was there at the Freshers’ Fair in September, encouraging Year 7s to be actively involved in the life of the school. It was in the readings at the Armistice service in November, in the trenches of the magnificent performance ofOh! What a Lovely War, in the community spirit on the sponsored walk, and, every day, in the classrooms, the labs and on the sports fields. Above all, you will find inspiration in the pages of this magazine. For each event and activity that takes place, there are talented pupils and staff making them happen either through planning, organising and leading, or simply by taking part. Be inspired, be involved!

Mr Russell, Principal Welcome from the Senate Heads and Deputies

All pupils and staff

The Senate Heads Amelia Perry and Deputies Senate Head

From the Heads and Deputies

It is with great pride that we welcome you to the 58th issue of The Fountain, which covers many of the tremendous events and activities that pupils have Rowan Mather participated in over this term. From baking cakes to Senate Deputy performing in musicals, the vast skills sets of pupils within the College never cease to amaze us. We hope that after the recent set of Forum meetings, you have all had the chance to share your innovative ideas for the improvement of the school or for projects to begin the new year. Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all staff and pupils a very Merry Christmas. We trust everyone will enjoy their well-earned break!

Amelia Perry and Sullivan Bishop, Senate Heads Jake Dann Sullivan Bishop Jake Dann and Rowan Mather, Senate Deputies Senate Deputy Senate Head

3 Senate Assemblies and Forum Updates We recently gave a series of Senate assemblies relating to people that we found inspirational. Characters we focused on included Edith Cavell, a WWI nurse celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination, Claudette Colvin, a pioneer of the civil rights movement, and Muhammad Ali, a champion boxer and activist. We encouraged pupils to find their own inspirations and to challenge themselves to achieve the same success. The Senate meets weekly. Senate Heads and Deputies

The Eco and Animal Forum would like to whether to include animals in that. shed light on how animals are currently We also want to focus on how we can reduce littering around the being treated in the world of cosmetics and College and make pupils aware of the severity of plastic and how many mainstream companies mistreat rubbish in the oceans and what that is doing to sea life. Look out animals. For this reason, we are keen to get your opinion on for more information about this in the Daily Bulletin. when you believe it is right to use animals for our own gain and Bea Henderson, Tiago Conceicao and Annika Kainth when it is not, considering theories such as utilitarianism and

This term, the Amnesty Forum This term, the Arts Forum has organised a Christmas Fair to raise focused on engaging people money for Jimmy’s Night Shelter in with the sector in order to Cambridge. We did this because understand the meaning we believe that it is important to help those that have less than we do, behind it and pathways into it. We released a quiz in especially at Christmas time. At the Fair we had a bake sale, face mentor time and participated in the Amnesty Forum’s painting and body glitter (from the Amnesty Forum), live music and Christmas Fair, organising ‘arts and crafts’ activities, as Christmas card crafts (from the Arts Forum) and a raffle (from the well as coordinating the music from clubs such as International Forum). We hope that we saw you there helping us to raise ‘Guitars and Ukuleles’.

lots of money for this worthy cause! Isabel Weston, Flora Bett and Maya Pilkington Georgina Wrigley, Rosie Oliver and Hannah Gillott than state schools. Furthermore, in each class there would be many A visitor from more pupils. We also learned when talking to her that she had set Botswana up a charity for pupils lacking basic resources. In this charity, she collects donated products, such as soap, flannels or toothbrushes to The International Forum focuses on raising give to pupils that struggle to buy these things themselves. She awareness of current global issues, as well as building relationships seemed truly selfless, striving to help others, and it was an amazing with our partner schools across the globe. opportunity to meet her and to learn what education is like in less In October we were lucky enough to be visited by Agrieneth Masule fortunate places. (Grinny), a teacher from Botswana and an inspirational woman. She In the Spring Term we hope to run a project in College to help had been sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cambridge Sawston to charities like Grinny’s. We are going to collect items for care come to England to undertake further studies, and she came to packages to be sent off to places that need it most. We hope to meet us to talk about how the lives of the pupils at her school and encourage each person to bring one simple item, so that we can put those here at Sawston differed. She explained that, in Botswana, together a large number of packages as a school. similar schools to Sawston would more likely be private schools Lena van Dongen, Phoebe Poulter-Kerry and Emily Rose

At the Ethos Forum, we strive to will continue to be just as create equality, inclusion and enthusiastic! Overall, we awareness of current affairs. raised around £800, a This term, our main project has truly impressive sum. On behalf of the Senate, we been organising the Children in Need activities. However, would like to thank we also led the Mental Health Awareness Week in everyone that school. We were very pleased with the outcome of both contributed. these events, as well as the unmistakable enthusiasm Annabelle Hoare, Harvey from everyone who participated. Look out for more pro- Skellern and Amber Merry jects from the Ethos Forum next term. Assistant Principal Children in Need Mr Woodcock adds: Children in Need is a national charity, which funds smaller In what has become a organisations and projects tradition at such times, dedicated to the improvement the Pupil Senate took on of disabled or disadvantaged a staff team at netball. In what cannot be described as a children’s lives. We feel it is close-fought match, the surprisingly ruthless staff team earned our duty to participate in this another glorious victory. Height advantage had nothing to do annual event, so in the week with it. Thank you to all participants and to the quite vocal beginning Monday 12 spectators. Later in the week, the Senate showed off their November, the Senate baking skills, which, I am pleased to say, surpassed their skills organised and held several on the netball court. Their cakes sold in record time, and fundraising activities. We had fuelled participants in the hugely popular ‘Beat the Goalie’, ‘Pennies for Pudsey’, a bake with pupils taking on Mr Sutton, whose Pickford-like agility sale, ‘Beat the Goalie’, ‘Splat kept out all but the very best attempts. Finally, a special Sully’ and a non-uniform day. thanks to Head of Senate, Sullivan Bishop. When staff It was fantastic to see so many inexplicably failed to volunteer to have wet sponges thrown at people getting involved, and them on a cold, grey November lunchtime, Sully bravely, and we are sure that next year you perhaps foolishly, stepped up. He raised so much money we Collecting Pennies for Pudsey may make this a regular event.

Over the last few months, should be on offer, to allow a wider range of pupils to the Sports Forum has get involved. worked on improving the During Children in Need week, we organised the range of sporting activities annual Senate vs Staff netball match, in which the staff available to pupils. We have discussed our ideas with a team managed to secure themselves another win variety of pupils who attended the Sports Forum in against the keen Year 11 pupils.

Forum Week, and we believe a greater range of sports Jess Murray and Alex Jones

5 Pupil Jake Dann, Senate timetabling. These same demands have not gone away but, with Deputy, interviewed new headship, there are now additional pressures around human Principal Mr Russell. resources, accountability measures, financial planning, estate management and other equally tedious-sounding job roles. The main challenge is probably ensuring that, whilst such vital work needs doing, I must never lose sight of the core purpose of the job: providing high quality teaching and learning in a safe and caring environment.

What are you looking forward to next term at the College? Every term offers something new and something comfortingly familiar. West Road Concert is always one of the highlights of the Spring Term. Perhaps a rematch with the Senate on the netball pitch could be another. Truth be told, what I am most looking forward to is seeing the sun again – I don’t like the long drawn out winter darkness.

Interview with Mr Russell What are your future plans for the College? How has your first term as Principal been? It is early days as I am still evaluating our current systems, values and It has been a very enjoyable yet challenging first term. I feel privileged relationships. However, I would like to see the College continue to that I have worked in the College for 13 years; knowing so much about excel academically, as well as to grow in size and reputation, with the the College - the wonderful people that work for us and the prospect of a new Dining Hall. I would like it to remain at the centre community we serve - has made adjusting to the role far easier.

of its community with, perhaps, more pupils involved in volunteering How is the position of Principal different from your previous position, and an increasingly thriving arts provision. Above all, I would like to and what challenges has it brought? attract the best staff possible, to ensure that learning is stimulating, As Deputy Principal, I found myself extremely busy, juggling teaching lessons are appropriately challenging and that pupils are fully engaged with other areas of responsibility, not least curriculum planning and and inspired.

Open Evening On Thursday, 4 October we were pleased to welcome prospective pupils and parents for our annual Open Evening. Sully and Amelia, Head Pupils, impressed with their welcoming words, and the countless pupil helpers did themselves and the school proud; visiting parents were effusive in their praise of pupils’ courtesy and helpfulness. This year's Open Evening saw murder in the Spicer Wing, a wild menagerie in the Geography department and a ruthlessly competitive spirit between the Physics, Biology and Chemistry factions of the Science department, each vying to put on the most enticing activities. The Mathematicians were simply content to tell everyone that it all boils down to maths anyway, and wowed people with enormous multi-dimensional constructions. Thank you to all pupils who helped on the evening, and to parents for enabling them to be here. Pupils really are the best advert for the College, and we greatly appreciate their giving up their evening in this way.

Mr Woodcock, Assistant Principal

For Open Evening, we decided to create a video showcasing a range of activities across different subjects, by means of a tour, which we recorded and then sped up in post production. Each subject presented excellent pupil work, as well as a taster of what pupils will learn within this. A few particularly interesting features were the practical demonstrations in Science, the performances in Drama and the bread-making in DT! Our video was shown on the plasma screens around the school in the week after half term.

Lena van Dongen and Rowan Mather, Year 11

6 Freshers Fair The Freshers Fair is an event where all the school’s clubs show off what they do and it is particularly aimed at Year 7 pupils. We had to go round each of the stalls, talk to the older pupils and see what groups we would like to join. Each stall had really fun things to look at, and I was really keen to join as many as I could! From Lego to debating, to cheerleading, there was something for everyone. The two that appealed to me were Sonic Pi, a musical coding group, and debating, where you learn to effectively argue a point. Edith Mather, Year 7 a string quartet based upon Vote 100 Project the timeline of the suffrage I was recently invited to participate in a day of Humanities and Social movement, in the style of Sciences workshops to commemorate the centenary of women's Ethel Smyth, a famous suffrage. The workshops were held by Newnham College Cambridge, suffragist and skilled owing to Newnham’s strong links to the topic since the all-female composer. To support my college was co-founded by the suffragist Millicent Fawcett. Five composition I researched, in pupils from Sawston, along with pupils from other schools in more depth, the theme of Cambridgeshire, were given the opportunity to participate in four women in music and different academic sessions led by senior members of Cambridge combined this with the theme University and by postgraduate students. These sessions focused on of women in the suffrage history, sociology and politics, creative arts and languages, and a movement. In doing so, I was multi-disciplinary theme, and each provided a unique and individual aiming to create an effective insight into women's suffrage. The day was both extremely enjoyable research project which would and interesting. Following the workshops, each young person was truly capture the essence of invited to undertake their own research project based on or around women in both music and the any of the themes presented throughout the day that had movement. On Friday, 16 particularly November, at the exhibition interested them. and prize giving ceremony for The research project the research projects, I was privileged to be able to play the piece could take the form with a string quartet made up of players from Sawston: Jacob of any creative Fitzgerald, Anna Morris, Emily Holland and myself. It was inspiring to medium, and pupils see everyone else's research projects and their different from Sawston interpretations of the brief, and I was proud to be part of a strong exploited this brief set of submissions from Sawston Village College. Participating in the fully, undertaking Millicent Fawcett workshop was really interesting, and I found projects in the form exploring the topic of women's suffrage for my own research project of essays, posters, extremely thought-provoking. I particularly enjoyed being able to art work and, in my merge my personal passion for music with wider historical and case, music. For my political themes and I would strongly recommend the workshop to anyone who gets an opportunity to attend. project, I composed

a piece of music for Isabel Weston, Year 11

Participating pupils from Sawston were (l to r) Lily Mason, Juliana Minett, Isabel Weston, Matthew Galloway and Lily Calcott

7 World Skills Show at the NEC On 15 November we went on a trip to the Skills Show in Birmingham. While we were there we looked around at different stalls that had a range of activities and things we could watch and learn about. There were many different things and practically any career you could think of, for example; car mechanics, building, interior design, catering, design, beauty therapists, NHS, Police and the Armed forces! It was impossible to get through everything but the experience was amazing. Everything you could think of doing for a future was there.

A friend and I went around together mostly focusing on things that we could see ourselves doing in the future. We were both attracted to the fashion and photography stands. For photography, there was information on filmmaking and modelling. For fashion, there was a range of different styles and themes, such as food, animals and nature, and they had set out a catwalk that you could watch and get inspiration from for the future. At the end of the day the experience was amazing, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to go as it really helped me think about what I would like to achieve after school.

Charlotte Hatfield, Year 10 Royal Society Youth Speaks Summer Exhibition Youth Speaks is an annual event hosted by the Rotary Club of A group of Year 10 Science enthusiasts were Cambridge Sawston in which representatives from various schools fortunate enough to attend the Royal Society come to Sawston Village College to give articulate speeches on their Summer Exhibition in July. Researchers at the chosen subject matter. They are then carefully judged on their public cutting edge of science in the UK were speaking abilities before the winner is announced. This year, the showcasing their work, such as nano-scale competition was held in the Henry Morris Hall on Wednesday, 28 sensors for monitoring human health, the Webb November, and I had the pleasure of attending. The speech subjects telescope, Quantum brain sensing and neutrino included the education system, the nature of modern art and the detection experiments. relevance of feminism, and each, I found, was equally engaging and The pupils, led by Miss Hill and Mrs Philpott, enjoyable to watch. The speakers were all exceptionally passionate were wonderful representatives for the College about what they were discussing and handled the questions posed to in both their enthusiasm and conduct throughout, and particularly during a them concisely, and with great eloquence. The Sawton team’s main thermodynamically challenging rail journey! speaker employed wonderful structural and rhetorical devices as she We are particularly grateful, as always, to communicated her thoughts on modern art, whilst the summary and Mariann Bienz (Fellow of the Royal Society) for thanks given afterwards were both comical and heartfelt. the financial support provided in order to pay all On the whole, I was incredibly impressed by the young people's ability transport costs for pupils and staff. to appeal to their audience and I greatly enjoyed the evening.

Mr Whitton, Head of Science Rowan Mather, Year 11

8 Sponsored Walk Presentation Evening On Wednesday, 17 October, the whole school participated in the annual 5-mile Sponsored Walk, raising money for the school. The weather on the day was a little overcast but clear, so there was no need for cancellation. We lined up by Form on the gravel area and were released, one House at a time. The route this year was slightly different from previously as we did the route in reverse! The walk goes through Sawston and out onto the fields towards Babraham, then circles back. Everyone was given the target of raising £5.00. However, some managed to raise ten times more and some made efforts to come in remarkable costumes. In total we raised £3200.37, and this will likely go In October, the 2018 Year 11 leavers returned to the College towards the installation of new bike sheds behind the to participate in Sawston’s Presentation Evening where Spicer Wing. awards are given in each subject, as well as specific merits Isobel Overton, Year 11 like the Henry Morris Award. Everyone seemed very pleased to be back, with former pupils talking to their peers and old teachers about the latest steps they had taken in their Art Trip to Burghley House education. We were most fortunate to have Heidi Allen, the Member of Parliament for South Cambridgeshire who was Once again the Art department was blessed with a warm, sunny day to visit Burghley House, Stanford. Burghley is one of elected at the 2015 general election, come to this special England's greatest Elizabethan houses and sits in approx 2000 evening, to present the acres of land. Pupils spent the day in the Sculpture Gardens awards and talk to the studying and drawing from the numerous garden exhibits there. Year 11s about their past Most of the sculptures take inspiration from the bounties of the school life and the next natural world; some are created from natural materials; some step in their lives. Two figurative; some abstract; some activated by the movement of the pupils were congratulated wind. Pupils found inspiration in the concepts and construction of on their remarkable GCSE the pieces, and have since used this to develop ideas for their results, having received As portfolios. and A*s in all subjects,

Mrs Day, Head of Art which was truly something to be proud of. It was a lovely evening, and we wish the Class of 2018 all the best of luck for their futures beyond Sawston Village College. Amelia Perry, Year 11

9 Trip to the Eden Project On the Friday we left Sawston Village College at 8.00am. It was not too early a start, but it was already really hot. Luckily there was air con on the coach. After a quick stop at Reading services, we were on our way to Steart Marshes, which is an example of managed realignment. Alys, one of the Steart wardens, spoke to us about the project and the benefits of allowing areas to flood. We walked 2km across the site to the River Parrett, which was one of the rivers which flooded in 2014, and which we studied for our Somerset Levels case study. After our visit to Steart we made our way to the Eden Project and settled into our rooms, which were lovely and cool. To finish our day, we went into the Eden Project for some lovely food. Freya Small, Year 11

German Exchange We started Saturday off at 7.45am. After

In September, 10 Sawston pupils went on an exchange to frantically collecting all of our stuff for the Germany. The German students came to Sawston in day, we went on the tractor train into June, when we went punting and visited the Tower of the Eden Project for breakfast. After London. While it was reassuring when we left that we breakfast, we started our exploration. We were already friends with our partners, it was, experienced the colourful plants, vibrant nevertheless, daunting to be staying with a new family. birds and the hot humidity of a rainforest ecosystem. 26 pupils then braved the We stayed in a small city called Kempen, in the east of SkyWire, England's longest and fastest zip-wire. Suspended 100 metres above the the country. Part of the city is a medieval old town, so the ground, we travelled 660 meters at 60mph: it was all over in 45 thrilling seconds! buildings were beautiful. We even got to meet the Overall, Saturday was busy but worth it! Owen Armitage, Year 11 Mayor of Kempen, and we were featured in the local On Sunday we were woken at 6.45am because, sadly, it was time for us to depart. Many newspaper! As part of the trip, we visited of us slept on our journey to Glastonbury as it was going to be a busy day. With our clip Cologne Cathedral and an boards and Glastonbury information packs, we trekked to the top of Glastonbury Tor. It aquarium in Düsseldorf. It was hot and challenging but we all made it up the 158m hill, and the views were worth was really interesting to it! We were able to locate the Mendip and Quantock Hills. We tried to picture what the experience the German Somerset Levels would have looked like flooded, as they were in 2014. We made our culture, although climbing the way back down the tor; it was very steep and I think most of us were trying our best not to slip over. It was then back on the coach 500 steps to the top of the for our return to Sawston. On our journey Cathedral was exhausting! we drove past Stonehenge, which some of We also spent some time at us had never seen before. I really enjoyed the school. English lessons the trip and it gave me an understanding were definitely the most fun, of tropical rainforests and the Somerset but it was strange to be Level floods. reading off a chalkboard for a Alice Burgin, Year 11 change.

It was an incredible experience, and really useful Geographical Association Quiz for language learning. In November, the GA Worldwise Quiz took place with a total of 23 teams. Speaking so much German Sawston Village College entered two teams. The event comprised ten varying was draining at times, but rounds of interesting geographical topics such as 'Geography in the news', invaluable in terms of helping making for a challenging yet competitive tournament. Both teams achieved a me communicate with real Top Ten finish, which is a great success for the College. German people. Come along next year: the Club might interest you!

Hannah Gillott, Year 11 Oliver Ward and George Nelson, Year 9

10 sketches of the cliff and defences, as well as thinking about the impact Trip to Hunstanton of tourism on the town. Our geographers also enjoyed a trip on the At the end of the summer term we took our Year 10 Geographers to famous Wash Monster boat and a fish and chips lunch! The trip was Hunstanton to put their understanding of Coastal Landscapes into very enjoyable and a great way for our pupils to get a taste of practice! Pupils investigated the erosion of the cliffs at Hunstanton Geography GCSE. and the sea defences put in place to prevent it. Pupils completed field Miss Evans, Acting Head of Geography

Geography Cake Off The Geography Cake Off was a competition where pupils were challenged to make a cake based on a theme. The Judges This year’s theme was ‘food miles’, and there were many amazing entries. There were two sessions for preparation: one on how to make a Victoria sponge cake, and one on icing, with the talented Mrs Pilsbury showing us how to make fondant icing fruits and vegetables. During the icing session there was also a competition to see who could make the best fruit from what we had learnt. Everyone was very engaged and produced beautiful results. We were also shown how to make glacé icing and butter cream and got tips on how to use these effectively in decoration. The competition was a great opportunity to improve general cake making skills, as well as an opportunity to be ambitious with icing and different formats of decoration. Leonora Matthews, Year 10

Decorating Skills Geographical Interpretation Geographical Interpretation Artistic Interpretation 1st Prize - Erica Banks (right) 1st Prize - Leonora Matthews 2nd Prize - Lucy Graham 1st Prize - Edith White 2nd Prize - Amelie Mason (left)

Artistic Interpretation 2nd Prize - Grace Carmel

11 Staff in the Spotlight

Miss Irwin, Head of Music Mr Phoenix-Holland, Head of Mrs Martin, Examinations Officer Computer Science and iMedia

When you were younger, what did you want When you were younger, what did you want to When you were younger, what did you want to to be when you grew up? be when you grew up? be when you grew up? I was never entirely sure but I always wanted A theatre lighting designer. My first degree I always wanted to do something practical and to do something that helped people. was even in lighting and sound design, but you from the age of about ten decided I was going have to be really, really good at it to make any What are your main hobbies/interests? to be a hairdresser. When I left school I money. Although I do get to do this with the trained and qualified as a hairdresser but then Most of my hobbies revolve around music in school's and SYD's productions. decided it wasn’t for me at that time. one form or another. I sing with a Cambridge choir and with a local church every week. I What are your main hobbies/interests? What are your main hobbies/interests? also regularly play samba. Mill Road Winter Theatre. Musicals. Music. Playing the piano My main interests are meditation and Fair was our most recent gig. I love going to badly. Big Victorian infrastructure that no one associated activities like yoga. Being the concerts and gigs, no matter what genre of else notices, like how to carry whole a river just exams officer can be very stressful at times, music is playing. I am also a big Irish rugby above people’s heads in an underground and these activities help me to relax. I have fan, a team which has done pretty well this station in London. learnt a huge amount since getting involved in year! This year I’ve signed up for my 3rd half What’s your most embarrassing moment? this area. marathon so I'm a slow but keen runner too! One that I can write about here... hmmm... What’s your most embarrassing moment?

What’s your most embarrassing moment? being the only one to laugh out far too loudly My most embarrassing moment was getting I'm generally very clumsy so I drop things, spill at a rude joke in a pantomime I went to this knocked over by a cyclist in the centre of year... Cambridge. things and break things often at inopportune moments. What's your favourite part of your job? What's your favourite part of your job?

What's your favourite part of your job? Two: the moment when something clicks for a This is a difficult question to answer. I have Seeing my pupils 'get it' for themselves. It's pupil who's been really trying to understanding been doing this job for 15 years and so much always a real light bulb moment. I'm very something brand new, and, when everyone is has changed during that time, but I have lucky as a music teacher that I also get to getting on with learning that means something enjoyed working in a school and learnt a lot to them - when it clicks for me, perhaps? about people during my time here. Generally, participate in the carol service and various I enjoy most aspects of my work. concerts. The pupils regularly astound me If you didn’t have your current job, what would with what they achieve. you like to be doing? If you didn’t have your current job, what would

If you didn’t have your current job, what Savouring the feeling you get in the theatre you like to be doing? would you like to be doing? when the house lights have gone down and Something active that involves being outdoors the show is about to start... or creating lighting more than I am now. When the sun is shining I I would probably be working in the education and effects that make people notice because it hate being stuck behind the computer. department of a professional orchestra or is good, not because you can't see the actors! choir running their outreach programme.

12 Welcome to New Staff Update on

On behalf of all the pupils at Sawston, the Senate would like to extend a welcome to the new members of staff who joined the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award College this term. We hope you have very much enjoyed your The Silver Award first term here with us and that you have settled in well to life at our school. Senate Heads and Deputies What Year 7 thinks so far… ‘I like the library and the challenging maths here, as well as the individuality and freedom Sawston affords me.’ - Zara Keller

‘I enjoy all the lunchtime clubs and the opportunities in Drama. Our The expedition aspect of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was topic is Hide and Seek.’ - Edith Mather demanding, but it was also a fun and rewarding experience overall. It

‘During my time at Sawston so far, I have enjoyed many things - it is offered me time to have fun with people in my team and as it was also such a big, positive step from primary school! I love it so much, essential in completing my award. There was a great sense of especially all the amazing opportunities we are given (all the clubs, accomplishment that came with finishing the expedition, even after friends, lessons, prizes and achievements). When I am in lessons, I getting lost a few times. feel like I can achieve anything and I have learnt a lot. Drama has Over the weekend we spent three days walking while carrying really helped my self-esteem. I now fit in at Sawston, and it is everything we needed, including food, which we cooked at the campsite, and tents to sleep in. We arrived in Shropshire on the brilliant!’ - Holly Wright Thursday night after a long journey and eating dinner en route. The ‘During the time that I have been at Sawston, I have really enjoyed expedition started in the morning, and we set off for at least 7 hours of my Drama lessons because it is a new experience. As well as that, I walking each day over hills and through fields and forests to arrive at a have recently joined SYD 7s, which is great fun. Although Year 7 is a campsite and set up camp for the night. After the weekend we were all big step up, I am loving it here - there are so many opportunities and exhausted but for me it was definitely worth it. I am making lots of new friends already!’ - Freya Humphreys Lola James, Year 11

The Bronze Award Arts Award Over the weekend of the 13 and 14 October, we had our assessed expedition for our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. We went to Bedford and, on our first day of our expedition, we had quite fortunate Presentation weather, with sun, wind and, only for a short period of time, rain. As Year 8 pupils had a special groups, everyone got to the campsite on time (to some extent) and assembly in October to were able to set up their tents for the first night. For dinner the congratulate the year group campsite had a nice smell of cooking food, which I am sure locals were on achieving the Bronze Arts jealous of. On the second day we woke up to rain, which continued Award in Year 7. Some throughout the rest of the day. I do not think anyone wanted to stop pupils presented work they for long in the rain, whether it was just a drizzle or it was chucking it had completed for the down, as we already had soaking wet shoes and feet less than an hour after leaving the campsite. I imagine that when everyone got home award at the assembly, and they were glad to be indoors. All in all, I think that having rain on the certificates recognising Bronze Arts second day helped push us all on to the finish, and it could have been a special endeavour were Award work. lot worse if it had been raining on the first day too. presented. Oscar Toogood, Year 10

13 Battlefields Trip Remembrance Day 2018 Recently, Year 10s had the opportunity to go on the Battlefields Trip, and we were lucky enough to get places on Staff and this brilliant trip. It started early on Thursday morning, leaving pupils school at 6.00 am and, by 3:00 pm, we had already been up observed a the hill at Cassel, and seen the memorial to Ferdinand Foch: it two-minute was a very packed three days. We got to visit memorials of silence. British, Canadian, German and Commonwealth soldiers, which Nathaniel Dee played the really allowed us to see the different ways in which countries Last Post, remember their fallen, and, through that, allows us to while Head understand how countries view the Great War. It was an Pupils Amelia incredibly emotional and interesting trip, which was a great Perry and experience to have. Sullivan Bishop laid wreaths from the school and from the Royal British Legion to remember those who have died in conflicts.

The photograph is taken next to Pupils laid a wreath at the Menin Gate. the school’s Birdsong One of the most amazing events we sculpture, attended was the 30,799th Menin Gate which memorial ceremony, during which two pupils chosen by the remembers teachers (Pippa Mitchell and me, Oscar) laid a wreath with a those locally who lost their message attached, written on behalf of the College.

lives in WWI. Oscar Toogood and Amy Keller, Year 10

raised throughout the week. (See link to the video here: https:// Anti-Bullying Week www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNjddfY-AXA&feature=youtu.be.) Still From 12-16 November the College, along with many other schools within the theme of ‘Choosing Respect’, Year 11s had an hour-long in the country, took part in raising ‘Anti-Bullying’ awareness. assembly led Sergeant Phil Priestly from Cambridge Parkside Police The theme this year was ‘Choose Respect’. There were various about the dangers of carrying weapons, especially knives. The Year mentor time activities, and Years 7-10 had an assembly on the 11s were very engaged and respectful, and they participated well importance of self-respect and respect for others. For Years 7-10 in what was a very informative and enlightening presentation.

the week ended with a video that encompassed all the points Ms Abbs, Director of Welfare and Inclusion

14 Oh! What a Lovely War We performed a production of ‘Oh! What A Lovely War’ at the Marven Centre from 28-30 November. The play narrates the story of WW1 from the propaganda used to encourage men to sign up to the brutal reality of life on the front line. Throughout the show there is a combination of short scenes and musical numbers, some of which are comedic, and others which are much more moving. As an ensemble, we enjoyed the challenge of performing a range of parts and we also thought it was an important show to perform since it was the centenary of the end of WW1. The rehearsals were lots of fun as the ensemble nature of the show meant that all of us played a variety of different roles. For example, people played the parts of soldiers, generals, Pierrots performing at the seaside and factory girls. We acted, danced and sang the traditional music hall songs from the time. Overall, it was a great to be part of the show, and it was lovely to see lots of people in the audience supporting and enjoying our performances.

Natalie Sheardown, Year 11

floor, allowing the characters to come alive without the distraction of Muddy Choir an overpowering set. Something that I really liked about The Muddy The Muddy Choir, written by Jesse Briton, is a moving play about the Choir was the use of song to intensify the events, for example, when power of music and song set against the horror and injustice of war. It Jumbo dies, and to add to the sense of unity. This is because it really reminds the audience of the millions of soldiers who gave their lives in showed me, as an audience member, how close they were, and was a WW1, and the strong relationships they formed with each other in the constant reminder of the better life they used to live, as well as trenches. painting a dramatic and chilling atmosphere. Overall, The Muddy Choir Will, Jumbo and Robbie are young soldiers from Sunderland who grew was a very powerful play up and sang together before the war. However, when the Germans that resonated strongly with hear their singing in the trenches and use it as a guide to find them, a the audience as a whole, man is killed and they are told to sing to divert German soldiers' especially as it marked 100 attention; later naming themselves 'The Muddy Choir'. The close years from the First World bond they develop is shattered tragically when Jumbo dies in a gas War. It had a huge impact attack, showing the importance of each individual life lost. One on the audience, and some aspect that I found particularly effective was the simplistic set design, people were even moved to which was a small section of a trench, essentially a wooden wall and tears when it finished. Grace Heather, Year 10

time a lot has changed within education, employment and everyday Dyslexia Friendly Week life. By Sawston Village College playing a part in Dyslexia Awareness Through the great work of the British Dyslexia Association and others, Week, during 1-7 October, we helped to keep the momentum going awareness of dyslexia has significantly increased. However, ‘the and work towards a dyslexia-friendly society, a society where dyslexic knowledge and understanding around identifying dyslexia, addressing individuals fully meet their potential and are recognised for their needs and how to develop strategies to overcome challenges, still strengths. With 15% of the population affected by dyslexia, the needs improving.’ The British Dyslexia Association has been listening, awareness of this throughout school aided us in further supporting and empowering people for over 40 years. During that understanding how we, as a school, can help. Amelia Perry, Year 11

15 King’s College Carol Service On 4 December, Year 11 GCSE Music pupils had the amazing opportunity to watch and take part in the rehearsal for the King’s College Carol Service, which is broadcast live on Christmas Eve. The service started with a solo of ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, sung by one of the choir boys as they processed through the chapel. The rehearsal included carols from the choir boys, congregational hymns and readings. It was a wonderful experience and great to hear some of the carols we perform at our own Carol Concert sung by the choir in such a beautiful place as King’s College Chapel. Rosie Oliver, Yr 11 Creative Writing Year 7 Greek Mythology Project Below is an entry for the ‘100 word mini-saga’ National All Year 7s were given a homework project to create something Competition in which young people write about a natural disaster. inspired by an ancient Greek myth that we had learnt about

TORRENTS recently, such as the story of Prometheus, Pandora or King Midas. A torrent of fire spiralled down from the treetops, golden flames We decided that for ours, we would make a model with grasping the world in its warped tendrils. A torrent of water characters from each of these myths. We won the competition splayed its wet wings and engulfed the broken lands, white horses inside of school, along with Oishani Goswami (who wrote a short galloping and crying out, but the warning was never heard. A story) and Thomas Hobro (who composed a piece of music). We torrent of snow rained down from the mountains, touching were then invited to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. They everything with an icy finger, dusting it with white. A torrent of gave us an activity where we had to find different artefacts and ash threw an inky shell onto the burnt and the drowned, swirly write about them, before we all listened to a fantastic grey patterns easing themselves onto everything. Then, a torrent storyteller. Finally, they announced the results and, although none of the Sawston pupils won, we all really enjoyed ourselves! of silence, a torrent of death, for the plague had been wiped out.

Jessica Thomas, Year 9 Matilda and Lauren Broome, Year 7

conductor who was rigorous and demanding. I learned a lot from Music Update - Mahler’s 8th our rehearsals at school and our time at Ely Cathedral. Overall, On 7 July, myself and a group of other Sawston Village College however, I just loved being part of such a huge choir and pupils, ranging from Years 8 to 10, had the opportunity to sing orchestra making such an immense and astonishing sound. Being with the Cambridge Philharmonic at Ely Cathedral, performing in the middle Mahler’s 8th symphony. Written for an enlarged orchestra, eight of it all is an soloists and a full three choirs, Mahler's greatest work was experience produced in only two months, during the most intensely creative that few period of the composer's life. It is an extraordinary piece of music, people are encompassing settings of the Latin text 'Veni, Creator Spiritus' and lucky enough the final section of Goethe's Faust in a triumphant affirmation of to have and redemption, life and love. one I will

never forget. It was incredible to sing amongst this number of talented professionals in such an amazing venue. Prior to the performance, Bea Henderson, we attended a rehearsal with the entire choir at West Road. It Year 11 was extremely rewarding to be rehearsed by a professional

16 Debating Society Trip A small group of the debating team had the opportunity to go to London to visit the Natural History Museum and the Houses of Parliament. At the museum, we were given the topic 'Evolution is fact' and had to go round the museum gathering our research. We particularly liked the dinosaur section! In the afternoon, we had a tour of the Houses of Parliament, which was fascinating. We loved being able to ask lots of questions and to be able to see the Queen’s private dressing room. The debating workshop in the afternoon was lots of fun, and we learned how laws were debated in Parliament. We are already looking forward to next year. The debating team has continued to grow and develop, and we are hoping that more pupils will be encouraged to come and join us in debating a range of topics.

Aliyah Hastings and Amy Graham, Year 10

Theo Lury ,Year 8, adds: I think Sawston Village College offers a wide range Debating Society members in London of opportunities, this being one of the many examples. My friend, Harun Pugh, Year 8, and I had a stunning time in the Natural History Museum, and then we actually went inside the Houses of Parliament. While there, we visited both the House of Lords and the House of Commons. All the royal rooms and the impressive works of art were stunning. We also got to have our own full scale debate.

GCSE Music Trip

On Saturday, 23 September, the GCSE Music pupils were invited Update to attend a concert at West Currently in SYD Seniors, we are in intensive Road Concert Hall by the East rehearsals, singing, dancing and acting twice Anglia Chamber Orchestra a week, for our next musical performance, (EACHO). The orchestra holds Annie. This well-loved, award winning show is the concert annually and, in it, the well-known story of an orphan living in a they perform classical, baroque facility run by the mean, Miss Hannigan. and romantic numbers. All three Annie believes that her parents left her there SYD Seniors beginning rehearsals for Annie. orchestral pieces they played temporarily and hopes that were equally stunning, with the one day they will return to claim her, rescuing her from a miserable existence. When a billionaire repertoire including two sonatas named Oliver Warbucks decides to let an orphan live at his home for two weeks to promote his and one very complex oboe image, Annie is the one selected by his secretary, Grace Farrell, who takes her to the mansion concerto by Strauss. The oboe where Warbucks lives. Here, Annie is introduced to the bodyguards, the butler and the rest of his soloist was a world-famous staff. Whilst Annie gradually becomes accustomed to living in Warbucks' mansion, she still longs player, Nicholas Daniel, who was to find her parents. Warbucks, who has grown to care deeply for Annie, announces a search for breath-taking to watch. The them, offering a substantial reward if they come forward. This brings out many fraudsters whole orchestra also played including the comical, but conniving, Rooster Hannigan and Lily St. Regis. From huge chorus beautifully, resulting in a numbers set in NYC to the heart-rending ‘Maybe’ and including a live dog on stage, Annie will be a spectacular evening, which we production that you will not want to miss! Book your tickets in January 2019 via the Sawston all thoroughly enjoyed.

Youth Drama website https://www.sawstonyouthdrama.com. Lena van Dongen, Year 11 The SYD Seniors Team

17 Sports Update Twickenham Trip This Autumn term brought great success for our A tremendous trip running for several years at Sawston Village College is the girls hockey teams! The U16 girls played some gutsy Varsity Rugby Match, held in none other than the renowned stadium of hockey, finishing 2nd in their pool, narrowly missing Twickenham. This year the event took place on 6 December, and the 50 or so out on a place in the finals. The Year 9 girls hockey rugby players from our College in Years 7-9 attending this prestigious clash team comfortably won the first round of their departed from school at 10.00 am. Although a tedious two-hour journey stood schools tournament, to secure their place in the between us and the buzz of the UK's largest rugby stadium, there was an district finals. After a fantastic team effort from all equally ecstatic atmosphere on the coach. Everyone was excited for the of the girls, the undefeated Year 9 girls were fixture! On arrival in this modern-day coliseum, we were taken aback by the victorious, taking the title as district champions! sheer scale of the place, something surely felt by everyone when first entering this grand arena. After the Cambridge women retained their crown in a The Year 8 girls also worked incredibly hard to finish convincing win, the seats all but emptied as everybody went off to enjoy the top of their pool and after a hard-fought semi final hubbub of the environment, as well as making purchases here and there. At and final match, they too took the title as district approximately 3.00 pm, the men's game kicked-off with slightly apprehensive champions! The Year 7 girls played well in their first opening minutes. Nevertheless, Cambridge soon found their stride, competitive tournament for the College, with the A dominating the first half because Oxford made crucial errors and picked up team securing 11th place and the B team achieving bloody injuries. However, an extremely misfortunate turn of events meant 2nd place. that Ben Ransom snatched the lead from Cambridge seconds before half time. Well done to all pupils involved this season! Throughout the second half, the big names from Oxford met expectations and The Sports Forum outclassed Cambridge, despite a consolation try from the Cambridge captain Nick Koster. The final score was 38-16 in favour of Oxford. Although there was Keep up to date with all fixtures and results on a small air of despondency from defeat, it was albeit a superb experience for Twitter: @SawstonVCPE and our Instagram members of our rugby teams. page - search for sawstonvcpe. George Nelson, Year 9 ‘Out and About’ Photography Competition Well done to the pupils who entered the ‘Out and About’ photography competition. Some entries are shown below.

Tower through the Trees Bridge in a Storm Annabelle Hoare, Year 11 Henry Thomas, Year 8