The Accolade

June 2014

The Monthly Celebratory Newsletter from County Upper School

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Mrs V Neale

Suffolk, Virginia meets Suffolk, UK once againWe were first asked by Suffolk to provide the youth musicians to represent the county in America fifteen years ago and this civic exchange has continued with our musicians ever since. This month we were pleased to host a group yet again for a visit which included sight-seeing and much music-making. The two groups of students got on extremely well and amongst many highlights were two joint concerts. The first was in Chevington and raised over £1000 for village funds. American students played with our band and also contributed choral items from their choir which was formed and rehearsed especially for this tour. On the penultimate night, both sets of musicians appeared in a special evening at The Apex in the presence of the Deputy Mayor. Filled with former band members, current parents and friends and the Band’s loyal follow-ing, the sell-out evening had a feel-ing of true international friendship and ended with a well-deserved, spontaneous standing ovation. The whole tour was a great success. We especially thank Mr Jenkins for organising it together with Mrs Browning, Mrs Rossi and all the staff who helped.

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Dear parents, students, staff and governors,

Much of this month has been dominated by examinations with school examinations for years nine and ten and public examinations for the other year groups. Whatever the outcome, we have been impressed by the effort, attitude and commitment shown across the age range. However, much else has also gone on this month with a fantastic Art and Design Exhibition; some international success for both students and staff with America, France and

Germany featuring in our international programme; a full sporting programme; two excellent concerts, Trust activities and, of course, our celebration of all that year eleven has contributed during their three compulsory years with us. To those not returning, we give our very best wishes for the future.

As we move into the final month, there is still much to enjoy in the County calendar.

Languages triumph in global competitionOnce again our reputation for languages saw us selected for the Language Perfect World Champi-onships. Despite being held partially in half term and partially during the main external examinations, we had a team from across all five year groups who finished as runners-up in England. In individual languages we had a very strong showing globally in French, German, Italian, Japanese and Latin. We especially congratulate those who gained individual awards:

Elite: Bronwen Mansel and Modupe Sobanwa

Gold: Neal Dodge, Charlotte Hammock, Olivia Humphries, Megan Mansfield, Katie Miller, Rebecca Severy and Mercy Sondwapo

Bronze: Kate HardyCertificate: Bethany Knight

Another great month for travelnThis month saw the annual ‘French Experience’ for year nine. The group enjoyed a language immersion week in a French chateau which enabled them to par-ticipate in a whole range of fun activities whilst speaking in French the whole time. Activities included adventure trails, archery, circus skills, cookery, fencing and French

games. There was a climbing wall and trips around Normandy including a visit to Mont St Michel. All the students thoroughly enjoyed their time and improved their fluency in the language. We congratulate the whole group who were excellent ambassadors for our school and thank Mr Snaith and Miss Hayhurst who accompanied them.

n We were also pleased to host our German partners this month. 2014 is the forty-seventh year of our link with Amos Comenius Gymnasium in Bonn and we were delighted to welcome the students who hosted us in January. Our guests enjoyed time in school, in London and in Cambridge as well as a joint trip to Harry Potter World. All too soon the visit was over but the two groups have forged friendships which will last and improved their language skills. We thank Mrs Allen, Mrs Collender, Mrs Kennedy, Mr McWilliam, Mr Staples, Mr Stewart and all the staff who helped. We are especially grateful to Mrs Sauvage who led both legs of the Exchange and congratulate all thirty-six students across years nine, ten and twelve who were such a credit to our school throughout.

Elite

Gold

Bronze

Elite

Gold Gold Gold

Gold Gold GoldCertificate

This is always one of the highlights of the County calendar reflecting, as it does, the phenomenal standard of work achieved throughout the academic year. Current and prospective students, parents, governors and old friends mingle with professional artists and community representatives who return year-on-year to see what is always a splendid show. Once again, it is impossible to do it justice here and the photographs represent a very

small selection of the outstanding work which was displayed. Every GCSE, AS and A level student’s work was featured and we congratulate them all. We also thank and congratulate Mr Hodgson, Mrs Larwood, Mr Gresham, Mr Janssens, Mrs Sayer, Mr Taylor, Mr Walker, Mrs Aldous and Mr Goldsmith on the culmination of an excellent year’s work.

The Annual Art and Design Exhibition

Year nine coral reef project

We were pleased to be represented at the Civic Service for the Mayor of St Edmundsbury in the Cathedral this month and also to provide support for a number of events within school and the wider community.

n The Jankyn Smyth ServiceThis annual service is organised by the Guildhall Feoffment Trust to honour our town’s most notable benefactor. The Mayor, other civic dignitaries and the pupils and staff of Guildhall Feoffment Primary School join a large congregation in St Mary’s Church to give thanks for all those who have played a part in the welfare of our town across the centuries. We are privileged to perform at this service each year and our Chamber Choir sang the anthem and the blessing as well as leading everyone in the hymns. We thank and congratulate them.

n Music for TattersallsOnce again we were the mainstay of the West Suffolk musicians who entertained a packed audience in Newmarket this month. We congratulate them all and especially Riona Snelling who was presented with a bouquet having led the orchestra and sung with the jazz band.

n Help at our intake eveningsService within our school community is also very important and we are especially grateful to the team of year nine students who helped our new parents and pupils across the series of evenings. Well done to:

We greatly enjoyed meeting our new year nine and their parents and carers at the interviews. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

n Our Parent Teacher AssociationThe PTA members were also present at all the evenings when we met our new families to help them order their uni-form and answer more general questions about school life. This month they also presented us with £5000 to spend on extras for our students. We are particularly fortunate to have such a strong PTA and we are grateful to them for their excellent service again this year. We thank: Mrs H Wilcock (Chairman), Mrs L Burns (Secretary), Mr M Rose (Treasurer), Mrs S Amroota, Mrs L Anders, Mrs G Austin, Mrs L Brown, Mrs A Burroughs, Mrs J Clarke, Mrs J Campbell, Mrs C Emerson, Mrs J Emmerson, Mrs J Ford, Mrs C Gillespy, Mrs L Gooden, Mrs S Halls, Mrs L Graham, Mrs D McGaley, Mrs J Newton, Mrs M Parsons, Ms S Pickering, Mrs C Scrim, Mrs M Slater, Mrs L Smith, Mrs L Stacey, Mrs S White, Mrs K Wicks.

Service to the community

Maisy AllenJade BoddyGian ChopraRhys DaltreyJake DaviesJack EvansSam HillBen HudsonOlivia HumphreysSarah LawrenceMolly LayJames Mears

Katrina MillerRosie PatrickMaya PriceRebecca SeveryJoe StantonJasmine Taylor-ParrisRuby Wappett

n Graded Music ExaminationsWe have heard of the success of the following students and congratulate them all:

Peter Barron Drumming Grade 6 PassSkye Brook Drumming Grade 6 PassPatryk Con Drumming Grade 2 MeritPeter Davies Trombone Grade 5 MeritRosie Grant Clarinet Grade 5 MeritKate Hardy Clarinet Grade 5 MeritMegan Manfield Alto Saxophone Grade 4 DistinctionKatie Schofield Flute Grade 3 MeritEleanor Walker Flute Grade 2 Distinction

n Science Learning Partnership: we’re the best in the countryWe were delighted to be appointed to lead on science education across Norfolk and Suffolk when we were selected as the Science Learning Partnership for the two counties. Sixty were selected across the country and the Department for Education has just completed a formal evaluation of how well each has done in its first year. We were delighted to be selected as the top performing in England and Wales. As a result, Mrs Payne, was the guest speaker at the National Conference in York and impressed, amongst others, the Schools’ Minister, Elizabeth Truss. Well done to Mrs Payne and all our staff in the all-through Trust who have worked so hard for pupils across our region.

n GCSE Food Technology impresses againFor the third successive year, the assessor sent by the examination board was overwhelmed by the quality of the work presented by our students. Each year has seen a different examiner visit and each has left saying that the quality of the work is the best they have seen anywhere in the country. Well done to all the year eleven students who studied food technology and our thanks and congratulations to Mrs Kelsey and Mrs McMahon who work so hard on the students’ behalf.

Other successes across the curriculum

Engineering and Mathematics highlightsThis month saw three special events:

n Maths in the ParkPupils from all six of our Trust schools spent a day at Barrow celebrating this term’s work. Large puzzles in the grounds challenged the younger pupils while year six and year ten students acted as excellent leaders, helping the younger ones to think through their answers. Well done to all the staff and pupils from all the schools and especially to our twenty-four year ten students and Mr Masterman for an excellent day.

n The Marshall Aerospace visitThis month saw a follow-up day for the students who were selected for the William & Ellen Vinten Trust residential engineering course at Culford last Easter. The group travelled to Marshall Aerospace in Cambridge where they were given a tour of the facilities and participated in activities including hydraulics, planes and giant Jenga. They then had a fun activity of ‘walking the plank’ in the garden. Once again, the group were great ambassadors for County Upper and we congratulate Digby Hayden, Will Lockyear, Grace Morgan, Abi Pawlowski, Alba Saenz de Villaverde, Emaleigh Simner and Edward Turner and thank Mrs Bradfield who accompanied them.

The Duke of Edinburgh Qualifier ExpeditionsThis month was the culmination of the expeditions’ programme for our bronze and gold groups this year. For the sixty bronze students the expedition was in Suffolk and for the fifteen gold students it was a challenging five nights in the Lake District. Two things stand out from this year’s expeditions once again. Firstly, the huge amount of time and the commitment of our large, very dedicated team of staff who make the programme possible. Secondly, the excellent attitude and behaviour of all the students who participate. Unsurprisingly therefore, every student this year has passed both their practice and qualifying expedition. We congratulate them all and thank all the staff who support them.

n The GCSE Geography fieldworkThis month saw two days during which well over ahundred and fifty year ten students visited different locations in Ipswich to complete one fieldwork project towards their GCSE. Without exception, every student’s conduct, attitude and behaviour was exemplary and all were an absolute credit to our school: well done! We thank Mr O’Leary for organising the days.

“We all coped very well in very hot conditions in The Lake District this month and successfully completed our expedition. Dehydration, heavy rucksacks, big hills and evening midges, didn’t dampen our spirits to complete our self sufficient four day hike.

We enjoyed beautiful scenery and mountain views on each day and had to navigate our own planned routes unaccompanied. We worked very well in our teams and finished by giving a pres-entation on our experience and reflecting on our physical and personal development during the week away.

We are now continuing with the other four sections to complete our full Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and would like to thank all the staff who make it possible.” Ella Price

n Women into engineeringTwenty-two year ten girls had an excellent morning at Vitec to celebrate this national day. Three female engineers ensured the girls had a great insight into different career paths as well as a tour and some fun activities. They were all complimented on the interest and maturity shown. Well done to them all and thank you to Vitec for arranging it.

Two rounders teams make the nationals!We congratulate our U14 mixed team and our U16 girls’ A team who have both qualified for the national finals in Corby next month. The U14 team are unbeaten thus far and our U16 girls were runners-up to Ipswich School in the Suffolk championships. This is the fifth consecutive year where at least one of our teams has reached the national stage.

U14 and U15 rounders teams are Western Area ChampionsOnce again both our U14 and U15A teams are Western Area Champions. For the U14 team, this is the highest award in Suffolk for their age range. For the U15 squad, it puts them through to the County championships. We also congratulate our U15B team. As the only school with a B team, they had to compete in the ‘A’ league and acquitted themselves very well throughout the season.

Individuals and teams excel in athleticsn We congratulate both our Year Nine and Year Ten boys and girls teams on their excellent performances at the Western Area competitions. All four teams came first making us the Western Area Champions at U15 and U14 level for both boys and girls. For year nine this means progression to the County finals.

n At individual level, we are extremely proud to have more students in the County squad than any other school in Suffolk. Well done to Michael Bartram, Holly Davies, Lauren Gibbs, Levi Roper, Mikayela Sealby and Christy Williams all of whom will represent our county at the English Schools Championships next month.

U15 tennis squad are County finalistsWe congratulate our boys’ A team who finished as runners-up to Culford in the Suffolk A league which put them into the Suffolk County Championships where they also finished as runners-up.

Well done to Will Cooke-Wharton, Jack Evans, Alastair Reid, Jamie Reid and Oliver Pyle who did exceptionally well having stepped up from the ‘B’ team for the County final.

Another glorious month for sport

U14 and U15 Summer Netball TournamentsWe congratulate all four of our teams who took part. Our U15 A team emerged as Western Area Champions while the U14A team finished as runners-up. Our U14B and U15B teams both did extremely well as the only B teams participating and so competing against the A teams from the other schools.

Sports Leaders at the Suffolk Baton RelayA ‘Quad Kids’ festival was held at the West Suffolk Athletics track to coincide with the arrival of Her Majesty The Queen’s Baton as part of the Relay in preparation for the Commonwealth Games. As ever, some of our sports leaders were there to help with the festival and, as always, they were complimented for doing an excellent job. We congratulate:

Highlights from the All-Through Trust’s programme for Junen As the culmination of all the weekly activity there have been four festivals. For years three and four, a total of fifty-four pupils from Barrow and Tollgate have enjoyed mini-tennis and rounders festivals. Forty-five pupils from years five and six at Howard, Horringer Court and Westley competed superbly in a Kwik Cricket Festival while thirty of their fellow pupils from years seven and eight also enjoyed taking part in Kwik Cricket. At all these events, our sports leaders did an excellent job as did the younger leaders from the middle phase who helped with the tennis and rounders. Well done to them.

Other FixturesU15A boys’ tennis v King Edward VI won 12-0U15 boys’ tennis v Woodbridge won 10-2U15A rounders v Newmarket won 9-3½U15A rounders v Mildenhall won 7 - ½U15A rounders v IES Breckland won 9 - 3½

Tom BastowTom CrichtonHolly DaviesEmily FisherTom FordRyan GibbsCharlie GoodchildJacob Kersey

George PailesElliot PotterWes RoperBradley SandryModupe SobanwaTom SpetchChristy Williams

Mini Tennis

Rounders festival

Kwik cricket

Sports PersonalitiesWe congratulate the recipients of the award for June:

Year 9: Levi Roper and Lottie Kent

Our Farewell to Year Eleven The changed pattern of examinations meant that our celebration of all that year eleven have contributed to our school took place a month later than usual. Marking the end of their compulsory schooling, but not education or training, they enjoyed a special day of formal and informal events, concluding with their school ‘prom’ at the Athenaeum. Our Chair of Governors, Dr Fletcher, was our guest of honour for the formal assembly.

Dr Fletcher was joined by other governors as we reviewed the students’ three years with us and presented their Records of Achievement. The ceremony began with some music from Sam Harrison and Alicia Mills. Will Curwen thanked the office staff, on behalf of the year group, for preparing all the Records of Achievement and Gabby Deora gave the vote of thanks to Dr Fletcher. Those chosen to represent their tutor groups were:

J Katie Hawkins, Luke ProsserK Georgina Chamley, James WappettL Katy Barrett, Joshua MossM George Culloden, Megan FeethamN Alice Codling, Jake RoyalO Tuew Adams, Kierra SharpeP Imogen Clifton, Luke GardinerR Alexander Earle, Darcy PalmerS Heidi Jennings, Harvey NewmanT Matthew Byworth, Rebecca Hastings

n The able and talented cricket programmeIn a new development for our Trust, this month has seen weekly sessions for pupils in our schools and South Lee. Coached by Mr Bishop, our cricket teacher and Suffolk captain, Bobby Flack, Suffolk coach and Tom Huggins from the Bury team amongst others, thirty boys and girls have enjoyed elite input on all aspects of the game at The Victory Ground. All have been complimented on their attitude and skill. Well done!

n The Trust’s sports leaders were exceptional at the primary rounders afternoon for Barrow and Tollgate held at Tollgate School this month. Well done to all who took part.

Year 10: Billy Riddickand Charlotte Rigby

Coach Johnson also ran a basketball afternoon at Westley for Barrow and Tollgate pupils which saw the year eight leaders in particular do an excellent job as referees.

Academy leaders

n We are also extremely proud of Miss Holton who, together with County Upper parent, Katie Bedford, played in the England hockey squad at the International Championships held in the Netherlands this month. The team were unbeaten and returned with their well-deserved gold medals.

SPORTJordan AllenBen AmossJodie AshmanJoshua AtkinsonMolly BedfordScott BettsJoanna BrawnEleanor BrianGeorgina Brittain

James BuckmasterRonan CampbellAlice CodlingChloe CunninghamBenjamin CurranGabrielle DeoraAlexander EarleAlice ElsomDylan EvansWilliam GairAlex Gardiner

Khembe GibbonsLauren GibbsSamuel HallZoe HallBonnah HitchingsRosie HudsonMolly JacksonRoss JepsonRaj KhandakerMatthew Le PoidevinDanny Lines

Erin LloydAiden ManningLuke MillerHarvey NewmanMolly OllingtonCharlotte OrrissGuy RodwellAlexander SlaterLewis SmithEdward SpurlingGrace Stoten

Georgia TaylorEmily ThomasRia TillettAshley TrentHarriet UptonJames WappettJenna WebbJoseph WraggAdam WrightBen WrightEllie Wright

DANCEChloe AdamsThumtada AdamsJodie AshmanJasmine AshtonSkye BrookLucy DoltonMegan FeethamRebecca HolmesParis MouldsAbigail NunnEmma SheenMadeleine SmithTiffany SmithHannah Spearman

Grace StotenEmily ThomasJessica TookeLeah Vermeulen-ColeMegan Wheeler

Year Eleven Colours CertificatesCentral to our ethos is the belief that students should get involved and give something back to our community. Colours are awarded to those students who show outstanding commitment, teamwork, loyalty and service to

our extra-curricular programme and year eleven received them as part of their special assembly. We congratulate and thank all the recipients for 2014.

MUSICLewis AllumJodie AshmanPeter BarronEmma BradleySkye BrookWilliam CurwenGabrielle DeoraLucy DoltonSamuel HarrisonAlicia Mills

Paris MouldsJoshua ReederEmily ThomasHarry WagnerEleanor Walker

SERVICEOana Abrudan-IndriesLewis AllumElanor BainbridgeMolly BedfordEmma BradleyJoanna BrawnEleanor BrianSkye Brook

Ronan CampbellGeorgina ChamleyAlice CodlingChloe CunninghamBenjamin CurranWilliam CurwenGabrielle DeoraToby FrenchAlex GardinerZoe Hall

Samuel HarrisonDigby HaydenRosie HudsonToby JefferyBethany KnightMatthew Le PoidevinWilliam LockyearAlicia MillsParis MouldsCharlotte Orriss

Jack PorterJoshua ReederGrace StotenEmily ThomasAshley TrentJenna WebbSidonie Welton

DRAMALewis AllumEleanor BainbridgeEmma BradleyDylan EvansLuke GardinerLiam HallsToby JeffreySophie PadburyEleanor WalkerSidi Welton

Certificates of Merit We congratulate the recipients for June

YEAR NINEMiguel Alfonso Bobiles Maisy Allen Ben Amroota Katie Austin William Belcher Molly Bonnett Ellen Burrows Trevor Cheek 2Ebony Chilver 2Laura Clements 2Lorraine Coleman Kieran Coleman George Cremen-Merrill David Csontos 3

Rhys Daltrey Jake Davies Skye Dawes Alana Edgeworth 3Dylan Elomri Jack Emmerson Matthew Exell Daniel Foulsham Connor Fox Oliver Froud Drew Gillespy Jenny Grierson Elleigh Griggs Charles Hall Joshua Hall

Katherine Halliday 2Joshua Hayden Ashley Hibbert Olivia Humphreys Neda Jarasunaite 3Charlie Jones 2Eloise Keeble Sinead Knight Harry Kriteman Meghan Lark 2Molly Lay Suzanne Lee Callum Mackie Megan Manfield Jack McGaley

Katrina Miller Georgia Mills Aidan Mott Megan Nunn Yasmin O’Farrell Rhys Owen Elliott Parr Rosie Patrick Chloe Planas Maya Price Francesca Priestley 2Oliver Pyle 3Jamie Reid Oliver Riddick Levi Roper

Nicholas Scott 2Rebecca Severy 4Ruby Smith Emily Smith 3Stephen Snook Amelia Sparks-Shepherd Ellie Spearman Joe Stanton Jacob Stevens Jasmine Taylor-Parris Thomas Waldock Ruby Wappett 2Max Weston Harry Wicks Mitchell Wright

YEAR TENEd Allan Robert Askew Courtney Bayliss 2Rebecca Burroughs Benjamin Chittock

Kiran Chohan-Jones Rajan Chohan-Jones Thomas Dunning Joshua Emerson Robbie Goldman Jack Hailstone Louise Harper

Abi Harrison Jade Hooper James Johnson Chloe Le-Sage Matthew Lister Ellie-Mae Mason Max Mitchell

Tylar Norris Marcel Podpora 6Katerina Scourse Ethan Stevenson Nnaemeka Uzor Imogen Watts 2Adam Welham

Emily-Ada Wilding-Smith 2Samantha Wilson 2Sam Woods Josh Young

Tutor Group SuccessAttendance Certificates of Merit Quiz

9N 10T

9P 10T

9J 6HO/GO10O

We congratulate this month’s winners

n The Year Book of 2014On their special day, whilst enjoying their refreshments, students received their year books. The team of Chris Arbon, Toby Boston, Tabatha Christopher, Sam Harrison, Becca Hastings, Katie Hawkins, Vicki Hay, Toby Jeffrey, Will Lockyear, Shannon Marvell, Abi Moore, Paris Moulds, Callan Norton, Abi Nunn, Molly Ollington, Charlotte Orriss, Darcy Palmer, Maddie Smith, Grace Stoten, Emily Thomas and Lula Walmsley together with Mr Kemp, were thanked for all the work which had gone into preparing it.

Tutor Group SuccessDuring our formal assembly, the overall tutor group results from the last three years were announced. Well done to:Attendance 11Lled by Mrs BradburyCertificates of Merit 11K led by Dr BevanThe Quiz 11O led by Dr Hanfrey

n Design Skills PresentationThis year’s group has made excellent progress and all have places at West Suffolk College. Their formal presentation was attended by staff and governors and the group as a whole was congratulated by our link governor, Mrs Wilcock. It was difficult to choose the student of the year and so we especially congratulate Jake Dykstra who received his certificate in his Record of Achievement.

n The PromYear 11’s special day ended with their prom at the Athenaeum. Once again, the staff there complimented them on their behaviour and the whole year group had an excellent evening. They thank the forty-nine staff who gave up their time to join them.