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Newsletter of Gosford Hill School Mathematics & Computing College
“Proud to be part of the Kidlington Partnership”
July 2011 / Issue 9
Celebrations and Awards It has been an incredibly enjoyable end of term at Gosford Hill. Not only have we been recently recognised by ‘The Good Schools Guide’ for our outstanding work in Health and Social Care but we have also been celebrating the achievement of our own students. Last week saw four celebration House assemblies with Thames House winning the House Cup for the first time. There were plenty of smiles on the faces of students and families as we recognised many of our successes this year.
The year has finished with what could be our best ever results and we wait in anticipation to see if our current year 11 and year 13 meet their potential by achieving the high standards we have set them and that they aspire to. This newsletter is packed with success stories and I hope you enjoy reading about the amazing talent we have in our community. There are pages about our young leaders who work with our primary partners. This is led by a member of Gosford Hill staff and we have received many letters of thanks from our partners about this work. It is something that sometimes goes unnoticed that our students and staff work so closely with the younger students in the community. My staff here have worked incredibly hard this year in a time of rapid change to the school system. This change is going to continue as Gosford Hill responds and adapts to a changing educational landscape as new Coalition Government polices unfold. I have already penciled in three Parent Forums into next year and the dates will be published on our website and newsletters in September. This is the final „Gosford Times‟ in this format. From September our aim is to produce a one or two sided newsletter every week. Please ask your son and daughter to bring this home. Along with the website it is a key communication channel. Meanwhile my ‘Headteacher blog’ will continue to help keep supporters of the school updated with key developments. Finally, I would like to thank all parents and carers for your support and kind words about how the school is moving forward in the right direction. We have a good supportive community and I am very grateful for your help. I wish you all a restful summer holiday.
Dr Stephen Bizley
Early Closure Please note the following early finish time: Thursday 21st July - School ends 12.30pm (End of Summer Term).
Newsletter 2
Message from the Governors The Governors would like to thank all parents/carers for your support this academic year, with financial constraints and constant changes from Government it has not been an easy year. The new uniform and behaviour of our students has been commended within the community and by outside agencies. We held our first Parent Forum which was well attended and several parents joined us at our recent joint Planning Day. We have Parent Governor vacancies and the elections will be held early in the new school year. If you are interested and would like to know more, please contact Mrs. Cherrill Seward, Clerk to the Governors on 01865 374971 Ext.190 for details of current Parent Governors from whom you can obtain further information. Enjoy the summer break. Best wishes. Mrs. Doreen Rose - Chair of Governors
Congratulations Somerville College University of Oxford
Award of College Prize to Miss Mei Kwan Fung Mei Kwan Fung is a former Gosford Hill School student who now attends Somerville College, below is an extract taken from a letter the school has received from the Principal at Somerville College.
“It gives me great pleasure to inform you that, the Education Committee awarded a College Prize to Miss Mei Kwan Fung, reading Physics and a former member of Gosford Hill School. This award recognises Mei Kwan for achieving a Distinction in her Preliminary examinations in 2011, and I am sure you will be pleased to know of her good progress. Somerville will always be pleased to welcome entrants from your school, and I hope that Mei Kwan‟s success here will be an encouragement to other applicants.” Congratulations to Mei Kwan Fung for a fantastic achievement! Dr Stephen Bizley - Headteacher
Race for Life Congratulations to Anna Proffitt in Year 12 who finished 7th out of 7,000 women in the 5km „Race for Life‟ for the Cancer Research UK run on 26th June.
Paul Catling - P.E. Department
Newsletter 3
Student Leadership Team The Student Leadership Team meet every Friday of week A to discuss issues raised at their Student Conference or meet with visitors.
This year the Student Leadership Team worked with an environmental project called SchoolSwitchOff. They asked the Site Manager to take an electricity reading of one day's electricity usage for the whole school. The Student Leadership Team then promoted efficient energy use for the same day a week later by putting up posters and publicising the project so that
staff and students would turn off lights, monitors and other electrical equipment when they were not in use. It was great news to hear that Gosford Hill School were joint competition winners (with Matthew Arnold School) for Oxfordshire and saved the most energy in the project. The prize money of £100 will be used as further prize money for a new competition to be launched at Gosford Hill School in September, asking students to design posters for classrooms to encourage efficient energy use all the time. Congratulations Gosford Hill School! Rebecca Naylor - Team Leader, Sixth Form
Comic Relief 18th March 2011
Newsletter 4
Celebrating Success at Gosford Hill School Celebration Assemblies 11th - 15th July 2011 Recognising and rewarding achievement is an important part of Gosford Hill School. Students work hard throughout the year and are rewarded in a number of ways, including newsletters, commendations, examination success through assemblies and regular praise from staff. An assembly was held for each House to celebrate achievement. Awards for each subject area were as follows:
The Award for Academic Leadership for the most able student based on results/academic ability who takes a lead in the subject area.
The Award for Equality for the student who has consistently treated classmates fairly and with equality, showing courtesy and politeness to all.
The Award for Ambition for the student who has made most effort during the year, showing a real sense of ambition to improve.
The Respect Award for the student who has made most progress during the year from their starting point, showing a sense of respect for their own learning and the learning of others.
The New horizons Award for the student who has produced work beyond expectation in homework or learning, on educational visits or bringing in exciting ideas to the lesson from home.
House Awards were given for contribution to the Community, for excellence in Sports, for Leadership, for Arts and to an Outstanding individual. There was also an award for one student within each tutor group nominated by his or her peers for being considerate and helpful. The House Cup was awarded to Thames who gained 2625 House points. Windrush won the Reading Connects cup for reading many books and having book debates as well as collecting books for charity and writing reviews of their favourite books. Windrush also won the cup for highest overall attendance by House of 93.9% and ECES won the Tutor Group Attendance cup with an attendance of 96.3%. The Sports Shield was won by Cherwell at Sports Day on Thursday 7th July. Award winners together with a photo wall for each house are displayed on our website. Many thanks to parents, Governors, local Headteachers and our newly appointed Head Boy Ben Buckeldee and Head Girl Rebecca Smith who supported these events. Jackie Fairchild - Assistant Headteacher
Evenlode House
Newsletter 5
Thames House
Windrush House
Cherwell House
Newsletter 6
Staff News This summer we say farewell to the following members of teaching staff… Miss Jenny Bushell Mrs Simone Devereaux Dr Stuart Hartley Miss Fern Buzzard Miss Leonie Court Mrs Katie Edwards Miss Sarah Patterson Mrs Theresa McGarrick Miss Joanna Hamilton Ms Marisela Gonzalez Dr Marian Harrington Mr Kevin Dale Ms Zeljka Adami- Robbins leaves us to go on maternity leave. We also say goodbye to the following members of our support team… Ms Janet Hamilton Mr Lee Smith Mr Jose Bravo-Lopez Mr Andrew Martindale Mrs Karen Kerby Miss Sarah Miles Our thanks to all of the above colleagues for their valued contribution to learning at Gosford Hill School and our very best wishes to each of them for the future.
In Term 6 we welcomed back Mrs Rebecca Lopez from maternity leave and also welcomed Mrs Nicola Cooke. In September we will welcome the following new appointees…. Miss Lisa Wallis (Head of 6th Form), Miss Clair Stanley (Assistant Faculty Leader,
Science), Mr Neil McFeely (Faculty Leader, Science), Mr Tom Baker (Science), Miss Catalin Marin (Assistant Faculty Leader, English), Ms Aileen Bachrach (Modern Foreign Languages), Miss Sarah Normington (Modern Foreign Languages), Mrs Judy Hill (Modern Foreign Languages), Mr Benz Modia (Mathematics), Miss Rosie Ninkovic (Mathematics), Mrs Jocelyne Faulkner (Mathematics).
Newsletter 7
Sixth Form News Year 12 ‘Creating your Own Future’ Business Course at Northampton University On Wednesday 29th June, 52 Year 12 students attended a „Create your Own Future‟ Business course at Northampton University. With four other schools in attendance none of us knew quite what to expect but we were all in for a surprise and following an intensive day a very happy band of students left for home. The day was introduced by businessman Mike Skidmore who gave a graphic account of his life story detailing his many successes but also failures. The group were then introduced to session musician Rob Harris who is lead guitarist for Jamiroquai. Rob detailed his career to date and invited questions from the audience. After discussion about how a business is started the students formed teams of approximately nine and were given a music related area and charged with the task of creating a new business opportunity. Each project had a University facilitator to help the students and some wild and wacky ideas were made. Each project was then judged over lunch and a short list of three ventures made it through to the final where they presented their idea to the whole group and judges. Jake Farrow, Olly Farley & Andy Miller with Jamiroquai‟s lead Guitarist Rob Harris
Gosford had two of the three finalists with projects called „Sole music‟ and „Love your artist‟. „Sole music‟ was an idea based on a device in shoes to enable deaf people to make and appreciate music while „Love your artist‟ was a business venture to sell MP3 players at gigs. Another school also made the final with a web site idea called „Band Book‟ where the public could rate and follow new bands. Following the three presentations a judging panel agreed that Band Book had the best business proposition and the greatest viability but both Gosford ideas were highly praised as the best presentations and were both runners up. Well done to all. The „Sole music‟ team were: Dan Jones, John Henry Brown, Ben Hall, Eden Selby, Sam Rodway, Sam Bosley and Leah Roberts. The „Love your artist‟ team were: Tom Gabbott, Jay Hilman, Jake Farrow, Olly Farley, Charles Hall and Freddie Dodson.
Jake Farrow and Jay Hilman present their pitch at Create your Own Future Day
Newsletter 8
Sixth Form Leavers Ball The annual Year 13 Leavers Ball was held on Friday 24th June at the Barcelo Hotel in Oxford. About 150 Year 12 and 13 students, along with present and former staff, enjoyed a lovely evening which started with a delicious three course meal of soup, supreme of chicken with a gratin dauphinoise and a cheesecake followed by coffee and mints. Afterwards everyone enjoyed a disco until late before heading home. Many thanks to the 6th form committee for organising the event who even managed to gain sponsorship from local card shop „House of Cards‟ for decorations. Many thanks to „House of Cards‟ for donating £100 for the superb lighting effects.
Paul Catling - Head of Sixth Form Cereta Drewett - Assistant Head of Sixth Form/Year 12 Learning Co-ordinator
Creative Arts Faculty News Art Exhibition 2011 The Creative Arts Faculty held the annual exhibition of GCSE, AS and A level work on Thursday 24th June. The diverse, creative and skilful work on display showed the hard work put in by the students throughout their course. The work received favourable comments by both exam moderators and we hope that the students will achieve their predicted results in August.
Cereta Drewett - Assistant Head of Sixth Form/Year 12 Learning Co-ordinator
Newsletter 9
Creative Arts Visit to Italy 26th June - 2nd July As part of Gosford Hill‟s summer enrichment programme the Creative Arts Faculty took 70 students to the Lake Garda region of Italy for the week. All students took part in either art, dance, drama or music workshops led by professional tutors in their chosen field culminating in an amazing performance of their work. The standard was very high and the students had a great time learning new skills. As part of their cultural development, the staff and students visited Verona and Venice, even having a traditional Gondola ride in Venice, (some groups were lucky enough to have a singing gondolier). A number of beautiful lakeside towns were visited in the evening where a taste test competition of the best gelato was held.
This was an amazing opportunity and experience for the students who learnt a great deal about their subject, but more importantly they learnt some important life skills that being away from home and in a foreign country can bring. The students were brilliantly behaved and we have received letters of praise from the hotel manager, the tour guide and the travel company themselves. Lots of fun was had by all. I look forward to next year! Hayley Whitford - Team Leader Dance and Drama
Newsletter 10
Newsletter 11
Newsletter 12
Physical Education Faculty News Under 15 Cricket Team The Under 15 cricket team has enjoyed a fantastic season having won their County Development League. Their season began with an exciting last ball defeat to Cheney School in the County Cup but they then comfortably beat Blessed George Napier School, Banbury School, Sibford School and Cooper School in the league before a narrow loss to Bicester Community College ended their run. Despite this reverse the team won their league and have progressed to the play-off semi final where Cheney School await them again in a mouth watering return.
The team has been well led by skipper Markus Jeacock who has scored the bulk of the runs including a 73 not out and another 50. Good support from Joe Howes, Ryan Haynes, Jordan Rouse and Jacob Haynes who all chipped in with vital knocks. The bowling has been spearheaded by paceman Harris Iqbal who has regularly taken wickets and been economical. Good bowling also from leg spinner Markus Jeacock, Malcolm Marecki and Sam Milburn. Good luck to the team in their semi final play-off! Paul Catling - P.E. Department
School Sport Partnership News Year 3/4 Mini Red Festival Three schools took part in the Kidlington Partnership Year 3/4 Mini Red Festival held at North Oxford Tennis Club on June 15th. The children were extremely privileged to be allowed to play on the grass courts!! The afternoon was run by Steve Joint who is a coach from North Oxford, students from Gosford Hill School and members of the coaching section of the Club.
Teams consisted of four boys and four girls. Edward Field team was the winner closely followed by North Kidlington and St Thomas More. Edward Field will now go forward to the County Finals held at the Vale of White Horse Tennis Centre in Abingdon on June 30th.
Newsletter 13
Tri Golf in Primary Schools Linking with Kirtlington
Andy Taylor has been working in our primary schools this term to promote Tri Golf and to encourage children to take up the sport. West Kidlington School, Edward Field and Dr. South‟s have been the lucky recipients of his coaching.
Year Two Multi Skills Festival Thirty students from Gosford Hill School led a successful Multi Skills Festival in Gosford's Sports Hall on the afternoon of 17th June.
During the morning the students worked in pairs to plan and set up a variety of challenges based on balance, agility and co-ordination for the one hundred and forty children who arrived in the afternoon. Children from Dr South‟s, West Kidlington, Edward Field and St Thomas More took part in the Festival and were divided into fourteen teams. The leaders guided them through the circuit and at the end of the Festival commended those children who had worked particularly well or had achieved a high standard in their activity.
The children enjoyed the afternoon and the leaders did a brilliant job at keeping them motivated for nearly two hours. Participation certificates were awarded to everyone.
Newsletter 14
Chance to Shine Badminton Club
On Mondays after school during terms 5 and 6, Louise Gardner has run a badminton club.
She has also worked in the primary schools.
“Banana Splits” “Through the hoop” Louise will run the West Kidlington Badminton Festival in their hall this year and she will be assisted by Year 5 Young Leaders. Edward Field have 80 children receiving coaching and Gosford students will help her to lead their Festival in our sports hall on 15th July.
National Sports Week in Kidlington
There was a lot going on in Kidlington primary schools during National Sports Week. A skipping coach went into West Kidlington to work with the Year 2 children.
Newsletter 15
St Thomas More held their Sports Day. The children followed a variety of activities in teams for the first part of the morning before taking part in track races. The staff in the three legged fancy dress race stole the show!!!
The Forum Table Tennis Club offered two free two hour coaching sessions to St Thomas More Year 5 and 6 children on the Thursday and Friday morning of National Sports Week. They all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and hopefully some of them will join the Club as a result of this.
BGN School had a Celebration of Sport Day on the last Friday of National Sports Week. Banbury and Bicester students from Years 7–10 took part in a Superstars competition and had the opportunity to try archery, fencing, golf, tennis or volleyball.
Cherwell Sports Awards Ryan Whitehead received his trophy for the Volunteer of the Year Award from BBC Oxford‟s Jerome Sale on Saturday 1st July at the Spiceball Sports Centre. Ryan, along with many of our students at Gosford is an excellent leader and has helped to run many Primary Festivals this year. What sets him apart from the others is the work he does in the Community. He volunteers at Kidlington Sea Scouts as a Young Leader and Kayaking Instructor. He volunteers at Youlbury Scout Activity Centre as an Assistant Instructor. The evening was well attended with a variety of sports awards being given out. Aubrey Hughes, founder member of the Forum Table Tennis Club, received the Unsung Hero Award. It is thanks to Aubrey that the Forum now has a purpose built table tennis centre. The Club also was runner up in the Club of the Year category.
Newsletter 16
Kidlington Year 3 and 4 Gifted and Talented Athletics Festival Four schools took part in the Kidlington Year 3 and 4 Gifted and Talented Athletics Competition. Edward Field entered two teams. Their first team was the eventual winner with 102 points. North Kidlington followed very closely with 101 points and St Thomas More was in third place with 88 points. West Kidlington and Edward Field second team were fourth and fifth.
Teams consisted of six boys and six girls. Each child took part in a track event, a relay and either the speed bounce, standing long jump or the vortex throw.
Year Nine and Ten students from Gosford Hill School organized the afternoon. They ran the events, encouraged the children and acted as team leaders. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all.
For more information visit the school web site or www.northoxfordshiressp.co.uk Pam Selby - SSCO for Kidlington
Newsletter 17
Careers and Work Experience News Work Experience Year 10 students will be taking part in our work experience programme at the beginning of September (Year 11). Placements start on 5th September for one week. Students have received information about their placements. It is important that they make contact with their placements urgently if they have not already done so. As a parent you can support your son or daughter with work experience by encouraging them to stick at the placement for the week. It is an exciting, challenging and tiring week from which all students will learn a great deal about themselves and the demands of the world of work.
Results Days Many of our students are looking forward to receiving their GCSE and A level results this summer. We hope all our students are successful in achieving the grades required for them to move on to the next stage of their career or further study. The Careers Library will be open at School over the A Level and GCSE results days to assist students with making or amending their final choice. The Connexions Service will also be available throughout the summer holidays. Please check the website for details. OCVC will also be open for advice and guidance on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th August.
Part Time Work Any student in compulsory education i.e. up to the end of Year 11, not just up to age 16, doing part-time paid work must have a permit to work. To work without one is illegal and more importantly could invalidate any insurance held by the employer. Application forms can be obtained from reception. For further information about the type of work and number of hours that can be worked please look at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/YoungPeople/index.htm now contains all the information that was located on national Connexions web site. http://spired.com/ is the Oxfordshire Connexions web site with lots of useful local information and links including local job vacancies. http://www.getintotheatre.org/ useful website for anyone interested in working in theatre. Has details of courses, open days and volunteering opportunities.
AS/A LEVEL & GCSE RESULTS SUPPORT
AS and A level results are published on 18th August, followed by the GCSE results a week later on 25th August. Hopefully every student will obtain the grades needed to proceed to their chosen option but help is available if their plans need to be revised. Connexions offer impartial advice on school, college and university courses and can help with job vacancy searches and applications. Nancy Horan the Connexions Personal Adviser is in school from midday on results days and will continue to offer support following the publication of results. Nancy can be contacted on 07827 947307 or by email - [email protected] The Careers Library in school will be open until 3.00pm on both results days - students can consult prospectuses, use the internet to research and discuss their plans with school staff. Please check the School website for further details.
Newsletter 18
Investors in Education Local organisations that have supported the school with high quality work experience placements, business mentors and activities such as the Lego League were recognised at the Investors in Education Awards. This annual event is organised by East Oxfordshire Education Business Alliance, this year it took place at Brookes University. Year 9 students Sam Jeffrey and Alex Christodoulou represented the school and spoke about the Problem Solving Challenge that they had recently participated in, solving real work place problems with local business organisations and students from three other schools. Awards were made to Baxter Payne & Haigh, Bicester Vets, Cobham Technical Services (Vector Fields), County Insurance Services, FAI Farms, Oxford Aviation Services Ltd, Oxford City Homes, Oxford Gene Technology, The SENSS Ormerod Resource Base and University Faculty of Music. Liz Hounsell - Careers & Work Experience Manager 01865 849299
Adult Learning News Parents/Carers - do you need to BRUSH UP YOUR MATHS?
Starting in September Kidlington Adult Learning will be offering FREE daytime classes on Monday mornings to help you improve your Maths skills. The classes are small and friendly and taught by specialist adult education tutors. All learners work towards nationally recognised City and Guilds qualifications and can lead on to a GCSE Maths course in the future. If you would like to know more, please telephone Kidlington Adult Learning on 01865 372165 or email [email protected] for more information. Diane Beach - Administration Manager, Adult Learning
Newsletter 19
10.00am-5.00pm Friday 19th August 2011
Oxford Town Hall St Aldate’s
Leaving school, college or university or looking for employment in Oxfordshire?
Come along to our Youth Job Fair and
Meet employers with vacancies for entry level roles and offering apprenticeship opportunities
Apply for vacancies on offer
Get help with writing CVs and completing application forms
Get advice about job searches and interview techniques
For more info:
Visit: www.oxford.gov.uk/youthjobfair
Email: [email protected] Call: 01865 252848
Newsletter 20
CALENDAR & OTHER INFORMATION
TERM DATES 2011-2012 Term 1
Wednesday 7 September – Friday 21 October
Term 2
Monday 31 October – Friday 16 December
Term 3
Wednesday 4 January – Friday 10 February
Term 4
Monday 20 February – Friday 30 March
Term 5
Monday 16 April – Friday 1 June (Monday 7 May – Bank Holiday)
Term 6
Monday 11 June – Friday 20 July
OTHER DATES 2011 Friday 14 October – INSET Day
Friday 25 November – INSET Day
OTHER DATES 2012 Tuesday 3 January 2012 – INSET Day
CONTACTING YOUR SCHOOL
Your views are very important to us, whether they‟re about your child, school activities or wider community issues. For all contact details telephone School Reception. If you have a concern about your child contact:
The subject teacher - if it concerns learning in a particular subject. Contact Reception to leave a message or alternatively, if you have internet access, you can ask for their email address.
The Head of Faculty - if you wish to discuss any matter in greater detail.
Their Form Tutor - if it is a more general issue about your child‟s well being. Staff will endeavour to phone you back as soon as possible. All information is treated in the strictest of confidence. If you want to raise an issue or query about a more general area of school activity or a community matter contact a Parent Governor. (Telephone numbers available from School Reception)
SCHOOL RECEPTION: Telephone: 01865 374971 SCHOOL EMAIL: [email protected]
SCHOOL WEBSITE: www.gosford-hill.oxon.sch.uk ABSENCE LINE: Telephone: 01865 855378 (please use this number to report absences)
or email – [email protected]
The Parent Support Site has information on supporting your child(ren) in a number of curriculum areas.
21 July Term 6 Ends 12.30pm 5 September INSET Day
15-19 August Year Six Summer School 6 September ILP Day, Year 13 Return
18 August AS/A2 Results 7 September Term 1 Begins
25 August GCSE Results 12 September ILP Afternoon for Year 11
5-9 September Year 11 Work Experience
