DISCOVERY NEWSLETTER

Discovery Newsletter

Christmas 2018

ALL THINGS DISCOVERY

A note from Adam Lawson Head of Discovery, I would always advise students not to make choices solely because of friendship groups or particular teachers, as A busy Christmas term comes to a close, with once more neither groupings or teachers teaching certain groups can fantastic achievements for Discovery College students. The be guaranteed. It is also worth considering keeping open fundraising events for our college charity Cancer Research career pathways, especially for subjects that they may is breaking all records with all students contributing in one wish to study in the future in Year 12. way or another. A real team effort. Throughout December, students have attended assemblies We have also celebrated academic success this term with introducing them to the range of options available. In our achievement assembly and recent show and tell January the process of advice will continue with Options awards. It was wonderful to see so many certificates given talks being provided for all Year 8 students as well as out to students in recognition of their achievements. parents consultation and options evening. The dates and time of which are included in this newsletter. Year 8 will be making their GCSE option choices next term as they begin their transition from Key Stage 3 into Key Mrs Lees will write to Year 8 parents in early January 2019 Stage 4. The choices made will determine which College supplying course choice information and the option form they go into for Years 9 to 11, prior to entering the Sixth itself. Form College in Year 12. Students will be allocated to the College most suitable to them, according to their option Best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. choices and the way they learn best. Arts College will include: Art and Design, Performing Arts, Media and Film, PE, as well as English. Enterprise College will comprise: Business, Health and Social Care, Applied Learning and ICT, in addition to Maths. World College will incorporate: Ethical and Religious Studies, Geography, History, French, German and Mandarin Chinese alongside Science. As an additional pathway the I-College may also be available to students as an option.

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Language ambassadors Important Dates Our Language Ambassadors have been 3RD JAN – RETURN TO SCHOOL busy this term. They helped organise the 9TH, 10TH & 11TH JAN – YEAR 8 CONSULTATION German Christmas market TH that was enjoyed by some 16 JAN – OPTIONS EVENING Discovery teaching groups 16:00-19:00 SPORTS HALL

and the local Primary TH schools. 8 FEB – OPTIONS DEADLINE

They also joined a group of students from Year 8 upwards who had a very enjoyable weekend practicing their German at Congratulations! the Christmas markets in Achievements Assembly Christmas’18 Cologne. They also visited the Cathedral in Cologne Discovery Award and the Lindt chocolate Jenson museum. Resilience Discovery Show & Tell Robbie

Students in Discovery College received Principal Distinction Act of kindness certificates from all subjects at our annual ‘Show & Tell’ Lillie-Anne, Riley event which parents attended as well. The recipients were nominated for their commitment to their learning as well Most improved year 8 as their achievement in the subject. All enjoyed Keira outstanding performances from our Discovery dancers and musicians. We are very proud of our students and Best attending forms celebrate their successes. 7D3 8D2

Recognition in… Maths – Summer English – Robbie Science – Carter Humanities – Caitlin MFL – Sienna Art – Sophie Music – Carter Drama – Tusniwun P.E – Will ICT – Poppy

Most valuable pupils… Maizie, Emma, Rihanna, Jasper, Alexis, Kevin, Jasper, Charlotte, Oliver, Katie, Evie, Lara

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Christmas Tree Festival

On the 22nd November Year 7 took part in the Tenterden Christmas Tree Festival at the Zion Baptist Church. They used this opportunity to increase the awareness of the plastics problem which is a current issue. In their Humanities lessons students learned about the significant impact which it is causing to the environment and people. As part of raising awareness on this issue each student created a Christmas decoration for the tree which was made from recycled plastic! We invited Cllr Pam Smith the mayor, Claire Gilbert the co-ordinator of the Tenterden Litter Pick and Mrs Lees the Principal who selected the ones to go onto the tree out of all the Year 7 decorations. They also chose a few to be displayed in the Town Hall. After the festival the tree was displayed in Discovery and was enjoyed by all the College.

Year 8 Humanities project – life in the World War 1 trenches

This term Year 8 learned about life in the World War 1 trenches. As a finale, all Mr Friels classes worked collaboratively to build an entire WW1 trench as part of the 100 year centenary of the end of The Great War. Each group worked together and wrote the instructions for the next group and managed to create this magnificent piece of learning.

Mr Friel would like to thank each of his students (and their parents) for their hard work; effort and resilience on this project. Well done each of you!

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Sports Update

Our new 3G pitch

We are so pleased to announce that our 3G pitch is fully operational and is being enjoyed by students and the wider community. We offered students the chance to use the pitch in return for a donation to our Cancer Research UK fund. A really good time was had by all and it made a good start to our campaign. Santa Fun Run! Cross Country Nearly 200 students took part in the Santa Fun Run! Raising money for ‘Treat Paula’. The following participated against both Students paid £1 to enter and dressed up in festive outfits and ran the 2.5km route Ashford based schools and Shepway ones. or took part in relays and other activities on our 3G pitch. Prizes were awarded for

‘best costume’ in both year groups. Year 7 girls (out of 60 runners) 8th Amelia Charley and Lloyd won the Year 7 ‘best costume’ category and received a prize from 11th Lily Mrs Croucher, Assistant Head of Discovery. 25th Sarah 32nd Megan 37th Elodie 38th Tillie

Year 7 boys (out of 61 runners) 25th Charlie 27th Rhys

29th Tom 30th Tommy 37th Sam 45th Josh

Girls Year 8&9 Combined race (out of 62 runners) 10th Grace 36th Freya

Boys Year 8&9 Combined race (out of 57) 22nd Ben 33rd Jamie

The World project for Humanities "This term the Discovery Sports Leaders have been getting started with their level 1 qualification. One requirement is that they gain and develop leadership skills and Mr Friel has been working with 7E and the qualities that can be used when leading with younger students. They have had some students realised their knowledge of the world fun together this term playing a few different sports and having the opportunity to was not as good as it should be; as a result they set themselves a one week project to lead or officiate in their own activities. We look forward to helping assist with the learn more about the world. Rhianna Discovery Santa Fun Run before Christmas and will also be planning a session for our thought she needed to learn the names of potential Year 7 Leaders for next year." continents and oceans more thoroughly and so decided to bake and ice a cake depicting the The year 7 football team have been doing well in the Ashford and District football continents and oceans. What a league. wonderful effort and it was very tasty; thank you Rhianna! Key Stage 3 boys handball team played well at the Ashford and District handball tournament at .

Students raised additional funds through sponsorship and we thank parents, carers, relatives and family friends for their amazing support. Sponsor money is but so far our total is £321.

As well as raising much needed funds going to support an ex- student of all students had a fantastic time as The girls' football team is really buzzing and lots of Discovery girls attending. They well and look forward have played two games so far and won one against and only to the ‘Spring sprint’ narrowly missing out on a win against . to be held around Easter time.

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Charity Update

This is the charity chosen by Discovery college. Every student had the opportunity to pitch for their suggested charity and then a democratic vote put Cancer Research UK as the most favoured. Events have already started and thank you to the forms who have already run their event and a BIG thank you for students who have supported them – we are well on the way to having another very successful fundraising year.

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Student Acheviements

My name is Edith. My name is Amelia,

I’m 12 years old and in Year 7. I entered a charity pageant I am 11 years old and I am a cyclist. I currently ride for called ‘Face of Europe and the World’ which supports the a team called Cyclopark but next year I will be moved charity, Headway. This wonderful charity supports people to a team called 4T. I ride cyclo-cross, road and who have sustained a brain injury and their families as they mountain biking.Cyclo-cross is a type of cycling where recover from a brain injury that has impacted their whole you ride through mud, sand and grass. We also have to family. jump off and run with our bikes like this picture below.I am in under 12s now but when I am in under When I entered this pageant I won the ‘Face of ’ which I 14s next year I will have to carry my bike on my then represented in Disneyland, Paris. I raised £2045 for shoulder.(It is a lot harder than It looks ).Last year I Headway by cutting off my hair, doing cake sales and my was 5th regional champion but this year I am aiming annual Rising Stars Dance and Vocal competition. I have for a place on the podium. come back to with my new title, the Junior UK queen. I also race road. This is quite new to me since I only My next achievement is that I am in Cinderella in the started racing last year. My dad taught me to ride road Marlowe Theatre. I am a dancer and I also play the role of and now I love it. I sometimes think “why do I even Muriel the supremely emotionally independent 8 year old try” but I am so glad that I have never given up. I used who believes in women’s rights and helps Cinderella believe to say that I didn’t want to do road because it’s in herself. boring.I was so wrong.

I have done mountain biking since I was 4 and I have loved it ever since. I have also raced since I was 6!!

After that I encouraged my dad to try it. Most days when we are not racing or training we go up to Bedgebury and do the red trails.

I have got lots of medals from the 7 years of racing. I am sure there will be lots more to come I am never going to stop cycling!!