It's Charities Week 2010!

THE KINGS OF WESSEX SCHOOL A Church of England Foundation School Specialist Technology College

Issue no. 94 End of Autumn Term December 2010 The Kings’ Messenger

IT’S CHARITIES WEEK 2010!

It’s that time of year on the school calendar when the Senior Student Team has been putting the fun into fundraising with the annual Charities Week to raise money for this year’s local, national and international charities: bibic, Help for Heroes and Habitat for Humanity.

Top secret plotting has been stirring for months as the Year 13 Team students - seen here in their Superheroes costumes for this year’s theme - have been creating a menu of dastardly daring events, not least legendry pie-eating, the house of wax, gunge tank, jelly wrestling and egg-throwing. All destined to create maximum mess and mirth. The week would not be complete without would-be X-Factor Rock ‘n’ Roll Years when star student and staff performers strut their stuff; before rounding off with senior students donning their DJ’s and party frocks to dance the night away at the Senior Prom.

We present the Senior Student Team 2010 (in cunning superheroes disguise): Flash (Tom Haggerty), Incredible Hulk (Sam Jones), Iron Man (Ollie Crandon), Batman (Head Boy James Soffe), Robin (Abbey Woolway), Superman (Freddie Mehlig), Bat Girl (Nadine Williams), Spiderman (Alex Hicks), Wonder Woman (Hannah Shaw), Superwoman (Head Girl Carla Gordon), Poison Ivy (Anna Spanring), and Rogue (Brinna Barlow). See inside for more photos and coverage of the week’s events... Head’s-Up from Mr Richardson

Headteacher, The Kings of Wessex School

Dear Parents

As we watch the wintry skies keenly and dare to dream of a white – or at least a frosty Christmas, I am delighted to bring you this End of Autumn Term Kings’ Messenger newsletter.

Indeed, with the cold weather, it is lovely to see students sporting the new slipover jumpers worn under blazers launched as a smart plus to our winter uniform.

One term on since our initial conversion date to become an Academy School of 1 September, it is disappointing to report on continued delays and legal frustrations. Nevertheless, our Governing Body remains firmly committed to resolving the issues in order to achieve Academy Status for the benefit of all our students. We hope for an encouraging resolution in the New Year.

But, as you would imagine here at The Kings of Wessex School, it’s still business as usual with lots to report...

With an eye on exams and Controlled Assessments, it’s certainly been an action-packed term - what with Year 9 CAT’s, Years 10 and 11 Maths and Science Modules, and Year 11 Mocks. But we are all working hard, getting into the swing of things.

Mentoring Plus continues as Mentors work side-by-side with Mentees, meeting again this half term, and attending extra sessions at lunch and after school in subjects where students need an extra boost to help them with their learning.

Following Contents our Sixth Front Page 1 Form Open Head’s Up 2 Morning and Roll of Honour 3-5 Science Live! 6 Evening And we all know how students benefit from time to learn Mathematical Equations 6 events this away from a timetable. The Duke of Edinburgh and Sports Thales Physics Day 7 half term, I Leaders programmes have been challenging students, and British Computing Society Talk 8 am delighted I thank staff for organising the wealth of conferences, talks, Design Technology News 8-9 to report that trips and visits. You can also read more about my special Broadway Lodge Experience 9 over 200 trip in November to No.10 Downing Street... Learning Resource Centre Bookings 9 Year 11 Earlier this half term, we welcomed our School Governors Geographers to Brean Down 10 students for their Autumn Term Visit Day. I know they greatly Flourishing Horticulturalists 10 have applied enjoyed their time in school, which helps to inform their Kip on a Ship History Trip 11 for a place in work and decision-making. Thank you to our students and Inside No. 10... 12-13 the Sixth Subject Teams for their welcome. The Kings’ Art 14 Form. I am Performing Arts 15 passionate As you can see on the front page, as I write, we are all “The Last Station” Review 15 being blown away by the annual Charities Week. This is a French Study Trip to Normandy 16 about raising aspirations real tribute to the energy and enthusiasm of our Senior PSHE Ponderings 17 Student Team who are leading the week of mind-boggling The Fairtrade Cafe 17 of our young people to fundraising. I am not sure I could boast of their Mobile Phones in School 17 achievements at 17 and 18 years of age...! Christian Leader Reflections 18 achieve their The Gift of Christmas in a Shoebox 18 very best in Finally, I would like to thank you all for your support this Christmas Music and Cards 19 our ever term and to wish you and your families a very Happy Kings and Queens Sports Scores 20-21 competitive Christmas and best wishes for 2011. Charities Week 2010! 22-24 world. Yours sincerely, A reminder! It’s that special time, when we are looking forward to our We return to school Christmas Church Services at St Andrew’s Church in the for the Spring Term on Tuesday 4 January 2011 last week of term; whilst on a celebratory note of our students’ accomplishments, we will be holding our End of CHRIS RICHARDSON Term Achievement Assemblies on the last day. Headteacher

End of Autumn Term Roll of Honour Special Achievement Awards: Congratulations and thank you to our students!

BRONZE (5 merits) James Lomax 9DE Glenna Bautista 9MH Sabrina Willis 9CBA Shaun Adams 9JPF James Lovett 9SBA Ivan Beretvas 9MH Kathryn Willis 9MH Christopher Ames 9SJW Grace Low 9CBA Maisie Blair 9CBA Adam Wood 9JPF Harry Andrews 9SJW Reece Ludlow 9MH Ellis Bracey 9CBA Samuel Woodroffe 9MH Scott Andrews 9FP Tara Lukins 9CBA Layla Bray 9CBA Bronte Zamick 9VQ Shannon Baker 9CBA Jack Masters 9MH Vanessa Brill 9DR Holly Baldwin 9VQ Adam Micklewright 9FP Samuel Brock 9CBA GOLD (25 merits) Joshua Barker 9DR Samuel Miles 9TT Chloe Burke 9DR Sarah Appleby 9CBA Simon Barlow 9FP Jack Miller 9SBA Janne Clarke 9MH Glenna Bautista 9MH Georgia Barrett 9FP Maggie Morris 9SBA Amy Clegg 9DR Layla Bray 9CBA Jeylan Baskaya 9CBA Bonnie Naish 9DE Laura Cottle 9MH Chloe Burke 9DR Jasmine Bassett 9FP Rebecca Newman 9CBA Bethan Darby 9SBA Bethan Darby 9SBA Kit Benjamin 9JPF James Newton Browne 9DR Alice Davis 9CBA Alice Davis 9CBA Katie Bewick 9TT Hannah O’Brien 9SJW Charlotte Day 9JPF Rebecca Douglas 9DR Sophie Bishop 9VQ Alexander Paterson 9SJW Natalie Day 9MH Mamie Graham 9VQ Samuel Board 9CBA Connor Phillips 9DE Samuel Dearsley 9DR Annabelle Harraway 9SBA Rachael Boobyer 9SBA Scott Phillips 9DE Rebecca Douglas 9DR Lyndsey Hooper 9SJW Ella Brandrick 9TT Christa Pitman 9TT Lewis Dudley 9DR James Porter Hunt 9MH Ellie Brown 9TT Joseph Podpadec 9SBA Zoe Dunham 9TT Amy Rossiter 9MH Owen Browne 9TT Hannah Prestidge 9DE Robert Fletcher 9VQ Katherine Prior 9JPF Hannah Forde 9DR Chloe Butt 9SJW PLATINUM (50 merits) Laurie Purvis 9DE Kyle Foster-Smith 9DR Sam Chedzoy 9JPF Lauren Peverall 9RD Joseph Clark 9FP Madeleine Ralph 9SBA Mamie Graham 9VQ (from school year 2009-2010) Janne Clarke 9MH Molly Randell 9VQ Annabelle Harraway 9SBA Callum Clancy 9DE Stephanie Reeves 9SJW Christopher Hawkes 9VQ Hannah Richards 9DR Katie Hay 9VQ Lauren Cleave 9DE To celebrate their Alexandra Clement-Close 9TT Caitlin Rickard 9SJW Josephine Hill 9DR Mia Rowlands 9DE Sophie Hodges 9CBA accomplishments and Thomas Cooksey 9SJW contributions to school Thomas Daintree 9MH Eleanor Ryder 9TT Lyndsey Hooper 9SJW Joshua Daly 9CBA Joseph Scott-Hartley 9JPF Imogen Howorth 9MH life this Autumn Term, Charlie David 9SJW Louise Sealey 9VQ Benjamin Hughes 9VQ students will be presented Kieran Davies 9DE Jade Skyrme 9DR Jack Hughes 9SJW with their awards in our Thomas Davies 9SBA Matthew Slater 9SBA Shannon Johnson 9JPF Achievement Assemblies Amy Day 9SBA Oscar Smith 9SBA Emma Kelly 9SJW on the last day of term, Jasmine Day 9SJW Abbie Snelgrove 9MH Megan Kidner 9MH Friday 17 December 2010.

Megan Dive 9SBA Douglas Spinks 9MH Chelsea Llewellyn 9DR Eleanor Dunlop 9DE Christine Staite 9SBA Reece Ludlow 9MH Bronze and Silver = Henry East 9FP Elleni Stamatis 9TT Cora Marks 9DR a certificate Lucy Eccles 9FP Leah Street 9SJW Owen Marlow 9MH Gold = a certificate, Isobel Etherington 9DE Thomas Stevens 9VQ Fiona McLaren 9MH James Felton 9FP Elizabeth Sturmey 9JPF Dominic Mehlig 9DR badge and £10 Jonathan Fowler 9DE Gary Sutlieff 9DR Harriet Moody 9MH voucher Nathan Tabberer 9DE Ross Panes 9DR Kyran Gale 9CBA Platinum = 50 merits Nathan Gelder 9CBA Tennille Taylor 9FP Rachel Perry 9SJW Amber Gregory 9DE Molly Thorne 9DE Scott Phillips 9DR (a certificate, badge Hollie Griffin 9VQ Connor Vipond 9SJW James Porter Hunt 9MH and £15 voucher) Kimberley Voit 9DE Thomas Powell 9VQ George Hall 9DE Double Platinum = Robert Wallis 9CBA Hannah Richards 9DR Katrina Anne Hamilton 9CBA 100 merits Annabelle Harraway 9SBA Samuel Walters 9SBA Andrew Rose 9JPF Ben Harris 9DE Nathan Watford 9JPF Kate Smith 9CBA (certificate and £20 Daniel Harris 9SBA Emily White 9JPF Oscar Smith 9SBA voucher) Lilli Helps 9DE Grace Whittaker 9SBA Shannon Souttar-Bell 9JPF Daniel Hide 9DR Eleanor Williams 9DE Emma Spittal 9MH Christopher Hill 9VQ Jack Williams 9DE Gary Sutlieff 9DR Tom Hope-Stone Bell 9MH Kristian Wilmott 9DE Harry Townend 9DR Henry Hounsell 9TT Bronte Zamick 9VQ Shannon Vickery 9TT Ben Hutton 9DR Briony Allen 10LD Robert Wallis 9CBA Alexander Jeanes 9CBA Ben Rogers 10LD Katie Watson 9MH Kerrianne Johnson 9SJW Phoebe Wedgwood-Potts 9MH Rhiannon Jones 9DE SILVER (15 merits) James Whitson 9SBA Lucy Kelson 9JPF Kirsty Abbott 9MH Brandon Wilcox 9VQ Victoria Kent 9DE Emily Allcott 9TT Jack Williams 9DE Molly Knowles 9FP Sarah Appleby 9CBA Spencer Williams 9DR Rhys Lewis 9CBA Harry Baker 9SBA George Willis 9VQ

Jeylan Baskaya 9CBA Chelsea Llewellyn 9DR

School Colours: celebrating students for contribution to extra curricular activities

Music Hockey Rugby Drama

Holly Atkins 11KL Sarah Appleby 9CBA Sara Bradley 9FP Tom Cooksey 9SJW Harry Bishop 11DPW Hayley Chidzey 9MH Vanessa Brill 9DR Joshua Daly 9CBA Ellie Bradley 11LDA Alice Davis 9CBA Amy Clegg 9DR Sam Dearsley 9DR Joel Butcher 11ML Chris Hawkes 9VQ Rebecca Cox 9TT Kieran Gibson 9DE Jamie Emery 11AH Josephine Hill 9DR Josephine Hill 9DR Michael Hughes 9SBA Jack Landers 11JLB Lucy Kelson 9JPF Ashleigh Jones 9DR Kye Whelan 9CBA Joanna Martin 11DPW Rachel L Perry 9TT Megan Kidner 9MH William Astill 10LD Rebecca Rowntree 11AS Spencer Williams 9DR Chelsea Llewellyn 9DR Robert Bridgwater 10TCO Jamie Strawbridge 11KL Sabrina Willis 9CBA Grace Low 9CBA Jake Fear 10VW Isaac Taschimowitz 11AS Holly Babbington 10LD Rachel E Perry 9SJW Ben James 10MG Naomi Taylor 11AS Tim Lucas 10EM Katherine Prior 9JPF William Jonas 10EM Sophie Caunt 12BR Bridie McGrath 10VW Amy Rossiter 9MH Tom Jones 10MG Adam Clegg 12BR Isla Scott 10EM Jade Skyrme 9DR Kyran Marshall 10AST Nicole Fever 12GR Jona Steckler 10JG Shannon Vickery 9TT Lewis Norton-Collins10RD Simon Nothard 10EM Max Hope-Stone Bell 12IS Ellie Bradley 11LDA Emily Bancroft 10TCO Dennis Palmer 10RD Chloe Kitching 12TR Molly Efford 11AT Lucy Boobyer 10RD James Ross 10MG Hannah Lakin 13SK Sam Hanlon 11JLB Jodie Byrne 10EM Sam Hill 11CC Becky Donald 10VW Matthew Seabourne 10VW Matthew Hooper 11LJ Robyn McGibbon 10MG Stan Smith 10MG Lucy Locke 11JLB Sarah Phillips 10TCO Joshua Boothroyd 13JR The School Council Tilly Paul 11AS Millie Trower 10EM Oliver Caton 13SO Chris Ames 9SJW Katie Richards 11JLB Lois Wilson 10LD Marc Hurr 13SJ Sam Board 9SBA Martha Settle 11LJ Emily Bear 11AH Adam Kouidri 13SK Josephine Hill 9DR Ben Crompton 12CBE Rebecca Charles 11AT Jack Mason 13SO Kerrianne Johnson 9SJW Ben De Ivey 12GC Heather Cooke 11AT Joe Pinnington 13JR Rebecca Newman 9SBA Ed Kimmins-Tonkin 12GC Josephine Douglas 11AH Edward Plaister 13SO Rosie Allen 10VW John Male 12GC Lucy Locke 11JLB Luke Sealey 13JR Joe Drake Brockman 10LD William Taylor 12CBE Helen Pearce 11LJ Rebecca Grantham 10LD Tom Fake 13JWN Annie Pinnington 11JLB Mock Law Trial Cory Zanelli 10TCO Harley Williams 13SR Maya Robinson 11SS Court Reporter Brinna Barlow 13SJ Jessica Redmond 11LJ Charlotte Rogers 11CC Competition Ollie Crandon 13SK Mock Law Trial Carla Gordon 13SO Sophie Luff 12RW Freya Cumberlidge 12RW Jessica Benjamin 12GR Tom Haggerty 13SJ Sinead Byrom 12CA Alex Hicks 13SK Duke of Edinburgh Oliver Crandon 13SK Rotary Young Sam Jones 13JR Freya Cumberlidge 12RW Award Leadership Award Freddie Mehlig 13SO Nicole Fever 12GR Hannah Shaw 13SK Bronze Jessica Benjamin 12GR Alex Hicks 13SK James Soffe 13SJ Sophie Caunt 12BR Georgia Kevill 12BR Anna Spanring 13SJ Ella Hughes 12BR Emily Kouidri 12IS Nadine Williams 13JWN Natalie Stevenson 12CBE Ryan Llewellyn 13SR Abbey Woolway 13SR Kirsty McLaren 12CBE Silver Joe Perry 13SK Congratulations everyone! Emma Hanlon 13SO Matthew Salmon 13GMC Eve Taschimowitz 13SR Laura Weigold 12TR Olivia Yates 12CBE

Enrichments Subjects: celebrating students for contribution to the enrichment subjects

The Kings and Queens English Science News Team Katie Bewick 9TT Lilli Helps 9DE Alastair Campbell 9SJW Cora Marks 9DR Alastair Campbell 9SJW Alex Curnow 9FP Lilli Helps 9DE Lauren Hooper 9SJW Megan Haggerty 11AS Owen Marlow 9MH Rebecca Rowntree 11AS Gary Sutlieff 9DR Hayley Thorne 11SS Harry Townsend 9DR Amy Nicol 12BR Connor Hudson 11ML Ollie Crandon 13SK Sam Palmer 11AH James Soffe 13SJ Amy Nicol 12BR

Subject Awards: celebrating students for their achievements in the academic subjects Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 English Cora Marks 9DR Katie Smith 10TP Alastair Colthurst 11DPW - English Language - - - Emily Derrick 12RW Holly Freemantle 13SO English Literature - - - Emily Ingle 12GR Katie Hood 13GMC Media Studies - - - Chris Day 12IS Toby Brunsdon 13JWN Maths James Lomax 9DE Ellen Harris-Snell 10RMH Jamie Strawbridge 11KL Christie Zanelli 12RW James Soffe 13SJ Product Design Imogen Howorth 9MH Daniel Palmer 10RMH Jessica Burrough 11JLB Ben Fisher 12TR Jack Mason 13SO Food Technology Adam Wood 9JPF Jenny Wilson 10RD Lucy Kitching 11LJ Sophie Woods 12TR Olivia Owen 13SJ Child Development - - Jasmine Lock 11SS - - ICT James Newton-Browne 9DR William Hims 10RD Rebecca Rowntree 11AS Abigail Barrow 12GR Andy Austin 13SO Computing - - - Chris Kent 12GC Alex Williams 13SR Biology Eleanor Dunlop 9DE Chelsea Bailey 10AST Danielle Lloyd 11AT Seth Cunningham 12BR Brinna Barlow 13SJ Chemistry Katrina Hamilton 1CBA Rachel Stean 10EM Jack Harding 11CC Jenny Pearce 12RW Arne Scott 13SR Physics Katie Prior 9JPF Holly Babbington 10LD Alex Rossiter 11AH Jon Barrett 12BR Tom Bridgwater 13GMC Psychology - - - Emma Reason 12RW Emily Spencer 13SK Business Studies - Amy Jacobs 10AST Alexina Colwill 11AT Jasmine Crocker 12BR Scott Tsoi 13SJ Geography Jack Hughes 9SJW Frances Palmer 10JG Joel Butcher 11ML Alfie Palmer 12GR Hannah Thorne 13GMC History Cora Marks 9DR Elizabeth Wootton 10TCO Joanna Martin 11DPW Olivia Yates 12CBE Katie Hood 13GMC Law - - - Abigail Nicholson 12CA Scott Tsoi 13SJ R.E. Lyndsey Hooper 9SJW Jack Hugh 10RD Joanna Martin 11DPW Laura Weigold 12TR Emily Spencer 13SK Critical Thinking - - - Oliver Saunders 12GR - Sociology - - - Jenna Emery 12CA Dan Burns 13SR French Imogen Howarth 9MH Jenny Wilson 10RD Sam Hill 11CC Elizabeth Nash 12BR Harriet Thompson 13SR German Jack Hughes 9SJW Ellen Harris-Snell 10RMH Lucy Locke 11LJ Ben Champion 12GC Anna Spanring 13SJ Art Sam Woodroffe 9MH Ellen Harris-Snell 10RMH Bryony Stevens-Young 11LDA Emily Kouidri 12IS Hannah Thorne 13GMC Photography - Victoria Priddice 10EM Ellie Skeen 11AS Scott Virgo 12CA Millie Gibson 13SR Textiles - Ellie Kraeter 10MG Lily Brunsdon 11ML Kate Stone 12GC Daisy Robinson-Rattle 13SO Drama Cora Marks 9DR William Jonas 10EM Jamie Strawbridge 11KL Adam Clegg 12BR Carla Gordon 13SO Music Sabrina Willis 9CBA Ellie Rialas 10TP Sam Hill 11CC Natalie Stevenson 12CBE Robbie Marshall 13JWN P.E. Chris Hawkes 9VQ Sam Talbot 10EM Alex Rossiter 11AH Marie Cornish 12RW Stuart Thorne 13SK Learning Support - Jake Cunningham 10MG Ryan Baker 11ML - - PSHE/Citizenship Mamie Graham 9VQ Robyn McGibbon 10MG Josie Douglas 11AH - -

On Thursday 18 This year the Senior Mathematics Challenge fell in term- November 2010, time so we were entered 120 Years 11, 12 and 13 Years 9 and 10 students. The Challenge is an interesting Mathematical students had the exam that develops their ability to use skills in novel opportunity to situations. James Soffe in Year 13 excelled, and not only see five of the won a Gold Medal, but also qualified for the first round UK’s top scientists, plus a GCSE Exam Marker at of the British Mathematical Olympiad. Nine other Colston Hall in Bristol. students won Silver Medals. AND -

First we saw Professor Iain Stewart, a specialist in Geology. three of our Year 11 students (James He taught us about what he believed should be done to lower Peebles-Brown, James Strawbridge the amount of deaths caused by natural disasters. and Kirstie Hill) did so well they won

Next up was Professor Dave Cliff, who spoke about the Silver Medals and came second, third amazing subject of Computer Science, and how lots of and fourth in the school! computer companies people know make more of a profit than we think. Other medal winners were:

After a short break we were given some useful tips and Bronze: Jake Alen, Joel Butcher, Tristan Cakebread, information about our GCSE’s by Stuart Chenery, GCSE Angus Cumberlidge, Megan Haggerty, Sam Hanlon, Exam Marker. Matthew Hooper, Alex Jones, Lewis Jones, Chris Kent,

Matthew Lomax, Hannah Puddy, Sam Shuff, Brent Stewart, Luke Timmins, Scott Tsoi, Sean Whiteman and Alice Wright. Silver: Nick Bamber, Ben Davidson, Thomas Davies, George Penwarden, Eleanor Rowntree and Christie Zanelli. We will be entering 140 Years 10 and 11 students for the Intermediate Mathematical Challenge in the Spring.

This term we welcomed two visiting speakers. Firstly, Ted Graham from the University of Plymouth who gave his amusing and informative talk on ‘A’ Level Maths topics to Year 11 Upper Sets. The talk comprises a series of illustrations of the work done in different parts of the ‘A’ Level Maths Syllabus, and also deals with the uses of a Degree in Maths and the likely improvement to someone’s earning potential. This is the fourth year we have hosted the talk and we believe it contributes Then it was Professor Steve Jones who told us about DNA significantly to uptake of ‘A’ Level Maths. changes throughout history, which make humans what they are.

The second half was about exam questions, with the main subject on exam techniques, focusing on the different types of question you should expect to see in a Science exam.

The fourth Scientist to show us their presentation was Steve Mould. As Blue Peter Science Correspondent, his fantastic audio illusion and sound wave experiment left the audience in utter amazement.

The fifth and final Scientist was Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocok with her subject of Space. She showed us that if you want to be a Scientist you have to be ambitious. She told us how she reached her goal and is now manager of Science Innovations Company.

By Lilli Helps 9DE (The Kings and Queens News Team) Retired Director of Weights and Measures for Somerset

Howard Burnett returned to deliver his challenging Mathematical Equations seminar on the use of advanced statistical techniques in trading standards enforcement. This session is for Year By Mr T Powell, Maths Enrichment Leader 13 Further Maths students and complements their This term the Year 13 Statistics students attended a studies very well. Mr Burnett spent the morning conference at the University of Plymouth. A range of explaining how it is used in the wider world. speakers from universities in the UK and America plus This term’s Enrichment Project is the Community visitors from the Bank of England and elsewhere Cohesion Project, enabling students to explore explained their work and discussed the benefits of Mathematics from many world cultures. It involves a studying statistics to a high level. It was an excellent variety of activities that provide a fun and stimulating reminder of the uses of statistics in the real world. way to understand and appreciate other cultures. Thales Physics Day By Physics Student Cora Marks 9DR

Earlier this term October the two top Year 9 Science sets had the fantastic opportunity to participate in a Physics Day organised by Thales, as an extra curricular enrichment activity. We would be off timetable for the day and would work in other groups than our normal Science class groups. It was going to be a brilliant day!

There were six activities in the morning at which everyone would have a go at making telescopes, laser measuring tools, using an infra-red camera, finding paper marked with UV letters, using a metal detector and building radios. In our groups of eight or nine, we definitely knew we were in for an action-packed morning!

Making telescopes was a really good activity: we had to select which lenses we would use, and choose them so that they focused. Some of the images where inverted, but that did not matter, because they still focused and magnified the object you were looking at. Then, we had to look through it and try to read some small words printed on a piece of paper about 5 metres away. It was really difficult but, great fun.

Our next task was to measure some things with a laser measurement instrument. These are used in the Army and the one which we used had been designed for use in Iraq or Afghanistan. They were incredibly accurate and were absolutely brilliant to use. They looked a bit like binoculars but were chunkier. It was an amazing activity and the accuracy was astonishing.

After that it was our go at using an infra-red camera. It detects heat and can be used in the Army to find people who are hiding in forests or in areas, which are camouflaged. This one could also have been used in Afghanistan or Iraq. We all had a good go at looking through the lenses and hiding from the camera. It was an amazing device and we learnt all about the electromagnetic spectrum. It also showed us how Physics can work in the real world, outside of the classroom.

We then did a really good treasure hunt all around the school. It was interesting and we had to find codes which were written in UV pen on paper with an ultraviolet light. We split into teams of three and then competed against each other to win. It was really good - even though it was really cold outside, we all enjoyed it.

Afterwards, we had a go at a metal detector, and had to find tin foil under cardboard. There were metal pipes under the floor and they created false alarms. We got ten points for every piece of metal we found. However, there were also mines which lost us five points when we found them. It was amazing to have a go at the metal detector.

The last activity was building radios. We had to solder all the parts together and then decipher a message in Morse Code. It was great fun. After lunch we did the thing we had been preparing for all day; we started to build our bridges. We had been earning points through our activities all day to buy extra material for our bridges, which we spent the next hour constructing.

The bridges had to be 50cm long and constructed out of card, straws and pencils. We had to get as many marbles in a cup as possible. With only ten minutes left, lots of bridges collapsed as they were taken to the hall for judging.

Mr Clegg, one of our School Governors kindly judged the bridges, placing marbles on them one by one, waiting for them to collapse. Only three collapsed which was good, and it came down to how good the bridges looked. In the end the winning team got there prizes and we all got a few freebees from Thales. It was a really good day and we thanked Thales for the wonderful time. British Computing Society Talk Food Technologists Do It Sustainably!

Feedback from Mrs Chapman, Teacher of ICT This term Food Technologists in Years 9, 10 and 11 have been focusing on the very topical issues of Derek Newman, a member of the British Computer Society Sustainable Design, including ‘green’ and ethical with 40 years experience in computing industry, talked to a matters, including: group of Years 12 and 13 ICT and Computing students about career and university opportunities in the computing,  reusing leftover foods, sector as well as offering them advice for their exams.  reducing our use of unhealthy processed foods, Derek is a chartered member of the BCS as well as working  reducing the size of our eco footprint full time as the Information Security Auditor for British (the total impact on world resources) by Energy. The BCS promotes wider social and economic using seasonal, locally produced foods progress through the advancement of Information  refusing to buy unfairly traded or Technology Science and practice. unethically produced foods Derek gave a fascinating insight into working in the  rethinking diet and lifestyle to be more computing field and shared interesting stories on nuclear IT healthy security, which students thoroughly enjoyed. Students  repairing equipment and repairing the remarked how useful it is to have speakers from the IT normal wear and tear to our body by industry instead of simply using case studies set out in books ensuring we eat the right nutrients. and articles.

Students will be using the British Computing Society and British Energy as case studies for their exams this year.

Derek also explained more about IT/ Computing Degree Courses, which Year 13 students found extremely helpful for selecting courses for further study.

Design Technology News By Miss Chapman, Design Technology Enrichment Leader

Thank you to all Year 9 students who have paid their deposit for the fast approaching Euro Disney trip in January 2011. A bientôt..!

Outstanding Year 11 Technology Students this term:

Food Technology Product Design Last year’s Food Technologists ‘pioneered’ this Emily Bear Myles Booker syllabus for the school, and soon Years 10 and 11 Jessica Burrough Ben Fowler will be able to access past papers on the KLP to Eve Heaslip Phoebe Gupta practise their exam technique, in preparation for Ed Lupton Lucy Kitching Jo Martin Libby Mewes their public examination on 28 January 2011, Melissa Rowley-Noble Rachael Moger which is worth 20% of the total GCSE grade. Laura Paterson Elsie Painter Go Technologists, go!

Amy Searle Callum Richard Ellie Skeen Lucy Stone Hayley Thorne Outside In...! Emily Thorowgood Child Development Oli Tincknell Sam Hill How good are you at reading body language or Daniel Wood Callum Hobbs spotting fake laughs? Can you tell whether Samantha Hunter someone is telling the truth by checking what they Jasmine Lock say with what you can hear or see?

Well done to all these Year 11 students on the BTEC Child Care, students for your Learning and Development course have been fabulous work and exploring Unit 3: Communication. How we greet, motivation in their meet and talk about issues greatly affects all our Technology subjects! relationships, whether at home, school, work or in a social context. Building positive relationships is

an important life skill for everyone.

In October, the class was Broadway Lodge Experience

pleased to meet In November, patients and workers Julie from Broadway Lodge – a Simmonds, rehabilitation centre in Weston- manager of super-Mare - come into to talk to Valley Year 12 students for the morning Childrens’ about the medical and general Centre (next to consequences of taking drugs, as Cheddar First well as having a patient share. They School) and the shared with us their experiences of Octopus drug and alcohol addiction, Childrens’ describing what happened to them Centre in and how they suffered, as well as how Broadway was helping them. Burnham. With a previous career as a social worker, the It was extremely interesting to hear stories of real addicts lesson was generously sprinkled with true life rather than having a lecture from your teachers about illustrations of how to approach and work with drugs, it really opened our eyes to what could happen if you adults in a constructive, professional way – even took drugs or drink too much and how it could really affect your life. It made us realise that addiction was not something when faced with a complaint or disagreement. could happen to anyone except us; it showed that addiction Safeguarding children is a vital issue in childcare could affect anyone from any background and no matter and Mrs Simmonds explained simply how who you are it could affect you. confidentiality and information sharing policies It was a very informative and interesting morning, showing operated in practice. This learning fed directly into us the reality of drugs and alcohol addiction and how it a BTEC assignment. The lesson was rounded off affects real people and not just people we distance ourselves with a question and answer session and students from. Report by Rachael Bewick 12RW were truly delighted when Mrs Simmonds invited Learning Resource Centre Bookings them to visit the newly opened premises of the Valley Childrens’ Centre after Christmas. Opening Times - don’t forget, if you need a bit more time to

After half term, the enthusiastic Leanne Cooper, finish off or print your work, the LRC is open from 8.15am on trainer of carers at Southleigh Nursery in Tuesday to Fridays for you to use the computers and printers – or read the papers or a book. Burnham, brought lots of equipment into class to demonstrate how carers and parents could develop Student Librarians - if you want something communication with babies, toddlers and pre- to do at lunchtime, we are still looking for schoolers. Miss Cooper explained the important Student Librarians for one session a week. role of key workers (a specific carer allocated to Talk to the Librarians to find out more. each child) in building children’s self esteem and Top Gear Cool Wall - this is now up on encouraging them to express their wants or needs. the table outside Mr Clark’s room, so if Students were able to see how props and play you have definite views on cars, make sure could be used purposefully to explore or explain you join in. Look. issues to young children...all excellent learning to Games - we have a new selection of board be practiced in their next work placement in games for winter lunchtimes. Hangman, February! Hungry Frog, and Who Wants to be a

Our next visitors will be North Somerset’s Play Millionaire, along with Chess, Draughts, Rangers who run free open play sessions after Scrabble, Snakes and Ladders, Boggle, school at a selection of public parks for children Cluedo, Guess Who, Connect 4 and Monopoly. aged about 8-16 years. The Play Rangers are communication experts and always focus on Magazines - if you would like to see quickly building positive relationships with something different than our current children because they never know in advance who selection, come and tell us, and we will will turn up to a session and how well the children see what we can do. will mix. With a ‘play pod’ of equipment, they Box Tops for Books - we are still reckon to be able to run up to 100 activities, collecting tokens from the top of cereal packets. Thank you for catering for bringing to the LRC, and either pas to the Librarians, or put in individuals the box on the counter. wishing to play Bath Festival of Children’s Literature - once again, we took a alone or in minibus of students, this time to Interactive Dr Who. I know groups. We look we have the world’s experts on Dr Who. They answered forward to questions at the end of the session, even correcting the meeting them and presenters’ answers. We came home with various posters and learning from signatures from the event. We will be going again next year. their real life Student Reading Group – we meet once a month, on a experience. Wednesday period 3 (changed from Thursday). Students

By Mrs Seel, Teacher of Food Technology and Child Care choose the book, and then discuss it at the next meeting. If you would like to join us, come and see the Librarians.

By Mrs Knutson, LRC Manager Geographers to Brean Down – Report by Andrew Ireland, Harry Laurie, Sid Morris and Dan Yates 10MG

As part of our Year 10 Geography course four classes went to Brean Down on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 November 2010, travelling by coach and when we arrived we were given clip boards and work booklets.

We went to Brean Down to look at coastal features we had studied in class and to discover how the area is managed to prevent coastal erosion. Those fortunate to go on the Tuesday had clear skies and amazing views over the Severn Estuary from the top of Brean Down. However, within 24 hours the winds had changed and the Wednesday groups needed their raincoats. Despite the weather variations, we now have a local case study for our Geography GCSE and enjoyed a day out to put theory into practice.

Flourishing Green-Fingered Horticulturalists

Our National Skills Profile Horticulture students were grateful to receive a cheque this half term for £100 from Nigel Lincoln, Secretary of Frankie Howerd OBE Trust thanks to fundraising at another successful Classic Vehicle Run in September.

Earlier this school year, green-fingered students Tom Powell and Tilly Paul were busy propagating aloe vera and succulent cuttings for sale in school, raising £25, before visiting Cheddar Garden Centre with the profits to buy bulbs ready for planting in the spring. Tom and Tilly will soon be off to Sanders Garden World to look at the displays and note the changes in gardening life for the winter season. Looking to the summer, our young gardeners also have plans to create a raised bed to grow more vegetables near their Kings greenhouse.

Left to Right: Glenne Hutchings (Subject Leader for Learning Support), Tom Powell, Chris Richardson (Headteacher), Nigel Lincoln (Secretary of Frankie Howerd OBE Trust), Tilly Paul and Jane Lincoln (Teacher of the National Skills Profile for Horticulture Qualification) We wrapped up for a late night tour of the city, where we learned the gory details of the infamous Jack the All Aboard for the Ripper murders of 1888. The engaging, and History Kip on a Ship Trip disturbingly enthusiastic, Ripperologist tour guide showed copies of alleged letters from the killer, photos This term, 40 lucky Year 11 GCSE Historians of the ancient streets the Ripper stalked, even photos of had an educational and entertaining time in the victims' bodies. By pointing out exact locations and London on the "Kip on a Ship" trip – enjoying a subtly demonstrating the murders he even managed to terrifying Jack the Ripper tour of London and a successfully scare a generation accustomed to horror night aboard HMS Belfast. films, setting us up for a restless night on the battleship!

The night was spent in the narrow bunks of the former mess decks. Although not particularly comfortable, it was exciting to get a taste of the life of sailors at war. In the morning, the new ship's crew took breakfast before attending an education session. HMS Belfast had a busy working life, as did the sailors on board. She was nearly destroyed by a magnetic mine in November 1939. But fortunately was repaired and re-commissioned in 1942 for service in World War Two.

The young historians learned the background of the ship and about life on board, with volunteers testing a hammock - said to be more comfy than the bunks they slept in! - and trying on uniforms. We then looked around the maze- like vessel, an activity made more realistic by the wax models at work or rest, including a dentist, and a surgeon performing an operation on another dummy! It was a reminder that not only did the sailors work on board, they also lived on board. Visitors could only wonder at what it might be like to First stop was the Holocaust Exhibition at the Imperial live in such conditions for months on end.

War Museum. Accounts from Holocaust survivors, After a quick lunch, the final stop was award winning horrific film footage, and objects such as the shoes of Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms. During the concentration camp victims made a poignant the Second World War, safely buried beneath the presentation, manifesting the sheer brutality of the bustling streets and towering buildings of the capital, Holocaust. The group explored the rest of the museum, they accommodated the British Government Command where aeroplanes, tanks and other retired military Centre. Interactive screens and talking headsets vehicles were on show. allowed us to learn about how the war effort was Downstairs, a model trench had been built in the World maintained from this hidden HQ and explore the life of War One exhibition and students experienced the a man many deem to be Britain's greatest PM. claustrophobic conditions that soldiers were forced to Afterwards there was time to pick up a souvenir from endure. The Inter-War Years Exhibition was the gift shop before getting back onto the coach and particularly interesting as we have studied international heading home. Exhausted, we snoozed most of the way relations between the World Wars for our exams, so in an attempt to catch up on lost sleep...zzzzzz! this was great revision, as well as a source of new information. The trip was thoroughly enjoyed by students and teachers alike. We learned important and interesting We then lugged our bags across London to enjoy a information for exams, as well as having a once in a three-course dinner at Pizza Express. Once refreshed lifetime experience. we boarded the Second World War veteran battleship, HMS Belfast where we were to spend the night. Report by Megan Haggerty and Rebecca Rowntree (The Kings and Queens News Team) where many important decisions about Britain have been made over the years. Inside No. 10... I also felt a great sense of responsibility in that I was On Wednesday 17 representing The Kings of Wessex, because I am very proud of our school. November 2010, with other Headteachers of It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Outstanding Schools, Mr Richardson attended a Q: What was 10 Downing Street like? Reception held by Prime A: The first thing that struck me was the phenomenal Minister David Cameron amount of security. There was a huge gate at either at No. 10 Downing Street end of the street, armed police and lots of security cameras. Before we could go in we had to go through for schools converting to a security system, similar to ones in airports, where we Academy Status. had to hand in our phones and cameras.

With their notepads at the ready, The Kings and The amount of security was saddening...when I was Queens News Team held their own press conference to younger you were able to walk up to the door and interview him... even have your picture taken with the Prime Minister, but unfortunately, there’s no chance of that in today’s climate.

However, once we got through the famous - and astonishingly shiny - door we were free to move around the surprisingly modest rooms. I felt extremely privileged to see inside such a famous and private building and loved how much history was there. It was astounding to think of the people who had walked those corridors. And I was really pleased to see the staircase with portraits of all the Prime Ministers.

Q: Where you able to look around much of No.10? A: Yes, I was able to look around quite a lot. I was lucky enough to see the room where visiting Wold Leaders meet the Prime Minister. Looking at the two seats by the fireplace, I thought to myself of how many important people had been here before.

It was a shame that it was not possible to look into the Cabinet Room, but I was still immensely pleased to be able to visit the building where so many crucial decisions had been made.

Q: Did you see many of the Prime Minister’s staff in No.10? A: There were quite a few around that we saw. I thought how interesting it must be to work there, meeting so many influential people. I wondered, for example, how many famous people the waiters and waitresses must have served since working there and whose coats the cloakroom attendant may have Q: How did you get invited to the Reception, collected. and what were your first thoughts about the invitation? Q: What was the Prime Minster like? I received a letter at the beginning of this half term A: He came across very well, he was very well dressed, which said “10 Downing Street” on the back of the articulate and confident; a great speaker. He was also envelope. At first I thought that it might be fake, but extremely passionate about education. He had made after closer inspection I decided it was too realistic to sure that the first Bill he passed was an Education Bill - have been forged! and he even thanked us for our work at Kings.

I was delighted to have received the invitation and I It turned out that he had come straight to the replied straight away. I love History and it was reception after appearing on Prime Minister’s fascinating for me to visit such an important place, Questions, making me wonder how hectic his life must be! At first, there were obvious problems with the school being a Church of England. There are some continuing complex legal problems, which we are committed to resolve and the Prime Minister is very pleased that Kings will become an Academy.

Q: What will Academy Status do for our school? A: Academy Status is part of the new scheme introduced by the Coalition Government, and will Can you spy Mr Richardson here with the Prime Minister provide the school with more and improved facilities, better and some other Headteachers at the Reception...? teaching and more 'freedom' in our teaching.

Q: How many schools in the Southwest of We have to be a school recognized as outstanding by England are academies? Ofsted to become an Academy, and will be one of the A: In the Southwest of England there are currently first in the country. This is the reason I went to the Reception at Number 10. around 20 Academies.

Q: What exactly were the Prime Minister’s Interview by: Alastair Bevan Campbell, thoughts of our school becoming an Academy? Megan Haggerty, Lilli Helps, Amy Nicol, A: Mr Cameron was so passionate about the Rebecca Rowntree, James Soffe and Hayley Thorne. Academy’s spreading. He saw our school as a good place to transform. You can visit the school website for updates

The Prime Minister was also very enthusiastic about about Academy Status... education, which was really encouraging.

The Mock Law Trial

On Saturday 5 December 2010 14 bleary-eyed students and Mr Green and Miss Gibbs arrived in school at 7.30am before beginning our journey to Cardiff Law Courts to participate in the South West heats of the National Mock Law Trial.

We were due to perform a variety of court roles in two cases doubling as both Prosecution and Defence. In fact, in our first case we ended up fighting ourselves with Mr Green performing an integral, if somewhat confusing, Witness and Barrister.

Our other two cases went very well and the hard work everyone had put in was plain to see. Unfortunately, due to fierce competition we did not qualify for the Nationals, but we all had an amazing day with fun all round. Although our team did not qualify, our Court Reporter, who participated in a separate competition was successful and her entry will be sent off to be judged as part of the national court reporter competition. By Freya Cumberlidge 12RW (Court Reporter) Year 9 Art Club

On Wednesday after school Ms Weaving is running a Year 9 Art Club in A2. All Artists are welcome to join!

Knitting and Stitching Show

On Thursday 7 October 2010 GCSE Textiles students went to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexander Palace. Artist Club members: Emily Stevens, Holly Baldwin, Annabelle The trip was a huge success giving the students the Harraway, Sarah Appleby, Annie Gould, Ella Brandrick & Jade Skyrme opportunity to see traditional and contemporary work, as well as speaking directly to the Designers. The inspired students discussed the designs, ideas and methods as well Young Artists Competitions 2011 as watching the demonstrations of different techniques in needlework. Rotary Club of Mendip Deadline: 31 March 2011 There are two age groups: Intermediate (13-15 year olds): one painting per student Senior (16-18 year olds): one painting per student

Pictures should be on either paper or canvas sized A4 or A3 and be framed and signed. Water Colour, pastel, acrylic or oil paint can be used. The image can be a subject or scene of the student’s choice, but it must have a local or Somerset connection and carry a title. Students are welcome to work at home or attend Art Club during lunchtime or after school. Students can also enter a piece of current coursework. See Ms Weaving if you have any questions.

V and A Museum and Tate Modern Photography Trip

We visited the V&A Museum to see the photography collection and students were able to visit ‘A Left to Right: Sarah Phillips, Chloe Glover, Lucy Stone, Becky Donald history of camera-less

photography.’

Photographic Duke of Edinburgh The first photographs ever made were created without the use of a Year 10 students Fabian Bowes-Richley, Ben Clark, Rhys camera, and the display explored Ford and Emma Tucker are creating a body of work the camera-less images from its showing Darkroom Techniques and Landscape discovery in the 1850s to the Photography looking at Tony Howell. Ansel Adams, present day. Michael Bosanko and Gabrielle Bascilico’s work. Their final piece will be a selected landscape photograph Drawing together unique examples printed onto canvas. from the V&A collection the display showcased the work of the key figures in the history of photography, including Anna Atkins, Man Ray and László Moholy-Nagy. Our Textiles students recently went We also attended the Tate Modern to see the ‘Voyeurism’ to the Clothes Show Live Exhibition, which included ‘Surveillance’ images. at the NEC Birmingham.

More to follow in the next report... By Ms R Weaving, Subject Leader for Art “The Last Station” – A Review Performing Arts By James Soffe, The Kings and Queens News Team

The recent screening of “The Last Station” for Cheddar This continues to be a busy term in the realm of Arts@Kings Theatre swiftly transported the audience back BTEC Performing Arts. Year 10 are about to start to Russia in the early 1900’s where the film was set. Soft, working on Bollywood Dance; whilst Year 11 are flowing music, the sound of hooves on cobbled streets and working incredibly hard towards gaining their AS Russian courtyards dappled in golden sunlight created an Level in Drama and Theatre Studies at the end of aura to captivate the imagination of the audience. the year. Our Year 13s recently performed their own work after months of devising – inspired by all the theatre they have seen over the last two years.

Earlier this half term, we went to see Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” performed by Filter Theatre Company at the Brewhouse in Taunton. The production was packed with audience interaction (- and free pizza!), with plenty of interesting techniques for our students to write about for their theatre review. By Mrs Step, Drama

Coming soon is the 2010 – 2011

school production of Jane Austen’s classic The film portrays the last days of Leo Tolstoy (Christopher Plummer) who intends to write a new will leaving the “Pride and Prejudice” copyright of his entire work to the Russian people. This Performance dates are on three nights: seems unthinkable to his wife Sofya (Helen Mirren) who Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 and does everything to try and convince her husband to leave his wealth to their family. Friday 28 January 2011 at 7.30pm This emotionally charged film is complimented beautifully Tickets are priced: £3 on Tuesday and £4 on by the musical score, composed by Sergey Yevtushenko. Wednesday to Friday. There is an authentic Russian quality to the music and the

way it cleverly links together both the peaceful outward appearance of the household and the often emotional, sometimes even amusing, reality is impressive.

Despite the focus on the famous author, one does not require a degree in English to appreciate the film. It does not focus on the academic creation of his work, but more on the author himself and his internal struggles. Seeing how Tolstoy was regarded as Godlike in his time by his large Tolstoyan following, appreciating his clear ideology and identifying his strong willed wife, bring the audience much closer into Tolstoy’s world and help us better understand the pressure on him to choose where his loyalties lie.

Dropped straight into this complex scenario is his new personal secretary Valentin Bulgakov (James McAvoy). An innocent Tolstoyan ideologist, he encounters an unusual difference between the rigid teachings of his movement and the everyday nature of the real Tolstoy. McAvoy is fantastic in portraying his surprise with this revelation and the uncertainty that follows.

The cast are all strong - especially Mirren portraying the poised anger and fury that grows inside her character. Plummer, at times appear disconnected and uneasy when acting alongside Mirren, interestingly a situation in which McAvoy flourishes.

Michael Hoffman’s direction is very good. Scenes move along well without veering off course into the overly sentimental, or false. You grow to like the characters, but there is no attempt to rudely yank at your emotions. Bones Apart Trombone Quartet is now in its Instead scenes are dealt with respectfully. 10th year and is internationally recognised as a By the end of the film you really feel for the characters and leading chamber ensemble (www.bonesapart.com). their individual struggles between new and conflicting Book your tickets for the Concert on loyalties. The original footage of Tolstoy at the beginning of Thursday 27January 2011 the credits helps to conclude what the film sets out to at 7.30pm in the Kings Theatre. achieve, revealing not only just myth of Tolstoy, but also the man himself. Tickets are priced: £8 adults and £6 children. www.bonesapart.com The French Study Trip to Chateau de la Baudonnière Normandy

Vive la Normandie…vive le soleil...vive le sport ...vive l’amitié!! Hurrah for Normandy… hurrah for the sunshine….hurrah for sport and for friendship!!

For the fourth year running our GCSE French Study trip was blessed with some wonderful weather which added enormously to everyone’s enjoyment of five action packed days. Highlights included the canoeing and climbing wall, a huge game of floodlit handball and a very atmospheric campfire, at which, to the accompaniment of a gifted French guitarist all sang along to some of the most well known French chansons and nibbled on melted marshmallows. It is also only fair to say our students outplayed the Dulwich College students when it came to the soirée de déguisement (fancy dress evening) …jaws dropped when into the dining room walked a Time Lord accompanied by not one - but two fully fledged Daleks. The winner however, was our very own Wally.

Although we occasionally confiscate items from students on trips we were not expecting to find an entire “disco kit” had been brought along by one student. As a reward for what can only be described as remarkable initiative the “disco kit” was returned to its owner for one night only when he and his “crew” laid on a fabulous discotheque for our students and the French activity leaders.

Another memorable moment on the trip was watching a group of our students, ably led by Teacher of Maths Mr Chivers, explaining and then playing a complicated card game with a group of similarly aged French youngsters seated on the floor of our Brittany Ferry. “Nous sommes tous des Européens”!

We will now hand over to the students:

“I had an amazing time and so many, many laughs. I feel as though I have also learned so much and am hoping that will come across in class..!” Olivia Jones

“...such an enjoyable and helpful week. It was very memorable.” Caitlin Bevan

“….it has definitely helped me improve my French!” Ella Robinson Rattle

“Merci beaucoup! Amazing trip! Loved every moment! Will cherish my bruises while they last…” Georgina Mason

“Merci beaucoup - l’excursion a été tres utile pour tout le monde. Nous avons vraiment essayé à parler beaucoup de français” Matthew Lomax

“I especially loved the picnic on the beach and the evenings because everyone got on with everyone...we were like a big family /une famille nombreuse!” Rebecca Charles Un grand remerciement à Madame Davies pour le reportage! “Very good especially the role plays….”

“It was really good and forced me to think about sexual PSHE/Citizenship relationships from a different perspective.”

Ponderings by Mme Davies “Extremely interesting…the content forced me to reflect about my approach to my sexuality in the future.”

This term, we have once again enjoyed on the vital stream of “It held my attention and left me with plenty to think visits to individual teaching groups by experienced about…” professionals from various backgrounds despite the Government’s spending cuts. Students can check out interesting resources for current topics on our notice board and display table in the LRC. As part of a scheme launched in Somerset two years ago, all Year 11 The Fairtrade classes are being visited by Somerset Senior Fire Officer Bob Telfer, who delivers to each class a Cafe is open! presentation involving film clips On Wednesdays in L3 from and statistics aimed at raising 12.45 to 1.35pm students’ awareness of the impact Ably assisted by Year 9 students, of road traffic accidents on you can enjoy Fairtrade coffee, individuals, public services and tea, hot chocolate, fruit juices the community as a whole. The and a selection of biscuits, and presentations stress the positive other goodies at reasonable impact students can make by prices in a warm and friendly environment, with the profits simply declining a lift home: going to current school charities. whether with an inebriated eighteen year old or… dare we say it, with a parent or elderly relation…which, was a scenario raised by our young people. Mobile Phones in School

The project is the brainchild of the Somerset Road Safety Keeping in touch - we would politely Partnership and all Year 11 students will receive through the remind our parents and young post a document entitled “Contract for Life”. Parents will, as in previous years, be encouraged to sit down with their citizens about the Mobile Phone youngsters and consider the terms of this contract which School Policy. Unlike many schools, teenagers, their parents, friends or siblings are then asked to Kings allows students to bring mobile sign and keep somewhere safe. phones into school, but it is important

Links with our School Nurse Mrs Tanner remain strong with to use responsibly. significant lesson input taking place in both Years 10 and 11 Any student wishing to bring their mobile phone into school this term. We have a new Youth Strategy Officer P.C Bartlett should sign the Mobile Phone Contract (available from the who has been talking to all our year 11 students both about Main School Office). And don’t forget - with Christmas the impact of anti social behaviour and the reality of a career around the corner, any Mobile Phone Contracts should be in the Police Force. For the first year we have welcomed updated if you are fortunate to get a new phone as a representatives of Lloyd Bank TSB Cathy Ware and Terry present. Finlay to help our youngsters make sense of the current Remember – mobile phones are to be used at breaktime financial world. and/or lunchtimes. They otherwise risk disrupting the learning As a Church School it is of others, and if used in lesson time, will be confiscated and vital that in the context of placed in the school safe and a letter will be sent home asking sex education we give our parents/guardians to collect the Friday following the students an opportunity confiscation. to reflect on the moral We do not expect students to have their phone confiscated on issues. On Friday 12 a further occasion, or else this will result in a permanent ban November 2010 the and/or a fixed term exclusion from school. Challenge UK Team gave a very attentive Year 10 We thank parents for supporting school policy so that all just such an opportunity students establish positive phone use in school. It is also with their Save Sex important to remember that students are responsible for the presentation The students correct use and security of their phone in school, including misuse if in the hands of their friends. were very receptive to the team’s explanation, A few parents have enquired whether we have the facility to through drama, role play and games of why chastity until collect mobile phones on a daily basis, re-issuing them at the marriage could be a viable and rewarding option. It was also end of the day. However, this is realistically impractical with once again a distinct advantage to be able to reduce the 1200 young people on site! audience by half by having two presentations rather than just Also – it is worth highlighting that Exam Boards are keeping one as in previous years. abreast of the electronic revolution and are very clear about

Here are just a few comments from the audience: misuse of phones in an exam leading to an automatic fail on an exam paper - whether a genuine accident or simply “Very informative but still managed to be entertaining and forgetting to switch a phone off. You will understand that it funny!” is therefore very important we establish good habits early on

for our young people. Thank you for your support! Christian Leader Reflections The wise men saying they had a bit much on this week to By Joanna Slade, Christian Leader make a journey. Or the shepherds thanking the angels for the musical item, and then rolling over and trying to get

some sleep. I wonder how you feel about people ‘Responding to God’ is the theme of this year’s Carol who cold call – Service at Kings. Of course God isn’t a bit like a cold- either on the caller in all sorts of ways, but at all the major Christian phone or on the festivals we celebrate, God asks us a question – what does this mean to you? Each year the Christmas story speaks to doorstep... us of people, who when God called, got involved and saw For me it’s a mixture their lives transformed. of emotions – sometimes irritation - This Christmas, as we hear the message of the angels they always seems to again, how will we choose to respond?

pick a time when the ‘For to us a child is born, dinner is most likely to burn or the to us a son is given, children are having and the government will be on his shoulders. an argument– and And he will be called other times a feeling Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, that I wish they’d just Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. leave me alone. Very Of the greatness of his government and peace rarely do I stop for a there will be no end.’ chat or respond Isaiah 9:6-7 positively to whatever they’re May that peace be with us all this Christmas!

trying to sell me. The Christmas story The Gift of Christmas in a Shoebox is all about God ‘cold- 20 years ago, a lone lorry of present-filled shoeboxes made calling’. None of the its way to Romanian orphanages, more than 1,700 miles people in the Christmas story were from North Wales from where it's journey began. Packed expecting to have to and donated in the UK by children and adults the goodie- respond to a message filled boxes were received with the jubilant faces of children from God. Mary who had been given the gift of Christmas for the very first quietly preparing to time, as part of the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. get married in Nazareth, wise men studying the stars, shepherds sat on a lonely hillside above Bethlehem Since then, the Shoebox Appeal has delivered the joy of tending their flocks. Christmas to around 80 million children living in poverty or

What would we be celebrating today if any of these people war-torn countries, of which The Kings of Wessex School had responded as we do to cold callers? Mary slamming has been immensely proud to be a part. This year, the the door on the angel Gabriel. school's generous donation of shoeboxes will be going to children around the world, especially to children affected by Pakistan's recent floods.

"I think it is a great idea to spread joy at Christmas," says student Rebecca Rowntree, taking part in the appeal. It’s fun just to make the shoeboxes and the fact that they will bring happiness to children is the icing on the cake!"

The most popular gifts are sweets, toy cars, small musical instruments and toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The Shoebox Appeal is one of many charity events supported at Kings, which is preparing for the renowned Charities Week 2010.

Report by Hayley Thorne, The Kings and Queens News Team

Here with some of the boxes before they begin their journey across the globe are: Jamie Strawbridge, Isaac Taschimowitz, Rebecca Rowntree and Jo Slade (Christian Leader) Christmas Music Concert

At the time of writing, our young musicians The Three Kings are tuning their instruments and practising and our winning Christmas card! their scales to end this Autumn Term on a warm musical note with the Christmas Concert on Thursday 16 December 2010.

The audience will be treated to the Chamber Choir's Christmas carol favourite "Silent Night", the School Choir will be raising st – Ben Attwood 10LD the roof with 1 Prize "Rule the World" and nd "When you 2 Prize Believe", Ayliffe whilst the Cumming Orchestra 10RMH will perform elegant "Swan Lake" - before the Big Band's resounding Blues Well done to Brothers' "Medley" and "Gotta Fly Now (Rocky) our three star pieces. winners for their lovely And - a big thank you to our PTA for providing designs! the refreshments and raffle during the interval. Ben’s card is our official by Lilli Helps 9DE A Christmas Poem school card for

Snowflakes settle on the icy ground, 2010. A white blanket forms over the town, People make their houses colourful and bright, So as the sun sets the town keeps it light All through the day and all through the night. rd 3 Prize Christmas Eve, Imogen All the stockings are out. Howorth Presents bought, cards sent, decorations up, 9MH Ready for a perfect Christmas. Thank you to Christmas day all our artists The best day of all. for their entries on the Christmas tree standing proud and tall theme of the Stockings full with lots of presents. three Kings.

Lots of food to eat at lunch A Happy And then you step outside Kings Christmas to the snow makes a crunch you all! Christmas is here - It’s time for fun!

Kings and Queens Sports’ Scores

It has been another busy and successful term for our boys’ teams.

Boys’ Rugby: The Year 9 Rugby Team made it through to the County Final after beating Kingsmead School in the Semi Final 26- 10, and Haygrove School in the quarter finals. The boys have an unbeaten run of seven games so far, winning against Haygrove, Crispin and Wells Blue Schools, and drawing 31-31 against Backwell School in a spectacular display of schoolboy rugby. But perhaps the highlight so far was when the boys showed tremendous determination and grit to beat a very aggressive Chew Valley side 22-20, with a last minute penalty kick. Congratulations to all involved, thanks to Tom Cooksey as Captain who has led by example. Due to the wintery weather, the team are, now due to play the Cup Final at North Petherton in the New Year... Good luck boys! Mr L Davies

The 1st XV lost out to local rivals Weston College, in the Daily Mail Vase, 7-22. This was a great match where both teams played well and was made particularly interesting with three ex-Kings players, representing Weston. The rugby season drew to a close, with our annual trip to Millfield School when over 80 boys represented Kings. The Year 9 boys beat Millfield B 49-19, which was an excellent result after a hard fought game, and the Year 10 boys turned the tables after their defeat to Millfield in the County Cup by beating their B Team by 60 plus points. The Year 11 after having the lead at half time, unfortunately went on to lose their game and in an epic battle the 1 st XV led three times during the game only to miss out in the last five minutes, losing 31-27. This was the first outing of the new 1st team shirts and although they could not get us a win you can see the boys certainly looked the part. On this note, the P.E. Department and the 1st XV Rugby team would like to thank our School PTA for donating the money to buy the new rugby shirts, which were supplied by local Cheddar company Eggcatcher.com. Mr C Bennett, Subject Leader for P.E.

During the Somerset Super Six competition, Somerset County selectors were looking for players amongst the six Districts to go forward into training for the Somerset County U15 Squad, and it is wonderful to announce our Sam Balkham, Connor Baker, Dan Crane, Scott Franklin and Alex Perkins were selected to be part of that Somerset U15 Squad. Moreover - Alex Collins, Ben James, Kieran Marshall, and Stan Smith and have also been selected for the Sedgemoor District Squad. Well done boys!

Boys’ Football: It is early in the football season, but Year 10 are already through to the second round of the County Cup, beating last year’s semi finalists Taunton Academy 3-2. The team played Heathfield School at home in the next round.

All the other year groups are still in the competition and will play their first round fixtures after Christmas.

Our Sixth Form played a great match on a cold and windy afternoon at Millfield School. We dominated the first half and took the lead early on with a neat through ball to Kianeau Whelan to slot under the keeper. Luke Sealey scored the second goal, which was nicely finished into the corner of the goal. Early in the second half, despite a lot of Millfield possession John Edwards struck a sweet strike curling into the corner of the net. Millfield managed to score a lucky goal towards the end, but our lads hung on well and deserved to win! Final score: 3 1 By Mr S Osgood Girls’ Hockey: Congratulations to the Year 9 girls Hockey Team who are unbeaten this season. We are enjoying success in the County Cup with wins against King Alfred’s, Chilton Trinity and Huish Episcopi Schools. Our final pool game is against Haygrove School. Victory here will hopefully see us through to the Semi Finals after Christmas. There has been a good team spirit within the team and all squad players have been involved in the games.

The U15 Hockey Team have had a very successful season with around 30 girls attending practices. They won the majority of their matches and at the point of writing are still competing in the County Cup. Although numbers have dwindled slightly -there are still around 20 girls who regularly attend the practices. Well done to all who played.

The Senior Hockey Teams have had a successful season with around 23 girls attending practices every week. At the point of writing the 1st x1 are still in the County Cup and are due to play The West Somerset Community College soon. The teams have won the majority of their matches and well done to all who have played. Mrs S Roberts and T Tibbs

Girls’ Netball: Year 9 Netball practices have begun on Tuesday lunchtimes, continuing after Christmas. All players are welcome.

Congratulations to Year 11 students Emily Bear and Josephine Douglas who have been selected for the County U.16 Hockey team. The players have attended a series of trials and we wish them luck in their matches next term.

A Reminder to Year 11 GCSE P.E. students to get their assessment only performances recorded as soon as possible. All DVD’S must be handed in to Mr Bennett by February half term.

Sports Leaders: Once again this year, the Year 10 Sports Leaders Level One course has been oversubscribed with 82 students signing up to take on this year’s challenges. All of the students were involved in the Year 5 Sports Festival held here at Kings in October and were all fantastic. The students have now been split into three groups and are covering the course at lunchtimes this year. Each group will organise its own Sports Festival as well as be involved in other Festivals when needed.

The Festival held on Wednesday 1 December 2010 was for Year 4 students from Fairlands Middle School who enjoyed their experience of tag rugby, basketball, badminton and dance.

Year 9 Sports and Arts Taster Days: In October all Year 9 were off timetable for two days to participate in a Sports and Arts Taster Day. Students participated in exciting sports including trampolining, archery, street dance, spinning, boxercise, climbing and a zip wire run by specialist coaches. Everyone had great fun and the students’ enthusiasm was fantastic and has resulted in some new clubs being set up for our students. By Mrs K Williams

Charities Week 2010 – it’s here... are you ready?

Monday saw the start of the week’s fundraising extravaganza, which kicked off with the stomach-churning legendary Pie-Eating contest, as competitors (with an appetite) raced to devour two pies - one meat filled and one with an alternative filling, washed down with a gravy-based smoothie.

Both staff and students stepped up to the plate and were given a chicken pie and another, filled with either tuna and spinach or baked beans and porridge oats. But worst of all was the drink, a horrific concoction of gravy, curry sauces, pickled onions, Haribo Tangfastics, toffee popcorn and jammy dodgers. Yuck! Although it went down surprisingly well.

But in the end there could only be one winner, the speediest scoffer - Year 13 student Josh Boothroyd. Other participants were left with a bitter aftertaste, but the audience had a fantastic time...!

The House of Wax heralded pain as unruly hair was unpleasantly plucked, shaved and waxed from its owner by gleeful bidders. Ouch! Smooth operators only.

Teachers sang along to their favourite songs in this year’s new event, Staff in their Eyes hosted by Teacher of Chemistry Ms Riddick in her famous Charities Week fairy wings. Teacher of French Mlle Hind started the performances with a rendition of “Ain’t No Other Man” by Christina Aguilera, followed by “Back for Good”, by Gary Barlow, aka Teacher of P.E. Mr Clark in an interesting wig. Robbie Williams was also on the scene in the form of Subject Leader for Drama, Mr Shorrock, who sang “Angels”.

Star struck Teacher of Physics Mr Friend sang Tom Jones’ hit “It’s Not Unusual” - despite the attentions of Ms Riddick! Mme Davies entertained the students performing “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, wearing a dress that wouldn’t look out of place in the wardrobe of the pop star known for her crazy costumes. But the clear winner was Head of Sixth Form Mr Green’s impression of rapper Professor Green (apparently no relation - !), complete with baseball cap and fake tattoos. His rendition of “I Need You Tonight” earned a standing ovation.

The Gunge Tank saw buckets of revolting concoctions including glue, glitter, baked beans, spaghetti hoops, gravy, salad cream and other ominous ingredients tipped over the heads of writhing victims. Introducing the Gunge Tank, the messiest, slimiest and stickiest show in town where the highest bidder chooses a bucket of gruesome gunge.

Guaranteed to get their revenge on friends – or foes. One of the memorable moments, must surely be Subject Leader for Maths Mr Carey sat in the gunge pool in his suit, straightening his tie...covered, from head to toes in mucky mess.

Jelly Wrestling was another favourite when peers battled it out and claim the winning sock. Best friends tackled each other to the floor in slippery jelly. The whole crowd cheered as two slim young men strode onto the battle field, shortly followed by the biggest young men in our school. It’s not hard to guess who won.

Everyone got involved cheering and shouting. Poor Umpire Mr Bennett even got pulled into the battle! Protective bin liners were de rigueur for audience members sitting close by...

Year groups went head-to- head in the

Simply the Best Quiz with the help of Year Leaders, and

a student from each year to join forces and fight it out through various rounds of quizzes, teacher-student wheelbarrow races, three-legged limbo, maggot star retrieving and even blind-folded animal body part guessing (yuk!) before the winner crowned.

The losing team in each round - usually the Year 11 partnership, Mr Targett and Ryan Gourlay – were forced to face the forfeit; including drinking a disgusting smoothie, eating liver and getting egged or custard-pied. After the points from each round were totalled the shock winners turned out to be Year 10, who enjoyed the satisfaction of beating the other years; and avoiding the disturbing penalties.

Friday was full of eggcitement, with the annual Egg-Throwing contest. A cracking time for all! But Charities Week would not be complete without the week’s spectacular grande finale on Friday. That’s right:, it’s -

Rock ‘n’ Roll Years when school came together for our very would-be X-Factor variety show, featuring both staff and students, singing, dancing, acting and generally having an amazing time. With brilliant choreography, dance moves and singing everyone bopped the lunchtime away with special finale highlight the Senior Team singing S Club 7’s “Don’t stop movin’”... Reports by Ollie Crandon, Megan Haggerty, Amy Nicol and Rebecca Rowntree (The Kings and Queens News Team)

And the reason why we are doing it The Senior Team would like to say

The Charities 2010: A Special Thank You Our local charity, bibic, based in Bridgwater, to ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF who specialises in helping children with conditions affecting contributed to the week – from buying a band for the their social, communication and learning abilities, events, attending the Winter and Senior Proms, enabling them to live a happier and more fulfilled life. donating Mufti Day money, and for contributing funds Help for Heroes strives to provide support for Services for gunging, autograph items and much more. men and women wounded in Britain’s current conflicts since 9/11. Habitat for Humanity’s sole aim is to A resoundingly loud thank you also to Heather Cooke tackle poverty housing on a global scale, operating all 10AT and Brent Stewart 13SJ who both raised money around the world, including in the by conducting a sponsored silence.

UK. The team also thank the people of Cheddar who also gave generously on their street collections and Cheddar First School and Fairlands and Hugh Sexey Middle Schools who donated loose change when the Superheroes made a flying visit to see them on the Friday.

And finally a word about our very own

Superheroes

Senior Team Supermen and Superwomen in their own right, as seen on the front cover (and also in their normal attire on the Head’s Up) must surely be possessed of their very own extraordinary powers.

Dedicated to protecting the public, our Superheroes have also So finally – let’s all say three cheers for the been dedicated to this year’s Charities Week, to raise as much money as superhumanly possible for the three Senior Superheroes Team! student-chosen charities. Led by Bat Man and Supergirl the team have demonstrated marvellous memorable and Thank you to Photographers Dan Hughes 13SR and momentous week...Early counting reveals that around Olivia Patrick 13SJ for their super snaps and Jason Bryant £10,000 profits will be on the way to support bibic, Help (Cheddar Valley Gazette) for the front page POW! for Heroes and Habitat for Humanity. You can view more photos on the school website www.kowessex.co.uk