THE KINGS OF WESSEX COMMUNITY SCHOOL A Specialist Technology College
Issue 60 THE KINGS’ MESSENGER Also available in colour on our website: www.kowessex.co.uk March 2005
Contents Dear Parents
Page no. We received some excellent news this week when we learned that Kings had come top in the 1-2 Head’s Address County league tables for our SAT’s results. This 3-4 Celebrating Achievements excellent performance is a credit to the hard 5 Main Office Update work of our students and staff and also the 6 Easter Thoughts work at Fairlands and Hugh Sexey Middle 7 Year 12 English Trip to Dracula Schools, which is to be commended. 7-8 So you Want to Meet a Murderer? (Psychology Congratulations and well done to our last year’s Trip) Year 9 students on their achievement! 8 Exciting History Trip 9 Science Report The high point of our student calendar this 9-10 Physics Olympiad term was the production of “The Lion, the 10 Greenpower Update Witch and the Wardrobe”, which many of you 11 Mathematicians go to Exeter University will have enjoyed. Our students worked LRC Chess Club tirelessly in preparing for the play with endless 12 Modern Languages Update rehearsals - and no doubt a lot of anxiety. 13 MFL Revision Classes After School Study Support The production itself was stunning and the 14-15 Food Technology Coursework actors and back stage crew worked together to 15 LRC Suggestions Box create a truly impressive performance. Creative 16-18 Sports News Arts staff, Nicky O’Leary and Rachel Forde all worked extremely hard to inspire our students and we thank them for all their work and also to the number of other staff working behind the scenes.
Many of our Sixth Form students have been receiving offers for places at universities; five of whom have been offered a conditional place at Oxford and Cambridge. This is outstanding, representing the highest number for quite some years and we are delighted for all our students.
As one group of students prepare to leave, another group prepare to enter. To date we have received 190 applications from students to join our Sixth Form. This is a school record and demonstrates the very real confidence our students have in the education they are receiving here at Kings. Over recent weeks senior staff have been interviewing students who have applied and the interviews are a pleasure to undertake. The enthusiasm and commitment of our young people is to be celebrated.
Parents of Year 10 will have recently received their child’s grade reviews for the Spring Term. I am pleased that we are now able to provide parents with a progress report on a termly basis and hope that as parents you find this helpful in keeping you informed.
Over the course of this week we held our Easter services at St Andrew’s Church, which are attended over three days by all our students. This is an occasion that we always enjoy and brings an important dimension to the life of our school. Our special thanks as ever to Preb. Victor Daley at1 St Andrew’s, our students for their involvement in the service and Joanna Burridge, our Christian Leader for organising the services.
On a sad note, James Russell, our Teacher of ICT has been absent from school recently as he is receiving chemotherapy treatment for cancer. In spite this, James has continued to come into school throughout his treatment when possible and hopes to return shortly. We all wish him well.
For many of our students the Summer Term will see public examinations. For this reason, Easter is a very important time for revision and I would ask that parents encourage their child to set aside time on a daily basis to assist them in focusing on their work.
To support our young people we will provide opportunities for revision activities during the Easter holidays (details of which are enclosed in this Kings’ Messenger).
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy and relaxing Easter holiday and remind you that the Summer Term commences on Monday 11 April 2005.
Yours sincerely,
CHRIS RICHARDSON Headteacher
Some of our Year 10 Students who excelled in their SAT’s tests last year Accompanied by the Headteacher, Chair of Governors Heads of English, Maths and Science 2
Celebrating Achievements
The following students have been awarded Special Achievements and School Colours this Spring Term:-
Bronze Silver Gold
Craig Ingarfill 9DR Holly Crompton 9DR Nicole Close 9DR Rosemary Mann 9DR Richard Daintree 9DR Eleanor Gall 9DR Miriam Orriss 9DR Eleanor Gall 9DR Jake Hodgetts 9DR William Scott-Hartley 9DR Nicola Sentence 9DR Joe Taschimowitz 9IS Liam Young 9DR Thomas Day 9IS Buffy Rabbits 9WE Gemma Major 9IS Nichola Tanner 9JG Maxwell Ash 9JG Helen Taylor 9JG Thomas Bosley 9JG Melissa Simeone 9VH Linzi Furneaux 9JG Catherine Hewish 9WE Danielle Jones 9FG Emma Jeffries 9WE Lorna Scriven 9JG Kayla Stephenson 9WE Emma Tratt 9JG Joshua Wilson 9JG Elaine Biddle 9VH Sophie Kemp 9VH Alice Shepherd 9VH Joseph Ward 9VH David Frost 9WE Jackson Gleeson 9WE
Scott Phillimore 10MB Drama
Junior Senior
Veronica Albone 10LD Gregor Alcorn 12GG Faye Aston 9RW Alexander Buhagiar 12RH Benita Boyce 9IS Ben Clement 11CG Emily Bradley 10EHE Bethany Cockburn 13GG Peter Chalmers 10CL Kayleigh Crook 11CG Sam Jacobs 10SP Laura Jewell 13GR Rhiannon Jones 10RB Mark Pilgrim 13EB Philip Knott 10TP Hannah Ratcliffe 13GR Thomas O’Neill 9VH Bianca Rossiter 11CG Linda Pugh 10TP Mark Williams 11CG Tom Stanley 9RW Anthony Winn 11TT Emma Tratt 9JG Aidan Woodburn 13JD
Music
Junior Jackson Gleeson 9WE Kelly Batt 9WE Mark Goddard 10RB Amber Cottis 10CL Hannah Gooding 9WE Liam Davies 9AJ Josh Greenfield 9WE Tom Day 9IS Freya Gruffydd-Jones 9AJ Kathryn Edwards 9BL Emma Hardwick 9WE Michael Elliott 9WEe Elen Jenkins 9WE Jasmine Everett 10TP Philip Knott 10TP 3 Lucy Fenton 9BL Daniel Leiper 10LD David Frost 9WE Fraser McQueen 10TP
Jennifer Nurse 9WE Senior
Rachel Palmer 10LD Emily Atkin 12JHC Heather Paterson 10LD Matthew Aung 10SK Maria Pinnington 9FP Caroline Burdock 12JD Lucy Plummer 10CL Ellen Butcher 12BR Torran Purchase 9FR Robert Cottis 12TB Buffy Rabbits 9WE Rebecca Cripps 13GR Matthew Scholes 10MB Robert Karlsoon 13GG Davide Searle 9FS Bianca Rossiter 11CG Sandy Shaban 9BL Andreas Spanring 12LT Christopher Shaw 9FP Peter Stott 9VH Jonthan Talbot 9WE Matthew Teagle 9JG Hugh Tinton 9FP
Netball Junior Senior
Amy Barkus 9DR Kate Cox 11SK Elizabeth Freeman 10RB Matilda Eriksson 11VB Isabella Jezzard 9AJ (and Captain) Frankie Gifford 11SRO Buffy Rabbitts 9WE Jessica Guttridge 12BR Charlotte Crandon 9RW Emma Jewell 11EH Hannah Gooding 9WE Hazel Rossiter 11PA Joanne Kidner 9BL
Sara Taylor 10EHE
Anna-Elise Teare 10RCF Holly Tyson 9AJ
Football
Junior Daniel Layton 9JG Roland Lucas 10NO Jalal Arshad 10CL Laurence Mottram 10SP Joseph Burns 9WE Oliver Sealey 9RA Scott Buxton 9IS Joshua Roberts 10LD Ben Cousins 9BL Sebastian Smith 9IS Michael Cowell 9JG John Tee-Boon 9FS Ryan Cullen 9BL Laurence Walcott 9FP Patrick Day 9BL
Robert Edwards 9IS Senior George Fake 9JG Mark Goddard 10RB Charlie Cressy 13GG Dale Griffiths 10MB Luke Gupta 13JPF Alastair Hall 10NO Kieran McManus 13RH Jamie Howson 9RA Tom Manning 13RH Samual Jones 9RA Simon Panes 13EB Glenn Karlsson 10RB Dan Tullett 13JPF
Congratulations to all our students on their achievements! 4
Main School Office Update
Just to remind you the Main School Office Opening Hours are:
Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4.45pm
(in between these working hours, the ansaphone is available: telephone: 01934 742608)
Contact Details:
Parents are asked to keep us informed of any change in your contact details (your address, telephone numbers etc).
It is imperative that all student contacts details are kept up-to-date.
Thank you!
Absence Hotline
Thank you for continuing to use our Absence Hotline
01934 745304
Just to reiterate our welcome to Trudi Jenkins who you may be aware is our new Administrative Assistant with responsibility for monitoring absence in school.
For parents who use email to communicate their child’s absence, than you for updating your address book to:
TJenkins@educ.somerset.gov.uk
IMPORTANT! You should no longer be using Anita Beesley’s email address as she has now left Kings
Leave of Absence:
As you know, we actively discourage leave of absence during term time.
This is because research shows that absence hinders progress and educational experience missed cannot be re- gained by personal study. All of our students are involved in preparation for public examinations, therefore we only authorise absence in extreme circumstances pertinent to the family concerned.
We ask that any requests are submitted on a request form that can be obtained from the School Office at least six weeks in advance.
Thank you for your co-operation
We are also delighted this term to welcome Tania Caulfield, our new Administration Manager.
Tania joins Kings having had much office management experience and is working hard to maintain the efficiency of 5 our school office
Easter Thoughts
Well this half term has flown by!
When I last wrote we were preparing to mark the start of Lent with our Pancake race and now the Easter celebrations are almost upon us.
Our pancake races raised £65 for the Tsunami appeal, and about thirty competitors took part.
Some students also attended a simple service at St Andrew’s to mark Ash Wednesday, which is something that we hope to develop in the future.
The Christian Union has hosted some interesting speakers, on issues such as trade and justice, which have sometimes challenged us and given us a fresh perspective.
Hopefully, during this time, we’ve found time and space to take on new challenges and ideas and listen to God. We can now prepare ourselves for the solemnity of Holy Week and look forward to celebrate Easter in style.
I’ve included below the poem, which we’re using in our Easter services. It challenges us to see Christ’s passion in the world around us.
May God bless you this Eastertide.
I see his blood upon the rose And in the stars the glory of his eyes, His body gleams amid eternal snows, His tears fall from the skies.
I see his face in every flower; The thunder and the singing of the birds Are but his voice-and carven by his power Rocks are his written words.
All pathways by his feet are worn, His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea, His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn, His cross is every tree.
Coming Soon!!! An exciting new venture at school… A Parents/Carers Prayer Group
We intend to start meeting fortnightly after Easter - and hope to have a special launch gathering! Exact day/times still to be finalised - so look out for more info!
If you have a particular preference for days and times, please let us know. For more details, contact either contact Terri on 01934 733995 or myself at school (Tuesdays- Thursdays).
Also, look out for “Moments to Meditate” starting Wednesday 20 April at 1.15pm in 6 St Andrew’s Church, Cheddar.
Contact Joanna Burridge, Christian Leader for more information
Year 12 English Literature Trip to “Dracula”
On Wednesday 2 March 2005, twenty-one Year 12 students and their teachers took a trip to the “L-Shed” at Bristol Industrial Museum, to see a performance of “Dracula” presented by UWE’s Performing Arts students.
However, as we soon discovered, L-Shed was not just a poetic name for the establishment. It was, in fact, a shed and not even worth the “L” – perhaps “L” stood for lack of heat!
The script was an interesting adaptation of Stoker’s original novel. Writer Liz Lockhead had made some parts up and missed other bits (and characters) out. Many of us felt that perhaps if the actors had more knowledge of the original their interpretation of events and characters might have been better. An exception was the portrayal of Renfield, who brought the play alive every time he appeared. Perhaps he really was mad...
The simple set and highly effective special effects meant we were all on the edge of our seats - not bothered at all about the cold. There were some imaginative ways of showing Dracula’s effects on the other characters and the contrast between rational and irrational behaviour was well portrayed.
Although there were plenty of aspects to criticize, the play certainly made us think about the original text and its themes and one thing is for sure, it will long stay in our minds.
Rachael Boothroyd, Fraser Bailey, Charlotte Reeves, George McGinty
So you want to meet a murderer?
This was what we, Mrs Baines and Mrs Marsland were asking their Year 13 Psychology students last term!
Why? Well, at a Psychology teacher’s conference earlier in the year, we had had the opportunity of sampling ‘Behind Bars’, a True Life Conference run by a forensic psychologist, a prison officer, a solicitor and three ex- offenders and what a fascinating and challenging time we found it to be!
“We must get Mrs, Edwards and our students to this!”
And so we did. Thirty-three students duly went to the Cardiff presentation last November and found the information, activities with other school groups and the opportunities to talk in groups quite freely to murderers - now out on licence - very thought- provoking.
The conferences are aimed at students to give them some insight into what prisons are really like from both the establishment’s viewpoint, and from the viewpoint of the prisoners. 7
Does it actually work as a means of changing people for the good? Well a resounding ‘no’ was the vote of the prisoners. What do young male offenders need the most? ‘A firm but loving, male role model to listen to them and be there for them’, was the vote of the prison warden.
Does the law always get it right? ‘Definitely not’ we all concluded after taking part in the judicial process of a real life case. Are all murderers evil, callous psychopaths? ‘ Well, no.’ The students tended to agree that the two guys who had murdered someone seemed to be pretty normal, everyday men but each had reacted violently to extreme situations involving terrible incidents happening to a loved one. Most of us felt that while their behaviour was wrong, it was very understandable.
Would they kill anyone again? ‘Very unlikely’. Had it been constructive to incarcerate them for about 20 years? ‘It didn’t seem to be appropriate in the circumstances.’
The parting shot of the conference leader to the students was.”It’s now up to you to try and change this system for something better.”
“Mmmmmmm. OK! It needs changing, but that is some tall order!”
The challenge was set! Perhaps one of our students will turn out in the future to be a notable prison reformer! Wouldn’t that be cool????
Mrs Marsland, Psychology Coordinator
“Exciting History” Trip!
In the last week of February, five 'gifted and talented' Year 9 Historians took part in an "Exciting History" week at Kilve Court Residential Centre.
The students worked alongside forty-two other Year 8 and 9 pupils from a number of schools across the country.
Miss Preece, Paul Young, Joe Williams, Jonathan Taylor, Yvette Taylor and Th Hannah Seabourne on a windswept Dowsborough Hillfort, in the Quantocks
They spent three intensive days working with Historians exploring the local history of Somerset through archaeology and field trips to historical site, including Williton Workhouse. The pupils were also given the opportunity to explore the record of Somerset's past first-hand, during a visit to the Public Record Office and Somerset Archives in Taunton.
Their research culminated in group presentations to parents after a lunch together on Friday. The students from Kings were universally acknowledged as diligent and motivated by the staff at Kilve and all produced thorough and impressive presentations of which they should feel justly proud.
Miss Preece, History 8
Science Report
Post 16 Physics Day:
As part of a Somerset initiative several Heads of Physics visited the Science Faculty early this half term. They spent a day observing lessons, talking to students and sharing experiences.
Everyone was very positive about the day and the Biologists, Chemists and Psychologists are looking forward to their chance to visit another school.
Year 11 News:
Some students will have received letters about coursework and been advised that help is available at lunchtimes until the end of term. As this is such a short term I shall also be available during the first week back after Easter to try to help students improve their marks.
We are looking forward to seeing a lot of enthusiastic learners in the GCSE Revision courses on the Thursday 7 and Friday 8 April 2005.
Year 10 News:
The vast majority of students have now completed four of the module tests and will be taking the final two modules on 28 June 2005.
If a student has missed any tests they will be able to re-sit in November. Some students will be advised to re-sit tests in order to improve their marks and these will also take place in November.
Physics Olympiad
You will recall in the last edition of The Kings’ Messenger we showed a typical question from the Physics Olympiad:
The diagram shows a radiometer. Light shining onto it causes it to spin. In a high vacuum it spins anticlockwise but if there is still some air present then it spins clockwise.
Why?
It is important to realise that light consists of photons and these photons have a momentum.
Let’s first consider the high vacuum situation:
When the photons of light hit the black surface they are absorbed. The change in9 momentum is therefore equal to the original momentum of the photons.
When the photons hit the white side however they are reflected. This means that the change in momentum on the white side will be greater than the change in momentum on the black side.
If we now bring in Newton’s 2nd law we see that the force on each side of the radiometer is equal to the rate of change of momentum. Since the white side has a greater rate of change of momentum then it will have a greater force on it, and so the radiometer rotates in a clockwise direction (from above).
Now let’s consider the situation where there is still air present with others factors to consider.
The black side, since it will absorb light will increase in temperature. This means that any air molecules striking the black side will have energy passed to them due to the difference in temperature. This will increase their kinetic energy leading to a greater change in momentum than of the air molecules striking the white side. This leads to a greater force on the black side, making the radiometer turn in an anticlockwise direction.
This edition’s problem:
A cyclist is travelling with constant velocity along a straight road.
The wheels of the bicycle roll, without slipping, along the road.
Why is it easier to photograph, with clarity, those parts of the spokes nearest the ground? Jonny Friend Physics
Greenpower Update
Following on from the introduction to the Greenpower electric car project in our last Kings’ Messenger…
You’ll no doubt be pleased to learn that all students are now working on the designs to create the winning car!
We have a pair of Go-Karts for steering and other parts and several students have said they have bikes that can be used for parts.
In addition to this, BIKE CITY in Wells has agreed to provide technical support and parts at a discounted price, which is a great help.
Everything is going well and we hope to have a winning design ready to start building soon. 10
Will Etherington, Design Technology and the Crew
Mathematicians go to Exeter University
On the last day of January, Mr White led a party of fourteen students on a visit to Exeter University accompanied by Mrs Kimber from Connexions and expertly driven by Mr Walters.
The purpose of the day was to show students a campus university, visiting areas such as the Student Union, lecture theatres, libraries and a closely supervised peek into a student union bar!
After a campus tour and lunch, we attended a tour of the Maths Department, a talk by their admissions officer and a sample lecture.
All those who went found it useful and many felt that it made Exeter University a more attractive option.
Our thanks go to the staff at Exeter University for their help in arranging the day.
Pi Day
Continuing to raise the profile of Mathematics post-Sixth Form, Mr White was pleased to arrange a visit from Dr Mark Grant, a former Kings student on Pi Day held on Monday 14 March 2005.
Dr Grant was talk about his post-Kings Maths-related experiences and his research into shape…Watch this space!
Mr White
Chess Club (September to March)
The Learning Resource Centre will be starting a Chess Club in September, on Friday lunchtimes, for anyone who likes to play chess.
This will be separate from the Chess League, although we would hope that members would play in the league as well.
Members will be given priority access to the LRC and chess boards on club days. Please see the LRC staff for more details.
Bridget Knutson LRC Manager
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Modern Foreign Languages
Fröhliche Wir fahren nach Birmingham! Ostern! It is always a worthwhile experience for students to hear the foreign language being used outside the classroom and this month we seized the opportunity to attend the “Deutschland Hier und Heute” lectures at the University of Birmingham.
We were also very lucky to have Mme Davies ably chauffeuring us through Birmingham and giving us a guided mini-bus tour around the University and Halls Eierfärben of Residence. This was an added bonus for those students who will soon be starting their University Studies in September and for those who will be embarking on the never-ending run of open days and interviews.
For myself, it was quite nostalgic being back in a hall on the receiving end of some der Osterhase enthusiastic and informative lectures. I had forgotten what it was like to be extending my learning in the language I love. I must admit I had quite a buzz
listening to the lecturers and yearned for my University Days!!!!
On the 3 March 2005, five students, Emma Talbot, Camilla Gruffydd-Jones, Harry der Willoughby, Sam Hancock and Becky Cripps visited Birmingham University accompanied by Osterkuchen Frau Rebello and Madame Davies.
We woke up at the crack of dawn and made it into school, the weather was freezing but we Joyeuses were all ready for our journey up to Birmingham. Pâques! After a dubious start (the mini bus had a few cold-weather problems) we were off, with Madame Davies driving the bus. We arrived early, so we drove around Birmingham for a while looking at big houses, the University grounds, halls of residence and Faculty Buildings – courtesy of Madame Davies.
We entered the Great Hall of the University (everyone stopped to go to the toilet except Harry Les who has an extremely good bladder).
cloches Our first lecture was on Verkehr, or traffic. We learnt some interesting facts that we can use for our exams. After a break we had lectures on German family life and the “Dosenpfand” Les including some role plays involving some of the students. At lunchtime we were free to explore calissons the campus so we had a look around and visited some of the shops.
Eventually we resorted to sitting on a bench eating and people-watching. Today was a very eventful day for the University students because they were voting for the President of the
Union. We were given countless leaflets persuading us to vote for different people in exchange for free beer.
Les oeufs After the break we had more lectures, this time on the Euro, Media and problems associated en with young people in Germany. This included more debates, which Becky participated in, and chocolat some musical items. We enjoyed the interesting selection of German music.
On the journey home we stopped at the service station so that we could visit “Starbucks” After a tiring day we returned home with lots of useful German facts and experience.
Camilla Gruffyd -Jones
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The Modern Languages Faculty will be holding Revision Days during the Easter holidays on Monday 4 and Friday 8 April 2005, with the French Day hosted by Miss Guest and the German Day by Miss Rebello.
The Revision Days will be tailored to fit the needs of the students who have opted to participate in them: there will be practice in each of the Modern Foreign Language skills at both Foundation and Higher level.
The emphasis of the day will be dictated by the predicted grades of the students participating: our aim is to enable the students, at the very least to achieve their predicted grade, and hopefully to exceed it!
German Revision Day: Monday, 4 April 2005 French Revision Day: Friday 8 April 2005
After School Study Support
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.45-5.00pm
In the Learning Support Department
Receive help with your Help to get your coursework! homework finished on
time!
Open to all Students!
Glenne Hutchings Head of Learning Support
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Food Technology Coursework
As the time arrives for coursework to be completed all Food Technology students are producing their final product and I think that this year the standard is probably the highest ever.
Desserts are the most photogenic and lend themselves to being beautifully decorated. However, the savoury products have also been of an equally high standard.
Just to whet your appetite with mention of a few examples of work (see the selection of photos below):
…and on today’s menu, we have…!
Chocolate Tear Drops filled with white chocolate mousse… Animal decorated biscuits… Frogs in a pond Birthday Cake… Vegetable soup and naan bread... Fish pie envelopes… Potato pastry lattice pies… Potato based sweet pizza…
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And to whet your appetites further…!
Food Technology exams are: Paper 1 – Wednesday 8 June 2005 and Paper 2 on Friday 24 June 2005
Well done to everyone and good luck in your exams!
Su Ross Food Technology
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Sports News from our Kings and Queens
Rugby with Rod Bell
The 1st XV team are still waiting to find out who their semi final opponents are in the Somerset Cup. They are due to play either Norton Hill or Chew Valley School. It’s got to a ridiculous stage where the conclusion of the cup is going to run into the summer term due to organisation inefficiencies at other schools!
The Year 9 team have found out that their semi final opponents are Castle Sports College, Taunton. This match was played at home on Monday 14 March 2005, starting at 3pm.
Hot off the Press News!!! And We can now report that the Year 9 team are in the final of the Somerset Cup after beating Castle School 14-12 in the semi-final last week.
Well done boys on your achievement!
Football, with Terry Clark
Senior Football has thrived this term with a highly talented squad of players from Year 11 and the Sixth Form representing the school at 1st or 2nd team level.
The 1st XI have been captained superbly by Simon Panes who has led by example with some great performances and stunning goals. The defence has been marshalled well by goalkeeper, Kieran McManus and with Tom Manning, Luke Gupta and Henry Eriksson controlling the midfield the team has a real competitive and creative edge.
We were hoping for a really good run in the Somerset Cup this year and made a remarkable start in the competition by thrashing Sexey’s Bruton 6-1 round and then demolishing Clevedon School 8-0 in the next round. Our quarter-final clash was against one of the favourites, Wellsway School (Keynsham). An extremely tight and highly skilful game was decided by just one goal, which unfortunately came from the opposition, and the 1sts can consider themselves unlucky not to progress further. However, friendly wins against King Alfred’s and Churchill, and a draw at Chew Valley, have still given a very impressive season with the Old Boys’ fixture still to come.
Our strength in depth at senior level means that we can field a very goods 2nd XI. Unfortunately, the problem is finding other schools to play. The 2nds lost narrowly to a strong Chew Valley side and recently won convincingly over Sidcot School. Thanks must go to Charlie Cressy (Year 13) who has organised and captained the second string admirably.
The senior boys get to battle it out amongst themselves during the last week of term in the House Football competition whilst the girls compete at Netball.
The Year 11 team had one game against Sidcot cancelled due to unplayable conditions but remain unbeaten in all their friendly matches. They drew away to the mighty Millfield - their best team performance - and have recorded a win against Crispin school. They have two games left, home to Churchill and Wells Blue, and are planning to finish the season with just that one important loss in the Somerset Cup.
The Year 10 team recorded their first victory of the season by realising their potential and performing well to beat Wellsway School 1-0 away from home. They lost away to a good Millfield side, not because the Millfield side were much better, but 15 minutes of poor defending lead to Millfield scoring three goals. The game eventually finishing 5-1.
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The Year 10’s also recorded a loss away to Crispin. The side has one game left against Chuchill; let’s hope they can return to the form that led to their win against Wellsway.
The Year 9 side have had a tremendous season since their shock exit in the Somerset Cup. They played a strong Wellsway side and after being 3-0 down eventually won the game 4-3! They have also played Crispin School at home and won that game convincingly 5-1.
They had their game against Chew Valley cancelled due to poor weather and have just one game remaining against Churchill. Let’s hope they can finish their season with a friendly record, which reads unbeaten.
Boys’ Hockey with Rod Bell
The U16 boy’s Hockey team, under the guidance of Mr Webber, have made an emphatic start to their defence of the Somerset Cup. They have played two of their three pool games and won them both with ease. They beat St. Augustine’s 7-0 and Hollyrood 8-0.
They have only one poll game remaining, away to Frome, but are looking likely to be through to the semi final stages and playing hockey worthy of Somerset Cup Champions. Well done boys!
Summer is on its way - honest! Keep an eye on the conclusion of the teams involved in the final stages of the rugby and hockey cups and look forward to tennis, rounders, cricket and athletics competition news.
st Senior Netball: 1 VII with Sue Roberts
Senior team netball players have met regularly on Monday lunchtimes.
Team selection was relatively straightforward and the team quickly settled into their positions and winning ways. We were lucky that most players were still available from last season and with the addition of Izzy Higgs, Matilda Erriksonn and Hazel Rossiter from Year 11, the squad was beginning to look strong. We won our early matches through some excellent shooting from Captain Sarah Brierley. Rachel Goddard found herself back in a shooter’s position and has coped very well with the challenge.
The team travelled to Chew Valley for a triangular game with Chew and Wellsway where Kings won all of their matches. The hardest game so far was against Rossholme where Kings threw away a five goal lead and lost 17-13.
Jess Guttridge and Sophie James have played consistently well throughout the season in the centre court. We look forward to good results in our remaining fixtures; in the Somerset Sixth Form Tournament and against Queens College.
Year 9 Netball with Sue Roberts
There has been a good response to practices from Year 9 students. Whilst we have not enjoyed the same success as we did in the hockey team, the players are gradually improving.
The closest game was against Sidcot where we lost by just the single goal. Other games have not been as close and we have lost matches against Crispin, Rossholme and Wells Blue.
There are areas of the game, which we need to develop and continue to work at and we are convinced we can return to our winning ways. There are three matches still to be played - a return game against Crispin, and against Chew Valley and Chilton Trinity. The final pool game of the Hockey County cup was played against Sexeys Bruton which Kings won 10-0. We are still waiting to hear whom we will play in the Semi-finals.
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U15 VII Netball with Tracey Tibbs
A very successful season, winning the majority of their matches. The highlight of the term was beating a very strong team from Wells Blue. Practices are well attended and a good team spirit has prevailed throughout the season.
nd 2 VII Netball with Tracey Tibbs
A very different term for the 2nd VI1.
Practices were always well attended and the team spirit was always positive. Some matches were closely contested, especially the game against Crispin School.
Special Announcement: Good news!!!
Naomi Taschimowitz finished 101st out of 460 athletes in the Inter Girls competition at the recent National Cross Country Championships held in Norwich.
Naomi was the second Somerset athlete home.
Congratulations Naomi!
Presentation Evening: Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Wednesday 9 March 2005 saw the Learning Resource Centre full to overflowing with students and parents ready for the award of their Bronze or Silver certificates and badges.
Ray Hancock kindly agreed to present the awards and as a former award officer for the county and ex-Director of Kilve Court, he had a few encouraging words for the new Award holders.
In his current position as Chairperson of the Quantock and Exmoor Expedition Assessors Panel, he has met some of our candidates while out on expedition.
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The following students were able to collect their awards on the evening (although a handful were unable to attend and will be presented their awards in school):
Bronze:
Emily Blake Catherine Harding Rebecca McKee Samuel Bretherton Christopher Holt Lois Sankey Elizabeth Cooke Jennifer Jezard Jennifer Sparks Matthew Dickson Adam Lucas Patrick Ward Mathew Gartside Gemma Tidman Mark Williams Frankie Gifford Tamsin Key Chlöe Willis Alistair Haggerty James Kidby Georgina Wills George Hannah Claire Macaulay Melissa Woods
Silver:
Year 12 Emily Atkin Samuel Evans Richard Nurse Daniel Barritt Isabel Fenton Emma Paterson Nathaniel Bird Jennifer Gartside Nicholas Pearce Tim Cater Camilla Gruffydd-Jones Emily Rossiter Oliver Eddiford Sam Hooper Emma Talbot Andrew Edmonds Hannah Kesterton Spurthi Vemulapalli
Year 13 Andrew Millar Matthew Ward
To all those of you who should have been there but have not completed the record book, there is only one thing to say to you – complete the book…..before too long!!!
To those of you who have decided to call it a day at this stage, well done and I hope you have enjoyed the experience.
To those of you moving on to the next level – good luck and see you on Exmoor (Silver) and Dartmoor (Gold)
Dr DaveEllis 19
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Important calendar dates for the first half of the Summer Term 2005:
April 2005 Easter Revision Classes Monday 4 – Friday 8 April 2005 PTA Meeting Tuesday 12 April 2005 at 7.30pm, Conference Room Year 12 Higher Education Parents’ Evening Thursday 14 April 2005 at 7.30pm School Hall GCSE Drama Performance Evening Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 April 2005, Corrick Theatre Ascension Day Services (for Years 9 and 13 students) Thursday 28 April 2005, St Andrew’s Church May 2005 Wessex Walk Sunday 1 May 2005
BANK HOLIDAY - Monday 2 May 2005 - School Closed
Year 9 SAT’s commence Tuesday 3 May 2005 (and conclude on Friday 6 May 2005) GCSE Drama Paper 2 Examination During week commencing Tuesday 3 May 2005 Year 10 Examinations commence Monday 9 May 2005 (and conclude on Friday 13 May) AS/A2 Level Examinations commence Monday 16 May 2005 (and conclude on Wednesday 29 May 2005) Year 12 AS Study Leave commences Year 11 Achievement Ceremony (for students) Friday 20 May 2005 at 2.00pm, School Hall Czech Exchange Visit to Cheddar arrives Saturday 21 May 2005 (and returns Saturday 28 May 2005) GCSE Examinations commence Monday 23 May 2005 Year 11 Study Leave commences & Revision Week Monday 23 – Friday 27 May 2005 Year 13 Leavers’ Service (for students) Monday 23 May 2005, Corrick Theatre Year 13 A2 Study Leave commences Tuesday 24 May 2005 Year 10 Key Skills Conference Thursday 26 May 2005
SUMMER HALF TERM: Monday 30 May – Sunday 5 June 2005 inclusive
Advance Notice Sixth Form Induction Day Tuesday 28 June 2005 Staff Training Day – school closed to students Monday 11 July 2005
THE KINGS’ MESSENGER is due to be published on the following dates: Friday 27 May 2005 Friday 22 July 2005
Year Co-Ordinators: Please do not hesitate to contact your Child’s Year Co-ordinator if you have any concerns or wish to discuss their progress, although we would ask that you make an appointment in advance.
Year 9: Mr A Hitt; Year 10: Mrs M Sammonds; Year 11: Mr T Clark; Sixth Form: Mr M Hayward
Don’t forget this date for your diary…
Wessex Walks Sunday 1 May 2005
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Wessex Walks
Come and join the students and staff from school walking from Bleadon Hill to Wells along the picturesque Mendip Hills to raise money for The Save the Children Fund.
If you would like to take part please get in touch with Dave Ellis at school.
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