The Ashbeian Issue 0 - May 2008 A Specialist Technology and Languages College Ashby Students Meet the Challenge – at Home and Away Page Contents New York, New York 2 The New-Look School Day Eye-catching sculptures to commemorate one of the most dramatic events Students to Shine at in recent history were created by Ashby School students – using just one 3 Awards Evening newspaper and a metre of sticky tape. All tutor groups were challenged to design, develop and manufacture a suitable 4 A Week at the Ritz memorial to stand at Ground Zero, as a tribute to the people who died in the Ashby Race Ace in Action 9/ terror attacks. 5 Students worked in mixed year groups to come up with some innovative Faculty Focus - Advisory and unusual designs. The best of these were judged by Nick Cooper of HSSP 6-7 Department, Physical Architects, the firm which designed Ashby School’s new Sixth Form Centre. Education, Science The winning team came up with a striking structure which captured 8 Marathon Matt the judge’s imagination. Teacher Ed Cooper, who oversaw the project, said: “The winning design was chosen for its simplicity and eye-catching nature. The judge felt that it Diary dates symbolised everything the monument was meant to represent. • 12 May “The whole project was very successful. The idea of asking an outside company Year 12 study leave begins to judge the designs gave it an element of realism and contributed to the • 21 May wealth of enterprise education that already goes on in school.” Year 13 study leave begins • 23 May Year 13 Leavers’ ball at the Castle Donington Hilton • 26-30 May Half term • 2 June Year 11 study leave begins • 9 June Year 12 return to school to begin A2 courses • 13 June Training day. School closed to Year 10 students but open to all students who have exams that day • 30 June Year 10 work experience begins/ Induction for Year 11 students plan- ning to enter Sixth Form in August Members of the winning team show off their sculpture. • 2-4 July (inclusive) Year 9 induction • 7-9 July (inclusive) Examination Results Year 12 business conference • 11 July • Thursday 14 August • Thursday 21 August School closes 8.45am A2 results B block 10am GCSE results Lecture theatre Page 10am AS results Lecture theatre The Ashbeian To allow other cars to enter the site, parents are being asked to drive through the gates and deposit students closer to the View from the Top school’s main entrance. This newsletter is packed with Similar problems have also been reported at the end of the information about the many school day. successful activities in which Ashby School students are involved – both in and out of school. The new-look school day from Monday 2 June I am also very aware that, with 1670 teenagers on site, there are many 8.45am Lesson 1 more talents and achievements that 9.45am Lesson 2 are not mentioned here. School is about more than just 10.45am Registration academic achievement. We want to 11.05am Break make sure students enjoy school and develop as many positive talents and 11.25am Lesson 3 attributes as possible. 12.25pm Lesson 4a or lunch We want them to feel good about themselves, what they do and where they are going. At school, we try to provide opportunities 1.05pm Lesson 4b or lunch and encourage open minds in as many areas as possible 2.05pm Lesson 5 – through sports, the arts, trips, visits, work experience and a whole range of charity and House events. 3.05pm End of school A recent visit from Ofsted to look at the school’s PE department found that ‘the diversity of curriculum provision is part of a deliberate strategy to engage students to find activities they enjoy and continue to enjoy into adulthood’ (February 2008). Lessons of the Holocaust This comment is relevant to all that goes on in the school as we Learned at Ashby play our part in helping the teenagers of the Ashby and Ibstock areas to grow into responsible, happy and fulfilled adults. Two students from Ashby School saw some of the During this term, we will be saying goodbye and good luck to horrors of the Holocaust departing Year 11, 12 and 13 students – and greeting the next at first hand when they cohort of new students. Saying goodbye is always tinged with spent a day at former sadness. Welcoming new students, on the other hand, is exciting concentration camp and a time for optimism. Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland. Mrs V. Keller-Garnett Headteacher Head Boy Alex Stevenson and Head Girl Sinead Wallace travelled to It Could Be You Auschwitz, along with Are you one of the 30 parents who dropped your child off at 200 students from other 8.45am this morning - making them late for registration? schools, as guests of the Head Boy Alex Stevenson and Head Girl Holocaust Educational This is the question being posed to scores of parents who Sinead Wallace travelled to Auschwitz. Trust. routinely drop their children off late at the school gates. Since then, they have shared their experience with the rest of the Now Ashby School teachers are urging parents and students to school in a series of Holocaust-themed assemblies. arrive on time. Sinead said: “The visit was very emotional. The whole idea is that Assistant Headteacher Margaret Hawksworth said: “Morning students find out what really happened at Auschwitz and tell registration begins at 8.45am so students need to be here well others; it is about learning a lesson from history to make sure it before that to make sure they reach their form rooms on time. never happens again.” “From June, changes to the school timetable mean that first Alex and Sinead were shown around the camp’s barracks and lesson will begin at 8.45am. It is essential that students arrive 10 crematoria, and took part in a memorial and candle-lighting minutes before first lesson. They should also bear in mind that it service to remember the six million people killed in the Holocaust. takes 10 minutes to walk between the two sites. Teacher David Potter, who accompanied them to Poland, said: “Those that do not arrive on time will receive a ‘late’ mark.” “The visit to Auschwitz was an opportunity for students not only Parents who drop children off at school are also being urged not to learn from, but to act on, the lessons of the Holocaust. to stop in the school gateway, as this blocks the entrance and “It was then up to Alex and Sinead to decide which lessons were results in major traffic disruption on Nottingham Road. most relevant to our school and how best to present them to their fellow students in their assemblies.” Page 2 Flagship Sixth Form Centre to Open Ashby School’s new Sixth Form Centre will Hard Work Rewarded be officially opened later this term – complete with at Awards Evening wireless technology and a bistro-style cafe. Worthy students who have impressed teachers with their determination, enthusiasm and outstanding results were due to The £750,000 centre is be honoured at Ashby School’s annual awards evening this week already in use by Sixth (Thursday 15 May). Formers, who now have a spacious, modern, Those lined up for awards included singing sensation Harriet purpose-built area in Eyley, who was named as one of the winners of the Hastings which to study, eat Award, for outstanding effort. Harriet, who sings at the and relax. Birmingham Conservatoire, was also due to perform at the ceremony. The centre includes a dedicated study area The Advisory Award was set to go to James Mason, who attracted with computer terminals, media attention earlier this year for his animal rescue work. a social area for students Matt Hewitt and Joe Roberts were named joint winners of the The new Sixth Form Centre provides an to relax with friends, and ultra-modern study and social area. Ashfield Triumph over Adversity Award, for battling their way back a 200-seat cafe. to school in spite of serious health issues. Matt defied doctors’ Students have been involved in every stage of the centre’s design expectations by returning to class just months after suffering from facilities to colour schemes. serious head injuries in a jet ski accident while on holiday. It is hoped that the opening ceremony will be performed by the Scores of other students were also due to collect awards from two students who came up with the idea for a revamped centre guest speaker Hazel Finch, a Governor of Ashby School and two years ago. former local primary headteacher. Former Head Boy Nick Lackenby and Head Girl Lucy MacLauchlan Teacher Sue Sibson, organiser of the awards evening, said: “This will be invited back to Ashby School to open the centre later this is still one of the most important and thrilling dates in the school summer. calendar. It is a chance to celebrate the remarkable achievements and character of Ashby School’s students.” Anita Allsop, Senior Administrator at Ashby School, said: “We want to give Sixth Formers the best possible environment in which to A full list of award winners can be found on the school website. study and spend their free time. More awards will be announced on Thursday 18 December when “The new centre is a fantastic resource. It began as a student a presentation evening will be held for former Year 13 students. initiative and it is a credit to them.” The popularity of the Sixth Form has caused student numbers to Alice in Wonderland soar in recent years to more than 550.