NOVEMBER 2013

Diary Dates

November 2013

Year 12 & 13 Parents’ Evening - Thursday 14th November - 4pm - 7pm

Year 8 HPV Immunisations Friday 15th November (am)

Ski Trip 2014 meeting for Parents - Monday 18th November - 6pm (Please

note this is a change to the original date)

Sixth Form Open Evening Thursday 28th November 6.30pm

December 2013

Year 10 Parents’ Evening Wednesday 4th December 4pm - 7pm

The Christmas Show Tuesday 10th December 7pm

Former Year 11 Presentation Evening Thursday 12th December 7pm

Trip to Bruges - Christmas Markets Friday 13th December

Sixth Form Presentation Evening Tuesday 17th December 7pm

Last Day of Term 2 Friday 20th December

January 2014

Year 9 Trip to Pencelli Sunday 5th January to Friday 10th January

First Day of Term 3 Monday 6th January

Year 9 Parents’ Evening Wednesday 15th January 4pm - 7pm

Specialism Awards Evening

Thursday 19th September saw PE and ICT host the annual Specialism Awards Evening.

It was a wonderfully uplifting evening, rewarding some of our most able and hard-working students, as well as acknowledging the work we do with support from the local community. It was a night of glitz, glamour and

sausage rolls and it always makes the teachers feel so proud of their students when they are rewarded so formally.

With a move to the new Faculty structure, there will be a different format next year.

Continued on Page 2...

Some of the winners from the evening, from left to right: Emily Hutchinson, Nicole Pfeil, Gemma Moffat, Louise Buller, Bethany Baross, Emily Buller,

Laura Holland and Megan Taylor

We are proud to announce that during the week of 25th November 2013, the Zero Tolerance Anti-bullying Campaign will be launched to all students during House Assemblies.

The ZeeTee Campaign, for zero tolerance of homophobic language and bullying, has already been delivered to over 12,000 students in Wiltshire schools and asks them to sign a pledge to show their commitment to "Respecting Differences". They also have the

opportunity to show their support by wearing a black rubber wristband which includes the ZeeTee logo.

For more information about the Campaign, please contact Mrs S Puntis Assistant Head

ZeeTee Anti-bullying Campaign comes to Devizes School!

Specialism Awards Evening (continued from page 1)

Category

Academic Sports Award, highest achiever in National Diploma in Sport

Academic Sports Award, highest achiever in A2 PE

Academic Sports Award highest achiever in AS PE

Key Stage 5 ICT Award

Academic Sports Award highest achiever in National Certificate in Sport

Academic Sports Award highest achiever in BTEC Dance

Academic Sports Award highest achiever in GCSE PE/Dance

KS 4 ICT Award

Leadership award KS5 PE

Leadership award KS4 PE

Leadership Award KS3 PE

Leadership Award Dance

KS3 ICT Award

Individual Performances of the year e.g. National honours

Officials’ Award

Participation in ICT Related OSHL Activities

Primary School Award

Partnership Award

Community Project Award

School/Club link Award

Team of the Year

Sportsman and sportswoman of the Year:-

Year 7 : Kizzy Wylie & Charlie Strickland

Year 8 : Josephine Trowbridge & Ben Witts

Year 9 : Chloe Ellis & Christopher Thomas

Year 10 : Louise Buller & William Davis-Birch

Year 11 : Emily Hutchinson/Emily Buller/Megan Taylor & Ben Trebble

The Joseph Hutchinson Award - Simon Gale

The Nathan Murdoch Award - Tony Hogan

Winners

Joshua Thompson

Jonathan Webb

Adam Stevens

Daniel Baker

Drew Tallentire

Yazmin Drake

Emily Hutchinson

Hayley Stevens Samantha Cox

Megan Taylor

Thomas Marshall

Alexandra Searle

Annie-May Gibbs Emily Hutchinson - Athletics

Rhianna Andrew - Trampolining

Ashley Wilkins - Boxing

Ellie Papps

Imogen Kelly

Nursteed Community Primary School

Bag4Sport

Devizes Leisure Centre

Badminton Club/Youth Centre

U16 netball team

The event speaker was the inspirational Sam Ottaway, National League basketball player, ex-student and

now PE teacher (of a few weeks!). Sam spoke from the heart about the opportunities he had grasped in

life, many that had come his way whilst at Devizes School, and the passion and enjoyment he had for

sport along with his drive and ambition to be a PE teacher. As Departments we deliberated long and

hard on who should be awarded what and it was wonderful to see academic, volunteering and physical

talent being celebrated. The following are our well-deserved winners:

Benjamin Trebble with his Award

Pupils from Nursteed Community Primary School with

their Award

Josephine Trowbridge with her Award

Specialised Learning Faculty

The Specialised Learning Faculty is a unique Faculty. The purpose of our Faculty is to help students be the best that they can be and to achieve their own personal best. This is accomplished through very personalised curriculums, bespoke support and high quality support and teaching.

What comes under the Specialised Learning umbrella? Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) A team that includes the SENCo, specialist teachers, Teaching Assistants and administrative staff provide support for students with SEND. This might include in-class support, withdrawal lessons, exam dispensation and developing the knowledge of SEND across the school. Because of these types of support, our Faculty is intertwined with every other Faculty in the school. Life Skills A team of teachers deliver a personalised curriculum at Key Stages 3 and 4. Students are taught how to develop important key skills, as well as follow qualifications that prepare them for employability and working life.

Alternative Provisions Some students access qualifications at Rowdeford School, focusing on social and communication skills as well as gaining practical experiences. We also support students to gain work experience placements, this equips students with the qualities they require for further education and work. AGAT Students across the school are identified as being able, gifted and talented. Our Faculty coordinates the identification of these students and maps the provision that they can access. AGAT students will be challenged in the lessons where they are particularly gifted or talented and some subject areas will facilitate additional activities. Mrs V Black - SENCo

Congratulations to Nathan Strong Year 10 (T-PAR) who took part in the Wiltshire semi-final of this competition place at Wiltshire College during late afternoon on Thursday 26th September; a semi-final being held in each of the six counties of the South West.

Although this is the 10th anniversary year of this competition it is the first year a category has been opened up to students still at school and proved to be very popular with 60 entries. The challenge was to prepare and make either a starter or main course dish that reflected the produce of the South West region.

Nathan had to cook his dish under the scrutiny of some of the UK’s top chefs including Hywel Jones, Executive Chef at Lucknam Park, Sam Moody, Head Chef at The Bath Priory, Richard Davies, Head Chef at the Manor House Hotel and Stephen Lloyd, Head of Hospitality at Wiltshire College. Cooking truly ‘doesn’t get tougher than this’.

The atmosphere was tense as both parents and teachers awaited the results of the judging panel. We did have the benefit however of being able to taste the dishes made by the three semi-finalists in true ‘Masterchef’ style.

This was a fantastic experience for Nathan who accredited himself really well demonstrating good culinary skills and the ability to talk fluently about the local provenance of his ingredients. Nathan’s dish was cheese and Wiltshire ham bake with carrot batons and green beans. Although he did not win overall he received very positive feedback and has been offered a days’ work experience in a Michelin starred kitchen. Well done Nathan. A fantastic performance! Mrs S Bromley D & T : Food Technology Teacher

South West Junior Chef of the Year Competition

Hengistbury Head Trip

On Friday 4th October Mr Evans and myself took

the Year 12 Geographers to Hengistbury Head to

conduct a field investigation along Solent Beach.

We started by taking a walk up over the top of

Hengistbury Head where we could see all the way

across to the Isle of Wight Needles. From this point

we were able to gather pictures of many different

coastal features including the salt marsh, harbour,

spit, and eroding cliffs.

The students collected their data from a 1km stretch

along the beach at the foot of Hengistbury Head.

This was quite a large task which required a huge

number of measurements to be taken, but everyone

worked quickly and effectively. The sun made a

welcome appearance just as we finished our data

collection. We celebrated with an ice cream, then

set off to get a closer look at the slumping cliffs at

Highcliffe.

All in all, a great day out!

Mrs L Dodd - Teacher of Geography

Romeo and Juliet - Theatre performance on Friday 4th October

‘Romeo and Juliet’ was an interesting take on the classic play by William Shakespeare. This adaptation was by the Watermill Theatre Company from Newbury. The actors were Edward Hancock and Sophie Star. They were brilliant actors and they played all of the different characters between them. They used audience participation quite a lot throughout the play which we thought was particularly interesting and it engaged the audience. The play was a modern master-piece that involved mobile phones and was also set in a

classroom; this also helped to relate it to the audience – school children, because they spend most of their time in a classroom! The actors also stayed to talk to the audience afterwards and this helped us understand their motivation and their aims of the modern play. The play was greatly enjoyed by all those who watched from across Years 9 to13. Thanks go to Mrs Ray for organising it. Martha Baker, Jessica Lockley & Joseph Slaney-Parker - 11K-HLC

Picture by kind permission of Phillip Tull

During the final week of the summer term Mr James and Mrs Jones took the Year 12 Biologists to the Medina Valley Field Studies Centre on the Isle of Wight. The focus for the week was Ecological Studies ranging from freshwater streams to rocky shores, with some salt marsh thrown in. Students studied pollution monitoring, succession, zonation and even carried out mark release recapture studies on snails!

Whilst not working we were engaged in the usual field trip staples of Frisbee and learning new card games, all rounded off with a night at the local multiplex. Particular highlights from this year included Steve’s Barnacle limerick, the crab hunt and the “special” relationship between Jack and Ollie – oh how we will miss little Jack! Mr D James, Head of Science and Biology

A Level Biology Field Trip

Students who read, succeed! Advice for Parents Recent research into the reading skills of 15 year olds across the world found that children who are more interested in reading do better at school than those who don’t read for pleasure. The study also found that parents who talk to their children about books, TV programmes and films help to keep their children interested in reading. Having books, newspapers and magazines around at home also made a difference to how interested children were in reading.

Top Tips: Instant ideas for helping your child to love reading – suggestions for parents:

Let your child choose what to read, rather than choosing what you think they should read.

Encourage your child to read magazines, comics, newspapers and the internet as well as books.

Talk to your child about books or magazines you haven’t enjoyed, as well as things you love.

Make time to read together if you can.

Buy books as presents. Don’t forget TV tie-ins and books about interests such as computer games or bands.

Remember that your child is reading when they are looking at bus timetables, menus, instructions, TV guides and the internet. Get them to read a recipe out to you as you cook!

Mrs H Carpenter

Head of Language & Literature Faculty

Language & Literature Faculty - Year of Reading

If your answer is YES to any of these questions then HUGO’S FUND for Childrens Chance may be able to help. The charity funds over 40 activities for children who, for financial reasons, would not otherwise have the chance. For a full information pack and application form please call 01722 415991 or visit their website at www.childrenschance.co.uk. With the help of Dauntsey’s School, Childrens Chance are pleased to announce HUGO’S GRANT for £1000. The grant is for a 16-18 year olds to help with a gap year or other wonderful opportunities! Please visit

www.childrenschance.co.uk and click on the Hugo’s Fund button to find out more. These grants are especially for children and young people in Pewsey, Devizes and Marlborough.

My name is Stewart Campbell and I have been a Parent Governor at Devizes School for two years. The Governing Body is made up of 23 people, some from the school staff, some from the community and some are parents. There are currently five Parent Governors who each serve a four year term and we need another one to join us. This brief article will hopefully explain what a Parent Governor does and encourage you to consider giving it a go yourself. A Parent Governor doesn't need any special qualifications. What you do need is an interest in the education of all the students at Devizes School and to give your time to prepare for and attend meetings. There are six

meetings of the Full Governing Body every year. Most Governors also take part in one or two other committees which deal with specific areas such as the curriculum and premises.

I take part in two committees, so for me this means about six hours each term. It is in these committees that Governors and senior school staff look at various issues such as the development of policies and strategy. To begin with it can seem a bit daunting, but I have always found the staff and other Governors helpful and you soon feel part of a team. These meetings are often very interesting and it is an opportunity to bring a parent’s point of view to the issues

being discussed. So……have I tempted you? If so please contact the Clerk to the Governors, Mrs Gill Wheeler at the school on 01380 724886 or by email gwheeler@devizes.wilts.sch.uk. Mr Stewart Campbell Parent Governor

Childrens Chance

Hugo‛s Fund With the whole school move to Faculties

mentioned in the last edition of the

Newsletter, the Science Department

decided to “re-brand” ourselves. After

thrashing out many different ideas for

tag lines and logos for the new Faculty

we came up with the idea that as most

aspects of everyday life are affected by

Science “Life’s a Lab” seemed to suite

perfectly. We hope you like it!

We have also re-decorated part of the

Science block, including two new notice-

boards which will display recent events

in school as well as a “Science article of

the week” taken from the news. Recent

articles have ranged from the London

Skyscraper which melted a car to the

discovery of Big Foot’s DNA.

Please encourage your son/daughter to

have a look; there are some truly

fascinating Science stories out there.

After all, Life’s a Lab!

New Science Logo

Would you like to be a Parent Governor?

Do you have kids who want to do extra activities? Would your children like to have music, football or

dancing lessons? Do you have to say no because of the cost?

New Outdoor Learning Facility and Environmental update

Every Tuesday ‘Get Ahead’ An opportunity to ‘Get Ahead’ with Maths. This drop-in session offers a relaxed, quiet environment where you can get on with your Maths home learning before it’s due or revise for GCSE exams or other class assessments.

Teachers will be on hand to help if you get stuck or if you would like to ‘Get Ahead’ with

some of the topics covered in class.

Everyone is welcome (KS3 &

KS4) and you need only attend

when you want.

In A6 with Mrs McGavin

3.15pm - 4.15pm

Help with Home Learning and Exam Revision!

‘Get Ahead’

Many of you will have been unaware, but over the

last couple of years there has been an ongoing

project running within the school grounds. The aim

of this project was to create and combine a wildlife/

conservation area with an outdoor learning facility

suitable for students to use both during lessons and

at break times.

Whilst the project is still ongoing the area has

undergone some major landscaping work, with

phase one completed during the summer holidays.

The pond has had a new lining replacing the

previously damaged one, a spacious outdoor

classroom has been created with excellent seating

while more seating and purpose built pathways

have been built. Hopefully, weather permitting, the

area will be used during Term 1 and again in the

spring. The challenge is now to maintain the facility,

whilst planning for phase two which will include the

sensory and raised vegetable beds.

Before the summer holidays and at the start of this year, students were asked to bring in old uniforms and other textiles for a whole school collection in aid of Bag4Sport and fund raising for the school’s conservation area. On the 11th September Bag4Sport came to the school and collected an impressive 108 bags. The collection bags will be weighed and consequently the school will receive a donation from Bag4Sport; a massive thank you to everyone who donated items towards the collection.

Finally, we are again collecting the Morrison’s ‘Let’s

Grow’ vouchers. There is a collection box in

Reception, please deposit your vouchers there and

hopefully we will collect enough to swap for suitable

items for use around the school. If you would like to

join the Eco-group we are always happy to take new

members - please let Mr Beynon know.

Devizes School

The Green, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 3AG

Tel: 01380 724886

Fax: 01380 720955

Website: www.devizes.wilts.sch.uk

Email: devizes_school@devizes.wilts.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mr. M G Irons B Sc, NPQH

Printed by Kennet Print Ltd, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes SN10 2EU Tel: 01380 720049 Email: info@kennetprint.co.uk

On the afternoon of Thursday the 10th of October we had a gloriously sunny (albeit slightly chilly) afternoon of fantastic primary school sport.

There were sixteen teams in total who entered this year’s event with six Girls Teams and ten Mixed Teams competing for a chance to win to go on to the County finals.

There was a great standard of football in both tournaments and students were a credit to their schools.

Both competitions were tantalisingly close but eventually after going through on goal difference, St Joseph’s Primary School won the mixed competition with Southbroom Junior School coming in

second place. The girls’ competition had joint winners with Nursteed and Rowde coming joint first place.

A big thank you to all of the students, parents, teachers and leaders who made the event such a success.

Miss E Myers

PE & Health Faculty

Devizes KS2 School Games Football Festival

Chippenham Basketball Project A new junior basketball session is set to be

delivered in Chippenham, from half term, at the

Chippenham Air Dome. The project, open to 9 to 12

year olds, is the first step by Wiltshire Council and

Innov8sportz to set up a regular junior club for the

town and will take place on Wednesday nights from

5.30pm – 6.30pm. The session will be fun and active

with young people shown new skills, introduced to

basketball tactics and encouraged to take part in

small sided games and tournaments. Initially, the

project will run for 6 weeks from the 13th November

to the 18th December and will cost £3 per session or

£15 for the block of six weeks. We are also running

adult recreational basketball sessions at the

Olympiad Leisure centre from 7pm – 8pm on

Wednesday nights during the same period of time.

These are open to anyone aged 16+ and are aimed

at those who used to play, played in school or

indeed have never played before and want to have a

go! For more information on either project or to book

a place, please contact Terry Bathe at Innov8sportz

on info@innov8sportzcic@gmail.com or phone

07837 535499.