Spring Newsletter 2016 - The Marches School

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The Marches School Morda Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2AR. T. 01691 664400 .... performance at The Shropshire School
School Trips Girls’ Rugby Our Day Out Netball

Futures Award Rotary Interviews World Book Day House Competitions Spring 2016

Welcome FROM THE HEADTEACHER It has been all systems go over the Spring term, with an exciting array of student shows, international trips and sporting success. Throughout the term, the school has welcomed several notable guests, including football scouts from Manchester City FC who offered young players a chance to show off their sporting prowess, and revision guru Karim Al-Abbas who delivered two separate interactive presentations as part of our Countdown to Success programme. Karim’s inspirational talks were a wonderful aid for all those starting the revision process, offering tips on how to develop memory skills and detailing exciting new techniques that could be used to improve learning. While GCSE and A Level students have been working hard towards their summer exams, the whole school has been making fantastic progress with their Futures Awards, an initiative which is preparing students to leave school equipped with the skills they need to enter employment. The Marches has always strived to offer our students as many opportunities and as many different pathways as possible to aid them in their personal development, and the introduction of the Futures Award will facilitate this further.

The work that the school does to inspire and prepare students for later life has been successfully illustrated time and again this term, and I was particularly delighted to hear that one of our Sixth Form students, Alex Keir, has been given a conditional offer to study Engineering at the prestigious St. John’s College, University of Cambridge. The creativity of our student body has also been highlighted during the beginning of 2016. I was extremely proud of our drama department who put on a fantastic production of Willy Russell’s Our Day Out, presenting the show to a packed public audience over three nights as well as to over 500 primary pupils. Meanwhile, World Book Day saw staff and students alike embracing a literary-themed day of fancy dress. With the busy Summer term almost upon us, I would like to take this chance to wish you a happy Easter. The Easter break is an important milestone for Year 11, 12 and 13 students in their preparation for their external exams. All students should have revision timetables with breaks planned that allow for rest and recuperation. I hope all students will use the revision techniques they were taught by our guest speaker Karim Al-Abbas, so that they achieve their very best in the summer exams. Mrs Pearson and I can both be contacted by email if you have any queries or matters you would like to discuss. ([email protected]) .

Sarah Longville Executive Headteacher

EXAM CHECK LIST

SUMMER EXAMS

● Students must be on time for their exams. Morning exams start at 9 a.m. and afternoon exams start at 1.30 p.m. Please ensure that you allow plenty of time for your journey. ● When taking exams, bags, coats and mobile phones should be left in the bag store or at the back of the hall. Because of this, it is recommended that you do not bring any valuables with you to the exam. ● Mobile Phones – Students must not have mobiles phones or any technological/web enabled sources of information in their possession (either on or off). Please do not bring them to school. ● You should bring with you the correct equipment needed to do your exams as these will not be provided in the venue. Only clear pencil cases are allowed on your desk - any others should be left in your bag. Do not use gel pens. ● In an exam where you have the use of a calculator, you should not have a calculator cover on your desk. ● Sshh! There is absolutely no talking or communication between students once you enter the exam venue. If you have any questions, you should raise your hand once seated and an invigilator will come to you. ● You should wear your full uniform for all your exams. ● No food is allowed in the exam venue. If you have a special requirement, please see the Exams Office before the exams start. ● Water bottles are allowed in the exam hall if necessary. These should be clear bottles with a spill-proof cap. There should be no label on the bottle. ● If you are ill on the day of the examination, please contact the school as soon as possible to obtain advice. ● If your exams run until 3 p.m. or later, you must ensure that you have made alternative arrangements to get home (if necessary).

The Marches School T. 01691 664400

Year 10-11 GCSE Summer Exams: 9th May – 29th June 2016 Sixth Form A Level Art Exams: 25th - 27th April 2016 GCE Summer Exams: 16th May – 29th June 2016

Morda Road, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY11 2AR

E. [email protected]

W. www.marchesschool.co.uk

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News OUR DAY OUT Earlier this term, students from the Performing Arts Department were painting sets, stitching their costumes and rehearsing their lines, all in preparation for their school production of ‘Our Day Out’, a play by Willy Russell, which took place from the 8th – 10th February. ‘Our Day Out’, a play about deprived children from Liverpool, was first aired on TV in 1977. The play is about Mrs Kay’s ‘Progress Class’ who are unleashed for a day’s coach trip to Conway Castle in Wales and is an exuberant celebration of the joys and agonies of growing up and being footloose, fourteen and free from school. It points out the depressing present and empty future for the comprehensive no-hopers from the backstreets of Liverpool, for whom a day out is as much as they can expect. Over 35 students participated in the performance that was directed by Drama teachers Mrs Gilpin, Miss McGreal and Miss Wright, over a 3 month period. Students performed to over 500 primary pupils as well as performing 3 public shows, with Year 11 student Dru Cripps-Hughes playing the role of Mr Briggs and Year 13 student Heather Bontoft as Mrs Kay. Assistant Director of Performing Arts, Mrs Gilpin, commented, “It was a high-energy production that was genuinely funny! We are so lucky to have such talented students and creative members of staff. I am incredibly proud of both the students and staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure the performance was of such a high standard”.

WORLD BOOK DAY Thursday 3rd March was ‘World Book Day’ and throughout the week we celebrated with a whole host of literary-themed events, lunches and talks. There was also a book signing by renowned children’s fiction author Barbara Mitchelhill who inspired our Year 7 students, along with 150 primary pupils, with sections of her historical thrillers and tales of life as a writer. In the run up to the day, the students got involved in treasure trails, craft activities and charity book sales, with the icing on the cake coming on Friday when students and staff displayed their creative flair during a themed costume day. As always, members of the school fully embraced the opportunity to show off their fancy dress skills, turning up in a wide range of fabulous costumes from an array of famous tales.

ROTARY YOUNG CHEF COMPETITION

Congratulations to Year 10 student Katie Hughes who was chosen to represent The Marches School at the district final of The Rotary Young Chef 2016 competition at Coleg Cambria on 19th February. Katie made a healthy three course meal for two people.

www.marchesschool.co.uk

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Work Experience & Skills YEAR 11 ROTARY INTERVIEW DAY On Friday 22nd January, Year 11 students tested out their interview skills by taking part in mock interviews with members of The Oswestry Rotary Club. Rotary members kindly donated their time and expertise to provide over 100 mock interviews lasting half an hour each for the Year 11 cohort. At the end of the day, Year 11 students met in the School hall for a closing ceremony where certificates and vouchers were given out for ‘A Student with a Well-rounded Character as Demonstrated at Interview’, ‘Presentation of CV and Personal Statement’ and ‘The Most Notable Interview’. Michael Jones, member of the Rotary Club, commented, “The standard has been extremely good. Students who have taken part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award have discussed important skills they own which will be a real door-opener for them”. Don Howard further commented, “Students have proved to me that they can take over the interview, be articulate and make good eye contact, all of which are fantastic interview techniques”.

MARCHES APPRENTICESHIP Students taking part in the Marches Apprenticeship scheme have been praised recently. Peter Pan Nursery and Sweeney Hall have both noted that students who have joined them are doing well and that, as employers, they are proud of The Marches School for turning out such wonderful students, saying they would have the students as full-time employees at any time. Both employers state that the students are an asset to their businesses. They are polite, respectful, well-mannered, able to work on their own initiative and are wellrounded students.

MARCHES FUTURES ARE IN THE COMMUNITY Students have been working hard to achieve their Futures Awards, an initiative which, launched in September, is preparing them to leave school equipped with the skills they need to enter employment. The Futures Award aims to record students’ achievements in the community, in employment environments, in the classroom academically and in creative settings. The four lead sponsors of the Award are: Tara Professional Recruitment, British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry Town Council and BMW Rybrook Shrewsbury. Students have been working particularly hard this academic year to achieve their Community Pin by getting involved in a number of events such as the Christmas Parade and Christmas Fayre. Charity work also contributes to this pin which has seen students taking part in the MD Warriors Foodbank charity drive and the non-school uniform day on the last day of the Autumn term which raised money for Alzheimer’s Society.

YOUNG ENTERPRISE GROUP

www.marchesschool.co.uk

“Mr Sinclair interviewed me and he was really encouraging and helpful. He discussed career opportunities with me and advised me on how to go forward by keeping my options open”. Lee Holt, Year 11

Young entrepreneurial students were given their first taste of success recently when they took to the streets of Telford to sell their new products. ‘The Cards and Candles Company’, which is being run by a number of students as part of the Young Enterprise Scheme, exceeded all expectations, even managing to sell out of an entire line of stock during the time they spent at the main Young Enterprise hub outside Marks & Spencer. After an early start, The Cards and Candles Company stall was ready for action by 8.45 a.m. and the 7 students representing the company confidently engaged the public right from the start, selling cards and candles created from recycled goods. The team worked in pairs, manning the stall in 1 hour shifts, and by early afternoon all of their ‘Candles in Baked Bean Tins’ were sold out. Total sales came in at nearly £80.

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Sport YEAR 7 NORTH SHROPSHIRE NETBALL TOURNAMENT On Wednesday 24th February, 16 girls travelled to Ellesmere College to play in the North Shropshire School Netball Tournament. The B team had some fantastic games. They beat Adcote School 1 – 0, although lost their two other games against Corbet School 1 – 0 and Ellesmere College 6 - 2. The students played some exceptional netball and have really improved since September. They have shown excellent commitment to training and the team which has now paid off. The A team played several matches in their group with the following results: Moreton Hall School 3 – 3 (draw) Grove School 7 – 1 (won) Lakelands School 8 – 0 (won) Corbet School 6 – 0 (won) The team made it through to the semi-finals and beat Corbet School A team 4 -1 to secure a place in the finals against Ellesmere College. The girls worked extremely hard in this game and played some fantastic netball. The girls won the final against Ellesmere College 4 – 1 to be crowned North Shropshire U12 Netball Champions. Miss Suckley

Marches School Athletes were praised for their excellent performance at The Shropshire Schools Cross Country Championships recently, after 50 runners from Years 7 – 11 raced exceptionally against students from all across Shropshire. Notably, the Under 16 Boys’ and Under 16 Girls’ teams both came in a very impressive third place. Hundreds of students from across the county took part in the annual event despite the appalling weather conditions on the day. Running for the medal-winning Under 16 Girls’ team were Year 11 students Chloe Lloyd, Helen Roberts and Pip Lantos. Representing the Under 16 Boys’ team were Year 10 students Ben Thompson, Harry Edwards, Harry Humphreys and Vlad Barabash. P.E. Teacher Mrs Bladen was thrilled with the result. She commented, “It was really bad weather so it was fabulous they even finished. Particular praise goes to the Year 11 girls who performed brilliantly even with all the work they are doing for GCSEs and extra-curricular activities at the moment.”

PRIMARY BASKETBALL On Wednesday 13th January the annual Primary Mixed Basketball Tournament was held at The Marches School. The competing schools were Bryn Offa, Meadows, Criftins, Woodside, Trefonen and Gobowen. A team of young leaders from The Marches School aged 12-17 helped out at the event. They included: Emma Morris, Ellie Dixon, Natasha Hodnett, Chelsea Breeze, Jess Sayles, Lucy Tomkevych, Daisy O’Reilly, Katie Cameron, Ellie Potts, Jamie Fugill, Louis Morris and Joe Whale. Each team was provided with a training session by the leaders which included warm-up activities, skill developments and fun games. After the first round, the top four teams competed for the trophy and the remaining teams played for the certificates. After a morning of excellent skill and sportsmanship, Bryn Offa was crowned champion and will go through to the school games play-offs.

GIRLS’ RUGBY The Year 8/9 combined Rugby Team played a TriTournament on Tuesday 23rd February. The girls visited Oswestry Rugby Club and had an excellent training session with coaches Tim and Rob. The girls played against Corbet School, winning 5 tries – 3 tries. Try scorers were Anna Holdbrook (x3), Harriet Leslie-Miller and Katie Garratt. The girls then played against Lakelands School. It was a tough game which we lost 2 tries – 4 tries. Scorers were Katie Garratt and Emma Morris. Miss Suckley

Miss Scott

www.marchesschool.co.uk

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School Trips PLACES OF WORSHIP TRIP As part of an on-going project, over 60 students from Years 7 to 11 have visited a number of different places of worship including the local church, a Sikh Gurdwara, an Islamic Mosque, a Hindu Mandir and a Buddhist Centre, to explore religious diversity within Britain. The students were responsible for documenting their visits through images, video recordings and explorative questioning of faith leaders in order to feedback their experiences of 21st Century Britain to all students and staff in Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) assemblies later in the year. Some students also had the opportunity to participate in a meditation exercise in the Buddhist Centre and others received offerings of fruit from the Hindu Mandir. One student quoted, “Everybody should have the opportunity to enjoy the amazing experience I have been able to today; it is really not what you expect”. Another student commented, “You learn so much more about Sikhism when you actually hear it from a follower of the faith”. Miss Richards commented, “This was an amazing experience for children to visit places of worship for themselves and to see how they are used by their communities”.

LEGO LEAGUE

Six Marches Mechanics took part in the First Lego League robotics event held at Daresbury Laboratory. The team, made up of Years 7 and 9 students, started working on the many aspects of the competition in September and developed their project ideas and robot designs during after-school sessions. Part of the competition involved investigating ‘trash’ and ways to reduce its impact on the environment. The team realised that lots of pens are regularly discarded in school and set about collecting them in order to make new products from the plastic components. The team gave a confident presentation to a panel of judges in which they displayed drinks coasters moulded from discarded pens. The team were also quizzed on the core values of the team and the design of their robot. Three robot rounds followed, against the clock, in which the Marches Mechanics led in first place. Unfortunately they were just overtaken in the final round and came a very respectable 2nd place. Mr Oliver

www.marchesschool.co.uk

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FAIRHOLME

LIVERPOOL ART TRIP

The Year 10 Health and Social group visited Fairholme Care Centre in December. Some pupils were apprehensive about meeting and talking to the elderly but once they had been introduced and given their table they all settled. They made a range of Christmas cards with the residents, helping them to cut glue and stick their chosen trimmings. Students conversed politely and they really enjoyed themselves - they cannot wait to go back. The Manager, Sue, has asked for us to visit on a regular basis as the residents really enjoy talking to people. Mrs Amyes-Johns

In January, the Art Department took 40 students on a visit to 2 Liverpoolbased galleries. Students began the day exploring the World Museum, studying natural history and cultural artefacts. After lunch, they visited Walker Art Gallery where they experienced a diverse range of pieces including contemporary art and work from as far back as the 13th Century! This trip has helped students develop their art by learning outside the classroom. Back in the classroom the students are now using their findings from the galleries and artists to inspire their own artistic creations. This trip has undoubtedly had an impact on the students’ learning and enthusiasm for their artwork. Miss Herald

¡FIESTA HISPANICA! Deutscher Kulturtag! A group of Years 8 and 9 students recently enjoyed an exciting Spanish cultural day organised by Routes into Languages at Aston University. They joined 9 other schools from the West Midlands region to spend the day completely immersed in the Spanish language. The day saw native Spanish speakers lead language and cultural workshops, during which the students discovered surprising facts about South America – particularly El Perú, México and Cuba. Working together, The Marches group then took an in-depth look at El Perú before taking part in a final competition – a presentation in Spanish about their chosen country. The contest was judged by Sr. Natalio Ormeño Vijjajos, Education Officer from the Spanish Embassy Education Office in London. The Marches School students delivered a ‘¡Fantástica presentación!’ and their group was ultimately chosen as the winners of the Fiesta Hispánica. Mrs Egido Olmo was delighted with their performance. After the event, she told the students, “We are very proud of you, chicas!”

On Wednesday 9th March students enjoyed an exciting German cultural day organised by Routes into Languages at Aston University, together with 7 other schools from the West Midlands region. They spent the day completely immersed in the German language, starting with a ‘warm up quiz’ in which our students came second! A large part of the day was spent in interactive workshops led by native speakers where they discovered surprising facts about other German-speaking countries, particularly focusing on Switzerland, Luxembourg and Austria. They worked fantastically together as a team to create a presentation entirely in German with barely any teacher input about Luxembourg, a country they previously knew very little about, and then they took part in the final competition – presenting to everyone about their chosen country. The contest was judged by Alex Pickering, Special Projects Advisor from the Goethe Institut in London. The Marches students delivered a ‘wunderbar’ presentation and although they did not come first, other staff at the event commented on our students’ behaviour, enthusiasm and German language. We are very proud of you Jungs und Mädels!

Miss Spencer www.marchesschool.co.uk

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House News TIME TO THINK HOUSE QUIZ During academic mentoring all students were invited to take part in a code-cracking quiz. Students deciphered codes using a range of techniques and learnt about Britain’s most eccentric detective, Sherlock Holmes. The results of the quiz were: 1st Whittaker 2nd Stephens 3rd Mallory 4th Hargreaves 5th Bonington Miss Ford

EXTRA-CURRICULAR HOUSE COMPETITION

CURRENT HOUSE RANKING 1st Bonington - 2105 Points 2nd Whittaker - 1767 3rd Stephens - 1741 4th Mallory - 1484 th 5 Hargreaves - 1464

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This term’s House competiton was to cook the best international pizza. After the first rounds, where one student was chosen to represent each house, students were faced with competing in the finals. After much deliberation it was decided that the winner was Year 10 student Harry Evans representing Stephens with his Chinese duck-themed pizza. In 2nd place was Bonington, 3rd place was won by Whittaker and in joint 4th place were Mallory and Hargreaves. Congratulations to everyone who took part in their house heat and to the lucky few who represented their house in the final!

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Information MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR The Friends of The Marches continue to develop and have a wide range of events we are looking to run or support over the coming months. Recently we ran a “Tuck Shop” at the Marches School Production of “Our Day Out” which proved popular with young people and adults alike! Upcoming events are likely to include: Years 7 and 8 Disco Summer Serenade Refreshments Mocktails at M Fest Summer Fun Day We are continuing to run and support Marches Movies which is a fantastic opportunity for local people to see box office hits, in a theatre environment right here in Oswestry. Please keep an eye on the school website and Parent and Carer Bulletins for upcoming Marches Movies nights. Your continued support in attending this event is very much appreciated, as it is a “use it or lose it” event with a break-even point we must achieve to run the events. If you would like any further information about the Friends of The Marches, or are interested in becoming an event volunteer and/or a committee member please contact [email protected] Thank you for your continued support.

TERM DATES Summer Term 2016 11th April – 22nd July Half Term: 30th May – 3rd June PD Days: 25th July, 26th July Autumn Term 2016 6th September – 16th December Please Note – 6th September is for Years 7 and 12 ONLY. Students in Years 8-11 and Year 13 will return on 7th September Half Term: 24th October – 28th October Christmas Holidays: 19th December – 30th December PD Days: Monday 5th September, Friday 21st October

SUMMER TERM TRIPS Shrewsbury Fieldwork : 11th and 14th April Jane Eyre Theatre Trip: 12th April King Lear Theatre Trip: 28th April Erasmus (to us): 7th – 8th May Liverpool University: 10th May Normandy: 12th - 17th May Mallorca Trip: 22nd - 27th May North Wales Coasts and Castles: 13th June Erasmus: 14th - 18th June M Fest: 16th June Geography/History trip to Liverpool: 6th July Summer Rewards Trip: 19th July Morocco: July-August 2016 (Dates TBC)

James Richards – Chair Friends of the Marches

KEEP UP TO DATE

Facebook/MarchesSchool @MarchesSchool

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There is something that is extremely captivating and memorable about the New York skyline at night. However, the 360-degree panoramic view of what is undoubtedly the most photographed city in the world, partly made the trip worthwhile on its own. The next day started with the visit to an Washington DC is the international Intrepid warship, the USS Enterprise powerhouse of the western and continued with a Circle-line boat world. There is a real buzz around the tour around Manhattan Island. Here city that, as we landed, was covered with a festive sprinkling of snow. In the was a chance to take photos of Lady Liberty and all of the big sites around midst of the Primaries (that meant Donald and Hillary's face was plastered the city. We also had the chance to visit the Rockerfeller Centre – the ‘Top of all around the news and print media) the Rock’. As impressive as the we eventually arrived at our hotel, just around the corner from Donald Trump’s cityscape looked at night, the ability to see the contrast during the day added a new hotel venture. greater sense of realism to the whole In the twilight hours of the early winter journey. evening, we made our way around the The sobering reality check came on the American capital, seeing landmarks penultimate day. A visit to the World such as The White House, the FBI Trade Centre and the 9/11 Visitor building, and Capitol Hill. As we had Centre brought us back to the impact of arrived on President’s Day (one of the America’s recent history. Visiting the nation’s public holidays) the lack of memorial area, that encompassed the traffic and footfall added to the enormous footprint of the initial towers, snowstorm and freezing rain made for was extremely moving for all of our some interesting walking conditions. students. The true horrors of that With some close scrapes, we slid our way back to the hotel and prepared for historic moment were made even more real with the rare opportunity to meet the walking tour the next day. and talk with one of the NYPD Dotty, our native walking guide, firefighters who was there and helped collected us at 9 and gave us the chance to see the true landmarks of the deal with the aftermath of this terrorist city. Through torrential rain we saw the atrocity. We heard first-hand Washington Monument and the Lincoln experiences of the human Memorial, the spot where Martin Luther consequences with detailed images and explanations of how the landscape King Jr delivered his famous ‘I have a shifted forever. Bearing in mind that dream’ speech across the Reflection many of our students were less than Pool. We stopped in the Smithsonian Museum and eventually made our way two years old at the time, it was an opportunity for them to truly understand to Arlington National Cemetery, where the impact of the World Trade Centre we saw the eternal flame and they are now able to pass this on to commemorating John F Kennedy and the changing of the guard that featured our future generations. Later in the day, following a walk over some enthusiastic members of the the famous Brooklyn Bridge, we made armed American military. our way through Central Park to the We made our way to Washington’s Friendship Gate, the ornate gateway to Woolman Ice Rink. On the final day, to the excitement of Chinatown. We readied ourselves for many of our students, we saw the the long bus journey to Philadelphia, dinosaurs. Not only were we visiting the the next day, where we would see the famous museum from ‘Night at the Liberty Bell and Freedom Hall, the Museum’, but had the opportunity to birthplace of American democracy. see the Natural History Museum with its Following this, we made our way to New York which, for many of our group, skeletons, meteors and woolly mammoths. A final group photo and we was the true highlight of the trip. The hustle and bustle of Times Square were on our way. Lunch in Trump is quite unique. You cannot escape the Tower, a photo by the fountain from ‘Friends’ and, for many, a carriage-ride blinding phosphorescence of the around Central Park. After filling up multimedia billboards promoting the latest product, hit TV show or celebrity- cameras for the final time, we picked up filled new Broadway show that is about our suitcases and made our way home. It was undoubtedly a life changing trip to reach the stage. for many of our students and a truly A (short) walk later meant that we had successful first international cross-trust arrived at the slightly imposing Empire expedition for The Marches Academy State Building. We were very lucky as we managed to Trust. Mr Jackson glide through the queues very quickly More photos are available online. and ascend to the top viewing deck.

WASHINGTON, PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK.

Welcome FROM THE HEAD OF SIXTH FORM The Sixth Form has been a hive of activity since we returned from our Christmas break. All Years 12 and 13 students sat practice examinations and their results were very encouraging. We have stepped up our focus on preparing for external examinations. We were all inspired by Karim’s presentation and it has motivated students across Sixth Form to begin their revision in earnest. Marches’ Sixth Form students have travelled all over the world this term. Some of them have toured parts of the USA, others have been to Krakow and Warsaw and others are being offered the opportunity to visit the Netherlands, Switzerland or Greece, which will be fully funded. One of the things I always find inspirational is just how committed the Sixth Form are to the enrichment programme. We have awarded a record number of First Aid, Deaf Awareness and Mandarin Chinese On 29th February former Sixth Form students who successfully gained places on the BT apprenticeship scheme came in to explain how they gained their places and discuss current BT opportunities. They presented to 40 Years 12 and 13 students about the opportunities available on our doorstep at BT. Students returned from two very emotive but insightful trips to Krakow and Auschwitz, with two Year 12 students delivering assemblies to Year 11 about their experience. We are very proud of their mature contribution to the lower school.

certificates this academic year, and our sport and debating teams have enjoyed incredible success at local and national level. We remain an aspirational force across the lower school, supporting younger students by giving assemblies, being on duty at lunchtimes, being Reading Rangers and providing support in lessons. We have been asked by BT to support their team on the evening of Sport Relief. Sixth Form students will work in the call centre answering calls from all over the country, helping people donate money to this very worthy cause. I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Easter. I know the Sixth Form students will be working hard but I am sure they will find time to enjoy chocolate, treats and a well-deserved rest.

MOCK EXAMS Congratulations to students in Years 12 and 13 who were issued with praise certificates for excellent mock results. Year 12 students were Emma Arthur, Georgia Barnett, Georgia Dean, Tia Greenless and Lucy Parry. Year 13 students were Laura Andrew, Zoe Birch, Lauren Cameron, Ellie Clark, Katie Giffiths, Lara Griffiths, Chloe Hedley, Alex Jones, Louis Morris, Amie Robbins, Daniel Smart and Benjamin Smith.

DEBATING Congratulations to all the Sixth Form Students who competed in the prestigious National Debating competition last week. The Marches A squad, Alex Wetton and Fizz Scarratt, were selected to go to the National Final at Oxford University to be held later in the year where they are sure to represent the school brilliantly.

Claire Buckle Assistant Headteacher: Head of Sixth Form

NEWS IN PICTURES NEW TRAINING KITS We would like to say a big thank you to Sportsjam for providing our Sixth Form students with their new Nike training kits.

Congratulations to the Sixth Form Rugby team who won against Ysgol Dinas Bran on the 5th February. The training is certainly paying off with a fantastic 31 - 0 victory.

NEWS

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Debating Team Apprenticeships Boston Trip Spring 2016