THE KINGS OF WESSEX SCHOOL A Church of England Foundation School Specialist Technology College
Issue no. 96 End of Spring Term April 2011 The Kings’ Messenger
Students make the news!
On Thursday 24 March 2011 Media Club students joined with around 800 schools across the UK to make the news for the BBC News School Report Day.
The young reporters were participating in the BBC project to engage 11-14-year- olds in the news. Former teacher and BBC News presenter, Huw Edwards lent his support to the project “to give young people the chance to make the news themselves [and...] share the principles of good journalism”.
Over the past months Katie Bewick, Alastair Campbell, Alex Curnow, Lilli Helps, Lyndsey Hooper, Owen Marlow, Tom Powell, Molly Randell and Gary Sutlieff were busy training to be top journalists, filming interviews and producing reports.
For the School Report Day, they filmed a feature on the forthcoming Royal Wedding with insights into the romance between Prince William and bride-to-be Kate Middleton; reported on how computers have changed over the years and the impact on our lives; and ran film reviews of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and “GNomio and Juliet”.
Following the recent publication of „The Man who broke into Auschwitz‟ by Denis Avey, Kings and Queens journalist Lilli took the opportunity to interview Year 10 student Jess Shiner who had just returned from a memorable and moving R.E. trip to Poland and Auschwitz.
The team were ably assisted by Year 11 and Sixth Form Mentors Katie Brock, Lorna Mortimer, Tristan Palmer, Ben Sutlieff and Grey Tyrell.
Commenting on their journalistic work Teacher of English and Leader Teacher for the project Ellie Roylance said: “Our students worked really hard to create newsy and interesting stories. This was a wonderful experience for them - not least to meet their deadlines!”
You can view the team’s reports on the school website at: http://www.kowessex.co.uk/swnews/newsreport.php Whilst for the second year, the Languages and Business Studies Head’s-Up from Mr Richardson teams joined together for the Sixth Form annual trip to Paris
Headteacher, The Kings of Wessex School for the “Your Future in Europe 2011 Conference” at the Palais de Congrès, which I was fortunate to attend. Dear Parents, On a moving note, at the time of writing, we will be You will be aware from media reports that welcoming Zigi Shipper into school to give his testimony as a schools across the country are beginning to feel Holocaust survivor. Polish by birth, during World War II the impact of Government austerity measures. Mr Shipper was sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau, but was Regrettably, Kings is no exception. Cuts to the eventually liberated by the British Army after being sent on a school budget and increasing cost pressures Death March to the German naval town of Neustadt. means that we have to make a saving of In this final week, we will be going to St Andrew’s Church £354,626. In response to the funding situation the for our services on the theme of ‘Easter - Where do you stand?’ School’s Governing Body is taking a number of measures to organised by Christian Leader Joanna Slade and led by Rev reduce costs: including cuts to the non-staffing budget and Sue Rose. regrettably, an unavoidable reduction in expenditure on Recently, some of Governors visited for our Spring Term staffing. Governors Day, spending time in lessons to see the school at Unfortunately, there have been continued delays in our work. And our local community champions have also application to convert to Academy Status due to protracted supported and enhanced students’ learning opportunities. I legal issues with the Church of England. This has been very thank Mendip Rotarians who have been busy with our Young frustrating, but I am pleased to say that at last, we are Musicians, Writers, and “Big Pitch” enterprising students, making progress, and we hope to be in a position to become and also the Year 12 Mock Interviews. an Academy some time next term. Finally, I thank parents for your support this half term, and wish you and your family an enjoyable Easter Holiday. But you will know that here at Kings we remain committed and enthusiastic about providing an outstanding education, as we prepare our young people for the global and fast- Yours sincerely, I remind you that we changing technological world that we live in. And I hope that return for the start of the this Kings’ Messenger will provide you with an inspiring Summer Term on idea from this half term... Tuesday 26 April 2011 It is that time in the school year when we focus on completing Controlled Assessments and getting students CHRIS RICHARDSON ready for the summer exam season. Exam technique is as Headteacher important as knowing subject matter and Assistant Headteacher Mr Hughes has given students an exam briefing. I am mindful that the number of school days for those students going on exam leave is rapidly dwindling. Year 11 students have met for the fourth time with their Mentoring Plus Mentor, and Sixth Form students are also discussing their progress and targets with Tutors. Staff continue to work tenaciously, running sessions at lunchtime and after school to encourage students to achieve their very best, and I also encourage attendance at this year’s Easter Revision sessions during the holidays for that extra boost. Year 9 chose their GCSE Options for next year in the light of new Government policy – the new English Baccalaureate., which raises the profile of choosing Geography or History, and a Language. We recently appointed our new Senior Student Team for 2011 after putting them through their paces in the selection process (and here they are now). It is always an enjoyable task to see how those shortlisted students, now in Year 12 have, have grown and are keen to give something back to school. I know they will be super ambassadors in this special role - not least in organising Contents
the annual Charities Week in December! Students Make the News 1 It has been another half term of happy accomplishments – Head’s Up 2 many of which you can read about shortly; and aptly, we end Roll of Honour 3-5 the term on a celebratory note with our End of Spring Term Trip to Poland 6-9 Achievement Assemblies presenting Special Achievements, The Kings’ Art 10 School Colours, Subject and Enrichment Awards – see the Roll Dramatic Events 11 of Honour. World Book Day 11 We enjoyed the recent Easter Concert of music-making, and A Mathematical Monday 12 I also praise our Drama students for their exam Year 12 Mock Interviews 13 performances. Thinking about the Arts, it is wonderful to see Scientific Experiments 14 Cheddar Arts@Kings Theatre flourishing in its second Learning Resource Centre 14 season, with its fabulous programme of music, comedy, Christian Leader Reflections 15 theatre, and film nights. Year 9 Springs into Charity Work 15 Out on the field, our P.E. Department maintained their winning Le Paris Trip 16-17 streak when Year 9 Hockey girls won the Somerset Cup. Kings and Queens Sports Scores 18-19 Charities Week Cheques Presentations 20
End of Spring Term Roll of Honour Special Achievement Awards: Congratulations and thank you to our students! Bronze (5 merits) Ross McColgan 9SJW Imogen Howorth 9MH Keira Bambury 9TT Jack Miller 9SBA Jack Hughes 9SJW Jack Beacom 9SBA Bonnie Naish 9DE Ben Hutton 9DR Danielle Clews 9CBA Rebecca Newman 9CBA Ella Jameson 9JPF Rebecca Cox 9TT James Newton-Browne 9DR Alexander Jeanes 9CBA Abbey Floyd 9CBA Alexander Paterson 9SJW Rhys Lewis 9CBA Kieron Gibson 9DE Sophia Pavle 9SJW Lauren Male 9VQ Annabella Gould 9TT Thomas Penhall 9DE Owen Marlow 9MH Karl Hooper 9VQ Matthew Prestidge 9DE Jack Masters 9MH Timothy Ingle 9DE Molly Randell 9VQ Benjamin Michiels 9MH William May 9TT Mia Rowlands 9DE Maggie Morris 9SBA Zach Newsome 9TT Louise Sealey 9VQ Ryan Moss 9SJW Rachel Perry 9TT Abbie Slater 9VQ Hannah O’Brien 9SJW Olanah-Jay Shakespeare 9TT Alexandra Smith 9SBA Jenna Patten 9CBA James Walker 9TT Abbie Snelgrove 9MH Rachel Perry 9SJW Jacob Burrows 10MG Eleni Stamatis 9TT Simon Peto 9MH Jacob Durbin 10MG Billy Standen 9JPF Joseph Podpadec 9SBA Rebecca Grantham 10LD Leah Street 9SJW Madeleine Ralph 9SBA James Henry 10MG Elizabeth Sturmey 9JPF Stephanie Reeves 9SJW Jade Marie Hide 10MG Samuel Walters 9SBA Caitlin Rickard 9SJW Benjamin James 10MG Kye Whelan 9CBA Joseph Scott Hartley 9JPF Thomas Jones 10MG Emily White 9JPF Emma Spittal 9MH Robyn McGibbon 10MG Grace Whittaker 9SBA Christine Staite 9SBA Emma Moore 10MG Benjamin Williams 9DE Rosalind Strang 9VQ Sidney Morris 10MG Ellis Williams 9SJW Gary Sutlieff 9DR Benjamin Rogers 10LD Nathan Tabberer 9DE Harley Ribi 10MG James Ross 10MG Molly Thorne 9DE GOLD (25 merits) Paris Ward 10MG Shannon Vickery 9TT Kirsty Abbott 9MH Eloise Voice 9JPF SILVER (15 merits) Emily Allcott 9TT Kimberley Voit 9DE Shaun Adams 9JPF Holly Baldwin 9VQ Robert Wallis 9CBA Harry Andrews 9SJW Joshua Barker 9DR Phoebe Wedgwood-Potts 9MH Shannon Baker 9CBA Katie Bewick 9TT Brandon Wilcox 9VQ Sophie Bishop 9VQ Maisie Blair 9CBA Kristian Willmott 9DE Samuel Board 9CBA Samuel Board 9CBA Adam Wood 9JPF
Rachael Boobyer 9SBA Joseph Bourke-Trotham 9VQ Ella Brandrick 9TT Ellis Bracey 9CBA PLATINUM (50 merits) Owen Browne 9VQ Samuel Brock 9CBA Sarah Appleby 9CBA Charlie Buckland 9SJW Jemma Callow 9SJW Vanessa Brill 9DR Chloe Butt 9SJW Lauren Cleave 9DE James Bugler 9FP Alastair Campbell 9SJW Sarah Coggins 9VQ Chloe Burke 9DR Sam Chedzoy 9JPF Thomas Cooksey 9SJW Bethan Darby 9SBA Alexandra Clement-Close 9TT Oliver Cornish 9SBA Alice Davis 9CBA Charlie David 9SJW Joshua Daly 9CBA Sophie Deakins 9SBA Samuel Day 9VQ Amy Day 9SBA Rebecca Douglas 9DR Eleanor Dunlop 9DE Charlotte Day 9JPF Hannah Forde 9DR Isobel Etherington 9DE Samuel Dearsley 9DR Annabelle Harraway 9SBA Jonathan Fowler 9DE Lewis Dudley 9DR Cora Marks 9DR Abbey Floyd 9CBA Zoe Dunham 9TT Eleanor Dunlop 9DE Kyran Gale 9CBA To celebrate their accomplishments and contributions Nathan Gelder 9CBA Mia Fisher 9SBA Katie Florey 9VQ to school life this Spring Term, students will be Charlie Gumble 9VQ presented with their awards in our Achievement James Hacker 9VQ Cameron Fraser 9MH Kyran Gale 9CBA Assemblies on the last day of term, Katrina-Anne Hamilton 9CBA Friday 8 April 2011.
Amber Gregory 9DE
Lilli Helps 9DE Hollie Griffin 9VQ Daniel Hide 9DR Bronze and Silver = a certificate Christopher Hill 9VQ Ben Harris 9DE Gold = a certificate, badge and £10 voucher Henry Hounsell 9TT Daniel Harris 9SBA Keisha Jacques-Harris 9TT Christopher Hawkes 9VQ Platinum = 50 merits Alexander Jeanes 9CBA Sophie Hodges 9CBA (a certificate, badge and £15 voucher) Tom Hope-Stone Bell 9MH Rhys Lewis 9CBA Double Platinum = 100 merits James Lomax 9DE Shannon House 9SBA (certificate and £20 voucher)
School Colours: celebrating students for contribution to extra curricular activities
Badminton The Kings and Music Billy Cavanagh 10JG Queens News Team Enrichment Harry Baker 9SBA Hal Davidson 10JG Lorna Mortimer 11LDA Sara Bradley 9FP Daniel Yates 10MG Freya Cumberlidge 12RW Subjects: James Chinnock 11SS Alex Curnow 9FP
Ed Lupton 11CC Joshua Daly 9CBA 100% Attendance Dan Woods 11KL Bethan Darby 9SBA English Emily Allcott 9TT Jasmine Day 9SJW Lucy Boobyer 10RD Harry East 9FP Ivan Beretvas 9MH Football James Board 9JPF Bridie McGrath 10VW Annie Gould 9TT Liberty Mewes 10TCO Jack Beacom 9SBA Vanessa Brill 9DR Lauren Male 9VQ Lucy Morgan-Evans 10RMH Tom Davies 9SBA Sam Chedzoy 9JPF Alexander Paterson 9 SJW Tabitha Paul 10LD Sam Dearsley 9DR Janne Clarke 9MH Tom Penhall 9DE Tabitha Rogers 10RD Tim Ingle 9DE Amber Gregory 9DE Andrew Rose 9JPF Chloe Starks 10AST Brandon O’Reilly 9CBA Karl Hooper 9VQ Joe Scott-Hartley 9JPF Lois Wilson 10LD Ross Panes 9DR Lyndsey Hooper 9SJW Douglas Spinks 9MH Sam Walters 9SBA Henry Hounsell 9TT Kye Whelan 9SBA Imogen Howorth 9MH Maths Mock Interview Calum Ponsford 11AS Scott Jenkins 9SBA Alex Beretvas 9MH Winners Emma Kelly 9SJW Finlay Travis 11AH Jonathan Fowler 9DE Natasha Adams 12CA Kerry Martin 9DR Scott Jenkins 9SBA Hockey Seth Cunningham 12BR Harriet Moody 9MH Matthew Prestidge 9DE Chris Day 12IS Ryan Moss 9SJW Andrew Rose 9JPF Adam Wood 9JPF James Porter Hunt 9MH James Chinnock 11SS Emily Derrick 12RW Joe Scott-Hartley 9JPF Emily Ingle 12GR Matthew Slater 9SBA Alastair Bartlett 10TP Jack Fraser 11LJ Adam Wood 9JPF James Lindsay 11JLB Chris Kent 12GC Ellen Harris-Snell 10RMH Sam Kent 12GC Jacob Allen 10AST Daniel Weare 11DPW Harry Davidson 10JG Kirsty McLaren 12CBE Design Technology Bethany Ellis 10RMH Lucy Midcalf 12CA Jamie Emery 11AH Netball Thomas Fincham 10LD Alice Wright 12CA Ellen Farrell 11ML Holly Baldwin 9VQ Daisy Goldsmith 10RMH Daniel Mehlig 11CC Sarah Bradley 9FP Lauren Marshall 10RD Mock Interview Joshua Page 11AH Janne Clarke 9MH Krystyna Masny 10LD Highly Commended Lauren Cleave 9DE Dennis Palmer 10RD Tabitha Paul 10LD ICT Amy Clegg 9DR Ben Fisher 12TR Rebecca Cox 9TT Lauren Haines 12GR James Pavey 10TCO Matteo Veglia 12CA Josephine Hill 9DR Ashley Kelson 12TR Ellie Peverall 10VW Shannon Johnson 9JPF Emily Kouidri 12IS Tabitha Rogers 10RD Megan Kidner 9MH Sophie Luff 12RW Jessica Shiner 10TP Chelsea Llewellyn 9DR Alfie Palmer 12GR Kes Svensson 10VW Grace Low 9CBA Thomas Wooton 12RW Lewis Thompson 10AST Lauren Male 9VQ Gregory Tyrrell 10AST Helen McColgan 9VQ New Senior Student Jennifer Wilson 10RD Katie Prior 9JPF Team Gemma Barwell 11AS Samuel Bath 11AT Jade Skyrme 9DR Head Boy: Lewis Jones 12TR Cameron Browne 11AS Rosalind Strang 9VQ Head Girl: Laura Weigold 12TR Shannon Vickery 9TT Tristan Cakebread 11AH Eleanor Williams 9DE Deputy Head Boys: Rebecca Charles 11AT Daisy Goldsmith 10RMH Adam Clegg 12BR James Chinnock 11SS Charlotte Rogers 11CC Adam Green 12BR Josephine Douglas 11AH Lucy Woodman 11LDA Max Hope-Stone Bell 12IS Benjamin Fowler 11DPW Sinead Byrom 12CA Lewis Podpadec 12TR Zach Gittings 11CC Lucy Midcalf 12CA Scott Virgo 12CA Adam Kelly 11DPW
Jenny Pearce 12RW Deputy Head Girls: Danielle Lloyd 11AT Olivia Yates 12CBE Edward Lupton 11CC Chloe Kitching 12TR There is an Georgina Mason 11CC Lizzie Nash 12BR exciting Swimming Claire Tidswell 12CBE James Peebles Brown 11KL Benjamin Skinner 11LJ programme of Shannon House 9SBA Alice Would 12IS Jordan Southey 11SS Mia Rowlands 9DE Olivia Yates 12CBE extra curricular James Strawbridge 11KL Eleni Stamatis 9TT activities at Kings, Ben Sutlieff 11CC Nathan Tabberer 9DE Rianna Tanner 11KL With something for Lucy Woodman 11LDA everyone!
Subject Awards: celebrating students for their achievements in the academic subjects Subject Awards Year 9 Year 10 Year 11 Year 12 Year 13 English Andrew Rose 9JPF Clara Wardman-Nicholls 10EM Phoebe Gupta 11AS - - English Language - - - James Watson 12GR Anna Spanring 13SJ English Literature - - - Rachael Bewick 12RW Daisy Robinson-Rattle 13SO Media Studies - - - Scott Virgo 12CA Robert Sparks 13SR Maths James Felton 9FP Mia Taylor 10LD Heather Cooke 11AT Ben DeIvey 12GR James Hall 13JR Product Design Lauren Male 9VQ Alastair Bartlett 10TP Joanna Martin 11DPW Chloe Heyworth 12CA Eleanor Jones 13SJ Food Technology Sophie Deakins 9SBA Jenny Wilson 10RD Eleanor Chick 11LJ Christopher Laband 12BR Olivia Owen 13SJ Child Development - - Amy Skittrall 11SS - - ICT Amy Day 9SBA Chelsie Bailey 10AST Sophie Pettler 11AT Tom Cashmore 12BR Stuart Thorne 13SK Computing - - - Ben De Ivey 12GR Alex Williams 13SR Biology Robert Fletcher 9VQ Jenny Wilson 10RD Alex Rossiter 11AH Jessica Benjamin 12GR Hannah Puddy 13SR Chemistry Sam Woodroffe 9MH Hayley Nicholson 10RD Alex Rossiter 11AH Jessica Benjamin 12GR Tom Bridgwater 13GMC Physics Janne Clarke 9MH Tom Newton 10EM Joshua Page 11AH Christie Zanelli 12RW Brent Stewart 13SJ Psychology - - - Sinead Byrom 12CA Olivia Owen 13SJ Business Studies - Sid Morris 10MG Laura Fineran 11SS Chloe Heyworth 12CA Victoria Ferguson 13SJ Geography William May 9TT Beth Aston 10AST Matthew Lomax 11ML Christopher Holt 12TR Daniel Sampson 13SR History Sophie Hodges 9CBA Robert Cornish 10RMH Calum Ponsford 11AS Oliver Conroy 12GR Joe Perry 13SK Law - - - Jemima Clements12TR Scott Tsoi 13SJ R.E. Ellie Brown 9TT Tabitha Rogers 10RD Dale Phillips 11KL Rachael Bewick 12RW Anna Spanring 13SJ Critical Thinking - - - Sophie Patten 12RW - Sociology - - - Chloe Bisdee 12CA Lauren Hooper 13JR French Scott Jenkins 9SBSA Bryony Allen 10LD Samuel Bates 11CC Jessica Benjamin 12GR Harriet Thompson 13SR German Shannon Johnson 9JPF Emma Tucker 10EM Eleanor Chick 11LJ Freya Cumberlidge 12RW Anna Spanring 13SJ Art Rosie Capps 9FP Mary Cornick 10VW Helen Pearce 11LJ Helen Bennett 12GR Sophie Watkins 13SJ Photography - Emma Deakins 10RD William Davis 11AS Joshua Timmins 12IS Daniel Albone 13GMC Textiles - Tabitha Rogers 10RD Lucy Kitching 11LJ Abigail Nicholson 12CA Eleanor Jones 13SJ Drama Ella Jameson 9JPF Aidan Young 10AST Tristan Palmer 11DPW Russell Eccleston 12BR Hannah Shaw 13SK BTEC Performing Arts - Greg Tyrrell 10AST Phoebe Gupta 11AS - - Music Tom Hope-Stone Bell 9MH Tim Lucas 10EM Emily Thorowgood 11LDA Edward Kimmins-Tonkin 12GC Thomas Haggerty 13SJ P.E. Jack Beacom 9SBA Emily Bancroft 10TCO Ben Fowler 11DPW Sophie Luff 12RW Olivia Owen 13SJ Learning Support George Willis 9VQ Sinead O'Brien 10LD Robyn Keedwell 11CC - - PSHE/Citizenship Ella Jameson 9JPF Ben Rogers 10LD Joanna Martin 11DPW - - A Memorable and Moving Insight into History: What were your first impressions of Krakow? The city of Krakow was a lot larger than I thought it The R.E. Trip to Poland would be. People had told me it was like England; but when I arrived I found the culture was very different. On the first walk around Krakow we went to the town and Auschwitz square, I thought it was beautiful, especially all the stalls
in the market selling amber. 41 Year 10 R.E. students visited Poland this half term. It was an emotional and eventful trip It was really great staying in Krakow. The hotel was in a recounting the steps of the Polish people, Jews, good place so we could walk to all the interesting areas, led by Tony Dodd. We enjoyed going off into smaller Slavs, Political activists, Gypsies or groups and discovering more together. I thought that the Homosexuals who had been shown prejudice city was beautiful in the evening when we went out and discrimination by the Nazi regime. walking. The buildings were all lit up and the atmosphere was great. The group visited areas of Krakow used in the filming of the acclaimed film “Schindler’s List” and walked I was in Mr Green‟s group. And I know that all the groups in the footsteps of the persecuted, who were forced to had a lot of fun with their leader. move from the beauty of Krakow to the ghetto slum of Podgorze, before later being deported to various concentration and death camps - the biggest being Auschwitz and Birkenau.
The groups were an important We were part of the trip because as well as having our friends with fascinated by a guided tour of these religious and us, we could also share good times with others and bond historical sites, with the added privilege of meeting a with new people. Holocaust survivor, who shared the harrowing story of his survival and liberation from Manthausen What do you remember of the visit to the concentration camp in Austria. concentration camp? Both of the camps were very emotional. On the journey We also visited the famous Oscar Schindler‟s factory there I was preparing for the worst. Even thinking about which has now been transformed into a museum, “an it brought a lump to my throat... ambitious, multimedia evocation of Krakow‟s experience under Nazi occupation from 1939-1945. The new museum uses Schindler‟s famous story as a springboard to recount a broader narrative that encompasses oppression and resilience, heroism and deceit” (Global New York Times)
Finally, students also visited the Wielicka Salt Mines to explore the underground chambers, chapels with salt sculptures and salt lakes.
By Mrs L Jory, Subject Leader for R.E. So, here we are, 70 years after the end of the war, when we interviewed student Jess Shiner, to hear about her experience on this visit to Krakow and the concentration camps. I think that Birkenau was the most moving of the two. The pictures of the killed people brought some of the group to tears.
We had a particularly enthusiastic guide who told amazing true stories of some of the things that went on exactly where we stood. None of the group spoke as she explained. We simply put ourselves in their shoes. A really nice moment in the concentration camp was when we all met up and shared a prayer and discussed the history of the place with the group leaders...
What was it like meeting the Holocaust Survivor? Meeting the Holocaust survivor was one of the most memorable moments in Poland. I think it will stay with me for a long time...
I thought that Auschwitz would be worse for me, but the survivor who spoke made me think the most about what it was like to be there. Everyone was very respectful of him and I was amazed how we all listened for that one hour. He had brought his blue and white striped uniform with him and I was amazed by how small it was; and I could imagine him younger and scrawny under the fabric.
What amazed me most was when my friend asked him if he forgave the Nazis for what they did, his reply was simply „yes, we must forget about the past and think about the future.‟ I was so surprised by how he could forgive someone who had been so cruel to him... In contrast, bowling was really good fun, as it was nice to have relaxing time after What were the most memorable moments of a hard and heavy day at the camps. Being in the hotel the trip? was also very good. I think because of the mixture of Without doubt the experience in the concentration camps solemn and happy moments it made the trip interesting will stay with me forever. and we were never bored.
The early mornings weren‟t that bad, because it meant we slept well at night – after all the walking during the days.
It was the best trip I’ve ever been on!
Interview by Lilli Helps 9DE and Lorna Mortimer 11LDA The Kings and Queens News Team
And here are some more of the students’ memories...
Auschwitz-Birkenau: “We were shown the evidence of what was left behind: glasses, crutches, plates, baskets. Some of the bags were especially upsetting seeing names and ages, some had the word “Kleinkind” (children) written. There were pictures of inmates with their date of entry to Auschwitz and death. Families had left flowers next to their photos.” Ayliffe Cumming
“To walk through the gates was emotional as I just imagined men and women walking side by side about to meet their tragic fate” Katie Davies
“Visiting Auschwitz was a good and wonderful experience that will stay with me forever and ever. When we hear about it in school it is not the same as actually seeing what happened for real, the torture and pain all those thousands of victims went through.” Ellie Rialas
“The visit to Auschwitz I think is something that everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. It shows a massacre that should have never have happened and should definitely never happen again.” Elizabeth Wooton
The Holocaust Survivor: “I was moved by the emotion in his eyes. He told us about the living conditions and his experiences in the camp. What he went through, nobody should have to think about, let alone live through. I have so much respect for him the way he has coped with the past and lived his life. His talk made me feel very humble and grateful.” Jess Abbott
“It shows how strong humans can be in times of despair. He said that his determination to survive pulled him through.” Eve Hayzer
“If it had not been through hope, help from others and inner strength he wouldn‟t have survived.” Sophie Vincent
“He said he could forgive but never forget.” Chloe Mattock Jewish Quarter - Kazimierz: “We went to a Jewish Synagogue, where we learnt about Jewish beliefs and rituals. The men have to wear small hats and the women would have to sit separate. The Torah would be placed in the middle of the room.”
“Going to the cemetery was emotional as so many lives were lost to war and violence. On the grave stones were small rocks which are placed as a traditional gesture, like we would put flowers. The difference with rocks is that they last a long time-never die.” Sophie Vincent
“It moved me so much to see how many lives had been destroyed.” Chloe Starks
Ghetto: “Jews were forced to live in tiny, overcrowded areas of the city. The areas were sectioned off with walls. Most people in these areas got violently sick as often fifty people had to share a house. Schindler‟s factory has now been converted into a museum which was very interesting; I liked the way it showed the history of the Polish people. The red Nazi flags really made me think. It was quite moving.” Ayliffe Cumming
“The big chairs in the square at Podgorze, symbolised the people waiting for deportation and waiting to find out what was going to happen to them next.” Chloe Mattock
“It was interesting to see how the Jews waited for selection and how this was symbolised through the chairs and also the story of the only non-Jew in the Ghetto and how he helped people by giving them medicine.” Elizabeth Wooton
Krakow: “The biggest city square in Europe. The market stalls were selling Amber and it was sparkling in the light, creating an orange walkway. Wood carvings and different breads were also sold in these little stalls.” Tabitha Paul
“The Church had two towers and a bugle player played a tune on the hour, but never finished his tune because it symbolised when the trumpeter played to warn the people of an attack and was shot midway through”. Harry Wivell
“The castle was amazing and was occupied by a Nazi leader during World War 11. Under the hill once lived the Krakow Dragon. The legend is that the dragon was killed by a young man who won the hand of the princess in marriage. A statue of the dragon now remains and breathes fire.” Harry Wivell
Year 9 Art Work:
Some truly great work has been created this year by our Year 9 Artists and we are delighted to showcase some of their wonderful work for you now:
Katie Prior Imogen Howarth Nathan Tabberer Keisha Jacques
Art Exams:
We are now at that time of year when students are preparing for exams on the following dates:
Art, Textiles & Photography GCSE: Monday 4 April – Thursday 7 April 2011 Art & Textiles AS Level: Tuesday 26 – Wednesday 27 April 2011 Photography AS Level: Wednesday 27 – Thursday 28 April 2011 Art & Textiles A2 Level: Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 April and Tuesday 3 May 2011 Photography A2 Level: Wednesday 4 – Friday 6 May 2011
London Art Trip - Thursday 14 – Saturday 16 July 2011 inclusive:
Letters are about to go out for our exciting summer trip to London offered to our current Year 10 Art students. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to visit the great museums of the Capital including the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, The National Portrait Gallery and The Saatchi Gallery. We have also organised a Creative East End Walking Tour, which exposes students to street art, art galleries, a street market and places of worship with a commentary from an expert guide. Students will be practising their own skills through observational drawings and photography building up a strong portfolio of work towards their continuing development at GCSE.
We will soon be holding a parent and student information evening about the trip. Date - TBC.
Rotary Club of Mendip Young Artists 2011 Competitions:
The deadline has now passed and so we will be reporting on the winners of the competition shortly... There are two age groups: Intermediate (13-15 year olds) - one painting or photograph of a landscape per student Senior (16-18 year olds) - one painting or photograph of a landscape per student For further details see Subject Leader for Art Ms Weaving.
Textiles needs any old sheets, curtains, material, wool, old clothes! Please contact Teacher of Textiles Mrs Gale if you can help – thank you! Following the success of the school production Dramatic ‘Pride and Prejudice’ last half Events term, the Drama Department is pleased to announce two further productions this school year.
The Year 9 play sees Year 12 Chloe Kitching directing ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and Year 10 will be performing ‘The Tempest’ under the leadership of our new Teacher of Drama, Miss Banham, who is covering for Mrs Step who is now on her maternity leave. These two productions are shortened versions of the well known Shakespeare plays and will be performed in the Kings Theatre in the Summer Term – diary dates to follow!
In addition, there is plenty going on with Year 11 monologue and duologue AS Level exams at the end of March, plus Year 12 group pieces. GCSE group pieces are scheduled on the last Thursday of this term, and AS Level monologues in May, before the Year 11 AS Level group pieces on Tuesday 10 to Thursday 12 May 2011. There are 50 candidates taking AS Level Drama this year!
Finally, Year 13 will be watching ‘A Comedy of Errors’ as part of their course at the Tobacco Factory in Bristol and there is an open invitation to all Years 10-13 Drama students to see ‘Guys and Dolls’ at the Theatre Royal in Bath on Tuesday 26 April 2011 (tickets are still available and cost £12.50).
World Book Day in character at Kings
Students were amused to be taught by characters from a novel for World Book Day as part of the national booklovers special day on Thursday 3 March 2011.
The literary line-up included a sprightly March Hare from Alice in Wonderland, the Gingerbread man, one of the 101 Dalmatians – pursued by villainess Cruella de Vil, Minerva McGonagall Deputy Headmistress at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter stories and Arther Dent from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Holly Golightly “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” provided a touch of glamour in a black cocktail dress and huge hat, along with Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective Sherlock Holmes, and many more.
English Enrichment Leader Rosie Holliman’s classes had a lesson in Neverland with her dressed as Peter Pan and Tinker Bell was seen teaching in the Languages Department.
To celebrate the day, all students received a £1 book vouchers to inspire them to buy a book. A Mathematical Monday by James Soffe, The Kings and Queens News Team
You may not have noticed...but Monday 14 March 2011 was a significant day in the unofficial Mathematical calendar. Rearranged for in the American system, the date 3/14 may help remind you of the famous number that intrigues mathematicians worldwide...pi day!
The number π, 3.142 to three decimal places, has its most well known application with circles where pi times of the diameter gives the circumference.
Though interestingly, pi can also be observed in nature...
Geographers were amazed to find this unusual number when studying the routes of rivers all over the world.
When dividing the real length of the river by the straight line distance from source to mouth, the result is always extremely close to pi.
A surprise for mathematicians and geographers alike!
Although nowadays all calculating pi involves is a touch of a button on our calculators, it was not always that easy! From 20th Century BC onwards, mathematicians through the ages, including those as well known as Fibonacci and Newton, have all been intrigued by the power of pi. Whilst those mathematicians struggled with establishing only a handful of reliable decimal places, with the help of computers it is now possible to find pi to over thousands of billions of numbers past the decimal point.
However some mathematicians legitimately question the need for such an achievement. It has been calculated that pi to just 11 decimal places is accurate enough to calculate the circumference of the earth to within a millimetre, and only 39 decimal places are needed to find the circumference of the entire observable universe to the precision of an atom!
Yet this knowledge hasn’t stopped the infinite length of pi becoming an obsession for some. Lu Chao, a 24 year old student from China, was able to recite 67,890 digits of pi from memory. It took him 24 hours and four minutes before he made an error. For those who struggle enough with telephone numbers, this is truly an impressive achievement!
Our enthusiastic ‘A’ Level mathematicians enjoyed celebrating pi day with suitably circular pi, not pie, themed cakes to learn about the importance and beauty of this special number, as well as find out about some of its more unusual applications.
Kings mathematicians look ahead to next year’s pi day with the prospect of more discovery, more intrigue - and more cake! More Meaningful Maths
Fibonacci Project: At the very end of last term our Year 9 mathematicians enjoyed their second Enrichment Week of the school year. Centred around the work of Fibonacci, they explored his famous sequence (1,1,2,3,5,8,…) and its many applications in nature and art, as well as the purely mathematical curiosity of the pattern. For the end of this term they designed Easter egg boxes. Whereas Fibonacci is all about number theory, the box activity developed the students’ understanding of shape and space.
Intermediate Maths Challenge: Top set students from Year 10, together with some of the brightest Year 9 students sat the Intermediate Maths Challenge paper a few weeks ago, and won an impressive two gold medals, 17 silver medals and 13 bronze, which will be presented at the end of Spring Term assembly. However, the most significant achievements were by Year 9 students Alex Beretvas, Scott Jenkins and Andrew Rose who won places in the first round of the International Mathematical Olympiad and the Grey Kangaroo round. They sat the papers a few weeks ago and we await the results.
This term we also sent a team of Mathematicians to the regional heat of the Team Maths Challenge at Millfield School, which has become an annual event. The students enjoyed a varied set of mathematical games and puzzles designed to develop their teamwork, as well as their interest in Maths, and it is a good opportunity for the students to see where they stand in comparison to the elite mathematicians of the county.
STEP (entrance exam) coaching sessions: At lunchtime, two sessions are running for students who want to extend their mathematical interest. Students trying for places at Cambridge and Warwick University can attend these STEP (entrance exam) coaching sessions, which are fun, problem-solving seminars. Other students join in as well.
Maths Club: Some of our Year 9’s have asked for the Maths Club to be started again and we are using the Maths in Motion software to enjoy maths in Formula One racing games.
KLP: Finally, Years 10 and 11, 12 and 13 students, who are all sitting Maths GCSE exams next term can find lots of past papers on the KLP. A good place to look for help is our YouTube Channel: “maths520”
By Mr T Powell, Maths Enrichment Leader
Year 12 Mock Interviews report by interviewee Rachael Bewick
Year 12 recently had the opportunity to take part in mock interviews in order to prepare us for university and future jobs. It was an interesting experience, as a lot of the boys came in a suits and smart clothing, which was an interesting occurrence in itself and many of the girls seemed to grow a few inches overnight.
However, the smart clothing didn’t stop many of us from being nervous before the interview; scared of falling over or onto the interviewer or, saying something that was less than appropriate for the interview. As far as I know, however, this did not happen and everything went well. So, it appears all the nerves were for nothing.
Throughout the interview we were asked questions replicating the style of a real interview, and under the pressure of this environment I think many of us found it hard to word our answers articulately (even if we had practised beforehand...). Overall however, everything worked out and we thank the Mendip Rotarians, PTA, Governors and other friends of the school for providing us with a very helpful, if not slightly, nerve-wracking experience.
The ten best interviewees will receive a Headteacher’s Commendation, whilst the seven Highly Commended a certificate to be presented in the End of Spring Term Achievement Assembly.
The winners for the best interview Highly Commended Natasha Adams 12CA Seth Cunningham 12BR Alfie Palmer 12GR Chris Day 12IS Ashley Kelson 12TR Emily Derrick 12RW Ben Fisher 12TR Emily Ingle 12GR Thomas Wooton 12RW Chris Kent 12GC Sophie Luff 12RW Sam Kent 12GC Emily Kouidri 12IS Kirsty McLaren 12CBE Lauren Haines 12GR Lucy Midcalf 12CA Alice Wright 12CA
Scientific Experiments
‘A’ Level Biology students Brinna Barlow and Amy Richards have achieved a Bronze Award in the National Biology Olympiad competition. Congratulations! This is a wonderful achievement as the questions are really difficult.
Mehtab Arshad, Jamie FitzPatrick and Lucy Cornish also entered – so well done to them too!
By Miss S Jackson, Subject Leader for Biology
Physics Matters Talk
Sixth Form Physicists took a virtual trip into the world of climate research when Post-doctoral Research Physicist Dr Paul Green from the Space and Atmospheric Physics Department at Imperial College London visited school.
With his expertise in the physics of climate Dr Green talked about his Undergraduate Degree at Manchester University, subsequent PhD at Imperial, followed by a description of current research work using the infrared thermometer to better understand the role of clouds in the present and future climate of Earth.
Dr Green shared how a Physics degree could lead to a career within Physics research, but also to other careers where skills in numeracy, problem-solving and an ability to understand complex theories and ideas are sought by employers in many sectors. Students enjoyed asking many questions from the fate of the climate - to PhDs.
Learning Resource Centre by Mrs B Knutson, LRC Manager
Opening times - Don’t forget, if you need a bit more time to finish off your work, or print it out, or if you want
to read the papers or a book... the LRC is open from 8.15am on Tuesday to Friday mornings. New Books - We have been updating our fiction stock this year, and regulars to the LRC will have seen a lot of new books on display. If there is anything you would like to read, but can’t find it, come and talk to the Librarians. If we haven’t got it, we will usually order it, and make sure you get the first read.
Student Librarians - If you want something to do at lunchtime, we are still looking for student librarians to work at lunchtimes for one session a week. If you want to know more, come and talk to the Librarians.
Magazines - We acquired a new magazine display stand, and some new magazines, “Kingpin” – for those of you who like skateboarding, and “BBC Knowledge” – a mixture of science, nature and history. If you would like to see something different than our current selection, come and tell us, and we will see what we can do.
Box tops for books - We are still collecting tokens from the top of cereal packets. Thank you for bringing them to the LRC, and either give them to the Librarians, or put them in the box on the counter.
Student Reading Group - The group have just finished reading “The Pig Scrolls” by Paul Shipton, “The Amulet of Samarkand” by Jonathan Stroud, and “Skulduggery Pleasant” Book 1 by Derek Landy. These books were put forward for the teenage section of the Somerset Fiction Award, and our students are now voting for their favourite. Voting has now finished - presentation ceremony to follow...
Reading Lunchtimes - We have been holding reading lunchtimes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, to encourage students to look at newly acquired books. Overall, we feel it has been a success, as more books have been taken out.
Research shows that students who read one book a week, will do better in exams than those who don’t read... Christian Leader Reflections Year 9 Springs I wonder whether you’ve already been on line to enter the into Charities ballot for tickets for 2012 Olympics? This Spring Term Year 9 tutor groups have chosen a With three sons who are all members charity each to see who can raise the most money. 9DE of our local swimming club, we’re keen and 9VQ are supporting the Dorset and Somerset Air to try to watch some of the ‘watery’ Ambulance; 9TT a local cancer charity; 9MH the Light for events. Apparently the Aquatics Life charity; 9FP the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Centre will have room for 17,500 spectators. But even this Society) and 9JPF will be fundraising for the Bristol large number is tiny in comparison to the 80,000 the main Children's Hospital. athletics stadium will seat. Tutor groups 9SJW and 9SP have chosen two charities: So what’s the biggest event you ever been to? 9SJW will support Children with Leukaemia charity and A football match? Pop-concert? Glastonbury? Help for Heroes. The cancer theme continues as 9SBA Perhaps you’re planning to go up to London for the Royal have decided to fund cancer research and MDF Bipolar Wedding. My husband and I went up to London in 1995 Organisation and 9DR are supporting Macmillan Cancer. to take part in the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of VE day. The streets of London were teeming and Hyde Year 9 Leader Mrs Read said: “This is the first charities challenge that our Year 9 students have undertaken as a year Park was a mass of people. Despite the numbers, the mood group. I hope it will teach our young people to be good citizens was very relaxed and everyone was caught up in the and to think about helping others, as well as bringing the feeling of shared celebration. But crowds aren’t always different tutor groups together.” such warm, or safe, places. You probably remember the disasters at Heysel Stadium in 1985 and at Hillsborough Fundraising efforts to date are impressive with a cake sale (see in 1989 in which many people lost their lives. here some members of 9FP holding a cake sale to raise money for the More recently we’ve watched crowds shaping RNLI), sponsored runs around Cheddar reservoir, three-legged day and – the sometimes tricky - sponsored silences. history in the wave of revolutions across the Middle East and North Africa. Whilst in our own country, we’ve seen increasing levels of violence at demonstrations against tuition fees and spending cuts. Being part of a crowd can be intoxicating – making us behave in unpredictable ways. As the events of the first Easter unfolded in Jerusalem two thousand years ago, the crowds played their part there too. People welcomed Jesus into the city on Palm Sunday: singing, waving palm branches and throwing their cloaks on the road before him. Later that same day, the crowds would also have watched, probably in disbelief, as Jesus cleared the Temple of the traders who sold sacrifices to pilgrims. And then there were the crowd who shouted ‘Crucify him!’ to Pontius Pilate and called for Barabbas not Jesus to be released on Good Friday. Two millennia later, Jesus still provokes By Alastair Campbell, The Kings and Queens News Team strong reactions from people. Just like the crowds in Jerusalem there are those that International Women's Day
worship and those that scorn. And yet I wonder how we would greet Jesus today? What would that crowd On Friday 4 look like here in Somerset in 2011? Would indifference be March 2011 the overriding emotion? A feeling that there are more school important things to representatives worry about? Katie Hay, Naomi Taylor, This Easter, how Katie Brock & will we react to Cora Marks Jesus? attended a As the supermarkets fill service held at Cheddar Baptist up with Easter eggs and Church to we look forward to time celebrate the with family and friends, special day. will we carry on as usual, or will we join in the cry of the crowds on Palm Sunday, ‘Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord’. I wish you and your families a very happy Easter. By Joanna Slade, Christian Leader Le French and Business Studies Trip à Paris
Looking at the photos, I don’t think I need to elaborate on the beauty of Paris...
The trip began with a quick train journey under the sea, we arrived in France at five in the evening and there was a quick turnaround. Before we knew it we were up the Eiffel Tower, capturing Paris in the night.
The following morning, after filling up on pain au chocolat, we headed out on the busy Metro to the "Your Future in Europe 2011 Conference". Business Studies listened to the amazing story of the youngest entrepreneur Louis Barnett, whilst the French students discovered from Laetitia Beneteau how Eurostar itself was born, entirely en français.
Next, we headed out into the big city, walking for hours admiring the beautiful buildings. Mr Richardson led the way with his interesting facts. Our very own tour guide. This was when we experienced the true wealth of Paris: Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Channel all filled to the brim with shoppers. I can speak for the girls and say we were very jealous!
That evening we had a traditional dish of „steak and chips‟... and we were joined by a very successful ex-Kings student Sabina Savage, who is living the life of fashion in the capital, with offers even from Givenchy.
Then, it was another early morning, and off to another conference. We heard from a humorous representative from Innocent Smoothies, which had us all laughing out loud. Then the speakers of banking, and Human Rights contributed. As the whole group were extremely tired from all the walking, sightseeing and learning- it was very hard to resist a little nap in the big comfy chairs at the back of a dim lighted room (zzzz...)
We had to leave early to catch our boat trip. Sailing along the River Seine was one of my favourite moments. French music was played, giving a very authentic feel – rather like the gypsies who played at the Metro. We all found it very amusing when one man was playing “Never gonna dance again” by George Michael!
Before our evening meal we ventured to the outstanding Notre Dame. It looked magnificent in the dark. We were all aware it was our last night, so we had many group photos. I think all the other students would agree that Mr Richardson‟s most popular line was “Group Photo!” We may have moaned at the time, but I know we‟re all thankful for the photos of times we can‟t forget.
By the end of the trip, no one wanted to come home. We had a real taste of French culture, guided to all the best parts of the busy city by Madame Davis and Mrs Wilson, with interesting facts along the way from Mr Richardson. I’m happy to say; I've been up the Eiffel Tower, I’ve witnessed the view from Sacré Coeur, I’ve felt the atmosphere of the eerie Notre Dame and I’ve walked under the historic Arc de Triomphe.
By Amy Nicol, The Kings and Queens News Team
“It was one of the most memorable trips I have been on! I will treasure the memories for years...”
Fellow trip member Nat Gall
Kings and Queens’ Sports Scores
Kings Triumph for Hockey Cup! Report by Coach Mrs Roberts
This half term, the Year 9 Girls Hockey Team added to the school‟s silverware when they won the Somerset Cup in the final against Huish Episcopi Academy.
The girls had played Huish in an earlier round, drawing 1-1 so knew it was going to be a challenging re-match. Which, it indeed, proved to be... The team nevertheless gave a determined and indomitable performance. With only eight minutes to go the score was 0-0. Play had gone from end to end and Kings had failed to capitalise on numerous chances in the first half. The conditions were poor and a defensive slip was a possibility from both teams. But, a late penalty corner quickly taken, saw Kings‟ Ashleigh Jones, slot the ball in the goal paving the way for the final winning score for Kings 1-0.
A delighted Mrs Roberts said: “Congratulations to our girls for a wonderful performance. I have been impressed by their determination and teamwork in all our matches and practices this season. This is a very worthy win.”
Congratulations to the winning team – pictured here now!
Back row: Chelsea Llewellyn, Amy Rossiter, Grace Low, Amy Clegg, Josephine Hill, Rebecca Cox, Katie Prior, Sara Bradley, and Shannon Vickery. Front row: Sophie Deakins, Rachel Perry, Megan Kidner, Ashleigh Jones Vanessa Brill and Jade Skyrme
Girls‟ Senior Netball: Congratulations to the first team who have played well in all their games. All our matches were very close, particularly against Wells Blue, Crispin and Chew Valley Schools. A huge thank you to Hannah Puddy who has captained the team again this year...
Most of you have represented the school for the last time... But I hope you will continue to get involved in Netball!
Girls‟ Year 9 Netball: Attendance to training has been excellent this year. We could easily put out two teams every week if schools could find teams to play us. Play has improved over the course of the term and we were pleased to have won a game against St. Dunstan‟s – who we hardly ever beat at Netball!
Other results were very close – although unfortunately ended in defeat.
Well done to all year 9‟s who have been involved (in the photo right). Mrs S Roberts
Girls‟ Year 10 Netball: The Year 10 team have made real improvements this season thanks to their hard work and endeavour in the lunchtime practices. Without fail every Thursday lunchtime they have worked hard on their court play and as a consequence played some good netball. The team had some good wins and some near misses, which was a real improvement on last year. Well done to all who played and to Daisy Goldsmith, our new recruit. Mrs T Tibbs
Boys‟ Football: Year 11 Boys played Wells Blue, winning 9-2, with a hat-trick from Chris Spittle. The Year 10 continued the winning streak with a 3-0 triumph. Whilst, the Senior 1st Team won 3-0 and the Senior 2nd Team won 9-1, thanks to Adam Green who scored four goals. Well done to all our boys for their formidable performance! Mr S Osgood
Boys‟ Rugby: Following their success last half term, the Year 9 Boys‟ Rugby team played a friendly against Winscombe U14 Rugby Team and won a pleasing 41-5. The match was played in front of spectators and under floodlight at Winscombe RFC, which was a first time experience for all the boys. We are delighted to retain our winning reputation! Mr L Davies
Sporting Heroes: On Saturday 19 March 2011 three students were selected to run for Somerset in the English Schools Cross Country competition in Wollaton Park in Nottingham. The conditions were sunny, with a few challenging hills as Isaac Taschimowitz came 67th out of 320 in the Intermediate Boys, whilst Emily Kouidri and Jess Benjamin ran in the Senior Girls, and came 141st and 154th out of 290 runners.
Here are Emily and Jess now (sadly, Isaac could not be in the photo)
Dancers shake it up:
Earlier in February, Dancers An action shot from the House Badminton tournament from Kings, Fairlands and Hugh Sexey Middle Schools and Danzatak enjoyed the opportunity to join together and put on a great show in our School Hall showing off their skills in front of a large audience of family, friends and locals. Following an afternoon of rehearsals, the dancers and group leaders put together fantastic routines to foot-tapping tunes that got everyone involved. The hard work and excellent organisation of the staff and group leaders was apparent.
Many of the routines were choreographed by the children themselves during lessons or dance classes. The Middle Schools were impressive, regaling the audience with their interpretations of „Cotton Eyed Joe‟, „Men in Black‟ and many more. The Kings and Danzatak girls were well choreographed, and Lady Gaga‟s songs were a popular choice, with „Bad Romance‟ and „Telephone‟ performed by several of the older girls.
Some groups used costumes as part of their displays. The two „Thriller‟ groups had spectacularly spooky outfits – not least the girls with extreme hairstyles. Not easy to brush out the next morning. An evening of monsters, cowboys, leather jackets and leotards, this was not one for the dance fanatics to miss out on and much appreciation goes to the Middle Schools P.E. teachers and especially to Mrs Williams, Kings‟ Schools Sports Co-Ordinator who organised the show.
The evening was a great success. I have a feeling the entire audience found the show exciting and entertaining and the dancing talents of these young people allowed the audience and performers to enjoy themselves together. So let‟s all…keep dancing!
By Lorna Mortimer, The Kings and Queens News Team Chosen charity trio given a helping hand from Kings!
This half term, Senior Student Team had the pleasure of presenting a massive £3122.93 each to three different charities thanks to their fantastic fundraising efforts in the annual 2010 Charities Week.
Over one week last December, Kings students and staff raised over £9,000 by participating in a variety of outlandish events - from jelly wrestling to egg throwing to armpit waxing in aid of three deserving charities. This year the money is going to a local, national and international charity: bibic, which helps the families of children affected by autism, cerebral palsy and learning difficulties to cope in everyday situations; Help for Heroes, who provide support and facilities for troops injured in combat and Habitat for Humanity, which aims to provide better housing conditions for people all around the world.
It was with a great sense of pride that the Senior Team presented the cheques to the charity representatives, Simone Joyce (bibic), Fiona Rainbird-Clarke (Help for Heroes) and Stefan McNally (Habitat for Humanity) and found out more about how the money will help their work.
This was last year’s Senior Team’s final official duty as they shortly hand over to the newly elected Team for 2011.
So, it’s three cheers to Head Boy James Soffe and Head Girl Carla Gordon, along with Deputy Head Boys Ollie Crandon, Tom Haggerty, Alex Hicks, Sam Jones and Freddie Mehlig, and Deputy Head Girls Brinna Barlow, Hannah Shaw, Anna Spanring, Nadine Williams and Abbey Woolway.
Report by Freya Cumberlidge, The Kings and Queens News Team The Kings’ Calendar (Summer Half Term 2011)
April 2011 Return to School Tuesday 26 April 2011 (WEEK A) GCSE Art Exams Tuesday 26 April 2011 – Thursday 28 April 2011 Year 10 Drama Trip to Guys and Dolls Tuesday 26 April 2011, departs 6pm from School PTA Meeting Tuesday 26 April 2011 at 6:30pm, Conference Room Music/Drama Trip to “Hairspray” in Bristol Wednesday 27 April 2011, departs 6pm from School Year 12 Biodiversity Day Thursday 28 April 2011 Duke of Edinburgh Silver Expedition Friday 29 April 2011 – Sunday 1 April 2011 inclusive SCHOOL CLOSED FOR BANK HOLIDAY - Friday 29 April 2011 May 2011 SCHOOL CLOSED FOR BANK HOLIDAY - Monday 2 May 2011 Important – on Tuesday 3 May 2011 students will use their MONDAY WEEK B timetable for the day (but the rest of the week i.e. Wednesday 4 to Friday 6 will be normal timetable).
GCSE Art Exams Tuesday 3 May 2011 – Friday 6 May 2011 Year 12 Biodiversity Day Wednesday 4 May 2011 Year 9 Battlefields History Trip Information Evening Wednesday 4 May 2011 at 7pm, Learning Resource Centre Senior House Softball and Rounders Thursday 5 May and Friday 6 May 2011 Years 11 and 12 Drama Group Pieces Evenings Tuesday 10 May 2011 – Thursday 12 May 2011 GCSE English and „A‟ Level Biology Exams Monday 16 May 2011, A.M. GCSE French and „A‟ Level Business Studies Exams Monday 16 May 2011, P.M. GCSE Music and „A‟ Level History Exams Tuesday 17 May 2011, A.M. GCSE Religious Education and „A‟ Level Geography and Tuesday 17 May 2011, P.M. Media Studies Exams Year 8 New Parents‟ Information Evening Wednesday 18 May 2011 at 6pm, School Hall „A‟ Level Maths and Sociology Exams Wednesday 18 May 2011, A.M. GCSE English and „A‟ Level Food Technology and Product Wednesday 18 May 2011, P.M. Design Exams GCSE French (Reading) and „A‟ Level History Exams Thursday 19 May 2011, A.M. GCSE Biology Exam Thursday 19 May 2011, P.M. Year 10 Key Skills Conference Day Thursday 19 May 2011 „A‟ Level Law and P.E. Exams Friday 20 May 2011, A.M. „A‟ Level Maths and Sociology Exams Friday 20 May 2011, P.M. Wessex Walk (information from Dr Ellis) Sunday 22 May 2011 – all day Year 9 Battlefields History Trip Monday 23 May – Wednesday 25 May 2011 inclusive „A‟ Level English Literature Exam Monday 23 May 2011, A.M. „A‟ Level Music and Chemistry for Life Exams Monday 23 May 2011, P.M. Junior House Tennis Tuesday 24 May and Wednesday 25 May 2011 GCSE English Literature, „A‟ Level Business Studies and Tuesday 24 May 2011, A.M. Physics Exams GCSE P.E., „A‟ Level German and Geography Exams Tuesday 24 May 2011, P.M. GCSE Additional Applied Science and Chemistry Exams, Wednesday 25 May 2011, A.M. and „A‟ Level Psychology Exams „A‟ Level Law Exam Wednesday 25 May 2011, P.M. „A‟ Level Religious Studies and Maths (S1, D1) Exams Thursday 26 May 2011, A.M. „A‟ Level Biology Exam Thursday 26 May 2011, P.M. GCSE Physics and „A‟ Level Computing, and „A‟ Level Friday 27 May 2011, A.M. Critical Thinking Exams GCSE Business Studies and Religious Studies Exams Friday 27 May 2011, P.M. „A‟ Level Chemistry Exam Year 9 Alton Towers Trip Saturday 28 May 2011
HALF TERM HOLIDAY - Saturday 28 May to Sunday 5 June 2011 inclusive
The Kings’ Messenger is due to be published on the following dates:
Friday 27 May 2011 Friday 22 July 2011
Absence Phone: thank you for phoning Mrs Townsend, our Attendance Secretary before 10.00am on the first and every day of your child’s absence with their name and tutor group. You can phone on 01934 745304 (this telephone number is always available, with an ansaphone for out of school hours), or alternatively email [email protected]. We also monitor closely Sixth Form students’ attendance.
Year Leaders: Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Year Leader to arrange an appointment in advance if you have any concerns or wish to discuss their progress.
Year 9: Mrs E Read Year 10: Mr T Clark Year 11: Mr A Targett Sixth Form: Mr S Green