Issue no. 100! End of Autumn Term December 2011

The Kings’ Messenger

Celebrates its 100th birthday!

Charities Week at Hogwarts works magic!

This year’s Charities Week took as its theme, The Kings of Wessex Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as the Senior Student Team (seen here) took centre stage as characters from J.K. Rowling’s adventure story sensation of wizard schoolboy Harry Potter and friends.

The audience of Muggles at Hogwarts bought wristbands for the week’s events held at break and lunchtime as part of the fun fundraising for the team’s three chosen charities: Freewheelers—the emergency volunteer blood courier service, Merlin— sending medical experts to frontline global emergencies and Make-a- Wish—granting wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening illnesses. Counting of the magic pennies is still going on, but it is anticipated that over £9,000 has been raised during the week.

Like the gestation of a good book, the team have been plotting their magical week for months and certainly cast their own spell on this great Kings tradition. Compared to the dastardly dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, Harry Potter and friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger would have doubtless escaped the traditional messy favourites of pie eating, waxing and the infamous gunge tank, and felt at home with magician Jez Starr. But would they have dared try Staff in their Eyes, or quiz games Would I lie to you? or romantic Blind Date? The week ended on a high with Rock and Roll Years, as students and staff strutted their stuff in singing and dance performances as the muggles rocked and raved in the aisles.

Headteacher Chris Richardson (a.k.a Dumbledore) said, every year our Senior Team put their own mark on Charities Week, and this year has been no exception. I am both impressed and proud of our students for their organisation and clever ideas to make this year’s event so memorable and magical. I also thank our students, staff and parents for all their support to make Charities Week 2011 such an enjoyable success.”

You can read and see more photos from the magical antics inside... Head’s-Up from Mr Richardson Headteacher, The Kings of Wessex Academy

Dear Parents, Talking of which, it has been another active half

You will have probably gathered term of trips and visits. You can read more in this that this is a special centenary edition. And there are plans afoot for more exciting trips on the horizon for which I praise and thank our staff. edition of our Kings’ Messenger newsletter, which happily represents the Finally, I would like to thank you all for your support this 17 years I will have been in post here at term and to wish you and your families a very Happy The Kings of Wessex Academy, and you can Christmas and best wishes for 2012. read some of my own personal reflections on the last page of this bumper edition. Yours sincerely, Important Diary Note! But turning now to the business of this Students return for the start Autumn Term, continuing their good work, students of the Spring Term on have been focusing hard on their studies, not least prepar- Thursday 5 January 2012 ing for Controlled Assessments, Year 9 CAT’s, Maths and Science Modules, and Year 11 Mocks. In support at CHRIS RICHARDSON GCSE, all Year 11 students have had their second one-to- Headteacher one Mentoring Plus meeting as we continue to track closely their progress, with extra lunchtime and after school sessions running in all subjects. Mindful of the COMING UP importance of English and Maths, I am pleased to report IN THIS CENTENARY that we are providing an additional hour’s teaching each week to a small group of students to help them achieve KINGS’ MESSENGER! that all important GCSE Grade C. Their feedback is very Roll of Honour 3-6 positive and I know that they are encouraged. Special Achievements 3-4 2011 Christmas Card Winner 4 Earlier this half term, we were delighted to Academy Colours 5-6 welcome our Governors for their Autumn Term visit, In the Mood for Food—Free School Meals 6 and I know that they marvelled at our work here at Kings English on the Page 7 and valued the contact with staff and students. Thank you! Mathematical Calculations 8 A Historical Perspective 9 Preparation for entry into the Sixth Form next Mock Law Trial 9 September 2012 continues with over 220 applications The Kings Art 10 –13 to date. Students enjoyed the opportunity to attend the The GCSE French Study Trip 14 Sixth Form Taster Day on Wednesday 23 November The World According to Kings Geographers 15 2011, and will shortly be meeting with a member of my A Review of the Kings’ Messenger 16-17 Scientific Experiments 18 Academy Leadership Group for their interview early in Paris Disneyland Designers 18 the Spring Term. Operation Wallacea 19 As this term draws to a close, our festive activities Business Studies Conference 20 are in full flow. The Music Department held a wonderful The 2011-2012 Year Book Team 20 The Psychology Challenge 21 concert attended by parents and students with inspiring Year 10 PSHE Save Sex Presentation 21 singing and music-making. And at the time of writing, we Musical Moments 22 are looking forward to our Christmas Church Services on Cheddar Arts@Kings Theatre 2012 Season 22 the theme of “His Story?” at St Andrew’s Church here in Dramatic Goings-on 23 Cheddar led by Rev. Sue Rose and Cheddar Valley A Day in the Life of Year 10 Student 23 Churches Schools’ Worker Joanna Slade when we will all Sampling the Sixth Form 24 LRC News 24 be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Learning Mentor Musings 25 On a fun end of term note, Charities Week—as The Positive Ups and Downs 25 already mentioned on the front page -was another stunning R.E. Ethics Conference 25 Year 12 Drugs Conference 25 week of events and whilst we await the final total raised, I Reflections at Christmas Time 26 know it will be a tribute to the Senior Student Team, and I Religious Education 26 thank students, staff and parents for all their support. The Cake Club 27 ICT Star Student 27 On the last day of term, as per tradition, we will be Elite Five Take Home Design Trophy 27 joining together to celebrate the achievements of students Charities Week 28-29 in year assemblies. You can see the list of awards in this Kings and Queens Sports Scores 30-31 newsletter and I would like to encourage all our students Looking Back in Time 32 to try their very best in their subjects, as well as try some- thing new from the many enrichment activities on offer. Happy Christmas to you all!

End of Autumn Term Roll of Honour Special Achievement Awards: Celebrating our students for good work and duties to the Academy. Thank you and congratulations! Ella Brandrick10TT Douglas Spinks 10MH Conrad Hart 9ML BRONZE (5 merits) Vanessa Brill 10DR Emma Spittal 10MH Matthew Hart 9AH James Alexander 9JLB Shane Brimble 10FPS Eleni Stamatis 10TT Isaac Heather 9KD George Astill 9JLB Ellie Brown 10TT Billy Standen 10JPF Ayrton Hemmens 9KS Luke Austin 9AH Owen Browne 10VQ Emily Stevens 10VQ Rebecca Higginbottom 9DPW Joshua Barwell 9CD Chloe Burke 10DR Nathan Tabberer 10DE Frances Hodgson 9JLB Samuel Binning 9DPW Chloe Butt 10SJW James Thompson 10JPF Harvey Horsnett-Bowley 9LJ Thomas Brooks 9JLB Alastair Campbell 10SJW Eloise Voice 10JPF Rebecca Ingoldsby 9AH Chloe Bryan 9TS Hayley Chidzey 10MH Katie Watson 10MH Nicholas Jamieson 9GW Matthew Bush 9TS Callum Clancy 10DE Phoebe Wedgwood-Potts 10MH Eleanor Keedwell 9GW Jack Burt 9TS Janne Clarke 10MH Kye Whelan 10SS Harriet King 9LJ Christian Byrom 9AH Sarah Coggins 10VQ Emily White 10JPF Isabel Lloyd 9GW Kieran Byworth 9GW Laura Cottle 10MH Laura Whitehead 10SBA William Lupton 9LJ Michael Cornick 9DPW Alexandra Curnow 10FPS Grace Whittaker 10SBA Joseph Macmanus 9DPW Finlay Cornish 9KS Charlotte Day 10JPF Troy Williams10DR Joseph Marks 9TS James Day 9DPW Rebecca Douglas 10DR Kathryn Willis 10MH Elizabeth Marshall 9LJ Joseph Day 9TS Benjamin Duggan 10JPF Sabrina Willis 10SS Harvey Marshall 9DPW Louisa Denham 9JLB Harrison Evans 10FPS Samuel Woodroffe 10MH Samuel Mason 9ML Stanley Disbury 9TS Abbey Floyd 10SS Billy Cavanagh 11JG Amy Moloney 9TS Charlie Draper 9LJ Kyle Foster-Smith 10DR Noah Gaudoin 11JG Matthew Moore 9ML Liam Ellis 9TS Cameron Fraser 10MH Daisy Matthews 11JG Annabel Nash 9KD Luke Fincham 9ML Kyran Gale 10SS Abigail Watson 11VW Elliott Nix-Goldworthy 9LJ Bronagh Flood 9LJ Nathan Gelder 10SS Kieran Webster 11EM Thomas Nyamunda 9GW Oliver Fortune 9TS Katrina-Anne Hamilton 10SS Georgina Offland 9JLB Georgia Goodison 9AH Ben Harris 10DE SILVER (15 merits) Rebekah Orriss 9LJ Sorrine Hartnup 9ML Christopher Hawkes 10VQ Aleah Aberdeen 9TS Ellie Orritt 9KD Jack Holmes 9DPW Lilli Helps 10DE George Adams 9KS Tyler Parry 9GW Ryan Huxtable 9CD Tom Hope-Stone Bell 10MH Eloise Ames 9CD Tegan Phillips 9AH Nathan James 9JLB Imogen Howorth 10MH Robyn Ash 9DPW Jordan Podbury 9LJ Thomas Jones 9DPW Joe Hurkett 10MH Emily Attwood 9KD Dominic Polden 9DPW Jamie Kellaway 9JLB Keisha Jacques-Harris 10TT Gemma Balkham 9TS Isobel Pritchard 9TS Reuben Kouidr 9TS Ella Jameson 10JPF Haydon Barber 9TS Joyce Puddy 9ML Eleanor Langford 9JLB Shannon Johnson 10JPF Katherine Barrett 9GW Emily Reece 9JLB Bradley Linklater 9JLB Victoria Kent 10DE Lily Barrett 9AH Elinor Robinson 9KS Hannah Lovell 9LJ Megan Kidner 10MH Alice Best 9CD Lindsay Rogers 9LJ Isobel Manners 9TS Rhys Lewis 10SS Benjamin Brown 9AH Kataleana Rooney 9AH Joshua McConville 9TS James Lovett 10SBA William Brunsdon 9CD Samantha Salt 9KD Elle McQuarrie 9JLB Grace Low 10SS Zachary Brunsdon 9DPW Thomas Samuel 9KD Niquitta Millard 9JLB Reece Ludlow 10MH William Cardno 9TS Madeleine Searle 9AH Bethan Miller 9ML Lauren Male 10VQ Elise Carwardine 9ML Rhiannon Skeen 9TS Maximilian Moore 9JLB William May 10TT Katie Chapman 9LJ Natalie Smallwood 9AH Joseph Morris 9ML Ross McColgan 10SJW Kieran Cobell 9DPW Ryan Starr 9CD Oliver Morris 9TS Fiona McLaren 10MH Ryan Collins 9ML Eloise Stone 9GW Kanisia Mounty 9KS Dominic Mehlig 10DR Jasmine Cornish 9KD Saffron Thomas-Wheway 9ML Chloe Nicholson 9ML Jenna Patten 10SS Samuel Dalton 9AH Joel Trenchard 9CD Aeron Preston 9DPW Mitchell Peckham 10DE Stephen Disbrey 9CD Harry Tucker 9DPW Courtney Read 9ML Thomas Pendergast 10MH Murray Donald 9CD Matthew Tucker 9LJ Jodie Richards 9TS Simon Peto 10MH Courtney Dunne 9LJ Thomas Vincent 9JLB Jack Schollar 9AH Scott Phillips 10DR Imogen Dyte 9TS Ben Voice 9LJ Dean Shovelton 9AH Christa Pitman 10TT Beau Edwards 9JLB Judith Wagstaff 9AH Hannah Stanbury 9JLB Matthew Prestidge 10DE Chloe Emery 9ML Charlotte Walker 9TS Megan Thorowgood 9CD Katherine Prior 10JPF Joseph Evans 9GW Chelsie Webster 9GW Ben Veysey 9KS Laurie Purvis 10DE Matthew Farrell 9JLB Isobel West 9AH Matthew Weare 9ML Abigail Quick 10JPF Charlie Ford 9KS Daisy Westbrook 9JLB Kirsty Abbott 10MH Molly Randell 10VQ Olivia Forrester 9KS Samuel Whaites 9DPW Sarah Appleby 10SS Andrew Rose 10JPF Sophie Gammon 9AH Zoe Wiggins 9KS James Ashman 10TT Amy Rossiter 10MH Eleni Georgiou 9TS Courtney Wright 9JLB Joshua Barker 10DR Eleanor Ryder 10TT Luke Goodman 9JLB Harry Baker 10SBA Jeylan Baskaya 10SS Leah Salway 10JPF Daisy Griffiths 9CD Keira Bambury 10TT Jack Beacom 10SBA Abbie Slater 10VQ Rachel Haines 9CD Kit Benjamin 10JPF James Board 10JPF Abbie Snelgrove 10MH Selah Harriott 9JLB Katie Bewick 10TT Samuel Brock 10SS GOLD (25 merits) William Male 9DPW Rebecca Thomas 9DPW Lauren Cleave 10DE Bryony Alen 9DPW Jessica Marshall 9LJ Gabrielle Thompson 9LJ Amy Clegg 10DR Holly Baines 9KD Joseph Marshall 9KD Ella Tippetts 9KS Alexandra Clement-Close 10TT Kyle Barber 9KS Alexandra Maynard 9GW Charles Townend 9ML Joshua Daly 10SS Helen Bartlett 9KD Daniel Meldon 9ML Austin Trotman 9KD Chloe-Anne Davidson 10JPF Fergal Bettridge-Boyd 9AH Theodore Mewes 9KS Rachel Wallace 9TS Jasmine Day 10SJW Harrison Barber-Bradbeer 9KD Ella Milford 9KD Michael Warboys 9KD Natalie Day 10MH Otis Bath 9KD Phoebe Moss 9GW Emily Weeden 9KD Sophie Deakins 10SBA Kayleigh Belcher 9ML Georgette Mutlow 9KS Holly Wilkinson 9LJ Samuel Dearsley 10DR Verity Bennett 9GW Samuel Newton 9CD Constance Williams 9DPW Zoe Dunham 10TT Eleanor Blackhurst 9TS William Newton 9CD Edward Williams 9GW Amber Gregory 10DE James Blake 9ML Oliver Nicholls 9AH Eva Willmott 9KS Liam Hathway 10SJW Emily Bolt 9GW Timothy Nicholls 9KS Harry Andrews 10SJW Christopher Hill 10VQ Kathryn Bowman 9LJ Stephanie Nourse 9DPW Holly Baldwin 10VQ Shannon House 10SBA Isaac Bradshaw Down 9GW Rowan Palmer 9KD Glenna Bautista 10MH Jack Hughes 10SJW Charlotte Brazier 9ML Leanna Parsons 9CD Alex Beretvas 10MH Ben Hutton 10DR Zoe Brice 9DPW Isabelle Paterson 9GW Sophie Bishop 10VQ Alexander Jeanes 10SS William Brown 9JLB Jessica Payne 9JLB Samuel Board 10SS Scott Jenkins 10SBA Abigail Butterfield 9ML Maisie Payne 9KS Ellis Bracey 10SS Ashleigh Jones 10DR Rachel Buxton 9DPW Sophie Pitt 9CD Charlie Buckland 10SJW Lucy Kelson 10JPF Charlotte Caunt 9KS Kyle Prowton 9LJ Henry East 10FPS Molly Knowles 10FPS Levanna Cecil 9KS Dexter Rawlings 9CD Katie Florey 10VQ Chelsea Llewellyn 10DR Bethany Charles 9KS Isabelle Rayner 9KS Mamie Graham 10VQ Tara Lukins 10SS Katarina Chinnock 9JLB Daniel Reason 9KD Kerrianne Johnson 10SJW Kerry Martin 10DR Daniel Clark 9ML Aaron Rialas 9KS Sophia Pavle 10SJW James Mason 10JPF Molly Coath 9DPW Riley Robinson-Rattle 9KD Mia Rowlands 10DE Jack Masters 10MH Bethany Collins 9KD Madeleine Schroeder 9KS Leah Street 10SJW Samuel Miles 10TT Ellen Cornish 9GW Elisabeth Scott 9KD Tennille Taylor 10FPS Harriet Moody 10MH John Cornish 9ML Georgia Scott 9LJ Robert Wallis 10SS Bonnie Naish 10DE Samuel Cross 9ML Ella Sibley 9GW Brandon Wilcox 10VQ Ross Panes 10DR Lucy Davies 9AH Holly Simpson 9GW Ellis Williams 10SJW Rachel Perry 10TT Peter Davis 9KS Abigail Smith 9GW Kristian Willmott 10DE James Ponsford 10JPF Alice Dodd 9CD Callum Smith 9JLB Laura Botsford 11JG Hannah Richards 10DR Anna Donnan 9GW Ross Spinks 9LJ Ryan Chilvers 11JG Joseph Scott-Hartley 10JPF Indie Drake-Brockman 9KS William Starks 9JLB Madeleine Hale 11JG Louise Sealey 10VQ Grace Efford 9ML Yuen Steckler 9KD Charlotte Maynard 11JG Olanah-Jay Shakespeare 10TT Jacob Fergus-Pearce 9KS Alice Stephens 9CD Rhianna Shaw 11JG Jade Skyrme 10DR Chelsea Fisher 9CD George Stephens 9GW Dayle Waite 11JG Christine Staite 10SBA Emily Fox 9LJ Jessica Stevens 9TS Nathan Watford 10JPF Emily Freemantle 9LJ Todd Stockley 9CD Benjamin Williams 10DE Craig George 9CD Spencer Williams 10DR Daniel Girling 9ML George Willis 10VQ Oliver Godwin 9GW Harry Davidson 11JG Hannah Gosling 9DPW Thomas Day 11JG Felix Grandfield 9DPW Caitlin Flood 11VW Hallam Greene 9CD Zoe Karanicola 11JG Daisy-May Ham 9GW Melissa McGreal 11VW Marie Hart 9KD Ellie Peverall 11VW Sophie Hellings 9ML Jessica Rogers 11JG Daniel Henry 9KD Regan Williams 11JG William Henry 9KS Sean Zamick 11VW Elizabeth Hims 9CD Jessica Hobson 9KD Well done to our Year 9 students Douglas Hodgson 9KD who have all achieved at least the Lily Horwood 9ML Bronze Award in this first term. Robyn House 9GW Josh Jarvis 9AH And a special congratulations to Edward Jones 9CD Thomas Postins 9GW Nicole Karanicola 9KD who is the first Year 9 to Dilkaren Kaur 9KS achieve the Platinum Award Stephen Kay 9KS

Leanna Keane 9TS Bronze and Silver = a certificate Isobel Kennedy 9DPW = a certificate, badge and Gold Natalia Knell 9KD And a final Christmas congratulations to Alice Best 9CD, £10 voucher Lucy Kraeter 9AH Platinum = a certificate, badge the winner of this year’s 2011 academy cad. Jessica Lewis 9KS and £15 voucher GOLD (25 merits) Harriet Lucas 9CD Thank you for your beautiful design on the theme of kings. And even Double Platinum = Lucy Mager 9CD a certificate and £25 voucher

Academy Colours: celebrating students for their contribution to the School Colours.

Music Boys’ Hockey School Council Senior Bryony Alen 9DPW Otis Bath 9KD Charlotte Caunt 9KS Maths Challenge

Madeline Crocker 9DPW Isaac Bradshaw Down 9GW Peter Davis 9KS Gold Emily Fox 9LJ William Cardno 9TS Thomas Postins 9GW James Peebles-Brown 12JR Emily Freemantle 9LJ Kieren Cobell 9DPW Charlotte Walker 9TS Charlie Draper 9LJ Holly Wilkinson 9LJ Georg Zanker 12JR Hannah Gosling 9DPW Luke Fincham 9ML Harry Baker 10SBA Hallam Greene 9CD Silver Nathan James 9JLB Megan Kidner 10MH Jack Hanlon 9DPW Samuel Bath 12SO Reuben Kouidri 9TS Rebecca Newman 10SS Nicholas Jamieson 9GW Angus Cumberlidge 12JR Joe Marks 9TS Sophia Pavle 10SJW Isobel Kennedy 9DPW Samuel Hanlon 12SO Joe Marshall 9KD Douglas Spinks 10MH Phoebe Moss 9GW Matthew Hooper 12AT Dan Meldon 9ML Chelsie Bailey 11TB Kanisia Mounty 9KS Alex Jones 12SO Joe Morris 9ML Rebecca Grantham 11LD Stephanie Nourse 9DPW Danielle Lloyd 12JR Thomas Postins 9GW Jemma Hazell 11SW Isobel Pritchard 9TS Jack Meadowcroft 12SO Laura Sandford-Hughes Isabelle Rayner 9KS Todd Stockley 9CD 11SW Samantha Salt 9KD Bronze Girls’ Hockey Adam Clegg 13BR Holly Simpson 9GW Jake Alen 12AT Eloise Ames 9CD Adam Green 13BR Charlotte Walker 9TS Katie Belch 12SR Holly Baines 9KD Max Hope-Stone Bell 13IS Emily Weedon 9KD Nicholas Buhagiar 12JWi Ellen Cornish 9GW Lewis Jones 13GR Holly Babbington 11LD Andrew Davidson 12JWi Jasmine Cornish 9KD Chloe Kitching 13BR Tim Lucas 11EM Adam Davies 12LM Madeline Crocker 9DPW Lizzie Nash 13BR Liberty Mewes 11SW Ross Dickinson 12AT Lucy Davies 9AH Lewis Podpadec 13CBE Hayley Nicholson 11AS Megan Haggerty 12SJ Alice Dodd 9CD Claire Tidswell 13CBE Isla Scott 11EM Lucy Locke 12AT Chelsea Fisher 9CD Scott Virgo 13CA Jona Steckler 11JG Matthew Lomax 12JR Nicole Karanicola 9KD Laura Weigold 13BR Emily Weigold 11JG Harry Munt 12JR Hannah Lovell 9LJ Alice Would 13IS Harry Bishop 12SO Joshua Page 12SJ Lucy Mager 9CD Olivia Yates 13CBE Jack Harding 12SO Daniel Scholes 12SJ Sophie Pitt 9CD Zoe Aston 13RW Ben Sutlieff 12SJ Lindsay Rogers 9LJ Rugby George Penwarden 13GC Sarah Tsoi 12SJ Alice Stephens 9CD Luke Timmins 13IS William Brown 9JLB Gabrielle Thompson 9LJ William Cardno 9TS Mock Law Trial Drama Rachel Wallace 9TS Kieran Cobell 9DPW Samantha Bell 12SR Chelsie Webster 9GW Aedan Coleman 9CD Shannon House 10SBA Yasin Denney-Brown 12LM Holly Wilkinson 9LJ Stan Disbrey 9TS Tom Powell 10VQ Elizabeth Clark 12LM Beth Aston 11TB Felix Grandfield 9DPW Kim Voit 10DE Ben Fowler 12JR Holly Babbington 11LD Douglas Hodgson 9KD Brandon Wilcox 10VQ Sam Hill 12SO Emily Bancroft 11SW Ryan Jeffries 9AH Bethany Ellis 11RMH Abigail Nicholson 13CA Jodie Byrne 11EM Reuben Kouidri 9TS Agnes Emeney 11RMH Tristan Palmer 12SJ Katie Davies 11SW Tom Nyamunda 9GW Caitlin Flood 11VW Sophie Patten 13RW Becky Donald 11VW Dan Reason 9KD William Jonas 11EM James Peebles-Brown 12JR Bethany Ellis 11RMH Aaron Rialas 9KS Penelope Patience 11MG Sophie Skelding 12SO Caitlin Flood 11VW Charlie Townend 9ML Victoria Priddice 11EM Daisy Goldsmith 11RMH Rachel Wilson 12LM Laura Sandford-Hughes 11SW Christopher Ames 10SJW Jade-Marie Hide 11MG Jessica Shiner 11TP Scott Andrews 10FS Lucy Stone 11VW The Kings and Chloe Spencer-Freitas 11TP Ben Hutton 10DR Paris Ward 11MG Queens Emma Tucker 11EM Ross Panes 10DR Lois Wilson 11LD Aidan Young 11TB Jack Percival 10SJW News Team Elizabeth Wootton 11SW Oliver Conroy 13GR Harrison Barber 9KD

Librarians Duke of Edinburgh Henry Farmer 13RW Henry Parsons 9DPW Shannon House 10SBA Oscar Knight 13GR Alastair Campbell 10SJW Mia Rowlands 10DE Scheme Jim Merryfield 13CBE Lilli Helps 10DE Kim Voit 10DE Silver Alfie Palmer 13GR Lyndsey Hooper 10SJW Max Hope-Stone Bell 13IS Chloe Bisdee 13CA Harry Paul 13IS Megan Haggerty 12SJ Ben Champion 13GR Lewis Podpadec 13CBE Lorna Mortimer 12SR Sophie Patten 13RW James Peebles-Brown 12JR Callum Stewart 13RW Bronze Tom Wootton 13RW Rebecca Rowntree 12SJ Fraser Craig 11TP Nathan Worcester 13CBE Jamie Strawbridge 12AT Joshua Dalton 11RMH Isaac Taschimowitz 12AT Tim Lucas 11EM Congratulations to Hayley Thorne 12SJ Thomas Newton 11EM our students for their Sarah Tsoi 12SJ achievements! Kes Svensson 11VW

Enrichments Subjects: celebrating students for their contribution to the enrichment subjects.

Science English Design Technology James Peebles-Brown 12JR Emily Fox 9LJ John Cornish 9ML Jonathan Barrett 13BR Dan Henry 9KD Craig George 9CD James Bennett 13CA Ryan Huxtable 9CD Oliver Nicholls 9AH Ben Champion 13GC Jack Schollar 9AH Kyle Prowton 9LJ Thomas Davies 13RW Tom Vincent 9JLB Emily Allcott 10TT Ben De Ivey 13GC Louise Bann 10FS Callum Hartley 13CA ICT Isabelle Brunsdon 10SJW Lewis Jones 13GR Nicholas Buhagiar 12JWi Chloe Butt 10SJW Andrew Davidson 12JWi Chris Kent 13GC Laura Cottle 10MH Richard House 12JWi Sam Kent 13GC Chloe Davidson 10JPF Georg Zanker 12JR Elizabeth Nash 13BR Tom Powell 10VQ George Penwarden 13GC Molly Randell 10VQ Andrew Pridgeon 13RW

The enrichment activities Jack Rowley-Noble 13CA are an invaluable part of Sean Whiteman 13RW life and learning at Kings! Alice Wright 13CA Christie Zanelli 13RW

In the Mood for Food—Free School Meals How do I qualify...?

Parents/carers who receive any of the follow- ing are entitled to free school meals:

Income Support (IS) Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA) Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit. Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Child Tax Credit without Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable income (as assessed by HMR&C) of less than £16,190.

If you have recently become unemployed but are still receiving working Tax credits, you may be entitled to free school meals, please call 0845 345 9122 for advice.

The “Free School Meals” Application Form is online at: http://www.kowessex.co.uk/swparents/canteen.php

If you think you may be entitled to free school meals, please print off this form, complete it and hand in to the Main Office.

Winter Wednesdays

Roast Dinner and pudding, Taste something new and a bottle of water £2.30! in The Kings of Wessex Academy Years 10 and 11 English students have been very busy this term with their Language Controlled Assessments. Year 11 have been preparing a speech for the second part of their Spoken Language Unit and have been producing some outstanding work. See below Jessica Shiner’s writing, which is par- ticularly amazing as she demonstrates not only the ability to write a convincing speech, but also man- ages to use the topic to also engage the audience.

“Ich bin ein Berliner” That’s the famous line... The one everyone remembers. Embedded into the memories of so many Germans, Americans and global citizens alike. But this man, certainly, was no doughnut. On 26 July 1963 President John F. Kennedy delivered a English on speech that captivated, united and enthralled freedom the page fighters from around the world. In a flurry of passionate, emotive and thought-provoking language he held up The City of Berlin as beacon of freedom and hope. He talks of the imperfections of democracy, but declares that “we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in”. Kennedy’s powerful skills of oration are illustrated within the repeated words, “Let them come to Berlin”, a rallying cry of support to the people, yet a pointed challenge at the Communist regime. Standing on the steps of the Schöneburg, Kennedy again uses repetition to further empower the audience, encouraging them “to lift your eyes beyond the dangers of today” “beyond the wall to the day of peace.” and “beyond yourselves and ourselves to all mankind”. “Ich bin ein Berliner.” It’s translation may be not so perfect, but it’s meaning certainly was. By Jessica Shiner 11TP

This poem was written by Matt Tucker 9LJ inspired by John Agard’s poem Island Man from the Poetry from Different Cultures Collection.

Village Boy

Morning, And the village boy wakes up to the sound of rushing traffic and bright scattered lights in his head the beeping of a hundred horns

Still polluted air the sun blocked by pillars of repeating grey his busy community haven But he always must return unwillingly unwillingly

Comes back to empty green hills The silence of a lonely existence

Silent silent his weary mind he sits up and begins Another silent day

Oxford University Academic to Run English Literature Workshop

At the time of writing, the English Department will be thrilled to welcome Dr Andrew Blades, English lecturer at Oxford University’s Lady Margaret Hall on Tuesday 13 December 2011.

Andrew is a specialist in American Literature and will be working with 68 Year 12 Literature students in a series of workshops covering AS Level English Literature coursework texts including the classics, “The Great Gatsby”, “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Death of a Salesman”.

We hope these sessions will be inspiring and insightful for our students in informing their coursework, as well as giving them a taste of studying English at Higher Education level. By Miss E . Merrett, English Enrichment Leader Mathematical Calculations 50 Year 12 Maths students took part in the Senior Mathematics Challenge in November.

The challenge is an interesting Mathematical exam that develops students’ ability to use skills in novel situations. Georg Zanker and James Peebles-Brown both excelled and won Gold medals. Georg Zanker also qualified for Round One of the British Mathematical Olympiad.

Our other medal winners to be celebrated are: Bronze: Jake Allen, Katie Belch, Nick Buhagiar, Andrew Davidson, Adam Davies, Ross Dickinson, Megan Haggerty, Matt Lomax, Lucy Locke, Harry Munt, Josh Page, Dan Scholes, Ben Sutlieff & Sarah Tsoi. Silver: Angus Cumberlidge, Sam Bath, Sam Hanlon, Matt Hooper, Danielle Lloyd, Jack Meadowcroft & Alex Jones.

We will be entering 130 Years 10 and 11 students for the Intermediate Maths Challenge in the Spring Term.

This term we welcomed two visiting speakers: firstly, Ted Graham, a Professor of Mathematics and Statistics at Plymouth University who gave an amusing and informative talk on ‘A’ Level Maths topics to 120 Year 11 students comprised of a series of illustrations of the work done in different parts of the ‘A’ Level Maths syllabus. He also looked at the benefits of a Degree in Maths and the likely improvement to someone’s earning potential.

In December, retired Director of Weights and Measures for Somerset, Howard Burnett gave Year 13 Further Maths students an informative talk on how statistical procedures are used in industry for the purposes of quality control and meeting legal standards.

Now a regular visitor to Kings, with over 35 years experience in the field of Legal Me- trology and Trading Standards, Howard was able to show applications of techniques that had been recently taught to these students, as well as open their eyes on the world of Metrology, the Science of Measurement. Students were shown the calculations that are made to establish the errors in measurements from the lightest of goods (saffron was an example used) up to the heaviest quarry trains.

It was also great to meet a Mathematician in such professional demand that he spends much of his time travelling the world as a consultant. Ideas for future careers for Mathematicians are born this way!

By Miss V Ward, Maths Enrichment Leader and Mr D White, Teacher of Maths A Historical Perspective

When the first edition of the Kings’ Messenger first came off the press in 1995 the History Depart- ment consisted of Mr Adrian Targett, Miss Karen Olds and Miss Allie Davies. After the depar- tures of Miss Olds and Miss Davies, Mr Targett was joined in 1998 by Dr Sheila Jamieson and Miss Joanna Stevens. In 2003, Miss Joanna Stevens, was replaced by Miss Elizabeth Hearn, as she then was, and in 2004 Miss Felicity Preece replaced Dr Sheila Jamieson. Since then Miss Hearn has become Mrs Read and Miss Preece has become Mrs Shorrock. Then, in 2009, due to the ever increasing popularity of this subject the three of us were joined by Miss Gemma White.

The Department continues to work hard to inspire our students both in and out of lessons. In October 2011, 80 Year 11 students visited The Imperial War Museum in London where they took part in an education session and tour of the Holocaust Exhibition. Students were both fascinated and moved by this experience.

From Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 July 2012 we will, once again, be running a trip to the Battlefields of Bel- gium and France for up to 45 Year 9 students.

The trip will cost £199 for three days in Belgium, including all travel costs, entrance to all muse- ums and full board at a local hostel for school groups. In past years, as well as the visits to war cemeteries and the sites of battles for many one perk of the trip was a visit to a local Belgium chocolate shop!

Letters for the trip will be given out in all year 9 History lessons before Christmas, and further information can be obtained from your History Teacher. By Mrs F Shorrock, Subject Leader for History

Mock Law Trial By James Peebles-Brown, The Kings and Queens News Team On Saturday 19 November 2011 our Kings Legal Team went to Bournemouth Crown Court to take part in the Mock Law Trial. Dressed to impress, our budding barristers prepare their cases and the witness got ready to face off the opposition’s questions. First up was R v Digweed for our prosecu- tion team. Our case was fought and even the judge was mystified as to how the jury came down against us (though it may not have helped to have one of our opposition’s school mem- bers as the Foreman). A close run thing for the points to reach the final round though and we were on our way. Next up was R v Sales, where, once again, the case was close, but also once again the jury’s long deliberation came down in favour of the rather advantaged opposition (who interestingly, had a fully qualified barrister to coach them).

This pattern of creative coaching continued through to the final round where we were to de- fend R v Digweed. Our Team’s approach of keep- ing in line with the rules of the competition ap- peared to fail us as the prosecution brought in some (forbidden) new evidence causing our barristers to struggle through the new information the corrupt Although a rigorous competition in the prosecution flung into the fray. The jury once more dock, our Legal Team can be proud of felt our opponent’s were stronger, but the Judge liked our method, saying to their performance. Tristan Palmer that he saw some of himself in Tristan’s style.

Seasons Greetings from the Art Department! We have had a fantastically busy time with many amazing pieces of work being produced this term, and been very fortunate to receive some new pieces of equipment. Firstly, some Apple Mac computers in Photography — these are the chosen computers for the photography industry. Plus, students are also now experimenting with photo screen emulsion printing, which is a very creative process bringing a Fine Art feel into the Photography area. Textiles has also got some brand new Belina sewing machines, which students are really enjoying using and the Art classrooms will soon be getting a new printing etching press.

For this 100th edition, we thought we would give a special art show of some of our proud highlights.

Empty Hanger Project Back in July, Rev. Joanna Jepson visited for a day. Joanna is a Reverend at the London College of Fashion, and sets schools the challenge to fill an “empty hanger” with a garment that reflects students’ identity.

Joanna gave a lecture in the morning and the Year 10 students were given the opportu- nity to look at Degree-level garments based on characters from the Bible, after which students each designed and made a garment that was spe- cial to them. Etching workshop with Bill Chambers/Art

Bill works at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff on the Art Foundation Course, and is also a professional print maker. Students were introduced to etching and chine colle collage, before producing a series of prints using inks and tissue papers to compliment their GCSE and AS Level studies. (Work by Meggie Settle)

Imogen Lukins and work by Emily Thorowgood

Studio Lighting Workshop with Pete Cranston/Photography

Pete Cranston (a Bristol based photographer) gave a work- shop teaching students how to make the most out of our lighting and the infinity curve. Students were also shown some great editing skills on the new Apple Mac computers using programmes Light Room and Photoshop CS5.

National Portrait Gallery and the Tate Modern London Art Trip Photography and Art AS Level and ‘A’ Level students visited the National Portrait Gallery and viewed the ‘Glamour of the Gods’ Photography exhibition and the New Documentary Forms’ Photography exhibition in the Tate Modern Gallery.

Year 10 Photography Club Students have taken part in creating traditional black and white images and experimental photograms and solarisations in the darkroom. They have enjoyed studio lighting workshops, and shown editing skills in Photoshop and most recently gained experience in flashlight photog- raphy (see above here!).

Young photographers Daisy Goldsmith and Fabian Bowes-Richley Posing for the Photography Club Chris Hawkes and George Hall Year 13 Portraits The Year 13’s have this term been working on portraiture as part of their personal investigation.

Here are a few now...you will see that they are stunning!

By Chloe Heyworth

By Lucy Laken By India Heaslip By Lucy Laken

By Troy Linklater By Emily Ingle Artistic Workshop Weekend Art students spent an artistic Saturday immersed in a day of artwork when professionals visited to lead a workshop.

The young ‘A’ Level artists enjoyed the day etching and rolling to create effective prints. Whilst the professional printer made it look easy, the students were still eager to get stuck in - including the teachers who found it especially rewarding as they learned a new skill to offer to other Art students.

Pattern cutter Jessica Fretth- Harris on costumes for theatre and films showed a portfolio of designs and explained her job and how it works in industry. Talking about working on historical productions, Jessica showed examples of pockets from the last one hundred years.

Jessica taught different ways of using fastenings, finishes and how to adapt fabric patterns i.e. adding sleeves to a garment. The day went quickly and soon all that was left were some beautiful prints inspired by the students’ own photos and sketches.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable and creative day for everyone who produced a good body of work for their ‘A’ Level course.

By Lorna Mortimer, The Kings and Queens News Team The GCSE French Study Trip: La Normandie par pluie at vent mais toujours souriant...

Normandy in the rain and the wind but always smiling....These words sum up the GCSE French study trip this year. Sadly we were dogged by bad weather beginning with an extremely choppy Channel crossing and ending with torrential downpours, which put paid to the traditional feu de camp (camp fire) planned for our final night at the chateau. However, through it all the students smiled and laughed. The only sign of a glum face was that of Harry Laurie as he wistfully watched the water fights and capsizes on the lake. His rugby injury sadly, meant all contact sports were off limits to him.

Climbing, canoeing and aeroball went ahead with the additional challenge this year of blackout glasses on the climbing wall. It was great fun to see the team spirit this brought out as students shouted out sug- gestions and guidance to climbers feeling desperately for the next toe or handhold!

The bread made this year not only looked good but tasted delicious...perhaps we have some future mai- tre boulangers (master bakers)! One highlight of the stay was the decision of une souris (a mouse) to make its home aptly in the dormitory of the same name. Thanks go to Mr Friend ably assisted by Elizabeth Soffe for a humane rescue operation.

The fancy dress evening saw an invasion of Smurfs...thank goodness the painted walls of the girls accommodation were the exact same shade of blue......

Now over to the students... “Great activities...quality time! I particularly liked speaking to the instructors and learnt many useful French phrases.” James Reading “Best trip, all the activities were fun especially the canoeing. Even the mouse in the dormitory couldn’t spoil the trip.” Sophie Vincent “So proud that I got to the top of the climbing wall... blindfolded !” Kiira Gilvear “I loved the trip so much..there was always something interest- ing happening even when we were not doing the scheduled ac- tivities..for example Mme Davies attempting volleyball !” Elizabeth Soffe “All the activities were challenging, as you had to follow in- struction given in French. Great fun !” Thomas Fincham “The best trip I have ever been on. I enjoyed it so much.” Tabitha Rogers Reportage par Madame Davies

You can see more photos on our academy website The World according to Kings’ Geographers

Geography at the Kings has changed over the years. Today, students are studying contemporary topics and looking at how the world around them is changing.

Department members have also changed. Current members Mr John Goodchild, Mrs Ward and Miss Graffagnino have been leading fieldtrips this term including a Year 10 trip to Brean Down (see the separate report below) and Holford River and Year 13 Geographers spent a day in Bristol discovering the changing face of the Dockland area and considered the sustainability of the Cabot Circus redevelopment.

Up and coming news... We will be running a new residential Geography trip to Slapton in Devon for two nights in March to investigate sand dune succession, changing river characteristics downstream, and a population study.

And very exciting further afield... In 2013, we will be crossing the pond for an ‘A’ Level trip to New York for five days in a joint adventure with the Design Technology and IT Departments.

There will be lots of sightseeing - including the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Ground Zero regeneration and the Natural History Museum. As New York is classified as a World City it will be a perfect case study for the ‘world cities’ unit. By Miss M Graffagnino Students Bring their Books to the Beach

As part of the Coastal Course, Year 10 Geographers experienced the power of the weather on their trip to Brean Down.

But despite the wind, both on the beach and on the headland, the fieldtrip successfully taught students about this outstanding area of natural beauty, as they studied erosion, management and structural weaknesses of the different types of rocks at Brean.

On the beach they studied the formation of the rocks and how easily the waves damaged the cliff. Up on the headland they looked at a wide range of effects the see has on people socially, economi- cally and environmentally.

, By Lilli Helps and Lyndsey Hooper, The Kings and Queens News Team A Review of the Kings’ Messenger

February 1995: The first ever issue of the newsletter October 2003: The now KM Editor and Head’s PA in its new format as the Kings’ Messenger following Jude Owens’s first edition. The newsletter was printed the arrival in post of Headteacher Chris Richardson. in-house with coloured back and front paper.

October 2008: An exciting moment! The KM was July 2009: Amongst my favourite front covers, it is first printed in colour throughout to showcase pride in not every day the students get to play the teachers. our students’ super accomplishments. Our academy productions are wonderful news items. at 100- by the now Editor who only blows out 50 birthday candles

February 2010: As the KM plays its part as a record July 2010: As the KM has evolved as our own news- for posterity, our Ofsted Outstanding judgement paper, it has been a joy to select a front cover with our made a fantastic front page and top news item. students in pride of place. This is a happy one.

December 2010: As the years seem to fly by, I never July 2011: The first KM as an Academy (and my cease to marvel as I watch our students blossom and 48th!). I hope the Kings’ Messenger continues to play fulfil their potential as individuals. Here are a few now. its part in sharing good news with parents and friends. Scientific Experiments This term, 16 Year 13 students completed the first round of this year’s Phys- ics Olympiad. All participants were certificated, with many achieving merits, and eight of the higher scoring students went on to the second round. The re- sults will be published by Oxford University in February.

A special well done to all students involved: Jon Barrett, James Bennett, Ben Champion, Tom Davies, Ben De Ivey, Callum Hartley, Lewis Jones, Chris Kent, Sam Kent, Elizabeth Nash, George Pendwarden, Andy Pridgeon, Jack Rowley-Noble, Sean Whiteman, Alice Wright, Christie Zanelli.

More recently, we have formed a partnership with EDF Energy to enrich the Year 9 Science curriculum. A special nuclear energy themed session was held for all Year 9 students in November, when students were intro- duced to four EDF graduates and an Apprentice Trainee. Students were informed about the new build nuclear power station proposed at Hinkley Point. They also gave an insight into their working lives and career opportuni- ties with EDF Energy. As part of this exciting programme, 100 of our Year 9 students will go on to enjoy a Nuclear STEM Day in January where they will be producing their own projects and have the opportunity to gain a Bronze Crest Award from the British Science Association. It is hoped that from this, some of our students will be selected by EDF Energy to attend a four day residential course at the University of Exeter. By Mrs L Meldon, Science Enrichment Leader Paris Disneyland Designers

In January, Year 9 students will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of ICT and Design Technology when they jet off to Disneyland Paris.

Students will have firsthand experience of exploring the practical application of their subjects at the famous theme parks and will also explore how control systems and devices are used to control me- chanical systems. There will also be opportunity to see how com- puter graphics animation and multi-media is used in the theme park. It promises to be a thrilling trip in many ways! Miss V Quaye, Teacher of ICT Operation Wallacea Some natural nostalgia by Miss S Jackson, Subject Leader for Biology

We’ve probably all been on Biology fieldtrips – a nice day out scrabbling in rock pools or counting marram plants on a sand dune. Maybe a bit of paddling in rivers or peering into buckets of murky pond water. It all adds to a general interest in the world around us and helps bring to life learning in the classroom .

But, how many people can say they’ve been part of a worldwide survey into the biodiversity of the global reef ecology, swum with 14 metre long whale sharks, or frantically counted native plants whilst a gun-toting ranger kept a careful eye out for rampaging water buffalo?

Well, in 2010, 25 five of our ‘A’ Level Biology students and three of their teachers took a trip to South Africa, where they enjoyed these amazing experiences of conservation and research with Operation Wallacea.

After a long flight to Johannesburg - and an even longer bus transfer to our isolated research site near Kruger National Park, students and staff quickly settled into their tented dwellings and adapted to a lack of mobile phone reception, regular lighting or Internet . We learned to travel to the toilets in pairs after dark to reduce the chance of a leopard attack, and became adept at distin- guishing strange noises in the inky night. Days were spent in the game reserve on foot, collecting vital research data, whilst our expert rangers stayed alert for danger...

And this summer we are off again – this time to Indonesia, to survey the rainforest on a tiny island and continue Operation Wallacea’s ongoing ocean sampling project. 27 keen students and two Biology teachers will be going, and Ms Graffagnino from the Geography Department, which opens up the possibility of an interesting inter-departmental trip in the future. We’re not quite sure what we’ll see when we get there, and some of us are a little more than anxious about the hammocks in the rainforest and the giant bugs that we’ll be sharing them with, but it will certainly beat the school field and Berrow sand dunes!

Techniques learnt on the school field such as transects, oil sampling and plant identification, took on a whole new life.

The highlight of the week was an unexpected opportunity to travel into Kruger National Park, where the whole team quickly checked off the ‘Big Five’ of water buffalo, lion, ele- phant, cheetah and rhino, as well as many more species we knew only from TV zoo trips.

The second week involved a move to the coast and a quick dive course for some, whilst those already trained in SCUBA headed out into the open ocean to start some serious survey work on the reef. We all learned to recognise the shining eyes and frantic run back up the beach of the latest team to spot something new, from giant turtles and rays to huge, but harmless, whale sharks. I was nearly lost at that point when I headed out to sea engrossed in snorkelling above one of these giants of the deep!

Our trip of a lifetime was over far too soon, but we all returned with a head full of memories and plenty of photos. For many, it deepened their interest in the field of Biology and gave a glimpse into career possibilities, with some students even changing their choice of Degree Course. For others, it was simply a fascinating fort- night as part of something bigger than themselves. You can see more fabulous photos on our academy website For all it was a magical and unforgettable experience...

Business Studies Conference— ‘Strategies for Success’

At the end of November, 21 Business Studies students attended an A2 Level revision conference held at Vue Cinema, Cribbs Causeway. The aim of the conference was to explore how large UK firms remain competitive in today’s global economy. Key speakers from industrial and economic backgrounds led the workshops as students participated in question and answer sessions, strategic decision making—and that all important exam technique. The theme for the day was a case study based on the demise of Thorntons and Clinton Cards due to a significant increase in competition in the retail sector and more specifically the growth of online enterprises. Students had to consider the strategic re-positioning of both firms, apply- ing their analysis to the four func- tional areas of Marketing, Human Resources, Operations Man- agement and Accounts & Finance. Our contingency worked hard throughout the day and certainly made their mark in the auditorium seating 200 Year 13 students from across the South West. By Mrs J Wilson, Teacher of Business Studies The 2011-12 Year 11 YearBOOK CAN you help...? This year’s intrepid Yearbook Team are busy planning a special edition for the current Year 11 to mark the end of their Lower School years next summer.

The Yearbook is designed to give students something special to look back on in the years to come, with lots of photos and special memories of the year group. To make it more affordable for our students, we’re looking for donations, or for local businesses to sponsor us in return for an advert in the Yearbook.

Every donation counts—so if you’re interested, please email us at: [email protected]

Thank you for your support!

The 2011-2012 Yearbook Team THE DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT Psychology Challenge

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting to get a different result.” Einstein

Every year the Psychology Department organises visits and talks to show the students the scope of Psychology — including observational studies at Bristol Zoo, conferences on “Psychology and Pseudo-Science”, “Behind Bars”, an opportunity to hear the renowned Psychologist Elizabeth Loftus talk about her work into false memories and to meet one of the case study subjects on the AS Level Specification, Christine Sizemore. Students have also had visits from Forensic Psychologists and ex-students and in March they will have the opportunity to visit the courts in Bristol in a joint trip with Law students.

But it’s not just the students who are able to take advantage of enrichment activities, subject teachers are also fortu- nate to participate in the annual Association for Teachers of Psychology Conference and bring back many ideas to share with students. This year, the conference was held at Hatfield University, which is involved in many studies into behavioural change. The key speaker was Professor Karen Pine who has developed a brand new approach to behavioural change known as “Do Something Different”. This innovative approach encourages individuals to break out of routine behaviours by a series of small and large daily challenges and has proved successful particularly in the field of weight loss and addiction. As a consequence, we decided to challenge our Psychology students to “Do some- thing Different” during September and October.

Challenges included: Eat something different for breakfast, Bring in a picture to represent what you would like to be doing in 10 years, Listen to a piece of classical music and Read a newspaper article...

Students rose to the challenge and have brought in a variety of pictures from research scien-  DSD gradually breaks down tists to a young family ingrained habits that are the and tried a variety of main obstacles to behaviour breakfasts including change. mini-pizzas and  Do Something Different gets “butter-fluffer people shaking up their every- sandwiches,” which are day lives in enjoyable ways, composed of encouraging new behaviours Marshmallow fluffs and to create alternative brain honey. pathways. A number reported  The person becomes more that “some classical flexible and more amenable to music is ok” and a few adopting new behaviours. read a newspaper for the first time! For more information go to:

This term, the challenge focuses on learning, students are being asked to hand in http://www.dsd.me work to a central point as soon as it is completed. The Year 12s have a programme of assignments to complete during directed study and the Year 13s are taking part in a piece of action research involving the use of Reflective Learning Logs.

After Christmas the challenge will return with something different again! By Mrs J Baines, Subject Leader for Psychology

The Year 10 PSHE/Citizenship Save Sex Presentation

In November, we welcomed the Challenge Team UK, who have been visiting us for the past six years.

The aim of the Save Sex presentation is to encourage our Year 10 students to “take a serious look at an old concept—namely that of saving sex for marriage...”

The young dynamic members of the team invariably captivate Year 10 with a combination of humour and honesty and this year was no exception. Highlights included the “duck tape” experi- ment to show that repeated casual sexual relationships at a young age may make it very difficult to form lasting relationships later in life and the dice game to indicate the chances of a teenage pregnancy. This was a very valuable and thought-provoking event for our students in the context of their PSHE and Citizenship education. By Madame Davies, Subject Leader for PSHE/Citizenship

Musical Moments: Harmonious news for our musicians!

The Music Department studio is now up and running. This permanent set up in what was the old music instru- ment store room and prac- tice room is now home to a multi-channel mixing desk, computer, electric drum kit, rode mic, two vocal mics, one in- strument mic and di boxes for electric guitars and bass guitar. I am delighted that Years 11, 12 and 13 students use this facility on a regular basis, making good quality recordings for their Con- trolled Assessment. The live room is also sound proofed meaning that drum lessons are far quieter than in previous years!

Over 50 performers took to the stage for our annual Music Department Winter Concert on Monday 28 November 2011. Compèred by Ellie Bradley and Harry Bishop (seen here) there were performances from all year groups as the audience was treated with stylish renditions of Happy Together, Jar of Hearts and Mrs Davies’s arrangement of Lady Gaga’s hits by The Kings Singers. The Big Band delighted with Hawaii 5-0 and then asked the audience to raise a festive glass with Pink’s Raise Your Glass. Soloists performed on pi- ano, flute, guitar, voice with some notable singing performances from Kerry Johnson, Elen Ekpaloba, Ellie Bradley, Ellie Rialas and Sabrina Willis and Alice Davis The Brass group were outstanding, as usual, with an entertaining performance of ‘Landlord fill the flowing bowl’ depicting a man’s increasing inebriation on a night out! Lizzie Wooton’s moving GCSE composition sung by Libby Mewes was the perfect end to the evening. By Mrs L Davies, Subject Leader for Music

Dates for your diaries - with something for everyone!

Tuesday 10 January 2012 at 7.30pm: CHEDDAR ARTS@ CINEMA NIGHT - “ONE DAY” (12a) KINGS THEATRE: Starring Anne Hathaway, this romantic New Year Season 2012 drama is based on David Nicoll’s best-selling novel. Tickets £5/£4 concession.

Tuesday 24 January 2012 at 7.30pm: CINEMA NIGHT - “JANE EYRE” (PG)

Starring Mia Wasikowska and Judi Dench, this is a haunting new version of the classic Bronte novel. Tickets £5/£4 concession.

Monday 6 February 2012 at 7.30pm: AN EVENING OF BRASS Onyx Brass perform some favourites, supported by our very own Cheddar Valley Music Club Tickets £8.50 Adults and £6-50 Children. Raffle and Bar.

Thursday 23 February 2012 at 7.30pm: THE DEATH AND LIFE OF SHERLOCK HOLMES Actor Roger Llewellyn’s One Man’s portrayal of The World’s Greatest Detective Tickets £10/£9 concession. Raffle and Bar.

Monday 5 March 2012 at 7.30pm: CINEMA NIGHT - “THE DEBT” (15) Starring Helen Mirren and Tom Wilkinson in this riveting Thriller with two Storylines set 30 years apart. Tickets £5/£4 concession.

Thursday 22 March 2012 at 7.30pm: AN ILLUSTRATED EVENING WITH DOUG ALLEN The Award winning BBC Wildlife Cameraman shares his secrets of working with David Attenborough in all his famous programmes, including the latest “Frozen Planet”. Tickets £12.50/£10 over 60’s and school children. Raffle and Bar.

For more details about all the events and booking tickets please visit /www.kowessex.co.uk/cheddarArts

Dramatic Goings-On (and chocolate factory plans in the making)

It’s been another busy term in Drama with two trips to the theatre. Firstly, to see ‘The Wild Bride’ by Kneehigh Theatre in Bristol and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ by Filer Theatre Company at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol. In addition we will be taking Year 10 students and up to see ‘Blood Brothers’ at the Bristol Hippodrome in February.

Our Years 12 and 13 students studying for their A2 Level Drama course performed their outstanding pieces for Unit 3 at the end of November. It was an excellent evening of high quality work and they should be very proud of their achievements.

Finally, rehearsals are well underway for this year’s school production: ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ on Tuesday 7 to Thursday 9 February 2012 at 7pm in the Kings Theatre.

It should be a spectacular production, involving many different depart- ments and multi-media to make it exciting and interesting theatre.

All tickets priced £3 will go on sale in January from the Main Office and one lucky ticket will win a special prize.

Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this Golden Ticket

Present this ticket atfrom my Mr Chocolate Willy Wonka. Factory gates (the Kings

Theatre) on 7/8/9/ February 2012 at 7.30pm. In your wildest dreams you could not imagine the marvellous

surprises that await you!

By Mr S Shorrock, Subject Leader for Drama A Day in the Life of Kings Student Lilli Helps 10DE

8:45am - The hustle and bustle of the school day begins with the ringing of the first bell. Every- one moves swiftly to their Tutor Rooms for morning registration.

8:50am - I arrive promptly to my seat in time for the next bell to ring, and the register to be done.

8:55am - Time for the lesson 1. Today, I start off with I.T. I pull the lever underneath the desk and—as if by magic— up pops a computer. Logged in and loaded up, I continue with my coursework.

10:00am - Lesson 2: Geography. We moved on from our topic on the Coast to a new topic called Water on the Land. Lots more interesting facts for us to learn. I hope that I remember all the new vocabulary!

11:05am - Back to my Tutor Room for lesson 3. Our Tutor talks with us individually about our targets, whilst the rest of us organise what we will do for our next Tutor Assembly. Big plans!

11:25am - All that hard work makes me hungry. Good thing that break was next. Time for a quick snack. I go to the canteen and buy some nice warm food to eat in the Main Hall with my friends.

11:45am - Before I know it—the bell rings for lesson 4: Chemistry. We do an experiment to see how the temperature of acid changes and how long it takes for it to react with magnesium. Then we write a conclusion about what we found out.

12:45pm - Next: lunchtime. I met my friends down in the gym where we eat our lunch, before we all split up in separate directions to do various lunchtime activities. Two of us went to Art, two to Textiles, three to I.T to finish some work. A whole group of five go to a Duke of Edinburgh meeting. But I go with one of my friends to the LRC to sit and talk out of the way from the wind and rain.

1:40pm - It was time to put on my apron, lesson 5: Food Technology. I am cooking quiche. It goes very well, and tasted delicious.

2:40pm– Last lesson of the day: P.E. It’s badminton in Kings Fitness and Leisure. We all get changed quickly to start playing.

3:45pm - The bell rings at the end of the day. But I am not completely finished. I have an appointment in the Kings Theatre to rehearse for our play 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Before I finally go home...then homework! Sampling the Sixth Form at Kings

As soon as I went into the Sixth Form Common Room the excitement and enthusiasm from everyone hit me within an instant. The buzz of being there with the pool table to the stereo to ourselves was only the beginning of our eventful day...

After a brief introduction to our “day tutors” we went to the Main Hall for a briefing to find out about lessons for the day. First, I had Biology, which was a good start doing some experiments and discussing how the brain works—to how viruses are transferred. Next Maths, many people in my year would have said, “Why are you doing that?” However, it was the first lesson that really showed me that the transition to ‘A’ Level wasn’t going to be easy. But, as long as we worked hard we could do it. With a bit of practice we all knew how to do the problems on the board with most of us understanding why we had to do it that way.

Finally, before break we had period 3 with a small quiz on “Sixth Form” life with some harmless competition against other classes (when we knew we were going to win!).

After break, some people had a free lesson, but not me! I had computing, programming a computer to display certain aspects – not easy at all – managing to do it was one thing, but understanding was another. Nothing like ICT I’ve ever done before.

At lunch you only had to look out of the main school windows to see most of the “Sixth Formers” disappear in search of lunch and the other adventurous places in Cheddar. I joined them, but not for long, I had to go to Physics. More experiments consisting of matter and anti-matter – another confusing subject but very interesting. Most of the year group had a free last lesson, you could hear the “talking” outside the Sixth Form block. Again, I had a lesson. Last, but probably the most fun — Further Maths, an extension of ‘A’ Level Maths going into how to solve yet more problems.

Not only did I learn what subjects I should take at ‘A’ Level, but the transition between GCSE to ‘A’ Level will be a good challenge, and those frees won’t be free for long. With four hours of homework from each subject there’s going to be a lot of hard work – like GCSE, but harder! That’s why the subjects you choose you have to be passionate about, as you’re be doing a lot of them! But, to study our chosen subjects in more depth, I know it will be worth it. By Chelsie Bailey 11TB Board Games: Miss Palmer has donated some board Learning Resource Centre News games for lunchtime use: MadLab, Wobbally, Jenga, Ker-plunk, Rock and Roll Maze, Chess, Trivial Pursuit, Opening Times: Don’t forget - if you need a bit Scrabble and more time to finish off your work, or print it out, then Finger the LRC is open from 8.25am Tuesday to Friday morn- Football are ings for you to use the computers and printers – or just some of read the papers or a book. the games Student Librarians: If you want something to do available. at lunchtime, we are looking for student librarians to work one lunchtime session a week. Come and join in the Box Tops for Books: We are still collecting tokens fun at lunch- from the top of cereal packets. Thank you for bringing time! to the LRC, and either give them to the Librarian, or put them in the box on the counter. If you have any games at DVDs: Lots of DVDs have been donated to the home that you LRC, so do come and choose one for weekend no longer use, viewing. Do bring in any you no longer want! perhaps you’d Student Reading Group: The group has had a good year, hav- like to think ing read a selection of books, including Angie Sage’s “Physik”, Jo- about giving seph Delaney’s “Spooks” and Gabrielle Lord’s “365 Conspiracy”. them a new Staff Reading Group: Not to be outdone by the students— staff home in the readers have also recently enjoyed “The Crying Tree“ by Naseem LRC. Thank you! Rakha, “Flight of the Nighthawks” by Raymond E Feist and “Waiting for Columbus” by Thomas Trefimuk. For all queries, please see Mrs B Knutson, LRC Manager

Learning Mentor Musings — thinking about the January exams...

Amongst all the Christmas wrapping paper, turkey and festivities, you might find your pre–exam students. You will doubtless be aware that students will be sitting a number of GCSE Modules and exams when we return at the start of the Spring Term in January.

We hope that you all have a lovely Christmas holiday and we certainly encourage all our students to enjoy the break. But, in order to give them the confidence required in January, thank you for supporting their revision planning for each subject. The holiday time can be beneficial in reinforcing students’ learning in readiness for the exams, and will also alleviate any pressure in the New Year. Thank you for your support, Mrs L Mumford and Mrs L Palmer, Learning Mentors

The Positive Ups and Downs — It is wonderful to report that we have taken pride of place in the new secondary transition pack produced by the charity Ups and Downs. The charity supports students with Down Syndrome and the pack aims to provide advice to schools when new students with Down Syndrome join them. A num- ber of our students and teachers contributed to the pack and David Cudworth, advisory teacher working with the char- ity, has said that Kings is the most ‘naturally inclusive school that he has worked with’. Well done to students and staff for being so friendly and welcoming. By Miss E Roylance, Subject Leader for Learning Support R.E. Ethics Conference

Also in November, Year 12 Philosophy and Ethics students attended an insightful Ethics Conference in Yeovil. Students were given lectures from Dr. Peter Vardy, Dr. Bernard Hoose and Charlotte Vardy, on topics such as Natural Law and Utilitarianism, which gave students a differ- ent and more in-depth perspective on topics they had studied in lessons, as well as introducing them to new subject areas, including Meta Ethics. A talk on the Ethics of War, which fea- tured footage from interviews with Lord Paddy Ashdown and Lord David Owen, raised important and thought-provoking questions about the ways in which wars are fought, and the ethical dilemmas facing world leaders.

The day finished with a debate: “This house believes that the use of political assassination can never be justified”. Peter Vardy and Charlotte Vardy gave opposing arguments be- fore the audience were given the opportunity to share their views, considering whether it is ever possible to predict the long- term effects of an action, who decides what is “right” or “wrong”, whether we should interfere in the running of other countries and whether assassinations without trial can be justified in any cir- cumstances. Eventually, the house voted against the motion.

The students had an enjoyable and educational day, experiencing ethics from outside the classroom!

Thanks to the teachers who organised the trip. By Rebecca Rowntree, The Kings and Queens News Team

Year 12 Drugs Conference - Earlier in November, Year 12 gathered in the Kings Theatre for a Drug Conference to be greeted by staff and patients from Broadway Lodge in Weston- super-Mare who gave a hard-hitting introduction to the day. It was clear that they were here “not to moralise” but to share their experiences.

After the introduction, Year 12 grouped-off into different rooms. In the Corrick Theatre and Sixth Form Common Room patients openly shared their stories of drug dependency. Their stories were shocking, but ensured the mes- sage got through. In the Main Hall a medical awareness session took place, where alarming medical details were imparted, and again, the matter really hit home. The Kings Theatre housed a quiz to help to clarify some of the facts in a practical way.

Overall, the day showed Year 12 the seriousness of drugs. Broadway Lodge had done a fantastic job and really got the message across well, therefore I am sure everyone would like to thank the staff and patients for the day. At the end, Year 12 left, but only conversed to one another about the day, and its messages.

By Isaac Taschimowitz, The Kings and Queens Team ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ Reflections at this Christmas time by Joanna Slade, Cheddar Valley Churches Schools’ Worker

If you find yourself at a Carol service this Christmas you will probably hear these words from the first chapter of John’s Gospel.

For many of us, 2011 will be a year that we will be happy to consign to history. As the economic storm clouds have gathered, very few of us have remained un- touched by the events going on in the world around us. And yet...for each of us too, there will be moments we will look back on from this year, that were points of light and hope in times which might otherwise have been dark; the support of our family and friends, an unexpected act of kindness... a thoughtful word when we most needed it. Throughout Advent in school, we lit candles on our Advent ring to help us countdown the time towards Christmas. This also helped to remind us of the light coming into the world, which is at the heart of the Christmas story.

A few years ago I found this meditation by Mother Teresa, which I have kept in my office:

Don’t think that love, to be true, has to be extraordinary. What is necessary is to con- tinue to love. How does a lamp burn, if it is not by the continuous feeding of little drops of oil? Dear friends, what are our drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things from everyday life: the joy, the generosity, the lit- tle good things, the humility and the patience. A simple thought for someone else. Those are the real drops of oil that make our lamps burn vividly our whole life. Don’t look for Jesus far away, He is not there. He is in you, take care of your lamp and you will see Him.”

The story of Christmas is a story of extraordinary love, but ‘what is necessary is to continue to love’.

A steadfast love that burns brightly even in dark times. That’s something to which we can all aspire. This Christmas may we all find and, in turn, provide, illumination.

Religious Education - a year to be celebrated!

Religious Education has enjoyed a really successful year. In March, 40 Year 10 students embarked on the second tour to Poland to visit the beautiful city of Krakow, and historical sites of Oskar Schindler’s Factory, Galicia Museum, Auschwitz concentration camp, Wieliczka salt mines and had the privilege of meeting a Holocaust survi- vor and sharing a Kosher meal.

Back home, students have been visited by various outside agencies, including the MGM band, Dance Crew Tent event, Rev John Angle who talked about his peace work in Israel and Year 11 visited St Andrew’s Church in Cheddar to understand the symbolism and role of the church in the wider community. We thank Jo Slade, Rev John Angle and Rev Sue Rose for contributing and enriching our syllabus.

The highlight is our very pleasing GCSE results: 88% of Year 11 GCSE students obtained Grades A*- C, with 55% achieving a Grade A or A*. We are doubly proud as we are 20% above the national WJEC results, and around 15% above the national R.E. results. 31 of our Year 11 students achieved 100% in their Religion and Human Experience paper, which is a notable achievement. Our special congratulations to the following students:

Jake Allen, Holly Atkins, Samuel Bath, Katherine Belch, Henry Bishop, Jonathan Bolland, Jennifer Bridgwater, Cecelia Draper, Olivia Evans, Abigail Gill, Megan Haggerty, Kirstie Hill, Flora Hodgson, Lauren Hogarth, Jack Landers, Matthew

Lomax, Joanna Martin, Daniel Mehlig, Joshua Page, Laura Paterson, Dudley Patience, Helen Pearce, Sophie Pettler,

Harriet Richens, Alexander Rossiter, Rebecca Rowntree, Eleanor Skeen, Sophie Skelding, Bryony Stevens Young, Jamie Strawbridge and Emily Thorowgood.

The ‘A’ Level results were also above the national average and Philosophy and Ethics continues to be a popular choice. Indeed, some of our students are continuing to study Theology or Philosophy at university, including Joseph Perry (Philosophy and Politics at The University of Manchester), Carolyn Bathe (Theology and Religion at Chichester University) and Cameron Crook (Philosophy at Cardiff University).

We look forward to 2012 and anticipate another year of engaging, reflective and success in R.E. By Mrs L Jory, Subject Leader for R.E.

Meanwhile in the Food Technology kitchen -The Cake Club The Cake Club launched this term with six bakers - aprons and wooden spoons at the ready - set to learn how to make and deco- rate a rich fruit celebration cake for Christmas.

All six students made and baked the cake. But on a nibbly note... After baking her cake one student ate hers! After marzipanning their cakes, two more students ate theirs!

So, we now have three students remaining...

Kyle Prowton (seen here) made his cake beautifully, complete with festive decorations and finished it at the beginning of December.

Watch out for news of the Easter cake adventures next term!

By Master Bakers Mrs W MacKinnon and Mrs A Holland ICT Star Student The ICT Department would like to recognise the achievements of Alex Beretvas 10MH.

Alex is the first student in Year 10 to complete his ICT project focusing on the 2012 Olympics and for having a healthy lifestyle. Throughout the project Alex has demon- strated an astute aware- ness of audience and pur- pose, and has put in a tremendous amount of effort into his work.

Well done Alex as the first student in Year 10 to achieve a Grade A*! By Miss V Quaye, Teacher of ICT

At the end Elite Five take home design trophy! of November, the Design Technology Robotics Team attended the annual Lego Robotics challenge day at HP Labs in Bristol, beginning with a five minute presentation based on the topic of food safety.

Our five Year 9 boys, also known as the ELITE FIVE, namely John Cornish, Craig George, Oli Nichols, Jack Scholar and Tom Vincent all bravely stood up in front of the judges to deliver their presentation on cheese. The team were then given a briefing about the challenge and a schedule for the day’s events with three chances to score as many points with their robots as possible. The highest six teams would progress through to the semi finals. After an anxious start, we scored 78, then 84 and finally 91 points. To qualify for the top places we needed 115 points.

The team felt a little disappointed, but supported the other teams and watched as Beechen Warriors came first and will now progress into the national round in Loughborough.

But, at the end of the day the HP judges came onto the stage to award a couple of extra prizes... And, guess what — Elite Five’s name was read out (the boys couldn’t believe it!). They had won first place for their robot design and received a Lego trophy and each student received a certificate and medal. A fantastic day was had by all, especially with our surprised win! So much so, that the Team are already talking about next year’s event! By Miss Chapman, Design Technology Enrichment Leader And to make you feel like you were there –

This year’s Charities Week here at The Kings of Wessex Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry started with the famous pie-eating, renamed “The Hogwarts Feast” for the Harry Potter- themed week. On the menu was Cockroach Clus- ters, Butter Beer and, of course - the pies, filled with a wicked concoction of mango, butternut squash, ginger, cinnamon and vinegar. The feast disappeared as if by magic, leaving Jake Taylor and Nathan Worcester for the Hogwarts House Huf- flepuff victorious and whetting the students’ appe- tites for the spellbinding week ahead...

Love was in the air with that all time favourite - Blind Date, when contestants, complete with distorted squeaky voices – vied for the romantic attentions of the damsel looking for love and asking some rather astute questions.

Wizard Waxing made us all wince a bit, with the hairy legs, chests, and under arms of some brave boys getting the shock beauty treatment.

Spotlight this year was Teacher of Science Mr Webber, who had been growing his curly locks for months for this very day. The audience watched as it was shaved within a few minutes...

Next, the curtains opened to reveal two Dave Benson Philips wannabees. You’ve guessed it - Get Your Own Back. The event was styled as the British TV show with two teams of students and teachers as the teams battled away in rounds as a bucket run, where they tried to get more money in their bucket that the other team. In the end student Youcef Kouidri was gunged, as was Teacher of French Madame Davies. After this was the classic gunge tank - Charities Week veteran event. As students walked onto the stage bids came flying in from people wanting to gung them. It was a messy money-making event.

The Autograph Auction saw some big bucks exchanged for some classy merchandise.

Our students can certainly bid for a good investment when they see one.

(or to re-live some of the moments) Charities Week 2011

Former Kings student Jez Starr brought some magic to astound the audience with his mind-boggling tricks. It became clear why he calls himself The Dreaded Mentalist, as he fused psychological techniques with magic showmanship, leaving a volunteer to forget a sequence of three numbers, in his Derren-Brown style performance. The show finished with Mr Starr escaped from a buckled strait-jacket in an impres- sive 1:48 seconds. Truly magical!

Truth-telling and lying abilities were put to the ultimate test in début event, Would I Lie to You? as a take on the popular TV panel show. Two teams of teachers: the Owls consisting of Mrs Riddick, Mr Clark, Miss Attenborough and Miss Merrett, played against the Dragons: Mrs Read, Mr Friend, Mrs Marshall and Mr Davies as they went head-to-head in an hilarious exchange of feeble fabrications and outrageous anecdotes involving dubi- ous ladies, slightly oddly French accents and Costa Rican police- men, all refereed by Head of Sixth Form Mr Green, sporting a stylish purple wizard’s hat. After some interrogation from the other team, they, and the audience, had to judge the plausibility of each story and points were won - once Mr Green remembered to award them - for correct guesses as well as fooling opponents.

Some of the most unexpected revelations included learning that Teacher of English Miss Attenborough is distantly related to the famous naturalist of the same surname, that Deputy Head Mrs Marshall once shaved her two-year-old brother’s head before re- attaching the hair with sellotape and that Year 10 Leader Mrs Read, whilst on a date, accidently set fire to a restaurant! There were some believable lies too but no one believed the shocking, and thankfully false, tale that the famously Welsh Mrs Riddick was born in Hull! The final scores were 7-5 to the Dragons, but the main result was lots of laughter and innuendo, as well as some quality entertainment worthy of BBC primetime.

The week finished on a heady high with Rock and Roll Years. With an absolutely fabulous line-up, the audience warmly rewarded the performers with rapturous applause bubbling over with every amazing act. Simply the best!

And there’s lots more to mention—but this should give you a fun flavour. But time now for a special mention and well done to our Senior Team who have expertly organised and orches- trated this wonderful week. So—we thank Head Boy and Girl Lewis Jones and Laura Weigold and all their Deputies Adam Clegg, Adam Green, Max Hope-Stone Bell, Lewis Podpadec, Scott Virgo and Chloe Kitching, Lizzie Nash, Claire Tidswell, Alice Would and Olivia Yates.

We also thank the technicians and care- taker teams who ensured the practicals went professionally to plan.

Thank you to parents who attended the Charities Week evening and for commu- nity supporters who donated many fabu- lous prizes for the Grand Draw, and Ched- dar First and Wedmore First School Acad- emy, and Fairlands Middle and Hugh Sexey Middle Schools for their generous donations. With festive Bucks Fizz and wine, chocolate fountain courtesy of Som- erset Dream Events, stunning perform- ances, auction, grand prize draw, it was a night to remember! Report by Megan Haggerty, Rebecca Rowntree, Isaac Taschimowitz, Hayley Thorne and Sarah Tsoi The Kings and Queens News Team

Kings and Queens Sports Scores Reported by Subject Leader for P.E. Mr C Bennett: It has been another busy and successful term for our boys’ and girls’ teams. This Autumn Term students have represented Kings in Rugby, Football, Hockey and Netball. The Years 9, 10 and 11 Rugby Teams all reached the semi-final stages of the Somerset County Cup competition, beating local rivals The Blue School and Crispin School on the way. The Years 9 and 11 played Frome Community in this round, but unfortunately the Year 9 team were defeated. However, the Year 11’s were involved in an epic battle that finished 31- 31 and all square on tries scored! The rules then state that the away team wins, so the boys are now due to play Haygrove School in the final next term. We wish them all the best and hope that they can win the final—for a second year in a row.

The Year 10 team unfortunately lost in their semi-final match to Preston School. However, a number of students from this team have been selected to represent the Sedgemoor District in the County Super 6 competition. Well done boys! The 1st XV have a great season so far they beat local rivals The Blue School in the first round of the Daily Mail Cup. They were then narrowly defeated by Downside School losing 22-16. A year ago the same team beat the by 70-5, which was a significant improvement! They then defeated John Cabot Academy 50-0 in the plate competition, before losing to Rich- ard Huish College 12-29 with a hard working performance in the next round.

The rugby season draws to a close with our annual trip to Millfield School, when over 80 boys will repre- sent the Academy.

Mr Bennett is still looking for Cross Country runners for the Mendip Championships at Millfield after Christmas. So if any students are interested please come and see him ASAP.

Teacher of P.E. Mr Osgood reports that the U14 boys’ Hockey team have played and won all of their regional games to date this term. The boys comprehensively thrashed The West Somerset Community College 5-0 and Chilton Trinity School 4-0, only drawing to Haygrove School 2-2. We are now through to the next stage – the semi-finals!

The U18 Boys Senior Football played The Blue School in the first round of the County Cup and won a very tight game 1-0, with an own goal coming in the last minute. It was a well played and sporting game with no side deserving to lose. The next round should also be a tough game between Backwell or St. Katherine’s School.

The U15 boys lost their County Cup game to Clevedon School 5-2. This was a very even first half with the score at 2-2. Clevedon pulled ahead comfortably in the second half and deserved to win.

Year 9 girls’ hockey has had a really successful term reports Teacher of P.E. Mrs Tibbs with around 28 girls regularly attending the lunchtime practices. So far and at the point of writing we have not lost a game in the County Cup and have scored as many as ten goals in some games. We hope to make the final.

The senior girls have had a successful season with Monday lunchtime practices well attended despite the wintry state of the pitches. At the point of writing we have done well in the County Cup and hope to continue with the winning trend.

Congratulations from Teacher of P.E. Sue Roberts to the squad of players who despite playing well in most of their matches have failed to hold on to their unbeaten run of matches. We confidently won all of our friendly matches but lost one game in the County Cup pool of matches.

The real test came in our pool County Cup games. Surprisingly, we beat Huish Episcopi Academy who were our strongest rivals last season. An unconvincing performance saw us beat our County Cup finalists from last season 3-0. However, we lost 2-0 against King Alfred School and this result could cost us a place in the semi-finals. We remain optimistic and hope our goal difference will secure a place in the finals.

Well done to all second X1 players this term. They play their final game against the Blue School this week and we hope to maintain our unbeaten record.

Looking to spring, netball practices have started for Seniors every Monday lunchtime and Year 10 on Tuesday lunch- times, and for Year 10’s on Wednesday lunchtimes.

And time now for some of our Sporting Heroes and Heroines...

Cheddar Judoka Ben Attwood in Year 11, a member of Bradley Stoke Judo Club (seen here with his coaches Nick Brace and Pete Douglas) recently gained his black belt 1st dan, at a grading in High Wycombe. Not only did Ben gain his black belt, but his biggest achieve- ment of the day was defeating last year’s Brit- ish Number 1 in his first fight!

Ben's next competition will see him compete for a place in next year’s Commonwealth Games to be held in Cardiff.

Well done to hockey heroines Vicki Bear, Lyndsey Rogers and Louisa Denham in Year 9 who have all been selected for the U14 Somerset Hockey squad. This is an achievement for the girls’ hockey talent and dedication, and we wish them success in all their matches.

Congratulations to Alex Jones (“AJ”) in Year 12 who raised over £50 for BBC Children in Need fundraising when he swam a total of 400 lengths at Kings Fitness and Leisure swimming pool—for a leg-wobbling three hours and 20 minutes! Looking Back in time...

It is hard to believe 17 years have passed since the first edition of the Kings’ Messenger. The KM was introduced following my appointment to the post of Headteacher here at Kings in January 1995. Surprisingly, I don’t recall where the name came from. But, it seems fitting that we should celebrate the 100th edition.

Looking back to 1995 things were very differ- ent in those days... The National Curriculum had not long been introduced. League tables were a new phenomenon and the school had yet to receive its first Ofsted inspection. Here at school one of our main preoccupa- tions was the state of the buildings. Incredi- bly, we had 27 temporary classrooms on site at that time, which accounted for almost half the school’s accommodation. The Lei- sure Centre was newly opened, as was the Learning Resource Centre. School uniform was different in those days with a clear dis- tinction between boys and girls, in that only boys had to wear ties. What we did have though, were a team of dedicated staff and wonderful students.

One of the most significant changes over the 17 years has been our accommodation. Long gone are many of the temporary classrooms. Indeed, we only have two left today. Our Science accommodation was extended and completely remodelled, as was Design Tech- nology. There were new teaching blocks for English and Maths, and Languages. We were fortunate to receive a Lottery Grant to build a swimming pool. The LRC was extended and we opened the Kings Theatre. We have also created new facilities for Art and Photography, complete with an infinity curve and recently Mac computers.

One of the biggest changes is, of course, IT. Back in 1995, the school had very few computers and had just decided that PC’s were the way forward. Typewriters were still used in the Main Office. As Headteacher I was the only person to have a mobile phone. Indeed, I well recall children crowding round me to see it! How things are different these days with over 500 computers, specialist software applications in most areas, Wireless network, the Kings Learning Platform. This was life before Google, iPhones and text messaging.

2001 saw a leap forward for the school when we gained Specialist Schools Status in Technology. Kings was one of the first rural schools in the country to achieve this and this attracted a lot of interest in the media. Talking about the media... Back in 1997, our very own superstar came to light in the form of Teacher of History Adrian Targett as Cheddar Man. An invitation for us to participate in a TV history documentary established a direct genetic link between Mr Targett and the 9,000 year-old skeleton in the Cheddar Caves. The story went global! In 2005, we unearthed our own Roman skeleton.

The school’s academic success has grown. Back in 1995, only about half our students achieved five good GCSE passes. The figure last summer was 91% students achieving five or more Grades A* to C, placing Kings amongst the highest perform- ing schools in the country. I am pleased to say that our enduring motto “Getting the best out of everyone” continues to un- derpin our work with young people.

Kings took its first step towards independence when in 2006 it became a Foundation School. For the first time staff were employed not by the Local Authority, but by the Governing Body. This was followed last academic year with our move to Academy Status.

The 17 years have seen four Ofsted inspections. It is hard to believe that for our first inspection we received half a term’s notice. Judgments of ‘Good’ and ‘Good with Outstanding features’ followed and in 2010 we received the ultimate accolade ‘Outstanding’.

Some things don’t change. The tradition of Charities Week has continued throughout the 17 years. In the early days it was relatively low-key and held in the gym, contrasting with today’s lively line-up of twice daily shows in the Main Hall play- ing to packed audiences. It is amazing to think over the 100 editions of the KM students have raised over £125,000 for their chosen charities. There can be few schools that have such an impressive record.

And a final thing that does not change is the dedication, commitment, enthusiasm of our students and staff that makes Kings so Outstanding. So—who know what news the next one hundred editions of the Kings’ Messenger will bring...? The Kings’ Calendar (Spring Half Term 2012)

January 2012 Staff Training Day - Academy closed to students Wednesday 4 January 2012 Return to School Thursday 5 January 2012 (WEEK B) Year 9 Science STEM Day, Main Hall Thursday 5 January 2012 Year 11 GCSE English Language, Unit 5EN2 Exam Tuesday 10 January 2012, AM PTA Committee Meeting, Academy Conference Room Tuesday 10 January 2012 at 6.30pm Years 12 and 13 IT CST Schools Workshop, UWE Tuesday 10 January 2012 Parents Ski Trip Information Evening, LRC Tuesday 10 January 2012 at 7pm Year 11 Parents’ Evening, Main Hall Wednesday 11 January 2012 between 5:00 – 8:00pm Year 10 GCSE Biology Exam Thursday 12 January 2012, AM Years 11 and 13 Apprenticeship Workshops, EMIT Thursday 12 January 2012 between 10.00am – 11:25am Year 11 Crime Scene Investigator Visit Friday 13 January 2012 Careers Talk by Stephen Moss Tuesday 17 January 2012 between 11.05 – 11:25am Year 10 GCSE Chemistry Exam Wednesday 18 January 2012, AM Years 10 and 11 BTEC Trip to Sister Act Thursday 19 January, PM Years 11 and 13 Army Workshops Thursday 19 January 2012 between 10.00– 11:25am Year 10 GCSE Physics Exam Friday 20 January 2012, AM Year 11 GCSE Biology Unit 2 Exam (re-sit) Tuesday 24 January 2012, AM Year 11 GCSE PE Exam (re-sit) Wednesday 25 January 2012, PM Year 9 Design Technology/ICT EuroDisney Trip Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 January 2012 inclusive Year 11 GCSE Physics, Unit 2, Exam (re-sit) Monday 30 January 2012, PM Year 11 BTEC Music Evening, Kings Theatre Monday 30 January 2012 at 7pm Preparing for Higher Education Talk Tuesday 31 January 2012, between 10:00 – 11:25am Year 12 Physics Robotic Talk Tuesday 31 January 2012 February 2012 Senior Boys House Basketball Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 12.45pm Senior Boys House Basketball Thursday 2 February 2012 at 12.45pm Years 9 and 10 Intermediate Maths Challenge Thursday 2 February 2012 Years 12 and 13 Law/Psychology Court Trip Thursday 2 February 2012 Year 12 and 13 Computing Trip to Bletchley Park Monday 6 February 2012 Academy Production Rehearsals Tuesday 7 February 2012, all day “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory” 2012 Academy Production performances : Tuesday 7 February – Thursday 9 February 2012 at 7pm “Charlie and The Chocolate Factory,” Kings Theatre Year 13 Recital Evening, Corrick Theatre Wednesday 8 February 2012 at 7pm Junior Boys House Basketball Wednesday 8 February 2012 at 12:45pm Year 13 R.E./Philosophy Conference, Yeovil Thursday 9 February 2012, all day Junior Boys House Basketball Thursday 9 February 2012 at 12:45pm Ski Trip Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February 2012 inclusive

SPRING HALF TERM HOLIDAYS Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 February 2012 inclusive

Absence Phone: Thank you for reporting your child’s illness or any other absence on the first day and every subsequent day by either telephoning Mrs Townsend, our Attendance Secretary on 01934 745304 (this telephone number is always available and is equipped with an ansaphone for out of hours) wherever possible before 9am. Or you can alternatively email at [email protected]. Remember to give your child’s name, tutor group and the reason for absence. Please note, we also monitor closely the attendance of our Sixth Form students.

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

Year 9: Mrs K Lowis Year 10: Mrs E Read Year 11: Mr T Clark Sixth Form: Mr S Green

Happy Christmas and Happy New Year 2012!

Subject Awards: celebrating students for their achievements in the academic subjects Subjects Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 English Charlotte Caunt 9KS Joe Scott-Hartley 10JPF William Jonas 11EM - English Language - - - Cecelia Draper 12JR Chloe Kitching 13BR English Literature - - - Bryony Stevens Young 12JR Abigail Nicholson 13CA Media Studies - - - Lucy Bladon 12LM India Heaslip 13IS Maths Elisabeth Scott 9KD Jordan Davies 10SBA Fraser Craig 11TP Georg Zanker 12JR Alice Wright 13CA Product Design Eleni Georgiou 9TS George Hall 10DE - Jessica Burrough 12SO Nathan Worcester 13CBE Food Technology John Cornish 9ML Adam Wood 10JPF - - - ICT Charlotte Brazier 9ML Lauren Male 10VQ - Fay Arnison 12LM Thomas Cashmore 13BR Computing - - - Nicholas Buhagiar 12JWi Matteo Veglia 13CA Biology Nicole Karanicola 9KD Madeleine Ralph 10SBA Thomas Newton 11EM Ryan Gourlay 12SR Megan N Jones 13RW Chemistry Hallam Greene 9CD Imogen Howorth 10MH Thomas Newton 11EM Alexander Rossiter 12SR Emma Reason 13RW Physics Hallam Greene 9CD Alex Beretvas 10MH Tabitha Rogers 11AS Matthew Lomax 12JR Lewis Jones 13GR Psychology - - - Matthew Connick 12JR Emma Reason 13RW Business Studies - Elizabeth Sturmey 10JPF Zoe Karanicola 11JG Dan Wood 12SJ Ben Marshall 13GC BTEC Business Studies - Brandon Wilcox 10VQ Jade-Marie Hide 11MG - - Geography Stephanie Nourse 9DPW Hannah Forde 10DR Sinead O'Brien 11SJW Sophie Skelding 12SO Alfie Palmer 13GR History Indie Drake-Brockman 9KS Ella Jameson 10JPF Ellen Harris-Snell 11RMH Jed Drake-Brockman 12AT Abigail Nicholson 13CA Law - - - Hamish Gilpin 12SR Sophie Patten 13RW R.E. Kathryn Bowman 9LJ Megan Kidner 10MH William Jonas 11EM Helen Pearce 12AT Tamsin Webb 13CBE Sociology - - - Kathryn Manners 12SJ Olivia Yates 13CBE French Charlotte Caunt 9KS Alex Beretvas 10MH Jennifer Wilson 11AS Bryony Stevens Young 12JR Elizabeth Nash 13BR German Stephanie Nourse 9DPW Madeleine Ralph 10SBA Chelsie Bailey 11TB Matthew Lomax 12JR Freya Cumberlidge 13RW Art Alice Best 9CD Katy Prior 10JPF Tim Lucas 11EM Emily Thorowgood 12SJ Chloe Heyworth 13CA Photography - - Bridie McGrath 11VW Ross Dickinson 12AT Chelsey Mortimer 13CA Textiles - Katrina Hamilton 10SS Rebecca Donald 11VW Molly Humphrey 12JR Niamh Wrench 13CA Drama Charlotte Walker 9TS Alex Clement-Close 10TT Jack Reading 11RMH Georgina Mason 12SR Ella Williamson 13GC BTEC Performing Arts - Lauren Male 10VQ Bethan Bullock 11TB - - Music Jack Hanlon 9DPW Josephine Hill 10DR Tim Lucas 11EM Harry Bishop 12SO Emily Ingle 13GR P.E. Harriet Lucas 9CD Janne Clarke 10MH Jenny Francis 11RMH Adam Male 12SJ Jenny Pearce 13RW Learning Support Michael Warboys 9KD - Ben Rogers 11LD - - PSHE/Citizenship Fergal Bettridge-Boyd 9AH - William Hims 11AS - -