The Kings' Messenger

THE KINGS OF WESSEX COMMUNITY SCHOOL A Specialist Technology College THE KINGS’ MESSENGER Issue 51 October 2003 Dear Parents and Friends With half term just around the corner, we can look back upon a very successful first half to the Autumn Term. Our year 9 Students have settled very well into life at The Kings of Wessex Community School and are beginning to make a very real contribution to our School. I have received many positive comments about their work and progress. This half term has been characterised by a very large number of opportunities for our young people beyond the classroom. At the time of writing, a group of Sixth Form Stu- dents have just returned from their visit to New York and a party of Students are currently in Prague on the second leg of our Czech exchange. Geography fieldtrips visited Brean Down and the Mendips and Year 9 Students have all had the opportunity to visit the Radstock Museum as part of their work on the Industrial Revolution. Students involved in last year’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream were spe- cially invited to take part in a RSC event for schools performed at the Redgrave Theatre in Bristol. The Duke of Edinburgh scheme has seen our Students participate in expeditions to the Quantocks, the Mendips and Exmoor. Our Year 12 English Students also went to Perth-y-Pia in Wales for a residential visit. There can be few schools that provide such a wonderful range of opportunities for young people and we must all be grateful for the teachers who give so generously of their time to make these activities possible. At the end of September, the School had its Church of England Section 23 Inspection. This focused on the School’s ethos, collective worship and the spiritual and moral development of our Students. We have just received the report and the Inspector was very positive in all areas of the Inspection. Collective worship was found to be of a high quality; spiritual and moral development of our Students was reported to be very good with some excellent features, and the ethos of the School was described as very good. We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the report and the positive comments. Staying with the Christian theme of School life, I recently attended a very moving service at Wells Cathedral for Headteachers, Governors and local clergy. which was led by Bishop Peter. Parents will be pleased to hear that Barbara Marshall, our Deputy Head, is now recover- ing after her recent operation. She is making good progress and hopes to be back in School for the start of the Spring Term. Phil Taylor, an experienced Deputy Head, is covering on a temporary basis until Barbara returns to School. Unfortunately, Terry Clark our Year 10 Co-ordinator will also be going into hospital shortly for an operation. It is likely that he will be away for the remainder of the term. In his absence, Eric Holdsworth will be acting Year 10 Co-ordinator and Terry’s teaching will be covered by Josh Holt. Many people have commented on the smart appearance of our Students in their uniform. We have received many letters from parents and members of the community compliment- ing the School on how smart the Students look in their new School blazer. I would par- ticularly like to thank parents for the support they have given and continue to give in en- suring we maintain our high standards. It was encouraging to hear that the Education Min- ister, Ivan Lewis, recently made a statement in support of school uniform. On the sporting front, congratulations go to our Under 18’s rugby team who won the Schools Rugby Festival with the remarkable fact that throughout the tournament they did not concede a single try. We are all immensely proud of the team and feel confident they will go on to even greater things. One final point, a reminder to parents that there will be a staff training day on Friday 7 November 2003 and School will therefore be closed to Students. I have also included in this Kings Messenger a list of dates of future Kings Messengers. This should help you to ensure that you receive your copy. Best wishes, Chris Richardson Headteacher Message for Year 9 I am pleased to report that our new year 9 Students have settled in remarkably well. I have been impressed by their smart appearance and the confident way they are now moving around the School. I hope each student will make the best of his/her opportunities here at The Kings of Wessex School and we look forward to working in partnership with parents to ensure a successful year. Well done, Year 9! Keep it up! Moira Sammonds Year 9 CoCo----ordinatorordinator Reporting Absence A very big THANK YOU to all those parents who are using the Absence Hotline A reminder to all those parents who are still not… Illness or any other absence should be reported on the first and every day of absence by telephoning 01934 745304 (This telephone number is available 24/7 ) Your child’s name, tutor group and reason for absence should be given. Alternatively, absences may be reported by email to [email protected] Please note: absence should be reported for all students, including the 6th Form. Thank you Anita Beesley Attendance Secretary Year 9 Maths go to Eden When we arrived at the Eden Project at midday after a long journey from Cheddar with just one stop at an extremely hygienic service station. We were spoken to by a rep for about 15 minutes about the Eden Project and further plans for it. We were then given times and places to meet. We then set of for an hour on our own in small groups to explore the Eden Project and find some grub! After that the hard work began. We got into our groups and our group had to follow Ms Greenslade to the Lake. We were given a big bottle of water that we had to weigh and then weigh the carrier of the water. Our route was explained and we had to time how long it took us to get to the top. It was a scorching hot day and after walking very quickly to get to the top it seemed doubly hot. We raced back down to Ms Greenslade and were given our second route. The longest route! This wore us out even more and we were not prepared for the third route inside the tropical dome and we were relieved to feel the spray from it. After completing our work we were allowed free time again. Ice creams were on order. After a long challenging day we were happy to sit in the comfy seats of the coach. The journey home was quicker than the journey there, but we couldn’t end the day without visiting the wonderful service station again. By Beki, Andy, Harri and Frankie The Year 9 Eden Project Trip was an exciting educational trip to remember. After taking a two-hour coach trip through the countryside of Cornwall, we turned a corner to see a spectacular sight: The Eden Project Biomes. We entered the Project and walked to the education hut where we were briefed about our activities by an Eden staff member. We were split up into two groups, each with an activity. One group were calculating how much energy they used when carrying large bottles of water, and the other group were working out the heights and areas of certain parts of the biomes. After a quick lunch, the groups split up and we were free to spend an hour exploring the two Biomes: The Humid Tropics Biome and the Mediterranean Biome. The Humid Tropics Biome is the largest greenhouse in the world and is full of lush, green plants and trees. After walking around and exploring, we headed to the Mediterranean Biome. The Mediterranean Biome con- tains a vast supply of plants which grow in dry conditions. After viewing the plants and wild- life, we headed back to the education hut. There the two groups started work. The Energy Group started to carry five litres of water per bottle, carrying four bottles each. The Energy Group loaded with water carried the water up to the top near the entrance and shop. They repeated this going up and down six times and then worked out how much energy they used. It was exhausting work, but the group was rewarded with chocolate to make up for the energy burned off! The measuring group worked out the height to the top of the education hut using a clinometer and some formulas. They then went to the two Biomes and measured several parts of the Bi- omes using the clinometer, the formulas and a calculator. After recording the information, we had some free time to explore the gardens and the Biomes. Then we went to the shops to buy souvenirs and walked to the education hut to get our bags and for a final briefing. We then boarded the coach to make our long journey back home. The Eden Project trip was a tiring, but very fun day. By Jenni Sparks and Chloe Willis. The Eden Project A poem by Frances Rabbitts and Lizzie Cooke 1. Leaving too early in the morning, With everyone yawning, We set off by bus No delays and no fuss Until we started moving. 2. Down the motorway we zoomed, Until the Eden Project loomed, We drove into the parking lot And all alighted, sweaty and hot And had to walk down.

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