THE KINGS OF WESSEX COMMUNITY SCHOOL A Specialist Technology College
Issue 64 You can also enjoy in colour on our website: THE KINGS’ MESSENGER
www.kowessex.co.uk Autumn Term – December 2005
Contents Dear Parents
Page no. At the time of writing, our annual Charities Week is now 1-2 Head’s Introduction underway and I know that our Senior Student Team have been 3-4 Special Achievements busy raising awareness of their full programme of events planned. I 5 School Colours never cease to be impressed by the amount of hard work - and 6 Year 9 End of Term Report imagination of course! - that goes into their fund-raising events 6-7 Year 12 Drugs & Alcohol Conference during the week. I know that they will look forward to presenting 7 Samaritans Purse – Christmas Boxes a thorough report for you in our next Kings’ Messenger. 8 Battle of the Bands 9 ‘Blood Brothers’ – School Production Aside from organising Charities Week, we have been active within 10 The New Drama Department the Sixth Form as a whole this term. A new structure has been 10 LRC Chess Moves organised for tutor period (lesson 3). On Mondays there is an 11-12 Main School Office assembly and a Citizenship session on Tuesdays. 13 Christian Worker Reflections 14 Amnesty on English Texts So far, in the Tuesday sessions, Year 12 students have been 14 National Poetry Muses following a course of ‘Study Skills’ enabling a smooth transition, 15 Maths GCSE Calculations from GCSE to ‘A’ Level. Year 13 have been finalising applications 16 Kip on a Ship for History! to university and jobs. 17 Modern Languages à Londres 18 Science Experiments 18 Physics Olympiad On three days 19 Modular Science GCSE a week Tutors 20 Technology Coursework Note see students 21-22 Green Power Challenged on a rolling 23-24 Business Studies’ Accounts one-to-one 25 Work-Related Learning Update basis in order 26 P.E. Kit Message to Parents to track and 27-31 Sports Triumphs monitor 31 Community Sports Leaders’ Award academic 33 House Activities 34 Notice Board performance. 35 Calendar
This term we have also held our mock Oxbridge interviews.
You will also have opportunity to read about one of the Sixth Form conferences that took place on Drug and Alcohol Awareness and latterly specialist and published author Malcolm Piper gave a lecture on Medical and IT Ethics.
I am grateful to Head of Sixth, Sally Bishop and Senior Tutors, Sarah Knightly and Georgina Rebello for all their work The Senior Team promoting Charities Week! with our students.
We will be holding our Sixth Form Open Evening on Wednesday 18 January 2006 and I would encourage all our Year 11 parents to attend this important information evening where they will have opportunity to hear from Subject Leaders about Post-16 courses here at Kings.
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As we prepare for Christmas, we recently enjoyed our Christmas services at St Andrew’s Church. This is always a lovely occasion for us to celebrate the Christmas message together and I am grateful to Sally Bishop, Paul Taylor and Jo Burridge for their work in organising these services, and of course to Preb. Victor Daley for leading our worship.
Life at Kings is probably at one of its busiest peaks at this time of year in terms of school events. At the time of writing our students and staff are preparing to raise the curtain for our annual school production of “Blood Brothers”.
I am delighted that a large number of our students have had the opportunity to be involved in the production, both on the stage and backstage and I am particularly grateful to Simon Shorrock and Anna Jackson our new Drama Department, as well as Sally Bishop, Assistant Head and Teacher of Music for their tremendous input. I look forward to reviewing the production in more detail in our first Spring Term Kings’ Messenger.
I appreciate that there have been a number of evening events during this half term but I was however, disappointed that for the first time during my eleven years here at Kings it was necessary to cancel our Christmas Cabaret Event (scheduled for Thursday 1 December 2005). Due to a lack of interest from parents, only thirty of you actually bought tickets! I nevertheless hope that parents will be encouraged to attend the Christmas Concert on Monday 19 December 2005 when our students will be performing.
We have had two internal promotions from the start of the new Spring Term as Miss Georgina Rebello has been appointed to the post of Head of Modern Languages. Parents may remember that Miss Fogarty, one of my Assistant Heads had been continuing to lead Modern Languages pending a successor. I know that Georgina is excited about seeking to raise the profile of Languages at Kings and this will be helped by the new Languages building that is currently under construction.
This term we say farewell to John Pritchard who has been with us as Teacher of Maths on a long-term cover and we are grateful to him for his work with our young people – and latterly for his compère work at our recent Battle of the Bands and at the forthcoming Rock ‘n’ Roll years event at Charities Week. Dan Carey will be joining us as permanent Teacher of Maths in January and we look forward to welcoming him to Kings.
Further to my letter to you earlier in December, parents will be aware that some of my Leadershhip Team are currently working with Wadham Community School in Crewkerne, South Somerset on an important assignment. This follows the recent Ofsted inspection when Wadham School was placed into Special Measures and the Headteacher subsequently stepped down from her post.
Deploying our school leadership expertise and experience Assistant Headteacher, Tony Wilson is currently seconded to Wadham as Acting Headteacher on a full-time basis until Easter 2006; whilst I am working as Executive Headteacher, overseeing the leadership of both Kings and Wadham. This interim leadership structure is until next Easter 2006 when the Local Authority anticipates recruiting a permanent Headteacher.
Meanwhile at Kings, Barbara Marshall, Deputy Head has taken on the responsibility as Acting Headteacher and Rod Bell will be joining our School Leadership Group during this time as an additional Assistant Headteacher. I am pleased that we are able to help Wadham at this difficult time and believe that it is a positive reflection of our effective leadership.
It only remains for me to wish all our parents and families a happy Christmas and our very best wishes for the new year ahead. We return to school on Wednesday 4 January 2006 (Week B).
I am pleased to announce the results of the Yours sincerely, Parent Governor ballot are as follows:-
Richard Oliver 96 Lorna Corke 93 Michael Belch 89 Alan Bennett 80 Chris Humphrey 42 Frank Patrick 41
CHRIS RICHARDSON Richard Oliver, Lorna Corke and Michael Belch Executive Headteacher are duly elected to the three vacancies 2 Alexander Parnell Olivia Evans Special Helen Slingsby Jordan Hatton William Streeter Ella Houghton Achievements Miles Ingleby At the end of this Students in 9EC: William Jackson Lauren Chinn Thomas Leaney Autum Term, a record Stcy Colman Alys Murphy number of Year 9 students Matthew Day David Staite have received their Bronze Courtney Freemantle Madison Ventour-Page Daniel Goodwin Jasmine Willis Award (that’s for five merits!) Alex Male Madeleine Wrench Georgina Morris Students in 9AT: Students in 9SG: Rosie Bjorkstrand Laura Nemeth Harlie Newsome Robert Broomsgrove George Booth Joshua Day Holly Carthy Stephanie Powers Ryan Pridgeon Thoams Driscoll James Cheung Oliver Ghalleb Joshua Cook Joseph Purves Shaun Smith Lorrie Hancock Lucas Eriksson Lauren Holle Katie Hatcher Mark Walt er 9EC Sara Marlow Joanne Howe Students in 9GL: Sophie Miell Sophie Jones Nicola Atkin Holly Pike Imogen Keane Jade Blair Robert Rogers Alexis Kidby Emily Gardner Megan Ryan Holly Knitght Danny Griffiths Martin Stephens Abigail Laurie Georgia Heaslip Fraser Wall Daniel Maggs Stephen Poole Sarah Weigold Matthew Martin William Price Thomas Midcalf Hayden Tuttiett Students in 9SRo: Lois Picton Joshua Udall Matthew Barber Georgia Pitt Lorna Underwood Thomas Broom Abby Rendall Polly Wright Stuart Cooke Harriet Robins Charlotte Denny Matthew Salway Students in 9ML Corriena Evans Roxanne Schroeder Nicholas Atherton Matthew Fotheringham Jessica Shepherd Michael Bancroft Bernard Francis Zachary Stitch Helen Cameron Jonathan Goodall Grant Stott Helen Craddock Theodore Hale Olivia Wildblood Joanna Frost Paige Hicks Joseph Harris Olivia Hoyle Students in 9DE: Rosie Page Kathryn Jones Abigail Adams Carly Pope Abigail Livesey Chloe Caple Craig Scriven Katie-Rose Lloyd Emme Catterall Joanna Wright David McKee Paula Chidgey Alice McKinley Cameron Crook Students in 9NR Hannah Meadowcroft Liam Cullen Amad Ahmed Ashley Morris Tom Derrick Thomas Anderson Oliver Poole Connor Finlay Anna Bailey Benjamin Virgo Aiden Hoyle Henry Cakebread Edward McCrea-Steele Thomas Coles Students in 9SS: Jessica Stanbury Katherine Eccles Hesham Afifi Rebecca Walker Martin Elder Domini Aherne Jordan Hill Brandon Gregory Students in 9DPW: Jack Humphrey Adam Kouidri Michael Comber Emily Jones Jasmine Mitton Samuel Davies Alexander Peebles Brown Joshua O-Shaughnessy Katrina Douglas Stuart Thorne Laura Pavey Cameron Green Libby Walker Oliver Pearce Rachel Harding Bethany Skeen Benjamin Jacobs Students in 9PA: Uday Vemulapalli Oliver Laband Calum Dickinson Eve Woolway Alice Edwards
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Year 9 students have continued to excel with the following awarded Silver: (that’s for 15 merits!):
Olivia Paisey 9DE Rebecca Male 9EC Samantha Davies 9SG Sophie Trolley 9EC Harry Edwards 9SG Samantha Chinnock 9ML Charlotte Hockley 9SG Flora Emeney 9NR Michael Turner 9SG Emily Richardson 9NR Jacob Finlay 9SRo Priyanka Singhal 9NR Abigail Renshaw 9SRo Alex Cheung 9PA Madeleine Stewart 9SS
And of special mention are the first Year 9 students to be awarded Gold (that’s 25 merits!) Daisy Banwell and Benjamin Peverall 9SS Jessica Hemmings 9EC Vikram Subramani 9ML Ryan Tanner 9SG
Congratulations also to the following Year 10 students for their achievement:-
Bronze (5 merits) Silver (15 meits)
Kimberley Church 10BL Jason Heath 10DR Patrick Day 10BL Adam Dean 10FS Kathryn Edwards 10BL Maria Pinnington 10FP Amy Barkus 10DR Emily Schroeder 10IS Chloe Baker 10DR Nathan Salmon 10JG Nicole Close 10DR Joel Hemmings 10SBA Holly Crompton 10DR Michael Elliott 10WE Richard Daintree 10DR Joshua Greenfield 10WE Eleanor Gall 10DR Ryan Poole 10WE Oliver Gallegos Brinton Roach 10WE Jake Hodgetts 10DR Craig Ingarfill 10DR Well done, to David Frost and Buffy Rabbits Rosemary Mann 10DR 10WE and Joe Taschimowitz 10IS who have William Scott-Hartley 10DR also achieved their Gold! Nicola Sentence 10DR Liam Young 10DR Hannah Lucas 10FS Hannah Seabourne 10FS Sean Stringer 10FS John Tee-Boon 10FS Brendon Ware 10FS Lilian Fry 10FP Benjamin Fulbrook 10FP Bethany Moxey 10FP Sara Puddy 10FP Caitlin Wilkinson 10FP Benita Boyce 10IS Charlotte Fay 10IS Laura Harding 10IS Emily Hawkings 10IS Congratulations to all our students for all Emma Kent 10IS your achievements and contribution to Emily Ronan 10IS Kings this term! Yvette Taylor 10IS Alexander Holt 10VP Emma Jeffries 10WE Melanie Richards 10WE
4 School Colours for the Autumn Term For our new parents, at the end of term, students are awarded school colours for their contribution, effort and achievement.
A Big But: due to school ending this term on a split week and also with the busy Charities Week programme, the Sixth Form Presentation Assembly was held on Monday 19 December; but the Years 9, 10 and 11 assemblies will be held in the first week back in the Spring Term.
To retain the all-important element of surprise, we will publish our student names in the February Half Term Kings’ Messenger.
Drama Hockey School Council
Andrew Strang 13GR Caroline Burdock 13JD Helen Gillett 13GG Daniella Carter 12AJ Jennifer Jezard 12TT Rhys Bevan 13GG J-J Chalmers 13GR Hazel Rossiter 12CWH Naomi Colthurst 13GG Andreas Spanring 13LT James Eden 13GG Mehreen Arshad 13GR Rachel Edwards 12CWH Ellen Butcher 13BR Laura Gallagher 12TT Philippa Hambly 13GG Philippa Hambly 13GG Volleyball Leanne Harris 12AJ Polly Higginbottom12JPK Natalie Gilbert 13GR Ashley Jones 12CWH Rachael Goddard 13GG Congratulations Tara Jones 12CWH Philippa Hambly 13GG James Kidby 12SR Sophie James 13GG everyone on your Emma Paterson 13JD Alice Merry 13BR achievements! Josh Picton 12AJ Emily Rossiter 13LT
Felicity Pople 12JHC
Laurie Reynolds 13GG Andreas Spanring 13LT Fiona Ward 13RH Rugby Kirsty Webber 12SK
Tim Farmer 13JD Music Jon Filer 13BR Emily Blake 12TT Daniel French 13BR Caroline Burdock 13JD Ed John 13GR Paul Foster 12SR
We would however, like to make a special mention to our Green Team of Environmentalists who nobly collect paper for re-cycling around school (because they know who they are!)
Green Team Josh Udall 9GL Stephen Poole 9GL Matthew Salway 9AT Cameron Green 9DPW Sam Davis 9DPW 5 Year 9 Update – Mr Holdsworth reflects on the first term
As a new Head of Year with a new year group it has been interesting seeing how things have settled down with over 300 new students and 11 Tutors.
On the whole the transition has been remarkably smooth. Most of the comments I have heard have been very positive regarding Year 9’s behaviour and attitudes to work.
Particularly pleasing has been the way in which students have been supportive of one another. When students have found themselves in difficult situations there have generally been friends there to help, guide and comfort.
As a year group we decided that each tutor group would collect loose change and the proceeds would go to buying something for the needy in Africa. The idea has really caught on with over £300 having been collected in a few weeks. Some groups have high aspirations with provision of a flock of goats, a fresh water reservoir and even a toilet block. Dr. Ellis’ group have collected over £70 so far which is amazing.
If you would like to contribute then please pass on your change to a pupil or tutor group in Year 9.
I will keep you all posted of money collected and actions taken
In our “Green Efforts”, a dedicated team of Year 9 boys has just taken over the collection of waste paper and have started off in a very keen and organised fashion.
Well done everyone for a positive first term at Kings!
Year 12 Drug and Alcohol Conference November 2005
This half term Year 12 spent a morning with the staff and patients from Broadway Lodge in Weston– Super-Mare. Broadway Lodge is a non-profit making organisation and registered charity, which operates treatment and counselling services for alcohol, drug dependency, eating disorders and co- dependency.
The students found the patients’ honesty surprising and inspiring. It certainly made everyone think about how it must be to deal with alcoholism and drug addiction.
I am very grateful to all the staff and patients that visited us.
Ms Knightley Senior Sixth Form Tutor
6 Tom Young 12SK gives this excellent account of the visit:
Year 12 were visited by men and women undergoing their second stage of rehabilitation at Broadway Lodge to discuss drug and alcohol addiction, eating disorders and self-harm.
Predominantly recovering alcohol and heroin addicts, they told horrific and candid stories of living with the sickness and stigma of addiction and its effect on their behaviour and relationships.
The Nurse and Centre Director spoke about the physical and psychological effects of substance dependence, the causes and the treatment.
Amongst a few surprising and disparate issues raised through discussion included the health risks posed by the lack of quality-control over illegal substances and the unwillingness of the prison system to seek medical help for prisoners led to crime by addiction.
The honesty and bravery of the visitors to overcome, what was in some cases, evident distress was extraordinary and we wish to them all a complete recovery.
Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Boxes ‐ an update Bringing joy to less fortunate children this Christmas
We are delighted to report that this year’s Samaritan’s Purse shoebox appeal has had an amazing response ‐ with over 70 donated boxes! This is a fantastic achievement: well done to everyone who has given so generously.
You will recall from the Autumn Term Kings’ Messenger that each Christmas the Samaritans collect shoe boxes. Wrapped in Christmas paper the shoe boxes are filled with pencils and pens, cuddly toys, toothbrushes and soaps, socks and scarves and lots of other goodies to children to give to children in Eastern Europe and Africa.
This year’s success represents a more than three‐fold increase on last year’s collection of twenty boxes! And as promised, a prize was promised to the group/person who gave the most boxes. Year 10 twin sisters Benita and Maria Boyce were awarded the prize for an astounding nine boxes!
We would also like to give our thanks to all those who helped in the process of managing, wrapping and carrying the boxes!
Thank you so much! Jenni Sparks and Becky McKee 12SR with the mountain of boxes! 7 Battle of the Bands, a massive music show begins Charities Week (Monday 12 – Friday 16 December 2005
The Kings of Wessex students saw a spectacular show of music, lights and laughter on the evening of Monday 28 November 2005 as the Battle of the Bands contest kicked-off the start of the annual charity campaign here at Kings.
The crowd saw six student bands battle it out with their amazing talent to gain the title of the Best Band. Maths teacher Mr. Pritchard hosted the evening and made a sound job of welcoming the bands to the stage. There was also a high amount of technical knowledge and equipment used in this event.
The event is just a taster of events to come at the Charities Week (Monday 12 to Friday 16 December) which this year is set to raise a colossal amount of money for BIBIC, Barnados and Save the Children.
The winning band was a group of Students from Year 11, known as ‘Pariah’ who scooped the winning title and won a chance to do a recording of their songs and make a CD at a local recording studio.
‘Pariah’ is otherwise known as Matthew Lewis, Ben Smithers, Philip Lee and Stuart Ponsford.
Commenting on this year’s event, Headteacher Mr Richardson said, “Battle of the Bands is an exciting way for us to start Charities Week. I am always impressed by the musical and technical expertise of our students. Well done to all the bands and particularly to Pariah!”
The event was made possible by the Senior Student Team and the Year 11 Technical Crew.
We are glad to have such a successful event heading the Kings of Wessex Charities week this year.
Reported by Andy Burland, Backstage Manager
A thought – at the time that this newsletter will be going to print, Charities Week will have started in earnest on Monday 12 December.
Well done to the Senior Student Team for their huge work in organising and to all the students and staff who participate and support events! 8
‘Blood Brothers’ – this year’s school production! Thursday 8, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 December 2005 at 7.30pm
At the time of writing, the cast and crew at The Kings of Wessex Community School are busy in final rehearsals all set to bring to life Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’ musical for this year’s school production. With a brand new Drama Department at the helm, it promises to be a dynamic and exciting evening full of comedy, tragedy and music.
Bringing this story of family secrets, separation and superstition to the stage will be students from all school years.
Years 10 and 11 will perform in Act One: great performances will be seen from Faye Aston and Lisa Robson as the mothers of the fated Mickey and Eddie played by Joe Taschimowitz and Will Waelchli. Some of the cast at a recent dress rehearsal Source: Cheddar Valley Gazette
Parts in Act Two will be led by some of the senior students. Bringing the play to its dramatic conclusion, J-J Chalmers and Alex Buhagiar take the lead roles with Philippa Hambly and Stephanie Robson as the guilty pair, watching on as the boys are destroyed with secrets and lies.
Simon Shorrock, the new Head of Drama is Director and Sally Bishop, newly appointed Head of Sixth Form, taking charge of the Musical Direction this is a challenging and energetic début production from the team.
Everyone involved is poised to seeing members of the school and the wider Cheddar community coming to enjoy an evening of entertainment.
Simon Shorrock and Anna Jackson JJ and Alex in a recent rehearsal 9 The (new) Drama Department A few words of introduction
I would like to introduce myself, Simon Shorrock (Head of Drama) and Anna Jackson, (Teacher of Drama) as the new team teaching Drama at The Kings of Wessex. We have both settled in well and are well under way with many projects, not least, the school play.
By the time you read this it will all be over, but at time of writing we are one week away from the production. I hope you managed to see it! The legacy of school productions at Kings is hard to follow, not least being the desire to involve as many students as possible and double casting some productions to accommodate this.
We decided that as we were using the play ’Blood Brothers’, we would have two casts: one for the first half of the play and one for the second half. In all we have about 55 performers. We were able to do this because in the play the second half begins several years after the first half. The students have worked extremely hard and have really been ready for to go for a while. In ten years of school productions I have never found myself in the position of saying to a cast ‘keep it going’ four weeks beforehand the Big Night. Usually there is a mad scramble at the last minute and everything comes out alright in the end, but these students - most significantly those in the first half - have worked tirelessly and professionally to meet each deadline I have set. I must take this opportunity to thank all the staff involved for their hard work. We have had lots of offers of help and have been made most welcome in our first term at the school. I hope you enjoyed the production if you saw it and look out for next year’s around the same time. It is our intention to always have the school production in the first term in the future. Look out also for the Year 9 production in the summer which has a Shakespearean theme and will hopefully be performed outdoors!!! Simon Shorrock, Head of Drama
The LRC Chess Tournament
The LRC Chess Tournament is coming to an end, although we have four more games to play before a winner is announced.
For those of you that play Chess, I have some exciting details of the British Land UK Chess Challenge: you could win £2,000 for the top prize, and the top girl could win £1,000!
Local rounds will take place in school next term; whilst, regional heats are a little further afield. There are prizes for everyone who enters, so look for the entry sheet in the LRC, and sign up, you could WIN!!! More details from Mrs Knutson in the LRC.
Draughts or checkers, anyone? Are you any good at draughts or checkers? We have had requests for a draughts tournament for next term. If anyone is interested in taking part, please give your name to the Librarians after Christmas.
Bridget Knutson, LRC Manager 10 The Main School Office Update
The Main School Office
Opening Hours during term time are Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.45pm Reception telephone number: 01934 742608
In between working hours, the ansaphone is available
Please note: The Office will be closed during the Christmas holidays Contact Details
We are always keen to keep your child’s up-to-date contact details, including postal address and your day/work telephone numbers.
Thank you therefore for directing any updates to our Administration Manager, Mrs Tania Caulfield either in writing to school or via the school email: office@ kingsofwessex.somerset.sch.uk
Mobile Phones in School
Just to remind you of our school policy for mobile phones.
Mobile phones must be switched off during lesson times so as not to disrupt learning. In addition, the new phtography facility must not be used in any way during school time.
We believe our mobile phone policy to be reasonable and unlike many schools, we have chosen not to ban mobile phones in school and we are mindful that we serve a wide rural area.
Any student who is found to have a phone in school without a mobile phone contract will have their phone permanently banned from school.
Should a student’s mobile phone be confiscated following breach of any aspect of the contract it will only be returned to a parent on the Friday of the following week.
Please note:
This is non-negotiable and parents are asked not to ask for your child’s phone to be returned earlier.
However, should this be the case, the student will be permanently banned from bringing their phone into school.
Thank you for your support.
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Reporting Your Child’s Absence
Thank you to parents who have used our Absence Hotline this term.
You will appreciate that is essential that we monitor student attendance carefully and your prompt contact is very helpful.
To report your child’s illness or other absence on the first and every day you can either telephone:
01934 745304 (This telephone number is available 24/7)
Remember to give your child’s name, tutor group and reason for absence. or you can alternatively, email Trudi Jenkins our Absence Secretary at:
Parents will know our policy about taking absence during term time. As an Upper School all students are involved in the preparation for public examinations and it is for this reason tht we actively discourage parents taking their children out of school. We believe that any lesson missed is a valuable educational experience lost, which cannot be replicated. Moreover, research demonstrates that absence undoubtedly hinders progress.
Thank you therfore for thinking carefully before you remove your child from school. If, however, you have extraordinary circumstances that you think could qualify for leave, please submit your request by completing the requisite form to your child’s Year Co-Ordinator giving as much notice as possible.
Does your child suffer from Asthma?
If your child suffers from severe asthma they should have their inhaler on them at all times in school. In addition, it would be prudent for a spare inhaler to be kept in the Main School Office for emergencies.
Your GP should be able to prescribe you a spare inhaler and the student should then bring it to the school office labelled.
Please note that parents are responsible for the updating of any prescription medicines held in school.
Young People’s Drop in Clinic New change of date and time!
At Cheddar Medical Centre
Open Thursday at the end of the school day between 4-5pm for Years 9/10/11 with parental permission.
Free confidential advice from a Health Professional on a variety of medical issues
Barbara Marshall, Acting Headteacher 12 Christmas already…?! It hardly seems possible! Christian Leader, Joanna Burridge reflects on this term…
As I write this, we’re still at the beginning of Advent, traditionally a time of reflection and preparation before the BIG EVENT!
For most of us, that might mean lots of present wrapping and buying, cards to write and life being even more hectic than usual. It has been said that all this over-preparation leads to Christmas becoming far too commercialised, and that could be the case perhaps.
However, let’s not forget that Christmas is all about God’s involvement in human lives, particularly those of the poor and vulnerable, sending his son to be born a baby and share our experiences. Let’s remember too that the first Christmas was not the ‘perfect Christmas’ but a rather rushed and confusing affair with last minute attempts to find a place to give birth!
I pray that amidst the hustle and bustle we may all find time to prepare to welcome the infant Christ anew this Christmas. I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.
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The poem below is one we used in our Christmas services this year: A REMINDER! I hope you enjoy it!
Parents and carers prayer group will recommence on Thursday 12 January 2006 at 11.45am Light looked down
And saw darkness. and then on the following Thursdays – 26 January and 9 February 2006. ‘I will go there’ said Light.
Please come and join us, or contact Joanna if you Peace looked down
wish join in via e-mail!
And saw war.
The Christian Union meets every Tuesday ‘I will go there’ said Peace.
lunchtime: if you have a church member who would like to come and talk with us about being a Christian etc please let us know! Love looked down And saw hatred. ‘I will go there’ said Love.
So he, The Lord of Light, The Prince of Peace, The King of Love, Came down And crept in Beside us.
13 Amnesty on all English Texts!
This is a plea to parents to assist us in encouraging students to return any English texts that may be lost under beds, hiding in drawers, at the back of cupboards!
Please note that stray English texts can be returned without any repercussions to English teachers or the Main School Reception at any time
Your assistance in the matter is greatly appreciated.
Ms Penny Anderson Head of English Faculty
National Poetry Week – by an inspired Mrs Phippen!
During National Poetry Week in October, a competition was held to write a poem about space or the future. We received some brilliant entries.
Gift vouchers and chocolate were awarded to the winners. First prize went to Tom Campbell 9EC, second prize to Becky Male and third prize to Rosie Bjorkstrand.
Here is Tom Campbell’s winning poem:
Gone
It can never end, And it never will. We are just a blade of grass On a mile high hill.
One day all the grass will go, And they’ll be nothing left to see. No light, no sound, no smell or touch, Not even you or me.
But that one day is years away. We’ve got lots of time ‘til then. Even when all life disappears, It will probably start again.
Great Expectations of the RSC’s Production (and an after exams treat!)
For an end of exams treat Ms Anderson took forty-five Sixth Form and Year 11 students to watch the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations in beautiful Stratford-upon-Avon.
After a hitchless coach journey and fifteen minutes shopping time the students sat in the best seats in the house to observe the play. The production blended thoroughly professional acting with beautiful stage settings to create a very accurate and wonderful spectacle. The trip was a super break and our thanks go to Ms Anderson and the English Department for organising!
Reviewed by Chris Nash 4 14 Developments at GCSE in Maths
Students currently in Year 9 will be starting a new GCSE course that is different from the courses currently being studied in Years 10 and 11. The difference will be in the tiering as Maths adopts the two-tier structure used by most other subjects.
There will be two-tiers: one offering grades A*, A, B, C and D and the other grades C, D, E, F and G. It means that all students will be able to follow a course leading to at least grade C (which is not the case with the current Foundation course). We therefore consider it to be a good thing overall, and it should on average be of benefit to students. As with all things, however, there will be advantages and disadvantages for students and it is worth looking at these issues in detail. Here is the likely impact on four different students to illustrate what is likely to happen.
Alice and Adam are able students. They reached level 5 at KS2 and are getting top marks in tests. Their CAT’s scores predict Grade As. They will naturally take the harder tier, expecting to reach their target grade. They will find this exam easier than their predecessors. The hardest questions will be just as hard, but there will be some easier D Grade questions on the paper, which will help keep up confidence levels. The pass marks will be higher to compensate. They will benefit from the new structure. There were 60 A and A* students at Kings last year; 15 more than any other Somerset school.
Bobby and Betty are clever students too, although they do not count Maths as their strongest subjects. Their CAT’s scores predict Grade Bs. Their predecessors gained B grades from the old Intermediate tier, and they never really wanted to attempt the demanding Higher course. They have two options under the new structure. They may try the harder tier, equivalent to the current Higher tier. This would enable them to reach their target grade, but would expose them to the very demanding work associated with Grade A Maths.
Alternatively, they may settle for the easier tier. This will limit them to a Grade C. These students are faced with a tricky choice, and they are the ones most likely to be disadvantaged by the new system. There were 64 students at Kings last year who obtained Grade B, and who could fall into this category.
Charles and Caroline find Maths difficult, but cope with it and get encouraging results. Their CAT’s scores predict Grade C or D (or perhaps lower!), and they would be very happy to finish GCSE with a Grade C. They can’t get their heads around Simultaneous Equations, but they work hard and are good at the basic algebra and number work. They will take the easier tier, and find it more to their taste than their predecessors.
There were 65 students who gained Grade Cs and another 34 gained Grade Ds last year. A good dozen missed Grade Cs by 3% or less, put off, perhaps, by the difficult B Grade work they needed to tackle on the old Intermediate course. We would expect all the Grade Cs to be more secure and confident on the new syllabus, and the Grade Ds to find that little bit extra on more accessible papers, too. Students in this group should benefit greatly from the new arrangements, with a significant number of students having a real opportunity of reaching a Grade C.
Daphne and David find Maths very difficult. Their CATs scores predict low grades in Maths, perhaps Grade Fs or Gs. Their predecessors had an impossible choice at the beginning of Year 10. They either accepted that they would not be able to reach Grade C level and opted for the old Foundation exam, or they tackled the Intermediate course, with some very tricky algebra. They will continue to find Maths difficult, but maybe the new course will be less daunting, and the fact that a Grade C is possible in theory will improve their motivation. Fewer than 20 students at Kings obtained Grade F and Gs.
For most Kings students, the results will be positive. There will be a problem area for some “Grade B students”. We intend to tackle this problem by creating a fourth group following the current Higher tier course. This will provide about 120 higher tier opportunities. This matches well with the 124 students who reached Grade B or better at Kings last year. As we will not know in advance which students these will be, there may be some issues to resolve. The basic structure is sound however.
Last year’s GCSE results at Kings were outstanding. We achieved the highest average points score of any Somerset comprehensive, and the highest pass rate at C and A grade level. There were more A and A* grades than any other Somerset school. The new structure gives us the chance to move forward from this strong base, but it is important that parents are aware of the impact of these developments on their own children.
Richard Walters, Head of Maths 15 Kip on a Ship! and experience a bit of history…
At the end of September, 40 lucky Year 11 History students enjoyed a two day trip to London to explore some of its most important historical venues.
On Day 1, the students visited the Cabinet War Rooms where they received a stimulating talk on World War Two propaganda. All the staff were impressed by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the students that participated.
Year 11 explored the Cabinet War rooms and the Churchill Museum for themselves. Then, after a whistle-stop tour of London’s Trafalgar Square, the students enjoyed dinner at Planet Hollywood before being whisked off to stay on board HMS Belfast!
Everyone was taken on a tour of the top deck of the ship at night before settling down to sleep in the ship’s bunks.
There was no use complaining about the lack of space… In battle, over one hundred sailors would be expected to sleep in the space taken up by twenty King’s Historians!
On Day 2 we listened to a talk on the history of the ship before being allowed to explore the ship as a group. After this it was off to the Imperial War Museum to consider the impact of World War One and the steps to World War Two (a key component of the GCSE History course).
A fantastic time was had by all and the History department would like to thank students for their superb behaviour and enthusiasm throughout the trip.
An important reminder!
The FINAL DEADLINE for the second piece of History coursework
(Stalin & the Modernisation of the USSR) is Tuesday 20 December 2005.
Felicity Preece, History
16 Une Journée à Londres A Day in London
Earlier in December, a group of Year 13 French students, accompanied by Mme Davies, attended a French Study Day at the ‘Friends House’, Euston Road, London. Here are some of their impressions of the day.
We joined nearly a thousand other A2 French students and their teachers from all over the country in the vast hall of the main Quaker meeting house in London. Although we attended a similar event for AS last year nothing had quite prepared us for the scale of the London based version. These study days have become so popular that all three venues London, Manchester and Birmingham were hugely oversubscribed this year.
One of the reasons for the growing reputation of the event has to be the charisma and personality of the two native French speakers, Richard and Regis who deliver the course. They speak only in French throughout the day (even when asking audience members in the gallery if they could open one or two windows) and their materials are ideally pitched to capture the interest of all members of the audience.
Themes tackled during the day included a comparison of the French and English political systems, attitudes to health in France, the issue of racism across Europe and new technologies and their application. Activities ranged from PowerPoint presentations incorporating media clips to interactive grammar and translation exercises which had us all including Mme Davies concentrating hard!
Quelques trucs que nous avons appris…(one or two things we learned)
The results of recent health surveys in France show that contrary to their reputation as wine growers and lovers, French people actually drink at a very moderate rate.
‘Tu te fiches de moi’ translates as ‘You are taking the Michael’.
The French believe their political system is fairer than ours and in a moment of boldness declared that ‘il est grand temps que les Britanniques fassent leur propre révolution’ (it is high time that the British stage their own revolution).
Traffic in London is truly ‘choquant’ (shocking).
At the height of the recent highly publicised troubles in France the French Minister for the Interior, Nicolas Sarkozy, really did call the French rioters scum, ‘la racaille’, which of course had a very calming effect...
France has chosen the route of integration, as opposed to the multiculturalism favoured in England: sadly this has been of limited success and there is still a desperate need for the work of anti-racism groups such as ‘Ras l’front’ and ‘Jeunes contre le Racisme en Europe’.
Although tiring, the day proved to be very helpful, particularly as the topics covered mirrored those we are studying this year. It also provided us with the opportunity to visit ‘University College London’ (UCL), to which a few of us have already applied.
Meilleurs vœux pour Noël ! La classe française (Year 13) and Madame Davies!
Félicitations et Bon Courage à Frau Rebello who has been appointed Head of Modern Languages from January 2006!
17 Science News
This half term we hosted Alexandra Waring, a PGCE student from Bristol University, for her first teaching practice and she made good progress. We are looking forward to meeting our next student in the Spring Term.
Year 10 students sat their first Module tests this month and we’ll have the results back early next term. We are all very grateful to the Exams Office for doing such a sterling job in organising two tests for this large year group plus, at the same time, assorted tests for the Year 11 students re-sitting.
At the moment, the Chemistry labs are constantly full of Year 13 students carrying out their ‘A’ Level investigations; indeed, C2 looks like a research lab with syringes, foaming glassware and buckets! The students (and the teachers!) have benefited from the excellent technical support from Sue French.
Bethan Riddick, Head of Science
Physics Olympiad
In the last edition we set the following question from a past paper in Physics Olympiad.
The figure below shows a brass plate with a hole cut in it:
The plate is initially at room temperature but then is immersed in boiling water.
Three students debate how the area of the hole will be affected by the change in temperature.
Adrian thinks the area will increase. Beth thinks the area will decrease. Charlie thinks the area will stay the same.
State, with a reasoned explanation, what will happen to the area of the hole
Consider one of the lengths on the inside of the plate.
As it heats up each of the atoms in this section will take up more space and therefore this length will get longer. The same can be said for each of the inside lengths. The area of the hole will therefore increase!
Now ponder the following: Kung Fu experts can break through several pieces of board in one strike. What is the physics behind this?
Answer in the next Kings’ Messenger………..!
Jonny Friend Physics Co-Ordinator
18 For the important attention of Year 10 and 11 Parents from Mr T Wilson, Assistant Headteacher (Examinations & Assessment)
As you are aware your son/daughter is following a modular Science GCSE course.
The School has embarked upon this scheme of assessment as it provides students with a more well-ordered progression through the course and the opportunity to prepare themselves for assessment very soon after they have been taught specific topics.
The modular scheme also provides the opportunity for students in Year 11 to re-sit modules that they have previously under-performed in during Year 10. For the first year this November we had Year 11 students re- sitting modules that they had taken during 2004/5. Students were allowed to re-take any module that they wished and in many cases chose to retake up to three modules.
However, the school believes that this situation was counterproductive to the students’ best interests in that students were unduly focusing upon re-sitting modules in one subject to the disadvantage of sitting exams in others. Moreover, students re-sitting a number of modules were not focusing or preparing themselves for them, hence the school believes that the quality of coursework produced in the Autumn Term may also have suffered.
As a result, we propose to continue the policy of allowing students to re-sit Science modules during Year 11 subject to paying the necessary examination entry fee with the following proviso:
Re-sits may only be taken by Year 11 students in the same two modules that the current Year 10 is sitting, or three modules for Triple Scientists.
The table below outlines the implications of this proviso and illustrates which modules are available to the current Year 11 to re-sit in March and June, and which modules are available for the current Year 10 should they wish to re-sit them in the 2006/7 academic year. In addition there are no opportunities for Year 10 students to re-sit any modules in the 2005/6 academic year.
Series Module Number Module Title November 346006 Earth Materials 346009 Energy 346023 (Triple Scientists only) Physics in Action March 346001 Humans as Organisms 346005 Metals 346019 (Triple Scientists only) Moving and Feeding June 346002 Maintenance of Life 346010 Electricity 346021 (Triple Scientists only) Aqueous and Organic Chemistry
If you wish to discuss modular science further please do not hesitate to contact the Head of Science, Mrs Riddick or your child’s Science Teachers.
Good news!
Your GCSE and AS certificates from the June exams are now available for collection from the Exams Office!
19 Year 11 GCSE Design and Technology Coursework An important message to parents from Shireen Pascoe, Head of Technology
All Year 11 students should be focusing on their coursework for Design and Technology, either for Food Technology, Graphic Products or Resistant Materials. Please be aware of the following information so that you can help support your child:
The specification and mark scheme are the same for each subject 60% coursework and 40% Examinations (two x 20%)
Within Technology we structure the production of coursework so that students can produce work at a steady rate. Coursework began in May 2005 and all projects are expected to be submitted by Monday 13 March 2006.
With 60% of the course being coursework students have the opportunity to achieve an excellent result higher than their TMG (Target Minimum Grade) and staff make themselves available to students outside of lessons to enable students to achieve their individual best.
9 Food Technology - Tuesday evenings 4-6pm 9 Graphic Products - Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes 1.15-1.55pm 9 Resistant Materials - Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes 1.15-1.55pm
Each student has received a Study Guide for their specific subject: Food Technology has a red booklet, Graphic Products an orange booklet and Resistant Materials a green booklet.
You should have been shown these and made aware of their contents. Additionally, students also were given a sheet with a detailed breakdown of each task that needs to be completed by a set date.
If your child has managed to misplace their Study Guide theses are also available on the School Intranet.
The course is divided into six Assessment Objectives-
1. Identify a need or opportunity leading to a Design Brief 2. Research into the Design Brief which results in a Specification 3. Generation of Design Proposals 4. Product Development 5. Product Planning and Realisation 6. Evaluation and Testing
IMPORTANT! Students should have completed the following by the time they return after Christmas-
Food Technology: Assessment Objectives 1-3 and half way through 4 Graphic Products: Assessment Objectives 1-4 Resistant Materials: (Mr Hayward’s groups) Assessment Objectives 1-4 Resistant Materials: (Mr Parvin’s groups) Assessment Objectives 1-3 & manufactured their product
Thank you for your support in advance.
20 Green Power – technology on wheels!
Readers will recall from previous Kings’ Messengers behind-the-scenes work on the design and build of an electric racing car (from scratch!). We are pleased to bring you up-to-date with the news that our team won a prize for competing in the Green Power Challenge when they raced for six hours with cars from other regional schools.
Green Power is a non- profit-making company, supported by a number of sponsors, dedicated to promoting Engineering and Technology as careers in both Secondary and Primary schools across the UK.
The main medium for getting the message across about Engineering is the involvement of a large number of schools in electric car racing projects (for further details you can visit the website at www.greenpower.co.uk).
The Green Power team celebrating their success (from bottom left moving clockwise): Alex Holt, George Fake, Buffy Rabbitts, Jonathan Taylor, Jason Heath, Mr Etherington, Joe Taschimowitz, David Frost.
The pioneering Green Power team (David Frost, Jason Heath, Alex Holt, Buffy Rabbitts, Brinton Roach, Jonathan Taylor, Joe Taschimowitz, Joe Ward, George Fake, Tom Stanley and Adam Dean) worked hard throughout the year designing and building the car in their free time and after school.
Their hard work paid off when they returned from the Regional Heats, held at Haynes Motor Museum, with Buffy Rabbitts collecting the team award for “Perseverance In The Face Of Adversity” from John Haynes himself.
The team were not without assistance in building their design; indeed, many local companies offered their support for the team, offering sponsorship money or parts and labour – without this expertise and assistance the project would have been much harder!
The team would like to thank those people who gave so much of themselves to help the team build the car. Anthony Masters from Somerset Forge and his skilled team of fabricators helped extensively in the construction of an intricate rear sub- frame and were always willing to give share their time and experience with the team.
21 Ben Barker of Hillview Engineering repaired the alloy chassis after a crash in testing and spent a great deal of his time strengthening it ready for the race. Bike City in Wells offered discounted parts and excellent technical support to the team and helped solve lots of problems with the drive-train. The Wells Mobility Centre helped hugely by donating a pair of highly expensive proportional speed controllers for the motor in the car.
“I am so proud of our Green Power students,” thanked Mr Etherington, who worked alongside the students during the build. “They have come together so well demonstrating real team spirit and have put so much of their time and effort into this project, often working until late in the evening to make sure the project was finished on time.
They richly deserve their prize and have undertaken something really interesting during their time at Kings, gaining a wealth of experience in managing and coordinating a project of this type. We are also very grateful for the generosity of our local supporters and cannot thank those people enough for what they have done to help us take part in this race and build our car.”
The race itself was action packed, despite lasting six-hours! Many of the teams at Haynes Motor Museum were veterans of Green Power, returning with refined and improved designs, but there were equally many new teams, eager to compete against the other schools.
The Kings Of Wessex team, “The Kings Of The Kerb”, worked hard throughout the day, changing batteries and drivers to keep the car running as fast as possible and repairing it when parts broke or wore down, even going so far as to manage to convince another team to lend them a wheel after a set of bearings collapsed near the end. At the end of the race, they crossed the line in “True Runnings” style with the whole team carrying the car across the finish after getting a flat tyre one minute from the end.
The 2006 team has now been formed and is a mix of veteran Year 10 and new Year 9 students. They are all looking forward to building and testing their new ideas and competing next year.
The new team comprises of the following pupils, all of whom impressed the selection panel with their enthusiasm and attitude.
Year 9: Year 10: Tom Campbell 9EC David Frost 10WE Stuart Cooke 9SRO Jason Heath 10DR Calum Dickinson 9PA Alex Holt 10VH Jack Humphrey 9NR Brinton Roach 10WE Miles Ingleby 9PA Joe Taschimowitz 10IS Ciaran Worcester 9PA Jonathan Taylor 10RA
David McKee 9SRO is a reserve team member in case of unforeseen changes.
Following the Malcolm Piper ICT/Ethics talk in school earlier this term, we are very lucky to be able to offer copies of Malcolm Piper's book at the reduced price of £7.99 (normally £12.99). If anyone would like to purchase a copy of this entertaining and thought provoking read, please contact the School Reception.
Dave Parvin 22 Business Studies’ Accounts
The Year 12 GNVQ students have had a busy Autumn Term.
As part of their induction course they carried out research both at South West Karting and Bardon Aggregates.
At both businesses, students interviewed staff on the subject of customer service. They also had the chance to investigate the activities involved in making both businesses successful. Our work with Bardon Aggregates involved a tour of the quarry, a chance to witness a blast taking place and, finally, work with staff from different areas of the business.
The Business Studies Department is extremely grateful to Bardon Aggregates for the time and effort they were able to devote to our students.
During the morning the student had the chance to speak to planners, engineers, administrators and managers from the quarry.
To support their work with Unit 1 the students interviewed the Administration Officer at Brean Leisure Park during September. They were asked to carry out a presentation about customer service as part of this assignment.
The most recent focus for our work has been Mulberry Designs Ltd in Chilcompton. The work here has its focus on the market in which Mulberry operates and students need to have an understanding of the pressure under which the works operate.
23 Make your Mark Challenge
As part of Enterprise Week seven groups of Year 10 GCSE pupils took park in the Make Your Mark Challenge.
This was organised by the Enterprise Insight campaign founded by the UK’s leading business organisations which aims to promote enterprise in young people.
Their brief was revealed at 9.30am on the day of the campaign when the students were asked to remarket their local area and develop an idea which would allow Cheddar to make its mark.
The students developed many good ideas: including an undercover sports complex on the Somerset Levels, a Barbie clothes shop, a cable car for the Cheddar Gorge and a Chocolate Museum.
The winning teams showed the best mix of creativity, teamwork and commercial success. The final presentations will take place in the new year.
As reported by Martin Lee, Head of Business Studies 24 Year 10 Work Experience (The week beginning Monday 12 June 2006)
Congratulations to all Year 10 students who have successfully finalised arrangements for their work placement.
I have received a number of completed forms, but I am still waiting for the majority.
It is imperative that you get your completed form to me as soon as your placement is confirmed.
The deadline for returning your form is Friday 6 January 2006, so do please use the Christmas break to get your form completed.
Sixth Form Work Placements: Our senior students are encouraged to take the opportunity of a work placement during their time studying in the Sixth Form. This may be related to a specific subject and unit of work or a particular career interest.
This term, Year 12 AS Design & Technology (Food) students entered the work place in November to research their Food Technology coursework assignment.
Henry Reith has been pursuing his interest in accounting with a placement at Bardon Aggregates. Kirsty Webber is visiting Cheddar First School on a regular basis to pursue her interest in teaching.
We very much appreciate the support given to our students by local businesses.
Any Sixth Form student wishing to organise a work placement either for a short period of time for a specific subject related project or for a longer period to pursue a career interest should see Miss Tasch who will be happy to help them organise a placement.
Army Careers Visit: Colonel Watts from the Army Careers Office visited school this term to talk to students interested in entering the Army at Officer level.
Colonel Watts will be visiting the school again in April 2006. Any students interested in Officer training who are currently in Year 11 or the Sixth Form and would like to register their interest should see Miss Tasch.
Miss Tasch, reporting for duty Work-Related Learning Co-Ordinator
25
Before bringing you our sports news, we have an important message from the Physical Education Department
Due to a growing number of problems relating to participation in Physical Education (P.E.) lessons I believe it is necessary to remind students and parents of the school’s policy on participation in practical PE.
It is a Government requirement that all students receive compulsory P.E. lessons until they leave school at the end of Year 11. Thus, the school has an obligation to ensure all students participate fully in all P.E. lessons.
It is the joint responsibility of both the student and parents to ensure that every student comes to school correctly equipped for every P.E. lesson so that they can participate fully. This entails bringing the appropriate school P.E. kit into school on every day when your son/daughter has a P.E. lesson.
There are a few situations that can arise that will affect your son/daughters participation and I would like you to adhere to the following guidelines:
1. If for any reason your son/daughter hasn’t got the correct school P.E. kit then they need to bring a note for their P.E. teacher explaining their kit predicament and they must provide a suitable alternative kit to ensure they can still participate in the lesson.
2. If your son/daughter has an illness or injury and they are well enough to be in school then they are assumed to be well enough to participate in any P.E. lesson they have on that day. The student should bring in a note to their P.E. teacher explaining their poor health and must still bring in all their P.E. kit.
There may be limitations to what your son/daughter can achieve in that lesson and what role they may adopt but it is down to the professional skills of their P.E. teacher to give them differentiated tasks to guarantee a form of participation and maintain their progress. There are many facets to modern physical education and there are endless activities your son/daughter can perform with various ailments.
3. In the extremely rare case that your son/daughter has been given medical advice from a doctor that they should not participate in any form of physical activity or skill development they still need to bring appropriate kit for that lesson. This is especially important if the lesson is outside as students are expected to attend the lesson in whatever the weather and by wearing their P.E. kit they will keep their school uniform clean and dry for them to change back into at the end of the lesson.
4. In the event that your son/daughter forgets their P.E. kit every effort will be made by P.E. staff to provide them with kit from our limited unclaimed lost property and donated kit sources so that they still participate in their lesson. This lack of organisation will also result in your son/daughter receiving an appropriate school sanction.
5. Kings’ P.E. Department always seeks to get the best out of every student and by participating fully in all their P.E. lessons the school will be meeting national statutory requirements and help your son/daughter achieve their full potential.
Thank you for your support,
Rod Bell, Head of Physical Education
26 Sports News from our Kings and Queens
Boys Rugby
1st XV Rugby: After initial trials, a squad of 22 players was selected to train for the 1st XV. I can’t remember a season like it for injuries and unavailability, but thankfully we were able to call up other players during the term, such is our strength and depth.
On the whole it has been a very successful season so far. First fixture was at home to a usually strong West Somerset School (Minehead). The new 1st team quickly gelled, scoring some fine tries and preventing the opposition scoring any points with a superb defensive display: final score 22-0.
Our next match was against a much improved Wells Blue side against whom we hadn’t lost to for several seasons, but we were brought down to earth with a heavy loss 39-0. Next came our other local rivals Churchill and we got back to winning ways with an impressive win.
Ed Johns has proved a great choice as 1st team captain and has been an inspiration, both on and off the field. Despite a few injuries and a much weaker side than we would have liked to field against Millfield, the squad as a whole felt that they let themselves down and probably contributed to their own downfall in heavy defeat.
A bye in the Somerset Cup, followed by a walk over against Chew Valley have meant that the side have not had as many matches as they should have done. It does mean, however, that we are still in the Cup and we await Gordano School for a place in the final if we play to our potential and win.
Terry Clark
Year 11 Rugby: Since the last Kings’ Messenger the Year 11 side have started their Somerset Cup competition. They played Culverhay School, a boys school from Bath, away in the first round just before the October half term holiday.
They won the game convincingly and were drawn a 2nd round tie away to Heathfield school near Taunton. The Kings side went into an early lead, dominating up front and in the backs. At half time Kings were ahead 15-5 and looked likely to progress into the quarter finals.
Kings scored another unconverted try to go 20-5 ahead. Kings then relaxed and Heathfield scored two tries, converting one of them, to bring the score to 20-17. Heathfield had most of the remaining possession but the Kings side survived and made it into the quarter finals where we wait to be told their opponents.
They’ve also had friendly matches against a Millfield 2nd XV, which they lost, and have remaining friendly games against Sidcot and Mark College.
27 Year 10 Rugby: The Year 10 side are still unbeaten, maintaining their 100% winning record. Since we last reported on their successful season to date the Year 10 side have beaten Chew Valley and Mark College in friendly fixtures. Unfortunately they’ve had games cancelled by Churchill, Millfield and Crispin.
It was a great all round display from The Kings of Wessex team in the first round of the Somerset Cup against Priory which earned the Year 10 side a 2nd round match at home to Bishops Fox School. The Year 10 side dominated in every aspect of the game and eventually won the game 27-0. They now go into the quarter finals and wait to discover their opponents.
Year 9 Rugby: The Year 9 side have played and beat Mark College and Chew Valley in friendly fixtures at Kings this half term. They also played a Millfield B side, away at Millfield, but lost due to underperforming in back line defence missing tackles out wide when Millfield scored most of their points. They have had a fixture with Crispin cancelled and only have one remaining friendly fixture against Wells Blue which is at home in the last Wednesday of term.
They also have their 2nd round Somerset Cup match to play away to Beechen Cliff in Bath – this was re-scheduled from the end of November when the pitch was frozen!
Rod Bell, Head of P.E.
st 1 Xi Girls’ Hockey: The 1st Xi have had a good hockey season so far. They have played six games to date and have won four and lost two.
Our first game was against King Alfred’s which we won 7-0. The second game was a tough encounter against a well drilled West Somerset side which we also won 3-1.
Kings lost to a very strong Wells Cathedral team even though they were very evenly matched. The other defeat was against The Blue School, where Kings were unlucky to lose. The team are in the U18 County Cup and have recently played Frome College in near freezing conditions. Under the excellent Captaincy of Matilda Eriksson the team won 2 -0. They play Bridgwater College in the next round.
Sixth Form Hockey Tournament
The SASP 7-a-side Sixth Form Hockey tournament was recently held at West Somerset School, Minehead. This was a strong squad and Kings we were confident we could improve on last year’s runners–up position. Our first game was against King Alfred’s which we won 7-0 . The second game was a tough encounter against a well drilled West Somerset side which we also won 3-1.
Well done to all players and a big thank you to Mrs Crossley for taking the team to the fixture.
28 U14 XI: The U14 XI have had a cracking season so far: playing six matches to date – and winning all of them!
All practices have been really well attended, but with the pitches being in a poor condition, practices have moved to the tennis courts. The U14’2 are still in the Cup and play Sexeys Bruton in the next round.
Tracey Tibbs
2nd XI Girls’ Hockey: The 2nd XI finished their season with a 2 – O win against Churchill School. Well done to all students who have played for the 2nd XI this term: the team won five of their matches and lost two.
Year 10 Hockey News: The Year 10 team have continued their winning ways since half-term.. They have played county cup matches against Ladymead School in Taunton which they won 3 – O. This game was played in dreadful conditions and the team did extremely well to play as well as they did. Goal scorers were Holly Tyson.
We visited Huish Episcopi School for our next game. The team were slow to get going and after a shaky start managed to secure a 5 – O win. Bella Jezzard just missed out on her hat-trick but scored two fantastic goals. Other goal scorers were Emma Kent, Ellen Laken and Charlotte Crandon who returned to the side after injury.
The team travelled to Millfield School to play a combined A/B XI and won 3-0. Kings took an early lead and were 2 ahead at half time. Millfield scored a goal early in the 2nd half and we found ourselves under constant pressure. However, a converted penalty corner from Holly Tyson saw Kings cushion their lead and we held on until full-time.
School netball practices will start next term. See weekly calendar when we return to school for details of days/times.
29
And now some more Sporting Congratulations
Matthew Short 11JR and Rebecca Rolfe 11MB In between juggling their school work, Mathew and Rebecca recently competed in the annual National British Tournament.
Matthew came first in mixed pair Gymnastics and Becky came third in the Women’s Gymnastics Trio. Matt and Becky belong to Monarchs Acrobatic Gymnastics Club.
Working together they also won Gold out of the Over-13 mixed pairs at the South West Schools Championships. They will be representing Kings when they compete in the final in May 2006 in Stoke-on-Trent. Good luck to you both!
Congratulations to you both on your continued achievement!
Olivia Paisey 9DE Olivia is a member of the high Flyers Trampoline Club who recently travelled to Hull to compete in the double mini gymnastics National Competition to qualify for her Grade 2. This event involves acrobatic moves from a trampette.
Olivia competed against 31 competitors from all over the country and was placed 8th in the U.15 age group.
Well done Olivia!
Rachael Goddard and Sophie James 13GG have been selected for the Somerset U.18 Hockey team. Congratulations!
The U.18 Boys Hockey team who beat Millfield U.16 A’s 4 – O The boys played some great hockey under the captaincy of Henry Eriksson. Well done!!!
30 Athletics News: Well done to Naomi Taschimowitz and Natasha Gowan who have been selected for Elite Squad training with the Somerset Athletics team. This follows their success last Summer when both girls were selected to compete for Somerset at the South West Championships.
Naomi has also gained selection for the Somerset Netball Development Squad.
The Mendip cross- country Championships take place after Christmas. We had many successes last year from Years 10 and 11. Any Year 9 students who are interested in taking part should give their names to Mrs Roberts.
Community Sports Leaders’ Award
Earlier this half term students travelled to Hugh Sexey Middle School to assist in the organisation and officiating of a Sports Festival for Year 4 pupils within the Cheddar Valley. The students from Year 12 are taking the Community Sports Leaders Award and one aspect of the award requires students to organise a sports event.
Over 140 pupils took part in rugby, football and netball competitions - in very foggy conditions! The event was a great success and the Year 12 students have been asked by Mr. Evans to arrange a Year 5 festival in March.
The students regularly visit local primary and middle schools to assist in lessons and lead small groups in extra – curricular activities. Three students have also been helping the P.E. Department in school in Year 9 lessons.
Sports Journalists Danielle Thorne and Felicity Pople gave us this report
When Mrs. Williams finally managed to start the minibus, we proceeded to Hugh Sexey’s Middle School, where we were met by Mr. Evans and given a “team talk”.
We then went into the hall where we, and 144 Year 4 pupils (as well as teachers including Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Williams!), were told we were doing an aerobic warm up led by two Year 8 pupils. This warm-up consisted of star jumps and running on the spot trying to keep to the beat of “Witch Doctor” with Alice and Danielle trying to control their laughter when the chorus of “Ooh, eeh, ooh, ah, ah, ting, tang, walla, walla, bing, bang” came on!
We were then given our teams corresponding to which sport we were coaching: Mark Williams, George Hannah, Sarah Bollard, Tim Farmer and Tara Jones took the rugby while Rachel Edwards, Kate Nicholls, George Shillito and Chris Hendon took the football and Alice Grant, Danielle Thorne, Izzy Higgs, Tilda Eriksson and Felicity Pople took netball.
31 The pupils were all familiar with the game of football but when it came to rugby and netball there was a challenge for those sports leaders involved because the majority of the pupils had never played these sports before - and were therefore unfamiliar with the principals of the games!
When they were told the principals and some of the simpler rules, they grasped it quickly and everyone enjoyed the game from then on. Each game lasted approximately 15-minutes and when Mr. Evans blew a hunting horn we knew it was time to stop the game so that our teams could move on to the next sport.
Although it was foggy and very cold, all of the sports leaders had a great time and it seemed like all of the First School pupils did too. We would, on behalf of all of the sports leaders, to thank Tim Farmer, Izzy Higgs and Chris Hendon for stepping in to help as Jack Tinton, Shane Fear and Jordon Cook were unable to attend as they had a sports fixture.
WANTED!!! Wanted! Wanted! Wanted!
Keen adults that would like to help out in some of our out of school hours Sports clubs.
If you think you might be interested, please contact: Mrs K Williams, School Sports Coordinator on 07919 540949 for further details
32 House Activities
By the end of this Autumn Term students from all five year groups at Kings will have had the opportunity to be involved in competitions for their particular House. Rugby and Hockey have been the main activities with the relatively new 7-a-side version of rugby (introduced last year) proving to be very popular.
Last year’s overall House Champions have not had it all their own way this year though and only Lyonesse House have still to win a trophy, although they have finished runners up on three occasions already.
The Senior Boys’ Hockey produced an excellent final which finished at 3-3 between Camelot and Tintagel. Camelot claimed the trophy by virtue of the first goal scored rule. Henry Eriksson was the victorious Captain despite suffering a badly cut eye amongst all the excitement. Joining Captain Henry Eriksson on stage to pick up the Junior Boys Hockey award will be Captain Jake Hodgetts whose Tintagel team thumped Lyonesse 6-1 in the final.
Senior Girls’ Hockey Champions are Avalon this year who beat Lyonesse into second place. Captain Matilda Eriksson will receive the cup at this term’s Presentation Assembly.
In the 7-a-side version of rugby the junior champions were Camelot who comfortably saw off Tintagel by 25-0 in the final. Captain Sam Jones was instrumental in his side’s victory.
Senior Rugby Sevens winners were Avalon, led by Matt Dickson (non-playing Captain due to injury), as his side bent the unfortunate Lyonesse into runners-up position.
In the 15-a-side version of the game the outcome could not have been much closer. As a result of Lyonesse being unable to field a team, the other three houses played each other with each team winning one of their games and losing one. Tintagel’s Captain Josh Hole claimed the award for first place by a very slightly superior points difference over Avalon and Camelot.
Meanwhile, in the Junior Girls’ Hockey, Tintagel overcame Lyonesse to take the award which will be presented to Captain Charlotte Crandon at the Presentation Assembly.
At the time of going to press the Senior Boys have still to play their 15-a-side tournament but this promises to be an extremely hard fought tournament with plenty of old scores to settle…
Current Points Table (before the rugby points)
1st Tintagel – 17 points 2nd Avalon – 15 points 3rd Lyonesse – 14 points 4th Camelot – 14 points
Next Term – Badminton, Football, Netball and Basket ball will be on the agenda
Terry Clarke
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Kings’ Notice Board
Calling all PC & Xbox Gamers!!!
Wedmore Internet and Gaming Café is re-opening Wednesday’s starting on 11 January 2006 between 6-9pm at the George Hotel in Wedmore.
For Counter Strike, Half-Life, Halo and stuff like that so come on down and have a laugh and get Pwned at some games.
Find Alex Cook or Paul Foster 12SR for more info….
Creator of Turnkey IT Solutions is Michael Turner in Mr Green’s tutor Group (9SG)
Not surprisingly, ICT is one of Alex, Paul and Michael’s favourite subjects!
34 Stop Press! Stop Press! Stop Press! Stop Press!
Here are a few shots of the first few events of Charities Week, and we look forward to providing a full report in our next Kings’ Messenger.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Important calendar dates for the first half term of the Spring Term 2006:
January 2006 Return to School Wednesday 4 January 2006 (WEEK B) AS/’A’ Level examinations commence Tuesday 10 January 2006 (and conclude on Friday 27 January 2006) GNVQ Business Intermediate Unit 3 (Business Finance) Exam Tuesday 10 January 2006 PTA Meeting Tuesday 10 January 2006 at 7.30pm, Conference Room KOW Music Support Group Tuesday 17 January 2006 at 7.30pm, Corrick Theatre Sixth Form Open Evening Wednesday 18 January 2006 at 7.30pm, School Hall GNVQ Intermediate Work Experience (Customer Service) Monday 23 January 2006 (and concludes on Friday 27 January 2006) February 2006 Year 11 Reports Issued to Parents Friday 3 February 2006 Year 12 Business Awareness Conference Thursday 9 – Friday 10 February 2006
SPRING HALF TERM HOLIDAY: Saturday 12 February – Sunday 19 February 2006
Return to School Monday 20 February 2006 (WEEK B) PTA Meeting Tuesday 21 February 2006 at 7.30pm, Conference Room
March 2006 Year 9 Parents Key Stage 4 Courses Evening Wednesday 1 March 2006 at 7.00pm, School Hall Year 11 Modular Maths Exams Monday 6 March 2006 Year 12 Geography Coasts/Settlements Fieldtrip Tuesday 7– Thursday 9 March 2006 Year 10 Modular Science Exams Wednesday 8 March 2006 Year 9 Reports Issued Wednesday 8 March 2006 Year 12 Ethics Trip to Taunton (all day) Friday 10 March 2005
MODERATION DAY: Friday 17 March 2006 – School Closed to Students
Easter Concert Tuesday 21 March 2006 at 7.30pm, School Hall Year 12 UCAS Convention, Bath University Tuesday 28 March 2006 GCSE Music Performance Concert Thursday 30 March 2006 at 7.30pm, School Hall Year 12/13 Reports Issued to Parents Friday 31 March 2006
EASTER HOLIDAYS: Saturday 1 April – Monday 17 April 2006
PARENTS’ EVENINGS will be held on the following dates: All are due to take place in the School Hall
Wednesday 8 February 2006 at 5.00-8.00pm Year 11 Wednesday 15 March 2006 at 5.00-7.00pm Year 9 (P&Q) Wednesday 22 March 2006 at 5.00-7.00pm Year 9 (R) Wednesday 12 July 2006 at 5.00-8.00pm Year 10 (Surname A-K) Wednesday 19 July 2006 at 5.00-8.00pm Year 10 (Surname L-Z)
THE KINGS’ MESSENGER is due to be published on the following dates: Friday 10 February 2006 Friday 31 March 2006 Friday 26 May 2006 Tuesday 25 July 2006
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.
Year 9: Mr E Holdsworth; Year 10: Mr A Hitt; Year 11: Mr T Clark; Sixth Form: Miss S Bishop
Happy Christmas and Happy 2006 to you all! 35