THE KINGS OF WESSEX SCHOOL

A Church of Foundation School Specialist Technology College

Issue no. 83 You can also enjoy in colour on our website: The Kings’ Messenger

www.kowessex.co.uk Spring Half Term – February 2009

Dear Parents, This was wonderful drama and I am proud of all our students for their hard work in rehearsals and also of course, to everyone We began the term with the tragic loss of Year 9 who helped behind the scenes. student Elliot Davies in a road traffic accident District Council’s proposal to withdraw their near his home on the Blakeway. Both Elliot’s funeral and, latterly our school memorial service, annual £200,000 funding for our Kings of Wessex Swimming Pool motivated our extremely successful “Save Cheddar Pool” helped us remember this young man who was so campaign. I am in no doubt that the swift conclusion to secure unexpectedly taken away. Donations from our the future of the pool was due to the huge support of everyone Mufti Day on Friday 13 February 2009 are going to in the community. the Dorset and Air Ambulance Service who transported Elliot to the Royal United Hospital Bath. My Following meetings between Kings’ Governors and District thoughts and prayers remain with Elliot’s Mother, his older Councillors, it was agreed to keep the Maintenance Fund at brother Liam, and other close loved ones. £400,000 and the Council will continue their annual £150,000

In special celebration of the tremendous amount of money operational contribution. My sincere thanks must go to all the raised in December’s Charities Week, three large cheques for customers of the Centre, our parents, the First and Middle nearly £5,000 each were presented to the students’ nominated Schools and all our local community partners for helping to charities: Shelterbox, Children’s Hospices Southwest and very drive such a powerful campaign. movingly, to our former Head of Year/Teacher of Geography Back to other school business – our Assertive Mentoring Andy Hitt’s charity Ward 9 at Musgrove Park Hospital where programme continues apace with regular mentor/mentees he sadly died at the end of last October. It was touching to see meetings, and the introduction of some supportive measures Andy’s wife Chris, sons and brother attend the assembly to for students who are not always giving their personal best. I receive their cheque. I know that Andy would have been believe all of our combined efforts can make a real difference delighted with our students for keeping the fun in fundraising and I encourage parents to support their child at home, and for the work of these important charities. ensure they attend their extra sessions in school.

Still on the stage - our school production of George Orwell’s Our Easter revision programme has now been published and I classic “Animal Farm” was another spectacular event of theatre hope that Year 11 students will take advantage of this and music. Directed by Subject Leader Simon Shorrock, 41 extremely valuable opportunity to revise and fine-tune for their talented students from Years 10 - 13 provided a lively and forthcoming exams. entertaining performance in our Kings Theatre, with the début of the stadia seating. The young actors brilliantly recreated the My School Leadership Group and I have been conducting Sixth gestures and sounds of the animals, bringing to life the popular Form interviews with applications received from over 200 story of the pigs who led the revolution against Man - until that students. I always enjoy these one-to-one meetings with our young people, and parents who are able to attend. is, they became rather too big for their pig boots. We recently hosted a group of Russian dancers with some of our students involved in the Danzatak dance group. This was an interesting cultural experience, and I am wondering whether they perhaps brought the snow! On a serious note however, I thank parents for

making arrangements for the school closures.

Finally, I Contents

wish you Heads Up 1 and your School Awards 2 families a Design Technology/ICT 3 very English/Maths 4 Science/Languages 5 enjoyable Creative Arts 6 half term Sport Scores 7 holiday and Bulletin Board 8 remind you that we return for the second half of the Spring Term on Monday 23 February 2009.

Yours sincerely,

CHRIS RICHARDSON Headteacher

Spring Half Term Roll of Honour Special Achievement Awards: I am delighted to congratulate our students for their achievements in their subjects and their contribution to the life of our school. Keep doing your best!

Bronze (5 merits) Holly Barber 11AB Anthony Cleave 9KL William Davis 9AS Camilla Gibson 11AB Thomas Day 9KL Lauren Faulkner 9AS Matthew Bann 9AH Hannah McGowan 11AB Bethany Florey 9KL Phoebe Gupta 9AS Tristan Cakebread 9AH Jacob Ford 9KL Stephen Pinn 9AS Kayley Kennedy 9AH Silver (15 merits) Lauren Hogarth 9KL Bryony Robinson 9AS Jack Harding 9CC Luke Cutter 9AH Kathryn Manners 9KL Naomi Taylor 9AS Katie Turner 9CC Isabelle Moore 9KL Samuel Bath 9AT Katherine Belch 9DPW James Emery 9AH Eleanor Harper 9AH Megan Moxey 9KL Heather Cooke 9AT Isabel Burt 9DPW Rianna O’Shaughnessy 9KL Angus Cumberlidge 9AT Richard Dearsley 9DPW Joshua Page 9AH Charlotte Peto 9AH Madison Rawlings 9KL Ross Dickinson 9AT Sally Eccles 9DPW Callum Rickard 9KL Molly Efford 9AT Lucy Fear 9DPW Naomi Spearey 9AH Finlay Travis 9AH Lewis Stacey 9KL Emily Harris 9AT Edward Gill 9DPW Joel Williams 9KL Danielle Lloyd 9AT Guy Gough 9DPW Lucy Burgess 9AS Lauren Faulkner 9AS Daniel Wood 9KL Lauren Reason 9AT Bethany Holgate 9DPW Nicholas Bayliss 9LDA Samuel Bates 9CC Adam Kelly 9DPW Dixie Gleeson 9AS Phoebe Gupta 9AS Aled Corcoran 9LDA Megan Drinkwater 9CC Hannah Leiper 9DPW Olivia Evans 9LDA Samuel Hill 9CC Joanna Martin 9DPW Joshua Howe 9AS Lewis King 9AS Abbie Hicks 9LDA Edward Lupton 9CC Amy Moss 9DPW Callum McKenzie 9LDA Georgina Mason 9CC Thomas Mundy 9DPW Samuel Minahan-Kemp 9AS Ray O’Brien 9AS Lucy Ratcliffe 9LDA Charlotte Rogers 9CC Mathew Newman 9DPW Harriet Richens 9LDA Ollie Tincknell 9CC Mitchell Pimm 9DPW Matilda Paul 9AS Calum Ponsford 9AS Ashleigh Curley 9LJ Anthony Georgiou 9DPW Nicola Porter 9DPW Lucy Kitching 9LJ Daniel Weare 9DPW Tigan Schofield 9DPW Samuel Bath 9AT James Brannigan 9AT Matt Ktoris 9LJ Abigail Gill 9FH Ruby Tanner 9DPW Jessica Redmond 9LJ Lorna Mortimer 9LDA Samantha Hunter 9LJ Daniel Garrett 9AT Ryan Gourlay 9AT Jake Stitch 9LJ Harry Munt 9LJ Sarah Smith 9ML Fay Arnison 9ML Liam Read 9LJ Eve Heaslip 9SS Lucinda Inman 9AT Greg McGowan 9AT Ryan Baker 9ML Jessica Redmond 9LJ Jonathan Barrett 10CRA Jasmine Bull 9ML Amy Searle 9LJ James Etherington 10CRA Brandon McGuchan 9AT Sophie Pettler 9AT Jed Drake-Brockman 9ML Martha Settle 9LJ Henry Farmer 10CRA Anna Sheldon 9ML Harrison Sheppard 9LJ Samuel Fozzard 10CRA Emma Rayner 9AT George Tyson 9AT Ashley Snelgrove 9ML Benjamin Skinner 9LJ Toby Thorne 10CRA Tiffany Stephens 9ML Rachel Wilson 9LJ Natasha Adams 10DR Jennifer 9CC Matthew Connick 9CC Eppie Tippetts 9ML Alen Jake 9ML Freya Cottrell 10DR Samuel Denham 9SS Joel Butcher 9ML Charles Dew 10DR Megan Drinkwater 9CC Jordan Gatehouse 9CC Laura Fineran 9SS Jodie Ellis 9ML Isobel Gardner 10DR Alysha Poole 9SS Ellen Farrell 9ML Don Hamilton 10DR Zach Gittings 9CC Jack Harding 9CC Lawrence Vickers 9SS Ella Robinson Rattle 9ML Joshua Highmore 10DR Jasmine Crocker 10CRA James Chinnock 9SS Daniel Hutchinson 10DR Samuel Hill 9CC Molly Humphrey 9CC Ben Compton 10DR Samuel Denham 9SS Lily Knowles 10DR Imogen Lukins 10DR Eve Heaslip 9SS Chelsea Mortimer 10DR Robyn Keedwell 9CC Ben Sutlieff 9CC Adam Clegg 10ER Daniel Shuff 9SS Jack Rowley-Noble 10DR Stephanie Craig 10ER Amy Skittrall 9SS Joshua Addis 10ER Sarah Bale 9DPW James Bamber 9DPW Kiri Fisher 10ER Jordan Southey 9SS Jasmine Chadwick 10ER Samuel Poole 10GC Lawrence Vickers 9SS Stephanie Craig 10ER Henry Bishop 9DPW Alastair Colthurst 9DPW Jessica Rogers 10GC Zoe Aston 10JPF Gregory Davies 10ER Richard Dearsley 9DPW Peter Lee 10JPF Amy Doyle 10ER Jennifer Pearce 10JPF Russell Eccleston 10ER Sally Eccles 9DPW Benjamin Fowler 9DPW Camilla Gibson 11AB George Penwarden 10ER Nicole Wilmott 10ER Anthony Georgiou 9DPW Guy Gough 9DPW Gold (25 merits) Charlotte Coggins 10FP Adam Kelly 9DPW Platinum (50 merits) Joseph Rossiter 10FP Emily Bear 9AH Elliott Scott 10FP Joanna Martin 9DPW Samantha Bell 9AH Isaac Taschimowitz 9AS Eleanor Hughes 10JPF Amy Moss 9DPW Ryan Jeffries 9AH Sophie Skelding 9FH Sophie Nash 10JPF Tristan Palmer 9DPW Alexandria Paphitis 9AH James Peebles-Brown 9KL Lauren Haines 10TT Daniel Weare 9DPW Charlotte Peto 9AH James Strawbridge 9KL Stephanie Rogers 10TT Gregory Finlay 9FH Briony Wilds 9AH Lorna Mortimer 9LDA Jessica Searle 10TT Danielle Harris 9FH Cameron Browne 9AS Emily Thorogood 9LDA Will Mellor 9FH Laurence Culliford 9AS Eleanor Chick 9LJ Ayla Williams 10TT

Technology Coursework Deadlines:

Food Technology: Kings Monday 9 March 2009

Product Design:

By Miss Chapman, Making – Friday 13February 2009 Design Technology Enrichment Leader Folder – Monday 23 February 2009 Tech Revision materials will also be available at Euro Disney – Year 9 Technology Trip half term on the Kings Learning Platform – in the Technology Area! After travelling for almost 11 hours we arrived at the

Hotel Cheyanne in Euro Disney. Remember the exam is worth 40% of your

Technology grade.

Computing Trip to UWE

ICT and Computing students in Year 11 and 12 recently enjoyed a day at the University of the West England in the Computing, Engineering and Mathematics Faculty. By Miss Lewis

Trip Report The day at UWE was fun and informative. We That night and the next day we attended three arrived a little late due to the M4 being closed. So, compulsory sessions given by one of Disney’s resident when we arrived we had sadly, missed the coffee and professional facilitators who used the resort to bring to introductions. However, Miss Lewis had phoned life the subject of Technology (costume design, catering ahead and a lovely man, who worked for UWE, took and ride design). us directly to the Forensic computing course.

Afterwards, we spent our time in the resort exploring For Forensic Computing we were set the task of and enjoying the many attractions and rides, before examining the computer hard drives of a fictional venturing into the village to eat. stalker, who sent emails to the girl he was stalking

After another night in the cowboy themed hotel we all and his partner in crime. We had to work out who prepared for our departure. The coach driver the stalker was. We didn’t realise how much money you commented on the good behaviour of our students. could make in this field! We were also able to talk to Bravo Year 9! current computing students. After this we had lecture about computing in the university and how And a big thank you to Mrs Pascoe for organising the trip! the future will need us! Technology Events: Lunch was one of the highlights of the day – we Arkwright Examination could choose from sandwiches, pasta, and nachos Cheddar Millennium Trust Competition and even breakfast! It was in a huge lunch room 2012 Royal Mint Design Competition which made us feel like proper university students.

See Ms Chapman for more information… The next course we took part in was Home Networking. For this we discovered how to use Wanted! command prompt, which is a command line interface The Green Power Team are appealing for any adult that does everything the graphical user interface volunteers to help out with the Green Power car does, except in code. This was my first time engineering challenge. programming and I managed to

We are currently in the first stages of redesigning the car command it to open Google - and need some expert help/advice. so I was very pleased! Other students went to the Java If you are interested please contact Miss Chapman at school. programming course and had We meet on every Wednesday between 4 – 5pm. fun making a java game which

drove a car simulation around the Don’t forget - Year 11 Technology Coursework Clubs screen. By Maddi Ventour-Page Year 12 every lunchtime 1.10 – 1.50pm I awoke from my rough slumber, in the same stiff and rigid position which I had English Department News kept all night. There was no time to slowly stretch out my limbs and ease the By Miss Cottell, English Enrichment Leader aching that came along side hours of combat and rock mattresses so, just like Earlier in January the English Department were visited by the weary bodies around me, I swung out of sleep and my feet landed numb on the Dr Zoe Brennan from the University of the West of England uneven, dirt covered floor. to talk on the subject of one of her specialisms: twentieth- century American writing. By Laura Cussons:

Dr Brennan worked with some Year 12 students on their AS A cruel fist to the face of all who trudge through the darkened archways. Level exam text ‘The Great Gatsby’. This was a great compliment to our students as she usually conducted her Invading fences stand stock still, like the lives and dreams of those they standard seminar for a second year degree course. It provided encumber, they will not be broken by bullets, nor bombs, nor artillery of any a valuable taste of university study for the class, as well as kind, for they represent much more than just a physical obstacle. opportunity to extend their thinking of the novel. They are a symbolic barrier to all the prisoners. A foreign imprisonment Students who took part: Henry McGinty, Ben Ferguson, Will Price, Oli Laband, Amy Dickinson, Brogan Grinstead, invading their heads, and torturing the remaining sanity which sits in a small Sophia Gibson, Sophie Shields, Sophie Miell, Olivia Hoyle, delicate box, being shaken and rattled, until one can stand it no more, and in a Maddie Wrench and Laura Pavey flash of anger one imagines twisting those boundaries, a crunching sound, as one grips the bars of those fences with such a motion that the very bones beneath your skin writhe among the muscle, cracking and shaking, and a groaning and grinding of metal screech through the ears as the boundaries are torn clear from the ground, thrashing stones and pebbles violently outwards and upwards. Like an ocean bursting through the thin walls of repression, to break through the walls, to escape, to be at one with freedom is what the mind strives and longingly depends upon...

But the fences still stand, as strong as ever.

Maths Department Formulae By Mr Carey, Subject Leader for Maths Later Dr Brennan worked with two small groups of Year 11 students on their GCSE exam novel ‘Of Mice and Men’. Following a busy term of Enrichment Marianne Johns shares her thoughts: activities in the Maths Department before Christmas, our attention now turns to the In this session we discussed the variety of different themes that are GCSE and ‘A’ Level exams. In the next mentioned in the novel and how the story is similar to many other 12 months students from all year groups tragedies. We also discussed techniques such as parallelism and will be sitting a real exam module as detailed foreshadowing, which Steinbeck uses throughout the novel. Many early below: events in the novel give the reader clues as to how the story will turn out. The session was extremely informative and helpful; it helped us Year13 A2 modules and AS retakes summer exams. pick out different events that play a key part in the story and will help Year12 AS modules and retakes summer exams. us create a detailed analysis of the novel in our English Literature Year11 GCSE Module 1 and GCSE Module 3 retakes in exam in May. March and GCSE Module 5 during summer exams. Students who took part: John Barnett, Marianne Johns, Year10 GCSE Module 1 summer exams. Hannah Wilson, Ed Kimins-Tonkin, Hannah Close, Josh Year 9 GCSE Module 1 in November of Year10. Stanley, Joe Perry, Chloe Kitching, Harriet Thompson, Kayleigh Skittrall, Simon Addicot, Dan Albone, Katie Attwood, It is important that your children prepare properly for these Sam Barnes, Rhiannon Black, Rachael Cherry, Meg Gardner, exams. To help, the Maths Department have provided a Camilla Gibson, Sarah Greenwood, Robbie Marshall, Alex range of revision material accessible via the Kings Learning Parsons, Louise Perkins, Adam Pimm, Nathan Smith, Emily Platform. For GCSE this information includes: Taylor, Hannah Taylor, James Tyson, Nadine Williams, Katherine Wing, Sophie Woollan Grids outlining the exam content by grade level. A set of ten example calculator and non-calculator exam Work from the Classroom papers with answers. Some of the papers included have There’s been some excellent original writing workbooks for the student to complete. being produced this half term. Here are two Sheets of questions for each topic (Ten Ticks), with extracts from some Year 11 students: answers. Links to online text books. By Emma Hanlon: Links to relevant sections of Mymaths. All of a sudden sleep came. It was a nervous stranger that refused to embrace Can I please ask that you encourage your child to take you on a me fully, but just enough for me to slip into a dream world. A world which was tour of the Maths pages of the Kings Learning Platform. You cloaked in green and in which the ground beneath me lay confident and firm. The can then see what resources are available and you can confirm birds sang out from the blossoming trees and the shrieks of laughter were ripe that they know how to access it. If your child has any difficulties finding the material or has any specific problems then they in the air, followed by the pattering of tiny feet. Home is one million miles away should seek support from their Maths Teacher. from hell. On behalf of the Maths Team I wish your children every The whistle sounded. success in the upcoming exams. Scientific Experiments En français s’il vous plaît! By Mrs Riddick, Subject Leader for Science/Chemistry By Frau Rebello, Subject Leader for Languages

Year 10 Module Tests For students studying a foreign language it is essential that There are two more they have an opportunity to practise and improve their language skills in the native country. approaching on Wednesday 4 March 2009: Chemistry 1b (Oils Years 10 and 11 students have so far enjoyed trips to Earth and Atmosphere) and Normandy and Munich, which not only provided students Physics 1b (Radiation and the with a valuable cultural insight into the countries, but also Universe) as part of the Science A or provided them with an opportunity to develop their language Separate Sciences qualifications. skills for their GCSE exams. French AS/A2 students have also been fortunate to attend student one day conferences All students should be equipped with a Revision Guide, conducted entirely in the French language and at the time of plus a CD textbook to help them prepare. We will be writing embarked on a further trip to Paris. holding revision sessions in the run-up to these exams, How can we measure the motivation of students..? so please encourage your children to attend. Perhaps being prepared to be at school at 7.00am on a misty Further information is available on the Exam Board website: November morning is quite a reliable indicator….or perhaps http://www.aqa.org.uk/qual/newgcses/science/ne congratulations should go rather to the supportive parents w/sciencea_materials.php?id=03&prev=03 who chivvied and ferried them!

Year 11 Re-sits It was a real delight for Mme Donovan and Mme Davies to Students who need to improve their marks in the above accompany our A2 students to two Module tests have been entered, and parents of this excellent study day in these students should have received a letter informing Birmingham. As always the day them. was conducted entirely in French Revision sessions are being held at lunchtimes. by two native speakers, Richard and

Regis and with a greater range of Virtual Learning Environment – diverse activities than ever before the students Kings Learning Platform (VLE KLP) and their teachers were kept fully occupied and alert throughout the day. Here are the students’ thoughts on the All students have now been issued with a user day’s activities: name and password for the KLP. We were woken from the long bus journey and early start by the first talk of Inside the KLP is a host of the day; “Un monde de plus en plus inégal?” “Is the world becoming more resources for all subjects, and and more unequal?” In undiluted French we learnt about the extreme whilst some subject areas may poverty most of the world faces, the problems of famine and le SIDA have more than others, this will (AIDS) which continues to threaten much of the third world. The talk also change over time as new resources are developed. looked at how much was being done to solve these problems and ended by asking how the financial crisis will affect inequality in richer countries. However, in all subject areas you will find revision Eleanor Gall materials for Year 11 GCSE courses, including Next a debate between our entertaining hosts Regis and Richard, about past exam papers and specifications. whether access to healthcare in France should be free. We had to listen for The KLP is designed to enable students to login key phrases about how to debate, which will become extremely useful as we both at school and home. It will allow them to approach our speaking exams. David Searle access all their files, subject resources and Before lunch we had some exercises to do involving French advertisements. homeworks (if available). The most confusing was a bunch of talking tomatoes trying to sell insurance, Your son/daughter can then upload their files a concept I found hard to grasp. Hopefully I will be able to make use of the directly to KLP and work on that file inside the vocabulary in my essay exam….! Helen Wanstall

KLP. This means they should never again forget to Languages teachers are available at the following times bring in their homework, or not finish their to provide extra guidance on how to improve classwork before the next lesson. It is also an performance in the speaking examinations: excellent place to backup all their work.

French The KLP can be used to submit work electronically Madame Davies: Tuesday: 1.00-1.30pm and from 3.45- 4.45pm to your son/daughters teachers. This has already Madame Hind: Tuesday: lunchtime and 4.00-5.00pm and been done in ICT & Maths. Thursday: 4.00-5.00pm

Madame Donovan: Wednesday: 1.00–1.30pm The web address for the KLP is:

http://www.klp.rm.com German Frau Rebello: Tuesday: 1.00-1.30pm and 4.00–5.00pm If any student has a problem logging-in, please see Thursday: 4.00–5.00pm a member of the ICT Team or, Sixth Form students Wednesday: 1.00-1.30pm – AS/A2 students only can see their Tutor. French /German By Mr Russell, Subject Leader for ICT Frau Donovan: Wednesday lunchtimes for each language

Artistic Newsflash! Congratulations to Emily Gardner and Joseph Harris who have been selected to exhibit their

work in:

Express Yourself 2009 The Somerset Young Competition: Artists’ Competition The following students have all had their work selected from over 6,000 students across the Open to the public between Monday 16 March country, to appear in the ‘School Artists’ Portfolio and Friday 17 April 2009 at The Brewhouse 2009’ which will be published as a book, so Theatre and Arts Centre, .

CONGRATULATIONS to: By Mrs Downer, Subject Leader for Art

Sophie Skelding, Alexandra Etherington, Broni Black, Chris Chatterton, Joanna Martin, Sarah Dramatic „School Musical 2‟ Bale, Isabel Burt, Katie Belch, Sam Hanlon, Jess Burrough and Ruby Tanner. Following the hit show ‘School Musical – Hairspray’, aired last year on Sky One, in which a London school was Scenery for “Animal Farm” chosen to perform in the West End, The Kings of A BIG THANK you to the following students who Wessex has applied to be part of the new series starting this year. worked really hard to a tight deadline to complete the scenery for the school production: Teacher of Drama Miss Bowden is a huge fan of the show and - without her knowledge - her fiancé applied Robert Broomsgrove, Henry Cakebread, Isabella on behalf of the school. Imagine our surprise to receive a Podpadec, Ryan Pridgeon, Sophie Ralph, phone call shortly before Christmas telling us we had Samantha Davies, Laura Harding, Sarah Weigold, been selected….! Rebecca Maynard, Nathan Salmon, Helen Taylor, Jemma Cooper, Eleanor Gall, Philippa Hambling, Further to compiling an information pack, we were Gemma Homes, Jennifer Nurse, Kayleigh Stroud. informed earlier in January that we had reached the next stage, and would be visited by the TV company for half a day.

Although they had a small camera with them this was not part of the TV programme. They were keen to see all the talent in the school and watched our choir, two soloists, Hannah Shaw and Christian Rose, some Drama and one of our Dance groups made up of Year 11 students. Chloe Kitching proved to be a star as she showed her prowess of dancing, acting and singing to the visitors.

What happens next is…we wait and see!

If we are selected, we will receive a visit from the Producer of the show for the day to gain more of an Competitions: insight into the school. If we get through that stage, three days of filming will occur in late February/early Rotary Club of Mendip Young Artist Competition: March. Deadline: 31/03/09

th We would then be part of ten 7 Annual National Students Art Exhibition schools selected for the show, Deadline: 19/06/09 before being whittled down to Saatchi Online Art Prize - on-going throughout the year three schools who all audition in London over Easter. View students work on the Finally, the selected school will Saatchi Gallery Website: work with the TV company’s Directors on a show of their choosing in the summer holidays. www.Saatchi- gallery.co.uk/portfolio/schoolinfo/the+Kings+of Keep your fingers crossed and watch this space for further updates!! +Wessex+Community+School/524790.html By Mr Shorrock, Subject Leader for Drama Please see Mrs Downer if you wish your work to be entered onto the site- there is currently a Saatchi Hot off the press! See the school website for a review and photos of the Gallery Competition, so get your work in! recent school production “Animal Farm”. Kings and Queens Sports Scores

We look forward to reporting in more detail in the next Equestrian Success newsletter after a number of fixtures have unfortunately, been postponed this half term. The Jas Season has started with some very promising performances. Millfield hosted the first of the South Year 9 Netball West Jas qualifiers and we were very keen to build on Over 20 students have been attending Netball practices our Keysoe success at the finals. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and there is lots of We arrived to find that Class 1 had been cancelled due competition for places! The team will be playing their to a slippery surface, which was very disappointing. We first fixture against Sidcot School at the time of writing. were one of the very early teams to go in class 2 and the Senior Netball cold weather took its toll on our preparation, meaning Over 30 students have been attending school practices. that two of our riders went into the arena without Two fixtures have been played so far against Sidcot warming up! School resulting in a win 14-10 and a loss 20 – 11. Regular fixtures continue after half term. The next match is away to .

U15 Hockey The U.15’s are still in the County Cup and are due to play The Blue School.

By Mrs Roberts and Mrs Tibbs

Year 9 Junior Badminton Lauren Reason on Foxham Formula Congratulations to the Boys Junior Badminton team who made it through to the County Finals of The Centre However, Lauren Reason had an amazing round, Parcs National Inter Schools Competition. beautifully ridden, demonstrating a strong partnership

Team members include: James Chinnock, Greg with her pony Foxham Formula. They finished 3rd McGowan, Dan Wood, Ed Lupton and reserves Ed individual on 11 penalties and qualified for the final! Farmer, Sam Denham, Ross Dickenson and Sam Bath. Samara Masney and her five-year old ‘wonder pony’ Galaxy went in cold and had four jumping penalties, but The final was held at Somerset College of Arts and ended on 18 penalties, and Megan Moxey who ended up Technology on Friday 23 January 2009 and the boys riding as an individual on Ambella Fizz also had a rd came 3 – only narrowly beaten by Castle and King wonderful round finishing on 19 penalties. Sally Eccles Arthurs Schools. showed much promise on Remy Martin and Rebecca This was a fantastic achievement and a first for Kings! Pinn retired Cardigan Royal after a couple of mishaps on the course. Dance Well done to our Sports Leaders for All in all it was a pleasing performance but just short of a very successful Year 4 Dance being at our best! Our resolve is even greater now! Festival on Wednesday 21 January 2009 in our Sports Hall. Samara Masney The Leaders choreographed on their own dances and then taught a group of approx 25 Galaxy Year 4 boys and girls their dance in an hour and a half. The group then had to perform the dance in front of everyone.

The Leaders and the young dancers worked hard and produced an interesting and varied program of dances.

Reminder: An invitation to everyone to join us for:

An Evening of Dance at The Kings of Wessex School Megan in the School Hall on Friday 27 February 2009 at 6pm Moxey This performance will feature dancers from all years at on Hugh Sexeys and Fairlands Middle Schools, The Kings Ambella of Wessex School and Danzatak dance group. By Fizz Mrs By Mrs Williams White

The Kings’ Calendar (for the second half of Spring Term 2009)

February 2009 Return to School Monday 23 February 2009 (WEEK B) PTA Meeting Tuesday 24 February 2009 at 7.30pm, Conference Room AS French Revision Trip to Bristol University Wednesday 25 February 2009 Years 10/11 French Revision Trip to Bristol Thursday 26 February 2009 Dance Festival with Kings, the Middle Schools & Danzatak Friday 27 February 2009 between 1.45pm – 8.00pm (including an evening performance at 6.00pm) March 2009 Years 12 & 13 German Revision Trip to Birmingham University Tuesday 3 March 2009 Years 11, 12 & 13 Theatre Trip to Taunton Wednesday 4 March 2009 at 6.00pm Year 12 & 13 Ethics Trip to Monday 9 March 2009 Year 12 Geography Field Trip Tuesday 10 March 2009 - All Day Years 5 and 6 Sports Festival Wednesday 11 March 2009 between 1.30-3.30pm Year 12 Geography Fieldtrip Thursday 12 March 2009 - All Day Year 9 Parents’ ‘Options’ Information Evening Wednesday 18 March 2009 at 7.00pm, School Hall IMPORTANT! New date!* (original date 25/2/09)

Year 12 Biology Trip to Ardingly Seed Bank Thursday 19 March 2009 Year 10 Min-Y-Dom Trip Parents’ Information Evening Thursday 19 March 2009 at 7.00pm, School Hall Years 11 & 13 School Photographs Tuesday 24 March 2009 (to be confirmed) Years 10 & 11 French Revision Bristol University Wednesday 25 March 2009 Year 13 Psychology Trip to London Wednesday 25 March 2009 - All Day Year 9 Design Technology Trip to Legoland Friday 27 March 2009 - All Day April 2009 Year 12 Higher Education Conference Wednesday 1 April 2009 between 2.00 – 3.45pm, School Hall Year 12 Parents’ Higher Education Information Evening Wednesday 1 April 2009 at 7.00pm, School Hall Easter Concert Thursday 2 April 2009 at 7.30pm, School Hall Years12 & 13 Design Technology and Business Studies Trip to Thursday 2 – Tuesday 7 April 2009 inclusive New York EASTER HOLIDAYS: Saturday 4 April to Sunday 19 April 2009 (inclusive)

PARENTS’ EVENINGS will be held on the following dates between 5.00-8.00pm, in the School Hall: Wednesday 25 March 2009 - Year 10 Parents’ Evening

The Kings’ Messenger is due to be published on the following dates: Friday 3 April 2009 Friday 22 May 2009 Tuesday 21 July 2009

Useful Information : Contact details: The Kings of Wessex School, Station Road, Cheddar, Somerset BS27 3AQ

Main School Office Phone: 01934 742608 Fax: 01934 742757 email: [email protected] Website: www.kowessex.co.uk

Absence Phone: thank you for phoning before 10.00am with your child’s name and tutor group on 01934 745304 or email [email protected] on each day of absence explaining the reason for your child’s absence.

Year Leaders: Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Year Leader to arrange an appointment in advance if you have any concerns or wish to discuss their progress.

Year 9: Mr Eric Holdsworth Year 10: Mr Steve Green Year 11: Mr Terry Clark Sixth Form: Miss S Bishop

Kings’ Messages - Bulletin Board

Year 11 Yearbook 2006-9: Rotary Young Sponsorship Opportunity! Writer 2009

Do you know of any local companies who would be “Make Dreams Real” willing to place an advert in the Yearbook at the cost of £30? Or, would any parents or family members like Open to two age groups…pens at the ready: to contribute a message for £10? Juniors - Years 9 and 10 To find out how, please contact the 1000 words of prose School Bursar, Mr Brown. or 400 words in verse

It is really important that we raise as much money as possible to go Seniors - Years 11, 12 and 13 towards the Yearbook 1500 words of prose or 400 words in verse production; otherwise they will cost the students more money. All entries must be word-processed. Thank you in anticipation, The Yearbook Team. The closing date is Friday 27 March 2009

See Miss Cottell for more information…

FOR THE ATTENTION OF ALL CHEDDAR STUDENTS AND Thank you to everyone for their Mufti PARENTS! donation to the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in THE CHEDDAR memory of Elliot Davies. YOUNG PERSONS’ MILLENNIUM TRUST Launched in March 2000, the service provides a daily

response to emergency calls, The Trust was formed in 2000 to help young sporting and road traffic people to fund a particular venture. accidents in remote locations in support of the NHS Financial support is considered for the following:- Ambulance Service.

1. To assist students with education. The helicopters cost in excess of £3500 per day to run, and EXAMPLE:- You may need books or equipment for funds are raised largely from charitable donations from the your course of study or training. counties of Dorset and Somerset and beyond.

2. To encourage and assist young www.dorsetandsomersetairambulance.co.uk people to help others.

EXAMPLE:- You may want to work here in Cheddar or away from home and maybe abroad, in assisting A Thought by Christian Leader, Joanna Slade those who are old or ill or in need of help. ‘Man does not live by bread alone’

3. To support the formation of a club. These famous words were Jesus’ reply when he was EXAMPLE:- You may wish to take some tempted to change stones in the desert into bread. responsibility for getting a club off the ground. During the Christian festival of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday (25 February – don’t forget your pancakes the day 4. To help where real need can be before!); Christians all over the world remember Jesus’ demonstrated. temptation and also use that time to prepare for Easter. EXAMPLE:- Family finances may be such that you cannot take up an available opportunity. Whatever your beliefs, in a world dominated by our

attitudes to material possessions – either having them or The deadline for grants this year is not having them – this season of Lent is a good time to Tuesday 30 June 2009. reassess the things which are important in our life and to Information about how to apply to follow in a future work out what our priorities really are. Kings’ Messenger.

For further details, please contact Keith Herring on What are the things in our lives which really sustain us phone 01934 743256. and feed not just our bodies, but our spirits too?