The Update the Axe Valley Community College Newsletter: Friday 21St November 2014 - Issue 5

The Update The Axe Valley Community College Newsletter: Friday 21st November 2014 - Issue 5

Head teacher’s message Construction of the AGP is due to start next week which is fantastic news. The builders are aiming to complete the project by March 2015. Disruption to the normal day-to-day running of the college should be minimal, although there will be less field space for students to use during PE lessons. In addition to the new AGP, the college will be improving existing field facilities such as the long jump, discus and rugby / football pitches. It is inspiring to see the wealth of extra curricular activities celebrated in each issue of The Update. I am extremely grateful to the staff who are so Students at the Devon Ability Games committed to providing these fantastic opportunities to our students. Congratulations to all the students on their superb achievements. Diary Dates: 24th Nov - REACH Study Skills Tutorials Parents and carers will be aware that on Wednesday 26th Nov - Primary Technology Day 21st November we had an incident at lunchtime involving two young men throwing ‘bangers’ from 27th Nov - ASPIRE/REACH visit to Supacat the Youth Centre towards the tennis courts and 1st Dec - Start of Year 11 Mock exams flamingo car park. Police were called and are now 2nd & 9th Dec - REACH induction events dealing with the people responsible. The incident is 4th Dec - Sixth Form Parents Evening believed to part of a wider series of anti-social 10th Dec - Year 9 Parent’s Evening incidents in the town in recent weeks. We take safety of our students very seriously. I have allocated 17th Dec - Carol Concert additional staff to supervise the area by the car park. 19th Dec - Last day of term Longer term, we have a plan linked to the AGP build, to increase site security by full separating public access from student areas. On a separate but related note, please could I remind parents and carers that all visitors to college must report to reception and sign in. While we will always try to accommodate parents who turn up without an appointment, wishing to see a member of staff, it is not always possible, especially if the person is teaching. Wherever possible, we advise parents and carers to contact college and request a meeting. Thank you to all the parents, carers and students who attended last week’s Sixth Form Open Evening. We had superb feedback from students who thoroughly enjoyed their taster day experience. Martin Smith- Head teacher

Student News

Remembrance Day Children in Need Our Remembrance Day service was held A lot of fun was had on Friday 14th. The main in the playground with the whole school event was a cup cake decorating competition. present. It was a solemn moment when There were many outstanding entries and it Mr Jevons played the Last Post on the was very hard to decide but joint first place cornet, a firework blast signified the start went to Helga Hofrate and Kimberley Wood, and the end of the two minutes silence as we both from 7MBR, third place went to Enjiely all remembered those who had lost their lives Durias and fourth place went to Chloe Mardell, serving for their country . both from 8MG. In the Learning Resource Centre we remem- Mrs Roberts made and sold Pudsey badges and bered with a special display and a leaflet in- some teachers dressed up as Superheros to add forming the students of the facts behind this to the funds raised from the cupcake competi- important day. Mrs Roberts also made some tion. Overall £134.58 was raised. Thank you to knitted poppies which were sold to raise money all those who took part and to those who for the British Legion. helped. The students took part in a Remembrance po- em competition. Equal winners of the competition were Louise Tyne of 7 RS and Josh Butler of 8TM. Congratulations to you both and for the efforts for those that took part. Other activities included a workshop where the students could make poppies and bookmarks and also spend time writing their poems. A total of £109.72 was raised through the sale of poppies for the Poppy Appeal.

Devon Ability Games The Devon Ability Games is a huge event held every year in Barnstable. It is designed to encourage students who would not usually compete for their school in sport. There is a huge range of sports to compete in, the students are encouraged to be determined and compete with the same values as the athletes in the Olympics. The Axe Valley students excelled and were a credit to themselves and our school. I was very proud of them all. Here are a few In the rowing event I got a Gold medal. It was an amazing day! Morgan Walton - 7NC comments from them on the day. Miss J Stockton - PE Department I had an amazing time at the Devon ability games in Barnstaple. Peter Waterfield was there, he dived alongside Tom Daley in the London Olympics, they My day was amazing! I chose indoor rowing and in were the team GB divers. my first heat I got first place! My legs were aching st from all the pulling and pushing but I felt very proud I came 1 place in my first rowing race. I was in a of myself and the team. Ben Churchill - 7DW disabled chair which helped my back so I could push incredibly hard. Josh d’Albertanson - 9EMC We met Lenny the Lion, he was so cool, friendly, funny, fluffy, cuddly, cute and nice! He is the mascot at the games and he was walking round the pitch, all of us really loved him especially when he gave us hugs. Liberty Widger - 7DW I chose tennis at the games and Axe Valley tennis went into the semi-finals! We came 2nd place and we all got medals, I was also awarded a 2nd medal for spirit of games self-belief! Thank you Miss Stock- ton for inviting us to be part of such a lovely group. Jamie-Leigh Parfitt 7NC

NEC Skills Show 50 students from Years 10, 11 and Sixth form travelled to the NEC in Birmingham last week to attend the Skills Show. A vast range of careers were represented providing visitors with an incredible range of informative and interactive stands. Many areas included the final heats of practical competitions, such as stage make-up, hairdressing, welding, roofing, jewellery making, catering to name just a few. This gave our students a privileged view of the incredible and achievable standard of actual skills of the highest performing apprentices and students in the country. Of particular interest to some students in our group was the BBC stand, complete with tardis and dalecks! If special effects and CGI are your thing, then this stand was the one to visit. “Mindball” was also mentioned by quite a few of our Sixth Form—where metal balls could be moved purely by brainwaves! There was something to inspire and entertain everyone - Dudley College put on fantastic dance displays on the main stage. For those interested in forensics, there were crime scenes to be investigated. Scientists could participate in experimental work and theatre, stage and TV demonstrated prosthetics. “I have my heart set on being a mid-wife, but seeing the catering students cook was so inspiring I might look into doing that instead. It gave me lots of ideas for my Food Tech project” Shannon Broadhurst 11NG

Sixth Form News Sixth Form Taster Day and Convention

Year 11 had a taste of 6th Form life last week. AS Product Design Trip to London In the day they were able to sample A level les- The AS Product Designers had a great day in sons and use the 6th Form Common Room and London visiting a number of galleries to broad- in the evening they attended with parents to en their knowledge base and generate research discuss options with subject teachers. material for their design portfolios. This ena- The event was a big success and had a positive bled them to explore many aspects of the visu- feel. Special thanks go to our current Year 12 al arts across Fine Art, textiles, fashion and of and Year 13 subject ambassadors who took an course Product Design. active role in the evening. We visited the Design Museum, The Tate Mod- ern, and the Victoria and Albert Museum where we looked at a range of different prod- ucts such as fashion, furniture, jewellery and art. One of the most interesting parts of the day was the top floor of the V&A museum . A range of furniture was exhibited with details of how it was made. You could handle and feel the material sand there was a sensor that triggered an explanation of the product on display.

Philosophy and Economics Year 12 - Music Technology Trip to London 35 students and 3 teachers from St Mary's Pri- 27 students attended the mary School came down this morning during ISOS Adam Smith Student period one to record them singing 'Christmas Conference on the 18th Candle'. The year 12 Music Technology class November. Philosophy and helped Irve Griffiths to set up the microphones Economics students lis- and cables before the St Mary's students ar- tened to a range of presen- rived. The recording studio was too small for so tations on the living wage, many people, so we ran cables from the main civil liberties and policies to room in B2 down the corridor to the studio, make us happier. where some of the Year 12's handled the recording desk. Speakers included Steve Baker MP (Conservative), Amelia Womack (Deputy Leader The primary school kids were really well be- of the Green Party) and Dr Madsen Pirie haved and sang beautifully. Their teacher con- (President of the Adam Smith Institute). ducted them, and another played the piano accompaniment. They all thanked is for helping Our students asked a range of questions includ- them, and they really enjoyed getting to hear ing Jonny House asking "How can the Laffer the finished recording afterwards. They filed Curve help Governments for Taxation Policy?" into the tiny recording studio, in small groups, And Matt Mortimer asking "How would small and listened to the song through the speakers. employers cope with the increased costs associ- ated with higher wages?" Other questions It was a really good experience. posed by our students included "Would a Living Holly Stock 12DT Wage create inflation?" and "Would interven- tionism diminish market forces?" The Living Wage debate was the highlight of the day. Len Shackleton made the quote of the day about emotional spasms. Student Max Guppy said the debate showed "logic always over- comes emotions". Mr D Holland - Assistant Head The trip was very enjoyable, with a range of speakers with polar opposite opinions. The live debate was especially interesting, as it brought about different views to my own on a very current topic. Johnny House 13VP 6

College Notices

Hand in your designs to Reception by 1st December 3 winners will receive a £10.00 prize eSafety Advice - types of parental control software available for Parental Control Software both computers and mobile devices. Typically, they enable you to filter out inappropriate content As well as engaging with your child to educate and such as pornographic and violent material, guide them through a safe digital life - and so that reducing the chances of your child being exposed you fully understand the latest developments - it to it. Some allow you to set different profiles for if makes good sense to take advantage of the filters you have children of different ages who will be and controls which you can use to reduce the accessing the computer or other device. chance that they will come across inappropriate or offensive content. Internet Service Provider Parental Controls Do remember, however, that parental control Many internet service providers (ISPs) also provide tools are just there to help, and are not a fail safe parental control software - which, like the answer. Nor are they an online 'babysitter' ... you software you buy, can block offensive content. In still need to know what your child is doing online. the UK, customers of the 'big four' ISPs - BT, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk - have access to this Here are the different types of precautions you facility free of charge. Video guides showing how can put in place: to set these controls can be seen at: http:// Parental Controls on Your Computer or Mobile bit.ly/1k65Xos Device (Source: https://www.getsafeonline.org) Almost without exception, computers and mobile More detailed information can be found online at devices sold for use by the public are equipped as http://bit.ly/1fg2LRV standard with the means for you, as a parent, to filter content which you do not want your child (or Additional eSafety gudaince can be found on the for that matter any other account holder) to weblinks listed on: access. These tools can be simply accessed via the http://axevalley.devon.sch.uk/parent/esafety/ computer's control panel or other devices' settings screen. If in doubt about how to access and set these up, refer to online help or ask your retailer. Parental Control Software to Buy or Download There is a large number of different brands and

REACH Update

about the commitment and enthusiasm she and her colleagues have for the programme and how they plan to support the college by offering mentors and workshops to REACH students. She explained that in her experience many of the students at TAVCC will eventually apply to work at their company and she hopes to invest in their training and education so that when that day comes the students are confident and well prepared potential employees. As a possible future employer Axminster Tools and Machinery encompass a wide range of careers The REACH programme has been launched! such as marketing, sales, engineering, finance, Thank you to all those who came to our launch among many others, so their scope and evening. We hope you are as excited as we are potential influence is very wide-ranging. about the new focus for the REACH programme. Our primary aim is to inspire and motivate all our REACH students to do the best The Programme they possibly can. REACH events this term begin with study skills tutorials on Monday 24th November with Elevate Education - an Oxford based company that shares the tips and methods used by top Oxford graduates to achieve their goals.

Study Skills Tutorials Monday 24th November Study Skills Kick Start for Key Stage 3 This tutorial will include To do this we are proposing a 3-tier structured instruction on : series of workshops, trips, mentoring and Dynamic reading: Students are given a tutorials so that students who engage in the framework for reading a text and identifying programme can earn points towards blue, silver the key points rather than simply summarizing and gold awards as well as recognition and every sentence or idea. valuable commendations via certificates of Note-taking: Students are shown how to take achievement and annual personal statements. key points and turn them into a set of The Mayor of Axminster Mr Jeremy Walden organised notes that can effectively and gave us his wholehearted support and efficiently be committed to memory. encouraged the college to motivate our young Mind-Mapping: Students are introduced to people to engage fully for their own mind-mapping as a conceptual learning tool for educational and social development as well as understanding information. for the good of the overall community. Mnemonic Memory Systems: Students are Mrs Jane Boulton, head of Human Resources at encouraged to move away from rote-learning Axminster Tools and Machinery Ltd spoke to us as a primary means to memorise information

and introduced to a mnemonic memory system Festive Creative REACH Induction Evenings which will increase both retention and recall of Key Stage 3—2nd December 3.30-5.30pm information. Key Stage 4—9th December 3.30-5.30pm Memory and Mnemonics for Key Stage 4 We will be signing up 30 students for each The only thing trickier than getting through all event in Reception. The students will be the work in the final years of school can be involved in festive crafts to create some treats remembering it! In this seminar the students for them to enjoy as well as to stock a will cover simple to use techniques and charitable Christmas stall in the college strategies that will help them increase the reception. amount of information they can commit to memory, and most importantly increase the Invitations to these events will be sent out amount they can recall in the exam room. soon, don’t forget to sign up!

Engineering visit to Supacat Wood Turning Workshops at Axminster Tools and Machinery 27th November - 9.00am to 3.30pm Key Stage 3 REACH students will be invited to Ten REACH and ASPIRE students have been attend one of six workshops in December. invited to visit Supacat at Dunkerswell airfield Each workshop can only accommodate six who will give a presentation on engineering as students so these will be allocated on a first a career and take students on a tour of their come first served basis. business and demonstrate some of their all terrain vehicles. We know that these workshops are very popular so we will organise more in the new year for any students that are disappointed this time.

Mentors We are currently recruiting mentors for the REACH programme. If you think you might be a suitable person to encourage and boost the confidence and motivation of a young person please contact Kate Pemberton on [email protected] All mentors will be trained and supported by the college. The programme would involve one evening (2 hours) per half term.

ASPIRE Update

It turned out to be an extremely busy first week back in the ASPIRE Office with ASPIRE 1-1 Coaching on Monday and Thursday evening and the start of the South West Water Challenge on Wednesday after school. ASPIRE 1-1 Coaching On Monday 17th and Thursday 20th ASPIRE students in years 9 – 13 met with their ASPIRE 1-1 Coaches. There were lots of topics for discussion ranging from time management, worked on their leadership skills as they led exam techniques, work/life balance and GCSE groups during the session. The next session and A’level revision techniques. I received will be next Wednesday, 26th November 3:30- some very positive feedback from students 5pm, it will be a “hands on” workshop led by who will take what they have learnt and use it South West Waters Energy Team. over the coming months. The next coaching Mrs Slade - ASPIRE Co-ordinator sessions are listed below, please come and see me in my office (opposite L1) or email [email protected] to book ahead to guarantee seeing your coach. I also have a list of coaches available if you are still undecided. All the 1-1 Coaching Sessions follow the same format with students choosing one 30 minute time slot on either the Monday or Thursday with a coach of their choice. We meet in the Sixth Form Common Room and the evenings run from 4pm to 6pm.

ASPIRE 1-1 Coaching Sessions Dates for your diary Monday January 19th and Thursday January 22nd Monday March 9th and Thursday March 12th Monday April 27th and Thursday April 30th Monday June 22nd and Thursday April 25th

ASPIRE Water and Energy Challenge On Wednesday 18th November Terry Miller and Jenny Lundh from South West Water Next ASPIRE event…. presented the first module of the ASPIRE Water and Energy Challenge. 50 ASPIRE “Double Elephant Printing” workshop students from college and the local primary ASPIRE Arts students schools discussed biodiversity and explored Monday 24th November, B7 Art Block, where energy comes from and why energy Years 9-13 9am to 1pm saving and water is important for biodiversity Years 5-8 2pm to 5pm conservation. The older ASPIRE students bring an apron, printing can be messy!

TAVCC PTFA Update

Thank you for all your donations through Local Giving

By the time you read this the Grow Your Tenner fund will have probably run out. It is a fantastic scheme that Local Giving have run for the last few years. Thanks to all the parents who donated. Over £1,700 has been raised that will go a long way towards the costs of providing clubs and activities for free at the college this term.

Christmas is coming and the BIG Advent Raffle is about to start!

Tickets are £1.00 each Each ticket will give you lots of chances to win prizes every school day in December. The prize draws will be held in Reception at 1.30pm every day and announced by phone and on the student bulletin at tutor time.

We have fantastic prizes that will be under the Christmas tree in Reception including: Restaurant and cinema vouchers, Beautiful Christmas hampers, Books and gifts, Gadgets including a pop-corn machine, Snazzy head-phones, Music and shop vouchers, Chocolates, cakes and festive sweets galore… And so much more!

Anyone wanting to help the PTFA can sell tickets on our behalf. Books of tickets are available on Reception. Donations of prizes are also gratefully received.

This year the Carol Concert will be There is still time to join the Axe Valley Lotto! held on Wednesday 17th December. Please find a copy of the application form at Everyone is welcome to attend this the back of the Update . festive event.

If anyone would like to help serve The next PTFA meeting will be held on: refreshments please get in touch with Jo on: [email protected] 19th January at 7pm. Everyone is welcome!

11 Sports Update

East Devon Cross Country Championships Joining them will be Jacob Clode (Yr12) who achieved 7th place in the senior race. Over 80 students from Yrs 7-12 took part in the East Devon Cross Country Championships at The afternoon was the girls time to dig deep Bicton on Weds 19th November. Thankfully the and achieve some personal pride. Similarly to rain held off (just!) for all boys and girls races the Yr7 boys the and considering the amount of rain in the pre- girls also found vious two weeks the course was in surprisingly the going tough good condition. but everyone completed with The boys attended in the morning with the Yr7 heads high (even heading off first. Although some good efforts if feet were drag- were shown the course was a true test of the ging and knees boys fitness. For some it was an eye opener to buckling!) the level of competition in East Devon.

The Yr8/9 boys team put on a committed team show with Ethan Day securing a reserve place for the next round in December. The Yr10/11 girls were unable to make a team Top team performance of the morning came score due to the team being 2 short. However from the Yr10/11 boys team who finished in a the 6 girls who ran put in superb efforts with all fabulous 2nd place - well done! In addition to 6 coming inside the top 40. May Wood (7th), the team achievement Tony Pinder (4th), Max Becky Griffiths (9th) and Kim Croton (16th) Richardson (7th) and Ben Franklin (9th) also have all reserved places at the East Devon vs secured individual honours in gaining a place in Exeter round being held on Dec 3rd at Haldon the next round. Forest.

Yr8/9 girls had turned out in force. They were Morton, Elliot Turner, Oscar White, Isobelle our only age group to commit to two full teams Allis, Amanda Apsey, Lucy Brown, Martha Bud- - well done girls! Megan Herbert gained a very den, Lucy Burr, Megan Gilding, Elizabeth Heigh- creditable 18th place - just two places off next way, Layla James, Erin Moles, Dannah Pamayla- round qualification as a Yr8 in an 8/9 race. on, Imogen Payne, Melanie Rich, Meagan Close on her heels in 21st was Nadine Legg - Searle, Jenna Sturgess, Maddie White, Izzy her training at Exeter Harriers paying Chaplyn and Erin Crowther. off; Hannah Mead was only a few paces behind Mrs H Oxley - PE Department in 28th. A very pleasing team performance.

Mrs T Moran - PE Subject Leader Girls Football

On Thursday, nine Year 7's, Mrs Moran and 3 Primary Swimming Gala Sixth Form coaches all travelled to Exmouth On Tues 18th November , 24 Year 9 students Community College for a night of girls football. lead our annual year 5/6 swimming gala. After a late start, the girls were put into their Each leader had their own responsibilities on first ever match playing together. Considering the day which included; placement judges; we had only trained together once, we weren't start official; results; timing on lanes; equip- sure what to expect. Our first match was ment; organising ; certificates; and demon- against Kings School, who are notorious for strations which were all as important as each their sporting ability across the board. Howev- other. Throughout the day not only did the er, after just a few minutes Devon opened up leaders complete their job role they also the scoring for Axe Valley with a cracking shot. cheered on the swimmers giving lots of encour- Devon was on the score sheet again before the agement. I was really impressed with how the game was out. After a cross in from Poppy, the students used their initiative to solve prob- ball ricocheted off the opposition and fell nice- lems which occurred through the day. ly, and with a bit of luck it was in the back of Well done to each and everyone of you and the net again. hope you use this new gained skills in a The next match was against Exmouth, and on sporting context and and apply them to every- the opponent's home turf the girls did really day life. Good work year 9s!! Mrs Oxley well to hold them to a 1-1 draw, with a goal this These students were - Samuel Ashwell, Josh time from our captain Poppy. Next was Honi- d'Albertanson, Ethan Ford, Jed Holmes, Samuel ton, and by this time tiredness was really

setting in. Yet the attitude of all the girls was finish, a real credit to Axe Valley. Everyone exceptional, no-one wanted to be on the side- played so well and made us so proud. A special lines. Another outstanding win, collecting 5 mention must go to our goalkeeper Min, who points. Again the goal came from Devon, assist- insisted on diving on astro-turf. Great commit- ed by our goalie. A quick kick up the field left a ment! Woman of the Match goes to both Isabel one on one situation in which Devon looked and Kimberley (we couldn't pick just one). Both stronger, within seconds we were celebrating girls went from strength to strength throughout again! the night, putting in some strong tackles and important passes. After a quick rest we were back on for the final game, this time versus Uffculme. The teams Thanks also go out the Mrs Moran for taking us were very well matched, but again we started and our bus driver for staying later on the score sheet with a fourth goal of the The team consisted of: Min, Ellie, Casey, Isabel, night from Devon. Unfortunately they managed Caitlin, Molly, Kimberley, Devon and Poppy. to claw back a goal, but we were straight back in the game with a fantastic run from Caitlin Sixth Form coaches: Rosie, Emma and Annabel half the way up the pitch before calmly slotting Annabel Jackson - 13VP the ball past the unassuming keeper. A last minute mistake lead to an equaliser from Uff- culme which was unfortunate, the girls were desperate for another win. Before the fixture was finished we were in for one more surprise. After totalling the scores, we were told that we had in fact won the first round with 16 points, with Uffculme on 14, Ex- mouth receiving 8, Kings with 6 and Honiton winning 5. It was a deserved victory and makes the team super excited for the second round of the tournament, hopefully we will see a similar performance. The whole team were amazing from start to

PE Department Fixtures – Autumn 2014

Date Students Activity DETAILS Girls and Boys U16 Badminton Depart 11.30am Tues 25th Nov Years 10 & 11 @ Uffculme School Return: 6.00pm Depart9.15am Weds 26th Nov Reserve date for East Devon cross country Return 3.00pm Girls and Boys U13 Badminton Depart 2.00pm Tues 27th Nov Year 8 @Colyton School Return: 6.00pm Unknow - de- East Devon v Exeter Cross-country Depart 9.50am Weds 3rd Dec pends on who @ Haldon Forest Return: 3.00ish qualifies Girls and Boys U15 Badminton Depart 2.00pm Thurs 4th Dec Year 10 @ Colyton School Return: 6.00ish Boys U14 Futsal Depart 3.15pm TUES 9TH DEC Year 9 @ Exmouth Community College Return: 6.40ish East Devon v Exeter Cross-country All details as for WEDS 10TH DEC Reserve date for @ Haldon Forest Weds 3rd Dec U14 Badminton Depart 11.30am THURS 11TH DEC Year 9 @ Cullompton Return: 5.00ish Boys U15 Indoor Cricket Depart 9.00am THURS 11TH DEC Years 9 & 10 @ Exmouth Tennis Centre Return: 4.00ish Years 7-10 Unknown until Depart 1.20pm TUES 16TH DEC U13/15 BADMINTON FINALS Round 1 Return: 5.30ish played

15 Community Noticeboard

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