Parents’ Newsletter

News from Castle Donington College

December 2012

LAST WEEK OF TERM Tuesday 18th December Christmas Concert, 7pm in the College Hall £5 adults £3 under 18s (includes a mince pie and glass of wine/soft drink). Tickets available from reception.

Wednesday 19th December Upper and Lower School Carol Services (between 9.00 and 10.30am) Lower School in the College Hall Upper School in the Methodist Church In the afternoon: Year 6 will be going to Nottingham to see Robin Hood and Babes in the Wood Year 7 will be going to Derby to see Peter Pan.

Thursday 20th December College Christmas lunch—on this day, only Christmas lunch (meat meals and vegetarian option) will be served. No other break time food, cakes, sandwiches or other hot foot will be available. Pupils will need to buy a Christmas lunch ticket (on sale from the serving area of the kitchen £2.25) or bring a packed lunch. Tutor groups normally eat together for this meal. Lunch time will be a little longer than normal.

Friday 21st December As in past years, films will be shown on the last morning. Year 6 will all see the same film as will Year 7. Years 8 and 9 will be offered a choice of films.

As usual, the College will close at 2.30pm and buses have been booked for that time.

There have been lots of activities this term, please look on the VLE and website to read the full version of this Newsletter.

Parent Access: User Name: apparent Password: CDCC 6789 Website: castledonington@leics.sch.uk

RETIREMENT Mrs Wright (a member of the office support staff) retires at the end of term. During her time here she has been responsible for much of the high quality reprographics and, more recently, has been involved in general administration especially for the Upper School. We wish Mrs Wright a long and happy retirement and our best wishes for the future.

NEXT TERM Teachers have

training on Monday 7th

January and the College will be open to pupils on Tuesday 8th January 2013.

May we take

this opportunity to wish you and your families a

very Merry Christmas and a

peaceful and prosperous New

Year.

CASTLE DONINGTON COLLEGE VACANCY

Due to a re-organisation we may have two vacancies within the reception team, one of which will be Saturday

morning 09.00 to 13.00 40 weeks per annum, plus one other day or evening

for 4.25 hours. Please note these may be fixed term

contracts and will be reviewed annually. If you are interested in

applying please write to: Mrs C Clay, Business Manager,

enclosing your CV,

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

The winning Christmas card was designed this year by

Charlotte Pedley 9JPM

2 December 2011

NORTH CHARNWOOD CAREERS AND OPPORTUNITIES EVENT AND CASTLE DONINGTON COLLEGE INDUSTRY DAY On Wednesday 14th November 2012, all our 131 Year 9 students were taken to the Careers and Opportunities Event held at Loughborough College. Here, over 50 companies, FE Colleges, vocational organisations, recruitment services and even football clubs were helping our young people get an insight into the huge opportunities that are available. Our students were part of eleven schools that were invited to this superb event. It was attended by well over 2000 students over the day. This event marked the first of our major careers related events; the second major event was the Castle Donington College Industry Day. We had 20 companies volunteer their time and services to help our Year 8 and Year 9 students sample work related learning. Most of the companies were able to run small workshops where our students get more detailed information and even hands on experience of specific vocations, including forensic science, RAF, law, engineering, hairdressing and beauty therapy. We also made several visits to local businesses: Dovecote vets; East Midlands Airport; Yew Lodge Hotel; FC cartons and East Midlands College. These workshops, and the invaluable contact that our students have had through these events, have been milestones in terms of helping our future generation recognise and plan for their subsequent roles to play in our society. These have been magnificent events where all the feedback has been immensely positive and very encouraging. If you would like any further details of the events, please contact Rohit Gohil (Assistant Principal) on 01332 810528 or rohitg2@castledonington.leics.sch.uk. Rohit Gohil November 2012

3 December 2012

Visit to Castle Donington College of the Olympic Basketball player Drew Sullivan

SMOKING PREVENTION and CESSATION PROJECT I am very pleased to report some really positive feedback that we have had from pupils about the work we have been doing. The follow up survey found that pupils had a much better understanding of the dangers of smoking, were strongly against smoking and had a more realistic idea about the low number of pupils that do smoke. We have also had the Stop Smoking Service running clinics in school for pupils and I am happy to report that they have successfully helped 2 pupils to quit. If you would like more information about this service, either for your son or daughter or for yourself, family or friends, I would be happy to sign-post where this excellent support is available Mrs Johnson

4 December 2012

PARENT HOTLINE Inclement weather—other urgent messages for parents. The College has joined a national PARENT INFORMATION service that can be telephoned for possible issues such as school closure etc.

In the event of inclement weather, as experienced last winter, parents can access information via BBC radio stations, the College VLE and now the new PARENT HOTLINE SERVICE (low call rate). Parents using the service:

Call the Hotline on 08447 70 75 76

Enter the College ID 5058

The announcement message (if applicable) will be played. Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils may still have their cards from last year. Year 6 have been issued with a card (as above) this year.

GEM RADIO ‘GIVE IT UP’ CHARITY APPEAL

The Lower School were very pleased to make a donation of £500 to help to improve the E38 children’s cancer ward at the QMC. Barnaby and Ellie phoned up the station to make the donation. Listen out in the New Year for a mention of the College on the radio.

CHILD ABSENCE (polite reminder) Could I ask for your support in the case of child absence from College. A telephone call to the office would be appreciated on the first day of absence (01332 810528). Your child’s tutor would appreciate notification in advance of known absences, i.e dental visits, hospital appointments etc. If you are unable to do this, the College will make every effort to contact you on the first day of absence, either at home or at work.

5 December 2012

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Year 7 have again supported the charity ‘Operation Christmas Child’. Around 80 gift filled shoe boxes have been donated to this worthy charity.

CHRISTMAS SERVICE The Lower School Christmas Service will take place on Wednesday 19th December in the School Hall. It will start at 9.30am and family and friends are most welcome.

PANTOMIME During the afternoon of Wednesday 19th December, Year 7 will be attending the matinee performance of Peter Pan at Derby Playhouse.

BEHIND THE SCENES On Wednesday 5th December our Gifted and Talented pupils took part in ‘Behind the Scenes’, a series of workshops at The Curve in Leicester.

ECO GROUP On Wednesday 5th December 30 Year 7 pupils devised a play around eco themes with an outside group, this was be followed by its performance to the Lower School.

ALCOHOL AWARENESS PROJECT All pupils recently took part in our Anonymous Alcohol Awareness Questionnaire; it was a fabulous success and we have gained a great deal of understanding on their feelings regarding under-age drinking.

In response to our findings, a group of pupils from Year 8 have been working together to produce a school wide Alcohol Awareness Campaign. The focus group have been looking at ways we can reassure our students about the myths and misconceptions of underage drinking and plan to unveil their fantastic work early in the new year.

PARENTS

COMMENTS:

Return replies to: Postroom

@castledonington. leics.sch.uk

6 December 2012

6

POLYNESIAN PENFRIENDS This year, 8AB

and 9DA are very lucky to have

some new Polynesian

penfriends. It is a great

opportunity to learn about a

faraway and very different country and culture. We have just written our first letters to

them.

Facts about the Island.

Nickname: Harp island. Length: 34.5 miles Area: 25 square miles Population: 1,400 Part of: French Polynesia Language: French Main village: Otepa

Polynesian penfriend letter

7 December 2012

Polynesian penfriend letter

8 December 2012

Polynesian penfriend letter

9 December 2012

Polynesian penfriend letter

10 December 2012

Polynesian penfriend letter

11 December 2012

The Secondary School on Hao

FACTS ABOUT THE ISLAND

Nickname: the Harp Island Length: 34.5 miles

Area: 25 square miles Population: 1.400

Part of French Polynesia Language: French

Main village: Otepa

12 December 2012

Kids Lit Quiz, Coventry On the evening of Monday 26th of November, two teams of students from Castle Donington College took part in the Kids' Lit Quiz. There were 29 teams in total, from schools across the West Midlands, answering 100 questions about children's literature on themes such as myths, poetry and war. Team Castle Donington 1 finished in 17th place and Team Castle Donington 2 finished in 11th place.

Team One

Team Two

POPPY APPEAL The amount raised for the Poppy Appeal this

year was £25.00. Thanks to all who bought poppies.

Year 6 Team Building Day

13 December 2012

14 December 2012

NETBALL RESULTS YEAR 7 GIRLS CDC v SHEPSHED HIGH won 5 - 3 CDC v HUMPHREY PERKINS won 10 - 9 CDC v STONEHILL won 5 - 3 CDC v WOODBROOK VALE won 1 YEAR 8 GIRLS CDC v SHEPSHED HIGH won 5 - 2 CDC v HUMPHREY PERKINS lost 11 - 1 CDC v STONEHILL won 4 - 3 CDC v WOODBROOK VALE lost 7 - 6 YEAR 9 GIRLS CDC v GARENDON won 15 - 3 CDC v SHEPSHED HIGH lost 11 - 3 CDC v HUMPHREY PERKINS lost 17 - 2 CDC v STONEHILL won 8 - 3 CDC v WOODBROOK VALE lost 13 - 8

FOOTBALL RESULTS YEAR 7 CDC v GARENDON won 3 - 2 CDC v DE LISLE won 4 - 3 CDC v SHEPSHED HIGH lost 3 - 2 CDC v HUMPHREY PERKINS lost 6 - 3 CDC v WOODBROOK VALE lost 2 - 0 YEAR 8 CDC v GARENDON won 2 - 1 CDC v DE LISLE lost 10 - 0 CDC v SHEPSHED HIGH lost 5 - 0 CDC v HUMPHREY PERKINS lost 2 - 1 CDC v WOODBROOK VALE lost 3 - 1

2012—13 CHARNWOOD LEAGUE NETBALL FIXTURES

v Garendon Yr 9 won (23 – 5) v Shepshed Yr 9 lost 11 – 3,Yr 8 won 5 – 2,Yr 7 won 5 - 3 v Humphrey Perkins Yr 9 lost 19-2, Yr 8 lost 11-1, Yr 7 won 10-9 v Stonehill Yr 9 won 8-3, Yr 8 won 4-3,Yr 7 won 8-0 v Woodbrook Vale Yr 9 lost 13-8, Yr 8 lost 7-6, Yr 7 won 15-1

15 December 2012

CROSS COUNTRY The Year 6 have had a very successful cross country season. The girls finished 4th in the County and the boys a medal winning 2nd. Well done to all.

BASKETBALL RESULTS YEAR 7/8 GIRLS CDC v WOODBROOK VALE won 11 – 4 CDC v SHEPSHED HIGH won 62 – 6 YEAR 9 GIRLS CDC v DE LISLE won 52 - 20 CDC v WOODBROOK VALE won 64 - 4 YEAR 9 BOYS CDC v DE LISLE won 36 – 24 CDC v WOODBROOK VALE won 54 – 4

RUGBY RESULTS YEAR 9 LONG EATON TOURNAMENT WINNERS YEAR 9 v SHEPSHED HIGH won 36 - 17

16 December 2012

6SA

17 December 2012

18 December 2012

CASTLE DONINGTON COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA

The orchestra have had a particularly busy couple of weeks and are continuing to prepare for the usual Christmas activities. On Friday 30th November the orchestra was presented with a £500 cheque, donated by the Oliver Walton Foundation, to be spent on new instruments. A further £250 was donated to help with the travelling costs of bringing the Year 4 and 5 pupils from the surrounding primaries to a ‘musical extravaganza’ held that afternoon. The ‘musical extravaganza’ was held to promote a greater uptake and interest in the playing orchestral instruments. The primary schools were treated to performances of 21 Guns by Greenday, the popular ‘La Bamban’ and ‘Ghostbusters’. The pupils took part in a percussive activity which led into a ‘two bar blues’ jam session around the orchestra and the youngsters were asked to ‘spot’ the instrument playing in ‘Hall of the Mountain King’. Several of the primary schools start their pupils off by playing the recorder. A special part was written by Mrs Canny and given to the feeder schools so that they could join in with the orchestra. An early rehearsal was held at St Edward’s with some key members of the orchestra helping the youngsters to put their part into the main music. Galop (otherwise known as the “Can Can’) was then performed by all the recorder players and the orchestra. Such was the success of the piece, the junior players were invited to join the orchestra for one more performance in the Christmas Concert on Tuesday 18th December at 7.00pm. If you would like to see this performance, tickets are on sale at reception priced £5 to include refreshments.

19 December 2012

English and er Drama! This term we have introduced a Drama lesson each week for Year 8 and Year 9 students as well as the long established lessons for Years 6 and 7! This is to make best use of our fab drama studio and also to answer the question the students often ask “Why don’t we have Drama in Years 8 and 9?” It’s a great space to teach in, kitted out as it is with huge mirrors and L.E.D. lighting system. We can go from broad daylight to blackout in seconds. All years now have access to Drama which helps to build confidence,

develop team work and to learn in a different

environment.