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THE KINGS OF WESSEX COMMUNITY SCHOOL A Specialist Technology College
Issue 61 THE KINGS’ MESSENGER Also available in colour on our website: May 2005 www.kowessex.co.uk
Dear Parents Contents
The exam season is very much upon us. Indeed, our
1-2 Head’s Introduction Year 9 students have already completed their SAT’s 3 Special Achievements and students in Years 11, 12 and 13 are now on study 4-5 Main School Office leave as they make their final preparations for their Update exams. 5 School Council Drop In Clinic For the first time this year we are providing our Year 6 Our Peer View of Drugs 11 students with an opportunity to participate in Study Support revision week where they are able to sign-up to a 7 PI Day (Maths) revision session run by subject staff. We hope that this 8 Physics Trip to Cern will give them an added boost to their final 9-10 Physics Olympiad preparations. I would now like to take this opportunity 10-12 GreenPower Update to wish all our students well in their forthcoming 12 Techniquest Trip exams. 13-14 Musical Awards 14 VAT Free Instruments Thank you to parents for the support that you are 15 Lloyds TSB Note for giving your children at this time; as you will know, it Note can be rather fraught in households as the exams get 16 Year 10 Food underway! Technology 17-18 Modern Languages We were informed this week that we have been 18-19 Young Enterprise awarded the Artsmark Silver Award. This is the 20 Christian Leader News national scheme developed by the Arts Council in 21 LRC Exploits partnership with the Department for Culture Media and Sport, the DfES and other Government Bodies. Artsmark is awarded to schools to recognise their outstanding commitment to the Arts and I would like to thank our Creative Arts staff for their continued hard work in this area of our school.
Still on the subject of Creative Arts, I am pleased to announce that we have appointed Mr Paul Taylor to be our Head of Music. Mr Taylor will be joined by another experienced Musician when Miss Sally Bishop will be taking up her position of Assistant Headteacher in September.
After a difficult year in Music, I am confident that things will now move forward. As you will read later in this edition of the Kings’ Messenger, Mr Taylor is already exploring some interesting musical initiatives.
We recently celebrated our annual Ascension Day at St Andrew’s Church here in Cheddar with our Year 9 and 13 students.
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This is a wonderful tradition and following the church service our Year 13 students climbed the church tower and sang ”Hail the Day,” whilst our Year 9 students enjoyed sticky buns in the vicarage gardens. This dates back to the 1880’s when the local Vicar brought the tradition from Magdalen College, Oxford. You may also be interested to know that it is still celebrated at Madgalen College.
Some more staffing news... Many of you will be aware that Mrs Moira Sammonds, Year 10 Co-ordinator and Teacher of English is leaving at the end of this school year. Following half term, Mr Terry Clark, currently Year 11 Co-ordinator, will be taking over as Year 10 Co-ordinator.
Mr Clark is an experienced Year Co-ordinator and I am sure that he will support Year 10 well as they move through to Year 11 next September. Mr Eric Holdsworth has been promoted to Year Co-ordinator and will take over our new Year 9 when they arrive in September.
Congratulations to our Young Enterprise students in Year 10 who won awards for Best Trade Stand Award, Best Accounts and runner-up best Company, as well as Bill Perry’s award for Achiever of the Year Award for Mendip.
Congratulations also to our sportsmen and women who had done exceptionally well this year winning four County Cups. This is a wonderful achievement and we are all very proud of them. You will be able to read more later in this Kings Messenger.
A big thank you to those parents who have taken the time to complete the questionnaire issued earlier this term. I greatly appreciate the views and comments, which will help us to focus on the school’s commitment to continuing to improve the quality of the education that we provide for our young people. I have personally read each questionnaire and we will be undertaking a full analysis over the coming half term.
Thank you also to our PTA for their generous contribution for our new picnic benches for our children to enjoy their lunch outside. We appreciate their continued dedication to the school.
May I wish parents and students a very restful and enjoyable holiday.
Yours sincerely,
CHRIS RICHARDSON Headteacher
Don’t forget! School is closed for the Half Term from Saturday 28 May until Sunday 5 June 2005 before resuming on Monday 6 June 2005.
Special Announcement!
Jake Hodgetts 9DR & Joe Taschimowitz 9IS have both been awarded the Platinum Award for gaining 50 merits! (in less than two and a half terms!)
Jake and Joe are presented with their special certificate in an assembly by Mr Peter Lythgoe, Chair of Governors
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Special Achievements
We are delighted to announce that the following students have been successfully awarded Special Achievements for their work and contribution to school:
Bronze (5 merits) Silver (15 merits) Christopher Bunn 9BL Kristine Brown 9BL Christopher Chappell 9BL Kimberley Church 9BL Emma Coward 9BL Harriet Eddiford 9BL Ryan Cullen 9BL Lucy Fenton 9BL Patrick Day 9BL Samantha Foster 9BL Thomas Kenyon 9BL Hollie Smithers 9BL Jessica Mutlow 9BL Amy Barkus 9DR Lucy Pettler 9BL Rory Colthurst 9DR Nathan Reynolds 9BL David Ferguson 9DR Samuel Coles 9DR Vanessa Kelk 9DR Oliver Gallegos 9DR Jennifer Knowles 9DR Ross Parker 9DR Miriam Orriss 9DR Katcarea Simmons 9DR Lilian Fry 9FP Victoria Baker 9FP Caitlin Wilkinson 9FP Philippa Brown 9FP Benita Boyce 9IS Kelly-Anne Cox 9FP Emily Broomsgrove 9IS Catherine Duckett 9FP Emily Hawkings 9IS Benjamin Fulbrook 9FP Erica Schroeder 9IS Joseph Kay 9FP Yvette Taylor 9IS Bethany Moxey 9FP Charlotte Andrews 9RA Sara Puddy 9FP Rhiannon Evans 9RA Torran Purchase 9FP Hannah Gooding 9WE James Sheldon 9FP Joshua Greenfield 9WE Hugh Tinton 9FP Jonathan Talbot 9WE Samantha Barrett 9IS Scott Buxton 9IS Gold (25 merits) Adam Crumey 9IS Maria Pinnington 9FP Charlotte Fay 9IS Jonathan Taylor 9RA Timothy Hendon 9IS Catherine Hewish 9WE Milo Maclay 9IS Emma Jeffries 9WE Sebastian Smith 9IS Kayla Stephenson 9WE Kelly Batt 9WE Thomas Day 9IS Edward Dennis 9WE Emma Kent 9IS Samantha Polden 9WE Bethan Meadowcroft 10RB Ryan Poole 9WE Jenny Scott 10RB Melanie Richards 9WE Charlotte Richardson10SP Thomas Martin 10MB Sam Smith 10MB Louise Churches 10RB Sebastian Johns 10RB Rhiannon Jones 10RB Tamsin Slade 10RB Kiefer Sutherland 10RB Sasha Davies 10RB Georgina Farmer 10SP Hannah Gilling 10SP Benjamin Puddy 10SP
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Main School Office Update
The Main School Office Opening Hours are:
Monday to Friday: 8.30am – 4.45pm
(in between working hours, the ansaphone is available: telephone: 01934 742608)
Administration Manager: Mrs Tania Caulfield
Contact Details
Thank you to those Year 10 parents for returning their child’s contact details form. We are updating our database accordingly.
We will be updating next year’s Years 10, 12 and 13 students’ data during the Autumn Term. In the meantime, thank you for keeping us up- to-date with any corrections/amendments.
IPODS, MP3 Players and Personal Stereos
For reasons of security students and parents are reminded that Personal stereos, CD players, Ipods and MP3 players are not allowed in school.
We are concerned that some of these items are of a very high value and we cannot be responsible for their safekeeping. There is no occasion during school hours when they are allowed to be used.
We ask that you remind your children not to bring these items onto the school premises, as they will be confiscated. We also remind you that confiscated IPODS, MP3 Players and Personal Stereos are held in the Main School Office and parents can collect them on the Friday of the week following the confiscation.
Also a reminder about Mobile Phones in School
The school has a clear policy on mobile phones which requires that they are turned off during lesson times to ensure that they do not disrupt learning. We believe that that is reasonable and unlike many schools we have chosen not to ban mobile phones in school.
As per the student mobile phone contract, should a mobile phone be confiscated it will only be returned to a parent on the Friday of the following week.
Please do not ask for your child’s phone to be returned any earlier.
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Reporting Your Child’s Absence
Thank you for using our Absence Hotline to report your child’s illness or other absence on the first and every day by telephoning:
01934 745304 (This telephone number is available 24/7)
Remember to give your child’s name, tutor group and reason for absence.
Alternatively, you can email Trudi Jenkins, Absence Secretary at: TJenkins@educ.somerset.gov.uk
The School Council…
…have looked back over the last year and celebrated its achievements
The Picnic Tables are now installed and available for use at lunchtime for students who bring sandwiches to school. It is also a pleasant place to sit and chat.
Members of the Council last year did a best value exercise on garden furniture, finally deciding upon a heavy-duty bench made from recycled plastic. The students were supported on their fund raising by the PTA who donated £3,000 for their purchase.
The school caretakers have continued to support the School Council in making some necessary repairs and redecorating the girl’s toilets. The School Council will be taking a hard line against those who abuse the facilities, being vigilant and reporting vandals to staff.
The Council has also been involved in liaison with Heather Litton from the local Primary Care Trust on the feasibility for a Young People’s Drop-In clinic in the Cheddar area. Funding has been agreed and the clinic is to be located at Cheddar Surgery on a weekly basis starting in June. Ellen Butcher, Millie Simeone and Erica Schroeder have offered to help Heather design the publicity posters for this scheme.
The School Council’s next campaign will be Road Safety. Phillipa Hambly has written a letter to local Planning Chiefs and Parish Councillors inviting them to meet the Council to discuss what can be done to improve the flow of traffic through Cheddar at rush hour and alleviate hazards currently experienced by pedestrians.
Young People’s Drop in Clinic, at Cheddar Medical Centre Starting on Wednesday 8 June 2005: Open every Wednesday from 1.00-2.00pm
Free confidential advice from a Health Professional on a variety of medical issues
Students in Years 9-11 can access this facility by submitting a letter of permission from their parent to their Year Co-ordinator prior to attending.
Please note: Opening times are likely to change to 4.00pm from September
Barbara Marshall, Deputy Headteacher
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Our Peer View of Drugs (from an article in Somerset Healthy Schools)
Fourteen students from across the year groups including Sixth Formers from The Kings of Wessex Community School, Cheddar, visited the Playing for Success Centre at Taunton Cricket Ground in January. They were able to learn about many different types of drugs education materials for use in schools and see a selection of websites that offer advice and information on substance misuse.
The students completed a variety of evaluation sheets, and the information gathered will be used to write a document for schools giving advice on buying the very best in education materials on drugs.
Delia Cromey-Hawke, School Drugs Adviser, said: “It was fantastic to get the opinions of this group about what they see as appropriate materials for use with their peers. I know other schools will find their work valuable.”
Students from the Kings of Wessex School, Cheddar, gather information on drugs education
Katie Davies PSHE Co-Ordinator
After School Study Support Open to all Students!
Every Tuesday and Thursday from 3.45-5.00pm
In the Learning Support Department
Get your Get help with homework your finished on coursework! time!
Glenne Hutchings Head of Learning Support
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Pi Day visit to The Maths Department
On Monday 14 March 2005 (3/14: recognised as Pi Day), Mr White arranged for Mark Grant who is currently finishing his PhD at Manchester University to come into school to talk to students from Years 10 and 12 on the topic of Mathematics Beyond the Sixth Form.
Mark was at Kings from 1993 to 1998 and was - and still is - one of our most promising students, leaving with ‘A’ Levels in Maths and Further Maths. After completing his Mathematics degree, he is just finishing his PhD in Topology.
The motivating insight behind Topology is that some geometric problems depend not on the exact shape of the objects involved, but rather on the "way they are connected together".
One of the first papers in Topology was the demonstration, by Leonhard Euler, that it was impossible to find a route through the town of Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) that would cross each of its seven bridges exactly once.
This result did not depend on the lengths of the bridges, nor on their distance from one another, but only on connectivity properties: which bridges are connected to which islands or riverbanks. This problem, the Seven Bridges of Königsberg, is now a famous problem in introductory Mathematics.
Is it possible to walk with a route that crosses each bridge exactly once, and return to the starting point.
[Source: Wikipedia]
As well as talking about the sort of Maths studied at University “far more interesting than school Maths…” Mark tried to convince his audience that 0 = 1.
Consider the infinite sum: A = 1 – 1 + 1 – 1 + 1 – 1+ …
A can be written as A = 1 + (-1 +1) + (-1 +1) + (-1 +1) + (-1 +1) … A = 1 + (0) + (0) + (0) + (0) … so A = 1 However, A can also be written as A = (1 – 1) + (1 – 1) + (1 – 1) + (1 – 1) + … A = (0) + (0) + (0) + (0) + … so A = 0.
How can A = 1 and 0 at the same time? Can you spot the flaw in the logic?
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The Physics Department goes to CERN!
At the beginning of July, forty-three AS Physics students from the Kings of Wessex and four members of staff are to visit what is probably the world’s foremost research institution in Cern, Geneva.
This is the Nuclear Physics Research Facility and has recently earned notoriety from Dan Brown’s book Angels and Demons.
Yes, they do make anti-matter at Cern, but it isn’t life threatening!
The trip has been made possible by the opening up of Easyjet flights from Bristol to Geneva, which only started operation in December of last year.
Students will be staying at the large Youth Hostel in Geneva and apart from a day visit to CERN they will also be visiting the Red Cross museum and other local attractions.
This is a wonderful opportunity for all concerned and if the venture is a success it will hopefully be continued in future years.
The four members of staff accompanying our Physicists will be:
Mr. E Holdsworth Mr. J Friend Mrs. B Riddick Mr. D Kelly.
Eric Holdsworth
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Physics Olympiad
The last edition of the Kings Messenger showed a typical question from Physics Olympiad:
A cyclist is travelling with constant velocity along a straight road. The wheels of the bicycle roll, without slipping, along the road.
Why is it easier to photograph, with clarity, those parts of the spokes nearest the ground?
To answer this problem we must firstly consider the bicycle’s wheel spinning without touching the ground. Velocity, v For the bicycle to be moving at a velocity v, the extremities of the wheel’s rims must also be moving at the same velocity, v. As velocity is a vector it has direction as well as magnitude therefore we must consider the wheel’s velocity at any point on the rim as the negative value of the opposite point on the rim. Velocity, -v
This is shown in the diagram:
If a photograph was taken of the wheel in this situation there would be no difference between the quality of the top or bottom of the wheel as they are both moving at the same speed, just in opposite directions. However, the wheel is in contact with the road so the whole of the wheel is moving at velocity, v (from left to right across the page). Therefore we can consider the motion of the wheel as below:
Velocity, -v
Whole wheel moving at velocity, v
Velocity, v
As in reality both of these movements are occurring at the same time, we can consider them together by summing their velocities.
Therefore the velocity of the top of the wheel = v + v = 2v Yet the velocity of the bottom of the wheel = v + (-v) = 0
This provides an explanation for why it is easier to photograph the bottom rather than the top of a bicycle’s wheel; it is not moving at all whereas the top is moving at twice the velocity of the bicycle.
By Andy Strang 12GR
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Another Question For You:
On a clear sunny day, the sky above us looks bright blue. In the evening, the sunset puts on a brilliant show of reds, pinks and oranges.
Why is the sky blue? In addition, why is the sun usually red at sunset and sunrise?
(Hint: this has nothing to do with reflection of the sea!)
By Nat Bird 12EB (you can visit our website to view this photo in stunning colour!)
GreenPower Update
William Etherington, Design & Technology reports
I am pleased to report that the GreenPower electric car project is progressing well.
The team are coming together and have had several very productive after school sessions.
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One of the biggest anticipated problems of wiring up the motor controls has been solved by the donation of a fully working electronic speed controller from a mobility buggy by Wells Mobility Centre. They have saved the team a tremendous amount of work and have been extremely helpful in sorting out any of our problems with the electronics.
Our thanks also goes to Bike City in Wells who have continued assisting us with technical advice and helping us sort out our gearing designs.
We are now at the stage of building the rear subframe, which will hold the battery, motor, and all the drive-train components and we will soon be starting on the construction of the main chassis, which will contain the cockpit and the front steering.
The team has also been modified slightly:
Rob Spanring has decided, due to mounting work commitments, to retire from the team.
He will be much missed, as will his technical knowledge and experience.
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Stepping into the breach however, is Dave Frost who has displayed great enthusiasm for the project and I’m sure will become a valued member of the team.
See you all on race day!!!
YEAR 9 TECHNOLOGY TRIP TO TECHNIQUEST, CARDIFF
Students in Year 9 that worked hard in Technology this year were rewarded with an educational visit to Techniquest in Cardiff, focussing on structures.
The group of fifty students departed from The Kings of Wessex on the morning of Thursday 10 March 2005 with Mrs Pascoe, Mr Parvin and Mrs George.
Time at Techniquest was divided up into different activities. Students had opportunity to explore the permanent exhibition, interacting with the hands-on displays, which relate to both Science and Technology topics. Students also observed and responded to the built environment around them. Working through a booklet based on the Techniquest building, which was the Bailey’s Heavy Engineering Workshop. It is a wrought iron structure built between 1894 and 1898 and finally after lunch students were involved in a lecture specifically based on structures.
This was an enjoyable experience which was subsidised through Technology College funding. It allowed Gifted and Talented students experience a real and valuable part of the Technology Curriculum in the working environment.
Shireen Pascoe, Head of Technology
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Let’s Celebrate! Dedication = Beautiful Music
We would like to celebrate the musical achievements of the students having lessons both inside and outside school.
We hope to see more of our students rising to this challenge!
Student Name Instrument Grade Level of Pass Tutor Group UCAS points
Elliot Hayes Keyboard 3 Merit 9IS Joe Tashcimowitz Piano 2 9IS Emily Hawkings Piano 1 Distinction 9IS Emily Ronan Electric Guitar ? 9IS Charlotte Fay Piano 1 9IS Gareth Griffin Drums 1 High Honours 9IS Tim Hendon Drums 1 9IS Milo Maclay Drums 1 High Honours 9IS Tom Day Tuba 2 Distinction 9IS Jenny Knowles Bassoon 2 Distinction 9DR Piano 3 Distinction Oliver Gallegos Drums 2 Merit 9DR Declan Stewart Saxophone 5 Merit 9DR Tenor Saxophone Alto 5 Merit Will Scot-Hartley Piano 1 9DR Richard Daintree Drums 4 Distinction 9DR Nicola Sentence Piano 2 Honours 9DR Nicola Close Keyboard 3 9DR Eleanor Gall Violin 5 9DR Piano 3 Merit 9DR Joshua Wilson Piano 4 Pass 9JG Helen Taylor Keyboard 3 9JG Clarinet 2 Phillipa Brown Voice 5 Pass 9FP Victoria Baker Clarinet 3 Pass 9FP Chris Shaw Piano 4 Pass 9FP Matthew Scholes Tenor Horn 4 Merit 10MB Claire Ratcliffe Flute 5 Merit 10NO Piano 2 Pass 10NO Jenny Barritt Piano 5 Merit 10NO Recorder 3 10NO Bethany Morgan Flute 6 Distinction 10NO 45 Piano 4 Distinction 10NO Clarinet 4 Merit 10NO Lisa Robson Flute 4 Pass 10NO Daniel Leiper Trumpet 4 10LD Jess Newman Flute 5 10LD Alex Babbinton Piano 2 10LD Laura Caton Clarinet 5 10LD Lilly Mason Piano 1 Distinction 10RB
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Jenny Scott Piano 4 Merit 10RB Violin 3 Pass Mark Goddard Trombone 6 Merit 10RB 40 Becky Cripps Trumpet 8 Merit 10RB 70 Gemma Tidman Keyboard 4 Merit 11SK Jenny Jezard Piano 5 Merit 11SK Paul Foster Cello 6 Distinction 11SK 45 George Wright Drums 1 11PA Charles McGinty Piano 2 Merit 11PA Laura Pickering Singing 4 11PA Isabel Fenton Cello 7 Pass 12JHC 40 Emma Talbot Clarinet 6 Pass 12JHC 25 Hannah Kesterton Piano 3 Pass 12JHC Holly Blackburn Drums 2 Honours 12JHC Violin 2 Pass 12JHC Emily Atkin Oboe 5 12JHC Camilla Gryffydd- Piano 8 Merit 12JD Jones Caroline Burdock Clarinet 5 Pass 12JD Adam Lucas Clarinet 5 Pass 11SRO Piano 5 Pass 11SRO Becky Cripps Trumpet 8 Merit 13GR 70 Robert Karlsson Voice 8 Merit 13GG 70
We would also like to congratulate Mark Goddard for his success in the Weston-super-Mare Arts Festival.
Mark, a Year 10 student, who has just passed his Grade 6 Trombone examination with Distinction, came First in the under-15 duet class, and gained the highest brass mark overall.
Well done Mark: keep blowing!
VAT-Free Musical Instruments for Kings of Wessex Students
Students receiving instrumental lessons or taking music at GCSE, AS or A2 level can purchase instruments through the school gaining educational discount and avoiding VAT. This includes portable keyboards as they are taught as part of the Year 9 curriculum.
Instruments must be ordered through the school, but may be purchased from the supplier of your choice. You may find it helpful to consult any of the instrumental teachers or music staff on the choice of instrument and supplier.
In order to take advantage of this Assisted Purchase Scheme, please collect a form from the Head of Music.
We have a number of catalogues in school from a range of suppliers, which students may sign out overnight.
Paul Taylor Head of Music
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A Musical Recital from our new Head of Music Mr Paul Taylor
By working together, we are hoping to transform the facilities, equipment and opportunities for students to fully enjoy their music making at Kings.
The Head and the Governing Body have been generous in supporting a number of ambitious initiatives, which will liberate students' musical development through the use of technology on the one hand, in the shape of fifteen sequencer workstations and by hands-on experience of African culture through funding a complete set of authentic African drums.
The internationally renowned Ghanaian drummer Ben Badoo will be running an inaugural workshop on Thursday 9 June 2005 at a Master Class for the Gifted and Talented Musicians about to join us this September. From September, all Kings students will have the opportunity of experiencing real African drumming as part of the Year 9 curriculum and to develop it as part of their GCSE practical work.
Plans are now being drawn up to build four additional practice rooms, a secure instrument store and to convert what is currently the Corrick Theatre into a performance space for music, once the new Drama building is completed.
We would like the centrepiece of this facility to be a high quality Yamaha grand piano. This would offer the school new opportunities for students, raise the profile of high quality music making, and allow us to become a centre for music examinations, serving all schools in the area. We would also like to see the facility being used by the community for a range of musical events.
I would like to appeal to Kings parents to help us raise the £13,000 necessary to allow us to encourage and support our young people in something which is entirely wholesome and enriching for everyone involved.
Lloyds Bank has just launched the 'Note for Note' initiative in partnership with internationally renowned names such as EMI, Yamaha, the BBC and the Prince's Trust. There are three ways you might consider contributing:-
(i) Lloyds account holders can round down the pennies in their account each month and donate them to the Kings of Wessex Music Fund. (typically this will amount to about £6 a year).
(iii) Any supporter can make a one-off payment directly to The Kings of Wessex Music Fund or through Lloyds (who will match any funding you make to Kings and direct it to improving music making for young people in more deprived areas).
(iii) Any supporter can make a small monthly direct debit payment directly to The Kings of Wessex Music Fund
Donations to the school can be made directly, whilst donations through Lloyds can only be made online at www.lloydstsb.com or by calling 0945 9 400 400. We aim to erect a plaque in the newly furbished performance space to acknowledge all contributors.
Through parents’ evenings, I have already sensed the importance so many of you place on the role music can play in developing skilled, creative and fulfilled young people. If you want to be a supporter of music at Kings in some other way, please do not hesitate to leave your number with the Main School Office and I will be delighted to get back to you. Thank you for your support.
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Year 10 - Food Technology
We may sometimes complain about the meals that we are served on plane journeys, but I wonder how many people have stopped to think what was involved to ensure that you receive any food at all on your flight….
Remember that hot food needs to be hot; special dietary needs have to be catered for, the appropriate meal for the time of day (even if you have been delayed for several hours) and the food must be safe to eat. Imagine the difficulties in coping with a plane full of passengers with sickness - or worse! You could say that the airline has a captive audience, as you are “tied” to your seat and there is no way you can pop to the local shop!
Mindful of all these factors, I decided that one of the small tasks to be covered in Year 10 would be Airline Catering. Over the years I have managed to collect (by various means and with help) a variety of airline trays, dishes - known as dogs and puppies - and other related items, but unfortunately not enough for a class of thirty.
When travelling on Scandinavian Airlines I was given a “lunch box”, so I decided that a similar container would be suitable. Research led me to find that Tescos sold their six packs of croissants in the perfect box. I was not able to persuade Tescos to give me sixty, so students were asked at Christmas to try and buy and consume (what a hardship!!!) a box of croissants.
The task set was to design and produce an economy class meal and suggest how it could be adapted to a Business Class meal. Well, the results were fantastic! The range of ideas and food was excellent and in most cases the students had really thought about the types of food and the presentation. Two of the things they had to think about were “would the box lid shut” and “could the food be cut and eaten with plastic cutlery”.
Well done to you all, I was very impressed with the majority of the results.
A GCSE Coursework Reminder!
This will now be underway and I hope that you all have chosen your topic carefully.
Please remember that deadlines are given to enable me to monitor your work. Finally, deadlines are deadlines and must be adhered to.
The final deadline will be on 21 March 2006 at 9.00am. No late work will be accepted. Su Ross
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Modern Languages
French Study Trip to Fougères
This year twenty-nine Year 10 students went to Fougères on our annual G.C.S.E. Study Trip, assisted by Mrs J Ward and Mr. Goodchild, in the Geography Department.
On our arrival Mr. Nash Our Travel Bound Tutor was at the Mainhotel to greet us.
During our stay we make visits each day where the students undertake surveys, complete questionnaires. and interview the local people. Each morning we have a classroom session to prepare the necessary vocabulary and after dinner each evening we go through the day’s work.
Each year I am impressed at how diligently our students work and how eager they are to improve their spoken French. It is always very rewarding to observe them as they gain in confidence during the course of the week. Once back at school, even the quieter individuals are ready to participate in oral class work!
Teresa Bottomley
The students themselves have a few comments on the Study Trip:
“On Tuesday we visited a goat farm on the outskirts of Fougères. In the morning before we went to the goat farm, we had a classroom session. We had to attend these every day, which was useful as Mr. Nash, the tutor accompanying us, went over the vocabulary we would need for the visits in the day. It also included things like questions we should ask and a brief outline of the day’s trip.
The goat farm was one of the best trips of the week, particularly because there were a few comical moments!! When we first arrived we were taken to where the goats were kept in the colder months and we were shown two kids which had just been born. We learned that the kids are taken away from their mother so that the milk the mother produces can be used to make the cheese, which we would see later.
As we had time to explore the goat farm, we came across a goat that we thought was about to give birth. We watched for a while thinking that we were about to see kids being born. How wrong we were! Before we could find out the truth we had to go into the cheese rooms and learn about how the cheese is made.
We were also lucky enough to taste some of the cheese made at the farm, and purchase some. This however, was not to everyone’s taste! Just before we left the goat farm, a few of us decided to check on the goat we thought was giving birth, but to our surprise the goat was not giving birth in the first place but had in fact been dying. This was one of the most eventful days of the week for my friends and me.
After we got back we had another classroom session we had an overview of the day and we were able to contribute fully and tell Mr. Nash what we had learnt that day. This helped us to continue practising our French.
This trip improved our spoken French considerably and we now understand more in our lessons, which helps a lot. Not only have we learnt a lot of new vocabulary and structure of sentences and questions, but we also had a great time whilst we were there too.
Sasha Davies and Hannah Gilling
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Our favourite day was Friday when we visited the ancient town of Saint Malo.
We went off in groups and had about five hours going in and out of the shops. We practised our French in the town and in the shops asking for products we needed. The shopkeepers were very keen to help, as they weren’t very busy.
We had a “few problems” but got there in the end. Our group managed to completely humiliate ourselves! We were lost, so plucked up the courage to ask a passer-by for directions to the town centre was. After struggling to get the words out he turned out to be English anyway! We weren’t very happy!
It was hot and very sunny so after we had finished shopping so we went on to the beach. We had an amazing view of the castles and islands and even had a quick paddle in the sea! It was a brilliant day out and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. This trip has made all of us a lot more confident in speaking the French language.
Kim Broom and Phillippa Ivens
We had a great time in Fougères. We learnt lots in the classroom sessions and the days out were really good, particularly in Mont St Michel, Saint Malo and the trip to the fire station, which Madame Bottomley particularly enjoyed. One of the best parts of the trip was getting chance to speak to French people when we went to Fougères and the market in a nearby town called Erné, where we successfully, to our surprise, managed to buy food for our meal. At the start of the trip we were all nervous about interviewing French people but the trip definitely improved our confidence. The trip allowed us to use our French away from the classroom, which we think has helped us a lot.
Jenny Scott and Jenny Barritt
Au revoir… à la prochaine!
Young Enterprise
This year’s Young Enterprise company Omen comprising: Bill Perry, Jack Cantwell, Rob Maitland, Ben Parsons, Robbie Spanring, Alex Bennetts, David Haining, Luke Wilson and Phil Knott have achieved considerable success at the Mendip Area Presentation evening hosted by Millfield School on Wednesday 20 April 2005.
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The team presented an amusing account of their experiences running their company and were rewarded with a number of awards: Glastonbury and Street Lions Best Trade Stand Award, the Lloyds TSB Award for Best Accounts and runner-up best Company, which meant them proceeding to the County Finals.
Bill Perry is to be congratulated for his Achiever of the Year Award for the Mendip Area. Having been put forward by his team, he was interviewed by a panel of judges about his experiences throughout the year: Well done Bill!
On Wednesday 11 May 2005, the team competed in the County finals hosted by Somerset College of Arts & Technology in Taunton. The team had perfected their presentation and delivered a highly amusing account of their experiences running their company.
Six schools took part in the competition and Omen acquitted themselves very well.
Omen was also awarded the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators trophy for good governance and whilst the team were disappointed about not going through to the next round, they should all be proud of their achievements this year.
Our thanks must also go to Derek Evans and David Pottow of Mendip Rotary who have supported Omen throughout the year, attending the Tuesday Board Meetings, Trade Fairs and the presentation evenings. Their advice and support have been much appreciated.
Our thanks also goes to the parents who have supported the company, providing much needed capital, transport to Trade Fairs and support at the presentation evening.
I have very much enjoyed supporting the team this year and once again congratulate them on their tremendous success.
B Taschimowitz Work-Related Learning Co-ordinator
STOP PRESS!!! STOP PRESS!!! STOP PRESS!!!
At the time of going to press, the results have just been releaseed that all our aforementioned Omen Enterprisers have sucessfully passed their OCR Level 2 Certificate in Enterprise! Congratulations!
20 News from our Christian Leader
Cheddar Valley Community Churches are organising a week of prayer for schools in the Cheddar Valley from Sunday 12 June 2005.
The day of prayer for The Kings of Wessex will be on Tuesday 14 June 2005.
Please contact Jo Burridge at school for more information.
Birthdays and Mountain Tops
This Half Term, we’ve celebrated several important festivals in the church and school year. We held our annual Ascension Day service, with the great traditions of sticky buns and singing from the tower. The service also helped prepare our Year13 students to say their goodbyes, as they prepare to journey on to a new stage in their lives.
Like the followers of Jesus, we can have mixed emotions when we have to say farewell to someone or something. The Disciples must have found the whole mountain top experience somewhat bizarre. There was the temptation to keep things as they were, to cling desperately to the familiar past, and not acknowledge the change in Jesus and their relationships. Even positive endings can be difficult for people to deal with sometimes.
However, just as the Disciples were later to experience the life affirming, inspiring and transforming power of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we too can have that hope and inspiration today. Pentecost on Sunday 15 May 2005 is sometimes called the Birthday of the Church, as it was at this time that lots of believers received the Holy Spirit.
It is still possible today to experience God’s love and power in our lives. When we celebrate birthdays, there is often excitement and reminiscing. There is the chance to feel special and perhaps look back over the year and consider what the next one might hold.
I hope that not only our Year 13 students, but all of us, may in some way experience the joy of travelling on in our journey with faith and hope; and the certainty that even when the path may be unclear or difficult, we can trust the One who journeys with us.
PRAYER GROUP NEWS
The new prayer group is starting at school on Thursday 9 June 2005 and anyone who is connected with school, parents, grandparents, carers etc is invited to join us.
We hope to meet on fortnightly Thursdays and the dates for the next half-term are:
9 June, 23 June, 7 July and 21 July 2005.
I will be available to meet people in the foyer from 12.30pm.
If you can’t make these times, please let us know what would be better for you. Or if you would like to be involved via e-mail, i.e. to send and receive prayer requests please e-mail me at school.
We will also be organising some special events from time to time, so look out for more details and again I can e-mail information to you if you are interested.
If you have any queries please contact me at school, or also Terri on 01934 733995. Jo Burridge, Christian Leader ext. 108 or email at [email protected]
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Learning Resource Centre Exploits!
How much of your Latin can you remember? What is the English name for “erinaceus” or “camelopardalis”?
To give students something to do that was a little bit different, the LRC staff devised a quiz, giving students the Latin name of animals and birds, and asking for the English name. A window display with all the relevant animals, posters in the library, and books were available to help students.
Nineteen students and one teacher took up the challenge, checking through books and the Internet for the answers. One person got all the names correct: Miss Rebello, with six students close behind her, each with only one word incorrect!
Prizes have gone out to the following students:-
Michael Elliott 9WE, Alex Holt 9VH, Tom Day 9IS, Joe Williams 9AJ and Jason Heath 9DR, Harry Willoughby 12JD and Daisy Nicolaou 13CWH, Fiona Ward 12SR
LRC Elections
To complement the recent General Election the LRC held its own General Election using the local Wells constituency candidates, plus one from the Monster Raving Loony Party.
The voting took place at break and lunchtimes from Tuesday 3 May to Thursday 5 May 2005 inclusive. Students were asked to treat the election as though they were voting for their local candidate, with details of their manifestos available in the LRC.
Students old enough to vote also found these useful, and were heard discussing the merits of each party, prior to them voting for real!
Tessa Munt, Liberal Democrat, won the day at The Kings of Wessex; although unfortunately for her the real electorate did not share the feelings of our Kings students.
There is a moral here for Politicians: from talking to those voting or listening to their reasoning of why they had voted the way they did, more of them had seen Tessa Munt, or heard her speak, than any of the other local candidates.
22% voted in the LRC election - slightly less than the national average of 63%!!
The Votes were as follows:
UKIP 0.05%, Green 3.5%, Labour 10%, Monster Raving Loony Party 19%, Conservatives 27.5%, Liberal Democrats 39.5%
Free Books for Breakfast!
We are collecting the “Box Top” book tokens on Nestlé cereals boxes to obtain Dorling Kindersley books.
Thank you for forwarding your tokens to the LRC. Bridget Knutson
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Wessex Walk: Sunday 1 May 2005
There was an excellent turnout for the Wessex Walk this year with fifty people, of assorted ages, taking part under The Kings of Wessex banner.
Thirty of our students took part in the walk, together with a contingent of twelve from Churchill School. As usual, the route followed the Mendip Hills from the top of Canada Combe, above Hutton, to the Bishop’s Barn in Wells.
This year marked the 40th anniversary of the Walk, quite a feat for a charitable fund raising activity!
For everyone who completes this journey it is a wonderful achievement, although several people deserve a special mention.
Firstly, for the sheer speed with which they completed the Walk: Sam Evans and Sam Hooper. Secondly, for completing their third Wessex Walk, I congratulate Frankie Gifford, Sarah Mann, Jess Allen and Tim Mullet. A keen staff team, Mr Kelly and Mr Holdsworth, together with their families, also completed the walk.
If you sponsored one of our walkers please pay your money to them as soon as possible please. It is vital that the Save the Children charity receives this money to carry out its work.
Thank you all. With the blisters to prove it!!! Ian Smith
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Year 9 Rugby Team Somerset Cup Champions!
Earlier this term the Year 9 Rugby team travelled to North Petherton R.F.C. to play Beechen Cliff School in the final of the Somerset Cup.
They had reached the final in magnificent form having not lost any games all season.
The Kings of Wessex eventually won the game 20 points to 12 points and came away worthy champions.
This is a great victory, which was well earned by all the boys involved in the team!
The The Under-16 boy’s hockey team have successfully made their way through to the final of the Somerset Cup to defend the title they have won for the last two years.
They have got to the final by beating Holyrood 8-0 and St Augustine 7-0 in the early rounds and then beat West Somerset 7-0 in the semi finals.
At the time of going to print, we can make a STOP PRESS! that our Under 16 won the final! The team has won the treble of three years in a row!
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The Year 9 team have yet to play a game due to other schools cancelling and some bad weather in the latter parts of April. They are now however, eager to start with their first game away to Millfield, followed the next day with their first round Somerset Cup game at home to Wellsway School. Good luck!
The Year 10 team have had two games so far this season and have lost them both. They lost a friendly match against Sidcot School, at home, where the team didn’t make enough runs and it was an easy chase for the visitors.
Their second game was their Somerset Cup first round match away to West Somerset. It felt like we were on tour! The Kings of Wessex batted first and scored a respectable 99 runs against some quality bowling, with great knocks from Chris Southey and Oli Halmkin. However, the bowling was less than impressive, combined with fielding errors the home team made the runs with three overs to spare and nine wickets remaining.
With many games remaining there is plenty of time for their first win.
T The boys have been involved in two athletics matches, alongside the girls, at Sidcot (Year 10) and Whitstone (Year 9).
At Sidcot the teams did not win the team event but there where many good early season performances. At Whitstone, both the boys and girls teams won with outstanding individual and team scores, well done
Rod Bell Head of P.E.
Community Sports Leaders Award
Congratulations to Frazer Bailey, Alex Buhagiar, Tom Bloodworth, Richard House, Chris Andrews and Tim Farmer on successfully completing their community sports leaders’ award Level 1.
The students have regularly visited Fairlands and Hugh Sexey Middle Schools to assist in the P.E. Departments during games lessons. Some students have also helped in the PE Department at The Kings of Wessex and helped organise competitions.
The aim is to use the qualification to assist and lead small groups in local play schemes and in schools in the Cheddar Valley.
Under-15 Rounders
We have enjoyed a large turnout to practices every Thursday lunchtime, with enough players to field two teams. So far, Kings have won all of their matches. Unfortunately however, we have had one tournament cancelled at Wells Cathedral due to bad weather.
Tracey Tibbs
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Under 16 Hockey have yet again had a successful season coming away from our County Cup final with Gold medals all round.
It was tense and exciting match and at half time the score was 1:1. However, the second half kept our defence busy and this was certainly a fantastic match for Emily Wilkinson.
Just as it looked as if we would have to go into extra time with Umpire Mrs Riddick signalling one-minute left, we had a breakthrough. A great run across from Holly Barkus saw Lisa Fisher catch the end of it putting our winning goal.
Well done to all who played! And our thanks to Ebba Eriksson for helping us out!
Izzy Higgs and Matlida Eriksson
Year 9 Rounders:
Over thirty Year 9 students have started attending rounders practices. The aim was for everyone to get involved in the early matches and we have had close matches against Sidcot and Rossholme which we lost by just one rounder in both games.
Early signs are that we are a stronger fielding side than batting. However, this will undoubtedly improve as we play more games and continue with regular practices.
Well done to everyone who has played!
Year 9 and 10 Athletics:
The school athletics teams have got off to a flying start with wins in recent matches.
The Year 10 Girls travelled to Sidcot School for a triangular competition against Sidcot and Rossholme. There were excellent winning performances on the track from Naomi Taschimowitz (800m) and Natasha Gowan (100m).
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Both relay teams achieved 1st and 2nd positions. Natasha went on to complete a double first in the L.J. There were encouraging performances in the field from Megan Smith, Sophie Richens and Ellen Culliford.
Year 9 athletes carried on the winning ways with a clean sweep in most events against Whitstone School. We won all the track events - Bella Jezzard (100m), Millie Simeone (200m) and Amy Barkus (800m). Hannah Bates achieved 1st place in the shot.
However, this is a team competition and all points count, Kings were overall winners in the boys and girls events.
County Cup Hockey:
What a fantastic season this has been for school hockey teams in the County Cup.
The Year 10 and 1st xi teams both reached the semi-finals of their competition, although they sadly lost at this stage.
However, two other teams went on to win and The Kings of Wessex won two cup finals in the space of three days.
Final score: Year 9 - KINGS OF WESSEX 2 CASTLE SCHOOL 1
As expected this was to be Kings’ toughest game of the competition. Previous encounters had always been close and we knew we would have to produce our best if we were to win.
Kings scored after fifteen minutes of the first half with a goal from Charlotte Fay after Castle had been in possession for most of the game. Kings began to relax and we gradually started to play as a team.
Castle started the second half stronger with a goal from a penalty corner just after the restart, although Kings battled well and worked hard in defence. It looked as though we were heading for extra time when with just four minutes left, Charlotte Crandon scored from a penalty corner.
Kings were deserved winners of the title: well done and Congratulations to all team players!
Sue Roberts, P.E.
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DANZATAK, The Kings of Wessex Youth Dance Company Visit to Latvia Saturday 12 – Sunday 20 February 2005
The Danzatak group was made up of twenty-two girls. This was a most harmonious group and they all participated in every activity whole-heartedly.
The programme had been prepared over a period of nine months by both the Latvians and the English co-ordinators (Elina Balode & Alec Brice) with the help of organising committees of participants.
Alec & Joan Brice had previously visited the venue school and had previewed what the girls were to experience. The end result was a model of what an EU Youth Education Exchange should be.
All the participants and their parents met on schedule at the National Express departure point in Bristol so there was plenty of time for passports to be checked, for identity cards (written in Latvian) to be issued and for special Danzatak luggage labels to be distributed.
We were met at Riga Airport by Elina Balode and during the two-hour journey she and her assistant taught the girls a Latvian folk song. There had been a recent snowfall so the coach arrived at the hotel slightly later than planned.
The week began as it continued with dance sessions of Latvian folk dance, jazz dance and contemporary dance and our girls were enthusiastic and worked very hard to achieve a high standard.
The girls were divided into four teams with a mix of Latvians, boys and girls and each team had a Latvian team leader. This worked very well throughout the week and the groups enjoyed discussions comparing cultural differences
The activities during the rest of the week were varied, typically Latvian - and exciting! Both the Latvian and English participants related to each other surprisingly well and by the end of the second day were already good friends. The eight Latvian boys on the exchange were very much involved in the day-to-day organisation.
Aspects of the exchange that our girls enjoyed the most were the relating with the Latvians, dancing, winter sports, the disco, the sauna, the ball, the night-time walk in the forest with flaming torches, the visit to Riga and the final performances.
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They also became involved in the life of Saldus Secondary School No 2. The Headmistress, Mrs Natalie Balode, was an inspiration to our girls. Despite the inspectors carrying out a major inspection of her school during the week, and her running for local political office, she was closely involved in every aspect of the exchange even to the supervising of the typically Latvian sauna, at which girls and female chaperones were scoured, smeared with honey, hit with birch twigs and sent out to roll in a snow drift!
This exchange is a very high profile one for the EU Youth Education Programme and two of our members (Naomi Taschimowitz and Claire Radcliffe) were interviewed at length on Latvian radio and expressed their appreciation and thanks to the Latvian people of Saldus for their hospitality and kindness.
At the close of the final dance performance the Headmistress and Co-ordinator gave each of our girls a special commemorative t-shirt and a CD-R with about 300 pictures taken during the week.
Our girls were superb without exception and will undoubtedly remember this experience all their lives. They are also aware of the serious problems that the Latvians face in preserving their newfound freedom from Russia, but above all they all probably now feel a bit Latvian themselves! e Ball We are now looking forward to the Latvians visiting us between Wednesday 6 – Thursday 14 July 2005. We have an EU grant to host them and our planning committee is arranging visits to Bath, London, Bristol, a barn party, a ball, performances and more. We hope that everybody will want to see us dance with the Latvians at our July concert. We also hope that members of the school will make them feel welcome during their visit to England.
Alec Brice
Danzatak is most grateful to the support of the EU Youth Exchange Programme, Sedgemoor District Council and for the encouragement given by The Kings of Wessex Community School.
We’d like to hear from any ex-Kings or Queens!
Do let us know the destination of any of your children or even friends who have latterly attended Kings.
We are always pleased to hear of their progress!
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Kings’ Notice Board
Blackford Educational Trust
If you have lived in the Parish of Blackford for at least six months and have children in full-time education under the age of twenty-five, you may be entitled to a grant from the Blackford Educational Trust towards the cost of educational trips, course, books and equipment etc.
Further details and an application forms can be obtained from:
The Secretary, Hugh Sexey Middle School, Sexeys Rd, Blackford, Wedmore, BS28 4ND telephone: 01934 712211
The next meeting of the Trust will be held on Monday 13 June 2005 and all applications for this meeting must be sent to the Secretary by Monday 6 June 2005. Applications received after this date will be dealt with at the October 2005 meeting.
William Cray Foundation
The Cray Charity exists to provide some financial assistance to students living in the Parish of Compton Bishop and who are engaged in a course of further or higher education.
The Charity is prepared to contribute towards the cost of essential books or equipment or other educational expenses.
Whilst the amounts involved are not enormous, compared to the total cost of a university degree, they might make the difference between being able to buy essential items or spending hours in the library.
Students living in the Parish of Compton Bishop, including the villages of Cross, Compton Bishop and Webbington who need help financing their university degree of college course, can obtain an application form from:-
Mr Jim Warner, Highways House, Old Coach Road, Cross, or on 01934 732735
Your application will be treated in the strictest confidence by the Charities Trustees
Cheddar - Felsberg Exchange Visit
In September, a group of visitors will be in Cheddar as part of the twin town exchange with Felsberg, Germany. This is an important visit for the village.
About seventy Felsbergians will be visiting Cheddar and as part of their itinerary there will be a concert and also a dinner held here at Kings.
If any family is able to accommodate a visitor - and practise their German language skills at the same time - please contact Rev. Ernest Green on telephone 01934 742167 or email [email protected]
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Tesco Computers for Schools Vouchers
Thank you for bringing in your Tesco Computers vouchers into school
The deadline is approaching for the final date that these vouchers will be issued in stores. We have to send them to Tesco by Friday 8 July 2005 and ‘bank’ them by Friday 23 September 2005 if we want to keep them until 2006.
We currently have 11,132 vouchers banked and a rapidly filling collection box!
Below is a list of things we can exchange them for or aim for:-
10 x Flash Drives - for pupil transportation and backup of data (2820 Vouchers each) 5 x Digital Movie Creator – For ICT Multimedia Projects (3430 Vouchers each) 2 x Canon Digital Video Camera – for ICT Multimedia Projects (12,600 Vouchers) 2 x Accessory pack for above (4,100 Vouchers) 5 x Roamers – for Control Work with Middle Schools (480 Vouchers each)
If you have any vouchers at home, please do bring them in! There’s a box in the main school reception
Green News
We continue our re-cycling work around school.
Our Year 11 Green Team (Mr Holdsworth 11EH tutees) collect paper to be re-cycled as part of Sedgemoor District Council’s initiatives.
Thank you latterly to some of our Year 9 students who have assumed responsibility as the Year 11 go on study leave.
Toner Recycling
As you may recall from our last Kings’ Messenger we are also collecting used printer toners.
Thank you to all those of you who have remembered to put your used toners in the boxes provided rather than directly into the rubbish bin. These are then re-cycled by a special company.
You can find a box in the school reception, outside the Finance Office, in the LRC and in all the IT areas, or liaise with Mrs Zoë Cakebread, our Finance Assistant.
We are very pleased to report back that we have already received our first cheque from the re-cycling company for an amazing £29.00!
This is useful money for school and we have also helped to preserve the environment! 30
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Important calendar dates for the final half of the Summer Term 2005:
June 2005 Return to school Monday 6 June 2005 Years 7 and 8 Master Classes Week commencing Monday 6 June 2005 (until week ending Friday 17 June 2005) Year 9 Geography Fieldtrips to Kilve River Monday 13, Wednesday 15, Friday 17, Monday 20, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 June 2005 Year 10 Work Experience Commences Monday 13 June and concludes Friday 17 June 2005 Year 12 return to lessons following AS Exam Study Leave Wednesday 15 June 2005 New Parents’ Evening Wednesday 22 June 2005 at 7.30pm, School Hall Sixth Form Induction Day Tuesday 28 June 2005 Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition 1 Departs Tuesday 28 June 2005 and returns Wednesday 29 June 2005 GCSE/AS/A2 Examinations Conclude Wednesday 29 June 2005 Athletics Sports Day Wednesday 29 June 2005: 9.00am – 1.00pm and Thursday 30 June 2005: 9.00-11.00am Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition 2 Departs Thursday 30 June and returns Friday 1 July 2005 July 2005 Year 10 Reports Issued to Parents Friday 1 July 2005 Year 9 Maths Visit to Techniquest Friday 1 July 2005 Year 9 Maths Visit to The Eden Project Friday 1 and Friday 8 July 2005 Year 10 Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition 3 Departs Monday 4 July 2005 and returns Tuesday 5 July 2005 Year 8 Transfer Day Tuesday 5 July 2005 New Parents’ Tutor Evening Wednesday 6 July 2005: 5.00-8.00pm Swimming Gala Wednesday 6 July 2005: 9.30am-1.00pm Staff Training Day Monday 11 July 2005 SCHOOL CLOSED TO STUDENTS Year 11 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Practice Expedition Departs Tuesday 12 July 2005 and returns Friday 15 July 2005 Year 10 Art Trip Wednesday 13 July 2005 Year 10 Parents’ Evening Thursday 14 July 2005: 5.00-8.00pm, School Hall Year 9 Grade Review Issued Monday 18 July 2005 Years 12/13 Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition Departs Monday 18 July 2005 and returns Friday 22 July 2005 End of the Summer Term (and the School year) Friday 22 July 2005 Summer Holidays Saturday 23 July – Sunday 4 September 2005
The final Kings’ Messenger of this school year will be published on Friday 22 July 2005
Year Co-Ordinators: Please do not hesitate to contact your Child’s Year Co-ordinator if you have any concerns or wish to discuss their progress, although we would ask that you make an appointment in advance.
2004-5 Year 9: Mr A Hitt; Year 10: Mrs M Sammonds; Year 11: Mr T Clark; Sixth Form: Mr M Hayward