A Specialist Technology and Languages College

The Ashbeian

Diary dates• 24 March

Aquathon

• 2 – 8 April Geography trip to Iceland

• 6 – 17 April Easter holidays

• 21 April Sixth Form trip to the House of Commons

• 22 April GCSE Drama performance – evening

• 24 April GCSE language orals begin (ending 15 May)

• 27 April Sixth Form Textiles trip to Romania. Non-uniform day

Charity Total Breaks School Record A record-breaking total of almost £9,000 was raised for charity by Ashby School students last year.

Now students are hoping they can collect just as much – or more – this year to help their chosen charities.

The staggering total of £8,939.99 was the largest ever collected by Ashby School students, through House activities.

The money was divided between the school’s six House charities.

The total was the culmination of a year of fund-raising events from cake sales and Christmas parties to sponsored sporting challenges, including a 24-hour sports marathon.

Teacher David Fox, who co-ordinates House activities, said: “The students showed exceptional commitment to fund-raising, particularly the older Sixth Formers. The final total was a reflection of the wonderful efforts made by both students and staff.

“To raise almost £9,000 was simply phenomenal. It beat previous fundraising totals by about £3,000. It would be great if we could collect the same amount – or more – this year.”

For more on Ashby School’s fantastic fundraising, turn to page 4.

• 4 May Bank Holiday

• 5 May Year 12 Drama exams

• 6 May Higher Education evening

• 7/ 8 May Year 12 Drama evening performance

• 8 May Year 11 leavers’ ball

• 11 May Year 12 exam leave begins (return on 8 June)

• 14 May Awards evening

Issue 12 - Spring term 2009

Every Student Matters at Ashby School

Staff left their white boards behind to tread the boards in a spectacular staff revue, to boost school funds.

For full story, see page 3.

Page Contents

2How Parents Can Check Their Child’s Progress 24/7

3School Gets Stamp of Eco-Approval

4Yvonne Leads the Way at Transport Awards

5

Successful Students Rewarded at Presentation Evenings

6-7Faculty Focus: English, Humanities, Maths

8 Talking Heads

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The Ashbeian

View from the TopThank you to all parents of Year 10 and 11 students who completed a questionnaire about the school last November.

The results of the survey show that parents rate the overall effectiveness of the school as ‘outstanding’ – the highest possible rating.

In fact, parents gave the school one of the top two ratings - ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ - in almost every category.

Among the areas rated ‘outstanding’ were the school’s control and prevention of bullying, discipline and good behaviour, out of school activities and clubs, exam results, communication with parents, school facilities, and special needs teaching.

Another set of pleasing results shows the growing number of students going into full-time education. The latest figures show that 76 per cent of Year 11 students went into full-time education in 2006, rising to 82 per cent in 2007, and 87 per cent in 2008.

This trend is extremely encouraging, especially as more than 90 per cent of our Post-16 students now go on to take up university places.

Finally, the school remains committed to the Government’s ‘Every Child Matters’ initiative. This pledges to help all students to enjoy and achieve, be healthy, stay safe, make a positive contribution, and achieve economic well-being.

To highlight the school’s commitment to this, the stories in this issue appear under ‘Every Child Matters’ headings. The school’s website also uses these headings.

Mrs V. Keller-Garnett, Headteacher

Enjoy and Achieve

It Could be You... Thanks to Mary SmithYoung people from the Ashby area can apply for a slice of a scholarship fund to help them fulfil their ambitions.

The Mary Smith Fund is open to anyone under 25 who lives in or around Ashby, or is a former student at Ashby School or Ivanhoe High School.

The fund normally gives grants ranging from £25 to £150 for individual applications to help young people pay for training or improve their career prospects. Full details can be found on the school website.

Application forms are available from Janet Sketchley at Ashby School or can be downloaded from the school website.

Completed forms should be returned to Mrs Sketchley at the school by Friday 27 March. Applicants will be asked to attend an interview with the scheme’s Governors on Friday 24 April.

Enjoy and Achieve

Parents Can Now Track Children’s Progress 24/7

Parents of Ashby School students can now check their children’s attendance, performance and behaviour digitally 24 hours a day.

Parents of all Year 10 students have been issued with a unique login and password, which allows them to check their child’s movements and achievements hour by hour.

Known as ‘My Child at School’ (MCAS), the new system will be rolled out to all students by the end of term.

MCAS enables parents to monitor their child’s attendance in individual subjects, and access their child’s timetable, homework commitments, and target grades.

They can also look at students’ reward points – for good behaviour and hard work – and their negative points.

Developed by Bromcom Computer Systems, MCAS is believed to be one of the first systems of its kind in the country.

Parents will soon be able to boost school funds by shopping online through MCAS, choosing from retailers such as itunes, play.com and Amazon.

Achieve Economic Well-Being

Award-winning Lorna is Lovin’ ItA national award has been presented to a student from Ashby School for her outstanding performance on work experience.

Lorna Wiltshire, 15, of Ibstock, picked up the McDonalds Student Award for Outstanding Achievement for Work Experience for 2008 at a gala dinner in London.

Lorna was entered for the competition after spending eight days working with disabled residents at Newlands House, a Leonard Cheshire Home at Netherseal.

More than 470 students took up work experience placements in 2008. Employers who can offer work experience opportunities to Ashby School students should contact Delia Shaw at Ashby School.

Lorna with Graham Rowlands, of McDonalds.

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Enjoy and Achieve

Captain Carl Cycles Down UnderA cyclist from Ashby School has made his mark in the Cycle Speedway World Championship in Australia.

Carl Jarvis, 16, of Coleorton, spent a month down under representing Great Britain as Captain of the GB Junior Team.

He competed for Great Britian in Ashes test matches against Australia, for Leicester in the World Club Championships, for the England World Cup team, and as a solo rider in the Junior World Championships.

In spite of being England’s top scorer in the World Cup, Carl was forced to watch Australia steal the title. Leicester finished in joint fifth place in the World Club Championships, after being knocked out in the semi finals.

Carl also managed to qualify for the individual World Championships final, despite sustaining an injury.

On his return, Carl is awaiting a trial with the British Cycling talent team. If he is successful, he may be selected to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

Make a Positive Contribution

School Goes Green – and Bronze

Ashby School has been awarded Bronze Eco School status.

Green-thinking students formed their own environmental group, the Eco Warriors, last year, to tackle issues such as recycling and energy efficiency.

Since then, they have introduced classroom recycling bins for items such as paper, card and ink cartridges, installed a compost bin, and helped to reduce energy consumption by urging teachers and students to turn off lights and electrical items when not in use.

The Eco Warriors are now working towards the Silver Award. New initiatives include trying to conserve more water across the school, holding a ‘Green Day’ to raise student awareness, and creating on-site vegetable patches.

Eco Warriors are collecting old mobile phones for recycling. Freepost envelopes are available from both receptions. For each phone donated, the school will receive £2 which will be used to fund the school gardens and the purchase of radiator valves.

Enjoy and Achieve

Rave Reviews for RevueTalented staff at Ashby School left their white boards behind to tread the boards in a spectacular staff revue in January.

Almost 100 members of staff took part in the sell-out variety show, which featured theatrical performances, musical ensembles, song and dance – including a routine from hit musical, Mamma Mia!

All proceeds from the two performances - which raised £1083.32 - will go towards student rewards.

As part of Ashby’s Schools system of rewards and sanctions, students accumulate points for good behaviour, hard work and achievement. These points can then be exchanged for rewards, such as free music downloads and free meals.

Enjoy and Achieve

Shoes and Sight-seeingSixteen students spent a week in France visiting Ashby’s partner school, Lycee Triboulet, Romans-sur-Isere.

The students, who stayed with the families of French students, had a packed itinerary which included a day in Lyon, visits to a shoe museum and other local attractions, shopping trips, and a screening of award-winning film ‘Revolutionary Road’ - in French.

Ruby Fitzpatrick said: “I had a great time and loved the family I stayed with.”

Enjoy and Achieve

High Hopes for BenPrincess Anne and the Archbishop of Canterbury were in the audience when student Ben Cooper, from Ashby School, spoke at an awards presentation in London.

Ben, 16, was at Lambeth Palace to receive the Hope Award, an accolade given to young people who have shown exceptional qualities.

Ben was nominated for the award for his academic progress and social development, since arriving at Ashby School as a boarder in 2006.

He said: “I was a bit nervous about speaking in front of such important people but it was fun when I did it. I talked about how good boarding school is. It is great to have all your friends under one roof.”

Ben was presented with a cheque for £150 and a winner’s certificate. He hopes to become an architect when he leaves school. The Hope Award is presented by the Royal Wanstead Foundation.

Carl in action in Australia.

Pictured in France are: (left to right) Ruby Fitzpatrick, Bridie Granger, Kirsty Ottey and Tierni Bozeat.

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The Ashbeian

From the Governors...

School House ReportA long-awaited extension to boarding facilities at Ashby School will boost boarder numbers, add new facilities, and incorporate the latest technology.

John Williams, Director of Boarding at School House, said: “We will have a very impressive building completed to the highest design specifications.

“The building will be environmentally sound, using some of the latest green technology to generate energy. This is a very exciting time to be at School House.”

The new building will also feature a thumb-print recognition entry system and the very latest intruder sensors.

Mr Williams added: “Interest in the boarding house is very high and we have to expand to meet this demand. People see that we offer excellent value when compared with the very much more expensive independent sector.”

A final decision on the details of the planning application will be made by North West Leicestershire District Council. It is hoped that the building will be completed by October 2010.

Lollipop Lady May be Employee of the Year

A lollipop lady who has been guiding students across the road at Ashby School for almost 25 years has been nominated for a national Employeeo of the Year Award.

Veronica Allan, who is known as Yvonne, was put forward for Frontline Employee of the Year by a member of the public. The winner will be named at the National Transport Awards in London in July.

Mrs Allan, who celebrates 25 years as a School Crossing Patrol Officer at Ashby School in May, also does administrative work in school. In January, she joined colleagues on stage to perform a song from ‘Mamma Mia!’ in the school revue.

Make a Positive Contribution

Charity Total Breaks School Record (from page one)

Students have been praised for their record-breaking House charity total.

Ashby School also raises money for other charities throughout the year by holding events such as non-uniform days.

Make a Date for Fundraising

A charity calendar featuring male members of staff with their favourite books in some unusual locations has helped to raise more than £150 for charity.

The 2009 ‘Real Men Read’ calendar was put together by library staff to coincide with the ‘National Year of Reading’.

Proceeds from calendar sales will be divided between Cancer Research UK and the Rainbows children’s hospice.

Calendars are still available from the library, priced at £4.

Look! Cook Book!A cook book of tried and tested recipes compiled by staff and students at Ashby School has gone on sale to raise funds for charity.

The Loudoun Cook Book features a wide range of dishes from the traditional, such as meatballs and fruit crumble, to the more unusual, like red pesto and tomato tarts.

Copies of the cook book cost £2. All proceeds go to the charity, Help for Heroes, which supports ex-service men and women and their families.

Music to the Ears of Children’s HospitalTwo friends from Ashby School have boosted the coffers of Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital by a staggering £900 by holding their own charity band night.

Lizzie Pedder and Ellie Bogunovic, both 18, recruited five bands from as far afield as Essex to play at the Ashby War Memorial Social Institute, North Street.

The girls, who are both members of Ferrers, sold tickets for the February gig for £5 apiece.

Lizzie said: “We were hoping to raise about £200 so to get £900 was brilliant. The other Houses better watch out!”

Ferrers chose Great Ormond Street as its House charity for the year.

Yvonne (centre) is pictured during a visit by Mike Jones, former Chairman of Leicestershire County Council and his wife Marj.

Mr Jones as Mr January.

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Enjoy and Achieve

Successful Students Get Their Rewards

Successful students were presented with exam certificates and prizes at two celebration evenings.

A level students from 2008 returned to school to pick up their certificates and some special awards at a ceremony in December.

Daniel Clarke and Christopher Keenan both received awards for making the most progress during their time in the Sixth Form.

There was an Outstanding Performance Award for Millie Wildgoose who achieved one of the country’s top 10 scores in her A level Product Design exam, out of 819 candidates.

Students with four or more A grade passes received the Woodcock Prize. These included David Piper, Sabrina Webster and Sophie Clark, who all achieved five A grades. A further 18 students picked up four A grades.

Students who sat their A levels at Ashby School in 2008 notched up the school’s highest ever A level pass rate – a staggering 98.5 per cent.

Prizes were awarded to the school’s highest-achieving GCSE students at a separate event in January.

An Outstanding Performance Award went to Ben Weatherill, who scored one of the country’s top 10 marks in his GCSE Drama exam, out of 60,000 candidates.

The evening also included the presentation of the Nora F. Lockton Memorial Prize to Emily Harris and Rosemary Glynn, the two students with the highest GCSE results in 2008.

The three students who showed the greatest improvement during their GCSE studies received the Tina Parker Progress Award. They were Muhammad Haji, Louanna Harrison and Martha Fillmore.

The presentation evenings do not replace the school’s annual awards evening, which will be held in May.

Stay Safe

Testing, testing…A team of specialist school nurses were in school for a day in January to offer free chlamydia testing.

The voluntary sessions for students in Years 11, 12, 13 and anyone under the age of 25 were part of a county-wide initiative to reach young people.

The tests were available to both boys and girls. Test results were sent to students’ mobile phones.

Clinics like this tie in with Ashby School’s commitment to encourage all students to stay safe.

Achieve Economic Well-Being

Speakers Consider Credit CrunchA speech about the dangers of greed helped three students from Ashby School to reach the semi-final of a speaking competition.

James Rucinski, Anand Srivastava and Alanna Torossian from Year 11 reached the county semi-final of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition – but narrowly missed making it through to the next round.

Their speech, entitled ‘Greed’, focussed on the credit crunch and ways in which greed had led to the current economic meltdown.

Be Healthy

Trampolinists Jump to Medal Success

Trampolinists from Ashby School bounced their way into the second round of a national competition – less than a year after taking up the sport.

Nine students made it through to the Zonal round of the British Schools Trampolining Competition in January. Five were Year 10 students who took up the sport for the first time in October.

In the competition, students were vying for places against some of the country’s best young trampolinists.

The successful students were silver medallist Danny Harris; Kate Hynard, Becky Bruce, Laura Shepherd and Lauren Farrar, who won a team silver; Adam Jackson, Saleh Cruz-Bham and George Cotton, who won a team silver; and Alex Kavanagh, who went through on points.

Make a Positive Contribution/ Be Healthy

Volunteers Step up for SportsSeven students from Ashby School were praised during a ceremony at the Walkers Stadium for the time they have generously given to local sport.

All seven were presented with certificates as part of the Step into Sport programme, which encourages young people to help with local sporting clubs and activities.

Six of the students picked up bronze certificates while one was presented with silver.

Students are awarded bronze, silver or gold, depending on the number of hours they have spent volunteering.

A student is congratulated by event organiser, Mrs Sue Sibson.

Ashby School’s keen trampolinists

Step into Sport students with their certificates

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The Ashbeian

Faculty Focus...

English

English students were wowed by a brilliant performance from Derek Jacobi in ‘Twelfth Night’ at the Wyndham Theatre in London in February. Fifty students travelled to London for the performance, which tied in with their studies for A2 Language and Literature.

Fifty Year 12 students went to Warwick Arts Centre to see the RSC’s touring production of ‘Othello’ as part of their ongoing English Language and Literature studies.

This year, Poetry Live was at the De Montfort Hall. More than 150 Year 11 students got the chance to see and hear poets from the GCSE syllabus. Poets such as Gillian Clarke, Simon Armitage, Grace Nichols and Carol Ann Duffy recited their poems and answered questions from the audience. John Agard in particular entertained the audience with his rendition of famous poems. The chief examiner for GCSE English also delivered a session on how to approach the exam.

Once again, there are plans to host Year 11 English Revision Conferences in May in the run-up to GCSE exams. The conferences will train students to approach the exams with confidence and teach the skills needed to raise their grades.

Every Thursday after school from 3.15 to 4.15pm, the English department runs a catch-up session where students can improve and complete coursework assignments with teacher support.

To mark National Poetry Day, a poetry reading was held in the library. English staff and librarian Shelagh Setterington dressed up as characters from their favourite poems and recited the poems to a gathered audience.

Ashby School is currently working on a Functional Skills pilot in Maths, English and ICT .This new qualification was introduced after constructive criticism from employers that GCSE students do not always have the necessary skills needed to thrive in the work place.

The Maths and English departments worked together to run up a project morning for the school’s Engineering Diploma students. The session involved a series of Maths and English-related activities which required students to apply a range of functional skills to real-life situations.

Team activities were based in the library and delivered in a ‘business conference’ style to give the students a real taste of the work place. The morning was a huge success and resulted in very positive feedback from participants.

HumanitiesLocal MP David Taylor will welcome 30 students from Ashby School to the Palace of Westminster after Easter.

The students, who are all in Years 12 and 13, will be given a tour of the palace before meeting Mr Taylor, who is a governor at Ashby School.

They will also call at the Tower of London, another royal palace. The students are all studying Government and Politics, or History, at A level.

Year 11 History students visited the Doctor’s Show at Loughborough in February, to brush up on their revision. An experienced examiner led an exam-busting workshop to boost students’ source-handling skills. This was followed by a drama performance covering five thousand years of medical history.

During half-term, 42 students from Year 12 travelled to Swanage for a four-day Geography field trip. During their stay, they visited key coastal landforms along the Dorset coast, as well as spending a day on the Isle of Wight.

In Citizenship, Year 11 students are busy preparing for their exam on Wednesday 20 May. It is vitally important that all students produce two well-crafted pieces of coursework - these are worth 40 per cent of the final GCSE grade. There is still time to improve and staff are available to help all candidates reach their potential.

There are plans to run a heavily subsidised trip to the Houses of Parliament next term for Year 10 Citizenship students. Students will be selected on the basis of their efforts with coursework and in lessons.

At this point in the school year, students from Years 11, 12 and 13 are beginning to prepare for their end-of-course exams. All exam entries have now been made and coursework is nearing completion. Revision guides for most specifications are available from the school.

English students prepare to board the coach for ‘Poetry Live’.

Geography students spent half-term in Swanage

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Maths

The Maths Department has celebrated excellent exam results over the last year.

Students looking to improve their marks further will be able to take advantage of extra revision sessions before the March and June re-sits.

A number of Year 11 students passed the Numeracy element of the Adult Literacy and Numeracy Level 2 qualification. (Anyone wishing to re-sit this qualification will be given help to prepare for the exam.) With a pass in Literacy, this is equivalent to a GCSE.

The Maths Department was involved in the Functional Skills project morning (see English report above). This involved using numeracy skills to deal with everyday issues, such as interest rates and petrol prices.

Other students are getting extra support with their numeracy skills, through the ‘Study Plus Maths’ course.

Attendance is vital to success in Maths. All Year 10 and 11 students who attend all Maths lessons are entered into a prize draw at the end of term.

To boost their results, students are being urged to visit Ashby Learning Online (ALO). As well as useful learning materials, students can also enter a ‘Puzzle of the Week’ competition. Every correct entry is entered into a prize draw at the end of term.

This is one of the puzzles from the archive:

Which 4 figure number, consisting of 4 different digits, meets the following criteria?

The first digit is twice the value of the fourth digit and 2 more than the second digit. The third digit is 1 more than the first digit and 5 more than the fourth digit.

Other highlights have included a motivational Maths morning for Year 10 students, and a Higher Maths conference at the University of London attended by Year 12 and 13 students.

Extra support will be given to all students in the run-up to exams. For AS/A2 students, there are revision sessions, ALO notes and a CD, compiled by teachers. Students should also visit www.livemaths.co.uk and www.mymaths.co.uk.

From the Governors...

FinanceAs the overseer of health and safety developments, the Finance Committee has allocated funds for projects across the school site.

These include funds to meet new electrical standards in the Design Faculty, improvements to a number of water tanks, replacement fire doors in C Block, a new anti-slip floor in Science, upgrade of the fire alarm panels in B Block, essential roofing work and improvements to the swimming pool, and upgrade of the fire and security alarms in C Block.

Because of the importance of student safety, a new CCTV system has been installed on the Nottingham Road site, with further funds earmarked for the Leicester Road site.

A final section of security fencing has completed the perimeter of the Nottingham Road site. The fencing will be continued around the Leicester Road site.

Since 2000, the school has invested more than £4 million in building improvements and expansion projects to enhance the learning environment and accommodate rising student numbers.

Developments have continued this year with a new Technology classroom, the second phase of the Sixth Form Centre, a Year Tutor base, two conference rooms and a major expansion of car parking facilities. Plans for 2009/10 incorporate the Boarding House extension and complete refurbishment of the Food Technology room including brand new equipment

New curriculum initiatives have included a major investment in Music Technology equipment and industry-specification engineering equipment for the new Engineering Diploma.

Other items of note are the new Languages Laboratory, refurbishment of the Library, new digital signage screens, Accipio on line learning provision for fast track GCSE tuition, a three-year subscription to the SAM online learning package and the introduction of ‘My Child at School’ (see page two).

The Finance Committee is currently working on the 2009/10 financial year budget and expects to receive a budget of around £7.8m with a further £1m in additional grants and other generated income.

A financial statement for the last financial year is now available on the school website.

Daphne Hodkinson – Chair of Finance Committee

Andrew Burton - Bursar

Playing with polygons are Sarah Davies (left) and Emma Roach.

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Talking Heads

What is your name? Nataliya Manskova

What Year are you in? 11

How long have you been at Ashby School? I’ve been at this school since the beginning of Year 11. My previous school was in Kharkov, Ukraine.

How did your previous school differ from Ashby School?

There was more of a set syllabus. The school had classes ranging from Years 7 to 11. There was no uniform, just a dress code of black and white. The students’ attitude was about the same but the school day can be longer there.

What do you like best about Ashby School? My friends and ‘Da Vinci’ [gifted and talented programme]. I also like the way that you can choose to study subjects that you like.

What do you like least about Ashby School? Having to take our scarves off at registration. [Scarves and other fashion items are not part of the school uniform – Editor].

Which house are you in? What do you think of the House system? I am in Bullen House. The House system is great; it brings out team spirit.

What do you think of the British weather? It’s actually a lot better than people from other countries assume. It’s been a lovely snowy winter – I really enjoyed it.

What do you want to do when you leave Ashby School? I want to go to university to study Medicine.

What scares you most? I don’t like to think of people I love suffering. And I am scared of loneliness.

How would you spend a million pounds? I would invest it and use it in a few years to do medical research.

If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you prefer to be stranded with? My best friend and a cactus.

What would you never do? I do target shooting - it’s a really great sport – but I would never shoot a living creature.

If the world were to end tomorrow, what would you do today? Catch a plane to Hawaii with my friends and family, and scuba dive.

From the Governors...

Specialist Schools Steering GroupTechnology Colleges ReportWork is underway to reach the ground-breaking Technology College targets agreed earlier this year.

In Science, the first group of fast track students is on course to complete the AS level course in ‘Science and Society’ by the end of Year 11.

The second group of fast track students (Year 10) will have completed their Core GCSE by the end of March.

As part of the school’s commitment to Technology subjects, students get the chance to take part in a wide range of additional activities.

In Design and Technology, students are working with Caterpillar and Eon as part of the Engineering Education Scheme.

In Science, Year 11 students attended a ‘Careers in Chemistry’ presentation by Astra Zeneca. Later this term, 15 students will be guests at a Science day at Cambridge University.

Languages College ReportAshby School is bringing language learning to children of all ages across North West Leicestershire, by sharing its expertise with local schools.

Initiatives include the staging of a French play for pupils from 13 local primary schools, masterclasses for Year 9 linguists from feeder high schools, and training sessions for teachers from nearby primary schools.

Meanwhile, Ashby School has stepped up the gifted and talented programme for its own students. A French literature workshop for the most able Sixth Formers gave students the chance to study the work of famous French poets with a professor from the University of Leicester.

Ashby School played host to French and German exchange visitors in recent weeks. Students from Ashby paid a return visit to France in February (see page 3). A trip to Germany will take place in July.

Be Healthy

Young Athletes Race to VictoryYoung sports stars from Ashby School have won an athletics competition organised by the Schools Sports Partnership.

Six boys and six girls from Year 10 competed in the tournament at Ashby School in January against opponents from King Edward VII College, Coalville.

Field events included indoor shot, standing long jump and standing triple jump.

This was the second consecutive year that Ashby School was declared the winner. It is hoped that more schools will be involved in the tournament in 2010.

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