february 2012 contact

Contact 134 February 2012Willingdon Community School


TOP OF THE PERFORMANCE

TABLES …BUT NOT THE

FULL PICTURELAST WEEK THE GOVERNMENT published its new performance tables for secondary schools which contain a considerable amount of information, much of which may be confusing to parents. I am not proposing to go through the detail as it is complex and not always very helpful. However, if you would like to know more, then please do feel free to contact me and I will do my best to explain.As reported in the local Eastbourne Herald, I am delighted that we are yet again the highest achieving school in the area. Not only is our attainment very high but the tables also report that students make significantly better progress at Willingdon than students in schools nationally. This is all very pleasing and, importantly, essential for our students so that they are best placed to enter the right courses at FE College and progress on into University or work.But, performance tables do not tell the full picture. This edition of “Contact” gives quite a good insight into many of the issues that

contribute to the high achievement but also the underlying aspects of our provision and the students engagement which contribute to their broader education, developing them as conscientious, well-rounded citizens with high standards and the right values.Good attendance is key to success and a quality that employers are particularly keen on. As Mrs Dixon reports further on, we are reporting very good attendance levels right across the school. I am grateful for your support on this as it is the encouragement of parents that contributes to good attendance. Every day missed is original learning lost. So, please do continue to send your children in when they may only just be a little off-colour rather than ill (you must be the judge on this); avoid the family trips and visits that take them away from the school and the taking of holidays in term time. This last point is still a concern and I remind you that it is very rare for a holiday to be approved, regardless of the reasons given. It is also part of county policy to fine parents who


take their children out of school for a holiday.Mrs Dixon also reports on the quality of behaviour around the school and the drop in the number of students receiving detentions. This is a reflection of the generally good behaviour around the school and in classes. In fact the most significant contributor to detentions is students failing to do homework on time. We are a school that places a lot of importance on the value of homework and students taking responsibility for their own learning. Homework is not necessarily set every night, it is only set when appropriate, but do please try to monitor when your child has homework, which should be recorded in their planner, and encourage them to do it in an appropriate place and on time. If you do have any issues with this then please do let us know.We are placing a particular focus on the development of basic courtesies around the school at the moment and I am very pleased to say that I have been impressed with the response of most students. Mr Brennan, reports in this edition on our new rewards system which is acknowledging the full range of good qualities, attitudes and commitment of our students. Awards are not just given for work related attributes and achievements but the whole spectrum of qualities

that we consider are important in life. Students have really engaged with the rewards system, with the vast majority of them being praised and successful, regularly. My congratulations go to the latest group of prize-winners, who have really excelled.We also report, here, on a range of the charity projects that students are supporting across the school. Each year group has a target set for supporting local, national or international charities and are responding very positively. They have reported on their progress in assemblies and set up a whole host of fund-raising activities to support their particular charity. It is heartening to see the energy and interest they show and good to know that they are taking seriously their responsibility for those less well-off than ourselves or those who need support. That global responsibility is seen as being important and will be enhanced on our forthcoming citizenship days and UNICEF mufti day.So much going on and I have not mentioned “We Will Rock You”! I know tickets are selling fast and I know that if it is anything like last year’s production it will be a very enjoyable evening. We hope to see you there.

Ian JungiusHeadteacher


willingdon students take action for charity

As shown in an earlier edition of contact the students at Willingdon Community School chose various charities to support in their year groups. Here is an update on their efforts so far!

Year 7 students - Demelza HouseYear 7 students have had a number of events including a ‘count the sweets competition’ and a Christmas Disco. So far they have raised £228.

Year 8 students – Children with LeukaemiaWhilst the year 8 students named charity is Children with Leukaemia, they were concerned when they learnt the effects the recession was having in their town, particularly as Christmas was approaching. As a result, led by Sally Porter (a year 8 tutor) they chose instead to collect food for a local food bank.


Year 10 and 11These year groups share The Matthew 25 Mission in Seaside Eastbourne and the Hawassa Project group. They have also had a number of events including a penny collection and an auction to ‘dunk’ a teacher. As you can see the ‘winner’ Mr Brennan (Director of Student Progress – Year 10) took everything in good humour. So far they have raised £126.00

Mufti DayOn Friday16th December 2011 students had a mufti day and raised £670 this was donated to the Matthew 25 Mission along with further donations of food.


Another awesome production takes place at Willingdon Community School this week as students belt out the rocking and thoroughly rousing anthems of Queen.

After last years very successful adaptation of Little Shop of Horrors, a 100-strong cast and crew take on the West End hit We Will Rock You.

The show has been described

PUPILS' MUSICAL TRIBUTE

TO QUEEN


as a jukebox musical and features some killer Queen tunes including 'We Are The Champions', 'Radio Ga Ga' and Bohemian Rhapsody'.

Performances take place from Tuesday to Thursday (February 7th - 9th) and tickets are priced £3 for children, £5 for adults, and available from the school office or on the door.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start. To find out more call 485254.


The Hawassa Project is currently trying to raise money to build a youth centre, library and café for the youth association in Hawassa. This will enable them to support more vulnerable people in their community and to continue their work educating people about health, sanitation and HIV-Aids. Currently, Ethiopia is experiencing 60% inflation and the project is becoming an ever more distant dream unless we can raise the £12,000 still needed. This mufti day in collaboration with the dedicated work of the Hawassa Project Group will contribute to this end.

The Hawassa Project


ON FRIDAY 10th February 2012, our school will be supporting UNICEF’s Day for Change and we very much hope that you will join us in supporting this worthwhile, fun and educational event. It is a great opportunity for our students to learn about and raise money for children in other parts of the world.

The idea is very straightforward. In return for a donation of £1 to help UNICEF’s vital work, they can wear mufti.

By taking part in this important day, we can help support UNICEF’s work, using sport and play to transform the lives of children.

Why are we doing it?As you know, 2012 is a key year for sports. Not only will sport and the achievements of the world’s top athletes at the London 2012 Games inspire schools and

children around the world, but it has a much wider importance – it is also an effective way of transforming the lives of children and their communities.

Play and sport are not only a fundamental right for children, but also vital elements in the health happiness and well-being of children and young people. UNICEF is using sport as an effective tool to help achieve goals in health, education, gender equality, HIV and AIDS, child protection and child development.

More than half of Uganda’s population is under the age of 14 and live on less than $1.25 a day . Poverty, conflict and social stigma mean that many children do not complete their primary education. Children often have to work and live in dangerous conditions.

UNICEF’s Day for Change 2012

EDUCATION THROUGH SPORT IN UGANDA


This is wrong. By taking part in Day for Change, we will be helping transform children’s lives through the power of sport.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, is the world’s leading organisation working for children and their rights. They work with families, local communities, partners and governments in more than 150 countries to help every child realise their full potential.

UNICEF supports children by providing health care, nutrition and education.

To find out more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.org.uk.

Thank you for your support for this worthwhile and educational day.

M Ellis

Adverse Weather Should parents/carers be in any doubt as to whether the school is closed due to adverse weather conditions, eg, snow etc, please check the School website www.willingdon.e-sussex.sch.uk (updated when adverse weather is experienced, from 7.00am) or, if you prefer, listen to the local radio stations, Sovereign FM (Eastbourne area), or Heart FM (county wide) for further details (information updated every 15 minutes).


On the 16th December 2011 Year 8 students went on a French trip to Lille Christmas Market and the Waffle Factory!

Rising early, we had to arrive at school for 5:30am, so that we could board the coach and arrive at the Euro Tunnel on time. We left school at 6:00am all set for a fabulous day ahead of us.

Arriving at the euro tunnel, we stopped at the service station so that we could all stretch our legs. There was a lady dressed as Mrs Claus who gave us all and sweet and we where very surprised to find a free breakfast of sausage sandwiches waiting for us in the restaurant thanks to James’

dad! Yum Yum. After we had finished our breakfast we boarded the coach and drove into the Tunnel. We finally arrived in France and began to make our way to the Waffle Factory, everyone longing to get a taste of those waffles all where talking about. On our arrival at the factory we had to wait a while for the chef to get ready for us. At last we were allowed to go in and our noses where instantly filled with the delicious smell of homemade waffles. A group at a time we squeezed into the little factory and anxiously waited for the talk to begin. The chef began slowly, telling us how he made the waffles and occasionally asking us names of ingredients in French. And

Year 8 French trip 2011


then the time came for all of us to try one of those scrumptious waffles… everyone loved them! The chef smiled and told us that each packet of ten waffles cost €5 each. There was a massive queue as nearly everyone bought a packet! We thanked everyone in the factory and started the journey to Lille Market…

On the way to the Christmas Market (to everyone’s amusement), the coach was stopped by French police whilst going down a narrow street!! One of the teachers had to get off the coach and translate for the driver what they were saying. The driver got back into he coach and, on either side of us the traffic had to be stopped so that we could be escorted backwards!

After all that commotion we arrived at the beautiful Christmas Market. Little wooden huts were arranged in a pattern, decorated with lights and glittering snow – it was magical. Group by group we where allowed into the market so that we could admire all of the homemade soaps and hats; handcrafted jewellery and

sculptures; Christmas decorations; coconut bowls and mouth watering sweets, crepes and chocolates. It was amazing!!! Later on we walked down to the high-street and where allowed to look around, there was: food shops, clothes shops, sports shops, Ethical shops, make-up shops, anything you could imagine shops, everyone was spent out!

Back on the coach a few students where recognised for being the best French speakers, helpers, naughtiest students and the student who asked the most questions! Each won a special prize to take home so that they could remember the trip forever.

8:30pm and we arrived back at Willingdon, exhausted from our wonderful day, where we were greeted by parents, all curios about the fantastic time we had.

This trip would not have been possible if it hadn’t been for all the staff who volunteered and organised this amazing day!! Thank You.

Charlotte Weyland


New School Rewards Programme

This year has seen the implementation of a new whole school reward system after consultation with the student council. The aim of the new reward system is to promote and reward high levels of achievement, attainment, attendance and attitude across all aspects of school life here at Willingdon. Students are issued with rewards that are logged electronically on the school system. This information is relayed back to students throughout the school year and from this data targets are set for each year group, where students who achieve above a set number of rewards are entered into a prize draw for one of three prizes for each year group. All students who have achieved over 100 reward points have either had a certificate emailed home or have had a certificate passed to them by their tutor. The first draw was made in the last week of term two.

The next draw will take place in the last week of term four. All students’ totals have been reset so everyone has the opportunity to gain entry into the next prize draw. Tutors will relay

totals at various points during terms 3 and 4. The easiest reward points that students can achieve is the ten that are awarded for students who achieve 100% attendance for a two week period.

Below are the winners from each year group. The prizes awarded are vouchers for Amazon, where the students are free to purchase a prize of their choice.

1st Prize £502nd Prize £303rd Prize £20

Year 7 1st Charlotte Holland 7SSH 2nd Hannah Davies 7DC 3rd Lauren Taylor 7SSH Year 8 1st Thomas Checkley 8CA 2nd Rohan Nighoskar 8SP 3rd Fatima Dambam 8RK

Year 9 1st Hannah Adamson 9GM 2nd David Chapman 9GM 3rd Evy Sturgeon 9SAS


Tutee of the Term7RMC Anya Brown7SR Danielle Nye

7DC Francesca Gittings7MNS Charlotte Swift

7CM Emily Lewis 7SSH Ellis Cormack

7JG Mollie Shephard-Chandler

Year 10 1st Ryan Worrall 10FK 2ND Nathan Maskell 10AM 3RD Gabby Howell 10FK

Year 11 1st Rebecca Preston 11CEA 2nd Anna Lowe 11BW 3rd Rebecca Kefford 11CB


Congratulations to the following Year 7 students who are on the Accelerated Reader Leaderboard for quiz scores of 85% and above:Akerejola, Praises Clarke-Irons, Alexander Dambam, Khadija Doyle, Anna Hazeltine, James James, Kathryn Kazimierczyk, Emily Pearson, Tyler Richardson, Emmi-May Richmond, Christopher Smith, Liam Taylor, Lauren Worrall, Lucy Callingham, Jack Charles, Katie Morris, Ben Browitt, Heather Bruton, Jade

learning readers


Cole, Isadelle Ginno, Hannah McCarthy, Polly Wordsworth, MatthewMoreton-Woodward, Bethany Ogilvie, BradleyMany of these students have recently won a bookmark for achieving 100% on a quiz, and it doesn’t stop there! Bookmarks need to be kept safe and handed back to your child’s teacher at the end of term for the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win a book of their choice.

************ STOP PRESS! WIN A KINDLE THIS SUMMER! ************Students in Year 7 now have the chance to win a brand new Kindle this summer by reading books for Accelerated Reader. Every 100% quiz score will give students the chance to win a bookmark, which can then be filled up with stickers like a reward card for all quizzes over 85%. When the bookmark is full, the next time 100% is achieved on a quiz, a new bookmark will be won. Then, at the end of the summer term, all bookmarks can be handed back in to be entered into a prize draw for an Amazon Kindle. The more bookmarks your child has won, the greater the chance of winning!How can you help your child succeed in their reading?You can help by:• Encouraging your child to read for 30 minutes a day – perhaps before going to sleep, as an alternative to TV or computers…• Discussing your child’s choice of book with them – for example: what made them choose it? Are they enjoying it as much as they thought? Why/why not?• Having your child read to you regularly.• Encouraging your child to take notes as they read, to record the development of the plot, relationships between characters, etc.• Engaging with the storyline of a book together – predicting what might happen next and why, discussing why a character behaved in a certain way and whether or not you agree with what they did/said, etc… Most of all, have fun and enjoy reading together.

Ms Willow


On Wednesday 18th January Willingdon’s Apple RTC held a cross-phase iPad training event. The day was divided into 4 separate workshops. These were for our staff at Willingdon, our primary and secondary colleagues and a workshop for ICT technical teams. The different workshops explored the use of the iPad’s mobility, how it can be used to enhance and embed learning and how it can be used to support various groups in school. In particular, a variety of free apps

were looked at which could be used in different subjects. The free whiteboard app called Show Me was a big hit. Teachers could see the real power of its use in the classroom. Staff were also able to explore the in-built accessibility features of the iPad. Again staff were able to appreciate the benefit of these in the classroom.

Willingdon were delighted to have David Baugh, an apple expert, working alongside to add his depth of experience to the day.

Apple Regional Training CentreHOSTS

iPAD EVENT


The RTC has been up and running for well over a year now and puts on a range of free training events throughout the year. These events have included courses in iMovie, Photoshop, Logic Express, Garageband, animation and many more. If you would like more information or interested in future training events then please do contact Shaun Wilson at school [email protected]

S.Wilson


Sports Activity Day at Brighton CollegeOn the 18th January six of our students (Scott Gardner, Oriana Trillo, Austin Rickard, Reece Evenden, Chloe Hunt and Robert Ward) were given the opportunity to represent the school at this years Inclusive Games. The games are an annual event hosted by Brighton University at Chelsea School and give student PE teachers a chance to work with a broad spectrum of students from across the county. Our students enjoyed interacting with different young people and members of staff as well as enjoying Trampolining, Swimming and Modern Day Curling.

All students enjoyed the day and left feeling proud of their individual and team efforts.

Mr J Nash


AttendanceThe overall attendance of our students is now over 94% which is an excellent figure to have achieved and we are very grateful to parents for supporting their children’s attendance. Poor attendance will impact on your child’s education and therefore it is vital that students who miss school for whatever reason are supported to improve their attendance as much as possible. In cases of poor attendance your son/daughter’s Director of Student Progress will arrange a meeting with you in order to set up an Attendance Support Plan where both school and home can look at ways of supporting students in cases of illness and seek to overcome other barriers to attendance. Where attendance does not improve students will be referred to the Education Support, Behaviour and Attendance Service ( ESBAS) who will set up a further plan and if this is not successful parents may be prosecuted. This may result in parents being fined or given community service.

As a school, we obviously do everything we can to avoid this being necessary but good school attendance is so vital that it is right for all necessary steps to be taken to ensure that a child is receiving the education to which they are entitled.

Same day detentionsAs part of the government support for discipline in schools we have now been given the power to impose same day detentions on students who misbehave or do not adhere to the code of conduct. It is unlikely we will use this power widely but I need to make you aware that this now exists. We will inform parents during the day if we are keeping students back after school. I am pleased to report, however, that standards of behaviour are excellent and the numbers in Headteacher’s detention every week have fallen to a handful.

S Dixon


Year 11 Mock Interviews Year 11 mock interviews were held as part of TSM day for the first time this year, with every Year 11 student receiving a mock interview from an external employer during the day. It proved to be a huge success – with the students gaining an invaluable insight into how an interview would run, and also receiving feedback on ways to improve their technique. Feedback from the employers was also great – with all of them reporting on how “impressed they were with our young people” not only in terms of their maturity but also by how many who knew what career path they were wanting to follow. A HUGE WELL DONE to all our year 11’s!

Mrs Naylor

CAN DRAWHALF TERM WORKSHOPSAT WILLINGDON COMMUNITY SCHOOLIF YOUR CHILD ENJOYS ART, THIS IS A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO:• DEVELOP CONCENTRATION• IMPROVE / ENHANCE SKILLS• WORK WITH MIXED MEDIA• LEARN TO DRAW THEIR FAVOURITE SUBJECT• SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH INDIVIDUAL TUITION• ALL MATERIALS PROVIDEDThe dates for the workshops are: Tuesday 14th Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th of February and the workshops are open to children from year 1 primary age right through to sixth form student age.The sessions will run each day from: 9am to 12pm and 12:30pm to 3:30pm.Costs:Half day £15 or the full day £25, (please bring a packed lunch for the full day).PLEASE NOTE THAT PLACES ARE LIMITED AND NEED TO BE BOOKED AND CONFIRMED TO [email protected] made payable to CAN DRAW LTD and sent to:John Tyson, PETRONA, FOORDS LANE, VINES CROSS, TN21 9ERFor further information please call John 07725 145920 or email [email protected]


Friday 13th January, a dark and chilly night, hordes of teenagers determinedly moving towards a gothic building on the south coast...yes, Roedean was hosting the eighth Southern School Book Awards (SSBA) and there was even a horror book on the shortlist!

This year’s shortlisted novels were Being Billy by Phil Earle, Ghost of a Chance by Rhiannon Lassiter, Wasted by Nicola Morgan, The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight by Jenny Valentine and Numbers Two: the Chaos by Rachel Ward.

The SSBA presentation evening, enthusiastically hosted by last year’s winner Lucy Christopher, was attended by 290 students and staff from 34 state and independent schools in Kent and Sussex. The students, mostly aged 13 to 14, had read and voted for all five titles on the shortlist and were on the edge of their theatre seats, anticipating the

results of the voting.

After the schools had received their book tokens, the gold and silver envelopes were produced with a flourish and the tension was palpable as Lucy requested the traditional drum roll just before revealing the results. And the winner of the 2011 award was Jenny Valentine with The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight. The Highly Commended category was awarded to Numbers Two: the Chaos by Rachel Ward.

Mrs Pellett

SSBA Evening 13 January 2012


Dates for the DiaryFebruary:Monday 6th – Contact IssuedTuesday 7th – Production dress rehearsal / Production 'We Will Rock You' 7.30pmWednesday 8th - Production 'We Will Rock You' 7.30pmThursday 9th - Achievements & Standards Governors meeting 4.30pm / Production 'We Will Rock You' 7.30pmFriday 10th - UNICEF Mufti Day / Year 8 Citizenship Day / End of Term 3Monday 20th - Start of Term 4 / Year 9 Reports and Options Booklets IssuedFriday 24th - Prom Fashion ShowMonday 27th - Year 7 Creative Thinkers AssemblyWednesday 29th - Year 9 Options Evening

March:Thursday 1st - Art Showcase (Auditions for 'Youth's Got Talent') Drama StudioFriday 2nd - 'Keeping Parents Informed' issuedMonday 5th - Year 11 GCSE Music RecordingsWednesday 7th - HPV Vaccinations

/ Year 9 Parents EveningThursday 8th - Careers Fair (Hall) / 4.30 F&L Governors MeetingFriday 9th - Year 9 Art TripMonday 12th - Year 9 Options forms returnedTuesday 13th - Years 7, 8 & 11 Progress reports issuedWednesday 14th - Year 9 What's my Line - Hall (period 1 & 2) / Parent Forum 6.30pmThursday 15th - Year 8 BBC School Report Day (Media Room)Friday 16th - Year 10 Geography Field TripTuesday 20th - Year 10 Geography Field TripWednesday 21st - Year 7 Parents' EveningFriday 23th - Year 10 Geography Field TripMonday 26th - Contact IssuedTuesday 27th - Year 11 Music recordingsWednesday 28th - Year 8 Parents' EveningThursday 29th - Full Governors MeetingFriday 30th - Ski Trip Leaves / End of Term 4

Editorial & Production Team,Elizabeth McCabe, Matthew Healey, Barbara Negus

Willingdon Community School, Broad Road, Lower Willingdon, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN20 9QXT : 01323 485254 F : 01323 487779 E: [email protected]

Next edition of Contact is on 26th March 2012

february 2012 contact

Documents

students engagement

number of students

good behaviour

highest achieving school

good insight

good attendance levels

new performance tables

willingdon community