SPRING 2014

constantly focused on developing strategies whereby all our students achieve their full potential in a safe and secure environment. EYEOPENER There is nothing more important. I will mention the opening of our new Study The Spring Term, with the darkest and shortest Support Centre under the direction of Brian Edmunds. The ‘Log Cabin’ is already proving days, can sometimes seem the most difficult to be a haven for a group of targeted students who need particular support in aspects of time in the school calendar. their learning. I am confident this will go from strength to strength.

It has been the wettest period we have ever during the Easter break, Year 10 historians The next few weeks are critical for all our Year known. We are acutely aware that the have just returned from the First World War 11 students as they prepare for their upcoming incredible floods on the Somerset Levels have Battlefields where I know they have had a exams. We are here to support them in seriously impacted on some of our families. very sobering experience as they reflect on the any way we can, they must remain focused, Our thoughts have been with them and the events of 100 years ago. We have recently determined and calm and we all wish them well students affected have had our understanding launched our Activities Week brochure. on the next stage of their journey. and support through this difficult time. Many There is no area of the curriculum where students have had long and tiresome journeys to Peter Hoare there hasn’t been a project of some kind, a school both at the start and end of the day. Head workshop, a performance, a competition, a trip, However, Spring is in the air and we look a display or whatever, that hasn’t, in some way Winning forward to a glorious summer! or another, enhanced the richness of student’s Poem learning. There have been dozens of initiatives Please Mrs Butler Whatever the time of year, the momentum of and this second new-look newsletter offers school life never slackens and I cannot embrace Please Mrs Butler some glimpses of a busy school life. I thank here the vast range of opportunities that present This boy Derek Drew the staff for all their amazing efforts and the themselves on a daily and weekly basis. Keeps copying my work, Miss many students who give so much energy and What shall I do? As I write, a group are visiting the Czech commitment. Republic as part of our Comenius International Go and sit in the hall, dear. Our core business is teaching and learning and Links Programme, 45 students are eagerly Go and sit in the sink. striving for the highest standards and we are anticipating their ski trip to the Swiss Alps Take your books on the roof, my lamb. Do whatever you think. Please Mrs Butler This boy Derek Drew Keep taking my rubber, Miss What Shall I do? Keep it in your hand, dear Hide it up your vest. Swallow it if you like, love. Do what you think best. Please Mrs Butler This boy Derek Drew Keeps calling me rude names, Miss What shall I do? Lock yourself in the cupboard, dear. Run away to sea. Do whatever you can, my flower. But don’t ask me!

The winning poem read by Joe

 Bassett, Lewis Howard andd  Tyler Lovibond Year 11 poetry winners enjoy an early spring morning

www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com 1 CEDAR CENTRE NEWS Study Support Centre Life in the Cedar Centre never stands still.

We have welcomed two new staff, one new student and are planning transition for two year 6 students who will be joining the Centre in September. We have had numerous visitors, keen to see why the Cedar Centre is so successful. Students continue to rise to all the challenges they face, taking great satisfaction in being included with their mainstream peers at every opportunity. It is rewarding to have two students receive certificates for level 2 stable management. We are hopeful of having a student gain a level 1 certificate in touch typing very soon. It has been a challenging time for the Cedar Centre staff, building an exciting curriculum for the students when they are not attending mainstream lessons. Staff have been very successful in developing new and dynamic lessons. Besides the core subjects new life This new facility opened in early March. skills lessons have involved students visiting Even in these early days this is proving to be a very It provides a calm and measured environment town on the bus to manage their bank important means of support for a range of students on the edge of the campus which is ideal for its accounts, cooking, ironing and helping who have particular needs and challenges. purposes. to make their own aprons. Students have Students have already commented on how valued taken a great pride in developing their The Centre’s mission is to boost the enthusiasm they feel, they are comfortable in asking questions independence. Personal development lessons and self-esteem of a small group of targeted and look forward to their sessions. focus on giving the students the skills and students who for whatever reason find aspects of strategies to be successful in school and life. their learning difficult and who would benefit from Daisy, a Shetland sheep dog, visits every “I am delighted with the way 1:1 or small group work in a safe and relaxed atmosphere. Friday afternoon and is an attentive listener to students have responded so students who love reading to her. positively to this new initiative Attention is given to improving numeracy and literacy skills. The Cedar Centre would like to thank all and I am confident it will mainstream students who support the Cedar Some of these students may be disaffected and Centre, from wake and shake in the morning prove to be an extremely may also benefit from more practical activities both to the lunch time clubs including Film Club, valuable resource in helping inside and outside the classroom. A programme of Art Club, Sky Landers Club, Girls Club, students with their social skills indoor and outdoor activities is evolving. These are Pokémon Club and Football Club. Future designed to develop team skills. projects include enhancing the outdoor area and learning needs.” This term in particular there is a focus on providing with herbs, vegetables and flowers. We will Brian Edmunds, Centre Director be offering training to parents, staff and after-school classes for Year 11 students who are students in Somerset Total Communication and on the C/D borderline in English and Maths. This understanding autistic spectrum condition. is already proving to be very popular. Brian is supported by his assistant, Donna Venning. Stuart Owens, Centre Director We are confident that this centre will flourish and In the planning stages, Brian’s idea that the Centre will complement the other initiatives that makes should be a log cabin was an inspiration! Heathfield the inclusive community that it is.

FELT WORKSHOP 16 Year 8 students who had worked really hard in Textiles during the past year were invited to take part in an exciting felt workshop morning with Andrea Coleman from ArtFELT. The workshop was designed to provide an exciting and practical session where the students would make their own beautiful felt textiles pot Technology using coloured fleece. The students arrived Year 11 Technology students on the morning excited to get started. Andrea show off their creations for the demonstrated how felt is made with the help of practical element of the course an old towel and a bar of soap! The students - the standard of their final worked very hard all morning and produced products was exceptional! felted pots from their own fabric creations. A great experience and our thanks to Andrea Dom Hodges (Mac book case) Flick Watts (mounting block Coleman. for stable use) Alice Browning (Art case) Dalton Barham (Electric ukulele) Amelia Fowler (Take-away sushi box)

2 Heathfield Community school DECEMBER NEWSLETTER STUDENT

Robots rule the classroom TEACHER I have been teaching at Heathfield School for 4 weeks as part of my complementary STEM training placement. Low carbon challenge day held at My experience here has confirmed my ability Bridgewater college on Monday to be a History Teacher and I feel that this Waiting for take off! is largely a result of Heathfield itself. The 17 March 2014 Humanities Department have supported me throughout my time here and it is credit to We sent 15 students to attend the event, along are slightly radioactive, not enough to harm them for increasing my confidence in my with 5 other schools. Chilton Trinity, Taunton you but the counter was certainly clicking. Both training. The whole school has been extremely School, Waddon, Bridgewater College the students and the EDF graduates were the welcoming and I am able to speak to any Academy and Robert Blake. real stars of the day and this event will also member of staff if I need assistance. But, what lead into the residential event taking place at is a school without the students? In my short On arrival the groups were welcomed by the Exeter University were 5 of our students will time here I have met and taught a variety EDF team who had sponsored the event, the of students with the majority outstanding be attending the four day event during the day was also being supported by 8 volunteer ambassadors of the school. Finally, I went Easter holidays. The charity Small Piece are engineering graduates and the Dr Cosby Small along to the Pure Imagination musical delivering the event at the University, where Peice Charity. performed by Year 10 and 11 students, some Small Piece interesting fact Dr Cosby made his of whom I am sure will pursue a successful Students were split into 4 groups and were money after inventing a cost effective lathe for career in the performing arts industry. Overall, then mixed for the day with students from the mass market after the war. His philosophy a fantastic placement where the school has the other schools. The Heathfield students to invest dividends in future technologists will supported me on and my journey to becoming were engaged from the off with great input undoubtedly pay dividends as we venture a teacher. Thank you! into the morning briefing session. During the further into new horizons and embrace/create morning construction challenges our students future technologies. Joe Baker, Bath Uni were adopting managerial roles within the assigned groups. It was a real pleasure to With more STEM events in the pipeline and witness such productive group work, especially the government ready to reveal new STEM as they had no preconceived ideas about initiatives, this is genuinely an exciting time MUSIC Department each other. There was also a very engaging to be a student with an interest in Science, The Music Department recently hosted the Somerset talk on ionizing radiation that was both Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Music Gamelan, presented by “Actiontrack”. The well-presented and received. The interactive Daniel Childerley, Head of Design & Javanese gamelan consists of a set of gongs and elements of the talk kept the students’ focus Technology/STEM Coordinator & Joint metallaphones which are played as an ensemble by and they got to see a geiger counter up close Enterprise Coordinator a group of about 20 musicians. Every Year 8 had and learnt about background radiation, a session playing the various instruments. Several measurements of radiation and yes bananas primary school classes also enjoyed the opportunity to experience such a spectacular array of instruments at close hand. It requires great concentration and quite a mathematical Year 11 GCSE mind to get all the complex musical music compositions patterns right. The overall performances of the group’s compositions was very strong. The variety of playing, singing and arrangements I’ve got my ticket and will be offering my full was really dynamic and exciting to listen to. support to both the student performers and the While main stream pop acts try to emulate other ever professional, hardworking and dedicated artists, and you can easily hear their influences, musical department. the performances from our students retained their I recommend finding the own unique character. time to visit student The vocal melodies were never forced and resources, music, the students delivered both quality and natural GCSE compositions performances. and giving the students’ work a listen. I was particularly impressed by the lyrical content, as some of the phrasing was well Dan Childerley placed in the compositions to help emphasise the general tone and feeling of the track. Writing meaningful and emotive lyrics for a song is no easy task, the students managed to write content that was both universal and heartfelt. The Easter concert is primed to be an excellent Yr 11 musicians enjoyed a rehearsal weekend at Pinkery Outdoor Education Centre at Simonsbath on Exmoor. They take time out to show case for this talented group of students. enjoy the wild Exmoor landscape

www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com 3 MATHS WEEK As part of the recent ‘Maths Week’ for Years 7 and 8, we were lucky enough to be visited by ‘Mathemagician’ Andrew Jeffrey. Here is a short review of the show by one of our Year 7 students:  My essay on Andrew Jeffery opener to me and made me feel more confident Weirdly all the numbers added up to the number Andrew Jeffery is a Maths Magician. My in Maths and has made me feel that Maths isn’t 47. He draw a circle around some numbers, personal opinion of Andrew is that he was very just numbers and difficult equations, it’s actually a they added up to 47. Eventually he opened the clever and interesting even though I am not a big fun subject that can create magical Maths. card and the number that the girl had written on fan of Maths. When he first entered the stage His tricks were based on digits, doubling the card was ………..47! It was so unexpected I was thinking it was going to be boring but it numbers and all sort of equations but my favourite and clever! was an improved Maths lesson for me. I find was when he asked a girl to guess his age, he Ever since I watched Andrew make these Maths hard and difficult for many reasons, the told her to write it down on a card and then wonderful tricks I have been trying to create my main reasons for this thought is because I’ve had fold it up. He then asked her to put it on a little own to make my maths easier in my own way. never been taught the easiest way of working table he had on the stage. He wrote on a piece out an equation. Andrew Jeffrey was a real eye of paper random numbers from the audience. by Maisie Isabelle Priddle, Year 7 THE GREAT to stop a bully HEATHFIELD How “All schools have bullying, good schools do something about BAKE OFF it”. At Heathfield we know that in order for a person to learn and achieve their best, they need to be free from the worries and This competition has really fears that bullying can cause. taken off! 15 students were started laughing at my accent but after a bit it That’s why we always tackle it seriously, using wasn’t funny any more. It started to really bother shortlisted from 60 Top graduated sanctions which include suspensions me, but I didn’t know how to make it stop. Then and ultimately exclusion from school. We have one day one particular boy just kept going on Achievers in Year 9. an ethos where older students look after younger at me while everyone else stood around trying Due to the monsoon like conditions, the ones (for example year 11 prefects and mentors) to get us to fight. He called me names and competition took place over two days on the and where students tell staff if they see something pushed me. The lunchtime supervisor helped 5 and 6 February. happening that shouldn’t be. Our bullying policy me and took me to see a teacher. The boy was is developed with the student council and this suspended and his parents were told about what All the participants set a fantastically high helps to embed its values throughout the school. had happened. It was the holidays after that. standard both in terms of design and Here’s the experience of two of our When we came back it was as if it had never decorative technique. students... happened. That was about 6 months ago and I’ve had no problems since. The competition was judged by Charlotte Jane I was bullied for about 3 weeks before I told of Charlotte Jane Cakes. Eventually 3 winners anyone. People who used to be my friends Forms of bullying include, physical violence, emerged. started talking about me, giving me dirty looks interfering with another student’s property, using 1st Shania and laughing when I walked past. I felt alone offensive names, belittling another student’s 2nd Leah Beale and it was starting to affect my school work. I abilities and achievements, writing offensive notes 3rd Jess Gould couldn’t concentrate. I went to see one of the or graffiti about another student, excluding or senior managers at school. She asked about ridiculing another student, misusing technology to what was happening and spoke to me hurt or humiliate another person. and my mum. She listened and took me If you are worried that you or someone you know seriously. I knew that the school would is being bullied, let us know, we will help. Bullying keep on dealing with it until it stopped. is not acceptable and it can be stopped. Don’t She saw the people who were picking on suffer in silence, there’s always a trusted adult in me and so far they haven’t done anything school who can help you. This could be your tutor, else. It’s been about 2 weeks now. I know Year Head, SENCo or someone on the Senior if anything else happens I can go back and Leadership Team. school will help me again. How do you stop a bully? Tell someone. I think it started out as a joke that got out Nicola Patmore, Assistant Head of hand. I laughed along at first when they

4 Heathfield Community school DECEMBER NEWSLETTER RPE (Religion, philosophy UNIFORM I have heard several positive and ethics) comments about how much This term, Year 9 students have smarter our students are been learning about Islam. A looking in the new v-necks and joint venture between the Art improved uniform, so thank and RPE Departments have you for your ongoing support included art workshops based to make this happen. on calligraphy. You may remember that I conducted a survey last year about introducing a uniform skirt. Only 64 Razwan Ul-Huq is a Sufi Muslim and professional parents were in favour of this and the majority artist specialising in calligraphy. He spoke about of students were against. In view of the cost to what it means to him to be a Muslim and how his parents of introducing the skirt, I have decided not beliefs affect his artwork. He introduced the basic to pursue this at this time. We do however ask principles of Islamic art and students created their that skirts are no shorter than 7.5cm (3”) above the own masterpieces. Among amazing pieces was knee. I often find in uniform checks, especially with a calligraphy tardis, beautiful interpretations of the our younger girls, that they’ve had a growth spurt word ‘Allah’ and a calligraphy ice cream! and just need to get a new one. Appropriate skirts can be bought at the Taunton Uniform Shop. We also enjoyed working with some Year 9 parents and teachers who came to try their skills in Could I also take this opportunity to reinforce that an evening workshop. Razwan was impressed with jeans are not allowed in school. Trousers should Year 9’s creativity and commitment be tailored and made of regular school uniform to completing their images trouser material. Once again, thank you for your support in this area, I hope you will agree that our students do LIBRARY look smarter and ready for work. Nicola Patmore, Assistant Head This term the Library has been busy planning and hosting lots of great activities. Many lessons take advantage of the space and flexibility we can offer and we have also been happy to support planned research projects, such as the RPE department’s assessed work on pilgrimage and the Hajj.

Year 9 have visited for lessons focussed on Book Award and we will also be celebrating discovering new fiction, making peer-to-peer book 450 years since Shakespeare’s birth with lots recommendations and discussing what makes a of activities, including writing sonnets, acting, ‘great’ book. This inspired ‘The Great Gatsby’ making ruffs and hurling Shakespearean insults! reading group – we’re nearly at the end of this Please check out our Twitter feed on amazing novel and are planning a Gatsby party @HeathfieldBooks or visit our LV E page at to celebrate, with frocks and mocktails! www.heathfieldschoolvle.co.uk/?p=3643 where Years 7 and 8 have been taking part in ‘Read new suggested reading lists for all year groups for My School’, a national competition that have been posted. is supported by several book charities and publishers. The aim is to encourage students to read as many books as they can over approx. 2 months, and there are 100 titles available to read Year 9 GCHQ free on the RFMS website once they have logged on. The students have been reading with gusto and with a week or so to go have completed over LANGUAGE CHALLENGE 500 books! The competition has been a great way to encourage reading and lots of students The Languages Department recently held a competition set have tried books they may never have chosen before. by GCHQ where groups of Year 9 students had to research World Book Day took place on 6 March and all an area in a foreign country and present their research in the students received their free £1 book token. The library hosted a book swap, competitions and language spoken by that country. made ‘My Favourite Book’ bunting. Several tutor Students were expected to prepare for these forward to the regional competition overseen by groups took part in a World Book Day book quiz, presentations in their own time and the groups GCHQ. It was a tough decision but in the end where the ‘The Spuds’ from 8W used their brilliant delivered exceptional presentations on Brussels the winning group consisted of Rosie Meakins book knowledge to take first prize! in Belgium, and Paderborn in Germany. The (9Y), Alice Bagwell (9Y) and Martha During the next term we have much more planned standard of presentation was very high and the Hay (9Y), who presented on Brussels. – Year 9’s will be taking part in a reading group audience was highly impressed by both groups. Congratulations to all those involved. that shadows the prestigious Carnegie Children’s However, we had to choose a winner to put

www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com 5 ‘The Canterbury Tales’ DRAMA FESTIVAL “This week has probably been one of the best experiences I’ve had because of the success of the whole production. Everywhere I go in school After a very successful start to the Year 11 Drama festival with I get congratulated and even thanked for putting ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘War of The Worlds’ and ‘Blood Brothers’, this on and being part of such an ‘amazing’ show. I am sure I will remember this week as one of my term brought more outstanding performances at The Tacchi-Morris best memories at Heathfield School.” Arts Centre. Aiden Kerr “At the beginning I would dread Drama lessons We kicked off with ‘Tracks Of The Free’, a brand ‘Annie’ and ‘The Lion King’. In all there have but then when it came closer I started to realise new play with a mystical and very powerful been over 120 Year 11 performers in this that I was going to perform no matter what, storyline, followed by the classic ‘The Canterbury year’s 2013/14 Drama Festival and you so I started to try and I’m so glad I did. Now I Tales’ updated for a modern audience with a can read some of the comments from the look back on it, the times when everyone tried big accent on comedy! The festival concluded casts below. It’s certainly been a festival to were the best, when everyone supported each with ‘Pure Imagination’, a piece of pure Musical remember and we salute the dedication of all other, those were the best. If I ever had to give Theatre with stunning extracts from ‘Oliver’, the students involved. anyone any advice, if they were worried about ‘Billy Elliot’, ‘Matilda’, ‘The Sound Of Music’, their performances, it would be just to trust their directors. They won’t make you do anything to make you look stupid or anything, just enjoy ‘Tracks Of The Free’ yourself.” Grace Winter “I think that the play was brilliant and I “Before our first night I was so scared, but then honestly loved every second of it. I really miss soon after the first scene, I realised I had nothing it and would jump at the chance to do it again. to be afraid of. My confidence is a lot better now The after buzz on the Thursday night was I think, and I’m really grateful to everyone who brilliant...” Joe Hooper has helped me.” Ellie Gardner “Believing was key. Not just as an individual but also as a group. If we all believed it gave us belief in ourselves that we could accomplish our goal, which was to perform to an audience. Thursday we all felt great about the performance, that’s because we had belief in one another and ourselves. We will and can do this.” Chloe Jackson “I learnt to be confident in my role. Before ‘Tracks of the Free’ it would just have been me playing a character, with little confidence. However, when I played Denzil Weetch in Scene 12, I felt that I really was Denzil and could express myself as a real person rather than just me playing an old farmer.” Connor Moore “I gained confidence and learnt that it enhances everything I do. I had to overcome my nerves and remove any doubts, I was nervous before the play, but once it began everything started to flow. I learnt to incorporate preparation for the play into my life and I had to make learning my lines part of through hard work and determination you my daily routine. It has made me realise that can turn it into something great and come to despite what you think of something initially, enjoy it.” James Napier

6 Heathfield Community school DECEMBER NEWSLETTER Year 9 Drama Enrichment ‘Play in a Day’ We also as a department worked with over 40 Year 9’s to create a play in a day entirely from scratch which was performed to a full house in the SPACE auditorium. Great fun, great creativity, great focus Everyone did so well. Just amazing!” from the students with excellent support Joshua Short from SPACE Year 1 acting students who learnt lots of leadership and theatre in “Although ‘Pure Imagination’ is over I will never education skills. ‘Pure forget this once in a lifetime opportunity and I Imagination’ will always treasure the memories that I have. I never thought that I would play a part like “I cannot even begin to explain how much I have Matilda or even have the confidence to sing a gained from this subject! Despite my initial negative whole solo! Overall I think that Performing Arts reservations...I’ve learnt to LOVE this subject! This has given me a lot of confidence, not only in has boosted my confidence massively. performing but also in my school life. Our group I am immensely pleased with everyone’s is so close, it’s nice to perform with people who I performances and I am really upset that it is get along with. It’s been such a fun experience”. all over! I have gained so much from perfect Esme Rushen friendships to performance skills - I can’t even put it into words”. Eloise Chaplin Year 9 Girls Drama Day “It was just amazing and I will never forget our ‘The Real Me’ 3 nights of performing because it was the best time ever. I got so close to everyone and we Over 40 Year 9 girls participated in a are like one big family and we all put so much fantastic day of Drama exploring identity, self- effort in. All 3 nights we were outstanding. I understanding and female empowerment. We think we all gave 110%. Also it has made had fantastic help from some SPACE Year 2 me so much more confident. I just loved it! female students. Dance Diary Currently the Dance Department is working towards producing ‘Footloose’, a dance show which will take place at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre. The ‘Footloose’ show will include performances Currently, at Key Stage 3, we are working from Year 10 GCSE dance students as well as towards the Primary Dance show in June which is the Year 11 GCSE Dance groups. Primarily being supported by the History Department this ‘Footloose’ provides the Year 11 choreographers year. This year’s theme is about bringing the past the performance opportunity for their final to the present using historical events as a starting assessment and the chance to bring their point for each dance. creativity to life within two evenings of self- Fresh Dance Crew (boy’s lunchtime club) has movement in the day and then perform a curtain- devised choreography. Additionally it offers a very exciting opportunity to work with a raiser performance for the evening. Year 10 dancers a chance to perform and be professional dancer, James Wilton, who is fresh The Year 10 lunchtime choreography club assessed on their performance in group work. from choreographing the Rugby League World has recently performed in ‘Shift’ along with Our dancers will also see ‘Tavaziva Ten,’ Cup Opening Ceremony. The boys will learn a students from The SPACE. Students were a dance performance at the Tacchi-Morris dance informed by martial arts and combat style able to showcase their own creations, in an Arts Centre which will not only aim to inspire innovative and varied celebration of home-grown our students but help them with their own choreography. performance and choreography. Furthermore, the Dance Department has put Lunch Time Dance Clubs are still available once together a Dance Enrichment week called ‘Strictly a week for Year 7, 8 and 9 girls as well as Heathfield’ which took place in February. This an all-boys club. The club offers our younger was for any Year 9 student who was eager to students an opportunity to experience dance in participate in a fun and exciting week of dance a fun-filled environment and an exciting chance with Professional Dancers including ex-Heathfield to participate in many performances. student Joe Garbett. They were taught different dance styles and techniques, learned a group dance, had their own time to devise movement material and a chance to work on contact work as well as the bonus opportunity to perform at the end of the week. The all-boys lunch time dance club also participated in an afternoon workshop with Joe. As you can see this has been another hectic but very successful term. Ceri Morgan, Dancer-in-Residence

www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com 7 Chinese new year Members of the Chinese Club travelled to London to celebrate the Chinese The Long Haul New Year. TEN TORS  Club members with Tommy Leung. The Ten Tors is a mass Science Teacher start orienteering event held over 2 days in May. 2400 young adults in teams of 6 are set off at to do the 45-miles, having trained for, and some 7.00 am with a given route appropriate to their participating in, the 25-mile event last year. age group and they have 32 hours to reach their These students are training in remote and hostile 10 checkpoints and return to Okehampton army countryside in the tail end of winter and face base. The teams operate independently with no a tough series of challenges as they prepare adult supervision other than those they meet at the themselves for this event. checkpoints. The Ten Tors is rigorous and demanding and will test Heathfield School has been fortunate enough to the students physically, mentally and emotionally. be given the opportunity to enter 2 teams into The training for Ten Tors promotes personal this very over-subscribed event for 2014. This challenge, leadership, excellence in navigation, year, 15 Year 10 students are training for the team work, an appreciation of the countryside and 25-mile event and 8 Year 11 students will return respect for those who live and work in it.

The Jubilee Challenge This year, for the first time, Heathfield will be sending 4 Year 9 students to Dartmoor to participate in the Jubilee Challenge. The Jubilee Challenge is a trekking expedition Up to 300 participants are involved in the on northern Dartmoor designed specifically Jubilee Challenge each year. Participants enter for young people with particular needs, either the Challenge as a member of a team or as physical or educational, who are not able, at this an individual. Just like the Ten Tors Challenge, stage in their development to take part in the Ten they are required to trek and navigate across Tors. Incorporated within the Ten Tors Event in northern Dartmoor to specified checkpoints. The 1977, the Jubilee Challenge has developed into Jubilee Challenge begins on the some Saturday a popular event and it is organized and run by at 7.30 am at a start point near to the Ten Tors the members of Exeter University Officer Training Challenge massed start and the course closes at Corps (volunteer undergraduate officer cadets 6.00 pm. who are members of either Exeter or Plymouth LONDON TRIP Universities) on behalf of 43 (Wessex) Brigade. On a rare dry day in January, Year 11 Art students travelled Chelsea Jane Farrow, Charlotte Wood, Chloe Miles to London’s Art galleries as take time out to enjoy the part of their preparation for classic London skyline. their GCSE exams.

‘Order and Disorder’ - is the theme of this year’s GCSE Art exam. It was a most productive day and got the creative juices flowing and ideas abundant. Year 11 student Chloe de Gelas says. “The day was really, really good and the Tate Modern was massive but very inspirational!” Clare Roberts, Head of Art added that “this is a fantastic opportunity for our students to be inspired by art in the flesh! The experience really focuses the students’ minds on the task ahead.  Students look for inspiration!

8 Heathfield Community school DECEMBER NEWSLETTER Come on - let’s go!

Time for a rest

The Long Haul

Great to be here!

The year so far…..  Ten Tors Wednesday 12 February was the date of the selection walk thoughts: and 27 Year 10 students and 6 Year 9 students turned out to We are really glad to be a brave gale force winds and torrential rain as the training for the part of this exciting event. 2014 events got under way. We may have been nervous but the thought The day was cut short for some as the weather cloud and poor visibility. The walk took the of completing Ten Tors was too good an became a deciding factor in the day’s selection groups over the mighty Higher Willhays, which opportunity to miss. On the 14 March, we process. The walk was long enough for 16 standing at 618m is the highest point in the did our first Quantock walk and camp. We of the Year 10 students to show us that they South West, but none of this intrepid group were also made lots of new friends and learnt many had the right blend of enthusiasm, fitness and daunted by the mighty peak or the freezing rain new skills. There was 26 people on the 10- determination to be selected for training. and at the half way mark it was still smiles all mile selection walk. After that, the teachers round. The already poor weather deteriorated Sunday 2 March saw the Year 10 students out narrowed us down to 16. These did a walk further towards the end of the walk and by the again, this time on Dartmoor and joined by the on Dartmoor for 12 miles. Then, some more time the teams made it back to the minibuses it Year 11 students who turned out to show them dropped out, leaving just 12 people for the was not a moment too soon. Another training how it’s done. Despite decidedly inclement overnight 28-mile walk. walk was ticked off for this group who now weather a good day of training was had and look optimistically to the next walk, which will Our next walk is on Dartmoor in April which natural leaders began to form as the groups hopefully be a little less wet! we are all looking forward to. We are all developed their navigational tool box in low really determined to get into the 25-mile Ten Tors in May which would be such an achievement to complete. It would look great on our CV because it would show commitment and team work. We would AWARDS definitely recommend doing Ten Tors to the younger students and most of us are hoping to Elsie Dunn and Chloe do the 45-mile Ten Tors next year. Dawson show their Pride of Somerset Youth Awards. We are very grateful to all These were richly deserved of the teachers who have given up their free time to for their dedication and help us do our training, hard work. especially Elsie explored new ideas for the Mr Ellwood for organising PSE curriculum. Chloe, despite her every walk. disabilities, works tirelessly and with great determination for The Guides Holly Bly, Ella Lambert, Katherine  Stevenson and Freya Deeley

www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com 9 SCIENCE WEEK National Science and Engineering Week 2014 saw several exciting events running across the school. U14 Boys Basketball U16 Boys Basketball Members of the Science Department put on various shows and demonstrations during lunchtime. Highlights included Mr Crow putting on a Hair Raising (literally!) show of Static U13 Boys Basketball Electricity and Mr Husband doing his best Heston Blumenthal impression using liquid Nitrogen to make instant ice cream at -200 0C! SPORTS REPORT We were also visited by the Space Odyssey Dome, with every Year 9 student able to take a journey Heathfield students have through space and time in the 3D observatory. Friday saw Heathfield achieved success upon success host ‘BugFest’, an hour-long show with this term exotic mini-beasts from across the globe. These included giant snails, bird eating The Basketball teams have produced outstanding The U16 Boys team spiders, a highly poisonous 14 inch millipede results, with five of eight teams qualifying for also have been and two 12 foot snakes! the County finals by winning the Taunton Area successful, winning Leagues. The finals were held in late January at Richard Huish College and Heathfield achieved Careful! the following results:

U13 Boys Heathfield beat Hugh Sexey’s school

U14 Boys Heathfield beat Huish Episcopi

U15 Girls Heathfield - champions

U16 Girls Heathfield - champions

U16 Boys Heathfield beat Wadham

All teams progressed to the South West Regional rounds and have played matches to a very high standard. The U13 Boys are still involved in their competition and we wish them every success. On the Badminton court, the U16 Girls team have proved to be one of the most successful Badminton teams in Heathfield history. They the district competition and finishing 3rd followed their district success in November by in the County Championships. winning the County Championships. In the Centre Parcs Competition in January, they beat Success has also been enjoyed by our Netball Crispin School, Haygrove School and Sexeys and Football teams, with area and County School. The team of Ellie Gardner, Georgia Ley, tournaments concluding in April. In the Year Megan Pressly-Smith and Sophie Cording then 10 Boys County Cup Football, the Heathfield went on to finish 4th and narrowly miss out on a team enjoyed some fine victories, including a bronze medal in the South West Championships. win against Millfield School in the 2nd round. The match finished 2 – 2 after extra time and at 9 – 9 in the penalty shoot out, Danny McAllister stepped up to score the winning penalty. This put the team in the quarter finals against Beechen Cliff from Bath, which they won 1 – 0 before losing a close game to Backwell School 3 – 1 in the semi-finals. A superb effort by the team. Rugby continues to go from strength to strength at the school. This season has seen the second year of the school’s rugby academy and individual honours. Former student Joel Conlon, was selected for England U20’s and received the man of the match, in a recent international. Will Vaughan, this Easter, will represent England U16’s and hopefully get his England cap.

10 Heathfield Community school DECEMBER NEWSLETTER U16 Boys Basketball

Rugby Academy sponsored by Body by Vi. Centre left Will Vaughan (England U16 Schools) and Centre right Joel Conlon (England U20)

In tune with this, Joe Snow and Joe Clark have been selected for Somerset U15’s and Richard Capstick continues to attend Exeter Chiefs School of Rugby. Pictured (top right) are the students from Years 7-11 congratulating Will and Joel, with our sponsors Body by VI, Rachel All teams progressed to the and Gary Knight. South West Regional rounds The PE Department and school are very proud and have played matches to a of all these achievements and would really like to know about any other successes at County, very high standard. regional or national level. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank parents for their continuing support.

Matt Bernard Head of Physical Education Department YEAR 8 + 9 GERMAN TRIP TO BRISTOL UNIVERSITY

In January, a group of 27 U15 Girls Basketball Year 8 and 9 students spent the day at Bristol University

U16 Girls Basketball exploring all things German! The day included a more in-depth look at the German language and humour, as well as the opportunity to chat to university students about their own experiences of studying languages. It was a very successful day and here’s what some students had to say about it: “It was a really good experience and I loved it when we got to speak to the students.” “Overall, I really enjoyed the day.” “It gave me a real insight into the subject.”

U16 Girls Badminton

www.heathfieldcommunityschool.com 11 Students assemble in front of the beautiful Polygon Wood Cemetery

Olivia Saunders and Hannah Belgium Trip to Vile lay a wreath of poppies on behalf of the school during the Last Post Ceremony held at 8pm Ypres Battlefields every night at the Menin Gate At 6:30 am, we gathered. The weather wasn’t being merciful, but even with a cold chill in the air the spirits were high as 31 year 10 students and 5 teachers set off towards Jack Cochrane finds the grave Ypres for a three day trip filled to the brim with history. of his great grandfather at Tyne Cot Cemetery, died 26th By the time we got off the ferry in Calais the sun sadness, the earth shattering destructiveness September 1917, aged 20. was beating down and the rest of the journey of the First World War was starting to to Ypres seemed to fly by. Our first night in seep in, something you can never properly Ypres was both fun, beautiful and at the same comprehend from figures in a book. time incredibly sobering. A few of us, including We continued to visit memorials including myself, went along to the Menin Gate in the Tyne Cot – the largest British war cemetery in fading sunlight before the Last Post Ceremony, the world. In the evening our school had the and spent 45 minutes just reading the names of soldiers who had lost their lives and had never privilege of laying a wreath under the Menin been found. Reading and trying to comprehend Gate during the Last Post Ceremony, which how thousands upon thousands of stories had was an incredibly memorable moment. ended here was profound. The trip didn’t lack fun. The evening meals The next day was an early start. We were out were most enjoyable and the journey to of the hotel by 8:15am and spent half an hour and from Ypres was not without its comedic at the Menin Gate listening to Mr.Ellis recount moments, but it was within reason. the stories behind only a handful of names. We Students explore the trenches The reality of what had happened around and craters at Sanctury Wood visited a preserved trench at Sanctuary Wood Ypres was still with all of us. I am so grateful and then went to Polygon Wood Cemetery. for having the opportunity to go to Ypres, it is a The morning mist still hung in the air, the sun’s life changing experience and I know that I will rays slowly but surely spreading light over the never forget all that I experienced there. “At the going down of the sun and in resting places of thousands. I cannot describe the morning, we will remember them” the atmosphere. Surrounded by so much Charlotte Newman, Year 10

Year 10 artists have been working on a ‘Giants Heads’ project inspired by portraits in the style of a particular artist