Pedmorenews Pedmore Technology College and Community School Spring Term 2014
PTC
Head Teacher’s Message Welcome to our Spring newsletter 2014. As you will see it has been another extremely busy and eventful term at PTC, with staff and students involved in a wide range of activities inside and outside of the classroom designed to boost their learning and inspire them in their future careers. As we move towards Easter our Year 11s are entering the final stages of their time at PTC and are focused on the final preparations for their GCSE examinations. I am delighted to be able to share with you the fact that a record number of our students have been offered places at 6th form colleges including King Edwards, Oldswinford Hospital School, Windsor and Stourbridge.
Following our OFSTED in November we received a monitoring visit from Her Majesty’s Inspector (HMI), Mel Ford, in January. She was very pleased with the progress the school was making towards meeting the OFSTED targets and commented that the new systems and structures that had been put in place were already beginning to have a positive impact on students’ learning and progress. A copy of this report is available to view on our website.
Foreign Languages, Science and Computer Science. I am delighted to say that we had the highest number of applications for places for next September for a number of years. We are now close to capacity in years 7, 8 and 9.
I would like to personally thank all of the parents/carers who attended our ‘Futures’ evenings for Year 8 and Year 9. Our exciting new curriculum model means that we are able to offer a much wider range of subjects to our students, thereby providing a much more personalised learning experience. It is with regret that we have to say goodbye to Mr Purcell who will be leaving PTC at Easter. Mr Purcell has been at the school for a number of years and has worked in most of the subject areas in that time. I would like to thank him for his professionalism and dedication to all of the students that he has taught over the years. I would also like to formally welcome Ms Christine Malcolm who is joining us as an additional second in department in Maths, and Ms Beth Hughes who is joining the English Department from Ellowes Hall.
We continue to strengthen our links with our local primary partners. This term we have been able to work with Ham Dingle students who are preparing for their SATs exams by supporting those who are working towards a level 6; we have also been working with Year 4 students with a reading for pleasure project. We continue to work with all of our primary partners on developing Thank you all for your continued support. the literacy and numeracy skills of our young people. We Gareth Lloyd, are also looking to expand this work to include Modern Headteacher.
Pedmore Pupil Invited to No10 and Parliament A year 11 GCSE Citizenship student, Sarah Kavanagh, was invited by Margot James, MP for Stourbridge to visit No10 Downing Street and Parliament recently. The invitation was part of the International Women’s Day event on Thursday 6 March whereby MP’s were allowed to invite a Year 11 or sixth form female student from their constituency to experience the House of Commons for the day.
commitment and professionalism she decided a Pedmore pupil would be this year’s selected guest. Sarah Kavanagh was chosen for the commitment and dedication she has shown to her Citizenship studies. Sarah was treated to a tour inside No10 followed by the day at Westminster. The day let the guests experience political life and see how Parliament works. There was also an afternoon reception in the Speakers Rooms where they met other female guests, their MP’s and successful female politicians and business women. Lorraine Turner, Director of Communications at Pedmore, who accompanied Sarah on her visit said, “We are very grateful to Margot for selecting a female pupil from Pedmore and giving her such a unique experience. Sarah is a committed pupil and a true ambassador for our school. It was a really special day that was added to by Sarah finding out she has been offered a place at the prestigious Old Swinford Hospital School Sixth Form when she leaves us this summer. Sarah met some very inspirational women on her trip but she herself is an inspiration for our community’s young women. We are very proud of her achievement”.
In February, Margot James visited Pedmore’s Year 11 GCSE Citizenship pupils who were busy preparing and researching their campaigns as part of their GCSE programme of study. (see page 9) Campaigns included a group campaigning for Pedmore to be the first Fair Trade school in the area, a campaign for a summertime uniform for Pedmore’s pupils and a group who are fighting to lower car insurance costs for young people. The MP discussed the groups’ campaigns with them in detail and how they could move forward to gain further support and publicity for their causes. She was so impressed with the pupil’s
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Developing our Gifted and Talented Students Focus on Art
Gifted and Talented Students go to the University of Oxford On 26th February, 12 Gifted and Talented students took part in a Stourbridge Educational Trust (TSET) event, a visit to Oxford Oriel College. Their itinerary for the day (as below) helped ensure they had a really worthwhile and informative experience:-
10.30 am 11.15 am 12.00 pm 12.30 pm 1.00 pm 1.30 pm 1.45 pm 3.00 pm 4.00 pm
Mrs Condlyffe PTC Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator who arranged and accompanied our students on this visit said, “This was a fantastic day. Our students were polite and interacted and contributed in all discussions amongst the TSET group. They were a credit to the school and themselves”. Mrs Condlyffe was so impressed with our students approach she personally phoned parents to pass on her praise for their behaviour and taking part.
Introducing Oxford University Academic taster session with an Oriel tutor Lunch with student ambassadors in Oriel’s Dining Hall Tour of Oriel College with student ambassadors Student ambassador Q&A panel Walk through the heart of Oxford University Interactive visit to an Oxford University Museum Q & A panel with Ex-King Edward’s students who are currently Oxford undergraduates. Depart Oxford
Gifted and Talented TSET Football Master Class Year 11 PE GCSE students took part in a Football Master Class in Kidderminster on Tuesday 18th March. Shabanna Hickman said, ”It was a great day allowing us to develop our skills further. Thank you Mrs Condlyffe for coordinating and Mr McGlade for taking us.”
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Focus on Science
Students get checked out with the Classroom Medics!
Year 7 go Inside the Human Body and Visit Outer Space! Twenty five Year 7 students went on a trip through the human body and outer space as they took part in a science lesson with a difference. The inflatable Stardome (portable planetarium) at Redhill School on Friday February 28th was provided by Keele University and Keele students worked with the school pupils to enhance their learning further.
Two groups of Key Stage 3 Science students had a real treat recently. Mrs Ward booked the Classroom Medics to visit our school. The visitors delivered two one-hour sessions to students in classrooms that encouraged them to consider a range of careers in the health service. The medics bought in some very sophisticated kit and Our student’s reviews tell you all about their adventure. our students engaged in exciting hands-on activities including ‘ECG’ traces, ‘keyhole’ surgery mock up, colonoscopy mock up, ultrasound scanning and taking learn about cells a science trip to rnt blood from a false arm! ……we went for gs and we also lea to create thin nt planets. and what they do e forms on differe nt re about differe lif ’t didn know befo somet hing they ersit y iv Un Ever yone learnt ele Ke m St udents fro at the star dome. you went into nt things. When re ffe di us ht taug Ever yone had a. em like a 3D cin the dome it was screen was e look up and th to lie down and u. yo all around ar 7 Hannah Pe rr y Ye
Mrs Ward said, “The classroom really buzzed with excitement throughout the sessions as our students tested each other using the latest mobile medical diagnostic equipment such as mobile ultrasound equipment and a camera that took images of the retina which was then instantly displayed on a mobile phone. The medics gave us a great insight into the diversity of roles in today’s health service, nationally and globally and discussed with students how important it is to make informed choices about their future subjects of study when considering career paths”.
When we got to Redhill, we wer e greeted by two students from Keele Universit y and we went inside the star dome. It was something like a 3D cinema. The first movie was about cells. It showed how we are made of cells including special cells which control vital organs like the heart and lung s. It also showed deep into cells including DNA and how our parents have different genes. The second movie was about space and told us about planets whi ch were in the goldilock s zone which means the planet is similar to Eart h. Personally, I pref erred the cell movie. Jack Glear Year 7 eresting. was great and ver y int The trip to star dome about is life at wh es and It told me about the cod e me a gav trip is Th ls. cel y, and most importantl ry at cells are and what eve lot of knowledge of wh Un iversity ele Ke e Som of. t ou living thing is made wed mselves to us and sho students introduced the was it d ere me. When we ent us into the inflatable do on it tor jec pro the t pu y the pretty boring but when were hing looked 3D, as if you wn came to life and everyt do lay ple peo of lot a Also, d act ually in their shoes. nce ha en lly nk this act ua (including me) and I thi ryone eve to s thi nd me om rec the experience. I would what’s lly gives us a sense of from age 7-60 and it rea r7 Yea d me Ah Ali n ba ah happen ing in life. Sh
Science Events Coming Up * Monday 7th April - 15 Ham Dingle Gifted and Talented scientists, a forensic science activity. * Wednesday 21st May - Primary Gifted and Talented morning , a problem solving activity based on separating mixtures. * Expression of interest letters sent to parents related to a Science activity event at Disneyland Paris in 2015.
The event was organised by The Stourbridge Educational Trust. PTC
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Fundraising and Newsmaking
Raising Funds for Great Causes - Sport Relief, GETSET Project and Sunfield Sunshine Week arriving in fancy dress and onesies and several opting for the extra challenge of running blindfold with a friend assisting or bound to others in three legged style/ lassoed to several others! The extra challenge was set by the GETSET team who have pledged to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities when participating in sport and promoting Paralympic sporting activities and successes.
PTC has had a great success with its fundraising activities for regional and national charities over the last few years. Sunshine Week supporting Sunfield This year is no exception as this term alone has seen all School, will be held on our last week of spring term, 7 – 11 April. There are all types of events that are supporting good causes. kinds of fundraising activities planned. On 10th March we visited Sunfield School, our chosen Special thanks to all those that have local charity to hand over a cheque for £240.50 as a result donated raffle prizes especially Asda of fundraising activities from last term. Netherton, Wilkinson Stourbridge, CarSimples.com and Portraits by From 16th to 21st March all years took part in sponsored Hart, Lye. The events will be featured run/walk during their PE lessons to raise money for Sports in our next newsletter. Relief and the GETSET project team who are raising funds for bikes for children with disability at Sunfield School. As usual, our students threw themselves into the activity,
PTC Make the News with the BBC Year 8 have been busy researching and interviewing a wide range of people for their involvement in the annual BBC School News Report. Clipboards and iPads have whizzed around the corridors and classrooms at school and farther afield, recording discussions and events. A small group visited Sunfield School and met with the Head of School to find out more about the charity. All reports went live on Thursday 27th March, linked to the BBC website. To see and read our news, go to www.pedmoretc. dudley.sch.uk, School Information, BBC News School Report. Many thanks to all our interviewees and supporters who helped make this project a resounding success again this year. PTC
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Independent Learning Centre
What’s been happening in the Independent Learning Centre (ILC) Miss Harvey tells us all the latest news
Ham Dingle Visits
Mad Hatter’s Tea Party!
Year 7 students have been visiting Ham Dingle Primary School recently to talk to the Year 4 students about reading. They have been discussing why they love reading, their favourite books and why it is so important to keep reading! Both sets of students have enjoyed talking about their reading experiences and encourage everybody to Drop Everything And Read!
Book Club To celebrate World Book Day on March 6th 2014 a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party was held in the ILC. Forty students plus staff attended and quickly demolished all the tea party cakes and treats that had been assembled! Students were able to participate in a variety of activities such as In January a brand new book club was introduced to the making paper hats to wear, ILC encouraging students to read from a selection of 6 word games and a quick books nominated for the Dudley Teen Book Awards. round of ‘pin the grin on the We meet every Friday at 3pm for biscuits, wordplay Cheshire Cat’ which was starters followed by a discussion about the books we are enjoyed by all! reading and how we are enjoying them. Unfortunately we were not able to attend the Teen Book Awards but we have enjoyed reading the nominated books all the same and hope to be able to attend next year! The Poison Boy by Fletcher Moss was announced as the overall winner.
Book Quiz
In honour of World Book Day on March 6th 2014 the week beginning March 3rd saw every set from Years 7, 8 and 9 come into the ILC for a special treasure hunt! Students had to put their thinking caps on to solve all the clues as the first student to get all the answers correct would be awarded a £10 book token for Waterstones! In order to learn more about how the ILC works plus what we have to offer, students had to unscramble titles, search for books in the library and source information out of the books to answer all the questions. All the students did brilliantly and said it was a very fun task! Congratulations to all our winners.
USAGE STATISTICS We average over 450 student visitors per week in the ILC before school, break, lunch and after school. Since September Year 7’s taken most books 1885,. Year 8 1220, Year 9 462, Year 10 186 and Year 11 140.
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Independent Learning Centre
BOOK FAIR
Author visits to PTC
From 24th-28th March the ILC has hosted a book fair, We often invite authors to visit us to talk to our students giving students to the opportunity to buy some fantastic about their books and writing. This term Mr Fred Austin MBE, father of Dudley North MP Ian Austin, told us how books at reduced prices! Altogether we raised £182.11. he narrowly escaped the clutches of the Nazis, having to leave behind his mother and two older sisters, Ilse and Trude in Czechoslovakia. They died together in a gas chamber at the Treblinka extermination camp in Poland on October 5, 1942. Following the invasion of Austria by Germany in 1938, anti-Semitism by the Nazis spread across the borders to Jewish families living in Czechoslovakia and surrounding countries. In early 1939 Fred’s mother had a telephone call from a friend in Vienna to offer Fred a chance to escape to England that had originally been offered to her own son but he was 15 and the Germans banned anyone over 14 from leaving the country. Arrangements were made for Fred to go with an English school master back to England in the Easter holiday. Fred’s mother took him to Prague to get his passport stamped and secure the journey to freedom. “I looked out the window and there was my mother standing on the platform waving a white handkerchief. That was the last time I was to see her.”
Dudley Libraries Sign Up!
Fred captivated our students recounting his years of growing up in England, looked after by Phillip Austin and how he later went on to marry, adopt four children, become a teacher and eventually a Headmaster at Dudley Grammar School where he retired in 1985.
To coincide with the new information literacy and research skills project being run by Miss Wright and Miss Harvey we are encouraging students and staff to sign up to Dudley Libraries in order to take advantage of their fantastic selection of online resources! These include full, free access to: Ancestry, The Official Online Driving Theory Test practice questions (updated hourly), Encyclopaedia Britannica, Oxford Art Online, Oxford Music Online, Oxford Dictionary Online and a full library of e-books and online magazines available to download to your tablet.
He explained how as an adult he found out about his family’s suffering through contact with his sister Ilse’s boyfriend and returning to visit his homeland. Fred has written a book called “Czech and Mate” published by Brewin Books in which he tells his life story.
It is free and easy to sign up online or at your local library and get access to all of these amazing resources! Come and see one of our sign up mentors in the ILC today!
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Focus on Languages
Year 7 MFL Japanese and Martial Arts Day
Year 8 MFL Jour de la Francophonie Cultural Day
University of Wolverhampton
Aston University
On the 7th March 12 Year 7 pupils went to the University of Wolverhampton to take part in a Japanese and Martial Arts day. The aim of the day was to have a taste of Japanese la ng uage,c ult ure and customs. Pupils learnt to greet each other and have a short conversation in Japanese, together with counting to ten. They then practised recognising the sounds of the hiragana script used in Japanese writing and had a lot fun painting their name in Japanese. The second part of the day was a Judo lesson with instructions in Japanese!
On the 5th March 12 Year 8 students visited Aston University to discover more about French speaking countries around the world. They met visitors from Martinique, the Congo and Belgium, and worked together with students from other schools to prepare presentations about their chosen country. The presentations were judged by Monsieur Yves Letournel from the French Embassy, who was very impressed by the quality of students’ work. Highlights of the presentations included Ilsa Khan’s thorough explanation of culture in Martinique, and Danyaal Amjad’s Belgian jokes! Well done to all the students involved and thanks to Mrs Turner for accompanying the students. Miss Walker
Miss Walker, Subject Leader for Modern Foreign Languages and trip organiser said, “The pupils attitude and engagement throughout the day were excellent and they thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done to all the students involved and thanks to Mr Fenn for accompanying us on our visit”.
Vocab Express Global Challenge Students in the Languages department were busy competing in the Vocab Express Global Challenge from the 6th – 12th March. The competition on our new vocabulary learning website challenged students to complete as many vocabulary learning tasks as possible in a week, and students were competing against each other in school and against other students and schools nationally. The top five vocabulary learners were: Husnain Akhmat Shahzaib Akhtar Lauren Heathcock Isla Anderson Gemma Dale Rianna Soley Jack James Chloe Clinton Ashmita Sharma Adam King
Year 8 Year 8 Year 8 Year 7 Year 8 Year 11 Year 9 Year 9 Year 8 Year 11
9065 points 8855 points 2365 points 2340 points 2025 points 1195 points 1070 points 920 points 725 points 650 points
PTC came second in the national schools leaderboard in Urdu, and Husnain Akhmat and Shahzaib Akhtar were the 4th and 5th students in Urdu nationally. A fantastic achievement! Congratulations to Husnain and Shahzaib, and well done to all students who took part. PTC
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Singing Workshop and MP Visit
Students Get Vocal at a Singing Workshop
SPONSORED ABSEIL
Seventeen PTC students from Years 7, 8 & 10 spent a song filled day at a vocal workshop hosted by Redhill School on 3rd March 2014. The workshop based on African Gospel music got everyone singing, dancing and enjoying making music.
Ex Pedmore student Victoria Forrest continues to support Sunfield School. She is taking on a huge challenge in May and is looking for your support to raise funds for our chosen local charity
VICTORIA FORREST’S SPONSORED ABSEIL
The National Lift Tower, Northampton
Saturday 10th May 2014
Please sponsor me! As part of my Queen’s Guide Award, I am taking part in the abseil event above. All proceeds will be donated to Sunfield Children’s Home, in Clent, Stourbridge, supporting Children with Autistic Learning Difficulties.
All students who attended were a credit to the school and commended by staff from another attending school.
A huge well done from Mrs Hart and Mrs Westwood to all students who attended.
l sei ab s t pe he o g r i r d u e h i n E & 3 Th r e m r ld t o w , 1 2 7 e w o 8 f t n t h 1 4 i s t he h ig
I have created a fundraising account with ‘BT My Donate’. Please click on the link below to sponsor me. All online donations will be directly sent to Sunfield Children’s Home. Please sponsor me on: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/victoriaforrest1
Singing group “Hart & Voice” meet every Thursday in B9 with Mrs Hart. New members always welcome to join, we sing a wide range of songs that you want to sing!
If you are a UK taxpayer you can tick the Gift Aid Box and Sunfield will be able to claim an extra 25p in the £ back from the HMRC. It won’t cost you a penny. Thank you!
MP Supports Citizenship Campaigns MP for Stourbridge Margot James visited our school this term to work with Year 11 GCSE Citizenship students who are busying preparing and researching their campaigns as part of their GCSE programme of study. Campaigns included making Pedmore Technology College the first Fair Trade school in the area, a campaign for a summertime uniform for Pedmore’s students and a group who fighting to lower car insurance costs for young people. Margot listened to several presentations and discussed the groups’ campaigns with them in detail and how they could move forward to gain further support and publicity for their causes. A group whose campaign for improved fencing around school field highlighted their cause recently be organising a litter pick around the existing perimeter. Mr Lloyd, our Headteacher then met with the MP to explore how she could support the groups further and discuss wider educational developments. He said, “We are very grateful that Margot has been able to join us and she has been very supportive to our students and their campaigns. It’s vital for our students to understand how the political system operates and being able to speak to a Member of Parliament has been invaluable. We often invite visitors to Pedmore who are practitioners and experts in a wide range of occupational areas. This helps to ensure our students are given the opportunity to understand and research their subjects in more detail. We look forward to seeing Margot again as she has agreed to revisit our students to support their studies further”. PTC
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Focus On DT and Art and Design
Our Artists and Designers go to the City! actively designing and making products for the future around the themes of Live, Play and Move, focussing on sustainability and wellbeing. Over 120 young people from 11 schools across the West Midlands gathered at BCU’s Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment. An action packed afternoon involved designing and making challenges and engaging business people to highlight the many areas where design and innovation
GCSE Graphic Design and Art and Design students have been out and about in Birmingham this term, gaining valuable knowledge to help them with their GCSE project work, design experience and future creative career planning. On Tuesday 11 March Art and Design students visited Birmingham to study forms of architecture in the city. It was third time lucky for this trip- previously cancelled due to heavy rainfall, the sunshine was certainly worth the wait! Miss Stanley, acting Head of Art and Design and other staff accompanied the group as they caught the train and sketched Selfridges, St. Martins, Birmingham Library and the Town Hall. The group also visited Grayson Perry’s touring tapestries in the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. Miss Stanley said, “Students really valued the day and their sketching has made great progress. A wonderful opportunity, hopefully to be repeated soon!”
are making ‘all the difference’ in terms of our ability to compete internationally. This event was followed up on 12 March with an Expert Lecture Morning again at Millennium Point. The team listened to lectures from the Principal Designer from MG, a leading university lecturer in Design from BCU and the Director of ACME Whistles. Key learning points were taken away from this experience to help the team further with their design entries.
GCSE Graphic Design students have been busy preparing their design entries for this year’s Birmingham Made Me design competition. In January, a group visited Birmingham City University’s (BCU) Millennium Point campus which hosted the launch of the Birmingham Made Me Schools Design Programme. Mrs Hunter, Subject Leader for Design Technology and Mrs Turner, Director of Communications accompanied the students. The Programme takes an innovative approach to engaging school pupils to enter a competition which involves
The competition is open to any PTC pupil from Year 7 to 11 and they do not have to be studying GCSE Graphics. Full details are on our website, (Students area, Student Competitions and Activities). Hurry though, entries need to be submitted to Mrs Hunter by Monday 7th April at the very latest!
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Focus On DT and Art and Design
Congratulations to Year 10 Catering GCSE Students.
Our Artists and Designers go to the City! Cont..... To complete the week, Graphic Design and Art and Design students attended a Creative Careers fair at the Thinktank. The day was hosted by the Creative Alliance, an independent learning provider based at the Custard Factory in Birmingham. Representatives from the city’s Arts employers including Birmingham Hippodrome, the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and many more set up their stalls and enquiry areas in the “Marketplace”. Students visited the stall to find out more about the apprenticeships and work experience or study opportunities that were on offer. Following performances from BeatFreeks, a group of young performers including poets and dancers and musicians, the students attended workshops. Our group took part in the Art workshop with representatives from the Ikon gallery explaining about working in the Arts and the wide range of roles available. This was followed by a young textile designer who described her experience of setting up and running her own business. The workshop ended with input from a young female apprentice from the Thinktank and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. She shared her apprentice journey and experience with the students. After lunch, the students took part in an employability workshop, exploring effective CV writing.
Mrs Condlyffe would like to congratulate her Year 10 Catering GCSE group for the high standard of practical work they have completed in their controlled assessment. This accounts for 20% of their final grade. They had to cook 4 dishes, 2 sweet and 2 savoury in 3 hours. The finished products were of a high standard and Mr Lloyd was very impressed.
UCB Trip Tuesday 18th March 12 Year 10 Catering students completed a taster day looking at Hospitality and Catering in a Higher Education setting. Mrs Condlyffe said, ”Students’ behaviour and attitude to learning was excellent and was commented on by the chefs teaching them. It was a great experience that has inspired our Catering students to go further. Thank you to Mrs Mills for supporting the day. She was very impressed with the students too”.
Year 9 TSET Bake Off
Mrs Hunter, Head of Design Technology said, “This intensive week has really helped the students to focus on their creative study and understand the opportunities in the Creative industries that are available to them, from apprentice opportunities offered by some of the leading Arts employers in the Midlands Area to self employment. In this very competitive sector, we want to help our students understand the wide variety of roles available in the Arts sector and plan their career paths to help ensure it leads to a success creative future.” See what our students thought about this event by reading their reviews at www.pedmoretc. dudley.sch.uk and click on the “Finding Out about Creative Careers” news item. PTC
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Calendar Dates and Manor Adventure
TERM DATES h Aprirlm t 1 1 y a d i r e F f Spring t Last day o h Apriolol, t 8 2 y a d n Mo eturn to sch
r Students of summer term. first day ts trip to re studen Birmingham ra, Gurudwa
Friday 2th May
ay Friday 16ttoh M e th
Monday 5th May
ay Monday 19tsthEvMening
GCSE Geography trip to Blackpool May Day – School closed
Tuesday 6th May
Year 8 Parents Evening
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CCLD trip Baby Show, NEC
Year 9 Paren iday 30 May Monday 26 – Fr oliday, Half term h school closed PTC
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Year 8 and 9 go on an Adventure in Wales! From Friday 21st March to Monday 24th March students from Year 8 and 9 descended on Manor Adventure in Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales for a weekend of outdoor pursuits. “We arrived Friday afternoon after an interesting coach journey and students were sent straight out for their first activity. Over the weekend all students experienced the same activities which included high ropes, zip wire, crate stacking, climbing, abseiling, canoeing, kayaking, rifle shooting, raft building and completing the muddy obstacle course. Saturday morning saw the whole group enjoying the cold water of Abernant lake where they spent the morning working as a team, trying to stay afloat in a canoe. We hasten to add that not many students remained dry! Saturday afternoon involved the students in Miss Sutton’s group being in charge of a rifle! Competition was high, Miss Sutton had the highest score closely followed by Areeb Somra and Jacob Smith. Mr Oliver and his group were heard screaming down the zip wire, Miss Stanley’s group were a bag of nerves as they abseiled down a rock face and Mr McGlade’s group were covered head to toe in mud after completing the obstacle course. Sunday involved the raft building challenge! Staff and students tried to stay afloat on a raft built from 6 barrels, 6 ropes and 4 poles. Mr McGlade’s group were definitely the wettest; but not because their raft fell apart, more to do with the fact that students had agreed to push Mr McGlade off the raft purposefully! Students and staff had a fabulous time over the whole weekend, highlights included the disco; Mr McGlade throwing some moves on the dance floor; and the selfie challenge, who could get the best group selfie. Miss Sutton would like to thank Mr Oliver, Miss Stanley and Mr McGlade for their support over the weekend and looks forward to next year’s trip.” PTC
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