Re o

THE KINGS OF WESSEX SCHOOL

A Church of England Foundation School Specialist Technology College

Issue no. 92 End of Summer Term – July 2010 The Kings’ Messenger

Operation Wallacea

Proving the adage, be careful what you wish for – because with some determination and over a year and a half’s fundraising, it may come true…Twenty-five Year 12 Biology students will soon be embarking on a trip of a lifetime to South Africa at the end of this term with Operation Wallacea.

The budding Biologists will be helping Scientists research the effects of fencing off large areas on Biodiversity and will be part of the on-going studies. It is the ultimate fieldwork to test their skills – and what an adventure!

Each student has raised £2,000 and taken part in many activities - including supermarket bag packing, a sponsored swim and cake- making to raise their staggering target over the past year, and they are all indebted to local businesses and Trusts for helping them make their dream a reality.

Thanks go to fellow Kings students for the proceeds from a non-uniform day; the School Governors for their donation; Kings staff for a Quiz Night and many local businesses in the community who have generously donated prizes. Local Trusts have also shown their support, not least The Cheddar Youth Trust and Axbridge Trust Fund, and Derwent Flooring. Lastly, the customers in coffee shop Starbucks in Wells have big-heartedly donated £1200 from loose change over the past 18 months and enjoyed freebie coffee.

But… before the students pack their safari suits, here they are now with a Big Thank You!

By Teachers of Biology, Mrs Hunter-Clarke (Chief Fundraiser) and Miss Jackson (Operation Wallacea Organiser) www.opwall.com Head’s-Up from Mr Richardson

Headteacher, The Kings of Wessex School

Dear Parents,

As this school year draws to a close, I am delighted to bring you this final Kings’ Messenger to catch-up on events this Summer Term at The Kings of Wessex School. You will be aware from my various communications – the headline news at the start of the term was the invitation from the Secretary of State for Education for Kings as an Outstanding School to become an Academy. Throughout the term, work has been on-going and I am delighted to report that we have just been informed that there has been agreement for Kings and two other Somerset Schools (Holyrood Community and Huish Episcopi) to convert to an Academy. I will, of course, keep you closely informed of progress - see our website. Following our Easter Revision programme – which, you will recall provided even more courses for students - this has been the peak exams season. As you would expect here at Kings, we have all been working hard with students to encourage them to achieve their very best. In this second year of our innovative one-to-one Assertive Mentoring Programme, all our Year 11 students worked closely with their designated Mentor to focus on areas where extra work was required to raise achievement. Whilst some students were on independent exam leave, others remained in school for an extra boost with their class teachers, with all students attending briefings before their exams, which I know they found beneficial for last minute reminders. At this point, I would like to thank our Exams Team, led by Assistant Headteacher Christian Hughes, for their exceptional administration. We all now look forward to the results in August. It is only proper after the students’ hard studying and exams-sitting that they had opportunity to celebrate. We held our Year 11 Celebration Assembly on Friday 22 June 2010 organised by Year 11 Leader Mr Green and team of enthusiastic students. The following Tuesday the year group donned their party frocks and DJ’s for their Prom at The Webbington Hotel in Loxton, with fascinating modes of transport – including a tractor, horse and cart, numerous stretch limos, sports cars, Inspector Morse Jaguar and would you believe it – a pizza delivery car! Meanwhile, the Year 13 leavers’ assembly was held in school on Friday 28 May 2010, and students later topped this at the end of their exams by dancing the night away at Weston-super-Mare’s Winter Gardens. I very much wish our students every continuing success in their Higher Education next steps – or whether opting for inter/national adventures in gap years or in employment. On this topic, our Year 10 students recently dipped their toes in the world of work for their Work Experience.

Placements were wide-ranging and exciting from reporters at the local newspapers, to the Police, and even a boutique in London. Meanwhile, our Year 9 students had a wide variety of experiences on their PSHE/Citizenship Day. Earlier in the term and as part of the General Election fever, we held our very own student election. Organised by our Christian Leader Jo Slade, student representatives of the main Political Parties canvassed in assemblies before there was a day of voting in a school election. Local Cheddar Valley Parliamentary candidates were then invited into school during the election week to make their pitch and answer questions. As the educational cycle moves on, we look forward to welcoming our new Year 9 students in September. Transfer arrangements are in full flow and we had an enjoyable Transfer Day for our new students on Tuesday 6 July 2010. I also thank those parents who attended the information evening at the end of May and who will also be meeting their child’s Tutor at the time of writing. This year’s new Sixth Form Induction Day held on Tuesday 29 June 2010 was attended by over 180 students. I know they enjoyed their first taste of the Sixth Form in introductory lessons and other activities – and not least not wearing school uniform! Back to business after study leave, our Year 12’s returned to school study on Wednesday 30 June 2010 to embark on their A2 Level classes. Following its launch success last year, we are introducing the Extended Project Qualification, which equates to extra UCAS points, and facilitates independent learning in our young people who work on a one-to- one basis with a staff Supervisor. I thank formally my Assistant Headteacher (Head of Sixth Form) Miss Sally Bishop for her contribution to Kings over the past five years and wish her well as she moves to Yorkshire. Year Leader Mr Green will be stepping into her shoes and I know will be a dynamic successor in leading our Sixth Form. In turn, Teacher of History and Sociology Mrs Read succeeds Mr Green as Year 9 Leader and is already working to ensure a smooth transfer. Once again, staff have been leading a number of enrichment activities including our Sports Leaders organising various sports festivals for our Cheddar Valley First and Middle Schools; Duke of Edinburgh expeditions; Design Technology trip to Alton Towers; whilst our Mathematicians journeyed to the Eden Project in Cornwall. I was fortunate to participate on the Year 9 History Department trip to the World War I Battlefields in France and was greatly impressed by our students who embraced this experience with maturity and curiosity worthy of their young years. I am grateful to our staff for enthusiastically inspiring a love of learning in our students, which enhances their confidence and school experience at Kings.

I was moved by the visiting Interactive Prayer 2010 Return to School Dates: Space in school for one week in June. Provided by We return for the new school year as follows: Orison and organised with Christian Leader Jo Slade, the space was open to all with meaningful areas for Years 9, 10 and 12 students reflection about God and prayer. I hope our Years 9 From Thursday 2 September 2010 and 10 R.E. students and also visiting children from Cheddar and Mark First Schools enjoyed their And Years 11 and 13 students dedicated sessions. We continue to be supported by our partners. Join us all from I formally thank Mendip Rotary for working with us Friday 3 September 2010 again this year, providing challenges for our students in Business Studies Big Pitch, and Young Speaker and Writer competitions. THANK YOU TO On a stylish note, I must delight with those of you who joined us at this year’s ‘A’ Level Art and Parents Teacher Association (PTA) Fashion Show exhibition of Artwork, Photography Thank you to our PTA for their marvellous momentum and Textiles - with the GCSE Show hot on the heels the following week. The standard of work was again this year in raising money from your donations to wonderful, and I thank Subject Leader Mrs Downer the Enrichment Fund, providing refreshments and raffles and her Art Team for encouraging our students to at school events and also reclaimed Gift Aid Tax. Their develop their ideas into such a stunning showcase. work greatly complements the work of our school.

Recently, we also enjoyed the Design and Please do support them if you can at the October AGM: Technology Week preparing our designers for the future - complete with an impressive exhibition, Tuesday 5 October 2010 at 7.30pm exciting activities, trips and competitions. Thank you in the Learning Resources Centre to DT Enrichment Leader Miss Chapman. Still in creative mode, our Year 9 Thespians PTA AGM brought some amusement to school with their Everyone welcome! performance of Sue Townsend 1980’s favourite “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾”. Well done to Hannah Shaw for her expert directing of the tortured teenager and associates. You can read a review later in this newsletter. And our BTEC Performing Arts students also put on a good show of song and dance showcasing their work from the school year. The sunny weather has been ideal for our young athletes for our annual Sports Day, Tennis Tournament and Swimming Gala. At the time of writing both our Years 9 and 10 Boys’ Cricket Team are just through to the Final of the Somerset County Cup... But alas, due to poor weather this has been postponed to September, So, we will have to wait with baited breath for a little longer! So – what else can we possibly fit in before the end of term? Well, of course, there’s our whole school Contents Page

Achievement Assembly on the last day of term. Do Operation Wallacea 1 read the Roll of Honour shortly... Head’s Up 2-4 On the topic of awards, our thoughts turn to PTA Thank You 4 the Annual Awards evening on Thursday 16 Attendance 5 September 2010. I hope that you will be able to join Roll of Honour 5-7 Hearing Support Teenager Day 8 us for this evening of celebration when Professor School Uniform 8 Peter Hennessey, Attlee Professor of Contemporary History Battlefields Trip 9-10 British History at Queen Mary University of London Design Technology Week 11 will be our special guest to present the awards. Mathematical Musings 11 Scientific Adventures in the Lab 12 Finally, and very importantly, I would like to The Kings’ Art 13 thank you all for your continued support, and wish “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾” 14-15 you and your family a happy summer holidays. “Pride and Prejudice” – next production 15 English Exploits 16-17 Yours sincerely, Sherlock with a Swagger 17 Cheddar Arts 17 Au Revoir et Bonne Chance! 18-19 Learning Resource Centre News 19 Sixth Form Teaching and Learning Conference 19 Year 9 PSHE/Citizenship Conference 20 Christian Leader Reflections 21 CHRIS RICHARDSON Kings and Queens’ Sports Scores 22-23 Headteacher Hello from the Senior Team 24

End of Summer Term Roll of Honour Special Achievement Awards: As the school year draws to a close, I would like to congratulate all our students for their trying their best and their contribution to school life.

Laura Baker 10AT PLATINUM (50 merits) BRONZE (5 merits) Samuel Bath 10AT Laura Ainsworth 9ERE Emily Bear 10AH Alexina Colwill 10AT Rosie Allen 9VW Myles Booker 10AT Heather Cooke 10AT Benjamin Byrom 9EM James Brannigan 10AT Daniel Garrett 10AT Mary Cornick 9VW Frederick Briance 10AT Lucinda Inman 10AT Robert Cornish 9RMH Nicholas Buhagiar 10AH Christopher Edwards 9LD Tristan Cakebread 10AH GOLD (25 merits) Agnes Emeney 9RMH Rebecca Charles 10AT Gary Abbott 9TP Rosie Freemantle 9TP Jasmine Coulthard 10AT Jessica Abbott 9LD Chloe Glover 9VW Angus Cumberlidge 10AT Briony Allen 9LD Eve Hayzer 9RMH Luke Cutter 10AH Liberty Apted 9TP Harrison Laurie 9MG Ross Dickinson 10AT Hollanda Babbington 9LD Liberty Mewes 9TCO Molly Efford 10AT Emily Bancroft 9TCO Georgia Moore 9VW Ryan Gourlay 10AT Lawrence Batt 9ERE Lucinda Morgan-Evans 9RMH Emily Harris 10AT Rose Best 9LD Sidney Morris 9MG Lucinda Inman 10AT Laura Botsford 9JG William Nash 9VW Alexander John 10AT Robert Bridgwater 9TCO Thomas Newton 9EM Danielle Lloyd 10AT Jasmine Brown 9RMH Ellie Peverall 9VW Georgia Grace Ludlow 10AT Eleanor Bryant 9TP Sarah Phillips 9TCO Greg McGowan 10AT Lewis Bull 9TP Sydney Rawlings 9LD Brandon Lee McGuchan 10AT Bethan Bullock 9AST Veronica Schroeder 9ERE Samuel Minahan-Kemp 10AS Jennifer Cox 9LD Jack Smale 9TCO Amy Paphitis 10AS Thomas Day 9JG Lucy Stone 9VW Jack Paphitis 10AT Jake Fear 9VW Thomas Tucker 9TCO Dudley Patience 10AH Scott Franklin 9RMH Elizabeth Wootton 9TCO Matilda Paul 10AS Jemma Hazell 9TCO Sophie Pettler 10AT James Henry 9MG Stephen Pinn 10AS Zoe Karanicola 9JG STUDENT ATTENDANCE

Lauren Reason 10AT William Marshall 9AST Recent evidence shows an interesting correlation Rebecca Rowntree 10AS Emma Moore 9MG between attendance and achievement. Jack Trist 10AS Robyn McGibbon 9MG Students with attendance of below 90% generally drop Luke Warboys 10AT Joseph Newton 9VW one grade across the board at GCSE. Cara Williams 10AT Ellen Owen 9MG Whilst for students with attendance of below 80% only Frances Palmer 9JG have a 36% chance of achieving SILVER (15 merits) Kirsty Parsons 9TCO five Grades A-C at GCSE. Megan Callanan 9TP Penelope Patience 9MG Jake Cunningham 9MG Ryan Phillips 9TP Students can easily drop down to 95% attendance with Noah Gaudoin 9JG Benjamin Rogers 9LD a few days off for illness so it is really important that we Sophie Jenkins 9TP Jessica Rogers 9JG continue to strive to minimise disruption to young people’s attendance at school. Charlotte Maynard 9JG Kate Ross 9AST Kirsty Sheldon 9LD Isla Scott 9EM Thank you for your co-operation in not taking holidays Mia Taylor 9LD Gemma Shaw 9TCO during term time and for your continued support.

Emma Tucker 9EM Michael Shaw 9TCO A REMINDER OF OUR ABSENCE LINE Rebecca Tugwell 9EM Elizabeth Soffe 9TP Abigail Watson 9VW Kes Svensson 9VW Thank you for alerting us immediately when your child Samuel Talbot 9EM cannot attend school.

Naomi Truscott 9MG Call the Attendance Secretary on 01934 745304 OR Mark Turner 9VW email: [email protected] Samuel Wall 9TCO before 9.30AM on EACH day of absence. Rebecca Wright 9RMH Cory Zanelli 9TCO Please have the following information to hand as you Anna Hawkes 10AH will be asked to provide some, or all of it, when you call: Isaac Taschimowitz 10AS George Tyson 10AT  Student Name  Student Tutor Group  Symptoms  Have you made a doctor’s appointment?  Homework/coursework/examination preparation that may be missed.  If attendance is below 90%, when would it be convenient for the Education Attendance Officer to visit?

School Colours: celebrating students for contribution to extra curricular activities

Drama Athletics Environmentalist Lucy Kitching Oliver Laurie Laura Ainsworth 9ERE Holly Babbington 9LD Matthew Lomax 10ML Liam Lennox Nathan Biggadike 9TP Rebecca Donald 9VW James Peebles-Brown 10KL James Lindsay Jamie Strawbridge 10KL Rachel Champion 9RMH Ryan Phillips 9TP Danielle Lloyd Hal Davidson 9JG George Phillips 10ML Isaac Taschimowitz 10AS Lucy Locke Agnes Emeney 9RMH Lucinda Simeone 10FH Equestrian Kathryn Manners Sunny Fan 9JG Badminton Beth Aston 9AST Joanna Martin Caitlin Flood 9VW Georgina Mason William Jonas 9EM Rosie Allen 9VW Outstanding Sports Melissa McConville Liberty Mewes 9TCO Ben Attwood 9LD Leaders Callum McKenzie

Frances Palmer 9JG Alice Bennett 9VW Zoe Meldon Victoria Priddice 9EM Hal Davidson 9JG Joel Butcher 10ML James Chinnock 10SS Rachael Moger Harley Ribi 9MG Rhys Ford 9ERE Isabelle Moore Jamie Ross 9MG Mollie Harvey 9EM Alex Paphitis 10AH Liam Morris Laura Sandford-Hughes 9TCO Jack Hugh 9ERE Sports Leaders Amy Moss Isla Scott 9EM Joseph Newton 9VW Lily Astill Harry Munt Jessica Shiner 9TP Frances Palmer 9JG Suzanne Niccolls Beth Smith 9AST James Reading 9MG James Bamber Samuel Bates Rosie Painter Elizabeth Soffe 9TP Megan Settle 9JG Alex Paphitis Chloe Spencer-Freitas 9TP Kes Svenson 9VW Emily Bear Caitlin Bevan Amy Paphitis Emma Tucker 9EM Paris Ward 9MG Laura Paterson Gregory Tyrrell 9AST Daniel Yates 9MG Lucy Bladon Myles Booker Matilda Paul Louis Underhill 9MG James Chinnock 10SS Charlotte Peto Clara Wardman-Nicholls 9EM Samuel Denham 10SS Elizabeth Bradley Jenny Bridgwater Sophie Pettler Emily Weigold 9JG Edward Farmer 10FH Emily Pilgrim Isobel Bright Daniel Yates 9MG Annie Pinnington Aidan Young 9AST Cricket Lily Brunsdon Annie Pollock Emily Burland William Astill 9LD Music Jessica Burrough Lauren Thomas Fraser Craig 9TP Isabel Burt Lucy Ratcliffe Chloe Glover 9VW Rhys Ford 9ERE Joel Butcher Lauren Reason Lucy Stone 9VW Jakob Gale 9JG Ashleigh Chapman Katie Richards Lorna Mortimer 10LDA Joshua Gourlay 9LD Rebecca Charles Bryony Robinson Youcef Kouidri 9TCO Eleanor Chick Maya Robinson Librarian Jack Luff 9RMH Charlotte Rogers James Chinnock Simon Nothard 9EM Chelsie Bailey 9AST Iona Coleman Alex Rossiter Samuel Bath 10AT Heather Cooke Maya Sandy Environmentalist Jonathan Bolland 10LDA Lucinda Simeone Ashlea Curley Zach Gittings 10CC Matthew Lomax 10ML Andrew Davidson Amber Simpson Samuel Hill 10CC James Peebles Brown 10KL Abigail Day Ben Skinner Dudley Patience 10AH Jamie Strawbridge 10KL Samuel Denham Maddison Spinks Finlay Travis 10AH Isaac Taschimowitz 10AS Josephine Douglas Tiffany Stephens Rounders Molly Efford Isaac Taschimowitz

Basketball Jamie Emery Naomi Taylor Rosie Allen 9VW Hayley Thorne Ben Byrom 9EM Holly Babbington 9LD Olivia Evans Emily Thorowgood Joshua Gourlay 9LD Gabrielle Blair 9ERE Edward Farmer Eppie Tippets Matthew Connick 10CC Bethan Bullock 9AST Ellen Farrell Finlay Travis Anthony Georgiou 10DPW Rosie Freemantle 9TP Lauren Faulkner Jack Trist Ryan Gourlay 10AT Rebecca Grantham 9LD Lucy Fear Sarah Tsoi Jack Roberts 10LDA Elizabeth Wootton 9TCO Ben Fowler Jessica Walker Anna Spanring 12SJ Becky Charles 10AT Hamish Gilpin Rachel Wilson Guy Gough Lucy Locke 10FH Design Technology Joanna Martin 10DPW Danielle Harris Weather permitting , Activities Annie Pinnington 10FH Emily Harris we will be holding Lucinda Simeone 10FH Anna Hawkes our End of Term Luke Cutter 10AH Kirstie Hill Lucy Woodman 10LDA Achievement Angus Cumberlidge 10AT Adam Hobbs Assembly outside Ellen Farrell 10ML Sailing Callum Hobbs at the front of Luke Kerton 10FH Megan Settle 9JG Lauren Hogarth school. Edward Lupton 10CC Harry Wivell 9AST Caitlin Horsnett-Bowley Christopher Chatterton 10FH Alexander Jones This is a lovely Angus Cumberlidge 10AT Ella Jones way to end the Rachel Kidner school year! Martha Settle 10LJ

Enrichments Subjects: celebrating students for contribution to the enrichment subjects

English Design Technology Daniel Mehlig 10CC

Lorna Mortimer 10LDA Samuel Hanlon 10FH Daniel Alden 10LJ Suzanne Niccolls 10LDA Jack Landers 10FH Fay Arnison 10ML Connor Banks 10LJ Joshua Page 10AH Science Gemma Barwell 10AS Laura Paterson 10KL Lucy Bladon 10AH James Peebles-Brown 10KL Brinna Barlow 12SJ Charlotte Peto 10AH Oliver Crandon 12AJ Henry Blair 10SS Jackson Buller 10SS Stephen Pinn 10AS Olivia Owen 12SJ Lucy Ratcliffe 10LDA Harry Cardno 10SS ICT Christopher Chatterton 10FH Jack Roberts 10LDA Matthew Connick 10CC Maya Robinson 10SS Simon Addicott 12JR Samuel Denham 10SS Amy Searle 10LJ Ciaran Worcester 12SK Martha Settle 10LJ Ross Dickinson 10AT Maths Megan Drinkwater 10CC Rory Smith 10CC Jamie Emery 10AH Bryony Stevens-Young 10LDA Jasmine Coulthard 10AT Edward Farmer 10FH Steven Tanner 10LDA Samantha Hunter 10LJ Ellen Farrell 10ML Isaac Taschimowitz 10AS Emily Thorowgood 10LDA Business Studies – Big Pitch Eve Heaslip 10SS Samantha Hunter 10LJ Oliver Tinknell 10CC Winning Company – “Top Tags” Katie Walker 10KL Luke Kerton 10FH Daniel Weare 10DPW Chelsie Bailey 9AST Hannah Leiper 10DPW

Danielle Lloyd 10AT Rosie Best 9LD Eleanor Kraeter 9MG Joanna Martin 10DPW Jessica Knapp 9AST Greg McGowan 10AT

Subject Awards: celebrating students for their achievements in their academic subjects.

Subjects Year 9 Year 10 Year 12 English Alastair Bartlett 9TP Lily Brunsdon 10ML Lit - Emma Hanlon 12EC Lang - Joe Perry 12SK

Maths Matthew Seabourne 9VW Sarah Tsoi 10CC Georgia Kevill 12SK Product Design Verity Boyd 9TCO Jasmine Lock 10SS Edward Plaister 12EC Food Technology William Nash 9VW Lucy Kitching 10LJ Hannah Wilson 12EC Child Development - Jodie Ellis 10ML - ICT Harley Ribi 9MG Rebecca Rowntree 10AS Andy Austin 12EC Biology Sean Zamick 9VW Dan Scholes 10FH Victoria Ferguson 12SJ Chemistry Abbey Stock 9EM Jack Paphitis 10AT Ben Davidson 12EC Physics Tim Lucas 9EM Joshua Page 10AH Brent Stewart 12SJ Psychology - - Hannah McGowan 12JWN Law - - Laurie Olive 12SK Sociology - - Paul Jarvis 12JR Business Studies - Jackson Buller 10SS Abbie Sweeting 12JWN Geography Tom Newton 9EM William Davis 10AS Jamie Moore 12CW History Jenny Wilson 9ERE Bryony Stevens-Young 10LDA Ben Davidson 12EC R.E. Kate Ross 9AST Kirstie Hill -10CC Alex Hicks 12SK Critical Thinking - Joe Perry 12SK French Holly Babbington 9LD Joel Butcher 10ML Eleanor Rowntree 12JWN German Mollie Harvey 9EM Jake Alen 10ML Bethany Robinson 12SJ

Art Liberty Apted 9TP Alexandria Paphitis 10AH Anna Spanring 12SJ Photography - Josephine Douglas 10AH Charlotte Hodges 12SJ Textiles - Lily Brunsdon 10ML Brinna Barlow 12SJ Drama Jessica Shiner 9TP Elizabeth Bradley 10LDA Ben Redmond 12AJ Music Isla Scott 9EM Lucy Locke 10FH Katie Attwood 12AJ P.E. Robyn McGibbon 9MG Alexina Colwill 10AT James Ford 12JWN PSHE/Citizenship Joe Drake-Brockman 9LD Benjamin Lancaster 10ML - Learning Support Gregory Tyrrell 9AST Iona Coleman 10DPW -

Somerset Hearing Support Team Teenagers’ Day

On Friday 2 July 2010, we hosted the first Somerset Hearing Support Team’s Teenagers’ Day when 22 deaf young people and their friends came to Cheddar from places as far away as Yeovil, Wiveliscombe and Puriton, for a day based on the theme of Healthy Minds.

During the lunch break there were lots of ‘freebies’ from hearing aid manufacturers and opportunity to meet with the Audiologist and even have new ear moulds made. Everyone went home with a smile on their face, having had a great day making new friends and trying out lots of new things. And, there have been plenty of requests made for another Day, next year!

By Wendy Booth-Boyd, Teacher of the Deaf

September 2010 School Uniform Policy Girls’ Skirts

Workshops and activities on Team Building, Archery, At Kings we are very proud of our Art, Drumming and even a Body Shop demo were school uniform and students are packed into the day. Some students even brought along asked to maintain a professional their parents who also enjoyed a varied programme, appearance throughout the school including IT sessions on the HST Post-16 pack for deaf day and on their journey to and students, a Technical advice Q&A session, a presentation from school. from the NDCS and a Stress Management and We are grateful to those parents Relaxation session. who have already supported our request for skirts to be worn at a more appropriate length...

For the sake of clarity, from September 2010 skirts should be plain black and of tailored material (pleats are acceptable, but are not a requirement). The accepted minimum length is 20inches/60cm in length or no higher than 2inches/5cm above the knee in length, whichever is the more demure.

Lycra or tight pencil skirts are not permitted. Parents should be mindful when purchasing skirts that some styles tend to ‘ride up’ which is inappropriate.

Deane & Sons in Cheddar stock suitable skirts from It was a great way for deaf young people from such a £12.50. rural county to meet their peers in a relaxed and supportive environment. Many of the students had not We would be very grateful if parents would ensure met other deaf young people before. There were they rectify any skirts that do not meet our uniform opportunities to work together and times to develop individual skills. policy during the Summer Holidays.

The art workshop gave them all the opportunity to express how they feel about themselves and their Thank you in anticipation of your support in deafness. maintaining our high standards.

History Battlefields Trip

On Tuesday 8 to Thursday 10 June 2010 23 Year 9’s, five Years 10’s and 11 Year 8 Hugh Sexey History students, went on a trip to France and Belgium to see the World War I Battlefields.

On the first day we took the ferry from Dover to Calais, and drove up to Ypres to the Hotel Munchenhof where we would stay for the entirety of our trip. That evening we went for a walk and tour of Langemark, a German cemetery. At Langemark we saw row upon row of grey plaques laid on the ground. There were also four statues watching over the graves, these are known the “watchers”.

On the second day we visited Arras and the Carriere Wellington Museum, which gives public access to the underground city where soldiers lived during World War I. It is actually a limestone quarry that was converted into living quarters by the New Zealanders. Approximately 25,000 soldiers waited here before the battle of Arras.

Next we visited Vimy Ridge, which were trenches and tunnels dug by the Canadians and a Canadian memorial built to commemorate all the Canadian soldiers that died in the battle of Vimy Ridge 1917. We went down into the tunnels and our tour guide turned the lights off and told us to sit on the floor. She explained that in these dark, damp and cramped conditions was how the soldiers had to wait before the attack.

Later that evening we visited Menin Gate to watch the last post ceremony. Before the ceremony started we looked at all the names on the memorial and some people tried to find members of their family. We then watched the last post ceremony that has happened every night since 1928 to commemorate the fallen.

On our third and final day the first place we visited was Tyne Cot cemetery. Tyne Cot is the biggest British war grave cemetery in the world. At Tyne Cot there is also a memorial to this missing with 33,783 British names, and 1,176 New Zealander names, of those who were never found. It contrasts greatly with the German cemetery we saw. Tyne Cot has rows and rows of bright white headstones and bright planted flowers, where as Langemark has rows of dark plaques with no flowers.

Next we went to Sanctuary Wood Museum set up by a farmer whose land was disrupted by trenches. After the Notice for Year 10 History students: war he decided to leave the trenches as they were and started collecting artefacts to create a museum. This was Alteration to History GCSE Exam Dates our favourite and most memorable part of the trip, as we The History Department has made an alteration to the got to experience real trenches and tunnels as they were GCSE exam entries. Current Year 10 History students will during World War I. not be entered for their first GCSE exam in January 2011.

Our final visit was to a site where the British had dug Instead, students will sit both papers (Paper 1 on tunnels under the German trenches and planted tons of International Relations & Germany) and Paper 2 explosives. The crater that is left today gives you an idea of (Britain 1900-1918) in June 2011. how big the explosion must have been. Letters have gone home to parents explaining this Altogether it was a very enjoyable educational trip and we alteration; but, if you have any further questions regarding would highly recommend it to anyone. this change, please do not hesitate to contact your teacher. Report by Emma Tucker and Katherine Esmonde 9EM By Miss Preece, Subject Leader for History

The History Trip to the First World War Battlefields - Ypres & Arras (June 2010)

Scientific Adventures in the Lab

Earlier this Summer Term all our Year 13 Biologists spent the day at Explore @Bristol undertaking an exciting ‘Question of Taste’ workshop. Using DNA extraction, PCR and gel electrophoresis, students investigated their own DNA to discover if they possess the bitter taste gene.

Students then had the opportunity to discuss the social and moral implications surrounding these genetic technologies.

More recently, all Year 12 students attended a workshop day at Bristol Zoological Gardens. They undertook various activities to further enrich the Biodiversity and Conservation section of the syllabus.

The informative, interactive lecture by Zoo staff and the wonderful range of exhibits enabled students to fully grasp the impact human activity is having on the Earth’s resources and importance of species conservation.

The Science Department recently welcomed Year 7 students from Fairlands and Hugh Sexey Middle Schools for this year’s Master Classes. The young Gifted and Talented Scientists spend the day with us for new and exciting learning experiences.

The boys were Biologists for the day with Ms Meldon and Mrs Hunter- Clarke and enjoyed exploring DNA, Enzymes and Animal Movements; whilst the girls were Physicists with Mr Friend and learned about air pressure, static electricity and centre of mass.

Here are a few of their discoveries:

“I learned that Physics can be really fun and that pressure is really powerful”.

“I learned about air pressure, like when you stab a potato with a straw, it’s best to put your thumb on the end”.

“That lactose broken down produces Glucose and Galactose. That maggots like dark damp conditions and that I can extract my own DNA and see it!”

“How cats cannot digest lactose, so you have to break it down for them.”

“I enjoyed shooting the rockets at the end of the session!”

By Ms L Meldon, Science Enrichment Leader Students were then free to explore the rides, for a few hours, before returning home. A great day was had by all and there are plans to repeat the trip next year. Design and On Friday we were very grateful to welcome Neil MacKinnon (Teacher of Food Technology Mrs MacKinnon’s husband) to come in and work all day with Years 9 and 10 students. Technology Neil works for a company which specialise in outdoor street furniture. See www.Broxap.com for more details.

Technology Week Students were set the task of designing a new commercially viable planter. Neil judged the designs and picked out the best Monday 21 to Friday 25 June 2010 ideas and found a good range of designs and concepts. Students

As part of a national event, schools are also learned about marketing and how a company promotes encouraged to promote Technology in their school by itself. providing students with a variety of educational and fun As you can see it was a very busy week of design and activities. This is where Technology Week begins... technology, which our Years 9 and 10 enjoyed.

We thank all the guest speakers and staff who helped out during the week!

Designed by Design Technology Enrichment Leader Miss Chapman

A Summer of Fun in Maths! By Maths Enrichment Leader Mr Powell

The highlight of the term in Maths was the annual trip to the Eden Project for Year 9 students.

The Maths Department take a group of students down to Cornwall to do a range of Mathematics to extend their classroom work and allow them to see how Mathematics is used in the outside world. The three main themes are: using trigonometry to survey structures and landscapes; using some ‘A’ Level Mechanics Theory to understand the impact of work and diet on Third World Communities and using statistics to study biodiversity and plant adaptation in different environments. It is a long day and a lot of Mathematics, but the students always enjoy the visit.

To launch the week on Monday, Year 9 students listened to a Year 7 Master Class: We will shortly have an opportunity design talk delivered by our guest speaker Graeme Paterson to win the mathematical hearts of our future students when from “Brightworks” (in the above photo)- a local product design some Year 7s visit us for a Maths Master Classes. Miss Ward company based in Cheddar. See www.brightworks.co.uk for will be using a box of Quality Streets to explore an exciting more information. range of Mathematical calculations. Chocolates and After lunch, Graeme worked with Year 10 classes, Maths...it should be fun! demonstrating his design skills. Students were given the opportunity to work with marker pen media to produce STEP: Two of our students are trying to win places to read professional looking sketches. All students were very impressed Mathematics at the University of Warwick. This requires a with their newly acquired skills and couldn’t wait to begin special entrance exam called STEP. We have been helping designing! prepare them since the autumn and the extra lunchtime On Tuesday and Thursday four Year 9 classes ventured out into activities continued through to June. They have now taken the school grounds for a treasure hunt. All of the groups the paper (it was hard!) and now we must wait for the managed to finish in the hour and one group completed the results. hunt in a record time of 32 minutes! Well done to Lewis Personal Finance: For the Morgan’s group. first time this year we ran a

Personal Finance Activity for On Wednesday, 45 Year 10 Year 9 Mathematicians in Product Design students went to their lessons. Alton Towers. After the coach journey to Stafford, the first This provided an opportunity event was a DT workshop, held for students to practice in the education centre. The 45 important Mathematics, like minute talk involved percentages in undeniably information on how the rides relevant contexts. Learning were designed and marketed and what was involved when how to manage savings, credit planning a new ride. cards, rent and insurance is vital for modern life.

The Summer Show - This year the ‘A’ Level Summer Show was bigger and even more spectacular. Photography commandeered the entire Gym, whilst Fine Art and Textiles displayed their work in the Art Block creating a fantastic atmosphere where guests could enjoy mingling outside enjoying the wonderful weather.

The work produced across the Art and Design spectrum was outstanding, demonstrating the students’ creative ability - from A2 Level work produced by Matthew Martin and Samantha Davies in Photography, paintings and installations by Isabella Podpadec and Sophie Ralph and exquisite textile work from Amy Dickson and Madeleine Wrench.

The show itself was attended by over 200 people - the most successful so far. Thank you to all our students, designers, models, staff and supporters.

Isabella Podpadec Samantha Davies ‘A’ Level Photography group piece The GCSE Art Exhibition After years of putting the GCSE Art work for marking purposes and feeling what a shame that no-one except us ever saw it, we decided to put on GCSE Art exhibition and we have a fantastic response! Even the students were amazed at the quantity and quality of work produced.

With over one hundred supporters the students of GCSE Fine Art, Textiles and Photography can be very proud of themselves

Farewells We would like to say a fond farewell to some of our Art Department staff who are leaving to pursue exciting new positions or experiences. Thank you to Mrs Amy Downer (Subject Leader of Art), Mrs Christina White (Teacher of Art and Photography), Ms Rebecca Plas (Teacher of Art), and Ms Lucy Buxton (Teacher of Art and Textiles) for all their enthusiasm and work with our young artists. The Year 9 Play - “The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13¾”

In today’s Will Jonas charmingly captures our tortured global teenage hero in tank top and braces, with his hair technological parted to one side. Earnest and naïve (he is age of unsure why Pandora is known as “Box”); and blogging, recites his diary entries to the audience like an texting and unsophisticated stand-up comedian with email, you perfectly timed deadpan delivery. This takes might think, some doing, and the audience quickly warmed to secret diaries his mischievous eye contact with us. confined to

dusty tomes are Get ready for more laughter. To the delight of the a thing of the audience, freshly enlightened about the facts of past... life, and armed with a tape measure, aspiring But this year’s Adrian is about to measure his teenage boy play “The Secret unmentionable in the front room...But love is in Diary of Adrian the air, and we relish Adrian’s wooing phrases Mole aged 13¾” about Pandora, played by Rachel Champion with performed by just the right amount of primness and playfulness our Year 9 students was a retro theatrical treat. – as Adrian describes her hair “like syrup”, and

The cast – all born before Adrian’s first thinks French kissing is something to do with his appearance in Sue Townsend’s popular book and GCSE studies. television series launched in the 1980’s – clearly enjoyed themselves in this stage dramatisation. Cue the adults... But aren’t they supposed to know it all and be an example to the children...? There is Opening to Duran Duran’s “Hungry like the always something funny about youngsters Wolf” the play begins with a party. Now, playing the adults and the cast played their parts teenagers like parties - although the adults seem with aplomb. to be having most of the fun. Enter Adrian Mole...

This was particularly the case with the But they don’t all improve with keeping. Adrian dysfunctional adult couples at large. You could adopts OAP protégée Bert Baxter, grumpily and almost feel yourself squirming as if it were your slobbishly well played by Vicky Priddice with own parents making an embarrassing mess. faux false teeth. At 89 Adrian assumes Bert “will Whilst Adrian and Pandora in idyllic first love – not be around for long”. enjoying emotional moments behind the tool shed - show us how it should be done. In contrast, Enacted on two levels for different locations, the Emma Tucker comically played strident and no group scenes were lively and a cunning contrast nonsense Mrs Lucas – talking of murder plans for to Adrian’s solitary musing moments. At the her straying husband in the opening scene, disco, Nigel played by Louis Underhill - the although eventually finds love with her own unlikely heartthrob – is a cool and comical fairer sex. antidote to straight-laced Adrian in his stripy t- shirt with safety pins. Until he tries to pierces his Jess Shiner, brilliantly cast as Adrian’s mother own ear. Not so cool then. Ouch! Pauline, slips into character in her tryst with would-be Casanova Dan Yates’ Mr Lucas to the This was endearing and enjoyable entertainment. amusement of the audience. Flattered by his It made me laugh. Out loud. And there’s nothing amorous attentions – and note the funny cold- secret about that. By the end of the play we were sick-bed-seduction-scene, she tells her hapless willing Adrian to succeed in his intellectual husband George, played by Nathan Biggadike, to aspirations, poetry writing and wishing with him “stick Vicks up your nose and shut up”. Her that George Elliott and the BBC would reply to his letters. assertive training brings some enlightening 1980’s feminism to the Mole household - and laughs for Well done to our Year 12 Theatre Studies student the audience. and aspiring actress Hannah Shaw for her

Cuckolded husband George can only dream of a accomplished directing in balancing Adrian’s tasty dinner followed by love. Ultimately this trying teenager years with lingering laughter. leads to the Female Eunuch reader Mrs Mole’s Thank you also to the backstage crew (Chelsie passionate “I’m in love with another man” scene Bayley, Rosie Best and Kayleigh-Jade West) for their competent co-ordination. and swift departure to the bright lights of Sheffield with lover Mr Lucas. If the play began with a party, it ends in an old

With perhaps the exception of ditsy Doreen – Mr people’s home with Adrian and Pandora visiting Mole’s bit on the side – and amusingly cast by Bert Baxter armed with a tribute Bert poem. Agnes Emeney, the females in the story are strong Maybe it shows Adrian has grown up, with Bert and Adrian a sort of family to each other. characters. Gutsy Grandma Mole, played by Emily Weigold - complete with old lady wig and And maybe that letter from the BBC might just be high standards - is shocked at her daughter-in- on its way... law “living in sin” (sign of the 1980’s time). She speedily sorts out bereft Adrian, his father and A Review written in her secret diary their life size dog (Greg Tyrell), pays the electricity bill and even puts bully Barry Kemp in by Jude Owens (Head’s PA) his place - played menacingly by Beth Smith.

Introducing the Upper School Production for 2011...

Pride and Prejudice

Performance dates:

Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 January 2011

Auditions: Year 11: Monday 6 September 2010 Sixth Form: Wednesday 8 September 2010

Call Backs: Thursday 9 September 2010

The script is now available to read on the KLP Drama pages!

English Exploits By English Enrichment Leader Ms Cottell

Rotary Young Writers Announced... Thursday 8 July 2010 saw the announcement of the Junior and Senior Mendip Rotary Young Writers 2010 at a presentation held at the Bath Arms Hotel in Cheddar.

The closely-run competition also celebrated the achievements of the runners-up with the entries judged by a panel, including local children’s author Sue Purkiss, a Rotarian judge and a local bookshop owner.

The competition began in March when entrants had to produce an original piece of poetry or prose around the theme of ‘Environment’, which is this year’s Rotary and press down upon the landscape; they rise and fall, twist Club’s motto. The Senior Category was won by Year 12 and change and all the while corrupted by the geometric student, Emma Hanlon, narrowly pushing Year 13 brand of the hedgerows; singeing the mountainscape; doling student Henry McGinty into second place. The Junior Category was won by Year 10 student Samuel Palmer them out into round objects of man; our only legacy upon with joint Year 10 runners-up, Jack Landers and Jamie nature. One sees this as a portrait which to mould; twist Strawbridge. into that which suits their run. Their race in this lifestyle Well done everyone for a wonderful writing adventure! in which the Joneses are the measure, this green, Ms E Cottell, Enrichment Leader for English transformed to new green; that of paper. Rats are their And now, here are some extracts from the models, and who can ask for reasons from a racer?

Winners and Runners-Up for you to Junior Winner - Samuel Palmer relish... A Caribbean moon, massive, shining, silver light bathing Senior Winner - Emma Hanlon the lovers lying below. About them grew wild flowers, tall I was enclosed in the flaming monument which was the trees, beautiful and ghostly in the moonlight. Frangipani, present. The endless expanse of sky above me, flamboyant the smell sweet, overpowering, the flowers pink and red and in its royal blue, was supported by columns of golden fire white. A grove of perfect natural beauty. The smell of the which danced with the wind in soft and nimble flowers on the girl, giggling as his hand ran down her back, movements. Emerging stars above hung together; a the distant thump and rush of waves on a beach. She rolled chandelier passively watching the dance floor and the away from him, laughing as his arms reached for her, her silver veil of smoke glowed with tiny amber jewels as I slid ebony skin, her perfect white teeth as she smiled, enticing through it, weaving calmly around the dazzling him deeper into the frangipani groves. The smell of her, of structural complexity. crushed flowers as From my limited vista in the skies I could see that, they kissed. what were once were buildings and factories below, had now Joint Junior adopted the vibrant disposition of the progressing flames. A Runner-up - carpet of liquid fire, throwing leaping pirouettes from the Jack Landers crumbled remnants of civilization. A combination of the Death, loss, glow and warmth emanating from all directions seemed insanity. almost heavenly, hypnotising and disarmed my senses How much pain which seemed to all merge into one, too blissful state of and violence being… is a single man

Senior Runner-up - Henry McGinty built to endure?

The railing squats in my gaze; it sits, an oblique reminder, Many lay limp and lame, on a dappled rock wall. These stones shoved together; staring up to the blood shot sky. seeming grey and irregular, echoing cracks between. The The constant choir of agonized screams descending driveway cascades to the left, a ribbon through echoed through the dense, blood sodden air. the green; fleeing the house warming my back. The wall Mud, reached up my leg, as if to claw at my tormented impedes upon the vista spreading ahead; Hills rise before me soul. The disfigured stench bit at my nose. The plains stood empty, blank canvases that had been I tried to visualise the soft sound of a loved one’s voice abandoned by their willful artists. Life was scorched from over the never ending, painful howls it, a purge of all that had been green and lush, as if, in one of twisting, spiraling shells cutting through the sky. motion, a raging fire had been set over the surface of the

earth, scourging that which nature had so tirelessly crafted Joint Junior Runner-up - Jamie Strawbridge from mere seeds and stones. And if, perhaps, a few lonely The world stood barren, a weak and poor remnant of what blades of grass poked through the desert of black and grey, once stood a giant but now cowered pitifully, a revenant they were yellow and feeble, tortured figures shriveling in haunting the sad existence of reality. the light of a red sun burning mercilessly down, a fiery

globe hanging in the ashy sky. with slightly more gusto than grace. Sherlock is a man of New Holmes Film is intense action who we come to admire greatly as the film progresses.

Sherlock with a Swagger A perfect sidekick is Jude Law as Watson, who stands steady A review by James Soffe, Kings and Queens News Team as the reasonable companion of the somewhat reckless detective. Law is proven to be very well cast alongside The recent showing of “Sherlock Holmes” at Cheddar Downey as their wit and banter bounce off one another. Arts@KingsTheatre treated us to copious amounts of This dynamic duo bring a personal touch that leaves us explosives, a noticeable lack of deerstalker hat and an asking for more... American lead actor. All of which seemed to make for an unusual - though fresh and new - regeneration of the original Disappointingly less can be said for Irene Adler (Rachel character. McAdams) who appears only as Holmes’ bit on the side and A flashy, to perhaps liven up the largely all male cast. The script all-out thrill leaves McAdams only really to hint at an upcoming sequel of a ride, with shadowy Professor Moriarty (rumoured to be played by Brad Pitt or Daniel Day-Lewis). Director Guy Ritchie However, despite its flaws, it is a thoroughly enjoyable film leads a that does to Holmes what has been done to Bond. This romp rugged, reckless character resembles little of the original, but through the this version (or vision, if you will) of Doyle’s greatest creation quirky is more swashbuckling, more thrilling and more full of Victorian swagger than any before. capital, as Holmes Coming soon - watch out for the next season events of

and Watson put CHEDDAR ARTS@ noses to the floor and KINGS THEATRE fists in the air to follow the trail of Telephone: 01934 744939 ext 6 mysterious or book in person at Kings Fitness & Leisure Lord

Blackhurst www.kowessex.co.uk/cheddarArts (Mark email: [email protected] Strong).

The film seems to jump from one action packed scene to Bringing Arts the next as it accelerates through the bloated plot. Even to the Cheddar Valley Community world domination and resurrection appear - certainly not what Conan Doyle would have imagined for his characters. A big thank you to Cheddar Arts Queen Gill Scard and her team of volunteers for our Instead of grappling with neat and succinct conundrums, first successful year, which has treated Holmes must now battle to save the whole world! audiences to an intoxicating programme of

Therefore it is not surprising to see that what detection and music, theatre, film and celebrities clue hunting is shown, is rather short. However, it is fun to ennjoyed by many. watch Holmes play jokingly with each scenario and puzzle, teasing out information and evidence before revealing all in the big finale. Hans Zimmer’s unique score perfectly maintains the style of the eccentric new Holmes, whilst also keeping us on the edge of our seats throughout.

Despite the relentless action of the film, Robert Downey Jr’s Holmes truly intrigues. Together with Ritchie’s direction, he has created a cunning academic of crime, though this time, In the new academic year the French Year 11 students Au revoir et Bonne Chance! will once again have the opportunity of taking part in the Auf Wiedersehen und Viel Glück! activity trip to Normandy, whilst Years 11 and 10 students of German will be able to travel to the Bavarian As in previous years the Languages Department has Capital of Munich in November. provided students with a number of opportunities to enhance their language skills – not least the study trips Having briefly rejoined us following her maternity leave to Normandy, Cologne and Paris and student earlier this term, Mrs Donovan is leaving to take up a conferences for Years 12 and 13 students at Birmingham part-time post nearer to home to spend more time with and Bristol University. her two young children. Mrs Donovan joined us almost

eight years ago as a newly qualified Teacher of French and German. During her time at the Kings, she has worked hard as a Tutor and given generously of her time in providing additional help for students to achieve their full potential in French and/German. In addition to her teaching commitments, she contributed to Language study trips abroad, Revision Days and has also accompanied students on the Duke of Edinburgh Programme. We wish Mrs Donovan every success.

We also thank Mme Fogarty who stepped out of her “retirement” to stand in for Mrs Donovan. The students could not have wished for a better replacement and we were delighted for her to slot back into the Department and know that her classes appreciated her thorough planning and attention to detail.

Whilst the student conferences are aimed at helping “Deutschland hier und heute” students develop learning strategies and exam techniques to enhance their performance in the summer German Student Conference exams, the study trips to France and Germany allow the for Year 12 & 13 students - Spring 2010 students to hone their language skills in an authentic setting and to develop a cultural awareness of French Early Monday morning, the and German speaking countries. sun was yet to rise, but the infamous silver minibus was In January the French AS and A2 Level classes joined boarded by enthusiastic and forces with students from the „A‟ Level Business Studies somewhat tired German Sixth classes to attend the Focus in Europe Business Form Language students and Conference in Paris. Students were also lucky enough to kindly driven by our school gain an insight into the working environment of a French librarian Mrs Knutson. law practice and the benefits of using their language skills. Our first stop on this wild road trip was a service station located half way between Cheddar and Birmingham Our Years 12 and 13 German students have taken the where we stopped to replenish our supplies of sweets. initiative to organise their own personal visits to various The remaining hour was occupied by iPhone destinations in Germany or Austria. This has provided an entertainment. The trip organised by Frau Rebello, was ideal opportunity to organise their own flights, to offer us tips and advice for our upcoming German accommodation and itineraries, and ultimately forced exams. them to rely on their own skills. Arriving in Birmingham we headed towards the iconic During various stages clock tower situated within the university campus. We of the year, students then waited for further instruction whilst drinking the have also had the most horrible hot chocolate, ever! Following this we opportunity to hone entered the Grand Hall, which weeks later was used as their skills in the the setting for one of the election debates. revision days organised by Philip Shortly after, we were greeted by our hosts Thomas Allan Updates which Reimann and Hanja Neumann, both of whom were native were also followed up German speakers. This meant that verbal communication by Easter Revision was challenging, but we all rose to the occasion and Sessions led by Mme Fogarty and Frau Rebello. We were tried our best to understand the lingo. most impressed by the students‟ motivation and The day was separated into four sections with a break willingness to give up a full day of their Easter holidays between each. The first was a quiz about the news from focusing on improving their exam technique in each of the capital city, Berlin, along with vocabulary tips and the four skill areas. key phrases. After a short break we returned to creative

writing and speech tips. We were then able to wonder around the campus, which was useful to those of us considering university and we Sixth Form ate our lunch inside because it was freezing. A vocabulary game focusing on opinions with grammar tips Teaching and Learning Conference and a role play was scheduled after lunch.

Finally, we watched a media presentation, participated in a debate and played a sport game. All of these sections were targeted at a different topic from our syllabus.

We returned to the minibus where we found Mrs Knutson and a heap of new foreign language books to go in the incredibly well stocked Learning Resources Centre. The journey back was rather quiet as we all looked forward to going to sleep after a long, but useful day. By Beth Robinson and Tom Haggerty

Learning Resource Centre News

Opening Times: Don’t forget - if you need a bit more time to finish off On Friday 16 July 2010, the delegates of seven your work, or print it out, Somerset Schools with Sixth Forms gathered at then the LRC is open from Dillington House, Illminster, for a conference on 8.15am Tuesday to Friday Teaching and Learning. mornings for you to use the computers and printers – The aim of the day was to enable outstanding Teaching or read the papers or a and Learning across the County by building on the book. feedback given by staff and students, of what makes a lesson outstanding, as opposed to just satisfactory.

Student Librarians: The key areas of focus for the day were: academic If you want something to monitoring, review and reporting; independent do at lunchtime, we are learning; preparation for life after sixth form. still looking for student librarians to work at Until lunchtime, when a sumptuous three course meal lunchtimes – one session a was served, teachers and students worked separately: week. If you want to know teachers received presentations from colleagues and more, come and talk to the guest speakers, whilst students discussed the three key Librarians. areas, with regard to what worked well at their school, and what they felt needed improving. Top Gear Cool Wall: This is now out in the LRC, Following lunch, the students presented to the teachers, so if you have definite before answering any questions, which may have arisen views on cars, make sure from the presentation, from the various Headteachers, Heads of Sixth Form, and other senior staff. you come and join in. Look on the table outside Mr Following this, school groups assembled to discuss how Clark’s Office. they felt that their own school could develop. A key issue that was present across all areas and at every Games: establishment was consistency. It was felt by all that We have a new selection of board games for you to consistency was the key to success. use at lunchtime. Hangman, Hungry Frog, Spooky Mags and Who wants to be a Millionaire, along It was also discussed what made one teacher with Chess, Draughts, scrabble, Snakes and particularly better, or less so, than another. Here it ladders, Boggle, Cluedo, Guess Who, Connect 4 seemed that inspired and creative teaching, as well as a and Monopoly. Tables are set aside for board passion for one’s subject was essential. Also of games over the winter. significance was a teacher’s preparedness to educate beyond the exam boards’ syllabi, ensuring a sustained Staff: subject knowledge. We said goodbye to Assistant Librarian Mrs A great day was had by all - but this was only part of Sharkey in June, after two years of being here. the process. The endeavour for outstanding teaching is Magazines: never-ceasing and from September, staff and students If you would like to see something different than will be working together again to ensure that Kings our current selection, come and tell us, and we will continues getting the best out of everyone. see what we can do. By Ollie Crandon, Deputy Head Boy Mrs Knutson, LRC Manager (The Kings and Queens News Team) Year 9 PSHE/Citizenship Conference

This Summer Term, we have enjoyed some motivating extra curricular events aimed at supporting and enhancing the delivery and impact of the PSHE/Citizenship Scheme of Work. This is invaluable to bring meaning to some difficult subjects...

This year, as in previous years, it was the turn of Year 9 to benefit from the knowledge, expertise and, at times,humour of speakers from a wide variety of outside agencies including the Somerset Fire and Arson team, the Prison Me No Way Trust and a Masked Theatre Company on the occasion of the sixth annual Year 9 PSHE and Citizenship Conference Day.

We were especially delighted that Tessa Munt, our newly elected member of Parliament, was able to join us. As well as delivering three question and answer sessions to groups of thirty students Tessa addressed everyone in the School Hall at the start of the day. Her message was clear....“Although Parliament is my place of work it is your Parliament”.

Tessa is extremely keen to maintain her close connection with Kings and to facilitate work experience, shadowing and visit opportunities in Westminster for our students. Tessa has attended the Year 9 PSHE/Citizenship Conference each year since its inception.

We were also pleased to welcome for the first time Sue Summers of SWEDA (South West Eating Disorders Association) who delivered sesssions entitled “When Eating Goes Wrong”. Healthy eating is part of our Scheme of Work, but it is always an advantage when sensitive subjects such as body image and self esteem can be delivered by a real expert in the field!

Temperatures soared on Friday and it was hugely to the credit of our students that they maintained focus and concentration throughout the day...

Our guests invaribly comment on the high standards of behaviour of our students and this year the number of pertinent questions asked by the students was a recurrent theme as staff and speakers chatted over lunch.

Although one or two students were flagging by the end of the day - this was never an issue in the sessions run by Prison Officer Sam Virgo of HM Prison Bristol where groups sat in stunned silence as the reality of life “inside” was explained to them.

The conference provided some meaningful insights and we are grateful to all our visitors for taking time out to be part of our day.

By Mme Davies, Subject Leader for PSHE/Citizenship

Christian Leader Reflections

Writing this just before the semi- finals of the World Cup, and as we near the end of term, I wonder whether you feel you’ve achieved your goals this year...? Here at Kings, we emphasize the importance of achieving our goals – something we always recognise in our End of Term Achievement Assemblies to be held on the last day of term.

And yet as a Christian community we also recognise that winning isn’t everything. After all, if only the ‘winning’ team turned up for the World Cup, it wouldn’t be much fun (- would it?!). And besides, how do we define ‘winning’? Is it just about the person who has their hands on the trophy, or is it about the person who has quietly and with dignity achieved and performed to their very best in the face of adversity?

Sometimes it’s not just about being first, but what are our goals and how we set about achieving them. This term we hosted in school an interactive prayer space for a week, which many of our students had the opportunity to visit as part of their R.E. studies.

In a world too often driven by material goals, prayer is a reminder to Christians that God’s goals for our lives can be very different to our own and that it is only in the space that prayer offers us that we can begin to glimpse a different path, and look forward to winning a very different prize.

May the road rise up to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains soft upon your fields, And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Wherever you travel this summer – however near or far from home you may be, my prayer for us all is that the God who sees the possibilities and promise in all of us, may be with you and your family this summer.

By Jo Slade, Christian Leader

And now, here are some photos from the Orison Interactive prayer space...

Kings and Queens’ Sports Scores

Athletics: Earlier this Summer Term we took 20 students to Millfield School for the Mendip Athletics Championship where our students performed exceptionally well. 12 students were then chosen to go through and compete in the Somerset trials.

We had personal bests from lots of students: Connor Banks was selected to represent Somerset in the South West finals in the Boys 1500m. Joe Grant - jumping 5.82m in the Long Jump winning the Boys Inters We then took 40 Years 9 and 10 boys and girls to Jamie Emery - Boys 100m Haygrove School for an Athletics meet. It was a Connor Banks - Boys 1500m lovely hot day and all of our students behaved Charlotte Scrivens – Girls Javelin and Shot Putt. impeccably. Dan Robinson - 400m sprint and Maya Robinson - 200m sprint Our Years 9 and 10 girls won their competition; whilst the Year 10 Boys also won, but unfortunately, our Year 9 boys lost. But it was very close.

Our students were a credit to the school – Haygrove were astounded as to how many students we brought to the meet.

There will definitely be a re-match next year at Kings!

Highlight wins of the afternoon were:

Tom Davies - winning Boys 100m, 200m and sprint relay Maya Robinson - winning the 100m Jenny Bridgwater - winning the shot. Ryan Phillips and George Phillips - massive personal bests in the Discus and Javelin

Well done everyone for a wonderful effort! By Mr Osgood

Year 9 Girls Rounders: Our girls had a good term playing around five fixtures, plus a tournament. Around 15 girls attended practices and most girls played in at least two matches. The girls are to be congratulated on how much they improved throughout the term in both batting and fielding. By Mrs Tibbs Year 10 Rounders: This has been a successful term for the Year 10 Team. We have been successful in the majority of our games, losing only one game against a strong Chilton Trinity team. Unfortunately two matches were cancelled due to poor weather and Work Experience week for Crispin. Our batting has improved with each game and we scored 22 rounders in our match against Chew Valley. The team finished third in the area tournament. All the games were very close and we lost out as runners up by one rounder.

Some of our fielding has been very impressive, particularly with the bowler, backstop and first post combination of Flora Hodgson, Kathryn Manners and Lucy Woodman.

It has been good to see new players come into the side this year. They have performed well in all matches. As with all activities the commitment and involvement from Year 10 students has been excellent.

Team Players this year: Jenny Bridgwater, Rebecca Charles, Flora Hodgson, Lucy Locke, Kathryn Manners, Jo Martin, Amy Paphitas, Helen Pearce, Annie Pinnington, Bryony Robinson, Maya Robinson, Charlotte Rogers, Lucinda Simeone, Maddie Spinks and Lucy Woodman. By Mrs Roberts House Swimming Gala: Approximately 90 students from Year’s 9 and 10 competed in this year’s annual Swimming Gala. A really good atmosphere was created by all who were taking part with some fine individual performances as well as some very impressive team relay races. Camelot House were crowned as overall Champions with Avalon House finishing as runners-up.

Individual medal winners were as follows:

Year 9 Girls Champion - Katie Davies Year 9 Boys Champion - Billy Cavanagh Year 10 Girls Champion - Katie Richards Year 10 Boys Champions - Ed Lupton Open girls Champion - Charlotte Rogers Open Boys Champion - Alex Jones

All trophy and medal winners were presented with their awards by Guest of Honour Miss Bishop (Assistant Headteacher) who will be leaving us at the end of term. Here they are treading water with their medals!

Congratulations to all swimmers for creating such a tremendous occasion at the pool. By Mr Clark

Sports Day:

Well done to everyone for their top performances on this year’s sunny Sports Day; and here is the winning line-up:

Erk Hynds Shield for Best 800m Performance – Charlotte Rogers Year 10 George Ham Cup for 1500m running – Joe Barnes Year 9 Mike Wride Cup for 400m – Matthew Hooper Year 10 Jeff Barker Cup for Middle Distance running – Connor Banks Year 10 Lesley Mallin Cup for Best Field event performance – Ryan Phillips Year 9 Boys Javelin Year 10 Boys Champion – Jamie Emery Year 10 Girls Champion – Maya Robinson Bronwen Black - World Hovercraft Championships Year 9 Boys Champion – Sam Balkham Year 9 Girls Champion - Laura Botsford 2009 British Hovercraft Champion Broni will be participating in the Griffon Hoverwork Championships at Towcester Race Course at the end of August for six days, competing against fellow UK Juniors and also from Sweden and the USA. We wish Broni a smooth ride! (Thank you to Chris Barr for Broni’s photo) Ben & Toby Attwood - take international honours Ben and Toby competed in one of the biggest Judo comp- etitions on the

junior calendar The Kent Final Results: Intern- Ist – Avalon 258 points ational at 2nd – Camelot 249 points Crystal Palace, with over 700 competitors from all over Europe. 3rd – Tintagel 242 points

Toby finished in 5th place, but his achievement was even more 4th - Lyonesse 226 points remarkable as he was fighting up a weight group. Ben started badly, losing his first fight but pulled himself together and took Thank you to all our sportsmen and women for an the long route through the repechage to take Bronze, winning exceptionally good school year of sport! Thank you for with some brilliant judo on the way. representing Kings and the County.

By Mr Bennett, Subject Leader for P.E. Sporting Heroes:

It was clear that regardless of one’s opinion on such Hello from the conflicts, the compassion felt by everybody at Kings to our injured service-personnel was immensely Senior Student Team! strong, and we were keen to support this formidable cause.

Hello there! Following our appointment to the Internationally, we Senior Team in March, we have been very busy will be supporting preparing for a number of events, and occasions, for both the Sixth Form and the School as a whole. Habitat for Humanity, When approached by Cheddar’s Local Action Team, reconstructing lives to help them raise some money towards the cost of and communities. the new Cheddar Skate Park, we arranged a Mufti Every morning, one Day, with Lower School students enjoying a day of third of the world’s non-uniform, whilst the Sixth Form dressed population awake in thematically in black and white - or faced the penalty appalling poverty. The of paying double. sole aim of our A week later, in order to help achieve our goal of international charity is improving cohesion within the Sixth From, we held to tackle poverty our first Sixth Form party in Weston-super-Mare. Not housing on a global only did this provide a great opportunity for Years 12 scale. Understanding the causes of poverty housing, and 13 to socialise together, but ticket sales also homes are not only built in areas that have suffered raised funds towards the cost of enhancing our Sixth the destruction and devastation of a natural disaster, Form. such as in Haiti, but even in areas of the UK, where residents might not be able to afford ordinary housing.

On the first Friday in July, we held a mixer party for the New Sixth Form, providing an opportunity for Years 11 and 12 to combine, prior to September, in a social environment. Again, this should aid progression towards our new, cohesive Sixth Form, to which we are greatly looking forward. On behalf At the same time as arranging our social exploits, we of everybody at the party, we must give our greatest have already been preparing for this December’s thanks to Brinna Barlow and her family, for allowing Charities Week. Our first task was to decide which us to party the night away in her field, on top of the charities would benefit from this year’s fundraising. Mendips where we all enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Following much consultation with staff and students Not only will September see a new student body alike, as well as among ourselves as a Team, it was within the Sixth Form, but there will also be a couple clear that there was an overwhelming amount of of other changes. Firstly, Miss Bishop will be leaving support for the three charities that we have chosen. as Head of Sixth Form to move to Yorkshire, and we Our local charity, bibic, based in Bridgwater, wish her the best of luck, and a happy ever-after; and specialises in helping children with conditions we look forward to working with Mr Green in his affecting their social, communication and learning new post. Secondly, we will be decorating the abilities; this enables them to achieve their potential Common Room over the summer holiday, to create a for a happier and more fulfilled life. In order to more relaxed and less sterile environment, in which to socialise and work during the school day. We are achieve this, bibic work with children and young people who have developmental problems such as very grateful to the PTA for their generous donation. Pictures to follow in a future Kings’ Messenger. Autism, Asperger’s, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Down’s syndrome, Now that we have returned to school from our exam Dyslexia, auditory processing disorder, brain injury, leave, we will be extremely busy planning for and challenging behaviour. Charities Week 2010, the highlight of the school year. As always, we would be delighted to hear of any suggestions our students may have, whether for Charities Week, or school in general. You can contact us, via email at [email protected], or feel free to stop and speak to us.

We will also be launching our new-look website, www.seniorteam.co.uk, in September, where you can stay up-to-date with developments.

Rest assured that whilst we adjourn for the summer, our work does not cease, and we look forward to Our national beneficiary is Help for Heroes decorating the Common Room, as well as continuing who strive to provide support for those wounded in our planning of events for the year ahead. Britain’s current conflicts. Report by Ollie Crandon, Deputy Head Boy