17/03/10: Year 6 Academy Evening
19/03/10: Non-school uniform day
24/03/10: Year 8 Parents’ Evening
29/03/10: School reports sent home, via pupils
01/04/10: End of Spring Term (School closes at 1.10 pm)
We are holding a non-school uniform day on Friday 19th March to raise money for Sport Relief and The Gambian Well Project. Pupils should bring £1.00 to hand to their tutor or prefects who will be collecting the non-uniform money. The theme of the day is ‘sportswear’; Students can enter a ‘best dressed’ competition by coming to school dressed as a famous sports man or woman or they can just come in sportswear of their choice.
The school Sports Ambassadors will be organising some Sport Relief events during lunchtime on Friday. These include the famous sports relief ‘mile’, where our emphasis is on creativity e.g. 3 legged, skipping etc rather than speed and a prize will be awarded for the most original idea. Other activities include a sports quiz, a hula hoop competition, a Cricket bowling competition, and possibly the return of the popular ‘staff stocks’!! After school there will be a staff v students Netball match.
Click here for half term homework.
Start of Term
Despite the severe weather, the new term has started well with the pupils working hard in lessons, as well as making the most of the wide range of extra curricular clubs and activities available. (Please see extra curricular timetables at the back of this newsletter).
Exam Preparation
Year 11 pupils recently took part in a two hour workshop entitled ‘Exam busters’ in preparation for their forthcoming exams. They all enjoyed an interesting presentation which introduced the year group to new ways of revising effectively. This will be followed up after half-term with another workshop session looking at ‘mastering student motivation’.
School Awards
This term we are very pleased to have received two notable awards – The Open University has presented us with a recognition certificate for our work as a partner in the Young Applicants in Schools and Colleges Scheme (YASS). Particular congratulations should be given to the six Year 11 pupils who successfully completed Open University courses last year – their success really helped us in achieving this award.
Ladymead has also been rewarded by being named as the first school in the county to achieve the status of a Somerset Academy for Research and Innovation. This award is the result of lots of hard work by all of our teachers who are engaging in classroom based projects to further enhance teaching and learning across the school. It shows the school’s commitment to the continuing professional development of its staff and in the promotion of creativity.
It is really pleasing to receive two awards which show our working partnerships with two Higher Education institutions – the Open University and MARJONS (University of Plymouth) respectively. (Last week some of our students visited MARJONS as part of the Aim Higher scheme for students).
We Will Rock You : 24th – 26th February 2010 at 7 pm
After six months of rehearsals we are now really looking forward to the ‘We Will Rock You’ performances on Wednesday 24th, Thursday 25th and Friday 26th February. I am sure it is going to be a show not to be missed. Can I urge you to order your tickets as they are sure to sell out very quickly. Tickets are now on sale and we are expecting 3 packed audiences singing along to the 26 Queen songs performed by Ladymead students.
For more information please visit the website of the Visual and Performing Arts Faculty where you will find a synopsis of the story of We Will Rock You along with show details and ticket information.
Ticket prices are £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for students/concessions.
You will have read that the funding agreement has been signed by the Government. This means that the Academy will open on 1st September 2010.
I will be in touch about uniform etc. but a workshop was held on Wednesday 3rd February with pupils from both Ladymead and St Augustine’s to provide ideas on design. Mr Burton has already informed you that there will be a grant to cover additional uniform costs, so current parents are not asked to (financially) replace items that are specific to the Academy.
It has been agreed that the name will be The Taunton Academy.
The curriculum and staffing structures have been presented to staff and governors and is currently in a period of consultation. However, we will need to confirm a date for parents and pupils of both schools (in Years 8 and 9) to present the KS4 option choices. I am currently working on this with Mrs Mooney, Executive Headteacher at St Augustine’s.
You will also be aware that the site arrangements have been agreed:
Ladymead site
All Phase 1 students (Years 7 and 8) for all lessons, pastoral care and collective worship/assembly.
Phase 2 (Years 9 to 11) students (excluding former St Augustine’s Year 11 students – see below) for majority of lessons, champion time and collective worship/assembly (see St Augustine’s site below)
St Augustine’s site
Will be used as a vocational enrichment centre.
Most Phase 2 students studying Academy based vocational courses will study at this site. There will be limited movement between sites, as most of these blocks of learning will be for the whole day.
In addition, all former St Augustine’s students in Year 11 will continue their studies on this site. This will be until 2011 only.
An Academy Newsletter will be sent to all parents of both schools in the near future.
We recently re-issued the uniform and dress code policy and seek your support in maintaining high standards of school uniform. Mr Burton has stressed, during recent assemblies, the importance of a smart appearance, as it identifies each pupil as part of the school community and encourages them to take pride in their appearance and the school. Our uniform also minimises the competition between pupils in terms of the way they dress and is excellent practice for when they take their place in a working community, which often has set dress codes.
Please can we draw your attention to our rules regarding jewellery; only one signet ring is permissible. Earrings – one small stud or ring may be worn in each ear if they are pierced (no nose or eyebrow studs or rings, no tongue studs and no ear tunnels or plugs are permissible). All jewellery must be removed for P.E. lessons.
If you have not received a full copy of our Uniform and Dress Code Policy, it can be found HERE.
Once again, the VPA faculty has continued to be extremely busy and exciting this year. It kicked off with the opening of Ladymead’s radio station and introduction of a VPA virtual learning website. The station is now an integral and fun part of school life and has boasted guests as brilliant as Jeremy Browne and Michael Eavis.
Drama was then asked to perform at a SCC training event. They received fantastically positive feedback from local Headteachers/SENCOs and were acknowledged in the Somerset Partnership Newsletter.
Art and Music both were involved in the Taunton Christmas celebrations, with a choir singing and the procession of a reindeer through the town. This was then followed with an outstanding Carol Concert, including a fun reading by Mr Trusson, nativity play and many hymns.
Clubs remain popular and pupils enjoy spending their free time expressing themselves in Art, Drama and Music.
There are many more exciting events to come, including the much anticipated performance of ‘We Will Rock You’, a ‘Post It’ art project, a Drama Gifted & Talented day, combination activities with St Augustine’s, Dance showcases and the visit of Joss Stone. So be sure to check out www.ladymeadvpa.com for further updates.
VPA Website
The Visual and Performing Arts faculty website now has the addition of a virtual learning area where students can continue with their studies in Art, Drama, Music and Performing Arts whilst at home. Many educational links, worksheets, activities and lessons have been added to help students further develop their learning whilst away from the classroom.
The content is varied allowing for a wide range of learning to take place from virtual keyboards/pianos and drums, to visits around galleries, to our own You Tube channel where students can watch videos linked to what they are studying within their lessons.
Please take the time to visit and look around both on the main site and also within the Virtual Learning area of www.ladymeadvpa.com
The Modern Languages Department is always seeking ways to promote and communicate the value of our subject so we have undertaken a couple of new enterprises this year. The trip to Paris last year was a huge success and so we will be repeating that this year. Places are limited but there are still some available even at this stage so if you are interested please see me as soon as possible.
We have volunteered to take part in a county led twinning project with the départment of Sarthe as our previous links with both Paris and Brittany have lapsed due to staffing changes in France. To this end we have been allotted a partner school in Le Mans by the name of St. Joseph and we hope to develop this link in the future.
As a department we have had a look at achievement across all our groups and have decided to invite students who have shown ability, flair or extra enthusiasm for languages to do extra tasks on a voluntary basis. This would widen and reinforce knowledge gained in the classroom. This offer however is not exclusive and anyone wishing to participate can contact any of us for further details. We also asked the Art department if they could produce anything on a French theme and year 8 students have come up with an excellent piece of work which is on display in A block so our thanks go to Mrs Watts-Esmek for her supervision and to Emily Beauchamp, Jack Beauchamp, Marnie Hooper, Shannon Kilpatrick, Peaches Ashley-Watts and Selina Brehmer for their excellent work.
Finally we would encourage people to listen to the department’s regular Radio Ladymead spot on Thursday mornings. Myself and Mr Pearce discuss various topics in both French and English and we have invited students to join us to highlight some of their work. Ladymead Radio is available through our website, the web address being www.radioladymead.com. Mr Pearce and I will be on every Thursday from 8:30 to 8:50.
Mr S Cox
Curriculum Area Leader for Modern Foreign Languages
On Monday, Year 7 and 8 had an assembly to launch the new ‘Grow Your Own Food Project’.
Each tutor group in year 7 and 8 has an allotment plot to grow their own vegetables, fruit and herbs. Each group will also be given a starter pack with some seeds, seed trays and suggestions on how to get organised. The plots are 1.3m x 4m each and will soon be filled with lovely nutritious soil.
The idea is for the seeds to be started over half term, either at home or in the new mini greenhouses so that they are ready for planting in the spring. Some seeds need to be planted straight in the ground and not in trays, so make sure you read the back of the packet. Ask anyone at home to help, or donate some seeds and ask for any spare plants from friends and neighbours.
After half term the ‘Grow Your Own’ theme will appear in lessons for Year 7 and 8. So maybe you will be learning about how to calculate how much money you will save in your Maths lessons or about the history of allotments in History. You might plan your plot in Geography or learn about the air miles of different fruit and vegetables. Will you make some signs for your plot in art and DT to make it look nice and to show what house it belongs to? And make sure that you tone up your digging muscles in PE or you will ache the next day as it is hard work. In food lessons you could look up recipes and make sure you grow what you need and save yourself some money. Whatever you are doing in lessons, remember that the plot is yours to look after and grow whatever you like. You can come and work on your plot after school on a Thursday and Friday after half term. Make sure you bring wellies or old trainers and some old trousers, as you will get muddy. If you have any questions, just come and ask Mrs Huggins.
A BIG THANK YOU for all the Morrisons Let’s Grow vouchers. We were able to exchange them for 3 mini greenhouses and various gardening tools as well as a folding wheelbarrow.
The next phase of the project will be for years 9, 10 and 11, parents and Wyvern Children’s Nursery.
GET THOSE WELLIES ON AND GET DIGGING!
As part of our Young Apprenticeship course we have to experience sporting culture in another country. This year the participant schools Ladymead, Castle and St Augustine’s got the opportunity to go to Amsterdam. We were due to depart from Bristol airport on the 22nd of January and arrive in Holland in time for the evening meal.
Once we arrived at the Blue Square Hotel we were given our rooms, had our first taste of the much loved Amsterdam food and were told we had the evening at leisure. Some of us walked around the local area, filling the small local shop with 20 students for which the shop keeper was very grateful. After the long day, and with the early morning awaiting, most of the group were asleep soon after lights out, eagerly anticipating the next day.
On the Saturday we were given a tour around the Amsterdam Arena by Frank, our lively tour guide. Firstly we visited the main stand and were told that it costs £300 a time just to close the roof that covers the pitch. Our next stop was the press room where we all got the chance to sit in the seats where the managers of the teams talk after the game. We then went on to the technical room, corporate boxes and from there we were able to view Ajax’s most recent signing being photographed. Once we were done in the main stadium, we crossed the road to watch the players train and even got a wave from Martin Jol!
Afterwards, we were rushed off to play a fixture against a local Dutch football team. The game started brightly with the score being 1-0 to our YA team at half-time, however, the second half didn’t end so brightly after some tidy football from the hosts secured them a 5-1 win. Despite the loss, we remained in good spirits and left for the Hockey game (albeit after a half hour delay whilst one of the girls was stuck in the toilets) upbeat.
However, the Hockey game was not so close a match with the well organised hosts beating us convincingly, in the snow. The game was followed by a gathering of all the players in the club house, where we were treated to traditional Dutch food such as Bitterbals, Pea Soup and Edam cheese. The girls from both teams talked and had photos taken together prior to the chairman of the hockey club delivering a speech. That signalled the end of a long, interesting, hard day and we headed for home.
The following day we went back to the Amsterdam Arena where Ajax were playing AZ Alkmaar which is the Dutch equivalent to a game like Manchester United Vs Chelsea. The atmosphere was buzzing, with the Ajax fans extremely enthusiastic and when the first goal was scored in the 67th minute, the stadium exploded. We finished the day off by relaxing at the Tiki Pool in the Duinrell resort; the largest indoor water park in Europe.
Our last day in Amsterdam was a sad day for all, but before leaving we got the tram into the city centre and went on a boat trip on the famous canals of Amsterdam, with a tour guide on board. The main attractions were the only floating flower shop, Torensluis Bridge which is used as a prison, and a house just over1m wide! Some of us went to the Anne Frank museum which was an emotional experience for many of those who attended.
Our weekend in Amsterdam came to a close and we left the Blue Square Hotel for the last time. We had a short trip to the Schiphol airport where we had to leave Amsterdam behind. The whole trip was a great experience, with each person able to take something different from it, and with much learnt and new friendships between the three schools and our Dutch hosts.
Lastly, we’d all like to thank the teachers who organised the trip for us, who without it would not have been possible. The trip was a huge success and we will all finish year 11 with good memories and high hopes for the future.
Breakfast is very important because it provides you with the right ‘fuel’ that will set you up for your day! However, in our rush to get the morning routine done breakfast can sometimes be overlooked.
At Ladymead School we are running a Breakfast Club from Monday 1st February. The Club is supervised and runs from 7.45 – 8.25 am. It includes a varied breakfast menu (see example below).
Also we are running a wide variety of different activities; from getting active on Dance Mats to the chance to run and present a ‘Wake Up’ breakfast show on Ladymead School’s own Radio Station. Come along, have fun, and get yourself ready for your school day!
Bacon Sandwiches £1.20
Cereal £0.80
Toast £0.10
Cheese on Toast £0.60
Fruit Tea/Coffee £0.40
Fruit Juice £0.60
Yoghurt £0.50
Fruit Salad £0.70
Bacon & Tea £1.30
Cereal & Tea £1.30
This term sees a return of a former favourite with pupils. i Club will have a new dimension as the launch of Ladymead’s new VPA website and the availability of our new Apple Mac suite presents a wonderful opportunity.
Pupils will produce and create digital music. They will be encouraged to add vocals and to write lyrics for their songs. Running alongside this wonderful opportunity will be the chance to learn how to be a DJ and mix records. DJ tutoring will be given to small groups whilst the rest carry on with their music productions.
The sky really is the limit with such work. Finished productions will be uploaded onto the VPA site as well as being given prime time opportunity on our radio. Yes, if it’s good enough then it will be played across the airwaves loud and proud!! Learners will be encouraged to build a portfolio of their music, who knows, maybe one day a Ladymead pupil will become top of the pops!!
See you 3-4pm in the Mac suite from Wednesday 3rd Feb 2010
Street ball has been fantastic so far this academic year. We would like to let you know that we will be concentrating on fitness over the next few months. After a good workout we usually have a game of football. We always have a great time and all years are welcome.
We hope to complete another successful trip to Norton Manor Camp. We will hope again to complete the gruelling 2 ½ mile circuit training course (which includes a log lift!). 16 or so pupils all received a certificate for their successful completion last time. Certificates will be up for grabs again but numbers will be limited so places will only be given to those who attend Street ball regularly.
We have also talked about arranging another football match with one of our school sides- last time Mr Dudley’s team beat our Street ball side (led by Mr Brown) but it was great fun.
Street ball is and always has been student led so if you want to come along and share in the fun, please do so.
Thank you to everyone who has donated money to this project through our non-school uniform days and various other fundraising activities. The total cost of this water well is £5,000 and we have so far transferred £562 to this project and will continue to raise more money in the future.
The well is progressing nicely and is now 13 meters deep - it is amazing to see how far they have dug down!
The oldest man of the village and also the Alkalo (Head of the village) came to witness the start of the digging, saying it was such an important occasion that he didn’t want to miss it. He personally asked Muhammed Jabbi (Headteacher of Brufut Upper Basic School) to pass on his gratitude to the people of Ladymead. He also passed on that the children, parents and teachers are extremely pleased with the commencement of the project.
Year 10 students have just received the results of the first round of module exams. Congratulations to all those students who achieved their target grades – special congratulations to Dan Poole, Bella Slawin and Dan Varley who achieved the highest grades.
Also, many congratulations to Matt Cline who scored a perfect 50/50 in each of his Biology, Chemistry and Physics exams! This is a fantastic achievement – well done Matt!
The next round of module exams is on March 3rd for all year 10 students and selected year 11 students. Could I take this opportunity to thank all parents for your continued support and ask politely that all appointments for dentists, doctors etc are made avoiding module exam dates. Thank you!
Congratulations to our Year 10 girls who have just won the District Hockey Cup FINAL!!! The team beat Heathfield 2 – 0 with Natasha Houghton scoring both goals. This is the second year in succession they have won. Well done to everyone involved!
Congratulations to Ben Crome in Year 8 who came 3rd in the U13 Elite individual boy’s category, winning himself a place at the National round of the Schools Championships, being held on the 14th March. This will be first time Emma Munro (Head Coach at the club) has taken anyone from the squad to the National Schools Championships. Well done Ben! (See Ben’s picture on the next page).
Natasha Houghton, Maisie Robertson, Bella Slawin and Lizzie Coates were successful in winning the Somerset Badminton final for KS4 and will now represent Somerset at the regional finals in Exeter on Thursday 4th March. Congratulations!
If you have any unwanted material/recyclables for students to use in the art department, we would be very grateful.
This time of year is often difficult for both adults and students. Are you aware of feeling down or finding it difficult to cope with the pressures in your life? Or do you know anyone who might be finding things difficult at the moment? There is a counselling service in school which can help you through difficult times. If you think it would help to talk, or if you would just like more information, please contact Mrs Cole in Learning Success.
Key Stage 3 students are participating in judging children’s literature for the above award. The students have nominated their favourite titles and these have formed the basis for a shortlist of forty books.
This event is being organised in collaboration between the English Department and the Library, where all the books on the shortlist are available for students to read and enjoy. Before the end of the summer term, students will vote on the three winning titles. This event will commence after half term and we hope as many students as possible will participate.
During February Dellers under 18 discos are not being run in partnership with Avon and Somerset Police. Energise discos are set to return in March.
A few reminders to help with the smooth running of the school:
Bike Shed
For security reasons our bike shed is locked by our caretaker at 8.30 am and opened again at 2.45 pm. Students wishing to access the bike shed during the day must contact Reception. Please remind your child/ren to remove all bikes and padlocks from the bike shed. Any property left in the bike sheds during the holidays will be removed and disposed of.
Lost Property
Please encourage your child/ren to check the Lost Property Office (based in the LRC) for any missing items before the half term break. During the holiday any remaining items not collected will be disposed of.
Reception Area
Students are not permitted to use the Foyer area as a shortcut to class. This area is for parents and visitors only. If a student wishes to sign in or speak with our Receptionist then they must use the student window at the side of Reception (unless accompanied by a parent).
Notes for school
If your son/daughter is wearing incorrect uniform for good reason, has an appointment during school hours, is unable to participate in a PE lesson etc. please can they come to school with a note ready to present to staff.
Personal Property
The School can not take responsibility for any property that is brought onto the premises by students. Any property that is brought onto the premises by students is done so at their own risk. Students are encouraged not to bring items of value onto school premises.
Your help with these matters is genuinely appreciated.