T R eflection The R eflection achieving more together Issue 27 February 2016

Fundraising Man Engine Porthpean 2015 County Champs Drug Awareness Christmas Shows Lord Teverson Visit Certificate Evening and lots LOTS more...

Full reports and news canNews be found’ area via of theour Twitter account and the ‘ school website... www.liskeard.cornwall.sch.uk @Liskeard_School The magazine of Liskeard School & Community College Head’s Letter Project which celebrates the tenth Thank you for your continued Dear All, anniversary of Cornish Mining support. I hope you enjoy another Heritage Status. There is also a fabulous edition of The Reflection! This edition of The Reflection looks wonderful article about our ARC, back on some of the amazing a county facility, that integrates With all best wishes activities, trips and events that students with an autism spectrum Alex Lingard, Head Teacher have taken place over the last or related condition into school. few months. You’ll read an article about Lord Teverson’s visit last term With so much going on there’s a which contributed to us receiving real buzz across the school and in the British Council’s Discovering the sixth form college. At recent Democracy Award (we are one parents’ evenings and parent coffee of only 60 schools nationally mornings parents have fed back ever to receive the award and the how happy they are with what we first in Cornwall). You’ll also read are doing to support their children. about us being crowned County It’s no wonder that the numbers Football Champions for the second of parents and children choosing consecutive year and about our Liskeard as their first choice school involvement in the Mine Engine are set to increase next year.

Erratum The last issue (Issue 26) included an article on Menheniot receiving a letter from Buckingham Palace (Page 14). This was an error. It should read that Trewidland School received a letter from Buckingham Palace.

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1| a place where... GCSE Certificate won the Student of the Year Award is important to hold evenings like Evening and Keiran Hamblin was a popular these to recognise all the hard work winner of the Head Teacher’s that students put in to gain their iskeard School & Community Award. qualifications. I know the certificates College held a GCSE that were collected tonight will be LCertificate Evening in Staff, students and parents were carefully looked after by every honour of the class of 2015 last then given the evening to relax student and shown with pride to term. Students and parents filled and mingle to the backdrop of any future employers.” the New Hall for an informal GCSE music performances from evening to honour the students’ the year group with drinks and a achievements and celebrate buffet. Many thanks to everyone their success with awards being that came along and made the presented to the students that evening so special. We wish all went the extra mile. the students the very best for their chosen future and look forward to Six students were awarded for continuing to see the many ex Year the fabulous achievement of ten 11s at Liskeard Sixth Form as they or more A*/As at GCSE, Mungo continue their journey with us. Harrison-Ward won the Academic Excellence Award, Flo Gregory Head Teacher Alex Lingard said “It

...we shape our futures |2 ourteen, Year 10, BTEC BTEC Construction Assessments Construction students Ffrom Liskeard School and Community College recently completed their Brickwork Unit Assessment. The trainee construction workers of the future received their certificates of completion from Deputy Head Teacher, Mr James O’Connell.

BTEC Construction teacher Ms Anne Yoxall said “We have had an exceptional uptake on the course this year and workspace was at a premium in the Construction Workshop. The students coped well and produced excellent work, across the board, of a standard that compares with any in the South West.”

Lord Teverson Visit the level of the discussions.” sends members of the House of s part of National Lords into schools/academies and Parliament Week, Liskeard The visit follows a year of events in colleges across the country to give ASchool and Community school to promote the importance talks in support of the citizenship College recently hosted a talk from of democracy including voting in curriculum. For further information, a member of the House of Lords, the Youth Parliament Elections and see the Lord Speaker’s web page at to encourage students to become holding our own mock election www.parliament.uk/lordspeaker. more engaged with the political in May. The visit was arranged and parliamentary process. through the Lord Speaker’s “Peers Liskeard School Students Charlie in Schools” programme, which has Durneen and Harry Woodley said Lord Teverson met with 150 been running across the UK since “It was an interesting insight into the students from all year groups for a 2007 and has so far involved House of Lords and it provoked a talk about the work and role of the around 75,000 young people. This lot of thought about current issues.” House of Lords. This was followed by continuing outreach programme a question and answer session with students leading discussions about the bombing of Syria, the refugee crisis, Trident and the lowering of the voting age. The students were fully engaged in the discussions with many staying behind at the end to find out more from Lord Teverson.

Headteacher Alex Lingard said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to interact with someone who knows the parliamentary system inside out, as it can sometimes seem far removed from their daily lives. The students were a credit to the school and Lord Teverson was hugely impressed by 3| a place where... Drug Free Schools nder the umbrella of students were told of the dangers Emotional Health and Well- of drug use as well as the legal Ubeing, Liskeard School and consequences of being caught Community College have teamed with drugs. The students were also up with the police and the other introduced to the passive drug dog four secondary schools in South- and informed as to how and why East Cornwall (Looe, Torpoint, the dog is so effective at detecting Callington and Saltash.net) in an drugs. initiative to ensure students are fully educated about the dangers Head Teacher, Alex Lingard, said of using drugs and to ensure all “All the secondary schools in South- students are not exposed to illegal East Cornwall are fully committed to drugs in schools. doing everything we can to ensure students are safe in school and The Police Youth Intervention Team, fully educated about the dangers along with a dog handler and his of drugs. All of us take a hard line dog, visited Liskeard School last on drugs and combined with this term to hold assemblies for every initiative are ensuring schools in the year group. In the assemblies local area are drug free zones.”

Year 8 Man Engine Experience iskeard School was recently collapsing, and listened to stories selected as only one of about the amazing life of William La handful of schools in Crago, a boy local to Liskeard who Cornwall to be involved in the began his career in mining at the Man Engine Experience! This tender age of nine. project has been put together by Golden Tree, a community interest The next stage of the project involves company which is passionate fifteen Year 8 students attending about Cornish culture. The project training to become a Mine Captain! itself is a celebration of the tenth These Mine Captains will use their anniversary of Cornish Mining knowledge to teach primary school Heritage Status and will culminate students about Cornish mining in July this year with the largest culture, whilst working together mechanical puppet in Britain to create the Liskeard pageant making a fourteen day, 130 mile wagon, which will be picked up by journey from the Tamar to Geevor, the Man Engine (currently being Olympic torch style, picking up constructed at a secret location!) pageant wagons along the way! when it reaches Liskeard in late July. Watch this space for further The project kicked off in Liskeard updates later in the year! with Year 8 students experiencing life as a Cornish miner first hand. Students attended workshops where they handled replica objects used in Cornish mining since the turn of the century. They learnt traditional songs such as those sung by the bal maidens, investigated the practical problems experienced by miners such as flooding and tunnels ...every day matters |4 The Lion, The Witch of December. the show and were a terrific audience. Mrs Crawshaw and Ms and The Wardrobe Over fifty students were involved Farrow would like to thank everyone in the production, including our involved for making the show such O u t s t a n d i n g ” ; terrific performers and a well- a huge success! “professional”; “slick” and managed back stage crew. On ““fun for all the family”, were Wednesday, the 9th December, the A parent emailed the school stating just some of comments from the cast performed a dress rehearsal “The performance was absolutely audience who watched Liskeard for local primary schools, which brilliant. It was good to see so many School & Community College included St Martin’s, Dobwalls and pupils involved and they were so Drama Department’s production Trewidland. professional. I was completely of The Lion, The Witch and the engrossed!” Wardrobe on the 10th and 11th All the students thoroughly enjoyed

5| a place where... Christmas Concert 2016 assisted by Mrs Gabby Schooling and Mrs Bev O’Shea. Joe Robinson performed his own song ‘Always’ accompanied on iskeard School & Community College’s guitar by Kurtis Maslen-Riches. Music Department put on a festive Lspectacle of music for the annual The evening was attended by a number of staff, including Christmas Concert and wowed a packed New Head Teacher Alex Lingard, and Deputy Head James Hall. Heads of Music Jane Warwick and Judy O’Connell. Whitlock directed some superb instrumental and vocal performances by students from all year groups. One of the Governors emailed afterwards to say ‘Well done for another great evening. It was good to see so many students and parents at the event and see the students supporting each other and really enjoying the evening’.

The school Art Leaders were fully involved in the event, hosting it, setting up and decorating the café-style tables and offering refreshments, Stuart House Christmas Concert 2016 n Sunday October 18th a capacity audience at OStuart House enjoyed an hour of music performed by some of Liskeard School Music Department’s gifted and talented students. The youngsters sang, danced, played piano, guitar, trumpet, saxophone, violin, bass guitar, accordion, cajon and clarinet, with a blues jam featuring everyone as the grand finale. Their politeness, enthusiasm and confidence as well as their talent and accomplishment was Left to right: commented upon by everyone, Miss Judy Whitlock, Will Nicholls, Courtney Smith, Katie Wood, Archie and they were a credit to Nicholls, Bradley Richards, Bethany Conway, Tom Roberts, Isaac Poulson, themselves and to the school. Bayo Earl, Ethan Willett, Joshua Conway, Chris Fowell, Tom Gluyas. iOrchestra Pictures Here is a selection of pictures from the music departments iOrchestra. iOrchestra is a project of the Philharmonia Orchestra to allow students to feel what it is like to play in an orchestra.

...we feel happy and enjoy ourselves |6 ARC Sensory Integration – National Autism Week ith National Autism “self-management” and a better The recent addition to the ARC is Awareness week understanding of their autism. a range of sensory integration Wcoming up between 14 These include cognitive behavioural based equipment. These include a -18 March, the ARC, a specialist therapy and solution focused C – stand swing and the universally support centre in Liskeard School therapy models, video interactive loved “Walrus” inflatable for use and Community College, has guidance techniques, drama and in vestibular and proprioceptive recently had new facilities added music. based programs. to improve the support it gives to students. Autism is a neurological condition The specialist staff in the ARC that affects how people process, comprise: ARC Lead Jon Chinn, The ARC, led by Jon Chinn and a store and then retrieve sensory Deputy Dionne Rodber, and the small team of Specialist Support information. This makes it difficult Specialist Support Practitioners Practitioners, is a very individual and to use previous experience when Marianne Berry, Simon Hordley, unique environment. ARC Students making decisions and can lead to Kate Read, Jane Saunders, Josh have had significant difficulties sensory sensitivities, barriers with Cottom, Dave Wood and Oliver accessing school previously because language and social situations, Jenkin. of issues related to their autism. which in turn can lead to high levels It is a Cornwall County funded of stress and anxiety. Autism is a ARC Manager Mr Chinn said “We facility that integrates students “spectrum” condition in that every are very proud of the students with an autism spectrum or related student’s needs are different. here, they have overcome a lot. condition into school, enabling I am also very proud of the ARC them to achieve their academic The new facility has given more staff and the very inclusive nature potential. space to teach students to calibrate of the ARC philosophy. The students their concentration levels and are included and doing well. Their Students spend a high proportion understand how they can prepare progress and attendance are of time attending lessons with their themselves to manage a busy brilliant.” peers in school. This is achieved school environment. in a variety of ways to develop

7| a place where... Plymouth City Museum Art Trip

tudents from years 9, 12 and building and a further exhibition made me think about why the artist 13 spent the day visiting the of graphic design in the Peninsula had done what he did”. There SGerhard Richter exhibition Gallery. were strong links with history and at Plymouth City museum and Art English during the trip with students Gallery, including having a tour Students were in awe of the Richter exploring text in the workshop of the Art and Design College and exhibition in particular (which is and listening to Adam Millford, then a work shop with a graphic taking place until January). One of Plymouth Museum, describing designer. Liskeard students also student said “I really felt how the fascinating background of the experienced Peter Randall Page’s Richter was trying to make us feel”; poignant art work. sculpture outside of the university another said “It was weird but it

Residential Art osh Elliott and Natasha Dawe Jfrom Liskeard School & Community College have extended a kindness to the residents of a local residential home by creating some original art pieces to brighten up the walls.

They delivered their creations personally with staff member Mrs Price. They have made Miss Oldham and the whole of 9A very proud indeed! ...there are no end of possibilities |8 Children In Need ranged from pyjamas to dressing students Dan Tothill, Sam Shapland gowns; one student even came in and Rupert Parker-Jones, raising a iskeard School and dressed as a unicorn! total of £34.80. Community College raised La grand total of £1086.52 Trudi Price organised a fantastic The Sixth Form organised a cake for this year’s Children in Need staff raffle with over 80 prizes. A sale throughout the day. Sixth Form appeal with both staff and sweet and cake sale was held at student Tamar Davis said “The students participating to support break time where students and students were very generous which the activities that happened staff baked their own cakes and is reflected in the total. We also around the school for this great also brought in sweets, all of which held a copper collection throughout cause. raised a fantastic £96.36! the day, managing to fill the whole common room pool table. The school held a dress-down day Sue Nelson-Tyrrell organised a Altogether we raised £32.” for students and staff. Costumes book sale in the ALC, with help from Well done to all involved!

9| a place where... Children’s Hospice Shouthwest Fundraiser his year one of our chosen charities is ‘The Children’s Hospice Southwest’. To start our Tcharity fundraising we decided to join with Pirate FM’s Christmas appeal. Pupils and staff brought in presents to send to Little Harbour in time for Christmas. Several of our students also raised money by selling a variety of goodies at the school show. We are looking forward to a really successful year of fundraising for such a worthwhile and local charity.

Christmas Visits It’s no exaggeration to say that the What’s been really exciting this second half of the Autumn term, time is that we were able to take ven though the festive leading up to the festive break, is along ‘personalised’ Christmas season is now well and truly always a busy one for both students cards for each of the residents; an Ebehind us, it’s wonderful and staff, but our visits certainly idea initially started by Natasha to able to reflect back on a provided everyone with the ideal Dawe (9A) with the support of very successful and extremely opportunity of getting into the other students in Year 9 and not enjoyable Christmas programme Christmas spirit, whilst reminding forgetting the wonderful Miss when students from all of our us all of the real meaning of Michelle Oldham (9A tutor)! Year 7 tutor groups were given Christmas. the opportunity of visiting six of Following on from that, Natasha, our local residential homes to take Once again, we were able to take along with Josh Elliot have now part in a ‘Christmas Celebration’. along a magnificent collection of come up with the marvellous Christmas hampers for which each idea of creating a piece of art Amazingly, we managed to dodge Year 7 tutor group had been busy work for one of the homes so it most of the showers on the walks collecting and students were left looks very much as if we can all there and back and the welcome in no doubt as to just how much look forward to building an even we received from each home was the homes’ residents - and staff stronger relationship with the local as warm as ever! appreciate our visits! community in 2016!

Liskeard Lights Up A selection of photos of our students making things for the official light switch-on in Liskeard at Christmas.

...we are inspired |10 St Cleer School Singers Prepare To Entertain

ingers from St Cleer School Choir are busy rehearsing Sfor a “Soundfest” concert in Launceston Town Hall. This promises to be a wonderful event when we will be joining with singers from other local schools, forming a choir of eighty children, with a potential audience of three hundred.

Headteacher, Catherine Stoate, said, “This will be an experience for our children which they will remember all of their lives. There is something very special about singing in a large choir in an imposing venue and in front of a sizable audience.” Are You An Old Pupil Of St Cleer School? As one of our choir members put e are going to display a Roll of Honour in our entrance it, “When I am singing, I can forget hall. This will show photos of previous pupils of St Cleer everything else but the music. I feel WSchool with a note on their achievements since leaving free!” us. Did you get good grades/awards? Go to college or university? Are you doing a worthwhile job? We want to raise the aspirations If you would like to hear the whole of our children, and your example will really inspire them! school singing and see them dancing, book for our school production of Send your photos and note on your achievements to: head@ “Ocean Commotion” at Sterts on stcleer.cornwall.sch.uk 21st June!

St Neot Primary School Poldark Mine Visit

owey Class (Y4, 5 and 6) from St Neot Primary School Frecently visited Poldark Mine.

The class is involved in a very exciting music project based around the history of Cornwall in conjunction with Nick Hart, Canoryon Lowen, The Cornwall Music Education Hub, The Arts Council and The Royal Cornwall Museum. This will culminate in collaborative concerts at Carnglaze Caverns and The Royal Cornwall Museum. 11| a place where... Trewidland School Are Tennis he most fun bit was learning how to play a rally in tennis. A rally of 6 was my highest Mad! Tscore during the lesson. his was my first ever time playing tennis, I liked By Margaret. learning a new sport. The coach was brilliant, Tteaching us a lot of different techniques in such a short time. Everyone improved during the lesson including myself.

By Milly.

Trewidland School - Class 1 receive a letter from Buckingham Palace

my and Margaret wrote to the Queen telling her all about our Summer topic which was A‘The two Queens’.

This is a photograph of them wearing the crowns they made, holding their pictures of the Queen.

...we learn together & hard work is rewarded |12 Year 7 Residential Experience October 2015 Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre

uring the week starting supplied and cooked by the camp the nerves, teamwork and problem Monday 12th October our staff, was wholesome and filling, solving of our pupils and terrified DYear 7 students travelled which considering the exertion certain un-named members of to Porthpean Outdoor Education involved in activities, proved to be staff! Centre, near St Austell to undertake welcome. their residential experience. They Our evening activities included enjoyed, or perhaps endured, With respect to activities, the six lots of near death experiences three days and two nights forging to seven mile Blackhead walk with students (and staff) willingly new friendships with their peers, proved to be tiring but rewarding throwing themselves off the Leap peer mentors, sixth formers and and provided fantastic views of of Faith, climbing to the top of tutor group leaders. St Austell Bay and opportunities overhanging walls, being led to complete artistic work. As in blindfold through the traumas of The weather this year was previous years the water sports the night line and exhausting their exceptional with crisp, clear session appeared to be the most brain power during the indoor mornings and beautiful, if somewhat popular and included canoes, sit problem solving session. chilly, sunny days. Temperatures on kayaks and numerous sightings descended at night and so students of the resident seal. Most of the To conclude, the experience were advised to wrap up warm in students were unable to remain appeared to be enjoyed by their sleeping bags. Unsurprisingly dry as both instructors and staff everyone and as an added extra therefore the night hours proved to encouraged them to ’’fall out’’ of the Porthpean Outdoor Education be uneventful and quiet. their water craft. The high ropes Centre staff were very impressed course, which included the Jacob’s by the behaviour and attitude of As in previous years, the food, Ladder and the Wobbly Pole tested all the students. Well done to all who participated!

13| a place where... Fun into Food iskeard School & Community College’s catering company LChartwells came up trumps again this year by staging yet another fabulous Fun into Food event! Under the watchful eye of a professional chef, the Green and Red Teams competed against each other to produce the tastiest, best presented plate of food in a “Ready, Set, Cook” style event.

The message throughout the fun and games was to educate students on healthy eating and understanding the main food groups.

First up, contestants were challenged to name each ingredient in their ‘blind box’ then pool ideas about which dish to create. As discussions took place, helpful members of the audience shouted out suggestions until the timer went off and the countdown had begun!

Contestants had less than ten minutes to cook and present their dish, with the audience deciding the winner. Two rounds of the competition took place with the Green Team winning to students in the winning teams - in Year 7 and Jacob Pengelly and both times. A big congratulations Libby Rouse and Owen Unsworth Ellie Chadwick in Year 8.

Rotary Club Sanderson and Jamie Shaftoe who received a great response from the spoke about endangered animals. judges and audience. Molly, Libby Youth Speaks and Melody then did it all again as Competition Both teams worked really hard, they got through to the next round iskeard School and prepared themselves well and being at Tavistock College. Community College entered Ltwo teams into the Liskeard and Looe Rotary Club ‘Youth Speaks’ competition held at St Cleer School. Students entered at the intermediate level which meant the main speaker had to speak for six minutes.

The first team to speak consisted of students Molly Burchell, Libby Rouse and Melody Rice. Their speech was on the topic of bullying. Next to present was Dana Hammond, Megan ...together we achieve more |14 Football County Champions! The first fifteen minutes were very n Friday 29th January Cornwall College to contest the even as each side attempted 2016 Liskeard School county final against Richard to gain a foothold in the match. OU16 Boys travelled to Lander School. As space appeared and both formations became more stretched, the deadlock was eventually broken with a cool and calculated side foot finish from Will Tucker. The boys then gained further control by scoring a sublime team goal involving a series of 1-2s starting from deep in their own half and being scored by Jones Lorenz.

Further goals from Tyler Welsh and a headed goal into the top corner by Sam Humagain left the goalkeeper stranded to complete a convincing 4-0 win.

15| @Liskeard_School www.liskeard.cornwall.sch.uk