Issue no. 114 End of Spring Term April 2014 The Kings’ Messenger A Riveting Read (and a wonderful week)! Following on from the recent World Book Day, this half term saw the first ever English Subject Week at Kings organised by English Enrichment Leader Mr Sinclair (a.k.a. Dracula) in a week jam-packed with activities designed to encourage, enthuse and engage all students with a love of English culminating in the dress as a literary character day. Can you recognise the characters here…? Worthy of any storybook Red Riding Hood made an appearance, along with several witches, Meg and Mog, a very convincing Gollum, “Jungle Book” heroes, Mary Poppins, Mallory Towers schoolgirls, veteran detectives Miss Marple, Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes. The Woman in Black (scary!) was joined by pirates, and a fabulous wardrobe from “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” rubbing shoulders with The Hitchhiker to the Galaxy, along with the Hungry Caterpillar; whilst Headteacher Mr Richardson and his team dressed as characters from Scott Fitzgerald's “Great Gatsby”. The dressing up day proved to be very popular and also prompted discussion about the books. It is pleasing to note that Year 11 are now aware that Dracula was a book before a film! Prizes for the best costumes go to Mr and Mrs Twit and their infamous grunions - but top marks must go to everyone for the fabulous imagination and effort put into their costumes. You can read more about the week later in this newsletter and see more pictures on the back page to try and spot the book behind the character that had the Academy in literary enthral. Well to everyone who took part in this fascinating story and who made English Week so enjoyable and a big thank you to Mr Sinclair for all his creative organisation. Head’s-Up from Mr Richardson Headteacher, The Kings of Wessex Academy Our Enrichment Leaders (currently English, Maths and Dear Parents, Science) have all organised competitions that allow students Whilst we all know that the end of the to engage in their subject and also collect points for the Spring Term inevitably signals the approaching summer House system, which has led to an increase in students par- exams, I am nevertheless pleased to bring you this edition ticipating. of the Kings’ Messenger with news of activities at Kings during another relatively short, but focused term, as you English Week was also a lively literary week, can now discover for yourselves... bringing to life the joy of reading and English learning, stir- ring students’ imaginations. Well done everyone! The main focus has been on finishing courses and completing Controlled Assessments so that revision can Continuing the theme, at the time of writing our commence in earnest. Raising achievement is a constant Kings and Queens News Team and Mr Sinclair’s Year 9 theme at Kings to provide the best education for all stu- English class are preparing for this year’s BBC School Re- dents and combined with efforts in class, extra sessions port Day on Thursday 27 March 2014. This is their and the forthcoming programme of Easter Revision, I “real” opportunity to create a report on a story of interest. I know that this will enable our young people to achieve am sure that they will make the deadline! their best in the GCSE and AS/A Level exams. Year 11 stu- dents have met again with their Mentors on a one-to-one Building work for the new changing rooms at basis this half term for that extra boost. I am thankful to King Fitness and Leisure continues on target, despite the our dedicated team of staff for their conscientious work to challenging weather. I know that students will enjoy these maintain the momentum in order to make that all- new facilities for their P.E. lessons. important difference at this critical time in the year. Revi- At this special time in the Christian calendar, sion is all the more important given the move to the linear we will be holding our Easter Church services in St An- end of year exams. drew’s Church here in Cheddar led by Rev. Sue Rose and Careers Educational Guidance continues to be a students. Whilst on another celebratory note, on the last positive force at Kings, with a number of Year 12 Higher day of term, students will be recognised for their contribu- Education conferences on the horizon, as well as career tion and successes at Kings in the Spring Term Achieve- ment Assemblies in year groups. talks from members of the community, whom I thank for sharing their professional experience. You might have also So, finally, it only remains for me to thank you for all your noticed some striking careers posters around the Academy support again this Spring Term, and to wish you and your to raise awareness and motivate our young people to families a lovely Easter break. achieve their best in our globally competitive world. With a taste of entering the real world of Yours sincerely, A diary reminder! We return for the work, Year 12 donned their smart attire for the annual Chris Richardson start of the Summer Term on Mock Interviews. Thanks to Mendip Rotarians and other friends of Kings, students were put through their paces CHRIS RICHARDSON Tuesday 22 April 2014 with challenging questions to try to prove that they were Headteacher (Week B) the one for the (albeit fictitious!) job. More Year 12’s tested themselves even further Contents Page No when they applied for the 2014 Senior Student Team. This was a rigorous process of public speaking, presentations, Front Page: A Riveting Read 1 meeting the outgoing 2013 team— before finally, the for- Head’s Up 2 mal interview with myself and Head of Sixth Form Mr Roll of Honour: Special Achievements 3 Green. I am always impressed with students’ maturity, Academy Awards 4-7 enthusiasm and vision for the special role, and it was not The Kings Art 8-11 easy to chose our final 12. But, our new team have now been selected and will be introducing themselves to all The 10-Minute Interview 11 Food Technology Work on the Menu 12 year groups in future assemblies. I congratulate them all! Big Pitch Final 13 I hope that you will enjoy reading what has been Star Historian Jess 14 another half term of meaningful enrichment activities and English Endeavours 14 visits – not least the moving annual Maths Challenge and More 15 Year 10 R.E. trip to Poland, including a The R.E. Trip to Poland 16-19 not to be forgotten visit to Auschwitz, Review—“Assassins” 20 with a report by members of The Kings Review—“The Phantom of the Opera” 21 and Queens News Team. Cheddar Arts@Kings Theatre 21 The House system has also British Computing Society 22 been active led by Subject Leader Learning Resource Centre News 22 for P.E. and House Activities Mr Ben- Careers Corner 23 nett and the student committee organ- Year 12 Mock Interviews 23 ising junior and senior competitions. Kings and Queens Sports Scores 24-27 The back page...more literary characters 28 End of Spring Term Roll of Honour Special Achievement Awards: Celebrating our students for good work and duties to the Academy. Thank you and congratulations! GOLD DOUBLE GOLD Joshua Skyrme (50 merits) (75 merits) Saffron Thomas-Wheway Jasmin Tovey Emily Appleby Lucy Abbott Bethany Wall Samuel Bassett Connor Bailey Jordan Warner Katie Berry Rasmus Barlow Jessamyn Blake Lydia Bracey DOUBLE PLATINUM Lauren Brooks Maddie Bowman (150 merits) BRONZE Lucy Burgess Harry Burrows (15 merits) Fynlay Buxton Katie Caddell Holly Baines Bethany Collins Jessie Anderson Jeanette Churches Bethany Campbell Beau Edwards Ellie Darby Aiden Claridge Matthew Clark Jake Fergus-Pearce Bethan Dobbins Archie Clarke Charlie Collins Daisy-May Ham Jack Drake Ellie Collins Emily Cossins-Price Macaulay Harrison Amelia Keevil Simeon Coton Emily Cotton Stephen Kay Liv Horner Sophie Cottle Sophie Davis Chelsie Webster Joshua Munyard Thomas Creswick Liam Dudley Finn Pritchard Sebastian Curtis George Fairchild And a mighty Emily Czechowski Toby Fawcett congratulations to Rachel Davenport Amy Fraser SILVER Tilly Briance (30 merits) Adam Dover Cameron Frayne Isobel Dyte Grace Hathway Titanium Alex Archibald Luke Hawthorne Millie Eke with a total of Luke Austin Ben Evans Tom Hobson Carly Bamsey Chantelle Hartnup Harry Hooper 250 merits! Ewan Beale Rebecca Hawkins Maisie Horwood-Lane Well done to all Hannah Brimfield Will Hawkins Tom Hughes Willow Browne George Hobday Daniel Legg our students - celebrating Niamh Carey Isha Jackson-Voyzey Jacques Luckins Cameron Clayson Jess Julian-Anstey Patrick Merryfield achievement is part of Kings! Ryan Cross Liam Keane Jamie Moss Sarah Davis Josh Lacey Tiger Oatley-Summers At the time of writing, we are Natalie Fear Bill Landers Charlie Osborne looking forward to the End of John Gumble James Leader Tom Pearce Spring Term Achievement Ella Hatherell Alexander McLaren Florence Rice Assemblies in year groups on Matthew Hobbs Sophie Marshall Lindsay Rogers Friday 4 April 2014. Callum Johnson Lewis May Madeleine Rose Ellie Langford Chloe Moss Lewis Snow Rewards are an important part of Bethany Lingard Amber Munro-Fellowes Naomi Stone life at Kings when students will be Benjamin Mays Morgon Orme Isabel Thomas presented with badges and Adrianna Millard Hannah Palmer Jessica Thomson certificates in recognition of their Lucie Paraskeva Katie Postins Lucy Turner many accomplishments, as you Damon Prowton Matty Read Aaron Voit can see here in the Luke Sibley Susannah Richards Jasmine Virgo Roll of Honour. Leah Smart Libby Rose Mollie Westbrook Aaron Sutton Alex Ross We encourage everyone Sian Trist PLATINUM Johdi Russell to achieve their very best! Christopher Turner Conor Ryan (100 merits) Dennis Weir Daisy Searle Ruby Wilkinson Aleah Aberdeen Hannah Shepheard Stion Billington-Drew Ellie Wilson Emma Soffe Jade Carthy Jack Stitch Ashley Cutter James Thomas Stanley Disbury Darcey Thompson Mathieu Lewis Amber Thorpe Michael Moloney Alice Tucker Ashleigh Nicholson Louis White Bethany Pascoe Annabelle Willcocks Alicia Pollard Alexander Wilton Kataleana Rooney Brandon Shakespeare Natalie Smallwood Academy Colours and Enrichment Awards: Celebrating students for their contribution to the Sports and Arts, and other academy activities.