Ousedale School Magazine July 2018 Duxford Air Museum ACE WEEK Pompeii Vietnam School of Rock Birmingham University Pompeii Lulworth Cove Lulworth Cove Paris Abbey Hill Golf Abbey Hill Golf Paris Message from Sue Carbert, Headteacher Dear Parents/Carers Do enjoy this lovely edition of Ousenews. At this time of year, we say goodbye to a number of staff; three staff in particular should be mentioned: Lin Robinson – English Teacher at the Olney campus; Lin who was in charge of English at Olney, and then moved into a new role of Training Teachers, is retiring this summer. She has worked at Ousedale for 13 years. Doug Abrams – Head of Computing and IT, who has led the department for the last 14 years, and throughout his time at Ousedale helped with the technical side of productions, has taken up a new post at the Webber School after 14 years. Finally, Dave Hurley, who has worked at Ousedale for a staggering 31 years; his dedication to PE teaching and extra-curricular PE in particular will be very hard to replace. Dave is retiring from teaching. We wish all three the very best for the future. As you look through this edition I am reminded of our vision statement ‘to enhance and develop our exceptional learning community for all students’. I feel this focus on enriching lives combined with great teaching and exam preparation is what makes Ousedale special; I hope you feel we have made the vision a reality. We look forward to the summer exams results. Sue Carbert | Headteacher Message from Paul McFadden, Deputy Headteacher As we come to the end of another academic year there is much to celebrate and reflect on. As always, the summer term is very busy as we say goodbye to Year 11 students who are coming to the end of their time at the Olney campus and welcome Year 6 students during the transition sessions. I have been very impressed with the focus our Year 11 students have demonstrated in the lead up to their exams and it is pleasing to see students from other year groups offering their support in numerous ways. I am sure there will be many smiling faces on the results day in August. Student leadership has been a real focus for us at the Olney campus this year. The student councils continue to have an influence on which new initiatives we bring to the campus and how we can improve on what we already do. Our new leadership groups have added an extra dimension to the student voice and this is something we are keen to develop further next year. A particular mention should go to our Environment Leaders who have done some excellent work in promoting the importance of environment at the campus, local and international level. I was particularly impressed with the assembly they delivered to Year 7, 8 and 9 this year. One key feature of Ousedale School is the recognition and celebration of success. It was a pleasure to attend the awards evening this year and see so many of our students receiving certificates for a range of achievements. I have also been fortunate enough to attend awards assemblies throughout the year and continue to be impressed by how all our students embrace the culture of acknowledging personal achievement. As this academic year draws to a close we are busy preparing for the next to ensure that the good work of staff and students continues. I wish you all a restful summer break. Paul McFadden | Deputy Headteacher - Olney campus 2 KS3 Awards Evening Congratulations to all students who received an award at the KS3 Awards evenings. Over 200 certificates were handed out across both campuses and it was a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the successes of our students in and out of the class room and also within the wider community. It was also a fantastic opportunity for our students to showcase their skills with a wide range of performances across the two evenings. We had some amazing readings of pieces of work written during English lessons, to a wide range of fantastic musical performances. We really are lucky to have so many talented students amongst us. The evenings both ended with the awarding of our prestigious silver ties. It is always extremely difficult to choose the students who are to be awarded these as it is a recognition of their hard work and also their contribution to school life over the three years of Key Stage 3. However, we hope that the presentation of these inspires our younger students to aspire to achieve these as they demonstrate the pride that students feel in being a part of Ousedale School. Claire Penny | Assistant Headteacher and Jeremy Stormer | PAL Years 8 and 9 3 Ousedale Sixth Form Looking Back and Forward On 25th May we said goodbye to Year 13 as their study leave began. There were a few tears shed in their final assembly as they looked back on their time in sixth form with a montage of pictures and films taken over the two years. The wet weather didn’t dampen their spirits; everyone enjoyed the Mexican street food and giant games. After a lengthy exam session, we now wait until the results are issued on 16th August. One of our aims for this year was to increase the number of opportunities for students outside of the taught curriculum. In July alone, we have taken Year 12 students to Birmingham and Leicester Universities as well as organising a cultural visit to London. There have been numerous visits across the year, many of these targeted to different groups of students based on their career aspirations. As one year group leave, another arrives. Our sixth form induction days on 25th and 26th June saw us welcome over 200 potential new students. As well as many returning Year 11’s from both campuses, we were joined by a significant number of young people from a wide range of schools in the local area. Over the two days, students experienced taster sessions in the A Level subjects they have chosen for September. All staff were very impressed with the enthusiasm shown by students over the two days. As this term draws to a close and we put our final preparations in place for the new academic year, I was privileged to be part of the interview process for our new Head Boy and Girl. After some intense interviews, we were delighted to appoint the following students: Lottie Hutton: Head Girl Muna Oriaku: Deputy Head Girl Krystof Jehlicka: Head Boy Fergal Mac Manus: Deputy Head Boy L-R Muna Oriaku, Krystof Jehlicka, Lottie Hutton, Fergal Mac Manus I am looking forward to working with the team as we continue to develop leadership opportunities within the sixth form. The year ahead promises to be an exciting one as we continue to expand opportunities for Year 12 and 13, with a continued focus on a culture of excellence and aspiration. Nicola Wheatland | Senior Assistant Headteacher/Head of Sixth Form 4 Drama Department Shakespeare for Schools: Macbeth The Drama Department and Mrs McCaffrey are currently rehearsing with 20 very enthusiastic students from Years 8 and 9. They are taking part in the exciting National Shakespeare for Schools project in which we are putting on a 30-minute performance of Macbeth. This very famous and dark play includes themes of ambition, treachery and the supernatural. The performance will be shown at The Stantonbury Campus Theatre on Thursday, 8th November from 7.30 pm. Year 11’s will also get a sneak preview of the show helping to support them with their English lessons. Tickets will be available from The Stantonbury Campus Box Office (01908 324466) from early September. £9.75 and £7.75 concessions. Please come along and support the school. Please note: Rehearsals after the Summer Break will be every Tuesday and Thursday 3.30-4.30 starting on Tuesday 11th September in The Newport Campus Library. Arts Award: Drama 13 students from Drama are currently taking their Bronze Arts Award. This is a National Award run thorough the well-respected Trinity College in London. Students have participated in Drama workshops where they learnt a range of new skills and led some of the sessions themselves. They enjoyed attending an event and writing a review as an audience member as well as writing about an artist who inspires them. All of their final ideas are captured in an artistic log book that will be assessed by a senior Trinity Examiner very shortly. Good luck to all of them. The Drama Department Music Department Congratulations on achieving music exam grades: NAME INSTRUMENT FORM GRADE RESULTS Thomas Buttel Oboe 8EJ Grade 3 Merit Joquan Johnson Cello 9JNB Grade 3 Merit Liam Macmanus Guitar 10EDG Grade 8 Merit Liam Macmanus Trombone 10EDG Grade 5 Merit James Johashen Guitar 12BG Grade 6 Distinction Ariana Kubiak Singing 11PR Grade 4 Merit Lara Moffat Clarinet 9SW Grade 5 Pass Madeleine Bates Clarinet 10KM Grade 2 Merit Abigail Beardshaw Clarinet 7SPC Grade 3 Merit Isobel Kots Keyboard 7DA Grade 3 Merit Annabel Sanders Piano 7SPC Grade 1 Distinction Mia O'Neil Piano 7SPC Grade 1 Distinction Catherine Richardson Cello 7MTM Grade 2 Merit Lukas Hall Bass Guitar 8SBB Grade 5 Merit Adam Hird Cornet 10RN Grade 5 Distinction 5 Music Students Perform at National Music for Youth Festival Well done to all students involved in the Milton Keynes Music Hub MK@50 performance at the National Music for Youth Fringe Festival on Wednesday, 4th July. The performance was held at the beautiful Town Hall in Birmingham, and it was an incredible experience for our students to perform at such a lovely venue.