TERM 2: December 2017

CHIPPING NORTON SCHOOL CNSNewsletter CNS rated ‘Good’ with an "Outstanding" HEAD’S LINES The snow has now all but melted and it seems to be a Sixth Form little warmer as we move towards the shortest day of the year. It has been a momentous year for Chipping Norton School and has fittingly ended with Ofsted judging the quality of education offered as ‘Good’ with an ‘Outstanding’ sixth form and ‘Outstanding’ personal development and welfare. The Ofsted visitors were quick to recognise what we know: that the Students, parents, staff and governors are celebrating Chipping Norton School quality of learning being recognised as a "Good" school with some "Outstanding" areas following its is firmly rooted in latest Ofsted inspection. what happens in The Ofsted report recognises the many exceptional characteristics of the the classroom. This school: the high expectations set; the high quality of teaching and learning; a has always been our school where uniqueness is nurtured and bullying incredibly rare; and where focus and we are students are well prepared for the next stage of their lives. The inspectors noted determined to make that “teachers are firmly focussed on helping pupils achieve their best” and that sure improvements "a rich seam of tolerance and respect runs through the school". are thoroughly Ofsted rated the school’s sixth form as "Outstanding" with students embedded. All benefitting from very high quality teaching and assessment. The school’s work to students are now promote all students’ personal development and welfare was also judged to be very clear about "Outstanding". the meaning of Headteacher Mr Simon Duffy commented “We are really pleased that the hard “working harder work of students and staff has been acknowledged in this way and we are now on harder work”. determined to make our school outstanding. It is very clear that the message Year 11 GCSE mock about “working harder on harder work” is getting through as students strive to examinations have be the best that they can be. I am hugely grateful for the relentless support of now been marked students and parents who have always recognised the great qualities of Chipping

continued over Norton School, qualities that the Ofsted team saw in abundance.” Head’s Lines continued and Year 13 A level UK Space Design Competition strength of our Year 11 mock examinations students. Indeed the are in early January. team were praised by These give important the judges for innovative pointers of where suggestions that were work needs to proposed by our Year 11 be sharpened and team members, that the focused in order to judges had never heard emulate the success before despite many of the ‘class of 2017’. years of experience in As this Newsletter the competition. clearly shows The team did an additional learning On 11 November costing structures to excellent job and opportunities remain eleven pupils from Years house a human colony although they were a key part of our 11-13 took part in the on the moon. The pipped to first place work at school. Any Oxfordshire heat of team had to contend on this occasion, they teacher will tell the UK Space Design with radiation, lack will have gained a great you that the more Competition. The event of atmosphere, lower experience of working involved students incorporated schools gravity and moon dust are in the life of the with a large group and from across Oxfordshire covering equipment, all school the more likely attempting an impossible and beyond and took whilst providing a plan they are to succeed. task to a very tight place in The Andrew for the base in just eight It is this work that deadline. Ofsted described Wiles Building at Oxford hours. as adding to the University. For the second year Dr Hagan: Assistant “aspirational fabric of Working in a team of running we were the Curriculum Lead the school”. twenty three the pupils only school who had (Science) As 2017 comes were charged with the Year 11 pupils in the towards an end and task of designing and team, showing the as 2018 is on the horizon, I wanted to Millie Scott represents Team GB in New Zealand take this chance to ponies in New Zealand. formally thank three Unfortunately Millie's groups of people in pony got an injury helping to secure during the final part of such a successful year the competition which for Chipping Norton meant she was unable School. I want to to compete in the final. thank our teachers However, even with a for their relentless pony injury, the England hard work and effort; team managed to secure I want to thank our 5th place. students for all of It was an incredible their endeavour and commitment to their Millie and four other in the Southern experience for Millie studies; and I want riders from England were Hemisphere for the last to be able to ride to thank our parents privileged to be selected 17 years. against riders from and whole community to represent their The competition New Zealand, Australia, for their unwavering country at the Under was tough as all teams Canada, America and support of our great 17's Mounted Games were riding borrowed Europe. She has made school. World Championships ponies apart from the many new friends and Have a wonderful in New Zealand. The New Zealand team. her team are 5th in Christmas. Championships were Millie was incredibly the world, which is an showcased at Equitana, lucky to ride one of the amazing achievement! Simon Duffy: which was the biggest best mounted games Headteacher equestrian competition Mrs Scott The Hockey Report The Rugby Report Year 7 have had a brilliant of their conduct. It was a start to the season. pleasure to be the coach Numbers at training have of such a determined and been fantastic and over 30 friendly team. girls have represented the Many smiles were to school. be seen throughout the season, especially en route Particular highlights to fixtures as the bus was Year 8s came 3rd in West filled with a cacophony Oxfordshire at the WOSSP of musical talent! I must tournament. say a special thank you to Year 9s won all of their Beth Blackwell and Evie games and were runners up Sokol, who organised and captained the teams. in West Oxfordshire at the The senior hockey team WOSSP tournament. As we approach the to end up unbeaten. has had a very positive The Year10 Hockey team end of term it has been Year 9 reaching the season this year. They began had a fantastic season, another good season county cup Semi Final coming second place in the season with an away for our Rugby teams before losing out to a very the tournament. No one game at Lord Williams, with well over 100 boys strong Bloxham School. person can be singularly which we came away from representing the school Year 10 reaching the credited as the students with a reassuring 5-3 win. in inter school fixtures County Vase Semi Final worked and played well as We came 2nd overall in the this year. All boys have losing to Matthew Arnold . a team, supporting each tournament after drawing Senior boys have played other and scoring goals. 0-0 with Henry Box, 2-2 done their absolute best 10 games this season, The competitiveness with with Bartholomew and to uphold the rugby values which the girls played was finishing with an amazing of Teamwork, Respect, winning 8 and drawing compelling to watch and 3-1 win against Burford. Enjoyment, Discipline and one including victory over their sportsmanship made Lydia Harding:12E Sportsmanship and we Burford in the County me as a teacher very proud Miss Pinfold: PE must say well done to Cup Final and the District them all. Final to become the first CNS team to win U13 Girls’ Football Particular highlights both competitions in the Over 20 boys playing their same season. Along the way they recorded some The final first competitive school was a rugby for Year 7 with wins incredible wins, notably fantastic so far over Henry Box and over Warriner, Cotswold game against Woodgreen . and Lord Williams. In the Wood Year 8 winning a number County Cup final the score Green and of the West Oxon friendly was14 points to 7 and in by the end matches, finishing 3rd in the League final they went of play the the District Tournament one better by winning 20 teams could and then ending their points to 7. not be season fantastically well by Mr Thomas: separated winning both of their pools Head of PE as it finished at the County Tournament 0-0, and into Congratulations to our U13 the second girls’ football team who shoot-out. It went down came second in the West to a sudden death penalty Oxfordshire tournament. where Wood Green came After finishing top of a out on top. Fantastic challenging group, the team performances and superb went through to play a well attitude was shown by all. contested semi-final finishing The girls now go through 0-0 and taking them through to the School Games next to the first penalty shoot- April. out of the day, and it was a Miss Pinfold: successful one! PE Department Festive Fun at the Christmas Market

Each year Christmas Markets (Christkindlmärkte or Weihnachtsmärkte) spring up around Germany in the weeks before Christmas, signalling the beginning of Advent. They originated in Germany as far back as the late Middle Ages with the first markets being held in 1384. Those first Christmas Markets were little more than winter markets that lasted a couple of days and instead of the cosy stands that line Christmas Markets today, traders in some cities laid their goods out in the streets accompanied by traditional singing and dancing. The centuries-old tradition reaches back to a time when regular seasonal markets took place throughout the year. Christmas Markets were a welcome occurrence during cold-weather months, joyful occasions for weary villagers and they added a bit of light to long winter nights. Today, German Christmas Markets serve much the same function that they have for centuries — as a festive meeting place for locals and a market for homemade Christmas ornaments and decorations. Some of the most traditional German handicrafts can be found here — nutcrackers, wooden figurines, straw stars, cookie tins, glass balls, toys, and tin tree ornaments. Despite the widespread belief that Christmas has only recently developed into a feast of commercialism, you may be surprised to learn that, as early as the 17th century, gift-buying at Christmas Markets had already become a popular activity. The Cologne Christmas Market attracts over 2 million people and this year that number included 45 pupils from Chipping Norton School. With six markets to visit and a host of other activities planned, it promised to be a whirlwind 3 days of cultural highlights – and we were not disappointed. Emerging from the underground on the first evening, our senses were overwhelmed: delicious smells of bratwurst, raclette and glühwein; the twinkling lights set against the backdrop of the imposing cathedral; sounds of music and laughter; the crisp cold only added to the atmosphere. On the second day, we climbed the 533 steps to the top of the cathedral tower, with amazing views, followed by a tour of the Lindt chocolate museum, with tastings at the chocolate fountain and lunch in the harbour Christmas market. We skated outdoors at the Altstadt market and then finished off at the oldest Christmas market in Cologne at Neumarkt; a magical market with stars in the trees surrounding the market. In the evening, we went to Aqualand – a new destination for this trip but it proved to be the highlight of the trip for many students. We arrived to a pool disco and laser show, followed by time on the many slides and whirlpools. On our final day we took a boat trip along the Rhein, with a farewell tour of the cathedral market before heading home, exhausted but happy. Thank you to Miss Johnston, Miss Richmond and Mrs Cradock for accompanying the trip and to the students, who behaved impeccably whilst away. The trip will run again next December and letters will go out in June for any students interested in taking part. Mrs Thomas: Languages Department Sixth Form on top of the world CNS win “Democracy Challenge” “Outcomes are impressive, establishing a tradition of high academic achievement.” Ofsted Nov 2017 After receiving a glowing Ofsted report where the Sixth Form was judged as ‘Outstanding’, the achievements just keep coming. Four students in Year 13 have been successful in the next stage in their quest to study at either Oxford or Cambridge receiving offers of interviews in December. In the same week the schools 1st XV Rugby team defeated Burford School 14-7 to be crowned Oxfordshire County Champions. Sixth Form students Georgia Juckes, Alicia Ross- If you are interested in joining our “Outstanding Vergara, Hettie Gardner and Luke Briggs triumphed at Sixth Form”, please apply online at the first ‘Democracy Challenge’ debating competition http://www.chippingnortonschool.co.uk/Joining-our- held at the West Oxfordshire District Council Offices Sixth-Form in Witney. They were up against stiff competition from Baroness Bloomfield visits CNS Bartholomew School, Burford School, Henry Box, The Marlborough School, Wood Green School, Cokethorpe School and Kingham School. The teams were challenged to debate the topics “West Oxfordshire is a better place to live than London” and “Lifting the ban on new grammar schools”. Chipping Norton School faced a team of students from Henry Box School in the final round when the motion up for debate was “ Social Media has had a negative impact on sociery.” Our team had to debate as if they agreed with the motion. The judging panel was comprised of local MP Robert Courts, Conservative Peer Lord Robert Hayward and retired judge Charles Harris QC. Mr Courts commented that “Chipping Norton On 1 December, Baroness Bloomfield visited School were well deserved winners, but they Chipping Norton School to talk to a selection were pushed hard and everyone who participated of Sixth Form and Year 11 students about her made some really excellent and thought-provoking experience in the House of Lords. She became contributions.” a member one year ago when David Cameron As well as receiving a trophy, the students have resigned and included her in his honours list. been invited by Mr Courts to visit both Houses of A full Lecture Theatre listened to her presentation Parliament to watch live debates. as she spoke about the rules in the House of Lords, A big congratulations to Georgia, Alicia, Hettie the role it plays in making and assessing bills and how and Luke and also to Miss Millar, for her fantastic she came into the field of politics. Her own journey mentoring. resonated particularly well with the audience as many of them are currently making decisions about their own future. It was interesting to hear about her path into politics, from focusing on geothermal energy in Iceland, to being a governor at a school, to fundraising for the Conservative Party campaign. It served as a reminder for the audience about the importance of diversity in your career. Max Mazower: 12G Maisie Green: 12S Dennis Victory Dance Worshop U11 Hockey Tournament on Dennis’ event for all who enthusiasm took part. The and event takes a lot motivational of planning and skills. It is so dedication, and fantastic that our students everyone were all fabulous feels they ambassadors for can take Chipping Norton part, and at School. Mrs Fisher a level that led the festival, suits them. and was really Ten boys and ten girls teams We were pleased to Every impressed by everyone. braved the fog and cold welcome Dennis Victory to year, our Year 12 Dance to take part in this annual our Partnership again this Leaders are delighted that Big Schools Girls Winner - tournament. It was obvious year. Dennis visited our ten Dennis teaches a class Kingham that so much time and effort primary schools to teach devised especially for them. Big Schools Boys Winner – had been put in by both the Street Dance to the Year 6 His expertise, talent and Charlbury children and their teachers pupils during the week of 6 originality really inspired Small School Girls Winner – to prepare for the event. November. our talented students. He Enstone The tournament was Dennis always makes sure demonstrated that hard Small School Boys Winner – run by our Year 12 Sports that his dance sequences work and practice does lead Enstone Leaders, who refereed, are fresh and age and ability to success. The students Congratulations to mentored and took on all specific. Our primary were pushed to really work everyone who took part, of the roles required to teachers really embrace the hard and benefitted so and a big ‘Thank You’ to all make sure the tournament opportunity for their pupils much from this important teachers and parents who was well run and a great to work with a professional part of their Dance came along to support us. dancer and commented

Hirst as our inspiration. opportunity to use tools Family Focus Week @ CNS Families created their and learn some practical artwork around a piece of skills. We had some very work called ‘In and Out of conscientious parents as Love’ which is based on well as children who take butterflies. Hirst showed this very seriously and his original piece in the really were proud of their Tate Modern. Everyone own mini weapon of mass created a small segment destruction. At the end of one of his butterfly of the evening there was a pictures which when very popular competition pieced together created a to see who could fire vibrant completed picture. the furthest missile and The effect of everyone’s the winners won a well- own individual style and deserved bar of chocolate! choice of colour meant Thank you so much to Chipping Norton School We are very grateful to that we had a very diverse everyone who came along takes great pleasure in our teachers for giving up picture, and one which to Family Focus, and of offering Family Focus their time to run these everyone was proud course a big thank you to Workshops to parents and workshops. Although it is of. At the end of the our fantastic teachers. children from Years, 4, 5 hard work, our teachers get workshop everyone was Flyers will go out to and 6 from our partnership a lot of pleasure working able to take their own schools in January for our primary Schools. This term with potential students of small masterpiece home events in February. If you we offered two workshops Chipping Norton School with them. want to take part, fill in the - Build a Trebuchet and and engaging with parents. Building the Trebuchet form and return it to the Art Challenge which were This year we decided is always a very popular Community Learning Team. run by our D&T and Art to offer a modern take workshop. Parents Mrs Fisher: Community Learning Lead Departments respectively. on Art and use Damien and children love the Year 5/6 Literary Quiz Oxfordshire Book Awards 2017 Members of the school Reading Club enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of author talks at this year’s Oxfordshire Book Awards ceremony held at The Oxford High School. Over 40 infant, primary and secondary schools in Oxfordshire Felix Webb (Year 10) and OBA winning author Jo participate in these Cotterill. unique book awards, with the students nominating, judging On November 30th, the packet of Haribo sweets. and voting for the best school library welcomed Ms Bovington, the picture book, primary Year 5 and 6 pupils from librarian and quizmaster and secondary novels. nine of the partnership was assisted by Mrs The winning books primary schools to Blundell, Library were ‘Nibbles the Book take part in the first Assistant, and students Monster’ by Emma CNPS Literary Quiz. Aidan Hergt, Katherine Yarlett (Picture Book), Tristan Peissel. The teams consisted Brock, Chloe-Marie ‘The Person Controller’ of four children who Warren and Holly Evans by David Baddiel (Junior Rundell, Kiran Millwood had been selected by (all students from our Novel) and ‘A Library of Hargrave and Julia their own schools as popular book club). Lemons’ by local author, Donaldson. It really was their top readers. The The students did a Jo Cotterill (Secondary a wonderful opportunity children arrived at CNS fantastic job of marking novel). for so many young full of enthusiasm and the answer sheets and Both David and Jo people to hear from competitive spirit – many recording the scores were present at the such a wide variety of teams brought cuddly during the competition. ceremony to accept authors. mascots and even bobble The competition was their trophies and Year 10 student hats to bring them good very tight, with different talk to the audience Tristan Peissel wowed luck. schools being in the of over 400 children. the audience and guests The pupils were lead at the end of each Other guest speakers with a brilliantly written challenged to answer five round. The final ‘Pot included authors Pam and presented review rounds of ten questions. Luck’ round ended with Smy, Ian Johnstone, Ellie of ‘The Wolf Wilder’ by Subjects included two schools, Charlbury Irving, and new author Katherine Rundell. He fictional cats (big and and Great Rollright, tying Nikki Thornton. Video was a real credit to our small), heroes and for first place. The tie messages were sent by school! villians, pot luck, books breaker question “What winner Emma Yarlett Ms Bovington: by David Walliams and colour is Toothless the and highly commended Librarian Harry Potter (of course). dragon in Cressida authors Katherine Each team were allowed Cowell’s ‘How to train to select a favourite your dragon’ book?” and bookmark and months. round to play their joker was won by Charlbury the winning team and We look forward to card and double up their School (by the way the runners up chose a book next year’s exciting marks. Between each answer is “green” not to keep to mark their rematch! round the children were “black” as suggested in success. Charlbury went Ms Bovington and asked questions that the movie version). home with a shiny new Chloe-Marie Warren anyone could have a go All the pupils went cup to display in their (9EG) at answering to win a home with a certificate school for the next 12 Year 11 WOLP Apprenticeship Event What’s on at CNS Citizenship Day TERM 3 JANUARY 2018 Wk 16 A

Weds 3 Staff Training (no students in school)

Thurs 4 TERM BEGINS Fri 5 Deadline for Sixth Form Applications Our first talk was by James, Wk 17 B a drug awareness expert Mon 8 Y13 Rehearsal exams begin from INFORMED. It was Extra Time Clubs start CNPS Hock/Netball very informative and he Tournament with explained to us the risk CSLA 3:15-6:00 pm Y12 trip to Oxford of drug-taking. It was an Brookes—this week interactive talk which made Tues 9 CNPS Y4&5 Science Extra The West Oxfordshire sure what she wanted to do, it more engaging for us. Time 4:45-5:45 pm Learning Partnership “everyone else was applying Weds10 Y11 GCSE Art trip to London James also made his talk (WOLP) held its 4th to university but I couldn’t Thurs 11 Drama Panto Workshop very funny which helped Apprenticeship Event on 19 find a course that appealed Wk 18 A us better understand the October at Witney Lakes to me. Mrs Dix suggested Mon 15 Y11 Business trip to Hook dangers of drugs use. Norton Brewery Resort. I go to an Apprenticeship Our second talk was led Wed 17 CNPS Swimming Gala with Over 500 students and Evening and, after speaking CSLA 1:00-3:30pm by Mrs Earnshaw, our School Fri 19 Y13 Rehearsal exams end their parents/carers from to a few apprentices there, Nurse, who spoke about the Y7,8,10,11,12&13 Progress all the schools in West I knew an apprenticeship Report Home topic of ‘Safe Sex’, STIs and Oxfordshire (and beyond!) was the best thing for me contraception. This was also Wk 19 B came along to find out as I was going to be starting Thurs 25 Stop and Read an interactive session as she more about Apprenticeships a career and earning while Y11 P TC warned us about the risks Fri 26 School Council from the forty employers also learning and developing associated with ‘unsafe sex’ non-uniform day and training organisations my skills”. Y9 Progress Report Home and stressed how important that attended. Current This year, the exhibitors it is that a relationship Wk 20A apprentices were also included: Airbus Helicopters, Mon 29 CNPS A,G&T Art is strong and supportive available to chat about Air Tanker, The Army, 3:30-5:00 pm before it becomes sexual. Wed 31 CNPS Netball Tournament their experiences and Blenheim Palace, BMW, with Y12 CSLA 3:00-4:45pm Our final talk was by Chloe Penniston, a Legal Clarkson Evans, Darke & Cameron from the mental FEBRUARY Apprentice at local Taylor, Hunts, Ignite Sport, help charity MIND , who Thurs 1 Tudor Hall French Play Law Firm, The Burnside Owen Mumford, Navy, Y9,10&11 Intermediate Maths is a mindfulness expert. Challenge Partnership, gave a series of NHS, Oxfordshire County He explained to us ways Family Focus Astronomy presentations on why she Council, RAF, Royal Navy, 6:00-7:30 pm in which we can cope with had chosen that particular Thames Valley Police and Fri 2 Y9 Enterprise Day the past, present and future. (Provisional) career route. UKAEA among others. He made us concentrate Most students found If you missed this Wk 21 B on breathing using the Mon 5 Y11 Internal sixth form the event very informative event, don’t worry, 7/11 technique (breathing Interviews and being able to talk WOLP are arranging an Tues 6 Family Focus ‘No Fear’ through your nose for the Shakespeare 6:00-7:00 pm to employers and other “Apprenticeship Fair” on count of 7 and out through Wed 7 CNPS Y3/4 Ball Skills Festival apprentices gave them an 22 March at the Enterprise (Y11 Leaders) 3:00-4:45pm your nose for a count of 11). insight into what life as an Centre in Woodstock 6th Form external applicants’ He explained ‘self repair’ and interviews apprentice would be like. where students will have Thurs 8 Family Focus First Aid left us with a quote from Beth Coombes, an another opportunity 6:00-8:00 pm Alice Herz-Sommer, a 109 Fri 9 END TERM ex-CNS student, has just to meet employers year old Holocaust survivor successfully completed a offering Apprenticeship who said… Business Administration/HR opportunities, information “ I see beauty everywhere.” Apprenticeship with Owen and advice. Mumford. During her last Mrs Cradock: Professional Daisy Bartlett: 11EG year at school, she wasn’t Learning Administrator

Tel: 01608 642007 T CHIPPING NORTON Web: www.chipping-norton.oxon.sch.uk SCHOOL Email: [email protected] [email protected]

Chipping Norton School, Printed on recycled paper Burford Road, CNS is an ECO school Chipping Norton, Editor: Judith Bovington Oxfordshire OX7 5DY