King’s Academy Ringmer Newsletter December 2018 strong progress. For year 9, it’s been just celebrated the students’ success MESSAGE FROM a term of reflection as they think about in our Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 THE PRINCIPAL their future and academic achievements Achievement Assemblies; this was a to inform their GCSE option choices. chance for us to reward students for Dear their effort day in and day out at Parents, Year 8 continue to work hard and school and show case some of the Carers, contribute to the life of the school outstanding work that goes on. Staff and both academically and through their Governors, involvement in extra-curricular activities. I wish you all a safe and relaxing It’s been Having successfully made the transition break over the festive period and a another from primary to secondary school, happy and healthy 2019. exciting year 7 are now well settled into school and very life and taking full advantage of all the Matt Hillier busy term opportunities on offer here at King’s Principal at King’s Academy Ringmer. The focus in Year 7 Academy lessons is excellent and they have taken Ringmer. to new subjects exceptionally well and I NEW HEAD The school look forward to seeing them all develop celebrated its best ever results in the over the next five years. BOY AND GIRL summer and we continue in our pursuit ANNOUNCED of excellence and are pushing the The extra-curricular life of the school students to achieve even better this continues to flourish. This term students year! have been working on their production of Aladdin and making the most of the The students continue to work hard, external trips and visits which we offer. contribute to the school and wider The PE department’s school teams have community and generally make us very had another excellent run of wins – more proud. Year 11s have been working on this later in the newsletter. We said tirelessly preparing for and sitting their a final good bye to last year’s year 11 mock examinations. Their focus in the at our GCSE Presentation Evening; classroom and dedication to their studies this was a wonderful opportunity to is commendable. We are fully aware celebrate their exam success again and of the new challenges of the GCSE we were very thankful to all the sponsors exams, however, we are fortunate to who provided prizes to the successful have an exceptional team of teachers students. It was also wonderful to who are supporting the students in their have a video message from our former preparations for the examinations. head boy who is studying in Spain on their scholarship provided by King’s. Congratulations to our new Head Year 10 have made a successful start Celebrating success is an integral Boy Louis Massingham and Head to their GCSE subjects and are making part of what we do here and we have Girl Martha Swallow!

ARTICLES AND VIDEO LINKS IN THIS ISSUE

CAROLS BY MORE RADIO VISIT HALLOWEEN DRACULA GCSE ART STUDENTS CANDLELIGHT AT AND INTERVIEW OUR PERFORMANCE BY VISIT LONDON RINGMER CHURCH STUDENTS TRUESTORY GALLERIES - PAGE 2 PAGE 3 - PAGE 4 - PAGE 5 CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT This year the Carols were held at St Mary the Virgin Church Ringmer, involving 50 students from all year groups. The choir sang alongside members of the cast from Aladdin who previewed one of the songs from the show: ‘A Whole New World’. The choir performed along with dancers from Miss Williams’ dance company ‘Rapture’, and string players from all year groups in a joint piece which was a reflection on The Christmas Truce; a poem by Carol Ann Duffy about Christmas in the trenches of World War 1.

After the concert parents, staff and pupils enjoyed mince pies and delicious refreshments provided by the Food Technology department and Year 8 and Chartwells caterers. A huge thanks goes to all involved including students, parents and all the staff who helped make the event a success.The concert was really well received by parents, friends and members of the local community and £188 was generously donated in the retiring collection. This will be used to buy two places for people at Crisis for Christmas, providing shelter, food and support for homeless people at Christmas.

TERM DATES 2019 : Wednesday 19th December - End of Christmas term at 12pm January 3rd 2019 - All students and staff return

Monday 25th February 2019 - INSET Day 3 Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd July INSET Day 4 and 5 Term 2 - 29 October – 19 December Term 3 - 3 January – 15 February Term 4 - 25 February – 5 April (Students return on Tuesday 26th) Term 5 - 23 April – 24 May Term 6 - 3 June – 23 July (Note students finish on Friday 19th owing to INSET days) Activities week and Y10 work experience 2019 - 1st-5th July 2019

2 NEW STUDENT LEADERS AT RINGMER

On Thursday 6th December, 24 Year 10 students were interviewed for various leadership roles within the college. We were delighted with the number of applications, 28% of the year group. The candidates were incredibly strong, making it a very tough decision however, we are very pleased to announced the following results; Head Boy – Louis Massingham Deputy Head Boy – Aidan Redshaw Head Girl – Martha Swallow Deputy Head Girl – Robyn Read This year we will run a two tier system in terms of senior students and also prefects. The prefects will lead on the Year book, Prom & new links to Gambia. We would like to congratulate all the students who applied as the standard was again extremely high this year.

All the clips were recorded in just one take a couple MORE RADIO FM VISIT of days before the show was aired on Friday 23rd More Radio came into school to chat with both students November. and staff. Students introduced songs, read the Ringmer News and travel as well as playing the game ‘Articulate’. Marketing Manager Jamie Peacock said, “our students More Radio breakfast show presenter Izzy Bishop really did the school proud; they spoke clearly, with great pre-recorded the students live. confidence and should be very proud of themselves!”

3 DRACULA PERFORMANCE On Halloween, a number of students across the two key stages got the opportunity to go and see the fang-tastic production of ‘Dracula’ at the Spire in Brighton. It was a breathtakingly good production and seeing it piece of theatre, we were immersed in the action, with on Halloween made it all actors appearing from all directions creating suspense the more atmospheric. and fear. All the performers were superb, skilfully The Spire, an old taking on multiple roles and rivalling any West End deconsecrated Victorian performance. church in Kemptown, was We were incredibly fortunate and took part in a private the perfect venue to enjoy Q and A session with the cast after the performance. True Story’s interpretation Students asked question after question about plot and of one of literature’s most infamous monsters.

stage craft. There were even a few cheeky requests Students were gripped by the production. Amazingly, for ‘selfies’ with the cast, a sign of how impressed they the theatre team had managed to condense the entire had been by the performance. We are already looking story down to just over an hour – a remarkable feat forward to next year’s performance. considering the size of the novel but it did not feel like anything had been missed. Performed as a traverse

DISNEY’S ALADDIN Jr The production has now been cast and all the students are working amazingly! The show is on the 2nd and 3rd of April 2019. Tickets are available from reception. Adults £5, Concessions £3.50 and Family £15. Please get your tickets before they sell out! 4 CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH THE MAYOR OF LEWES The Mayor of Lewes, Cllr Janet Baah, invited students to join her at the town hall today for a Christmas party! The school was invited to bring 13 students to the event. King’s Academy decided to use this opportunity as a reward for some of our year 7 students; the 13 students we took had the highest achievement points and zero behaviour points. The group had a great time playing party games, eating pizza and each student received a personal Christmas present from the Mayor! ANNUAL ART TRIP TO LONDON

The annual visit to London galleries was a huge success. Students visited The Victoria & Albert Museum and The National Portrait Gallery, whereby various exhibition of Photography, Mixed Media art, Sculpture, Print Making and Painting informed their research and investigations. Students were also able to experience the atmosphere, surroundings and architecture of Trafalgar Square/ The Fourth Plinth, Horse Guards Parade, Leicester Square and Covent Garden Market. Here the students recorded and which will be provided in January 2019. Students will need to purchase a new sketchbook for January 2019 to use as their exam book. Students will also need to have an A1 folder ready to organise their coursework books and responses. I would like to thank all the students for their participation, all were very well behaved. Their attitude and commitment to their GCSE Art and Photography

their observations through sketches, note taking and photography. These observations and experiences will inform two ‘mood boards’ to support their coursework grade. In addition, these first hand experiences will inform their imminent exam projects, which students will select from

course was outstanding and they mirrored King’s Academy Ringmer’s aims of Integrity, Resilience and Leadership. In particular, J Taylor-Jones, B Charles and B Bailey were exemplary and produced some excellent sketch work and photographs. I am very grateful for the support of Ms Hook, Mr Peacock and Mr Burchett, who helped supervise the trip.

5 5 he dropped it down the chimney. This damaged all the MATHEMATICS even number buttons as well as the plus and minus buttons. How can Lisa make her calculator display the The start of this academic year has been positive and number 24 without using these damaged buttons?” rewarding with the new year 7 students settling into the Next year the theme will be 007. rigours of prime numbers, factors and multiples. Year 8 students’ algebra skills have been improving, year 9 have mastered the use of the box plot and histograms while years 10 and 11 are honing the skills required to answer and understand GCSE questions. The GCSE results for 2018 were well above the national average with 73% of students achieving a pass, of which 23% gained a grade of 7+. Clearly there is still work to do and we will never stop pushing and cajoling our students to perform their best. The progress of all year 11 students last year was very good and placed King’s Year 8’s participated in a NRICH webinar that took place Ringmer in the top 20% of schools in the country. across the UK on 12th December 2018. They were given a problem involving magic crosses which members of This year, we started the inaugural Christmaths the class all tried to find solution to. A very successful competition running from Friday 9th to Thursday 13th and focused initiative that made Year 8’s think about December. The theme for this year was “The Simpsons mathematics in another way. at Christmas”. Interest has been phenomenal with lots of students have been engaged in solving mind-boggling Finally, all of in the department would like to wish you all problems like: “Lisa’s Problem... a very Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Santa brought Lisa a scientific calculator. Unfortunately, FESTIVE FOOD MACMILLAN COFFEE In food preparation and MORNING nutrition students have On Friday 28th September we took part in the Biggest been busy towards the Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. end of term creating We also decided to hold a non-school uniform day, festive products. which proved very popular. We were totally blown away Year 9 have produced with the amount of cakes which were brought in by the Xmas tree pastry using students. We raised a total of £650 so thank you to puff pastry and a whole everyone involved. wealth of fillings ranging from chocolate orange to Back by popular pesto, parmesan and sun demand next dried tomato. They have year is the been learning about the annual Macmillan science of puff pastry and Mammoth Quiz developing their skills in Night. This event shaping doughs. will be held in the main hall on Friday Year 10 have also been busy 8th March 2019. producing homemade pasta. Further information Many students had a go at will be made creating their own homemade available in the ravioli with a complimentary New Year. sauce. Some even added colour to create a festive look to the pasta. Well done to both year groups who seemed to have plenty of fun as well as developing their food practical skills further.

Ms Swinbank Head of Food Technology

6 SU BLACKWELL ART introduced the school to Su’s work and arranged Su to WORKSHOP come in to deliver her workshop. We are very grateful to have had a rare opportunity Su gave up her whole day for both our KS3 and KS4 to work with artist, Su Blackwell this week. Su is an G&T Art students. Students were shown how to create a internationally recognised artist with commissions from all over the world. Her own mission statement outlines, ‘Su Blackwell is an artist working predominantly within the realm of

‘tunnel book’, like a pop-up book or card, using a number of pages to tell a story without words. These types of books were first used hundreds of years ago to help demonstrate and teach such things like anatomy and paper. Paper has been used for communication since astronomy. its invention; either between humans or in an attempt to communicate with the spirit world. Su employs this All the students involved grabbed the opportunity and delicate, accessible medium and uses irreversible, demonstrated their creative talent splendidly. destructive processes to reflect on the precariousness of Staff and students would like to thank Su for introducing the world we inhabit and the fragility of our life, dreams and demonstrating how to create these wonderful and and ambitions.’ magical paper sculptures. I would also like to thank Much Ado Books, Sarah Our more creative G&T art students were privileged to be Colbourne and Jamie Peacock. invited to participate in a paper art workshop presented by Su. Our lovely friends at Much Ado Books in Alfriston Mr M Madriaga - Head of Art

PUBLIC Emma Stone and supported by James Pratley who will give the SPEAKING Vote of Thanks. The competition COMPETITION is due to take place in the early weeks of January, and we wish both Kings Academy Ringmer are teams the very best of luck in what once again proud to take part in is always a highly competitive and the Rotary Club’s ‘Youth Speaks’ quality event. through the school should now have public speaking competition, and been received by students who paid our students are busy writing their Revision Guides and Texts for online and we are unlikely to put in speeches and practising their Key Stage 4 further orders for these until later in presentation skills. This year we the year. have 2 teams, one from Key Stage Over the past term we have been Next term, Year 10s will need a 3 and one from Key Stage 4. offering a range of revision guides copy of ‘An Inspector Calls’ to start through the school for Year 10 their new topic. It is always helpful Zazi Seamons will be speaking and Year 11 students. These are if all students have their own copy about her experiences in both very helpful for revision purposes, so that they can make notes in them Chinese and English education and should be in constant use, and highlight key quotations. If you systems, and will be supported especially for Year 11. Please do haven’t yet bought a copy, please by her Chairman Grace Kelly and not feel the need to buy expensive ask your child to check which her Vote of Thanks Zoe Myers. guides, however, as several that we version will be most helpful with Rachel Richards will be tackling the have offered are very reasonably their class teacher and buy before controversial topic of deforestation, priced and there are plenty of good January if possible so that they can arguing that it’s not always bad, and revision websites online for free. start their new topic fully equipped. will be introduced by her Chairman All guides that have been paid for 7 DESIGN & “Jack, Aiden, Zazi and Morgan have shown true talent in TECHNOLOGY communicating their vision” As the new head of Design and Technology (D&T) here at Ringmer, Year 10 and Year 11 alike are tackling the new curriculum the proving their talents in challenging government has rolled out was coursework choices and true grit always going to be a challenge. I in their everlasting theory content have taken on Sir James Dyson’s the new GCSE has thrown at them. encouragement this term and have The new 2 hour exam is proving a introduced a whole new approach challenge but these students are to D&T at the school. Including made of hard stuff and are giving new projects throughout, school it everything they’ve got and are clubs that run during lunch times making me proud every day. and after school. ‘LIFE IS A MOUNTAIN OF “Chris, Ben, Oscar, James, Alfie, SOLVABLE PROBLEMS AND I Hayden – Thank you for ENJOY THAT’ - JAMES DYSON entertaining me every lunch with your endearing conversation and Year 7 have been embarking your pure dedication for smashing on learning new skills in isometric your NEA” drawing, using CAD programs and understanding how to communicate their creative design thinking. “Lissie and Tristan have blown me away with their excellent abilities in Isometric this term”.

Year 8 have been demonstrating As for the truly dedicated and their ability to recognise the need frankly awesome students who for change with studying the impact venture into the workshops of plastics on the environment at lunchtimes and afterschool through their fun and engaging creativity and challenge is project whereby they create a everywhere. recyclable chocolate mould. “Pheobe and Edson have shown Thank you students of Ringmer brilliant ability in the practical side Acadmey, you are inspiring me of this so far”. everyday to do right by you. I hope you enjoy the subject and continue Year 9 students have shown to thrive in to the inspirational sheer dedication and resilience generation that I know you can be. in the workshop, forming extraordinary and complex shapes Miss F Stead Leader of DT with a range of materials. Liking their designs to the fundamental ethos of Alessi design, ‘form is everything’. 8 GCSE Ian told his story and got the message across to the student to PRESENTATION follow their dreams. EVENING 2018 Students were then presented with On the 19 November we saw 70% awards for the most outstanding of the previous year 11 students contributions for each subject. Many return for their GCSE presentation local businesses sponsored the evening. The evening started awards and gave vouchers as prizes. was shown and was well received in with guest speaker Ian Lovatt, the room! musician, composer, producer and guitarist. Ian Lovatt has worked with Last year’s Head Boy, Oscar Beale, Mr Hillier closed the evening by Alexander O’Neal, NWA, Slade, The won three prizes but couldn’t be thanking all the students for all their Wildhearts, Simple Minds, Chris there on the night as he also won hard work and presented students Cross and Rozalla. Ian was in the The King’s Group scholarship to with their GCSE certificates. The ten band Rozalla when they were asked attend 6th form in our sister school in students with the best attainment to support Micheal Jackson on a Madrid, Spain. Oscar made a special and progress were also presented world tour! thank you recording speech which with a certificate. MENTAL HEALTH Mental health & emotional well-being King’s Academy Ringmer is continually looking at ways to further support students’ well-being both in & outside of school. We are fully aware of the growing concerns regarding mental health & emotional well-being & we are working towards adopting a whole school approach which ensures that all parts of the school organisation work coherently together. Mrs Peters has recently led two assemblies focusing on well-being, with the aim of raising awareness whilst reducing the stigma involved around Mental Health. Support is now available during break & lunch in the Library whereby students can attend 1.1 or group Bromley on Thursday 29th November. All four students sessions with either Mrs Peters or one of the OASIS were provided training on understanding common members, in addition to this, we also have Charlotte mental health issues, identifying signs and symptoms, Munnery available 3 days a week as our Pastoral support networks which are available to these students Intervention Practitioner. We have also started an LGBT & finally, ensuring that they have the knowledge & club in the Library on a Thursday lunchtime. confidence needed to be an advocate for mental health awareness. An action plan is now being developed with Four year 9 students have been selected to become the intention of rolling it out in the New Year. Watch this Mental Health Ambassadors which involved attending a space! training course at The Bishop of Justus C 0f E School in

SPANISH SE BUSCA POSTERS

Huge congratulations to the Year 8 Spanish students who won the “Se busca “ competition poster. Great criminal descriptions in Spanish using two tenses and some very fine drawings too. The winners from the two classes are:

1. Lucinda Randall 1. Elizabeth Goudie 2. Teah Jackson 2.Jesse Kocher 3. Madison Pert 3.Reef Packham and Jess Stone

Special nominations from Miss Hook to: Aneli Parkes, Isabella Hammond and Kit Street. Fantástico trabajo! 9 SCIENCE TEAM STRENGTHEND The science department are over the moon to welcome two new teachers. Mr Martin and Ms Dormer are experienced science teachers, who have always achieved brilliant results for the students that they teach. They have both settled in really well, and students are enjoying their engaging lessons. The students in Years 8 and 9 have been learning about the eye, how the eye focuses light, and why some people need glasses to help them to see more clearly. As part of these lessons, the students dissected pigs eyes to get a close look at the lens, iris, retina and the optic nerve. Meanwhile, Year 10 students have been learning about the circulatory system, and the function of the heart. As part of these lessons, students dissected pigs hearts, to get a close look at the heart chambers, valves, and blood vessels. Some future surgeons in the making! EAST SUSSEX MUSIC CONCERT At the start of term our new Year 7 students were treated to a concert of live music performed by local teachers from East Sussex Music Service. It was a really enjoyable event, with the students getting the opportunity to hear a range of pieces and songs with lots of different instruments involved. The teachers introduced their instruments and told the students more about them and showcased the kind of music they play the best. After this lots of students signed up with our excellent teachers to learn an instrument. It is still possible to sign up for instrumental lessons at any point in the year. If your child would like to learn an instrument then tell them to ask Ms Urquhart for more information on how to apply. Instruments available include: piano, guitar, drums, clarinet, saxophone, flute, trumpet, trombone and voice. Mrs F Urquhart - Music

POLITICAL As we are drawing nearer to the end of the term, our year 9 students are going to be closing their series of EDUCATION workshops with a session on university, giving them an WITH opportunity to talk to current university students about SUSSEX what makes university life so challenging and exciting! UNIVERSITY Year 9 students have been talking Politics during their PSHE lessons this term. Working with volunteers from Sussex University, they have learned about the UKs major political parties, the structure of our Parliament, and the process of casting a vote. Last week, 9Q even planned and ran a whole class debate! Engaging young people in politics early means that by the time they reach voting age, our young people will know that they have a voice, and how to use their voice. With just 25% of 18-24 year olds voting in the last general election, it is clear that a political education could be very helpful in engaging our young people in political decisions that will impact every area of their adult lives. 10 OASIS PEER MEDIATION On Monday 3rd December, John Khan a lead practitioner in anti-bullying, prevent & well-being in the local area, led an interactive & informative workshop to our newly appointed year 10 OASIS students. We were also joined by some year 10 students from St Augustine Academy in Maidstone. The students worked together to solve various challenging scenarios & learnt the skills needed to become an effective peer mentor. The newly trained

students will work alongside our year 11 students until they feel confident to work on their own. This will involve running our OASIS club during break & lunch whereby they offer a safe & quiet environment for students to attend. They will also offer 1.1 support to students who are struggling with a variety of issues, including bullying, anxiety & friendships. In addition to this, they will help deliver anti-bullying assemblies & lead year 7 PSHE lessons on well-being.

These students are an integral part of our school & Mrs Peters is very much looking forward to working with them in the New Year.

3 PEAKS FOR LANA King’s Academy Ringmer graduate Lana Lawrence recently took it upon herself to sign up for the 3 Peak Challenge. She took the opportunity to raise money for the Rainbow Trust children’s charity, which provides emotional support to families who have a child with a life-threatening illness. To complete this challenge, Lana had to push herself to the extreme by climbing the three highest peaks in Britain: Ben Nevis, Scarfell Pike and Snowdon and all within 24 hours! The Challenge was not only to scale the highest mountains in Britain, totalling 3,000 vertical miles, but also travel the 480 miles between the mountains in 24 hours. Planning and training started back in the beginning of 2018. At school, Lana organised a cake sale and a non- school uniform day as well as signing up friends and family for sponsorship. said, “no amount of training could prepare myself for Lana trained hard for this most exhausting endurance test; every bone in my months prior to the body aches, my toes are sore, I’m so tired as you have challenge with her no sleep and very little to eat, you can’t even wash! But Godfather who took the it was all worth it to raise money and to know you are challenge with her and helping others who suffer so much more. I feel very supported her all the proud and have a great sense of achievement; I raised way. over £3200, 00 which will help at least 6 families when they need it the most. “ Lana and her Godfather completed the KAR would like to congratulate Lana and we feel very challenge in 23 hours proud of her achievement. Lana is welcome to come and 40 mins! Lana back anytime to tell her story and raise awareness for the Rainbow Trust. 11

EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH PROGRAMME In keeping with our Kings Academies’ motto, ‘in pursuit of excellence’, and to support the achievement of our aspirational students we are delivering a series of programmes to ensure that our high ability Year 11 students will be ready for the rigour and challenge of the exams in May 2019. Each Programme is running for four weeks, and students have already benefited from sessions on ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘An Inspector Calls’. The Programme for ‘Macbeth’ will be starting in January, and extending their understanding of the literature texts and the dates and times will be confirmed at the start of and this should become evident in their assessments. term. Several Year 10 students have expressed interest in the Feedback from students confirms that these sessions Excellence Programme, and we are currently planning have been very valuable in supporting their knowledge what provision we can offer during the first year of their GCSEs. Watch this space! KING’S ACADEMY GROUP MADRID LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE 2018 As Head Boy and Girl, Bay and I have just returned from Madrid where we received an amazing leadership training course. The course lasted 3 days, and was hosted at the King’s school in Madrid. Both of us flew out on Friday 16th November, and had a weekend full of gaining public speaking in front of people without becoming so nervous that skills, learning how to coach I shake constantly. My other favourite part was our someone, developing our free time in Sol, Madrid. It gave us time to experience digital legacy and meeting over Spanish culture first hand. We ate amazing food in the 40 amazing people from all over the world. Upon arrival, city, visited some brilliant shops and saw the beautiful we were straight away, whisked into our introductions, city up close. The weekend also gave us a chance to followed by dinner, and another session after that until catch up with Oscar Beale who received the scholarship 11:30pm. Every day was jam packed, and we were both to study out at the school that hosted us: King’s College very tired! But looking back on it, every moment was Madrid in Soto de Viñuelas. Oscar is getting on really worth it. well out in Madrid, and it was great to talk to him about what an amazing place Madrid is. Over the course of the weekend, we were faced with a challenge. Brenda Rico, marketing manager at King’s We are very lucky to have had this weekend paid for College Madrid, launched our marketing challenge us by King’s Academy, without who, we wouldn’t have which was to plan the advertising campaign for next received this years Leadership Training Weekend. We had a budget life changing of €6000, and a list of costs such as €50 Facebook experience. ads, and €4000 advertising videos. This challenge was We are hoping completed in teams of 6 or 7 with completely new faces to keep in to both Bay and I. Neither of us were on the same team, contact with so it was a great chance to get to know new people, the people that and find out about how different cultures respond to we met, and different types of marketing. It was amazing to see will always look some of the ideas the other groups had come up with, back on this weekend for years to come. and Bay’s team came 3rd out of all 7 groups. My favourite parts of the weekend were our public Chris Whitehead - Head Boy speaking course, where I can now say that I can speak 12 SUSSEX SPELLING BEE LIBRARY NEWS We had our first Book club meeting of the term today in the This year King’s Academy Ringmer has, for the first Library at lunchtime. Between them the group of students time, been invited to compete in the annual East read two books which were discussed and critiqued over Sussex Spelling Bee. The competition is open to the homemade cake. Some students read out their favourite entirety of Year 8 with the eventual finalists taking quotes and passages and everyone contributed with honest part in an inter-school ‘Grand Final’ next July reflections of the books. against other schools in the area. To kick off this year’s ever growing book club, there was a Excitement has been building for the first round prize draw for the students who had signed up –two signed knockout which will take place at the end of the copies of Jacqueline Wilson’s latest book, gifted to Kings autumn term. The best spellers will go through to Academy from Much Ado Books. We will meet again in three the next round and become ‘Spelling Bee’ weeks time to discuss the new books that the students have ambassadors. chosen to read. Literacy is one of the key factors in succeeding across all subjects and a wide ranging vocabulary

is essential when communicating ideas, not just in the classroom but in all walks of life and the spelling It is really fantastic to have so many enthusiastic students bee is a great opportunity for year 8 students to reading for pleasure. showcase this. Sarah Colbourne LRC Manager

12 DAYS OF GIVING DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD This year in the lead up to Christmas we decided to support our local food bank in Ringmer. In the last DofE Silver Assessed October 2018 12 days of term we asked each mentor group to fill a box with as many items as possible. Listed items Recently Toby, Chris, Oscar & Bay completed their Silver included tinned food, rice, pasta and biscuits. Staff DofE assessed expedition, which was held in Ashdown and students were extremely generous and we have Forest. The weather was varied and at times bitterly cold been able to donate a huge amount towards the food but all performed outstandingly as a team and passed the bank to support those in need this Christmas time. weekend with flying colours. DID YOU KNOW... It was commented by the assessor what a very nice group 1,332,952 three-day emergency food supplies have they were and it was a pleasure assessing them. been delivered to people in crisis in past year?

13 at Saint Leonards-On-Sea, Glyndebourne Opera House CAREERS CORNER and Vincent Dance Company in Brighton. Year 11 spent the day working on their CVs and At Rampion, we experienced first-hand how the 116 personal statements in October so that they could wind turbines are constructed and installed as well as apply to College or for an apprenticeship this term. how the power generated is then delivered to a possible Many students were able to write about their successful 350,000 UK homes, about half the homes in Sussex. work experience placements in the summer and even be inspired to pursue a career as a result. Carl Wheatley is looking forward to taking up a place at East Sussex College in Hastings to do catering having been shown the ropes in the kitchens at Parris Lawn in Ringmer. Bob Burchett, meanwhile, is hoping to take up an apprenticeship with Julian Godfrey Autos having impressed them during his work experience placement.

To help them with this decision, we welcomed representatives to our ‘Moving On’ evening from a large number of further education providers in September. In addition, Plumpton College, Heathfield College, Rampion staff demonstrated the high levels of health Hailsham Sixth Form and East and safety they have to adhere on a daily basis, the Sussex College presented vast array of constant maintenance work they carry out. assemblies throughout the term Students were shown how an injured member of staff to allow Year 11 to get more could be put into a stretcher and lowered on to a boat information and ask questions. all whilst wearing all the heavy safety equipment and We are looking forward to lifejackets. The students’ favourite part of the tour was welcoming ex-Head Girl Eleanor the control center. From this office, all the vessels and Baker who is currently studying staff at sea are tracked as well as all the vessels in the for a D. Phil in English Literature Channel. It also keeps an eye on the weather forecast, at Oxford University and who is especially for storms and lightning, which has caused a coming to talk about university fair bit of damage to the turbines already. on 17th December. Glyndebourne Meanwhile most students in Year 10 have managed to Opera House choose a work experience placement for July 2019 and have been accepted. Confirmation letters are going out We took a group early next year. of muscians to Glyndebourne Opera Year 9 have also been able to find out about university House who were all life in their PSHE lessons this term as they have been blown away by the size working with students from Sussex University on a series of the venue and the of workshops about politics and British values. We are many different jobs extremely grateful to Theo and his team from Sussex that are required to run University for taking the time to work with us. such a business.

Advance notice – all Year 9 students will be attending the General Big Futures Careers Event in Eastbourne in March 2019 Dynamics to meet employers and get ideas about careers. Budding Engineers visited General Dynamics who Open Door 2018’ project. provide the M.O.D Open Doors 2018 enables schools to take students with bespoke between Years 8 and 13 to visit East Sussex businesses communication equipment. Students had to sign and organisations so that they can gain a real insight the official secret act as everything they saw was top into the world of work and the wonderful opportunities secret. Many of them enjoyed the visit and could see available to them in the county. Recent studies themselves working in such an enviroment. have shown that encounters with employers have a significant effect on young people and can improve their Vincent Dance Company performance at school and raise their aspirations. Year 10 and 11 dancers experienced what’s involved in As part of this project, we took students to Rampion running a dance company. Students were surprised that Offshore Wind Farm at Newhaven, General Dynamics the company had just a small studio and an office and, in fact, work in venues around the country. 14 BRITISH VALUES the result was close (first-past- the-post) but the overall winner Year 9 have been working with students from Sussex was Alice Holland. University in their PSHE lessons this term on a series of workshops about politics and British values. These She spent the day on have included sessions on how Parliament works, why 9th November at County we have laws, what the different parties stand for and Hall in Lewes as part of freedom of speech. Some groups have even tried to get the Takeover Day where their heads around Brexit! students had a go at running the council! She will be Meanwhile we held school-wide elections in November working with her fellow Cabinet for our representative to the East Sussex Youth Cabinet. members to represent the There were 6 candidates – Rosie Rimmer and Matt students of King’s Academy Meyer from Year 10, Ethan Hadgkiss and Alfie Gibbons Ringmer and we look forward to hearing what she has from Year 9, Tomasz Matwijiszyn from Year 8 and Alice been up to! Holland from Year 7. There was an excellent turnout and

Don’t forget that we will be travelling to the battlefields HISTORY NEWS of the Ypres Salient in June 2019 and if students have family who Year 7 have spent the term finding out how the Norman were killed Conquest changed Britain, including the English there they can language and the landscape. Some students have even try and find out attempted to build their own 3D versions of the motte where using the and bailey castles that William I used to suppress Saxon Commonwealth rebellions after 1066 – I would recommend a visit to War Graves Lewes Castle which is an excellent example of the type Commission and has a brilliant exhibition. website – we will Two early entries are from Megan Reeves and Noah try to find the Ovenden and are pictured here. grave. Year 10 have continued with the medicine theme and are getting to grips with 900 years of history as they study how medicine changed between 1250 and the present. Year 11 are a bit more specialised this term in their study of superpower relations between 1914 and 1991. The history department is not in it’s first flush of youth and we have reached the 1980s – when we were doing our Year 8 have also been considering how the government O-Levels… of the country changed, starting with ‘the King’s Great Matter’ (Henry VIII’s desire to get a divorce) and taking Unfortunately, the in Oliver Cromwell abolishing Christmas before finishing planned trip to with the Glorious Revolution – just 200 years of history Berlin in April 2019 – easy! is not going ahead. Meanwhile Year 9 have embarked on their GCSE course On to the Normans next year – so a visit to Lewes by finding out how the Great War impacted on medicine. Castle , pictured above, would be useful! This has been particularly relevant in this centenary year of the Armistice – as always they have investigated Mrs N Moorhouse Leader of History the case of Reggie Divall who was born and lived in Ringmer and who was killed during the battle of the Somme in 1916. 15 ECO NEWS It’s official! King’s Academy Ringmer has been recognised as being one of the top five Eco Schools in the UK. The Tidy Britain Group who administer the awards said that the school had been a “Beacon of Good Practice” and rightly deserved to be entered into their Hall of Fame. This is suitable recognition for our students, past and present, who have worked so hard over the years to make the school the fantastic place it is. Students this term have been working hard on projects as diverse installation of an electric car charger as tree planting on the Field and point adjacent to the Swimming Pool waste reduction in the Canteen. At which will allow you to have your a staff level we have produced a car charged by energy from the sun detailed application for funding to whilst swimming in our pool which is replace all of our lighting with low heated by sustainable wood fuel! energy Led fittings. If successful, the energy saved will fund the We have been looking at introducing installation costs and return a profit a subsidised loan to encourage after the first eight years. staff to purchase a bike to ride to We wish you all a happy and work. Not only will we have the best peaceful christmas. Plans are also advancing for the teachers but also the fittest!! Mr Stephen Green Eco Warrior

Association of Girl Guiding and Girl We also had a Swiss Night where SWISS TRIP WITH Scouts World Centres, from 20th to Fritz played his Alpine horn and 27th October 2018. had a chocolate fondue. We got GUIDES We left for Gatwick Airport very early the town bus to visit the Interlaken, My journey started back in in the morning and arrived at our Schuh Chocolatier which was so August 2017 when I completed yummy. We my application form and then had then visited the an interview to be accepted for Trummelbach representing Girl Guides at the waterfall which World Association of Girl Guides was inside a (WAGGS) in Switzerland. mountain. Having been accepted to take part, We did have a I needed to do a lot of fundraising. visit to the Bern I did a pop up café at a Lego Build Bear Park in event, ran a market stall selling the hope of cakes and biscuits, wrote letters to seeing some various organisations for grants, the bears but they village shop had a jam jar to collect had already spare change and, along with the started their other Guides, helped run a stall chalet after 2 train journeys and a hibernation. at the Heffle Fair and quiz night at 30 minute hike. I was very excited to The cows near the chalet were so Deanlands. finally be here. noisy with their bells and there was During this time, I met up with During the week, I did lots of one sheep that was so cuddly that I the other Guides who came from hikes and visited the second wanted to bring it home. Uckfield, Brighton, Chailey and largest waterfall called Engstigen I made some good friends and had Hove every couple of months so that Falls where we had a BBQ. On lots of laughs. we could get to know one another. International Night, we sang “Guide If you every get the opportunity to Nine Guides and four Leaders Camp at Sussex By the Sea” to do somrthing simular, plase do, I from across East Sussex the tune of 10 days of Christmas. can’t recommend my experience County travelled from Uckfield to I also did rienteering, fire lighting, enough! Adelboden, Switzerland to stay at games, went in a cable car, had a Our Chalet, one of the five World boat trip and saw the wood carvers. Hannah Parris year 7 16 SCOUT TRIP At camp we met with other 1st Horam Scouts trip to Tri - Camp scouts from Sweden, Netherlands making a total of We started fundraising for this trip in early 2017 with a 400 scouts. collection jar in our local shop. We also asked friends and family to contribute and donate items for a raffle. We During the seven days at camp I had a Jumble Sale in October 2017. In February 2018 had the opportunity to take part we had a lego day in East Hoathly village hall and in in all the following activities March we had a race night in the scout hut. • Sailing By late July 2018, the time had come to depart. After a • Course hike (where we two hour delay at Gatwick Airport we got on the plane. got to sleep under the We got off the plane at 1.40am (Swedish time). We then stars) went on a coach to our camp. I got woken up at 3.40am • Craftwork (Swedish time) at the camp and went to bed at 4am • Games (Swedish time). • Rock climbing There was a beach 400m from the camp, so we made the most of it!

We left camp for home hospitality in Gothenburg where we stayed in a scout hut, the only one I have seen with showers, a big kitchen and computers.

Gothenburg was amazing, we got to go on trams, went to a theme park and went shopping in a big mall. I would recommend such a trip to anyone! Alfred Parris Year 8

NHS DROP-IN NURSE King’s Academy Ringmer will be offering the chance for all students, every Wednesday to see an NHS nurse. There will be a drop-in session available at lunch times in the meeting room by reception. An appointment is not necessary and sessions are completely confidential (except with safeguarding issues). All pupils can come and see us for a range of issues confidentially, such as emotional health, stress and anxiety, issues of physical health, smoking, healthy eating and sexual health. I am unsure if you allow us to distribute c-cards and this you may need to check with screen time your head before advertising this. They can self-refer · Develop personalised goals and confidential plans and do not need to book and see us, just pop in. The nursing team are offering a new suppoert For more information you can ask your School Nurse at programme called #GOALS a drop-in or talk to a member of the East Sussex School Health Service at health promotion events in school. #GOALS is an 8 session, 1:1 programme designed to support young people in East Sussex aged 11-18 to Young people can sign up now through text via our achieve a healthy weight and lifestyle. Chat Health Service on 07507 332473. · 20 minute sessions every 2 weeks Alternatively young people, parents/carers, and · Meet one-to-one with a fully qualified health professionals can refer via the following link: https:// professional www.kentcht.nhs.uk/forms/school-health-service-east- · Covering a range of topics to help achieve and sussex-referral-form/ maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle including or can contact the service on 0300 123 4062 to speak diet and nutrition, exercise, cookery, sleep and to a member of the team for more information” 17 Yr 11 TRAMPOLINING ROSIE’S RACE TWICKENHAM WALK TRIP The year 11s are just coming to the end of a block of trampolining as part of their Rosie Gaughan, year 7 On Saturday 17th November we GCSE PE course in which they are being competed in her first race walk took a minibus full of students assessed as part of their final grades. on Saturday 8th December to watch England V Japan at They have been going to a local trampoline for Lewes Athletics Club at Twickenham. club ‘Funabounds’ in Uckfield funabounds Broadbridge Heath track. She to take part in this, with the majority of the racewalked for 1km achieving a The game was tense and in the group now being able to front somersault time of 6.54 minutes. balance with Japan being ahead and some working towards completing a One of the toughest rules of at half time. England made a back somersault. race walking, compared to comeback in the second half running, is that one foot has to running out 35-15 overall. always be touching the track. It's not as easy as it sounds! The stadium was packed, the Despite being nervous at the weather was great and we were start, Rosie pushed through sat near to ex England Coach and earned herself a prize of a Sir Clive Woodward and ex £5 gift voucher for her effort. player Will Greenwood.

LOUIS MOYES SWIMMING learnt about nutrition, fitness and competition swimming. STAR Unfortunately, I had to suspend my competition I have always enjoyed swimming to have surgery on my arms and lost my swimming so I joined Mid classification. However, I am now back training and Sussex Marlins Para Swimming achieving my previous competition times. to help with my physio and fitness whilst I recovered from Over the past few years, I have been to many regional a series of operations. I entered galas and a national event in Enfield; I have achieved a disability gala at The Triangle over 50 medal placings and won several cups including in Burgess Hill and enjoyed the Top Junior Male in Sussex. competition and I won a medal! This started my desire to get better and to enter more I have spent a long time in Great Ormond Street competitions. Hospital (GOSH) and wanted to thank them for all the great care they have given me, so I organised a In 2013, I started to train on Wednesday evenings and sponsored swim which took place on 12th December. I achieved my goal of swimming 50 lengths in 40 minutes Saturday mornings and my swimming improved. Each time I competed I achieved at least one personal best and so far I have had £800 pledged which is amazing. time and I never came away without a medal. Thank you so much to all those that have supported During 2015, I was talent spotted by Swim England in me. For anyone else there is still time to donate at: the South East Regional Para Swimming Competition www.justgiving.com/fundraising/louis-moyes1 which was held in Southampton. At this event I achieved my disability classification which All money raised for GOSH helps fund research, life is the classification for those hopeful to compete in saving saving equipment, support for children and the Paralympics. I was also asked to attend the Para families as well as rebuilding and Swimming Training Camp at High Wycombe where I refurbishment. 18 Louis Moyes Year 10 CROSS COUNTRY GIRLS RUGBY AT KING’S As a PE department, we organise the local school ACADEMY annual cross country event held at Eastbourne sports park. This is the fourth successive year which we have We are continuing to develop girl’s rugby which is organised the event. The weather was great as usual proving very popular. Although this has only been during and over 250 local students participated. We took a curriculum time, we will be starting an after school club KS3 team who competed well and all completed the in the new year. As a result of this development, Martha tough course. We look forward to being even more Swallow, Lily Ness, Xanthe Watkins, Niamh Weldon competitive next year. Olivia & Poppy Wiles have all joined Uckfield Rugby Club, training regularly during the week and playing in league matches on a Sunday. With Bluebell Nicholls, an ex-student at KAR, playing in the Varsity match at Twickenham for the second year running on the 7th December, we need to watch this space.

SWIMMING GALA FOOTBALL game of the season 5-3 against We hosted the local KS4 swimming At the start of the year we had Gildredge House. Probably the gala in which a number of our 25 fixtures arranged for various most memorable game of the students competed against other different year groups. Each year season was the Year 8s V Priory in schools. Rachel was the most has managed to play in at least which Rio scored a fantastic goal consistent swimmer from Ringmer one game, with some year groups to make the score 1-0, Priory then in the competition winning some playing 5 games, some games are scored 3 goals, with 1 minute left of her races. As a team, we came still to be played. The lower year and two goals needed. Isaac Taylor 5th out of 8 teams to attend the groups have had more success managed to get these for a thrilling competition. in their games being much more 3 all draw. The year 10s lost all their competitive in their respective games but were competitive in some leagues. The year 7s won first as were the Year 11s.

19 NEW KIT SPONSOR STOOBALL NEWS P.E. teacher Mrs Peters represented Stoolball England on Sunday 30th September at Roebuck Park Cricket ground, Hellingly. She captained the winning team and is seen here lifting the trophy. Mrs Peters is captain for Barcombe Stoolball Club who were the undefeated Mid Division Champions of 2018.

We would like to thank Richard Soan Roofing Sevices for all their support and generosity in providing the school with new team kits for our students. Students are thrilled with how smart the new kit looks, hopefully it will prove to be a lucky kit for the forthcoming fixtures!

As Mid Division Junior representative she is always looking at ways in which to encourage young people to play stoolball, so last year she set up a Barcombe junior stoolball club which consisted mainly of students from KAR. Many of these students went on to play county & regional matches. KAR Students will again get the chance to participate in playing stoolball during the 2019 season.

COMPETING WITH In addition to this, the year 11 students have been playing in the THE BEST AT Lewes Outdoor Netball 5 a-side NETBALL! League in preparation for their All year groups have shown great GCSE P.E grades. Mrs Peters, commitment and enthusiasm who also plays in this league, has this season. We have had some been delighted with their progress amazing results, with all year groups & commitment. Other teams in the beating Seahaven & Peacehaven league have commented on their Community School. The year 10s development & etiquette throughout & 11s both won against Priory in a the season. closely fought match at Lewes and the year 7s won against a very strong Seaford Head & just missed out to Priory in an end to end contest ending in 5-7 to Priory. We have had record numbers attending after school clubs with many students now playing outside of school for Lewes netball Club. This can only further enhance our performance next year. www.kgaringmer.uk [email protected] @Ringmer_Academy 01273 812220