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Newsletter Spring Term | March 2018

Important Dates

Sunday, 15 April Boarders’ Travel Day

Monday, 16 April First Day of Summer Term

26 April, 13:00-15:00 Open Afternoon

Tuesday, 1 May Scottish Play Trip

Tuesday, 8 May Year 9 Highclere Trip

Tue, 8 May, 13:00-15:00 Open Afternoon

Monday, 28 May Spring Bank Holiday

Thursday, 31 May Midsummer Night’s Dream

Friday, 1 June Presentation Day

Friday, 1 June Whole School Photo

Thursday, 21 June Year 9/10 Visit to Bletchley

Thu, 21 June, 10:00-12:00 Open Morning

Friday, 22 June Year 12 Chemistry Trip

Mon-Wed, 25-27 June Year 9 Project Days

Thursday, 28 June Last Day of Summer Term

Friday, 29 June Boarders’ Travel Day

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Dear Parents, Guardians, Students and Friends,

As the end of term approaches fast, I look back with enjoyment on what has been a short, but very busy term for all. It is very pleasing to see our Year 13 students, under the careful guidance of our University and Careers Adviser and staff, receiving good offers of places at different universities in preparation for next year. Some of the offers are indeed tough and will require students not just to work hard in their subjects, but also to manage their time very carefully in order to maximise their chances of performing at their best in their final summer exams. In other academic matters, it is good to see students recognised in their efforts and achievements with 77 rewards awarded by staff this term, alongside 15 gold, 16 silver and 19 bronze certificates for effort in the last set of effort and achievement grades, as well as a current running total of 43 college commendations gained by students. Despite the snow which caused some interruption, in the customary way, there have been many different trips and activities on offer during the term, in addition to the regular co-curricular weekly programme. In particular it is worth noting the growing interest in the Duke of

Edinburgh’s Award Scheme amongst students of different ages, all of which bodes very positively for next year. Amongst the learning opportunities outside the classroom enjoyed by students there have been visits to The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Roman Baths, The British Library, London, Portsmouth, Oxford, The Science Museum, as well as more local venues such as Reading Museum, Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village in Lacock and the Merchant’s House in Marlborough. A major highlight of the year has been the trip to CERN near Geneva, Switzerland where 17 students and 3 staff members of the science department spent an unforgettable three days. CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is one of the world's largest and most respected centres for scientific research. Its business is fundamental physics, finding out what the Universe is made of and how it works.

In addition, boarders and day students continue to enjoy

sporting events such as Ice Hockey and Football matches at national venues, together with the regular and popular outings to the cinema, ice-skating, and bowling.

At the beginning of term, once again the College welcomed the arrival of two students from schools in Lima, Peru for a period of six weeks. The students settled in quickly, enriching their knowledge of English language and culture and making new global friends for life. We were sad to see them leave, but we treasure many happy memories of our time together at Padworth. Once again, students and staff worked together to organise World Book Week, developing further the school’s efforts to encourage all students to read more widely, not just in relation to their academic studies, but also for pleasure generally. The disruption caused by the snow meant that some of the events had to be rescheduled for the following week. However, there were many memorable moments, including ‘Book Wall’

Padworth College Newsletter Spring Term | March 2018

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in the Library organised by our Business Foundation students and a poetry and bizarre sentence competition.

Our annual International Evening closely followed this event, keeping up the long tradition of students displaying their culinary skills and artistic talents. Once again, the evening was a memorable one, with students and staff working together to ensure everyone enjoyed the rich array of social and cultural entertainment. On the subject of teamwork, it is good to see our students’ continued involvement in charity and fundraising work, helping to raise money for their chosen project: SOS Children’s Villages in Africa. Staffing matters: we are very pleased to welcome this term Sarah Hobbs singing and speech therapy teacher, strengthening our music department further. The school continues to work hard in the local community through offering teaching and learning opportunities to young pupils. Earlier in the term, Sixth Form EAL students spent a day

at Aldermaston Primary School teaching Year 5 and Year 6 pupils all about Spring Festival. Other students in Year 10 and 11 also spent time this term at Cedars School teaching languages and explaining different cultures to young pupils. Next term begins on Monday 16 April, with boarders’ travel day on Sunday 15 April. The term ends on Thursday 28 June, with boarders’ travel day on Friday 29 June. May I take this opportunity once more to remind all parents and guardians of the need to adhere to term dates which are published a year in advance to help all with forward planning. It is vital that students do not miss valuable teaching time by either arriving late after the beginning of term or leaving early before the end of term. There is much to do before next term’s public exams and all students need to ensure they are focussed and fully engaged with their work in order to perform at their optimum. I would urge strongly all students to use the holiday period wisely to prepare and revise thoroughly. I wish you and your families a good break together and do please, whenever and wherever you can, take the opportunity to spread the good name of Padworth College. We are always keen to welcome new students and families into our unique community.

Very best wishes from my staff and from me, JohnAguilarPrincipal

Padworth College Newsletter Spring Term | March 2018