WINTER THEN BILLERICAYewsle SCHOOLtter 2015

Dear Parents/Carers opportunity to prepare for these examinations A Message from during the holiday period. Although this is part of As we approach the end of my first term at The the operational aspect of any school, I would like Mr. Mohammed school, I would like to convey my thanks to convey my thanks to all members of the school to all for making me feel welcome, especially to community especially the staff who have worked those members of the community who have taken extremely hard to ensure that the education of the time to volunteer positive comments in the students remains the top priority at The recognition of all the good work that is carried out Billericay School. here on a day by day basis. The school opens for the Spring term on Monday It has been a very busy and eventful term at The 4 January 2016 with a prompt start. As is always Billericay School. You will see from the newsletter the case, students acquire clothing items over that the school engages in a wide range of Christmas and are eager to wear them. This activities beyond the timetabled curriculum along often causes unnecessary issues so please can with supporting the many youngsters who excel in I ask that you check your child's uniform as they their sport or other interests outside of school. We leave for school to ensure they are not wearing have also raised hundreds of pounds for various fashion accessories which may have been charities. This is a credit to the community as a acquired during the holiday period. whole, as without its support we could not contribute towards these worthy causes. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Some students have been doing their high control peaceful New Year. assessments and preparing for pre public examinations which will take place in the New Ahson Mohammed Year. I hope they make the most of the

BAD WEATHER School Parent Portal Registration PROCEDURE and Account We are approaching that time of year when bad Activation weather could cause disruption to the school so please make sure both you and your As you may be aware, the school has child/children have a recently moved its parent portal provider plan in place service from the SIMS Learning Gateway to should it be the Oakford parent portal. Many parents necessary to have now completed the parent portal close the school at registration process, the link for which can be short notice. found on the school website. We have now started the verification/activation process In the event of a which will allow parents to view student details, The school policy does not currently include any sudden school including Academic monitoring reports. It is our text or email message. closure, students need to know exactly what to intention that, from September 2016, we will be do and where to go. If the school is unable to sending monitoring reports electronically. If you Should you have any queries please email open for any reason, or in the event of a Parentportal@billericay..sch.uk requirement to dismiss students early, have not already registered please do so as soon information will be broadcast on our school as possible. website: www.billericay.essex.sch.uk. In the 0 event of bad weather, information will also be We would also like to point out that at the current passed to Heart Essex FM (96.3 or 102.6 FM) time, the school policy for sending out general0 who will be running their snowline. notifications is through the 'InTouch' system and, where deemed to be necessary, absence The school switchboard is likely to be busy in the event of a sudden closure, so it is vital for you to notifications are communicated by telephone. 6 have arrangements in place. www.billericay.essex.sch.uk E-mail: [email protected] School Road, Billericay,l Essex, CM12 9LH c Tel: 01277 655191 Fax: 01277 314414 American Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Exchange - Host Families Needed for Local Charity Sixth formers at each year local host families are so supportive that if there - Visit to Fishers, Indiana entertain children from Chernobyl for a day's are any logistical problems someone can usually activities. The charity is now looking for help with help out. A thrilling week was experienced in America by hosting the children during their stay in the UK in If anyone would like to find out more about everyone who travelled to Billericay's twin city, 2016. becoming a host family you can contact me (Sian Fishers, Indiana, in October. Having already For the last two years my family has hosted two Lang - mum to Daniel Lang in year 7) on 07792 hosted counterparts from Fishers in July, Elliott children from the Chernobyl region for four 300193 or the charity's hosting co-ordinator Jones and Louise Tribe in Year 11, accompanied weeks over the summer, as part of a recuperative Gaynor Manthorpe on 07967 055038. by Miss Frappell and three representatives from holiday organised by the Chernobyl Children's School, were reunited with their Lifeline. exchange partners. They spent the week living The charity is now looking for more host families the life of an American teenager. who would be able to offer a home to either two girls or two boys, aged 10 - 12, for four weeks from Sunday 12 June to Sunday 10 July 2016. This is such a rewarding experience, knowing you are making a huge difference to the lives of these children who are still living with the adverse health and economic legacy of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster 30 years ago. The children are taken out every day during the week on various outings; you would need to look after them evenings and weekends. You will need a spare room, and preferably to be within easy reach of Stas and Katya having a treat after a busy the Methodist Church on Western Road, where day out last summer. By the end of the the children need to be dropped at 9 every day four weeks we had all learned the Russian and picked up at 4:30. However, all the other word "morozhenoe" (ice cream)

Highlights of the trip included touring and CHRISTMAS Kath and Mags Parsons, two of our staff at observing the lessons in Fishers and Hamilton The Billericay School, successfully Southeastern (HSE) High Schools, as well as CRAFT FAYRE organised a Christmas Craft Fair in support supporting the HSE 'Royals' at the weekly Friday of Cancer Research UK on Saturday 28 night football game and pep rally. Other November and raised a total of £804.05. incredible memories involved attending HSE's homecoming dance and spending time with the American exchange partners shopping in their malls, staying at their houses and, of course, eating the American delicacies!

Our thanks go out to the Billericay Twinning Association and Fishers Sister Cities Association for their organisation and support of the annual exchange. We'd also particularly like to thank the host families who were fantastic in demonstrating The World Challenge students also raised American hospitality. The trip has forged lifelong money towards their trip to Mongolia by friendships and created unforgettable memories. providing bacon butties and hot sausage rolls to all.

Royal Marines Visit and circuit training, no one had pulled out! 'It was really hard work but a great experience. It was tougher than an average work out, but it was really fun and I think we should have such sessions more often'. Amber Corrigan, year 13

The Royal Marines visited our school in early Year 12 and Year 13 students in November, taking students through a variety of the 6th form opted for a tasks designed to challenge. Year 10 boys took gruelling hour of fitness part in a leadership task on the field, with Mr activities, with the Marines Macbeth praising Alex Carpenter, Toby Reeves praising their commitment and and Alfie Baker in particular for their excellent resilience, pleased that despite achievement. the non stop press ups, sit ups District Cross Country FENCING NEWS CONGRATULATIONS Once again big congratulations to our linguistically able students as they achieved District Cross Country took place on Wednesday Sebastian Pallier (Year 11) headed off to Cape brilliant results in the following languages last 18 November at the Sporting Village, . Town, South Africa at the end of July with the U20 academic year: Squad for the Junior Commonwealth It was a close competition with only 9 points Games. He came 6th in the individual & played a Niloy Roy Italian A* separating 2nd and 4th place. We came 4th key role in winning team gold against the hosts Ella Raphael Hebrew A* overall. South Africa in the team final. September found Nikola Koza Polish B Seb at the Sainsbury's School Games Wiktoria Janiak Polish C There were excellent individual performances representing both England & The Billericay Abigail Gouldstone Spanish A from: School. He finished just outside the medals in the Trina Roy English (EAL) B Year 7: Lewis Volckman (3rd), Kai Redgrave individual but again won Gold in the team event. Julia Buccini Portuguese B (7th), Tom Johnson (10th), Sophie Kelly (14th) In October, Seb competed as the UK hosted a Ajab Durrani Dutch A2 B Year 8 & 9: Oliver Lawrence (14th), Freya Fuller Cadet European & World Cup Circuit Ping Wu Chinese A2 A (4th), Mia Riches (14th) Competition. After the poule rounds, Seb then These students have all spent a lot of their lunch Year 10 & 11: Ben Palmer (7th), Ryan O'Connell fenced six rounds of Direct Elimination beating and break times practising past exam papers (10th), Paige Lowrie (8th), Rebecca Lewis (13th) two other GB fencers, an American, a Latvian, a Frenchman and finally a Czech to reach the final. and have had to work independently. They have He took the final 15-11 against a Singaporean to shown a very mature attitude and keen work Freya, Ben, Ryan and Paige are likely to be ethos in order to achieve such marvellous asked to represent the District at the County results. Cross Country in January 2016. Do you speak another language? Thank you to all students who participated. You If you speak a language at home, other than were a real asset to the school. those already taught in school, and you can read and write it a little, you may be able to sit it as an exam in that language. We have been very impressed with the number of students in our school who speak another Duke of Edinburgh's language at home. Award A lot of these students have been able to take a GCSE/IGCSE/A-Level in their languages. They A big 'congratulations' to the following have been successful in achieving very pleasing students who have successfully completed their grades. Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. If you feel you have the interest and ability to take Netta Raphael a GSCE/IGCSE in your home language, we Elliott Pearman would like to discuss this possibility with you. We Finlay Munro have sample examination papers which include all 4 skills: listening, speaking, reading and Molly Giles writing. You might also be able to take a GCSE Louise Tribe paper in just listening and speaking or reading and writing. Beckie Andrewartha Samantha Hubble If you are interested in knowing more, please become the first GB U17 Men's foilist to win at this contact Mrs Bellers, (Modern Languages office) Olivia Christian level for a very long time. He is now ranked No 1 Connie Morgan in Great Britain and No 7 in Europe and No 11 in Hannah Morgan the World at U17 level.

This involved completing a period of Seb has also been selected as one of the volunteering, physical and skill sections along "Inspired Athletes" for Active Essex 2016 (this will Joseph Breedon, Year 12, began the Advanced with a two day one night expedition. Well done! be the 3rd year he has been recognised by the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence county). programme with British Fencing. Only those Alex Quinn, James Butcher, Jen Munro, Samuel ranked in the top 40 in their age group/weapon Monaghan and Harry Sanderson have also On Sunday 18 October our Year 7 Foilists can apply. completed their Silver Award, which involved competed in a regional team event held at Herts longer periods of volunteering, physical and skill Sporting Village Hatfield. There were 16 teams in Well done to all our fencers sections and a three day two night expedition. the Under 12 age group. An excellent achievement, well done! The boys, Jacob Malster, Jacob Lewis, Congratulations to the Year 11s who completed Kyran Porter and Max their Bronze practice and qualifying expeditions Lowman fenced in the summer term. Could parents please extremely well finishing remind students to go online to their eDofE 7th overall. An excellent result especially as it account and complete their award, as some was the first competition students are using this as part of their PE for two of our boys. qualification. Year 11 & 12 students should continue with their volunteering, physical and On Saturday 31 October skill sections if they wish to pursue their Silver Luke Toogood and Ellis Award. Lynn fenced in the Elite4 Epee where Luke Any Year 10 student who is interested in reached the quarter completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's finals and Daniel Twine Award can apply in January 2016; make sure represented Great you check the DofE notice board in A-block Britain in the Camden regularly for updates. International Sabre at the Olympic venue. FRIENDS OF THE BILLERICAY SCHOOL Saturday 16 April 2016, 7.30pm -10pm Main School Hall, The Billericay School Ticket price: Adults £5 Children £3

Do you fancy yourself as a budding Egghead ? Do you always beat the Chaser ? …or do you just like a good night out ?

Then why not gather together some friends and join us at our Quiz Night to raise funds to benefit the students at The Billericay School

Bring your own drink and nibbles (No hot food provided) Teams of no more than 8 adults VISIT FROM Year 12 LESLIE KLEINMAN - To book your tickets just email: Health & Social Care Students Sharon on [email protected] and details on RAISE MONEY FOR HAMELIN TRUST how to pay will be emailed to you. AUSCHWITZ Report by Katherine Johnson Year 13 As part of our Health and Social Care course, we SURVIVOR decided to raise money for the Hamelin Trust. GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP The Hamelin Trust is an organisation that aims to Malham Tarn Yorkshire - October 2015 help those with learning disabilities and their In October, Year 13 Geography students visited On Monday 21 September, Year 13 students had families. We have raised as much money as we the Field Studies Centre at Malham Tarn in the the unique and rare experience of being able to possibly could through various advertisements Yorkshire Dales National Park, North Yorkshire. listen to the talk from the Auschwitz survivor and activities. For example, we ran cake sales, The trip was part of their A2 Geographical Skills Leslie Kleinman. Leslie spoke about his assemblies and held meetings. Miss Johal paper. Their aim was to experience different types of fieldwork in differing environments. They experience of how he originated from Romania arranged for us to take part in a competition against year 13 to raise funds for this charity. We were investigating the physical characteristics of and lived a happy life with his family. However were given £50 to start with to get materials in rivers in a limestone landscape, collecting data this changed drastically when the Nazis occupied order to raise as much as we could for the on how a river's characteristics changed his country during the Second World War. Leslie charity. As the winning team we raised £360. In downstream. They investigated tourism at was soon separated from his family and his story total, both Year 12 and Year 13 raised £448. We Malham Cove and urban land use at Skipton. Their trip involved visiting the Limestone shocked and upset many of the students - Leslie would like to thank everyone who kindly donated to this amazing charity and contributed to the Pavement at Malham Cove and Gordale Scar. was the only surviving member of his family. His community. The money raised will help many story had a profound impact on the students and disadvantaged lives immensely. provoked great discussion in later general studies lessons over the unimaginable conditions and experiences. Leslie's talk will be an event that the students will never forget and students recognised the importance of hearing individual stories about the Holocaust.

Year 12 Health and Social Care students with Mr Johnson The students: Edward Bittante, Megan Bones, James from the Rotary Club. Katherine Johnson (pictured holding Butcher, Adam De Cruz, Laura Deacon, Max Elberfeld, the cheque) also raised money for this cause through the Kieran Hay, George Hayday, Stephen Henderson, Abigail Billericay Rotary Club. Hodnett, William McMeekin, Samuel Monaghan and Curtis Pace were accompanied by Mr Wilson and Mr Murnane. Key Stage 4 BTEC Engineering Visit to the PROVISIONAL EXAM DATES FOR 2016 Epping Ongar Railway Jan 2016 window: 7 - 15 January AS/A2 pre-public exams Years 12/13 On a very cold and bitter Saturday in November, 11 & 19 January Maths Edexcel Certificate Year 11 (selected students only) 5 students and Mr Gooding valiantly went in the 25 - 29 January Maths Functional Skills mini bus to the engineering section at the Epping external onscreen exam Year 9 (selected students only) Ongar steam railway, which is actually in North Weald. Feb 2016 window: 8 - 12 February Maths Functional Skills The five students, who all take BTEC external written exam Year 9 (selected students only engineering, were treated to a grand tour of the 1 - 12 February GCSE pre-public exam period Year 11 (+ selected Year 10 workshops and the repair and maintenance students) sheds. As Barry, our guide, said. "It is just like Summer 2016 window:3 May - 6 July GCSE, GCE, Edexcel Award your workshop, only far bigger. Bigger spanners, external exams, internal exams Years 9 - 13 bigger machines and bigger pieces of metal". The routine maintenance that was going on that The above exam dates are PROVISIONAL at this stage and must be checked again nearer the time weekend included descaling the steam loco's on forthcoming newsletters or via the Exams section on the school website. boiler. Just as kettles at home fur up, so do steam locos. This descaling needs to be done You will also find a copy of the Exams Handbook and Exam Regulations on the school website. once every 15 days of steam. The reason for such a short time period is, because here in These have been distributed to all students in Years 9 - 13 and must be adhered to during exams. Essex, the water is fairly hard. In , with softer water they can get away with it once every We remind you that we do not authorise holiday absence other than in exceptional circumstances at any 40 days. time of year. It is also vital that students in Years 9-13 are not absent during exam periods which now The students were stretch across much of the year. If you have any concerns, please contact the Exams Office in the first shown around the instance. rebuilding shed, which is where the 1905 Hall class Family Fun at Literacy and engine is being fully Numeracy Workshop rebuilt. This rebuilding is a long On Wednesday 4 November 2015, Year 7s and and costly affair and 8s at The Billericay School attended a literacy they are looking at and numeracy workshop. Staff, students and another 3 years of their parents were involved in many exciting work. All this work activities including measuring the ingredients to requires an army of make cupcakes, adverb charades, designing the Used Stamps volunteers, which decoration for their bedrooms, ordering food from was part of the a menu, word and number games and shopping Appeal reason for the visit. activities. All students who attended received a New blood is always free goodie bag with a Billericay School pencil Just a reminder that we are still collecting used welcome in groups case and USB pen. stamps for the RNIB. Remember that every such as the Epping stamp that you send us will help to benefit blind & Ongar railway. The aim of the evening was for students and and partially sighted children and adults with the It is not just only parents to participate in activities that they do in sixty plus services that the Royal National steam locos they their everyday lives where numeracy and literacy Institute of Blind People support. Stamps can be have; we had a full tour of their 1950s Diesel skills can be used and developed. left at the main school reception. Electric engine that they also use for day trips up The event was kindly supported by Waitrose who and down the line. These diesel electrics come joined us on the evening and provided maths with their own set of problems and we learnt it shopping activities, prizes and the ingredients for took over 400 hours of rewiring to get the engine students to go home and make cupcakes. The Young Chef of the Year to run and be safe. local branches of Pizza Express and ASK For more information regarding the EORailway supported the event with prizes for the raffle on Congratulations to our entrants to the visit their web site at http://eorailway.co.uk/ the evening and our World Challenge students Young Chef of the Year Competition provided refreshments. which was run by the Billericay Rotary Club. Eleanor Bayliss, Charlotte Tyler, A fun time was had by all! Emily Hughes and Georgia Rew faced YEAR 10 SPORTS tight competition against Mayflower School. The students were expected to LEADERS SPECTROSCOPY produce a healthy three course meal in two hours which was served to the These wonderful Year 10 Sports Leaders help to IN A SUITCASE external judges. Our students did run Primary School Athletics. Early in September, Year 13 chemistry students extremely well as they scooped all three took part in a workshop run by postgraduate top places. They spent 3 hours on Tuesday 10 November students from the University of Greenwich running lots of different stations for Year 5 and 6 called Spectroscopy in a Suitcase. They learnt 1st: Charlotte Tyler students and on the Wednesday they ran more about the topic they had been studying in 2nd: Emily Hughes different stations for Year 2. They were all class and had an 3rd: Georgia Rew excellent school opportunity to use ambassadors and an analytical infra- Charlotte Tyler will represent the really enjoyed red machine from School in the District Competition to be coaching the the university to held in students in how to identify unknown on improve their compounds to help the 5 March skills. solve a 'crime'. It 2016. Well was an excellent done to Thank you for all opportunity for Charlotte and of your help Yr10. them to apply the we wish her I couldn't run theoretical skills the best of luck these events they had learnt in in the next without your help. lessons. stage of the Mrs Burton competition. StemStem ActivitiesActivities Your Life STEM Family Challenge Speed Networking Event TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) All students in Year 8 were invited to take part in On 21 October, Year 11 and 12 students and Lucy Ainsworth, Gwynnie Mitchell, Emma a fun evening with their parent/guardian on parents were invited to an evening aimed at Samuelson and Lucie Smith, four Year 10 girls Wednesday 14 October from 5.00-7.30 pm. This offering information on careers and progression visited TCS on 22 October. unique evening event was designed for family pathways. This unique event was designed for 'Your Life' is a government campaign which aims groups to raise awareness and showcase the family groups to raise awareness and showcase to show the dynamic career opportunities courses and careers available in Science, the careers available in Science, Technology, unlocked by studying STEM subjects. The Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) and campaign is doing this through driving curiosity was organised by the Employability & Skills Unit, around the dynamic STEM career options The evening focused on raising aspiration and Essex County Council, in collaboration with The available today and in the future. This opportunity motivation whilst promoting the on-going study of Billericay School and High School. was available for Year 10 female students. STEM and STEM career guidance. The evening The evening focused on raising aspiration and The students worked in teams with other gave students a taster of STEM in its broadest motivation whilst promoting the on-going study of participating schools and had the chance to context, demonstrating how this fits into the 'real' STEMM. There was an opportunity to meet interact with likeminded students and talk to world of work and highlighting people from STEMM related industries and take female employees at TCS. work/apprenticeship or higher education home information about the range of jobs and pathways. There was an opportunity to meet routes in these sectors. Visit to the Big Bang Science Fair at people from STEM related industries/courses There were more than 20 employers from and take home information about the range of different sectors (Engineering, Medicine and the University of Essex jobs and routes in these sectors. Banks) who attended and gave an insight into Thirty Year 9 girls were invited to attend the 90 people (35 students and family what it is like to work in that sector and how to get Big Bang science fair held at the University members) attended on the night. They into it. Students and parents alike found the of Essex, on 15 December accompanied by worked in family teams on an exciting evening very informative with links gained for Mrs Barnes. The event brings together a 'hands on' activity where they had a chance possible work experience. host of exciting and fascinating activities to win a trophy. They heard short and demonstrations for hundreds of school presentations from a telecom apprentice students, with a focus on science, maths, and a medical engineer. Refreshments engineering and computing. Students were provided. Visit to the BRE and Go4Set Energy attended a lecture by Simon Watt from the The winners of the evening's Crane building Project sponsored by the Billericay Lions Ugly Animal Society and took part in challenge were Charlotte Aldred, Madeleine workshops on topics including crime scene Thompson and Teri Nathan who walked investigation, bacteria and disease identification, away with a glass trophy each. brain science and a Meet the Future You STEM careers session. They also visited the robot The event was run by Engineering Development arena, an interactive science fair and listened to Trust (EDT) an independent registered charity lectures on coral reef and climate change. which includes First Edition, Go4Set, Open Industry, The Engineering Education Scheme, Visit to Skills Headstart and Year in Industry. The EDT is a London 2015 at partner organisation of Tomorrow's Engineers. the ExCel London. 40 The event was organised by Dr Pavan and Year 11 and 13 supported by Miss Barnes and Year 12 BTEC students visited the Engineering students Max Taiani and Trina Roy. Skills London 2015 Careers Fair on 13 November accompanied by Mr Gooding. This is 15 students from Year 8 and 9 visited the BRE London's biggest jobs and careers event for 15- Royal Institution Engineering (Building Research Establishment)'s Innovation 24 year olds. The event featured over 180 Park in Watford on 25 November. BRE exhibitors including top employers, colleges, Masterclass The Billericay School was involved in the first Innovation Parks feature some of the world's training providers and advisers. Students were most sustainable buildings and landscapes plus able to take part in 'hands on' activities and get ever Essex based Royal Institution Engineering Masterclass Series for 31 talented students in hundreds of low carbon products, materials and inspired towards their future with over 40,000 technologies. The role of the Innovation Parks is jobs, including Apprenticeships, on offer. Year 9 from around the county. The series has been a resounding success with students to inform the industry and policy makers on the benefitting from the experience of viability of construction innovations that can Mathematics of Planet mentors from local industry. deliver improved performance and true Participants from our school are: Ben sustainability within the built environment. This Earth Bleach, Lynsey Clay. Florence Crew, was a fantastic opportunity for our students to 5 A Level Further Mathematics Dominic Crew, Ewan Gomersall, Ellis learn about eco housing and sustainability. students (Mollie Purser, Ruairi Lynn and Kayleigh Porter. For the Year 8 students, this was a reward trip for Morrissey, Ben Stacey Nathan Students gave up six of their completing the Eco House project funded by Crew and James Zafar) Saturdays from 10:00am-12:30pm to Morgan Sindall Group. The girls are part of the visited the Mathematics of attend ProCAT, some travelling from Flourish programme supervised by Mrs Barnes. Planet Earth exhibition at as far afield as . They learnt Participants were: Charlotte Aldred, Demi Imperial College London about: Perpetulum Motion (Steve Fitz Anderson, Rebecca Choraitis, Rachel Collins, during half term with Dr from Plextek); Propeller Theory (Selex Grace Fulwood, Charlotte Hawker, Bethany Perry, Isabelle Woods and Lauren Wright. Pavan. ES); Safe Deployment (Selex ES); Control and Safety Mechanisms (Mike For the Year 9 students, this is part of a Go4Set project they are doing about saving energy with The exhibits ranged from Roffe a contractor to Transport for London and Blane Judd from Mr Murnane. This project is sponsored by the predicting when tsunamis, Billericay Lions. Participants are Ayla Kuloglu, melting glaciers, volcanic EngTechNow); Inner workings of Jet Engines (Dee Amos an Aerospace Ben Bleach, Jasmine Margalit, Lee Norrell, eruptions and earthquakes Engineer); Team working, leadership and Mitchell Robinson and Adriel Tizora would take place with the use of maths to management in engineering (Mark Smith from stereographic projection of earth with mapping. Visteon and Hanon Systems). They then attended a RI Masterclasses are hands-on and interactive lecture which extra-curricular sessions led by top experts looked at how from academia and industry for keen and mathematicians talented young people all around the UK. The communicate Masterclasses aim to open the eyes of young their research people to the excitement, beauty and value of and findings to a mathematics, engineering and computer lay person. science and in turn, inspire the next generation. Katie Tosko MEETS THE COUNTESS OF WESSEX

Animal lovers were in for a royal treat in when HRH The Countess of Wessex visited Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary. The sanctuary helps more Olivia Mitchell than 200 horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, Year 9 pigs and cows that are victims of physical and mental abuse. The Countess has been a patron Olivia took part in the National Baton Twirling of the sanctuary since 2013 and was among 70 Championships in Devon in November where dignitaries who toured the facilities and learnt she became National Champion gaining more about horse rescue and Remus' first place in contributions to the community and economy. Preteen 2 Baton Novice, Preteen Duet Intermediate and Preteen Pom Strut. Olivia also achieved success in other Danielle categories where she finished 2nd, Kirby - Year 12 3rd and 5th. Karate European Bronze Champion Olivia has been Katie Tosko, from Year 7, who is a volunteer at selected to the sanctuary, presented flowers to the Countess. Congratulations to Danielle Kirby who achieved represent Bronze in Belgium at the International Open England in Italy Karate Championships, one of the most next year in the prestigious competitions in Europe. following events: Solo 1 Baton, 2 Baton, Duet Danielle completed in the Junior Female +53kg and Fusion Pom Team. Ethan Denham - YEAR 10 category. Well done Olivia! I was pleased with my medal because at a competition of this standard just winning one fight is an achievement. I could have performed Jessica better, and if I had I would have got into the final and had a good chance of winning, as I did Richardson - YEAR 8 manage to beat the girl who won in the W.I.K.F. Jessica performed at the Essex Regional Final of European championship finals a month ago. But the Essex Open Mic Music competition and was taking that into consideration, I am pleased with one of 6 contestants chosen to go to a recording the overall result. studio in London for Artist Development. You can view Jessica's performance on Youtube. Jessica has also performed in two West End tour shows and sung a solo at Theatre Royal Drury Lane with her Performing Arts Academy but probably her most nerve wracking performance was at The Billericay School Summer Concert this year when she sang in front of her peers! In November, Ethan Denham attended the IKU Well done, Jessica! Cadet/Junior Karate World Championship in Maribor Slovenia representing Karate Sport England. Over 25 countries attended including Thomas Brazil, Russia and Italy. Ethan entered 3 Mitchelmore - YEAR 9 categories, he came 4th in Kata, bronze in fighting and silver in team fighting.

Well done Ethan!

Doran Abbott - YEAR 8 Callum Vere Well done to Doran Abbott who passed the PADI Year 10, who was awarded the Junior Open Water Divers Course over the Chief Scout's Gold Award. In September, Tom competed at the largest summer. This involved a 15 hour e-learning An outstanding achievement. trampoline competition ever held in the UK with course with an exam at the end and three days WELL DONE, CALLUM over 800 competitors from all over the country. diving practice in a swimming pool, in the After a difficult beginning to the year in training, sea and from a boat. Tom delivered his personal best scores to finish Doran was commended by the dive third out of 47 and earn the bronze medal. centre on his commitment and attitude.

Tom also competed in the league finals which A great achievement! were held at the Olympic park in November. Success ACADEMIC MONITORING REPORT TERM The next Academic Monitoring Reports will be sent home week commencing 4 January 2016. DATES  2016 Emergency Contact Information In order for us to maintain accurate data on your Spring Term: child's record, please may we remind parents to Term begins Monday 4 January 2016 inform the school of any amendments to your contact/email information. Half Term Monday 15 to Friday 19 February 2016 Thank you for your support Term ends Wednesday 23 March 2016 Student Services Summer Term: Term begins Monday 11 April 2016 Student Hub May Day Bank Holiday Monday 2 May 2016 There is a new area for students to go at Half Term Monday 30 May to Friday 3 June 2016 lunchtimes called Student Hub. The Hub will be open every lunchtime in A28 and is run by the Term ends Thursday 21 July 2016 Peer Support Team. Student Hub is a place for students to go in Training Days: Thursday 24 March 2016 order to relax, make friends and ask for help if it is needed. (school closed to students) Friday 22 July 2016

Dates for your Diary: Careers Convention: Tuesday 19 January Year 9 Parents Evening: Tuesday 2 February 2015 GCSE Textiles FOBS: Wednesday 3 February coursework is waiting to be collected from Year 10 Parents Evening: Thursday 17 March E06. We can only hold the work until end of January 2016 latest. Year 12 & 13 Parents Evening: Tuesday 22 March

Mrs Wigglesworth

UNIFORM CARD REWARDS

The first winning form this year was ETNA - well done to Mr Tyson and his class! Their prize was Monday morning breakfast.

If you are interested in training to be a secondary The following forms won cookies: teacher then visit www.billericayscitt.com to find NBTS, NMAK, NMUA, CCBJ, KRSL, SMCS out more. We are in partnership with the No1 rated Initial Teacher Training provider in the House results were: country. We offer 14 different subjects and there 1st: Edison - 74 cards are bursaries of up to £30000 available 2nd: Newton - 71 cards depending on your subject and class of degree. 3rd: Curie - 69 cards Don't delay as places go fast! 4th: Keller - 62 cards 5th: Scott - 41 cards

The individual winners are: Year 7 Georgia Ford £10 New Look Voucher Year 8 Joseph McNeill £10 Game Voucher Year 9 Sam Carter £10 Amazon Voucher Year 10 Sammy-Jo Blanking £10 New Look Voucher Year 11 Freddy Heppell £10 Amazon Voucher