Newsletter July 2015

Community Newsletter Introduction Dear Parent/Carer,

What an incredible term it has been as saltash.net community school! There We were exceptionally lucky with the weather - both for Sports Day and for the have been so many occasions of note, it is hard to know where to begin to 50th Anniversary celebration; maybe there was just something ringing true there acknowledge all that our students and staff have achieved. about ‘the sun shining on the righteous’! Staff involved in organising both of these events truly deserved the sun to be out. We could have postponed Sports I would like to start by thanking all of you for the support and encouragement you Day to our reserve day and we could have held most of the 50th Activities in the give your children and for the interest you take in all that we do at our school. The Sports Hall and Gym - but it definitely wouldn’t have been the same. Thank you students here at saltash.net are such a credit to you and to the local community. to all parents who turned up to support these events and I do hope you enjoyed Over the past term, those sitting examinations in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 have yourselves and will find the reports in this newsletter interesting. conducted themselves in an exemplary fashion, despite all of the pressure, stresses and challenges they have encountered along the way. They have worked As we approach the end of this school year, there are, of course, some very sad so hard and really deserve the best possible outcomes on results days this moments to contemplate, alongside all of the celebrations. Next Wednesday, 22nd summer (A Level 13th August and GCSE 20th August). July, we will be saying farewell to a number of colleagues, some of whom have been with us for a very long time and all of whom have made an outstanding There have been many other occasions when our students have demonstrated contribution to the life of our school. We wish all staff departing the very best with that they know how to behave appropriately, especially when representing the their future plans and I would particularly like to thank and acknowledge all that school on trips and visits or at public events. the staff retiring have done over the years: Mr Armer 36 years, Mr Scantlebury 23 years, Mr Normanton 23 years, Mrs West 20 years, Mrs Loyn 6 years, Mrs Potterton Over the last term, we’ve had the 6th Form May Ball at the Duke of Cornwall 15 years and Mrs Sherrard 10 years. Hotel, the Year 11 Prom at Boringdon Golf and Country Club, Sports Day, County Athletics Competitions, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Ten Tors, a Theme Day All that remains is for me to wish everyone a very happy summer holiday. We which included taking almost the whole of Year 10 to London and this week look forward to welcoming back our new Year 7 and 6th Form on Monday 7th Curriculum Enrichment activities near and far and Work Experience for Years 10 September, and the rest of the school on Tuesday 8th September. and 12. With very best wishes, I know of a number of schools which, for a variety of reasons, have significantly cut back on their enrichment programmes. Personally, I feel this is a great shame as I believe it is so important to balance academic success with the development of our young people as well rounded individuals, able to take their place in our society confidently and successfully. That is why we place so much emphasis on our Core Values of Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Compassion, Honesty Mrs I Bryce and Fairness. Headteacher On Saturday 4th July, the whole school community came together to celebrate fifty years of education on our Wearde Road site. It was a glorious day of fun, memories and reunions, made possible by the extremely hard work of our staff and students who threw themselves into the organisation of the day with all the enthusiasm and passion you would expect from saltash.net. Towards the end of the day, when everyone was enjoying the evening sunlight, the live music and the refreshments, a parent whose three children had gone through our school turned to one of our staff and said, ‘Only saltash.net could organise an event like this… and arrange the weather too!’

2 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 3 Physics enrichment at Falmouth Together in Electric Dreams As part of a physics enrichment In the afternoon there was another Year 12 A Level Physics students cumbersome engine taking up space opportunity, a group of 11 6th Form lecture on cryptography and how we at saltash.net community school under the bonnet, there was plenty students joined other physicists from were able to send secret messages were given an unexpected learning of room for shopping and luggage! around Cornwall for a day course using codes such as ENIGMA during opportunity on the morning of Friday at Falmouth University campus. the Second World War. The talk then 5th June. As chance would have it, they Following their investigation of the described how we now use quantum happened to be in a Physics lesson electric car, the students were able to The day consisted of a lecture cryptography to openly send codes with their teacher, Miss Ripper, when research the life and works of the car’s describing how new particles are which are unbreakable. The pupils ex-student and highly successful namesake, Nikola Tesla, an inventor, found at the Large Hadron Collider sent and decrypted their own London Car Salesman, Bradley Carr, electrical engineer, mechanical in Geneva and the pupils Skyped quantum code in a hands on session. drove into school in a state of the art engineer, physicist and futurist who a researcher at CERN. The students electric car that a client of his had lent is best known for his contributions to were then given the opportunity The day directly linked to the A2 him for a few days enabling him to the design of the modern alternating to use a computer simulation to try physics course so was a really return to his home in Cornwall in style! current (AC) electricity supply system. and find their own Higgs Boson! worthwhile trip and pupils were inspired by the visit to the university. Bradley, who had undertaken a Work Speaking after Bradley’s visit, Mrs Experience placement at the Bramall Bryce, said, ‘It is always excellent when Allen Vauxhall showrooms and garage ex-students want to return to their in Saltash alongside his A Levels in school to give something back to their 2002-4, had kept in touch with his old community. Bradley has done so well school and was pleased to be able to in his career and is now one of the return to share with current students main sales people at the Aston Martin the latest in electric car technology. showrooms on Park Lane, Mayfair.’ The A Level Physicists were able to explore the £80,000 Tesla car for themselves and were impressed to hear from Bradley how it could do around 310 miles on one electrical charge. They were also impressed Physicist of the Year award with the in-car computer system and the clever design which meant the Matt Seymour in 12BE was nominated car could easily convert from being a for the ‘Physicist of the Year award’ 5 seater into a 7 seater – and with no and this is a lovely photo of him from the award ceremony which took place on Monday 29th June at Exeter University. He was given the award in recognition of his passion and enthusiasm for the subject and for his hard work and perseverance.

4 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 5 Year 8s immerse themselves in Year 9 Maths Masterclass experience they won’t forget On the 17th June, we, as part of a to explore the campus, provided we mathematics celebration, attended were back in time for our last lesson. Exam season can be a testing time to show them the importance of a maths master-class at Plymouth for anyone, especially when you are keeping the entry slip safe.” university. The day started at 10am, The last activity of the day was by a teenager. It’s always important, and after making our own way there, far the best! We were exploring the however, to realise these exams and As the students entered the hall they we signed in at the desk and received formulas of shapes in relation to the the results are only a part of who were greeted by rows of tables filled name badges, our timetable for the faces, edges and vertices. This involved you as a person, and they don’t need with test paper, and a bottle of water. day and were told what to do. It was creating our own shapes with models to be as daunting as they appear. “We wanted to get them focussed, exciting, as we were representing and then seeing if they matched the but also relax them,” explained Mrs our school, and there were no adults pattern. We then proved the formula! For this reason, the Year 8 Pastoral Snowdon, assistant Head of Year. that we knew! After an introduction, team, along with the Maths “The bottles of water were just a we were given groups, and headed The day ended with a plenary, where department, gave the year group small way of showing them they had off to our first activity. This was all all groups met together in the lecture an ‘experience’ on the last day our support – even if carrying 230 about inductions, which is proving theatre, and discussed what we had before the May half term, to bottles of water around was tiring!” formulas using algebra! We found learnt. There then was a speech about show them exactly what it might this challenging, and it kept us further careers in maths, and it was feel like in three years’ time. The students were incredibly well focused. After this was break, where surprising how many options were behaved and completed the entire we received refreshments. It was nice open to those who study maths both at The Mock was designed to give experience in test conditions, to meet people in other schools - we A Level and university! the students the most realistic before the final bell went, marking met two girls who had come all the experience possible, and at the the start of their half term. way from Barnstaple! We then went Overall, the day was thoroughly same time, show them there was to our next activity, where we worked enjoyable and we learnt a lot. It was nothing to be intimidated about “It was a very proud moment for me,” in teams to study the way in which pi great to see so many schools there and by sitting in a hall with the other finished Mr Wieprecht. “The whole was estimated, and the changes and so many people to meet. members of their Year Group. point was to show them this didn’t development of it over time! This was need to be as daunting a process quite a practical lesson, and we were Written by Amelia and Imogen, Year 9 The ‘exam’ was scheduled to take place as it can sometimes feel. From the given time to experiment with shapes at 1.55pm. However, diligent students comments the students made, and use our initiative. We then headed Thanks to Mrs Hinds for organising the began to arrive over 30 minutes before many of whom actually enjoyed off to lunch, which gave us the freedom enrichment opportunity. this, and, by 1.45pm, the whole year the experience, I know we achieved group had assembled themselves early. this. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the experience “It was lovely to see them taking it from the Maths department, to the all so seriously,” commented Head admin team and finally our pastoral of Year, Scott Wieprecht. “They had team. Our young people acted Intermediate Maths Challenge all been given seat numbers in incredibly maturely and were well advance, and, as always happens, a behaved – I only wish they would sit Congratulations to Victoria Carter, number had lost these, so it helped that quietly during my assemblies!” Ben Illingworth and Amelia Horne pictured with their Intermediate Maths Challenge certificates.

6 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 7 Year 7 & 8 Athletics A Level Art and Media exhibitions Championships hugely impressive The sun was shining in Par as our On Thursday 18th June, family members, friends and the general Year 7 and 8 athletes competed public were invited to attend the annual A Level Art Exhibition at in the Cornwall Schools Athletics saltash.net community school. Showcasing an exceptional range of talent Championships. 26 schools from all from both the Year 13 A Level students and the Year 12 AS Level candidates, over Cornwall took part in the day long the event generated much praise and admiration from all present. event on Tuesday 9th June. Students were able to compete in one track and Commenting on the very high quality of art work produced, Head of Department, one field event plus the relay making Jim Romain, said, “The students have worked unbelievably hard over the past year the total number of competitors close and deserve every success. It is extremely rewarding to know that many of the Year to 700. 13 students will be continuing to develop their skills and talents in Art and Design related courses at university, including fine art, illustration and architecture.’ Pictured is Archie Fleming competing in the triple jump, who went on to win the Following on from the Art Exhibition was the A Level Media show, held at the Year 7 boys 100m. The Year 7 4x100m school on Monday 22nd June. Once again, the standard and quality of the relay team was placed 2nd fastest in the work produced was excellent, leading to many visitors commenting on the county. Brandon Chapman is pictured authenticity of the films, posters and DVD covers produced for the coursework running the anchor leg. section of the final exam. Head of Media, Mat Turner, also praised the students and the members of his department whose expertise and depth of experience help to make sure the students achieve the highest possible grades.

Arena Water Sports Festival A group of our Year 9 students had a wet and wild day at Roadford Lake on Friday 12th June at the Arena Water Sports festival. Students from secondary schools across South East Cornwall competed at the festival in a range of adventure activities. saltash.net students made us proud by winning the sailing and high ropes challenges, and being placed second in the raft building challenge.

8 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 9 Happy 50th Birthday, saltash.net! With it only happening once in a lifetime, everyone in saltash.net’s community agreed that the Golden Jubilee celebration was worth an extra special effort. To mark fifty years of education on its Wearde Road site, staff and students from saltash.net rallied together to stage a thoroughly memorable and enjoyable anniversary event on Saturday 4th July. Fortunately, after months and months of planning, the weather was glorious enabling the huge crowds of visitors who turned up for the afternoon and evening activities to make the most of everything that was on offer, including being able to enjoy and appreciate the stunning views afforded by the school’s spectacular location. The 50th anniversary’s official opening took place in the school’s main reception where invited guests, including MP Sheryll Murray, Mayor Bill Phillips and Deputy Mayor Hilary Frank, gathered for the unveiling of the 50th plaque by two ex-students: Gary Davies and Roger Gillett. Both Gary and Roger had walked through the doors of the school’s brand new building back in 1965 and they have remained firm friends ever since. Mrs Bryce, welcomed everyone to the event, saying that she hoped it would be a day full of memories and reunions, but also an opportunity to consider what lies ahead in the next half century, with the school continuing to build on its reputation, providing an excellent, inclusive education for all students in its care in partnership with the local primary schools.

10 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 11 Happy 50th Birthday, saltash.net! After the official opening, there was an opportunity to cut the beautiful th50 ‘birthday’ cake, made by support staff member, Karen Snowdon, before adjourning to the main hall where an incredibly comprehensive and informative exhibition had been staged by Media Technician, Jennie Anderson. Ex-student, and Répétiteur of the Welsh National Opera, David Doidge, provided the musical entertainment, which was followed by Gary Davies and Roger Gillett sharing many memories from their time at the school, back in the 60s. The very large number of visitors to the main school site were able to enjoy a look at the exhibition, tours of the school led by student ambassadors, as well as refreshments served by the Friends Association. Meanwhile, taking place on the school’s extensive playing fields, was a whole range of fun and enjoyable events, designed to provide a focus of interest for young and old alike. These included a Dog Show, Marquee (supplied by Hines) with a full programme of live music, games stalls run by Year 7 and 8 Social Enterprise teams, Dotnet Café and Sweet Stall, BBQ and Hog Roast. Speaking at the end of the day, Mrs Bryce said, ‘It has been such a wonderful community event and I am so pleased there was an opportunity for students and staff, past and present, as well as other community members to come together to share memories and learn some more about the history of education here in the town of Saltash. We could not have wished for a better day and I would like to thank all of my colleagues who did so much to help make it the success it was, especially my PA, Jude Hollyman, Assistant Business Manager, Naomi Lawrance, and Media Technician, Jennie Anderson. It was most definitely a team effort!’

12 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 13 Sports Day Overall Winners Outstanding performers: 1st Spain Year 7 2nd Greece Charlie Hine 3rd Great Britain Madison Parry 4th China 5th USA Year 8 6th South Korea Jack Doughty 7th Australia Hannah Baker 8th Brazil Year 9 Year 7 Dan Hale 1st Spain Lucie Jones 2nd Greece 3rd Great Britain Year 8 1st Spain 2nd Greece 3rd Great Britain Year 9 1st Great Britain 2nd Greece 3rd China

Keeping things healthy on sports day A big thank you to all my helpers; Year 9s for making the delicious energy bars and for the brilliant team of fruit peelers, choppers and skewerers (Jodie Richardson, Cody Mitchell, Corey Skeldon, Mrs Wadsworth and Mrs Barton). We quickly sold out of our famous fruit kebabs and made a healthy profit of £77.96 which will be donated to Cancer Research UK. Thank you to everyone who supported us and gave us such great feedback, see you next year! Miss Noble, Healthy Schools Coordinator

14 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 15 Magical world of ‘Peter Pan’ Over fifty students from the Saltash confident, energetic performances; Association of Schools very successfully Thomas Hollyman and Megan Kelly came together to stage Disney’s ‘Peter impressed with their excellent Pan’ during the 10th – 12th June. Now in understanding of the confused and its fourth year, the tradition of staging a bemused Darling parents; and Matt music and drama production involving Calder entertained everyone brilliantly both saltash.net secondary school key with his comic timing in the role of stage 3 students, as well as children Smee, Hook’s foil. from key stage 2 in the Saltash and district primary schools, is very much The chorus parts, including the welcomed by young and old alike. Fairies, Lost Boys, Mermaids, Big Chief Tiger Bamboo and TigerLily, were all ‘Peter Pan’ proved to be an excellent delivered admirably, especially the choice of play to showcase the rousing musical numbers of ‘A pirate’s talent across the six schools involved life’, ‘Never smile at a crocodile’ and (Bishop Cornish, Burraton, Landulph, ‘Following the Leader’. saltash.net, Sir Robert Geffery’s and St Stephens). The casting, by Director Speaking after the shows, Mr Oakes Matt Oakes and Musical Director, said, ‘I would like to congratulate all of Nicola Silvester, was spot on. Brandon the students involved in the production Escott as Peter Pan, Emily Lambert as and thank the parents and primary Wendy, Jemima Budd as Tinker Bell, school teachers for the support which and Tommy Williams as Captain Hook has been given. I would also like to all excelled in their lead roles, their fine thank my colleagues, English teacher, voices perfectly complementing their Natasha Bruty, and Performing Arts impressive acting ability. team members Emily Venner and Jo Loyn as well as Charlotte Burton the Equally deserving of praise were technician for all the help that has been the students who undertook the given throughout the auditions and supporting roles: Brad Sweet as John rehearsals.’ and Tiffany West-Lakes as Michael gave

16 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 17 Performance at Cornwall Music African Drumming Workshop Education Hub Showcase Year 8 students at saltash.net had a great welcome back after the half-term break with On 30th April, Head of Music, Mrs Venner took five gifted and talented students a lively and very hands on African Drumming from Year 9 and 10 down to the Hall for Cornwall, in Truro, for the Sounds from workshop. Allan Kerr, a local Musician, taught a the Hub concert- to celebrate the talent from the local schools and colleges. half hour workshop with each Year 8 tutor group. They arrived for the sound check where the students worked with a professional They covered some traditional African songs and stage manager and his tech crew - the stage manager planned for them their learned about the Djembe drums and how to own personalised lighting, staging and even a smoke effect for their performance create polyrhythms as a whole class ensemble. which was very exciting! First to perform was Emily Lambert and Megan Kelly from year 9 who played and sang `Your Song` by Elton John. Then Emily Horsham Allan also delivered an hour workshop with our and Jonah Rich from year 10 performed an acoustic version of `After Glow` by future GCSE Year 9 students and the Year 10 Wilkinson. They were then joined on stage by Tiegan Aire to perform `I see Fire` GCSE students looking at the cultural and social by Ed Sheeran. The backstage crew commented how professional and focused aspect of Djembe drumming in Africa. saltash.net students were and the stage manager called Emily Horsham “fearless” as he couldn’t believe how calm and collected she was before going on stage. Mrs Head of Music, Mrs Emily Venner, said, ‘It was a Venner said, “I was incredibly proud of them- it was a lovely celebration of how fantastic day and I know all the students really fantastic our students are and I will be taking more next year.” enjoyed themselves.’

Trampolining Success Congratulations go to Year 8 student, Chloe Finch, who recently competed in the national trampolining championships held in Peterborough in June. Chloe finished 7th in the country in her trampolining category - an amazing achievement!

18 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 19 Chennai A Message About Choices In Life As part of a British Council Connecting Classrooms Grant, Miss Ripper and I Delivered Through Music visited the Gerugambakkam Campus of the PSBB Millennium School in Chennai. We were entertained really well and taken around the different sites in the local Some of our Year 9 PD classes recently had the opportunity to work with L.E.D. area on the Sunday when we first arrived. We were also fed a range of traditional (Let Everyone Decide), a group based in the South West who deliver powerful Indian meals, both at the teachers’ houses and also out in restaurants. We messages about choices in life. This time, the message was about making personal attended the main school and were given a tour, as well as attending some of choices in relationships and encouraging them to be more assertive and resist the the lessons that were being taught. We were really impressed with the level of pressure to bow down to messages and trends in the media & from their peers. motivation and how welcoming the students and teachers were. We saw a range of lessons and took part in some small group teaching activities. We also did some The group’s teaching included some incredible music with very honest, relevant assemblies and told the students about our school. Lots of the children were lyrics which allowed for some very mature discussions around, in particular, the very excited to meet the Year 8 Sophie Bear who joined us for the assemblies. pressures that young people face in today’s society. The students had a lot of fun but were stretched & challenged and encouraged to question their perceptions The school was much bigger than ours and was a combined Primary and Secondary about a range of issues & situations. all on the same grounds. We were also fortunate enough to watch some lessons in the Primary school. We managed to Skype with some of our students back at • Some of the comments from students included: saltash.net while we were there too and there was an opportunity for some of • “That was great!” the students to talk and ask each other questions. We were hosted so well by the • “Well, that was a bit different wasn’t it?” Indian teachers Raji and Ranjitha who also came to visit us at saltash.net earlier • “It woke me up” this year. The staff and students at the school are now really keen to develop some • “It’s made me realise that I’m too young for a serious relationship” links further and to communicate with more of our students back here. On our • “I just want to concentrate on my school work, I’m far too young for all this final day we were taken to the partner Kindergarten where we saw some of the relationship stuff” students who had just arrived for their first ever day at school, some were as young as 3 years old. We sang some songs with them and had a tour of their school. Philippa Wadsworth Curriculum Leader for PD (Personal Development) We had a small amount of time left for some sight-seeing in Mumbai on our return journey back to the UK. Overall it was a fabulous week; we were so well looked after and got to join in with so many Indian meals and cultures. If anyone has any ideas of links with our Indian partner school please let Mrs Silvester know. Miss Higgs Student Responses to PD lessons Year 9 & 10 students have been having some great lessons on healthy relationships, learning how to recognise abuse or when something is wrong, as well as issues around the law and consent. Their maturity & willingness to discuss these sensitive, but very important, issues is demonstrated in the comments below from students: • “All pupils need to know this stuff” • “Not giving consent can be non-verbal as well as just saying no” • “There are different types of abuse: sexual, physical, emotional, psychological and financial” • “We need to be able to recognise the signs that something is wrong” • “Knowing where to go for help is really important”

20 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 21 young people with hidden/visible disabilities which has been performing around The Zone many venues in Plymouth, culminating this year with a performance at the Theatre Royal on 25th July (Tickets £10! Please ask Lucy Gomer for information), as All 3 Year 11 students have successfully completed taster days at their KS5 part of Udance UK. More Zone students will become involved over the next year. colleges. All Year 11 students and one Year 10 Zone student are awaiting Two of the Zone students have auditioned and got parts in next term’s whole confirmation that they have achieved Entry Level English, Maths, Functional school production of Annie. English and Functional Maths. Well done all. All 3 Year 11 students attended the superb Prom on 10th July, and looked so gorgeous and grown-up. We wish them Sports Day was brilliant; all the Zone students all the best for further success and happiness in their chosen pathway – via Saltash took part in some way. Ryan was pleased as punch and Duchy Colleges. to have run 200m relay and helped accumulate points for the winning country. Enrichment Week is going to be great. It will include a clamber over Cheesewring and Bodmin Moor after a Trago breakfast; visiting Mount Edgcumbe via the Cremyll Ferry, riding Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway then walking through Lanhydrock grounds; water sports at Siblyback Lake; visiting Porfell Animal Sanctuary, and finally collapsing in the sun (hopefully) on Looe Beach. All this made affordable by using the local Saltash Hopper, so thanks to the volunteers who have made this possible, and for putting up with my driving whilst I The Year 10 students have started their transition taster days for Year 12 and are familiarised myself around Saltash! We will be spending time at Looe Beach with continuing to work on their qualification coursework. our new Year 7 intake, who we have already welcomed into the Zone, and who have enjoyed all their transition days with us all at saltash.net community school. The Zone students joined in Theme Day and had a brilliant time with their mainstream peers creating hats, exploring Saltram, and visiting Art Galleries in As a practice run, two Zone students entered London. Mollie (the Zone PAT dog) into Callington Family Dog Show and won 1st for Most Appealing Eyes Recently, we had a very special visit by Dartmoor Search and and Special for best dog under 18 months, dog Rescue Team and their dogs. Mollie was busy supporting a most like owner/s, and dog judge would like to mainstream student in Room 35 so missed meeting the amazing take home! dogs who luckily found all the students who had hid so they could show their search and rescue skills. Other Zone students entered Mollie at the 50th Anniversary Event dog show, where their costume Thank you to them. We would also like to take this opportunity of Shaun the Sheep won her first prize, and her to thank Saltash Rotary Club for the generous funds that covered wagging tail won her 3rd. It was a bit hot for her to remain in it for a photo-shoot! a very special leavers’ lunch at Louis Tea Rooms, Kit Hill. The day was very cold, and windy but we still ventured up to the tors on I am very much looking forward to working next year with the Kit Hill. So much laughter. Letters of thanks have been written by very special students in the Zone, and sharing their successes. the Zone students, and sent. Lucy Gomer – Lead Teacher The Zone (Trematon Zone; ARB) As part of their studies of the main religions present in Cornwall and Plymouth, on the first day of Ramadan (Thursday 25th June 2015), with guidance from local Muslim friends, The Zone students attempted to limit their food and drink intake to get some idea of fasting (Saum) by the Muslims during this Ramadan month. An increasing number of Zone students have been attending after school clubs: Table tennis, Athletics, ADAPT dance. ADAPT is a dance group in Plymouth for

22 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 23 Healthy Schools News Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme We recently applied for a grant from the British Heart Foundation for a defibrillator Students currently in Year 10 and in Year 12 have had a busy half term undertaking and good news recently came in the form of an email notifying us that our bid practice Bronze expeditions and final Silver Award assessments. The 28 Bronze had been successful. We are now waiting for our WEL Medical iPAD defibrillator participants travelled to the Rame Peninsula to carry out their practice walk, whilst which will be positioned on the wall outside our site manager’s office by the the Silver candidates undertook their trek on Bodmin Moor. Lecture Theatre for easy access should we ever need it. Congratulations go to all the students involved, especially the Year 12 Silver Also in the next school year we are looking to recruit members of the 6th Form participants who gave the D of E assessor a very easy job, such was the excellence who would like to be trained in Heartstart principles (CPR) who can then pass of the group’s orienteering, navigation and team work. these valuable skills on to others in school. Thanks are expressed to D of E coordinator, Miss Vicky Higgs, and all the other staff who helped out and supported all of the students involved.

Healthy Eating Week Activities were arranged to help celebrate Healthy Eating week 1st- 5th June starting off with an exotic fruit quiz. Students worked hard together to get the correct answers. The winners were Bridie Reep, Flo Wickham and Lewis Woolaway. We got the sustainable proteins (bugs) out and some students were brave enough to sample them. The crispy critters were examined, tasted and enjoyed! Staff were not as enthusiastic as the students!

World Challenge Good luck to our Year 9 World Challenge team, heading out to Croatia on the 18th July. A big thanks to Waitrose Saltash for their help fundraising to allow our students to participate in this amazing trip. Pictured are the World Challenge team collecting a cheque for £250 raised from the Waitrose Community Matters scheme.

24 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 25 Year 11 Prom Nearly two hundred Year 11 students from saltash.net community school attended a Prom at Boringdon Golf and Country Club on Friday 10th July. Despite a thunderstorm briefly interrupting the start of the proceedings, the majority of the students were still able to enjoy their ‘red carpet’ moment, arriving in style in a huge variety of transport which included tractors, Go Karts, camper vans, vintage sports cars and limousines, as well as two specially chartered prom buses. The grounds of Boringdon Golf Club provided an excellent backdrop for the various photocall opportunities before all of the students, and a large number of staff also attending, moved indoors for a delicious buffet meal, socialising and dancing. The Prom Committee, led by Assistant Head of Year, Mrs Eileen Sloggett, had selected a Great Gatsby theme for all of the invites and table decorations, ensuring that there was plenty of glamour to match the stunning outfits worn by the students – boys and girls! Speaking at the end of a thoroughly enjoyable evening, Head of Year, Mr Matt Oakes, said, “The students did us proud! It was one of the biggest proms we have ever held and the behaviour of all the students was impeccable – they were a credit to the school and to their families.’ Headteacher, Mrs Bryce, added, “I am so pleased the event was such a success. Our young people worked so hard for their GCSE examinations and thoroughly deserved this special occasion, held in their honour. I would like to thank the team of staff and students who organised everything. It was very enjoyable indeed.”

26 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 27 Curriculum Enrichment and Work Summer Term Theme Day th th Experience Week July 13 - 17 2015 The Summer Term Theme Day at Thanks to Director of Creativity, saltash.net was another great success Amy Feldwick, Assistant Director of As the newsletter will be going to print midway for students in Years 7-10 and Year 12. Creativity, Jim Romain, and all other through Curriculum Enrichment Week, it will not be Thanks to the hard work and effort of colleagues who organised and ran possible to give a full report at this time. An extended staff at the school, over 500 students activities. account will appear in our September newsletter. In were given the opportunity to engage the meantime, it is great to be able to provide a brief in off-site learning in places as diverse update on some of the amazing events and activities as the Natural History and Science taking place, despite the somewhat unseasonable Museums in London, the National weather encountered during the start of the week. Portrait Gallery and the Tate, also in London, Widemouth Bay, Saltram Photos being sent back from Austria and Holland confirm that the international House and Mount Edgcumbe. visits are another great success, with students benefiting enormously from immersion in other cultures and traditions. Those students and staff remaining back at school had an equally engaging Closer to home , students are enjoying ‘Away Days’, ‘Quest’, skiing, horse riding, day, which included Landulph Primary steam train rides, music making, dancing, walking, hairdressing, water sports, sand Year 6 students working with Year 8s on modelling, construction and much, much more. a ‘Hats through History’ project. In-school activities include the Great Saltash Bake Off, Lan Gaming (led by Head Student Paul Gerry), Laser Battlefields, rock climbing, tennis, archery and mural design. French Exchange Work experience students are also having a very positive week with some Year 10s & 12s assisting staff in the saltash.net has had another very took the English group to Plougastel delivery of Curriculum Enrichment Week opportunities. successful French exchange this year where we enjoyed delicious food and a group of 18 Year 9 and 10 pupils (especially sweet and savoury crêpes!), Grateful thanks as always are expressed to Mr Reynolds were able to spend 2 weeks with their tree surfing, a day at a theme park and and Mrs Boulton for their overall coordination of the French partners from competing in traditional schemes. Collège de la Fontaine Breton games as well Blanche in Plougastel, as a fantastic shopping which is twinned with experience in the lovely Saltash. The partners town of Quimper. got to know each other before the exchange via Needless to say social media and have everyone got on very kept in contact since. well and the goodbyes were very emotional The French group came - we hope these to stay with us just before half-term friendships remain for years to come. and got to experience typical life at school and with their English family Roll on next year! (the pasty making workshop was a Miss Tremellat great success!). Mr Budd and I then

28 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 29 Primary Partnership New Head Student It has been another great term of primary partnership working across our Saltash Team 2015/16 Multi Academy Regional Trust. Our key stage 3 Language Leaders, trained by Miss Melanie Breforth, have visited Landulph Primary to lead lessons in French, a highly Congratulations to successful initiative. There have also been a range of primary sports festivals Head students including a newly introduced sportability day led by Mrs Cooke, Mr Budd and our Paul Gerry Sports Leaders. Georgina Curtis Deputy head students Class 1 teacher at Landulph, Miss Florence Neeves, came into saltash.net to lead Hannah Paull a session on phonics and language acquisition for the Year 12 A Level English Ellen Hambly Language students - something which was greatly appreciated by staff and students at saltash.net. We would like to thank Laura Kelly, Alex Tucker, Lauren Challen, and Lewis Virgo for their time and support this year as current head students and look forward to Finally, on Tuesday 7th July, 235 Year 5 children from our seven partner primary working with the new team next year. schools visited saltash.net for a very exciting and thoroughly enjoyable ‘Learning Bug’ Theme Day, organised by Mr Rowe, Mr Taylor and Mrs Metters.

School Governor Vacancies Saltash Multi Academy Regional Trust (SMART) is looking to appoint governors to join the saltash.net Local Governing Board. The roles, which are voluntary positions, are to contribute to the work of the Governing Board in ensuring high standards of achievement for all children and young people in the school by: • Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction; • Holding the Headteacher to account for the educational performance of the school and its students; • Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money is well spent. If you would like to make a positive contribution to the education students receive Friends of saltash.net at our community school, please complete an application form which can be obtained from the Clerk to Governors (contact details below). Further information Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the Friends of saltash.net, a cheque on the role of a governor can be found at http://goo.gl/39mYd2 or from the Chair for £2,300 was given to the school to assist with an upgrade of the audio system of Governors, Kate Waghorn, who can be contacted through the Clerk. in our main hall this year. We are extremely pleased that this upgrade has been possible as it now compliments the improved lighting facilities installed last year. The completed application form should be returned to the Clerk, Debbie Stoneman, by email to [email protected] or post at ‘Flerswell’, We would also like to thank the Friends for their ongoing contributions to, and Trehunist, Liskeard PL14 3SD by Monday 21st September 2015. All applicants will involvement in, the life of our school, most recently through the ‘manning’ of the be contacted in due course. Dotnet Café in the school canteen, during the afternoon of the 50th Anniversary celebrations.

30 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 31 Staff Leavers Mrs West Mrs Loyn I first arrived at saltash.net nearly 20 years ago, covering Thank you saltash.net for a great six years. It is hard to believe other teachers’ absences – little did I know that it was going that it was six years ago that I came here from another school, to be the start of an amazing and fulfilling journey with the where I had been Head of Year for many years, to be the new saltash.net community. Head of Drama, and I have enjoyed my time here immensely. It is a really lovely school to work in, and the staff and students Over this time span (which has “flown by” in many ways) I are very happy and friendly, which enabled me to feel, straight have had many different roles and responsibilities - as well away, so welcome and at home. Alongside teaching Drama as teaching Physics, Science and Integrated Learning (and and running the department, I have directed the whole school even Maths for a while) – all of those roles have allowed me to keep learning and productions, with the performing arts team. We have done ‘Grease’, ‘Oliver’, ‘The applying different skills and I am really grateful for the opportunities that I have Wizard of Oz’, Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Guys and Dolls’ and had to allow me to grow professionally. ‘Oklahoma’. These would not have been possible without the incredible natural acting and singing ability which exists in so many of the young people at this My favourite roles (and those closest to my heart) have undoubtedly been the school. You are truly amazing and will continue to be so with whoever has the pastoral ones which have included being a deputy Head of Year (for 4 years with good fortune to teach you Drama in the future. It is time for me to go now and to Mr Bond leading a challenging but awe inspiring year group) and of course the leave teaching behind, to spend time in my allotment, with my grandchildren and role of form tutor. I have really loved being a form tutor to 3 different groups of maybe a little bit of acting again, if anyone will have me! So good luck to all of you students over the years, culminating in the infamous 11WE group - I could not - keep on acting, singing, dancing and expressing yourself throughout your lives. have wished for a better group of young people with which to complete my time It’s good bye for now from Mrs Loyn. as a tutor – 11WE, I miss you and want to say thank you for so many wonderful memories and wish you all the very best of success for your futures! My AST qualification and “Lead Practitioner” roles have given me the wonderful Mr Scantlebury opportunity of getting really involved in the Primary Science side of the SMART academy, allowing me to work with all of our Primary Science Co-ordinators as When I joined Saltash School in May 1992 I never thought that, well as teaching Classes 1, 2 and 3 at Landulph Primary School over the last 2 twenty three years and one term later, I’d be “retiring” from the years – a wonderful experience. same school, now saltash.net! In all those years I have been fortunate to work with so many outstanding colleagues and “THANK YOU” to all of the students that I have had the pleasure of teaching hundreds of amazing young people. I have been especially tutoring and mentoring over the years. “THANK YOU” to all of my colleagues privileged to be able to share in both their joys and challenges (Primary and Secondary) for the support you have given me. and I sincerely hope that, in some small way, I may have positively “made a difference” for some of those who have I will miss so many things about the saltash.net community (not least the passed through the doors of the school. AMAZING Science Department of course – including MAX!) but it is now time to devote more of my time to my family and friends and I also hope to spend more Being Deputy Headteacher and Head of Sixth Form, I have regularly made of the “fine weather days” exploring places on my new blue and white Harley comments about having the best job in any school – I firmly believe that to be Davidson motorcycle (a dream realised!). true and I wish the school and its community every possible success as I carry overwhelmingly positive and happy memories into the next chapter of my life. THANK YOU to all of the saltash.net community! Thank you, farewell and God bless! Heather West

32 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 33 Staff Leavers Mrs Wheeler Mr Armer It is with great sadness that I am saying goodbye to my People have questioned me over my thirty six years here saltash.net family. Personal circumstances have dictated that I asking why I have spent so long in one school. The answer is step back from my teaching responsibilities at this time, so the quite simple. The students here have always been wonderful decision to leave has not been an easy one. I have thoroughly and that’s why I stayed. I have been extremely happy here, enjoyed working here at saltash.net, most especially as the but it is time to go and leave the task to a host tremendously students I have had the pleasure of working with have been talented younger teachers who will be able to give the absolutely awesome! Saltash.net staff and students are unique students the opportunities they will need to thrive in an individuals who are caring, enthusiastic and, more often than increasingly competitive world. If I ever taught you, I hope not, completely selfless, giving so much of themselves to help others, and I am so it was a good experience. If I didn’t, you probably had a better experience!!! My very proud to have been given the opportunity to work with you all. thanks to everyone on the staff over the years, but most of all thanks to all the students who have given me so many laughs , who put so much effort into their Personally, I have achieved so much during my time at saltash.net. I joined the work and made my life so brilliant. school in 2008 taking on Mr Simpson’s tutor group as 9WH, and I watched them grow and develop into the amazing young people they now are, making their way out into the big, wide world! It has been a privilege to be their ‘saltash.net Mum’, many of whom remain in touch. I am looking forward to spending quality time with my family and enjoying long walks with my dog, recharging and concentrating on getting back to full health. My time at saltash.net, with all of you, has been so valuable to me, and I truly hope it is not my last. Thank you for your contribution to my amazing journey. Bye bye guys, must-dash!!! A goodbye in dingbats from Mrs Edwards, Miss Hawkins and Miss Ripper Mrs Lee It truly has been a privilege to work at saltash.net. My time here has been filled with hard work and good times! I have been lucky enough to be offered wonderful opportunities, work with great colleagues and above all else, support fantastic students who have never failed to make me smile. I leave with some amazing memories. For the moment, I am taking a break from teaching We will also be saying goodbye to to concentrate on being a mum, full-time. However, it is my intention to return to teaching after this break and when I do, I hope that I am Miss Allen, Miss Bailey, Mr Broadbent, Miss Bruty, Miss Gordon, Miss Jones, lucky enough to again find myself working in a school as special as Mr Normanton, Mrs Potterton, Mrs Sherrard, Mr Uden saltash.net. Amazing things really do happen here every day! I wish you all the very best for the future.

34 saltash.net community school saltash.net community school 35 Important Dates

Last day of Summer Term Wednesday 22nd July 2015 (Early closure at 12.30pm)

th th Year 7 and 6 Form only return to Monday 7 September 2015 school Tuesday 8th September 2015 All students to return Monday 14th September 2015 Year 12 Parents Information Evening

th Year 5/6 Open Evening Wednesday 30 September 2015 (Early closure at 1.20pm) Thursday 1st October 2015 Year 5/6 Open Evening Tuesday 13th October 2015 Theme Day Thursday 15th October 2015 Year 7 Bring Your Grown Up To School Monday 26th - Friday 30th October 2015 Autumn Half Term Holiday

nd Autumn Term, second half Monday 2 November 2015 commences Wednesday 4th November 2015 6th Form Open Evening Thursday 12th November 2015 Year 10 Parents Information Evening Thursday 19th November 2015 Year 11 Presentation Evening Thursday 17th December 2015 6th Form Presentation Evening Friday 18th December 2015 Year 7 Carol Concert Friday 18th December 2015 Last day of Autumn Term saltash.net community school Wearde Road, Saltash, Cornwall PL12 4AY Tel: 01752 843715 Saltash.net Academy Trust Fax: 01752 845853 is a Company Limited by Guarantee Email: [email protected] (England and Wales), Company [email protected] No 7557634 and An Exempt Charity