Boys from Forms 1 and 2 training with RFU Community Rugby ... › wp-content › ... · 9th September 2016 Issue No 111 Dear Parents, Well we have now done a full week, absolutely

Weekly Newsletter from the Headmaster www.shebbearcollege.co.uk

9th September 2016Issue No 111

Dear Parents,

Well we have now done a full week, absolutely exhausting, and need a bit of a rest now. The dust is just about settling on the last academic year. The A Level and GCSE results were very positive and you will find fuller reports on the website. As soon as any re-marks are complete we will put a full breakdown of results on the website.

Our class of 2016 are beginning to scatter across the globe. Ella Thomas and Max Warren are now both hard at work as Gap Students in Australia. They will be joined there in February by Alvin Kwok who has just gained a place at Monash University, Melbourne.

Our Head Prefects, Ross Bennett and Abbie Selwyn, are both off to study for degrees in Bath - Ross to study Chemistry and Abbie to train in childcare to become a Norland Nanny (just check out how much they earn!) The majority of the rest are university bound and we were delighted that Bella Westlake met her challenging offer (A*AA) to get her into Oxford to study English. Pip Mahoney, who spent the summer working on the school grounds, performed brilliantly to get straight As to study the intriguingly titled course International Relations with Chinese and French at Exeter.

As soon as we have news on everyone a full list of destinations will be published on the website. It was also very heartening to hear some news about the class of 2013. Lydia Scambler and Sarah Balsdon have both earned first class degrees and Georgy Cox an Upper Second in Law. Meanwhile we now have a new group of very well qualified Lower Sixth Formers beginning their new A Level courses. From Kindergarten to Sixth Form we have 66 new starters in the school. We wish them all every success.

As you will read, the activity programme is up and running and there have been two very successful induction and teambuilding events for Form One (below) and the Lower Sixth Form. We are also beginning to learn of the many achievements of our pupils out of school during the holidays, so please keep this news coming in.

I was reading the other day about a former Headmaster of Shebbear College, John Rounsefell. He is the only Old Shebbearian to have become Headteacher at school. In his farewell address he said that ‘Shebbear is not only a school, it is a way of thinking’. I very much hope that we can ensure that in 2016-17 his vision of kind-hearted, happy, hard-working children is sustained.

Simon Weale

Boys from Forms 1 and 2 training with RFU Community Rugby Coach Wayne Reed



Prep Head Girl Jesse MaePrep Head Boy HunterPrep Prefects Gabriella, George and Cameron

Congratulations this week also go to Thalia Saltmarsh in Year 6 who after much hard work passed her Lamda Speech and Drama Exam with a distinction.

This week Year 6 pupils also got the chance to begin their investigations of the artefacts, books, photographs and newspaper articles that make up our wonderful new Prep School Museum - ‘Bygones’.

As they start their history topic all about ‘Victorian Britain’, the museum will give the children the opportunity to get a first-hand sense of everyday life for both rich and poor Victorian families as well as providing a number of opportunities for problem solving and research.

It is my hope that as the year progresses the Museum will develop further to include areas that support the learning that other classes are doing in their history topics, such as Ancient Eqypt, The Romans and Tudor Britain. In the meantime I would appreciate any 19th and 20th Century items as donations or loans to the museum that will help to develop this valuable learning resource.

News from the Prep SchoolHaving now completed our first full week, it comes as no surprise that there are some pretty tired looking individuals trudging around the Prep School today. However, I have been so impressed with how quickly our pupils have slotted back into the school routine and in the case of our ‘newbies’ how well they have settled into life at Shebbear. In all the lessons I have observed already it is wonderful to see how engaged and enthusiastic the children are and how well they are concentrating and applying themselves to their work.

There was much excitement on Monday in the morning assembly in Pyke. This was for two reasons in particular. Firstly, we were joined by pupils from the Kindergarten, who will now be attending Prep assemblies once a week throughout the year, to share in our news, rewards and celebrations.

The second reason for the buzz of anticipation was the announcement of this year’s Prep School Head Boy, Head Girl and Prefect Team (pictured above).

Congratulations must go to the following pupils, who I’m sure will take their responsibilities seriously and be wonderful ambassadors for Shebbear Prep School.



Year 5 pupils had their first swimming session this week. Swimming is a vital part of our PE curriculum and all our Prep School pupils will have the opportunity to attend swimming sessions this year and we are already planning to hold another swimming gala later in the year, following the successful gala we held last year.

On Thursday the Prep School held an Information Evening for Parents. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to outline some of our plans for the Prep School this year and for parents to then hear from their child’s class teacher about specific aspects of their work and the weekly routines of the respective classes. It was great to see so many of you there, but for those who couldn’t make it we will be sending out copies of the updated Prep School Handbook and class letters which inform you about the subject content we will be covering during this first term.

Our Kindergarten had a busy first week. They have enjoyed getting to know each other and learning some new routines. The children have been actively involved in setting up an outdoor learning area. They made the most of the continuing sunshine and went blackberry picking before returning to do some apple maths so they could make blackberry and apple compote to go

with the bread that they also made. Next week they will continue to look at the outdoor area and create challenges to promote more independent leaning. They are also looking forward to their swimming trip to Ruby Oak Park next Friday.

Finally, could I please bring to your attention a change in the calendar. The Year 4 and 5 science trip to Roadford Lakes has now been changed from Thursday 15th September to Tuesday 20th September.

Mike Furber

Next Week in the Prep School:Tuesday 13th SeptemberU11 Rugby and Netball Fixture - Shebbear/St Petroc’s v West Buckland at St Petroc’s School, 2.15pm

Wednesday 14th SeptemberU9 Rugby and Netball Fixture v St Petrocs, home, 2.15pm

Friday 16th SeptemberAssembly with Mrs LovettKindergarten swimming session

A Word from the LibraryIt’s good to see everyone after their summer breaks. Lots of holiday reading books are being returned and pupils are enthusiastic about finding something new to read. A first for me was being asked today for a copy of Euclid’s Elements; we haven’t got a copy on the shelves but I shall endeavor to get hold of a copy to satisfy the request.

New this year, we are subscribing to The Day http://theday.co.uk/ (username = shebbearcollege; password = theday), which I hope will be enjoyed by pupils, parents and staff. It is an objective, authoritative current affairs site which aims to present relevant facts and information in a way which challenges readers to form, and then share, their own opinions about issues. It’s an online resource so can be accessed from home as well as in college.

Jane Welby



International Universities RoadshowOn Wednesday September 28th from 3-5 pm we are hosting an International Universities Roadshow organised by The Student World. There will be many participants from universities around the world including Europe, the USA and Australia.

All of Upper School will be attending the event and parents are very welcome to come along if you would like to browse. There will be no specific talks - it is just a chance for interested parties to find out more about studying abroad post A levels. You will be able to talk to exhibitors about their courses and find out more in general about how the systems work outside Great Britain, and take home brochures.If you would like any more details please contact me at: [email protected]

Judith Aliberti

Music Building Up and Running!Our new Music building is now complete and fully operational. Come and take a good look around during Open Week (3rd - 7th October).

A Busy Musical Summer for RachelRachel Pankhurst goes to Orchestra practice with Hartland Chamber Orchestra on Mondays and they perform around 6 concerts a year. You can see a solo performance on YouTube of Haydn’s Concerto No 2 in G for violin that she played in July at:www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iRyWtSwQiY

Also in July, Rachel and a friend were invited by Barbara Degener to play the Bach Double Violin Concerto with the Atlantic Strings Orchestra: www.youtube.com/watch?v=31c4zmk0vmI

Rachel also plays with Cornwall Youth Orchestra once a month, with a residential at Easter, and for the last two years they have succeeded in going through to Birmingham Symphony Hall in July and The Royal Albert Hall in November as part of the Music for Youth initiative.

Rachel’s other Orchestra is the National Schools Symphony Orchestra, which is a week-long residential at Malvern College in late July culminating in performances at the Malvern Theatre under Richard Dickins. Rachel’s sister Sarah also plays for the NSSO, which was founded by the IAPS.

With thanks to Mr Pankhurst

Ella Thomasin AustraliaJo Royal very kindly sent us this photo of Ella (centre) on her first day at Geelong Grammar in Australia where she has gone for her gap year.

Uganda Expedition - Last Chance!Last chance to register interest for the Uganda Expedition.A £250 deposit in the form of a cheque must be given to

Mrs Aliberti by Friday 16th September.

Shebbear Lives up to its Eco-Schools StatusA new food waste service from Holsworthy based company Andigestion was launched here at the school last week, attended by Tiverton & Honiton MP Neil Parish, who is also the chair of the EFRA (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) Select Committee.

Andigestion collect all the food waste from the school and convert it into digestate fertilizers through a process of green energy which produces electricity. A by-product of the process is heat, which is used to dry the woodchips which are delivered to us to fuel our biomass boilers. Mr Parish spoke to Forms 1, 2 and Sixth Form pupils about sustainable energy and politics before taking a tour of Shebbear’s campus facilities, biomass plants and solar array.

The service enables the school to dispose of our food waste and leftovers in an efficient, clean and green eco-friendly way. Andigestion swap the full food waste bin for a fresh, steam-cleaned bin each week, helping to keep our premises clean and hygienic.

Mr Parish commented ‘I’m very pleased that Shebbear College will be making good use of the service and hope that businesses across the county will also be inspired to play a part in reducing the amount of food waste that currently goes to landfill’.



Sue Letchford, our school Finance Coordinator commented ‘we are proud to be an eco-school, so green issues are an important part of our school culture and ethics. We encourage pupils to recycle in all sorts of ways on a day to day basis, so this new service perfectly complements our commitment to tackling food waste and reducing landfill’.

Training with RFU Community Coach Wayne ReedBoys from Forms 1 and 2 welcomed RFU Community Rugby Coach Wayne Reed yesterday for rugby training sessions. Wayne, a former Plymouth Albion prop and coach also played for Exeter Chiefs, Banstaple and Launceston during his career and won representative honours with Devon, England Counties and the Barbarians.

Wayne put the boys through their paces on Dartmoor playing fields with some intense training in small groups before some practice matches.

It has been excellent to welcome Wayne to Shebbear and learn from his expertise. Both our players and coaches have benefited from his knowledge regarding the new age grade rules. It is crucial to ensure our players are fully prepared for the upcoming season and feel confident playing, Wayne has helped us with this training’.

Shebbear College would like to thank Wayne for coming to the school and leading this training session. It was a real privilege to welcome such a high profile player who clearly cares about his sport and encouraging young people in his community.

What’s On:Sunday 11th SeptemberBoarders’ trip to Bude

Monday 12th September6.30pm - U6 Introduction Evening and UCAS Presentation

Tuesday 13th September5.00pm - ASC Meeting

Wednesday 14th September6.00pm - F4 Introduction Evening

Thursday 15th Septemberam - Futurewise F5 (Y11) Profilingpm - Futurewise F5 (Y11) Personality WorkshopAll day - Minack Theatre, GCSE Drama F4

Friday 16th Septemberam - Futurewise F5 (Y11) Profiling

Sunday 18th September12.00 noon - Boarders’ trip to Atlantic Village



Picture this ... a varied first week back this term





Documents

Boys from Forms 1 and 2 training with RFU Community Rugby ... › wp-content › ... · 9th September 2016 Issue No 111 Dear Parents, Well we have now done a full week, absolutely