THE KINGS OF WESSEX COMMUNITY SCHOOL A Specialist Technology College
Issue 57
Also available in colour on our website: THE KINGS’ MESSENGER www.kowessex.co.uk October 2004
Contents Dear Parents
Page No. The first half of the Autumn Term has been 1-2 Head’s Address exceptionally busy with much happening around 3-5 Schools Awards 2003-4 school. 6 Absence from School 7 Science News 7-8 Modular Maths Our new Year 9 students are now settled into life at 9-10 Modern Foreign Languages Kings and making good progress. It is good to see 11-14 News from English and Perth-y-Pia them getting involved in a number of activities and 15-16 Art Trip to Wells Cathedral events. 16 History Trip to Radstock Museum Drama Trip to Hamlet The high point of our Term was our Annual Awards 17 Technology Extra Curricular Activities Evening held on Wednesday 15 October 2004. This 18-19 Work Experience Health and Safety year’s Guest Speaker was Mr Robin Bush, Chairman 19 House Sport of Somerset County Council. Robin is also famous for 20-23 Sports News his passion for local history and gave a superb talk, 24 School Calendar which greatly entertained an audience of over 500 Inserts: parents, staff and members of the community. PTA 2004-5 flyer PTA Christmas Cabaret Over 130 students received awards and it was a Mobile Phone Contract great pleasure to see them on stage being presented Drugs Awareness Parents Evening Letter with their award and prizes.
Students received awards for a wealth of achievements and contributions to the school and you will have opportunity to read their names in this Kings’ Messenger.
Another significant event this Half Term was our Harvest Church Services at St Andrew’s Church, held on three morning for all our students. It is always a joy to visit St Andrew’s and provide our young people with a moment of quiet reflection, in an otherwise busy schedule. We are particularly grateful to Preb. Victor Daley who led our services and to all our students involved in the music and readings.
Over the course of the Term we have been very busy with a wide range of trips and visits. Our Year 10 Geographers have all visited Brean Down, whilst our Year 9 Historians have commenced their visits to Radstock Museum. Students undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Award have been out on expeditions and we have also had our Year 12 English residentials to Perth-y-Pia in Wales. Our Drama students watched Hamlet at the Royal Shakespeare Company and our Art students have attended the Knitting and Stitching Show in London and also visited Wells Cathedral. You will have opportunity to read up on some of these trips later in this newsletter.
From further afield, on the international front, we recently welcomed Musicians and Dancers from the Czech Republic in association with Danzatak. And on the subject of the Czech Republic, a group of our students are about to set off for the return leg of their exchange with our partner school in Prague. This is all in addition to the variety of extra curricular clubs and activities that happen on a daily basis.
The end of this Half Term sees the retirement of Mrs Val Jones, our Learning Resource Centre Manager. Mrs Jones has been in post for 16 years over which time since starting her career, she has transformed the library facilities here at Kings from poorly equipped, cramped accommodation to a state-of-the-art LRC, which is well equipped with both books and periodicals and ICT equipment.
We all wish Mrs Jones well in her retirement and thank her for her enthusiasm and determination and valued work with our young people. Mrs Bridget Knutson, an experienced librarian will be joining us as Mrs Jones’ successor and will be in post shortly at the start of next Half Term.
Thank you very much for your support on our uniform. Our students are really looking smart and we have had relatively few incidents of uniform infringements this Half Term. I am proud to say that visitors to the school have commented on how well dressed our students look, which is clearly a credit to our young people.
And now a plea to parents. I am receiving an increasing number of complaints from members of the community about the antisocial behaviour of some of our students in the evenings and at the weekend. Whilst I realise that this is outside school time, I do believe that as a whole community, it is important that, as parents we show responsibility in being aware of our children’s whereabouts and actions - as far as possible.
Finally, a reminder to all parents that our Target Setting Day for our parents and students in Years 9/10/11 will take place on Monday 15 November 2004. Students in these years will only be required to attend school for this day for their appointment.
I wish you all an enjoyable Half Term holiday and remind you that we return to school on Monday 1 November 2004.
CHRIS RICHARDSON Headteacher
Appointments with Staff
We are always pleased to meet with parents to discuss issues relating to their children’s education. However, we do ask that parents contact the school first to make an appointment.
We would ask that in the first instance that you contact your child’s Form Tutor, prior to speaking to their Year Co-Ordinator. Please be aware that for parents coming into school it may not be possible to see a member of staff due to timetable commitments.
Parents wishing to make an appointment with senior members of staff must in all cases make an appointment.
Thank you for working with us. 2 School Awards 2003-4 The following students were presented with an award. These were presented at the school’s annual Awards Evening held on Wednesday 15 September 2004.
The Awards Evening is an important event in our school calendar for our parents, staff and students.
Year 9 Achievement Awards Year 9 Tutor Awards
Jennifer Barritt Robert Baker Kelly Eccleston Harry Briffitt Benjamin Kammerling Andrew Burland Bethan Meadowcroft James Covell Elizabeth Murray Elizabeth Freeman Christopher Nash Natasha Gowan Benjamin Puddy Philippa Ivens Linda Pugh Philip Lee Joshua Roberts Heather Paterson Jonathan Smith Claire Ratcliffe Daniel Ward Zoe Gertner Cup – Naomi Taschimowitz GCSE Awards for High Achievement Year 10 Tutor Awards Emily Atkin Nathaniel Bird Matthew Aung Isabel Fenton Alexei Bygrave Camilla Gruffydd-Jones Matthew Dickson Philippa Hambly Hannah Duckworth Simon Orriss Franchesca Gifford Emma Paterson Victoria Heal Stephanie Robson Ashley Jones Andrew Strang Samuel Jones Emma Talbot Jeremy Sharples Philip Tromans Oliver Williams
Erica Padfield Awards for ‘A’ Level Year 11 Tutor Awards
High Achievement Mehreen Arshad
Daniel Ashby Thomas Duckworth Charlottee Daintree Michaela Francis Heather Edwards Natalie Gilbert Owen Gildersleeve Ayla Harper Keryl Johnson Joanna Long Lauren Key Abigail Milsom Katharine Montague Gary Sheldon Rachel Newton Charlotte Streeter Samuel Parkinson Spurthi Vemulapalli Alanna Skuse Michael Taylor Jennifer Wainwright Louise Wright
3 Year 9 – Faculty Awards for the greatest effort and progress · Creative Art Lily Mason · Design Technology Lisa Robson · Drama Harriet Allen · English Laura Carter · Humanities Sasha Davies · Mathematics Bethany Morgan · Modern Languages Jack Brady · Music Mark Goddard · Physical Education James Saunders · Science Fraser McQueen · Learning Support Sam Smith
Year 10 – Faculty Awards for the greatest effort and progress · Creative Art Claire Macaulay · Design Technology Gemma Tidman · Drama Kayleigh Crook · English Hazel Rossiter · Humanities Alistair Haggerty · Mathematics David Smart · Modern Languages Jason Gupta · Music Evan Gildersleeve · Physical Education Sarah Mann · Science Elizabeth Cooke · Learning Support David Ward
Work Experience Awards Year 10 Work Experience Extended Work Experience Matthew Dickson Jonathan Rolfe Margaret Gibb Megan Lacey GNVQ Awards Emma Fleet
Subject Awards
Richard Cox Gough Award for Girls Sport (Deanes Award): Rachael Goddard Ryder Cup for Boys Sport (Deanes Award): Henry Eriksson Peter Reeve Cup for Best Footballer: Peter Coates Lindsay Textiles Award: Verity Walcott Maple Leaf Cup for Art: Samuel Thomas Richard Barnes Drama Cup: Samuel Nicholls Best Actor Award: Jean-Jack Chalmers Best Actress Award: Laura Morgan Jubilee Baton for Music: Andreas Spanring Suzanne Wallis Cup for Music: Frances Rabbitts Richard Chinn Music Shield: Rebecca Cripps Arnold Hill Cup for R.E: Joanna Collison Gesamtschule Felsberg German Award: Nicole Vosper French Award: Jennifer Wainwright 4 Geography Award: Sarah Hall History Award: Hayley Barker Brian Elvins Cup for most Promising ‘A’ Level Historian: Charlotte Daintree & Oliver Parsons Mathematics Award: Thomas Dunton The Bev Hearn Cup for Photography: Daniel Morris Psychology Award: Polly Cook Media Studies Award: Pamela Pastou Peter Corrick Computer Award: Nicholas Watson Lanes of Cheddar D.T. Award: Cora Taylor Creative Writing Award: Thomas Young Science Award: Rachel Newton
Special Awards and Cups Downey Cup for Service to the School: Senior Student Team: Fraser Alcorn Nicholas King Daniel Ashby Nicholas Redgrove Jolene Burkinshaw Rebecca Robinson Heather Edwards Louise Wright
Andrew Nicholson Cup for Contribution: Rebecca Robinson National Westminster Bank Cup for Persistence/Determination: Lucy Mason Jill James Cup for Enthusiasm: Aye Aung Jennings Cup for Character: Nicholas McKen Hardy Award for Good Citizenship: Oliver Parsons The Kings of Wessex Shield for all of the Above Qualities: Stacey Chivers Peter Bubbear Cup for Courage: Emma Stephens Community School Award: Thea Oliver The Kings of Wessex Old Student of the Year: David Scourse (Posthumous)
Congratulations to all our students!
Don’t forget! British Summer Time ends on Sunday 31 October 2004:
Clocks will move back one hour…
5 Reporting Absence
To all our Parents and in particular, for the benefit of our new Year 9 Parents
We operate an Absence Hotline for Parents’ convenience
Illness or any other absence should be reported on the first and every day of absence by telephoning:
01934 745304
(This telephone number is available 24/7 )
Your child’s name, tutor group and reason for absence should be given.
Alternatively, absences may be reported by email to:
Please note: absence should be reported for all students, including the Sixth Form.
Thank you Anita Beesley, Attendance Secretary
A Reminder to Parents about Leave of Absence
We actively discourage leave of absence during term time.
Research shows that absence hinders progress and educational experience missed cannot be re-gained by personal study. All of our students are involved in preparation for public examinations, therefore we only authorise absence in extreme circumstances pertinent to the family concerned.
We ask that any requests are submitted on a request form that can be obtained from the School Office at least six weeks in advance. Thank you
Barbara Marshall, Deputy Headteacher 6
SCIENCE NEWS
We were delighted to welcome three new teachers, Mr Lyndon Davies, Miss Fay Simpson and Mr Dan Webber to Science in September. They have settled in and lowered the average age of the Science team quite considerably!
We have also been lucky to engage the services of Nick King, one of last year’s ‘A’ Level students, as a temporary Physics Technician to cover for Ron Walker’s absence due to ill health.
A big thank you is also due to the rest of the Technical Team, Mrs Sue French, Mrs Liz Gruffydd-Jones and Mrs Mary Jennings, who had been holding Physics together in September.
And now…A Message to Parents of Year 10 Students:
This year we have changed our GCSE course and will be following the AQA Modular Science Scheme. This involves students sitting short external module tests in November, March and June.
All Year 10 students will be sitting tests on Energy and Earth Materials on Thursday 18 November 2004 this term. The Spring tests (Metals, Humans as Organisms and extra separate Science tests) will be on Wednesday 2 March 2004. We would be very grateful if you could ensure that students attend school on these dates.
Bethan Riddick Head of Science Faculty
Modular Mathematics
Maths is perceived by many students to be a difficult subject, and this perception is not helped by the way in which examinations are organised at the end of Key stage 4. The Higher tier examination offers C as its lowest grade, and one mark below C is Ungraded. As a result, ambitious students pursuing an A Grade are faced with a stark choice: either accept a B grade maximum or risk the chance of being Ungraded if you have a bad day in the exams.
7 In response to this and other issues, AQA have introduced a modular scheme of assessment. 30% of the marks are given for written papers taken throughout the course. Students will have the results of these papers by the time they sit the final exam, and this will help them choose a more appropriate tier of entry. They will also know how these results inform their likely Grade.
They will be able to see that the first 30% of their results were at Grade A standard (or perhaps the opposite…), and this should give them confidence for the final exam. It will also remove much of the risk of taking the higher tier. 20% of their assessment will be by coursework, as it has been in the past. Although this work is moderated by AQA, they should have a clear idea of how well they have done from the advice they are given by their teachers.
The final paper will determine the tier of entry, and we are back to the old situation of “One mark below is Ungraded”. This time we will know how well we have done in 50% of the assessment, so there is a very good safety net.
We have tried this system over the past two years, firstly with a small number of students and last year with six classes. We have seen a strong improvement in Grades gained, and students’ attitudes to the subject also seem more positive. We are therefore extending the scheme to all Year 11 students, and hoping to see further gains in performance. Modular assessment schemes such as this also help relieve the pressure on students in the summer by removing some of the assessment to different times of year.
Proof in Mathematics
The Examination Boards have decided to emphasise the idea of proof in the GCSE Mathematics papers, particularly for more able students. Last Summer, for example, students in Year 11 were asked to show that:
“If you square any odd number, your answer will always be one more than a multiple of 8”
The concept of rigorous proof is a difficult one, especially when applied to problems as abstract as the one given, and students find it demanding. If you wish to help your children in this area, then asking questions like:
“I know it is correct but why does it work?” or
“Would it work for other numbers, like fractions or negatives?” or
“Could you show me that be algebraically?”
We will be asking these questions, so they should be familiar with them.
I will be happy to receive any proofs from parents of the proposition above. A list of dozens of examples will not do, as you have to show it works for ANY odd number, and there is an infinity of these.
Richard Walters Head of Mathematics
8 Modern Foreign Languages Farewell and “Bonne Chance” to our Year 13 linguists
We are delighted to report that five out of our six Year 13 linguists have gone on to university to further their study of languages!
ü Rachel Andrews has gone to Bristol University to read French and Italian
ü Jessica Hambly has gone to the Sorbonne in Paris to read Philosophy- the Sorbonne is undoubtedly the most prestigious university in France! (a first for Kings!)
ü Paul Phillips has gone to Oxford Brookes to read History with French
ü Nicholas Redgrove has gone to Cambridge to read Classics
ü Jennifer Wainwright has gone to Cambridge to read Modern and Mediaeval Languages.
Congratulations to them all and our very best wishes to them in their studies and their future careers!
Willkommen to our new Year Nine students! This is what some of our dual linguists think about languages at Kings…
As I have only been in Year 9 for a matter of weeks I would have to say that it has been a challenge. I have enjoyed it so far and I have definitely learnt some new skills. I like the ICT lessons the most as it involves a skill that I also enjoy.
As well as things I enjoy there are some things I do not like such as verb endings!!! Why can’t they just have the same ending??!!! And finding something masculine when you have written a whole sentence thinking it was feminine – it is so annoying!!! I hope that the rest of my Year 9 languages will be just as much fun.
Frankie Wainwright 9FS
I like languages at the Kings of Wessex because we don’t just have to do writing. We also have languages ICT lessons.
I prefer the topic booklets to a text book because the work is broken down into sections. Doing two languages is not as hard as I thought and I have learnt a lot about German and French life.
The only thing I don’t like is having homework every night!
Joe Taschimowitz 9IS
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I enjoy learning French and German. I think they will be useful to know now and as I get older. I like doing things as a class and with the electronic whiteboard. I like the booklets, as there are also a few fun activities like word searches along with the harder work.
I feel comfortable working with everyone in my language class and don’t feel under pressure. I prefer French to German but don’t mind learning it and I want to improve.
But I do think we should be able to sit next to whom we want !!! Anon
So far I have really enjoyed my language lessons at The Kings of Wessex.
I have found all my language lessons very interesting. The ICT lessons are fun because you can learn while you are having fun.
Overall my lessons in French and German are very interesting and enjoyable: Ma prof est fantastique! Anon
I like the Modern Languages lessons because everyone is involved and they are made fun by lots of slideshow presentations and ICT lessons. You have to work through booklets that are alright when you have to label tasks with one or two words. But it is harder when you have to remember vocabulary for full paragraphs.
Overall I think that the lessons at Kings are very good and we are all learning a lot about the two languages and countries. Emily Hawkings 9IS
I’m enjoying languages at Kings and find that I’m doing a lot better than I was at my previous school. I find that the workbooks are good and I look forward to ICT lessons.
It’s a lot harder work, but also more fun. I’m really looking forward to doing more listening and speaking tasks. In general, I’ve progressed and have enjoyed languages an awful lot and we’ve only been here four weeks!!! Anon
I like the IT lessons because we are allowed to use language websites and programmes to help us with grammar and vocabulary. I also like the PowerPoint Presentations that are put on the big screen because they are different. Anon
I like modern languages because we work with topic work books instead of text books which make learning so much easier. I like the “not too pushy attitude” but I wish we could have better buildings which are not temporary huts because the classrooms look like they are going to fall down. I am enjoying it more at Kings than I was anywhere else. David Searle 9FS
10 News from English
Welcomes…? To Miss Hiles and Miss Knightley who join the Faculty this term!
Highlights of the term so far…? The annual induction course for Year 12 students, at Perth- y-Pia (see the write-up by students themselves to follow this article and also their work around the English block).
National Poetry Day, (many thanks to Miss Knightley and Mrs Jones in the LRC for organising) when students finished some lessons by writing haiku summarising what they had learned, or entered poems on this year’s theme of ‘food’ for a competition.
Key Stage Three Results some parents will be aware from the national press that there were problems with the external marking of the Key Stage Three English tests yet again.
We were one of the many schools that received test results before the proper checking procedures had been completed and were consequently asked to re - submit a number of scripts at the start of this term for that checking to be carried out.
We still await confirmation of the final results, but it seems likely that between 15 and 20 students will find that their results have gone up. We will, of course, inform all those involved as soon as we can.
Penny Anderson Head of English
Perth-y-Pia - An Experience of Wales
From the Pens of Ewan Gibb and Charlotte Reeves
Rain, pain, shame and migraine. Welcome to a week of English near Crickhowell, Wales! A couple of hours in the mini bus and we were there. Or at least the foot of the huge hill that we now had to climb.
An exhausting haul up the mountain and it was time for some tea, made by our newly discovered resident househusband, Conor.
11 We now made our way back down the hill, by foot again, and into a local village called Llangorse. In Llangorse we visited the local Primary School where we read the children stories and taped their responses to our questions. Back up the hill, getting slightly irritating now, and time for some tea and cake, all made by us!
Some analysis of our tapes and a poster presentation of our finds and then it was dinner. Tuna Pasta Bake followed by an excellent Strawberry Flan, of which Henry managed to consume three portions. The evening consisted of reading the first 25 pages of ‘Under Milk Wood’ with the comical aspects of the play increased even more with everyone’s Welsh accent and Henry’s attempt being very close to West Indian.
The next morning all the boys were woken when Tawas decided he would run into each of the rooms hollering at the top of his voice. Ewan managed to get out of bed at 7:59 for an 8:00 breakfast but ate more than his body size should allow.
Following a quick briefing we made the long descent down the mountain and got into the mini bus for our trip to Brecon. While there we each studied a local building, in our pairs, in order for us to write a written and an spoken guide. Harry and Lizzy found the delights of Giglio’s (gigolos’ as it came to be pronounced) Café; Conor, Sarah and Holly’s pub crawl (from the outside only, of course); and Ewan and Philly opting to take a modern look at the local Safeway.
Jumping into the bus we had a short journey to Abergavenny where we had a look at the epitaphs in and around the local church. On returning to the centre we were all exhausted and decided that the best idea would be to have some tea and cake. We next made posters on our epitaph analysis before dinner.
Dinner was jacket potatoes with several fillings and a Sticky Toffee Pudding to follow. After dinner we produced our audio guide tapes and written leaflets to our building in Brecon. Before being shipped off to bed the boys had the pleasure of toasting marshmallows over the fire and Conor, clearly a regular ‘mallow eater, helped with some valuable tips for toasting.
The next morning Tawas woke all the boys up again. Breakfast was a wonderful fry-up again. Last Language session consisted of us playing our audio guides and discussing the features of written and spoken language.
12 A sorry good bye to the rest of the group and then it was just the five of us; George, Lizzy, Charlotte, Ewan and Chief Morale Officer Dourneen.
We had a few hours to kill so we decided to make a trip into Crickhowell. George and Ewan both bought scratch cards and clearly it was a lucky day as they both won (albeit not a huge sum) some money. A visit to the local hotel, The Bear Hotel, satisfied our thirsts and we were astounded by the beauty and quality of the toilet facilities. Back at the centre we had some lunch, made posters to welcome the Literature group and awaited their arrival.
Thanks to Ms Anderson, Mr Raeburn and Mrs Dourneen for all their craziness.
From the Pen of George McGinty
The second half of the week, devoted to Literature, and aptly named by Mr. Hobhouse as ‘An historic, cultural and literary context’ arrived in fine style with plenty of rain, and with many students requiring resuscitation once reaching the building.
Our banners were disregarded spectacularly, as those who had walked up the hill were too close to a heart attack to care, and those who had taken the bus up were too busy being pelted with stones.
After telling us their tale of Tintern Abbey, they got settled, ate cake, drank tea and started complaining - that hill should explain any missing students after the trip, just to ease your mind. After dinner – Chilli Con Carne and an excellent Banoffee Pie - came the memorable reading of ‘Under Milk Wood’, the tale of Llareggub Hill (read Llareggub backwards…); funny enough without Eleanor’s excellent Jamaican/Welsh accent. Mr. Hobhouse managed to keep the flow going with the aid of a cattle prod, and Andy’s improvised Welsh ensured that we hardly understood the story at all.
After a refreshing four hours sleep, we awoke on Thursday bleary-eyed and craving a hot breakfast, cheerily supplied by Jane and co, quickly followed by Miss Hiles’ presentation on the Romantic period, focusing on period artists and writers like Shelley, Byron and Wordsworth – see! We learnt something!
We also managed to squeeze in a bit of classical period bashing. After a break of cake and – you guessed it - tea, with the exception of Ewan who decided to have a coffee sludge (four teaspoons of coffee, three of sugar, and half a cup of water, an excellent recipe for hyperactivity) we started on ‘The 20th Century Landscape’, presented by Mrs Dourneen.
This was followed by the reading of ‘The Burial of the Dead’. From this we created an abstract artwork from a short quote of this (huge) poem. Mr. Hobhouse presided as art teacher here, walking around giving ‘constructive criticism’, and announced the winners shortly after lunch, Millie’s rat missing out on 1st place because ‘she added whiskers’. 13
All feeling exceptionally tired by this point, an obvious and fun way to recoup some energy was to climb the rest of the hill. Those not yet recovered from yesterday’s climb found it was even more fun with excessive sheep droppings and moss everywhere.
Our task for this (as if the climb wasn’t enough of one) was to collect something man- made off the hill, basically rubbish. Items found included a large bucket, a rusty tin, a thumbtack, a polo wrapper, and other things that required tetanus jabs afterwards.
Back at the centre, and everyone sat around, desperately trying to get some inspiration from their wonderful bits of rubbish, trying to create a story out of a Stella Artois can.
Little did they know that Scott, Andy, Joe, Naomi, Ewan and Sarah had decided to trek further up the hill. Unfortunately Sarah’s descent was less than ladylike and the mud stains haven’t come out of her trousers yet. That night’s dinner was an excellent one, pretty much a Sunday roast, following by Apple Pie with cream.
The next activity was a memorable affair, and one that has probably scarred most people for life. The task: create a piece of drama connected to landscapes, without saying a word. What followed was messy, noisy and hilarious. From Fraser’s eating a banana halfway through the presentation, to Hannah’s devotion to her part that she felt the need to actually strip a tree of its branches and wear them. Moo…
We awoke next morning to breakfast served at the usual 8:00, of course Ewan up at the usual 7:59, and another excellent cooked breakfast served to us. Ewan of course made up for his late arrivals by finishing off anything that came near him, and when we were finished we started on our last activities.
Mr Hobhouse used some personal experience, showing us his own art to illustrate his point; Miss Hiles used the films ‘Dracula’ and ‘Lord of the Rings’ to show how we can work pace into our writing, and Mrs Dourneen showed us some more poems to help us describe landscape within text. Here was the last ever cake break, we still had about ten cakes left, and we made a brave stab at finishing them, but came nowhere near our goal, being absolutely fed up of the stuff by now.
The reading of our abstract pieces on rubbish came next, including the story of Frank by Scott, (I’m not going to lick that bucket), and many others, which can be viewed in the English corridor - of course, heavily edited by Mr. Hobhouse.
Soon after struggling down the hill we were all in the minibuses, which is, in some ways, worse than going up. With Ben’s ‘scented’ shoes making the journey all the more enjoyable, we were off. A quick stop at Raglan Castle for lunch, back in the minibus, Charlotte’s wooden sword, oh-so-funny, and before we knew it, we were back at the school, and Mr. Hobhouse had burst into tears of joy.
Thanks go to Mr. Hobhouse and Miss Hiles for putting up with us, and especially Mrs Dourneen, one of the elite who survived all five days.
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Art Trip to Wells Cathedral
On Tuesday 28 September 2004 a group of Year 11 Art GCSE students visited Wells Cathedral and Bishops Palace gardens to take photographs / draw and visit a wire sculpture exhibition.
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“I learnt more about Gothic architecture and it was interesting being toured around the Cathedral. I enjoyed independently finding different pieces to photograph and draw…” Clare Fleet 11VB
“It was very useful for our GCSE coursework and helped develop my work for stained glass windows …” Laura Pengelly 11PA
“I thought Celia Smith’s wire sculptures (exhibited in the Bishops Palace gardens) looked very lifelike, yet sketchy”
Nicola Corrigan 11VB
History Trip to Radstock Museum On Wednesday 13 October 2004, the first of six trips to Radstock by Year 9 took place.
The museum at Radstock has a number of displays very useful to the work about to be done in Year 9, including mining, transport, living and working conditions in the 19th and a 19th Century school room.
Students therefore experienced the basic nature of 19th Century education and the tough life working class children, whether at home or at work.
The remaining trips take place next week and after Half Term. Adrian Targett, History Co-ordinator
The Hamlet Trip – Tuesday 14 September 2004 Once upon a time, a group of 40 Drama students from the Sixth Form and Year 11 set off on an epic journey to the faraway land of Stratford-upon-Avon, to see the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of ‘Hamlet.’
Leaving school at around 12.30pm we arrived in the bus park hours later, after going around in ever decreasing circles. We were tired, cranky and, most importantly, we needed the bathroom.
We were then presented with a list of ‘Shakespearian places’ to visit. After much deliberation over which destination to explore, most of the group ended up browsing the aisles of H&M and sipping the cultural heritage of Starbucks.
After an afternoon of thoroughly enjoying the ‘Shakespeare Inn’, we arrived en masse into the warmth of Pizza Hut. I am sure we will never be allowed back there. Drama students can cause such havoc, and I won’t even mention the Faculty!
The production itself was thoroughly enjoyed by most. The opening scene was very impressive, with the ghost of ‘Old Hamlet’ really creeping us out. The quick and seamless set changes and the quality of the acting really brought the plot of the play home. The staging was perfect for the play, adding a melancholy atmosphere to the theatre even before the acting started.
Hannah Ratcliffe 6GR
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TECHNOLOGY EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Now that students and staff have settled into the new year, the following activities are available:-
ICT Coursework Club for GCSE Students
1.20pm-1.50pm in DT7 - Wednesday with Mr Parvin
ICT Full Course ICT Assistance
1.20pm-1.50pm in DT7 - Friday with Mr Parvin
Graphic Product Coursework Club
1.15pm-1.45pm in DT 4 and DT5 - Tuesday and Wednesday with Mr Etherington and Mrs Pascoe
(For Year 11 students to assist with coursework projects)
Food Technology Coursework Club 4.00pm-6.00pm in DT 6 - Tuesday with Mrs Ross
(For Year 10 and 11 students)
ProDESKTOP V 8.0
1.15pm-1.45pm in DT 7 - Thursday with Mrs Pascoe
(For all students in Years 9-13 who need to complete set assignments and for students who wish to perfect their skills)
Year 12 Practical Workshop 4.00pm-5.00pm in DT 1 and DT2 - Thursday with Mr Hayward
(For Year 12 students to gain additional practical workshop skills using Resistant Materials)
Please encourage you son or daughter to attend the appropriate activity to enhance their learning
17 Health & Safety Training
Twelve year 11 students attended a Health & Safety course run by Trident and hosted by Clares of Wells.
The aim of the course was to raise awareness of Health and Safety issues prior to starting extended work experience. The students took part in a tour of the factory to learn how supermarket trolleys are manufactured and to observe Health and Safety in a work environment.
Students were then tested on their knowledge and understanding of Health & Safety issues.
Congratulations go to the following students who were awarded their certificates of competence: Carl Ayers 11TT, Emma Dunford 11SK, Sammie Fear 11TT, Mica Gardener 11EH, Margaret Gibb 11SRO, Vicky Heal 11TT, Jess Howson 11TT, Joe Pagett 11SK, Sheila Smith 11EH, Ryan Thompson 11DE and Zoe Thompson 11EH.
Our thanks go to John Funnell of Trident for organising the event and Clares of Wells for hosting this event.
Extended Work Experience
Following the success of our first group of students on extended placements last year, a second group of Year 11 students have taken up the opportunity of entering the workplace for one day per week.
The aim of the placements is to give students an insight into the training and workplace activity in a vocational area of their choice over an extended period of time. Once again, students have entered a diverse range of vocational areas, including hairdressing, catering, mechanics and construction.
Our thanks go to all local employers who have provided placements this year and for their continuing support of our students.
Centigrade
For the first time all current Year 13 students were offered the opportunity to apply for a Centigrade Report at the end of last summer term.
Centigrade is a computer-based programme which matches a student’s interests and abilities to degree and HND courses. Students received a report that matched their interests and abilities to specific HE courses, together with information on open days, taster courses and education conventions.
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Centigrade is a good starting point for students intending to apply for HE and the report a useful point of reference at meetings with Anne Masterton, our Connexions PA.
We anticipate offering our current Year 12 students the same opportunity during the summer term this year.
Advanced Notice - Year 10 Work Experience
Work experience for Year 10 will be the week commencing Monday 13 June 2005.
Students will receive a booklet during an assembly on Tuesday 9 November 2004 giving guidance on how placements are organised.
Barbara Tasch Work Related Learning Co-Ordinator
HOUSE SPORT
Meetings took place early in the term to allow the new House Captains to introduce themselves and then to organise teams for all the upcoming events.
Two competitions have already taken place with Avalon House dominating the inaugural Junior 7’s Tournament (James Gifford was victorious Captain) and Lyonesse winning the Junior Girls Hockey Tournament.
Before Half Term there will also be competitions in Senior Girls Basketball, Senior Boys Hockey and Junior Boys Hockey.
After half-term and leading up to the Christmas break, the Senior Boys will be playing Rugby at 7-a-side and the full 15-a-side game, whilst the girls meet at Senior level for the Hockey Trophy.
New House Captains 2004 – 2005:
Avalon - Mark Pilgrim / Holly Kemp Camelot - Simon Panes / Sophie Johns Lyonesse - Thomas Manning / Catherine Wilson Tintagel - David Garley / Amy Denbee
19 Sports News from our Kings (and Queens!)
Rugby:
The rugby season at Kings of Wessex is well underway with mixed early results to report. All teams have been devoted to their training and all have had early school season run outs against local competition.
The 1st XV have started their season well. Senior players turned out in force for the early season trial matches and the 1st XV squad has been put together for this year’s campaign.
The draw for the Somerset cup drew Kings of Wessex against Brymore College. However, Brymore were unable to field a team and conceded the match to Kings, putting us through to a next round tie against West Somerset College.
Their first outing of the season was a friendly game at Chew Valley. Chew Valley could not field a competitive side and Kings came home easy victors having put on some 70 points against the home side.
Their most recent game was at home to Strode College. A much more organised outfit than Chew Valley but still no real match for this year’s 1st team who won convincingly 21 points to nil.
The 2nd XV have demonstrated their strong potential early this season having already achieved a 17-6 victory against Sidcot. They have been committed to training with many players pushing for 1st team places and clearly showing that The Kings of Wessex senior rugby has truly got strength in depth.
The Year 11 side have yet to start their Somerset Cup run, which has already been postponed by the opposition, but they have already played three friendly matches. They have played Wells Blue, Churchill and Chew Valley and lost all three games; however, their matches versus Churchill and Chew valley were nail-bitingly close affairs, so we hope that their cup match will bring better fortune.
The Year 10 side have had a very uncharacteristic start to the season. Their first game of the season was a friendly against Mark College.
Having dominated the game, in territory and possession, for 50 minutes the team were very disappointed to draw the game 0-0.
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Their next game was against Nailsea in the opening round of the Somerset Cup, the competition that The Kings of Wessex achieved the position of runners-up last year. The first cup shock result unfolded after an under par performance and some bewildering refereeing resulted in our last year’s finalists being knocked out in the first round.
They have since played Chew Valley and blown the opposition away with a massive 79-5 points victory.
The new Year 9 side are demonstrating great potential with a squad utilising all the talents of the new students from Hugh Sexeys and Fairlands. They easily won their first game against Wells Blue winning 31 –5 and also finished the victors against the well-drilled Churchill side.
They recently hosted Chew Valley and again finished easy winners with a 27-0 home win. Their next game is their opening Somerset Cup match away to Haygrove School in Bridgewater. Best of luck.
Football:
The Kings of Wessex football season has yet to get under way.
The Somerset Cup matches will soon be underway. The Year 9 and 10 sides have been given byes in the first round and will have their opening cup matches at the start of the next Half Term.
The Year 11 side have been drawn against local Sports College, King Alfred’s in the first round, which is been played on the last Friday of this half term.
The 1st XI has their first round match against Sexeys Bruton, which is being played at home on Wednesday the 3rd of November.
Your support is always welcome and we wish all the football teams the best of luck in this year’s cup competition.
Rod Bell Head of PE
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SCHOOL HOCKEY
There has been an excellent start to the school hockey season. Four teams play regular friendly fixtures against local schools and County Cup matches will soon get underway. Five teams have been entered in County Cup competitions and we look forward to successful cup runs.
Congratulations to the following students who have been successful in gaining selection for County Hockey teams. Selections are still taking place in other age groups and we look forward to hearing of other successes.
Holly Tyson, Amy Barkus and Charlotte Crandon in Year 9 have all been selected for the U.14 County team.
Ebba Eriksson in Year 10 who has been selected for the U.15 County team.
Hollie Barkus and Matilda Eriksson in Year 11 who have gained selection for the U.17 County team.
Luke Gupta who has been selected for Avon U.18’s.
Simon Tyson and Henry Eriksson who have been selected for the West of England U.18 team. This is the third successive year that the boys have achieved selection for the South West region.
Congratulations also to Alex Kimmins in Year 10 who has gained selection for the U.16 Avon County Netball Squad.
U.14 HOCKEY
This has been an excellent start to the season for the Year 9 team. They remain undefeated after playing five matches, having scored a total of 24 goals and conceding only 2.
The team enjoyed a good away win against Wells Cathedral school – 3-1. Approximately 20 players regularly attend practices and we currently rotate players for matches. There is strong competition for places in this year group and we are looking forward to a good County Cup campaign.
22 2nd xi HOCKEY
This is a strong 2ndxi team this year that have played positively in all of their matches under the captaincy of Ellen Butcher. It is good to see so many Year 11 students involved and the way that they have coped with the step up to senior hockey.
Our first win was at home to Chilton Trinity school winning 3-0. Further results have been 2-0 win against St. Dunstan’s and a 1-1 draw away at Rossholme School. The Year 11 team are looking forward to defending their title as County Cup winners from last season. These matches will begin after half term.
Special Sporting Announcements
As well as settling into life at Kings, Kristine Brown 9BL has also been pursuing her swimming career. Kristine recently qualified to compete at the English Schools Swimming Association Competition where she represented Kings.
She has also been selected to represent Somerset County in the Inter-County swimming competition due to take place this month. And that’s not all. As a further triumph, Kristine has been selected for the European Youth Olympic trials to take place in Manchester next April – which may take her to Italy in early June!
Well done Kristine for your impressive swimming achievements!
After attending several arduous and nerve-wracking training sessions and trials two ex-students Gareth Waterfield and Nick McKen have been chosen to play for the England Deaf Rugby Union Team and Training Squad.
Throughout the winter months both lads have to attend regular training sessions with the whole England team as well as playing with their own local teams in the Burnham area.
Their first game is at the end of November against Scotland. As next summer looms, they will have more and more training as they have been chosen to be in the squad to play in the Deaf Rugby World Cup in August. They will be playing in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Congratulations and Good Luck to them both.
Wendy Richards Hearing Support
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Important calendar dates until the end of the Autumn Term 2004/2005:
November 2004 Return to School Monday 1 November 2004 PTA Meeting Tuesday 2 November 2004 at 7.30pm,Conference Room GCSE Re-sits Friday 5 to Wednesday 17 November 2004 Years 9/10/11/12 Grade Reviews issued Monday 8 November 2004 Year 11 (11P & 11Q) Drama Assessed Performance Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 November 2004 Year 11 (11O & 11R) Drama Assessed Performance Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 November 2004 Target Setting Day Monday 15 November 2004 Year 11 Mock Examinations Tuesday 16 to Friday 26 November 2004 Year 10 Modular Science Test (Energy & Earth Materials) Thursday 18 November 2004 Governors’ Annual Parents’ Evening Thursday 18 November 2004 at 7.30pm, LRC AS (Unit 4) Drama Performance Evening Monday 22 November 2004 Year 9 BCG Vaccinations Tuesday 23, Thursday 25, Tuesday 30 November 2004 Year 13 Oxbridge Mock Interviews Thursday 25 November 2004 December 2004 Year 12 Grade Review published Wednesday 1 December 2004 Year 9 BCG Vaccinations Wednesday, 1 Thursday 2 and Friday 3 December 2004 Year 11/13 Art Trip Wednesday 1 December 2004 Christmas Cabaret Thursday 9 December 2004 at 7.30pm, School Hall Charities Week Monday 13 to Friday 17 December 2004 Year 9 Panto Trip – tbc Wednesday 15 December 2004 Senior Student Prom Friday 17 December 2004: 7.30-11.00pm, School Hall CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS Wednesday 22 December 2004 to Tuesday 4 January 2005 inclusive Return to School Wednesday 5 January 2005
PARENTS’ EVENINGS will be held on the following dates: Wednesday 8 December 2004 Year 12 Parents’ Evening 5.00-8.00pm
THE KINGS’ MESSENGER is due to be published on the following date: Tuesday 21 December 2004 Friday 11 February 2005 Friday 27 May 2005 Thursday 24 March 2005 Friday 22 July 2005
Year Co-Ordinators: Please do not hesitate to contact your Child’s Year Co-ordinator if you have any concerns or wish to discuss their progress, although we would ask that you make an appointment in advance.
Year 9: Mr A Hitt; Year 10: Mrs M Sammonds; Year 11: Mr T Clark; Sixth Form: Mr M Hayward
Kings’ Notice Board
Card Educational Grants
Educational Grants are available for any pupil living in Draycott. This would include for uniform, books, equipment, trips and activities, but would exclude help with transport and ski trips.
Amounts vary between £25 and £250 depending on monies available and the number of applications.
Applications should be sent by Monday 22 November 2004 to:-
Mrs H M Dance, Clerk and Treasurer Leighurst, The Street, Draycott, Cheddar BS27 3TH
24 Telephone: 01934 742811
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