JANUARY 2010

Diary Dates January 2010

U13 Girls’ Cricket Year 7, 8 & 9 Swimming Gala Wednesday 27th January February 2010

U14 Girls’ Basketball Area Tournament

Tuesday 2nd February Year 7 - 13 Progress

Review Day Wednesday 3rd February Year 9/10 Intermediate

Maths Challenge U14 Boys’ Basketball Area Tournament Thursday 4th February Ski Trip 6th - 14th February Year 12/13 Inter-house

Sports Year 7, 8 & 8 Swimming Gala Wednesday 10th February Rock Concert 11th February - 7pm LAST DAY OF TERM 3 Friday 12th February

FIRST DAY OF TERM 4 Monday 22nd February

Blood Brothers Well done to everyone involved with the Drama Production of Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’; a superb ensemble performance which showcased the talent we have in the school for acting. A challenging task for all concerned with a very limited time frame but with dedication and hard work from all those concerned it was a highly successful drama performance.

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School Closures due to Extreme Weather As you know, Devizes School was closed on 6th, 7th and 13th January and partially open for Y9, Y10, Y11 and 6th Form students on Friday 8th January and Thursday 14th January this year. School closures received a lot of attention in the national press and I know that many parents will be concerned about this issue. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to explain the reasons why I closed Devizes School on these occasions and what plans we have to cope with further extreme weather conditions in the future.

How many absent teachers does it take to close Devizes School? This is the crucial question that determines if we can open or not. Devizes School employs 88 teachers and approximately the same number of support staff. Many of these staff live significant distances away from Devizes; from as far North as Malmesbury to Gillingham (Dorset) in the South, Bristol to the West and Burbage in the far East of Wiltshire. In order to begin our timetable at 8.30am I have to be sure that the vast majority of staff can get to school that morning. If I have about 15 absent teachers on any day I know I cannot safely run the school. On the days in question earlier this month, it was clear from the information I had, I could not guarantee that enough staff could get in to start the day properly and safely.

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Continued from Page 1 A big thank has to go to Mrs Madrell for the superb set and Mr Mullings for his continued support with all things technical. Thank you to all those who came and supported the show, which was a sell out on both nights.

Coming soon… We are very lucky at Devizes School to be in the first batch of schools to have been selected to perform ‘Billy Elliot The Musical’. The musical revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes. The story of his personal struggle and fulfilment is balanced against a counter-story of family and community strife caused by the miner’s strike (1984-1985) in County Durham. With the score written by Elton John and a wonderfully inspiring script written by Lee Hall it is no wonder that this has been labelled ‘a theatrical masterpiece’.

This will be a challenging show for all concerned but will be a very special event. The role of Billy has already been cast and has gone to Jake Pickford and Mathew Davis who will share the role over the five performances in July. The choreography will be done by Miss Cale with support from Katie Talbot and Sami-Jade Storton. The Musical Director will be Mrs Hodder and I will be directing and producing. We are all very excited about this show and we hope to sell out on a record five nights. There are still a few tickets available for March’s West End trip to see ‘The Woman in Black’, apparently the scariest show in the West End.

The trip also includes a backstage tour of the National Theatre on the South Bank where you will be able to experience how a professional theatre is run. Letters are available from me in the Drama office. Also we will be running another theatre trip to see the West End’s version of ‘Billy Elliot’. Letters will be available soon; watch this space. On the 5th November 65 students went to London to watch ‘Hairspray’, which was a fantastic trip. All the students on the trip had a superb time dancing to ‘You Can’t Stop the Beat’ in the aisles of the Shaftesbury Theatre. A big thanks to all the staff who gave up their free time to come and support the trip: Mrs Hodder, Miss Cale, Miss Beck, Fraser Normington and Miss Cottrell. For anyone who missed ‘We Will Rock You’ in July or wants to see it again, the whole show is now on the VLE for a limited period. And finally from the Drama Department… We have Sixth Form performances coming in May to which everyone is invited to come and watch, including; ‘The Convicts Opera’, ‘My Mother Said I Never Should’, ‘Iron’ and ‘Abigail’s Party’. We hope to see you soon. Mr S MacFarlane - Subject Leader for Drama

Continued from Page 1 The state of the school buildings and grounds Extreme weather can affect our ability to heat the school properly, our ability to cater for the students requiring lunches and the safety of the school site. Therefore the other consideration that I have to make in extreme conditions is whether the school is fit and safe to open for the students and staff.

Partial openings, late starts and protecting public examinations In an attempt to be able to respond to a variety of different degrees of disruption we have planned how we can open later or for a limited number of students. We would open later, for example, if we thought that this would give staff extra time to get to work. Opening for a limited number of students can be helpful if we thought we may not be able to get enough staff to school to open it fully. I am particularly concerned that the students who have public examinations can be reassured that their examinations will take place in almost all weather conditions. We have plans to open the school in all such eventualities and students who have examinations should always check the school’s website for details (see below).

Communicating the decision to close the school Many staff need to leave home as early as 7.00am to reach school in time for a normal start. It is important therefore that I make the decision to close the school before 6.30am to allow telephone calls to reach all staff before they leave for work. If I am able, I will make the decision to close the school the night before to allow everyone to plan earlier for alternatives to their normal routines. Once the decision is made I call both BBC Radio Wiltshire and Heart FM so that students and parents know about the closure. The school website [www.devizes.wilts.sch.uk] and the school’s telephone answering message will both be updated as any decision is made to close the school. Please use these if you are in any doubt about what our plans are.

I know and understand the disruption that school closures cause families. I am always extremely reluctant to close the school but considerations about the safety and management of students must always come first.

Mr M Irons - Headteacher

Year 9 Option Choices Forms due 10 February 2010 A reminder that the deadline for the Year 9 option choices forms is 10th February 2010. If an Option Choices Form is handed in after this deadline we may be restricted in what we will be able to offer you. To support you with your choices you should use the KS4 Options Booklet and continue to discuss your options with your parents/carers to ensure that you are making the right decisions. Your tutor, teachers and careers advisor will also provide information, advice and guidance.

If there are further enquiries you can contact options@devizes.wilts.sch.uk.

Or contact the careers advisor through careers@devizes.wilts.sch.uk.

Make sure you take full advantage of the opportunities available to you and that you make positive choices for your future.

Dr D Nicholls

Devizes at the heart of the North Wiltshire Federation

Devizes School is one of eleven secondary and special schools in the north of Wiltshire that formed a ‘soft’ federation in September 2008. The federation exists to work collaboratively together to improve our schools for the benefit of all the students in North Wiltshire. The Headteachers meet seven times a year. We employ a full-time Project Manager who works hard to advise the Headteachers and co-ordinate the many activities and collaborative projects that we run. At the present time the Federation is very active and effective on various fronts:

A very active Inclusion and Behaviour group meets regularly. Mrs Smart represents Devizes School. The management of Fresh Starts between schools, the development of inclusive practices and strategies to improve attendance are all active projects within this group.

Curriculum Innovation in the North Wiltshire schools is also a high priority. As well as developing Diplomas in several schools (including Devizes School) the Curriculum Forum which is meeting six times this year is active in sharing innovative ideas and approaching common issues together. Dr Nicholls is a member of this group and presented a perspective on the Personalised Learning and Thinking Skills element of the curriculum at the last meeting.

The North Wiltshire Federation is holding its first joint CPD day on 22nd February 2010 when all schools in the Federation will be hosting and sending staff to events across the North of Wiltshire. This group is led by Mrs Puntis who has been jointly responsible for this highly innovative event.

A new Assessment and Data group has recently been proposed by Mr Fiddament. This was approved by the Headteacher’s meeting in November. This group will seek to use collaboration between schools to make the most efficient use of assessment data to inform strategy and teaching practice in our schools.

Provision for Able, Gifted and Talented students has been improved by a joint project with St. Mary’s School in Calne. Projects in English, Maths, Science and Modern Languages are ongoing.

As you can see from the projects above, Devizes School is very well represented in the leadership of the North Wiltshire Federation. I am the Chair of the Federation for the second year, having been re-elected at our conference in June. We have four other members of our Senior Leadership Team attending and in some cases leading innovative and collaborative practices in the North of Wiltshire. As well as contributing to the development of these staff individually these involvements bring great benefit to Devizes School. Mr M Irons - Headteacher

Senior Team Maths Challenge Following on from the puzzles set in the last issue of the Newsletter (repeated below), I have still not received any correct answers! The offer of prizes is still open, but the solutions will be printed in the next newsletter.

Mr G Farr - Subject Leader of Mathematics A van travels from Leeds to Trowbridge with an average speed of 50 kilometres per hour. What average speed does it need to achieve on the return journey to make the average speed for the whole journey 60 kilometres per hour? The product of five consecutive integers is 360 360. What is the mean of the integers ?

What your Parent Support Adviser, Michele Riley, is up to: Michele is available at Morrison’s Café (by kind permission of the management) on a Thursday from 11am – 1pm for a chance to have a quick chat, get some information or book a visit or meeting. You can recognise her from the picture attached, or from the badge she is wearing if you’re close enough to see it. Michele and the Extended Schools Co-ordinator, Stephanie, are planning a parents’ forum to talk about issues with non-attendance

to inform further support which we are trying to put in place. If you have issues with your young person’s non-attendance at school and would like to find out more contact Michele. You can contact Michele through the school – leave your name and number and she will get back to you, or through her mob no: 07891 740870 - leave an answer phone message or text and she will get back to you as soon as possible. Michele Riley - Parent Support Adviser

Devizes School is now an Official Olympic Network School As you can see from the use of the prestigious official Olympic logo on the front of this newsletter, we have been successful in becoming an official Olympic network school. To be successful a school has to show a firm commitment to using the Olympic values in their school and creating a legacy around the Olympics and Paralympics. As well as already using the Olympic and Paralympic values every term to reinforce the respect agenda in the school, we have also planned an “International Day”, on the official Olympic day on the 23rd June. All departments are also volunteering an “Olympic Nut” to drive forward the Olympic and Paralympic values, principles and legacy over the next few years. We are one of the first few schools in the country to be successful in our bid for this prestigious honour. Miss S Marshall - Assistant Head

BLOOD BROTHERS TRIP TO THE WYVERN THEATRE Excitement was in the air as we all fought to get good seats on the coach. Everyone was looking forward to the Wyvern Theatre’s adaptation of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. When we arrived in Swindon everybody eagerly clambered off the coach and raced into the theatre. There was some confusion and mild threats as everyone decided where to sit but all was resolved in time. As the lights dimmed you could sense the anticipation in the air. Then in a deep, captivating voice the narrator started off the production. It was brilliant. The play was full

of love, hate, cruelty, selfishness, injustice, loyalty, tragedy and most importantly the binding friendship that Mickey and Eddie shared. Everyone that left the theatre took something with them. Some people felt so much emotion for the characters that they came out crying (though some blame it on hay fever). On the way home Blood Brothers was still on everyone’s mind and a lot of discussion and some light criticism (such as the constant mentioning of Marilyn Monroe) went on in the coach, but mainly it was praise for the production. One things for certain though, everyone will remember the trip with nostalgia. By Grace Farrell 9SBL

School Shoes – a reminder In the September issue of the school newsletter I wrote an article to alert parents and students to the issue of school shoes. It was clear then that the sports shoes manufacturers had cleverly manoeuvred themselves and their marketing to sell sports shoes to parents and students as they bought their new school shoes before the start of the new academic year. To make it clear to all parents and students I redefined shoes that are acceptable as “school shoes”: Plain, low-heeled and black. No trainers. No sports logos or sports branded. No canvas shoes No sandals, ‘dolly’ or ‘ballet’ shoes. I said then that I would return to this issue in the New Year and give a timely reminder to all concerned that we will be checking students’ footwear again in February and we would be insisting that the new guidelines were followed by all students in Years 7 to 11. With the winter weather hitting hard over the last few weeks and more no-doubt to come, it is more important than ever that students are dressed appropriately. Proper, robust and water resistant shoes are a vital part of our school uniform. I am sure I can rely on the understanding and cooperation of all parents to help in these matters.

Mr M Irons - Headteacher

Progress Review Day – Wednesday 3rd February The Progress Review Day is approaching and I thought it would be useful to remind all parents of some important details. During the Review Day parents are invited to come into school to meet tutors and discuss students’ overall progress. Students are expected to attend with parents and should bring their planners to the appointment. During the appointment students will be asked to agree targets to work towards for the rest of the academic year. In some cases appointments will be with staff other than tutors; this is likely to be the case if students have been closely supported or mentored by other staff. Students will only be expected to attend school for their appointment and will be set independent tasks to work through by their subject teachers for the rest of the Review Day. School transport will not operate during the Review Day. Please return your reply slip indicating your preferred time slots to Reception if you have not already done so. We will do our very best to try to match your appointment time with your preferences but we anticipate that this will not always be possible and therefore ask for your support if this is the case. Students will be given appointment times to bring home during the week beginning Monday 25th January. We look forward to seeing you on the day. Mr D Fiddament - Assistant Headteacher

NON UNIFORM DAY A GREAT SUCCESS Our non-uniform day on 21st October 2009 was a great success. We sent donations

of over £430 to both HELP for HEROES and BREAKTHROUGH BREAST CANCER. In

addition, merchandise sold in school on the day raised over £400 for these charities.

The pupils really entered into the spirit of the day and a cake sale (fantastic support

from all our staff) and a lunchtime aerobics session

all added to the fun.

Many thanks to everyone for their support.

The next non-uniform day will be on

Wednesday 31st March 2010 (last day of Term 4) Mrs A Eaves - Bursar

Devizes School

The Green, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 3AG

Tel: 01380 724886

Fax: 01380 720955

Website: www.devizes.wilts.sch.uk

Email: devizes_school@devizes.wilts.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mr. M G Irons B Sc, NPQH

Printed by Kennet Print Ltd, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes SN10 2EU Tel: 01380 720049 Email: info@kennetprint.co.uk

CALCULATORS! In order for students to be able to participate in Maths, we expect every student to have their own calculator, which they bring to every maths lesson. There are increasing numbers of students arriving to lessons without. From Year 8 upwards, students require a SCIENTIFIC calculator in order to access more complex functions. If for any reason you do not own a scientific calculator, you can order one through the Mathematics department for £4.50 (cheaper than in the shops!). These calculators are sufficient for exams up to A Level. If you wish to purchase one, please see your maths teacher for an order form. It is important also to note that it is the department’s policy NOT to issue calculators for any examination unless a calculator becomes faulty during that examination. In every year, at least one maths examination requires a calculator. Mr G Farr - Subject Leader of Mathematics

Advance notice! Devizes School will be holding a week of fan-tastic reading events for all year groups dur-ing the week beginning 1st March, including World Book Day on 4th March.

Mrs Lee - Learning Resource Centre Manager