celebrating the arrival of the rugby world cup · celebrating the arrival of all for a good cause...
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the Rugby World Cup Celebrating the arrival of
All for a good cause Charity of the Year announced
Musical extravaganza Proudly performing at the RWC Fanzone
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A letter from our Headteacher, Mr Sönke Beyer Dear Students, Parents and Carers I hope you will enjoy reading our latest Newsle er which is packed with brief glimpses at some
of the many events and ac vi es that students and staff have enjoyed this half‐term. Every
day I con nue to be inspired by our students and my colleagues and all that they do to make
West Exe School such a special and unique place.
Although this has been a long half‐term, it has gone in a flash following the flying start
welcoming the very smart and excited‐looking Year 7s to the School. Men oning only a couple
of events, the Year 6 Evening Showcase and the Rugby World Cup Relay were a huge success and hos ng the ICE
Awards an honour. We would now like to engage even more of you in par cipa ng in and running extra‐
curricular ac vi es. So, if you have the skills and me to extend our provision further, we would like to hear from
you.
It will not be long un l the next cohort of students will choose their KS4 op ons and, whereas last year’s Year 11
students are now looking forward to their reunion at the Corn Exchange for their ‘Gradua on Evening’, the
current Year 11 will have started thinking about what might lie ahead in May 2016. The countdown will have
started for some and a er half‐term there will only be 24 school weeks and 109 school days un l the first wri en
GCSE examina on!
The Newsle er always aims to celebrate the achievements of our students and staff, to update you about recent
developments and future projects, but from me‐to‐ me we will also have to use it to share more serious issues
with you, for example the Government’s an ‐radicalisa on agenda ‐ tackling poli cal, religious and other
extreme views and ac ons, for example those linked to animal welfare. Although we decided against an ar cle,
we would like all parents and carers to be informed. Many of you will share the opinion that the world is a
restless place and that most children’s lives are now strongly influenced, if not dominated, by ‘Social Media’.
Staff will play their part in partnership with parents and carers to con nue to keep our children safe.
For parents and carers who would like to know more about the ‘Prevent’ agenda, may I suggest that you refer to
our Autumn Safeguarding Update (which is available on the School website), Tower Hamlets’ very brief “Keeping
children and young people safe against radicalisa on and extremism” informa on pack available at
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/lgnl/health_and_social_care/children_and_family_care/keeping_children_safe.aspx
and their “Advice to parents and carers brochure”.
Furthermore, if you have not yet had the opportunity, please also familiarise yourself with the e‐safety advice on
the School website (www.westexe.devon.sch.uk/communica on/e‐safety‐advice).
Finally, just a reminder that Friday, 27 November 2015 is a Staff Development Day and that School will not be
open for students on that day. We will then resume at the usual me on Monday, 30 November 2015.
Wishing you all a peaceful and res ul half‐term holiday.
Yours faithfully,
Sönke Beyer, Headteacher
Front cover photograph of Ma Handford, alumni, now studying at Marjon, Plymouth
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The 2015 Rugby World Cup comes to West Exe School The Rugby World Cup has been to Exeter and we celebrated this with a Rugby World Cup relay
to our primary schools on Thursday, 17 September.
Twenty students from West Exe School took part in a Rugby World Cup relay in which students and
rugby stars alike came together to pass the ball using commemoration Exeter rugby balls, signed
by Exeter Chiefs. We made our way to primary schools in Exwick, Redhills, Bowhill, Montgomery,
St Thomas and Alphington.
The relay then ended back at West Exe School,
where students from the primary schools we went
to joined us for a rugby tournament refereed by
our Year 10 Sport Leaders. The event marked the
start of the global tournament in which Exeter
played an integral role, hosting three matches at
Sandy Park. Each school took on the colours and
culture of a playing nation to make the day a
colourful fusion of different continents.
Active Devon's Katy Leonard said:
"Having the Rugby World Cup come to Exeter is such a
golden opportunity for schools to learn about rugby,
teamwork and some of the cultures of participating nations.
We hope that the excitement of the World Cup has rubbed
off on all the children, staff and parents today."
Exeter City Council's Cath White said:
"Today was organised by West Exe School in a similar format
to the Olympic torch relay. We have been so lucky to get the
Chiefs on board with this event. We are really excited for the
start of the tournament. The Fanzone in Northernhay Gardens is looking fantastic. There will be different activities and
events happening there each day and throughout the city, like parades, food stalls, live music and sports tasters‐ not just
rugby! So there's something for everyone over the six weeks." Jack T 08TJL
Seven students and West Exe School staff had the privilege of attending the final Rugby World Cup match to be held at
Sandy Park on Sunday, 11 October. The tickets were donated by Exeter City Council and were awarded to students
who had made significant contributions to rugby at School. The match between Romania and Italy was an exciting one
and all who attended enjoyed the World Cup atmosphere.
Chris Davies, Head of PE
Year 7, 8 and 9 Boys PE:
please remember to
bring your gum shield for
Module 2 Rugby straight
after half term.
Gum shields ready?
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West Exe School performs at Exeter’s Fanzone On Sunday, 11 October, a group of twenty‐three students, known collectively as the West Exe Jazz Band, met at 9.45 am
outside Northernhay Gardens to represent West Exe School at the World Cup Fanzone event. We made our way to the
enormous stage and after a quick set up, powered our way into the opening number ‘Kansas City’.
This was met by rapturous applause from the small but very enthusiastic crowd who had gathered to hear us. Sadly the
crowd was 3900 people short of the 4000 who had attended other events, possibly due to the early time, the thick cloud or
maybe that Exeter Rugby fans do not support the teams from Argentina and Namibia (the match being screened shortly
after our performance). The band did not let that put them off. However, they played a total of seven numbers with
tremendous gusto, before handing over to the school rock group ‘Eklectic’.
These numbers included the vocal made famous by Nina Simone, ‘Feeling Good’, featuring Holly M and Chloe N, as well as
‘Jungle Boogie’, ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ and to finish Europe’s great hit from 1986 ‘The Final Countdown’. We had solos
(mainly improvised) from Emily R, Emily N, Chloe W, Naia B and Joe C, all of which were well received.
As it is early in the school year, we were joined for this first performance by four students who were members last year. As
well as this we were very pleased to welcome two
new players for their first concert.
Overall this was a very worthwhile event and a
good opportunity to show what we can achieve at
West Exe School. We are very grateful to Laura
Wright, ex‐member of the band and organizer of
Fanzone Music, for inviting us to play.
The band will now be looking at some new
repertoire ready for our next public performance at
the school concert on 4 December.
Dave Parsons, Director of the Jazz Band
After the West Exe Jazz Band’s sensational
performance, the School’s rock band ‘Eklectic’ took to
the stage. Lewis P started the set with a slick
performance of the technically challenging ‘Eruption’
on electric guitar. This led on to ‘The Knights of
Cydonia’ originally performed by the Teignmouth
based band, Muse. It was during this piece that the
audience was first wowed by the group’s very fine
ensemble skills. The communication between band
members was almost flawless which led to a very
‘tight’ performance of this piece.
‘Five Colours in Her Hair’, ‘Layla’ and ‘Johnny B.
Goode’ followed. These three popular pieces were
particularly well received by the audience. Chloe N’s vocals were a particular highlight; she performed the fast passages
with finesse and apparent ease. The virtuosic guitar playing from Lewis P and Connor V was also flawless.
Next came ACDC’s ‘Let There Be Rock’ and the group finished with a polished performance of ‘Sweet Child of Mine’. This
left the audience wanting more and ‘Eklectic’ were encouraged back onto the stage to perform an impromptu encore: ‘Gold
on the Ceiling’. The potential of this band is vast and all performers are certainly destined for great things in music. Well
done to all involved. Patricia Mahon, Head of Music
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Olivia W, Emma B, Aphra G, Hennie K, Georgia F, Madi McK and Isobel L
West Exe Dancers leap to National Finals
Okehampton College and Ashbury Golf Hotel
invited West Exe School to take part in a Devon
Secondary Co‐operative Trust five‐a‐side Netball
Tournament to give our Year 7 students a chance
to play for their new secondary school.
The tournament was held in their two sports halls in
particularly impressive grounds.
The girls did extremely well, playing four matches
with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses. The netball
tournament involved a five a side format with West
Exe School pipped against Okehampton, Tiverton,
Holsworthy and Tavistock. All the girls played with
enthusiasm and commitment and demonstrated
progression throughout the tournament.
Well done to the players not only for their
performance in the tournament, but their
commitment and dedication showed in attending
training during extra‐curricular sessions.
Can I also give a big thank you on behalf of all squad
members in all teams for Amy and Sam (West Exe
Netball Club) who have very kindly given up their
own free time to help coach the netball squads at
West Exe School. “All your efforts are very much appreciated! The girls are really fortunate to have you help coach them.”
We look forward to having more success on the netball courts as the season progresses.
Sarah Blackburn, PE Department
Well done to Year 7 Netball Team!
Felicity C, Maya l, Lilly D, Aishling T, Megan N and Eve P
On 11 July 2015, our team, Fusion, competed
in a Regional qualifying freestyle
competition in Dorset. We came first and,
therefore, qualified for the National Finals in
Blackpool’s Winter Gardens and we now
represent the South West.
For this competition we need to have good
stamina and incredibly good flexibility. Our
dance was choreographed by Fran O’Brien.
Two other dance troops also qualified for the
nationals which are Funky Movers (led by
Grace B) and Mini Movers (led by Sadie B).
Well done to all involved and I cannot wait to
hear about your future success in Blackpool.
Well done girls!
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Congratulations to Hollie S who on 11 and 12 July competed in Malta in an International Gymnastics Competition.
Hollie travelled with a team of 28 gymnasts from Devon, including Exeter Gym Club. Hollie competed in an international
field of elite gymnasts and performed excellently. Hollie secured individual Bronze medals on the beam and also in the
vault. This was a remarkable achievement given that it was a truly international competition, with teams from as far afield
as the Netherlands and United Arab Emirates.
Here is Hollie’s account of her experience:
“It was 6.30 am in the morning and I had to get up to be out of the hotel by 6.45 am!
Once I got to the gym it was 11.45 am and I started to warm up. We had to go on each piece to warm up before we could
compete.
Every routine I did was clean. I came 3rd in both the Beam and the Vault. I was really happy with myself. I competed a full
handspring on the vault.”
Sarah Blackburn, PE Department
Hollie S. - Star of the Month
Rugby East Devon: U13 Cup match West Exe School versus Okehampton On Wednesday, 14 October, the East Devon U13 cup match took place, West Exe School
versus Okehampton (first round).
Our team won 33‐0; a great result.
WELL DONE!
The team now goes through to the next round.
Roger Hutchinson, PE Department
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West Exe School announces new charity focus for 2015-2016 During the week beginning 5 October, the Year 11 Charity Committee presented assemblies to all Year Groups focused
on three worthy charities. All students in the School were then asked to vote for the charity that they wanted the
School to raise money for this academic year. I am delighted to announce that CLIC Sargent won the vote with an
overwhelming majority 86% of the votes.
CLIC Sargent is particularly important for West Exe School as members
of our community have been affected by cancer and supported by CLIC,
both in the past and right here and now. This charity has been helping
young people that we know, here in Exeter. It is great to think that we
can support such a worthy and important charity that is directly helping
people in our community.
Just today, ten children and young people in the UK will hear the
shocking news that they have cancer. Treatment normally starts
immediately, is often given many miles from home and can last for up
to three years. Being diagnosed with cancer is a frightening experience
and the emotional, practical and financial implications of treatment are
intensely challenging for the whole family.
CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children, young
people and their families. They provide clinical, practical, financial and
emotional support to help patients cope with cancer and get the most out of life. They are there from diagnosis onwards
and aim to help whole families deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases,
bereavement.
Throughout this academic year, we shall be engaging in a variety of different
fundraising activities, in School and within the local community, to raise money
for this important charity. I hope that everybody within our school community
will become actively involved in our fundraising efforts either through organising
events, helping out at events, or simply by donating money. For more
information about CLIC Sargent please visit their website
(http://www.clicsargent.org.uk) or contact myself by email
Patricia Mahon, Head of Music & Charity Co‐ordinator
We have a number of activities taking place during the
last week of this half‐term to kick start the fund raising
for CLIC Sargent. On Sunday, 18 October,
Mr Tibbets successfully completed the Exmoor Beast
100km cycle ride and Mr Couzens ran to work on
Monday, a distance of 22.5 miles, starting at 3 am!
After only two days collecting they have raised £131.
During the week there have been lunchtime tuck shops, a lunchtime teachers workout,
Miss Rogers having a haircut, a coffee morning and the week ended with Year Leaders in
stocks. The amount raised during the week will be posted on the website.
Cancer Charity Week: 19 to 23 October 2015
Mr Couzens a er his run
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Please may we ask for your co‐opera on in an important ma er.
Two of our students are receiving medical treatment for cancer which puts them
at risk if they are exposed to Measles, Chicken Pox or Shingles.
Please let us know immediately if your child is suspected of having measles.
The affected students are also at risk from Chicken Pox and would need to be
given an injec on within three days of contact. If your child is suspected of
having Chicken Pox, you should let us know.
It is also important that you let us know if anyone in your household has contracted Shingles.
Your child is not at any risk whatsoever from this situa on. However, the health and wellbeing of our students who are at
risk, does depend on the co‐opera on of all other parents and carers. We hope you can help us.
Our West Exe School Headteacher Coffee ‘Mornings’ will continue this term.
It is your chance to ask questions, share thoughts, or just have a coffee or tea and a chat.
Come into Main Reception, please. All parents and carers are welcome.
Thursday, 26 November 2015 – 11.00 am‐12.00 pm
Fancy a coffee with the Headteacher?
Invigilators required at West Exe School West Exe School is seeking to add to their pool of part‐ me invigilators to assist during the internal and summer GCSE examina ons. The ability to work as part of a team is required. Full training will be given. Salary: £8.05 per hour.
The successful applicant will need to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two references will be taken up.
If you are interested in applying for this role, please telephone Mrs Louise Garra , Examina ons Manager, on 01392 660100 ex 176 or e‐mail lgarra @westexe.devon.sch.uk for further details.
Measles, Chicken Pox and Shingles
Calling all alumni
Are you (or do you know) an ex‐West Exe School student who could spare the me to visit the School to
share your experiences in the world of work? We are interested in all career paths, all fields of work and
all ages! If so, please get in touch with Kevin Hadley, Assistant Headteacher
([email protected]), who would love to hear from you!
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Work Experience reminder Work Experience for Year 10 is from 18, to 22, July, 2016.
Information regarding this was sent home last term, but if
you need a reminder you can find all you need to know on the
School’s website under Curriculum/Careers Information,
Advice and Guidance/Work Experience.
Some students have been really quick off the mark and we already have a
placement arranged in the House of Commons plus several in primary schools,
nurseries and other local businesses which shows that the quicker you start to
apply, the more likely you will get a placement that you want.
Work experience is a really valuable part of a student’s education. So if you are a
parent or carer who can offer a work experience placement to a student, please
contact Sarah Rice by email ([email protected]). Sarah Rice, Work Related Learning Co‐ordinator
Work Experience with the Big Dig Project I have always been interested in the prac cal side of history. So I was really pleased to get an interview and an offer of
a placement at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM). Since the RAMM placement was not in the appropriate
week, I also had to look for something else. I wrote to some universi es and was surprised to get replies and two offers
in the area of archaeology! West Exe School allowed me to do three weeks of placement so I could make the most of
the opportunity.
I spent a really interes ng two weeks working on an archaeological dig with Bournemouth University archaeologists. The
site turned out to be probably the largest Iron Age se lement in the UK and may have been occupied by the Durotriges
tribe. I gained a great amount of experience and excavated a trench, post hole and ditch. I learnt loads about excava on,
surveying, recording, finds cleaning, environmental evalua on and geophysics. It was also really good to talk to the
University students about what they had done and were planning for their careers.
The last week I spent at the RAMM where I experienced the inner workings of the museum, including how collec ons
were stored, organised and displayed. The RAMM has over 1 million items in its collec on, of which only 5% are displayed
in the museum. We visited the Ark, where the other 95% of the museum’s collec on is stored and much is preserved by
freezing to remove pests, such as moths and beetles. We also learnt
about the extensive care taken by conserva onists to preserve and repair
artefacts, handling techniques and the ideal climate for such artefacts.
I really enjoyed this interes ng and inspiring work experience and hope
to be able to follow a career in this area. I had thought that work
experience may have been a bit boring but this turned out to be a
fantas c opportunity and I am glad that I have done it! Charles H, Year 11
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Debating real world issues On Saturday, 26 September, six students from West Exe School represented the Kingdom of Jordan at the 2015 Exeter
College Model United Nations (MUN) conference. We had been preparing and practising for months for this as it was
our first MUN conference!
Each team member represented the Jordanian delegate for a particular United Nations committee, including the World
Health Organisation and the Special Political and Decolonisation Committee. Before the conference, each of us had to
write draft resolutions on two topics ranging from the ownership of firearms and water scarcity to countering terrorism.
As the youngest team, competing against twenty older and much more experienced teams, we were not anticipating
success. However, we did much better than we had ever thought. After nervously reading out our policy statements, we
tried to lobby our resolutions (getting enough support so that our resolutions could be debated). Every member in our
team managed to get one of the resolutions debated; a great achievement for a first time at a MUN conference.
During the General Assembly Charlotte M, Yasmin W and Ben S proposed our submitted clause in front of all the delegates
at the conference. Ben and Yasmin were then able to go back up to the front and speak against the other clause submitted
by the team representing Russia.
Congratulations to the whole team for an amazing performance. The organisers were stunned that this was our first MUN
conference and commented on how strong West Exe School performed as a team. Well done to everyone and especially
to Ella A and Charlotte M who won individual “Honourable Mention” awards and Yasmin W who won “Delegate of High
Commendation”.
In November, West Exe School will be hosting its first ever Model United Nations conference for primary school students.
We are really looking forward to this and to helping younger students from Exeter (and further afield) develop their
debating and teamwork skills. Yasmin W, Year 10
Charlotte M, Sarah B, Ben S, Ella J, Owen A and
Yasmin W The MUN team in action
Visit to the Council Chamber On Monday, 12 October, five West Exe School students took part in a local
democracy event hosted by the City Council, held at Exeter Guildhall.
Sitting in the Council Chamber, the students debated a range of issues with a
team from Exeter School. The debates were on wide‐ranging and, in some
cases, controversial issues; ranging from E‐voting to EU membership to the
debate whether Exeter should be a dispersal zone for refugees. Given the
complexity of these topics the maturity and insightfulness of the opinions
expressed and the quality of the subsequent debates were very impressive.
The students were brilliant and more than held their own against a team
with some very strong opinions.
Ben S, Keely W, Jasmine F, Esme S and Yasmin W
Ben Lias, Assistant Head of Humanities
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West Exe School was invited to attend an anti‐modern slavery conference hosted by Devon and Cornwall police at Sandy
Park on Friday, 25 September. West Exe School was the only school invited to this very high profile event attended by
high ranking police officers and council officials.
During the conference, four speakers gave speeches on different aspects of modern slavery. After the speeches, there was
a question and answer session. Ben S asked a Police Detective Superintendent how young people could get involved in
educating others about modern slavery. After the conference formally closed, a Police Inspector stationed in Plymouth
asked the students for their views. The Chief Constable then came to talk to the students. He was so impressed by their
maturity, he even suggested that the students could get involved with the schools projects undertaken by the Devon and
Cornwall police service in Eastern Europe.
Modern Slavery Conference
Sarah, Yasmin, Charlo e, Owen, Ella and Ben with Chief Constable Sawyer
In June, West Exe School was asked to contribute to a montage of images
being compiled to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the
founding of the United Nations. We held a photographic competition
which was won by Chloe B for her thoughtful and original photographs
examining the issues facing the world in the 21st century and the work of
the United Nations.
On Saturday, 17 October, Chloe’s photographs, along with images produced
by students from six other schools from across Devon, were shown for the
first time at a special launch event held at Exeter Cathedral. Three images
are included here. At the event, the Deputy Lord Mayor presented West Exe
School with a reproduction of the Preamble to the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights which was written in 1948. The video montage of the images
produced by the students can be
viewed at the Cathedral from
17 to 31 October 2015.
Ben Lias, Assistant Head of Humanities
70 years of the United Nations
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Graduation Evening (Year 11 Leavers)
Graduation Evening will be on Monday, 23 November 2015.
We will write to students shortly before this date to invite
them and their parents/carers to the event.
Coursework Collection
Coursework collection will be available from
Tuesday, 1 December 2015 until Friday, 18 December 2015.
Please ring at least 24 hours beforehand and leave a message
for the teacher(s) concerned together with details of the work
you wish to collect. This can only be done after 3pm and not
during the school day.
Louise Garratt, Examinations Manager
Celebratory Graduation Evening
Autumn Climbing Club at Quay Climbing Centre, Haven Banks West Exe School Climbing Club started this term and the first five sessions are fully booked! The School is pleased to
announce that we will be providing this club again for five Thursday sessions each half‐term. The next block of sessions
will start on Thursday, 19 November. If you would like a place on this block of sessions, then please see Mr Couzens for
forms and to ensure your place, you will need to pay the £20 booking fee on the School Gateway
(www.schoolgateway.com).
If you are new to indoor sport climbing, we aim to teach you in five sessions how to put on a
climbing harness, tie‐in, belay and climb routes of increasing physical and technical grades.
Continued interest may help you decide to include climbing as part of GCSE PE, take part in local
and national competitions and eventually climb outdoors.
West Exe School is greatly subsidising these club sessions, and so we would ask climbers to pay in
advance via the School Gateway, there is a link on the School website and costs £20 for the five
sessions. We believe this represents excellent value for the experience and skills gained.
Roy Couzens, Senior Technology Technician
Photographs taken during Exams Results Day, 20 August
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Twenty‐five students from Vigo in Spain have spent three
weeks with us in School. They have attended lessons
alongside our students and took part in a range of activities.
Massive thanks to all staff for accommodating these extra
students in lessons and to all of the buddies who did such a
superb job of taking care of them.
Special thanks to Mrs Quick for offering to show our visitors
some traditionally English culinary skills ‐ bangers and mash
and apple crumble for a final lunch together!
Lisa Cooper, Acting Head of MFL
Visiting Students from Spain
European Day of Languages iPad Challenge at St James Park On Friday, 25 September, I took twelve Year 9 students to St James Park, where they used iPads to prepare and deliver
presentations in French and Spanish from memory to a room full of strangers from four local schools. Two of our
students, Tyler C and Teoni W, were personally commended for outstanding presenting. Not only this, but our teams
also created two short films promoting Exeter and Exeter City Football Club, which can be viewed on the following link
(https://europeandayoflanguages2015.wordpress.com).
ISCA won the prize for best presentation. However, the competition continued until the following Thursday, when the
video clip with the most ‘Likes’ was be the ultimate winner. We won not only first prize, with our WES Boys Team, but the
WES Girls won second prize too! We had ‘Likes’ from countries all around the globe, including Vietnam, Malaysia and
Trinidad and Tobago!
For our students it presented a real but achievable challenge, to
which they rose magnificently. All students responded in an
amazing way to the responsibility and the competitive element
and really proved themselves. Both teams worked really well
together too, despite not necessarily being a natural fit. Working
in a corporate setting, as opposed to the classroom, encouraged
them to step up to work independently and proactively. At the
start there was an inspirational video and talk from the event
organiser, Chris Fuller, about a friend and former fellow‐student,
who works for Manchester United media team. He had studied
French and Spanish at university, which got him the job. He had
once been the mascot at Exeter City, which resonated loud and clear for Harry Hart, who has done the very same! This talk
was very inspiring for them. Seeing where studying languages can take you, especially when football is involved, had quite
an impact.
We will certainly be returning to St James Park next September. Susannah McDonald, Teacher of MFL
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Vrooom! Year 7 Reading Racers are off! Year 7 students started our annual Reading Racers competition on Friday, 2 October.
Students are competing to read as many books as possible before Easter 2016.
There are five reading ‘laps’ to complete, with students receiving a badge and certificate for
each lap. All students who manage to complete the fifth ‘Gold’ lap will receive a medal in
assembly and the Tutor Group who read the most books will win a day out at Crealy
Adventure Park in the summer term. Thank you to Tutors, English teachers, parents and carers
for supporting and encouraging students with this competition.
Years 8 and 9 are setting themselves reading challenges in order to raise money for children in hospital. Readathon will run
between Thursday, 15 October and Friday, 6 November 2015. Students choose their own reading challenge and encourage
family and friends to sponsor them. The challenge could be anything from aiming to read for ten minutes every day to
reading a whole book every day for the three weeks of the challenge! The money raised helps provide books and
storytellers for children in hospital to help make their time there go by more quickly. Please help by sponsoring and
encouraging Years 8 and 9 with this task and lead by example! Anna Moore, Library Manager
Readathon—are you reading for it?
2015 Reading Racers winners visit Crealy On Tuesday, 14 July our hardworking winners of Reading Racers were treated to their reward of a day out at Crealy Great
Adventure Park. This year the challenge was won by 7CJB, who read a massive 215 books over two terms. Everyone had a
fantastic day and tried out all the rides. Well done to 7CJB. Emma Coombes, Library Assistant
Image from www.readathon.org
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On Thursday, 1 October, the Year 11 GCSE Drama students showcased their physical theatre
pieces, inspired by a workshop delivered by the award winning Theatre Company Rhum and
Clay. A packed house saw seven groups of students perform abstract versions in a cinema c
style of their favourite films, these included: The Hunger Games, Raiders of the Lost Ark, In
to the Woods, Home Alone, Paul and Grease. Whilst performing, students were aware that
they were being assessed as part of their final GCSE coursework. They rose to the challenge
with exci ng, humorous and at mes thought provoking drama.
Imogen O'Callaghan and Dave Salter, Drama Department
Photographs are of performing cast members
Year 11 GCSE Drama Showcase
At the end of the summer term, the Drama team iden fied a number of Gi ed and Talented Year 7 students who were
invited to audi on to prepare a thirty minute version of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing”. The play is set in Italy,
and centres around a humorous feuding couple, Beatrice and Benedick, as well as the nasty plo ng of Don John, who is
very jealous and a empts to ruin Hero and Claudio’s wedding day!
The students are now in Year 8 and have been rehearsing hard since the start of term. They are very excited to be
performing the play in the Theatre, on Tuesday, 1 December at 7pm. Tickets will be £3 (£1 for our students ).
Imogen O'Callaghan and Dave Salter, Drama Department
Much Ado About Nothing - coming soon!
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A Springboard Chef Ambassador came to give a masterclass in presentation to a group of aspiring MasterChefs. Practical
demonstrations and student participation was greatly enjoyed by all. The demonstration was a precursor to entries for
Springboard Future Chef. Sarah Quick, Teacher of Technology
Springboard Chef Ambassador visit
West Exe School Canteen Service is now run by a new company and now
trades under a new name “The Social”.
It continues to offer excellent value for money, with good nutritional freshly
made food. The service provides a new menu with a tempting range of
sandwiches, salads and snack pots, alongside a meal of the day.
Tasty, healthy food @ The Social
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This coming summer, Activities Week will take place during the week of 18 to 22 July 2016. All students in Years 7, 8 and
9 will take part. Throughout the week Lower School students will be off timetable and will be taking part in a variety of
exciting activities designed to challenge their learning in areas not covered by the National Curriculum. Many of last
year’s hugely successful activities will be available, as well as some fantastic new ones. Miss Taylor is offering to run a
Parkour Week and Mr Whitehead is running a ‘Matchcraft’ week, which is designed to interest all budding engineers,
architects and model makers. The old favourites are still running: Harry Potter World, Theatre Week, Horse Riding Week
and the Team Building Week, as well as the Surfing, Wet’n Wild, Sailing and Scuba Diving and many more. For Year 9
students only, the annual Paris Trip with Miss Cooper and Mr Hurst, will visit the French capital and will include a visit to
Disneyland (please note, students planning to study French at GCSE will get priority).
To view all the activities on offer, please go to the main School web site
http://www.westexe.devon.sch.uk/extra‐curricular/activities‐week and review the options. Students will need to make a
first, second and third choice and will need to indicate this by completing the form and returning it to their Tutor by
Friday, 6 November 2015.
It should be noted that Activities Week is part of the School curriculum and all relevant students are expected to take part.
All payments should be made via the School Gateway. If parents and carers have not yet registered, then I would encourage
them to do so as soon as possible. Please go to the School website, Parents/Online Systems for Parents and Carers and
follow the link. Richard Boarder, Activities Week, Trips and Visits, Health and Safety Coordinator
Looking forward to Activities Week 2016!
Having fun on World Maths Day Well done to all those in Year 7 who took part in the 2015 World Maths Day. Thousands of Maths questions were
answered in record time as KS3 valiantly played students from all over the world. Congratulations to those on the high
score table who really put their heart into it. Teachers reported a high level of enthusiasm (and a high level of noise too!).
Maybe next year we can get onto the World High Score Table? Keep practising everybody!
Karen Motti, Maths Department
Caving at Haven Banks
Students working on the
Maths ques ons
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The Phoenix Room The Phoenix Room is a classroom that caters for different students with a variety of needs, but its main purpose is to
focus on reintegration into main stream school focusing on core subjects and behaviour patterns.
The room is run by Vicky Joslin and Linda Brealey with input from Sue Willey and Danielle Perryman. It also works very
closely with Eliska Jackson‐Smith and Lyn Abraham (the Behaviour Team).
There is a variety of support services we can offer students, which include:
one to one keyworker sessions
group keyworker sessions (three to six weeks ) providing strategies helping
to improve emotional wellbeing and focusing on cyber safety, peer
relationships and sexual safety (Years 10 and 11) . However, the main focus
will always be on academic work and core subjects.
phased re‐integrations
students returning from long‐term absence
Princes Trust Programme (http://www.princes‐trust.org.uk)
student placements
access at break/lunch for vulnerable students.
We welcome all students and offer support to those who need extra help on a long‐term or short‐term basis with the aim
to fully reintegrate into lessons.
Vicky Joslin, Independent Learning Zone Lead
West Exe School Amnesty Club has been delivering a series of assemblies with Mr Fidler, looking at
the plight of the refugees. What can we do as a school community to support the many thousands
of children that come across European borders in search of safety?
Sheila Baker, Head of History Department
West Exe School Amnesty Club
The Amnesty group ready for the academic year, with
campaigns to organise and rights to protect! West Exe Amnesty If you have an interest in joining
our group and becoming
involved in our campaigns, then
come to Mrs Baker’s classroom
(F039) on a Wednesday
lunch me.
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Train to Teach Event Calling all poten al teachers. Do you want to train in the South West?
Come and visit the Train to Teach event. Speak with newly qualified teachers, find out about the different pathways in
to teaching and discover what it is like to train in an Exeter school.
Teachers trained in the South West are valued and gain employment quickly both within the area and as far afield as
London, Suffolk, the Midlands and the Home Coun es.
Financial support is available through bursaries and scholarships. These range from £4,000 to £30,000 (tax free).
The event is hosted by SWTT, SCITT and Exeter Consor um.
We are looking forward to mee ng with you on 12 November 2015 between 5pm and 8pm at West Exe School.
Isobel Pentreath, Programme Manager, SWTT SCITT
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Service Children Please let us know if your child has parent(s) who are Service Personnel currently serving in regular HM Forces military units of all Forces or in the Armed Forces of another na on and sta oned in England, and who have parental responsibility for your child. This can be done by email to [email protected] , via the contact page on the School website or by advising us in wri ng and asking your child to hand the note in to Student Recep on. Please state your child’s name, Year and Tutor Group.
Sherilyn Rawlinson, Director of Informa on Services
Was your child adopted from care or has left care? Schools have a vital role to play in helping children, who have been adopted or who have le care, emo onally, socially and educa onally by providing specific support to raise their a ainment and address their wider needs. Funding is paid directly to schools for schools to use.
Parents and carers need to self‐declare their child’s status to the school where their child is on roll. Evidence is needed in order for the school to declare a child’s eligibility and receive funding. Examples of evidence are the Adop on Order or a le er from the Local Authority that originally looked a er the child. As this informa on can be sensi ve, parents/carers can photocopy the child’s Adop on Order and conceal informa on as long as the child’s name (since adop on) and the name of the agency are visible. Please contact me, if you wish to self‐declare or have any queries by email to [email protected].
Sherilyn Rawlinson, Director of Informa on Services
Moving house? New mobile number or email address?
Please let us know if any of your contact details change. This can be done by email to [email protected] or via the contact page on the School website. Please state your child’s name, Year and Tutor Group, as well as the amended details. If you do not have an email account, please let me know of any changes in wri ng and ask your child to hand the note in to Student Recep on.
Sarah Aldridge, Informa on Services
Contact Details for Parents and Carers Following the introduc on of the ‘School Gateway’ system (www.schoolgateway.com) in September 2014, parent and carers can receive le ers, messages and requests for payment as an email or text via the “School Gateway”. The system operates using the email address or mobile number of the parent/carer that you have registered with the School. Further guidance, explaining who has parental responsibility, is available to read on the School website. If you have not already done so, please register on the ‘School Gateway’ as increasingly informa on will be
sent out in this way. Feedback from parents/carers has been extremely posi ve. If you would like to access the
system but you are not sure how to go about it, please contact the School and a member of staff will be able to
provide support.
If you have not yet given the School your details or you need to update your email or mobile number, please email [email protected] or send a note in via Student Recep on. However, if you are now receiving messages unwillingly, please contact us so that we can remove you from the distribu on lists. Ideally, we would like to encourage all parents/carers to use the ‘School Gateway’, but if you are unable to
access the system, please contact the School asap.
Supplement for new familiesto West Exe School
The following pages were first published in the July newsle er, but are important for parents and carers of our
new intake or for students that have joined the School this term.
21
The new ‘Show My Homework’ website offers students a personalised homework timetable. Parents and carers may also use this website to see what homework has been set for your child and ensure it is completed on time and to a high standard.
The main page is at h p://westexe.showmyhomework.co.uk and a link is also on the homepage of the School website.
Easy to use and accessible, it gives students a clear overview of their homeworks, allowing them to prioritise their workload and organise their to‐do lists.
Students login to the website using their school email address ([email protected] is an example). The first time they access it, they click the ‘Forgotten Password’ link, which will send the student a password reset link. To read the email, students go to mail.westexe.devon.sch.uk and login with the same network username and password as on a computer in School.
Parents and carers can also use this to take a more pro‐active role in driving homework prioritisation and keep tabs on their child’s homework without being intrusive.
Parents and carers can also login to Show My Homework, using the same email address as they have registered in School. Again, the first time they will need to use the forgotten password link, then login to their email and use the received email to set their own password. The next time they log in they will use this new password. Many parents and carers are already using Show My Homework to help their child complete homework on time.
Below is an example of the personalised homework timetable parents and carers can view. It shows teachers, subjects, and what homework has been set. Tim Hann, Assistant Headteacher
Show My Homework helps you support your child
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ePraise is a popular success With tens of thousands of points awarded so far in under one half term, ePraise has continued to be a successful and interactive way of acknowledging and celebrating our students’ achievements across their academic and extra‐curricular successes. Following tremendously positive parental feedback, we are now pleased to announce that further ePraise points are available for any activity or club that takes place outside of School. Accolades are additional badges awarded to students that are visible on their ePraise profiles that are earned and awarded for particular individual accomplishments. They celebrate the many diverse and broad successes of our students throughout each academic year. To aid in the process of adding and awarding points for these accolades, please feel free, as parents and carers, to get in touch with Tutors about any and all of the fantastically varied activities your children are involved in so they can be celebrated and rewarded. Please visit www.westexe.devon.sch.uk/extra‐curricular for a comprehensive guide to our exciting extra‐curricular activities and a full break down of the associated Achievements, Accolades and Points available in ePraise. Parents and carers can log in using the ePraise link on the West Exe School website home‐page and their registered email addresses to view their child’s points totals.
Adam Green, Head of Year 11
Please visit the ‘Exams’ link on the West Exe School website to download these essential documents for examination candidates and their parents:
West Exe School Exams Guide
Warning to Candidates
Mobile Phones
Information for candidates – Controlled Assessments
Information for candidates – Coursework Assessments
Information for candidates – On‐Screen Tests
Information for candidates – Written Examinations. Louise Garratt, Examinations Manager
Exams information for parents, carers and students
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Is your child eligible for Free School Meals? Have your circumstances changed recently which may affect your right to
claim Free School Meals?
If your children are eligible for Free School Meals, it means they can enjoy nutri ous, healthy meals without the bills and
the fuss of making packed lunches. Many children at our School are already ea ng Free School Meals and your children may
be able to have them too. School meals will support your children in their learning and help them to achieve their full
poten al. As professional cooks prepare the meals for the children, it saves you having to worry about the effort and
expense of making packed lunches every day. If your child is eligible and has Free School Meals instead of packed lunches,
you could save up to 190 hours a year, which is the me needed to make packed lunches that meet the nutri onal
standards of school meals – that’s just over a week!
Students claiming Free School Meals receive a daily allowance of £2.20. Over a school year that means £418 is available for
students to spend on food and drink. Thanks to the cashless catering system at West Exe School, a child claiming Free
School Meals is treated the same as other students and cannot be iden fied. Their allowance gets added to their account
each morning and any unspent allowance removed a er lunch. In addi on, the School receives extra funding via the ‘Pupil
Premium’ alloca on for, which helps us subsidise the cost of equipment, uniform and educa onal visits.
Parents/carers who receive any of the following benefits are en tled to Free School Meals:
Income Support (IS)
Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (income related)
Support under Part VI of the Immigra on and Asylum Act 1999
Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit provided you are not also en tled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of less
than £16,190
when a parent is en tled to Working Tax Credit run on (paid for four weeks a er you stop qualifying for Working Tax
Credit)
Universal Credit.
Parents/Carers applying for Free School Meals will, in most cases, no longer need to provide paper proof of qualifying
benefit.
Children who are in receipt of any of the above benefits in their own right, i.e. they receive benefits payments directly,
instead of through a parent or carer, also qualify for Free School Meals. Sherilyn Rawlinson
Director of Informa on Services
Savings for your family, but you must apply!
If you were planning to pay for your child to have school meals or are already doing so, you could save around £400
per year if your child qualifies for Free School Meals.
Applica ons are processed by Devon County Council, who check eligibility. All that is needed to apply is to either telephone DCC on 0345 155 1019 or email on [email protected], providing parent/carer surname, date of birth and Na onal Insurance Number.
They will no fy you and us within ten days whether your applica on has been successful, but will not tell us what benefits you are in receipt of, dates when a benefit was awarded or say how much you receive.
If you are eligible to register but your child does not want to have a Free School Meal, please do register anyway as part of our budget alloca on is based upon the number of children registered for Free School Meals and your child will benefit from improved facili es, paid for by addi onal funding available to schools.
If parents/carers have any ques ons or would like help with their applica on, we will be happy to help. Please contact Main Recep on in the first instance.
Free School Meals worth over £400 per year
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Thursday, 12 to Wednesday, 18 November Year 8 Tracking 1 Tuesday, 10 November 4.00‐7.00 pm Year 11 Subject Evening Tuesday, 17 to Thursday, 19 November ‘Maximise your poten al’ study skills sessions for Year 11 Thursday, 26 to Wednesday, 2 December Year 10 Tracking 1 Monday, 23 November 7.00‐8.30 pm Class of 2015 Gradua on Evening at Exeter Corn Exchange Thursday, 26 November 4.00‐7.00 pm Year 9 Subject Evening
Friday, 27 November Staff Development/Non‐Pupil Day Monday, 30 November to Friday, 4 December Year 11 “Walk and Talk” mocks Tuesday, 8 December 4.00‐7.00 pm Year 8 Subject Evening Thursday, 10 to Wednesday, 16 December Year 7 Tracking 1 Thursday, 17 December Christmas Carol Service, St Thomas Church, Cowick Street, Exeter Friday, 18 December Last day of term
TERM DATES 2015‐16
Autumn Term
Term commences: Monday, 7 September 2015 Half Term: Monday, 26 to Friday, 30 October 2015 incl. Friday, 27 November 2015 Staff development/non‐pupil day Last day of term: Friday, 18 December 2015
Spring Term
Term commences: Tuesday, 5 January 2016 Half Term: Monday, 15 to Friday, 19 February 2016 incl. Last day of term: Thursday, 24 March 2016
Summer Term
Term commences: Tuesday, 12 April 2016 May Day Holiday: Monday, 2 May 2016 Half Term: Monday, 30 May to Friday, 3 June 2016 incl. Last day of term: Friday, 22 July 2016
TERM DATES 2016‐17
Autumn Term
Term commences: Monday, 5 September 2016 Half Term: Monday, 24 to Friday, 28 October 2016 incl. Last day of term: Friday, 16 December 2016
Spring Term
Term commences: Wednesday, 4 January 2017 Occasional day: Friday, 10 February 2017 Half Term: Monday, 13 to Friday, 17 February 2017 incl. Last day of term: Thursday, 31 March 2016
Summer Term
Term commences: Tuesday, 18 April 2017 May Day Holiday: Monday, 1 May 2017 Half Term: Monday, 29 May to Friday, 2 June 2017 incl. Last day of term: Friday, 21 July 2017
Term dates 2015-16 & 2016-17
Consultation Evenings 2015-6
Autumn 2015 Spring 2016
Year 7 Subject Evening
Thurs 21 January
Subject Evening
Tues 19 April
Exams week
20 to 24 June
Year 8 Subject Evening
Tues 8 December
Op ons evening
Thurs 14 January
Subject Evening
Thurs 17 March
Exams week
20 to 24 June
Year 9 Subject Evening
Thurs 26 November
Op ons evening
Thurs 14 January
Subject Evening
Tues 8 March
Exams week
27 June to 1 July
Year 10 Subject Evening
Tue 12 January
Exams week
29 Feb to 4 Mar
Subject Evening
Thurs 5 May
Year 11
Subject Evening
Tuesday
10 November
Year 11 “Walk and
Talk” Mocks
30 November to
4 December
Subject Evening
Thurs 11 February
Year 11 pre‐public
exams
22 to 26 February
GCSE Exams
16 to 27 May
GCSE Exams
6 to 29 June
Summer 2016
School Gateway Please be aware that all le ers, messages and requests for payment are now made via the School Gateway
www.schoolgateway.com. This applies to payments for all trips and visits, Ac vi es Week, music tui on, sta onery packs , swim‐
ming, Prom ckets, Dance Club, extra‐curricular ac vi es, PE shirts and most other payments. Please contact the school if this will
cause difficulty for you.
Diary dates for the Autumn Term