Issue 5 - May 2014

I would like to draw your attention to an important meeting on Monday 16th June regarding the school’s aspiration to become a single site school. The meeting will take place at 7.00pm in the Main Hall at Upper School and will be an opportunity for you to see a presentation on what the single site development could be like and to ask questions of senior staff and members of the Governing Body. My view, as articulated on many occasions, is that this represents a unique opportunity in the school’s history to make the school even better. We will be able to add significant teaching and learning time in the school day, enable tutors to meet their tutees every day and facilitate older and younger students working and learning together. These are but a few of the many advantages though the meeting will be an opportunity to explore any perceived disadvantages. The examination season is now upon us and I would like to wish all students every success as they tackle their examination papers. Our Year 12 students are currently on study leave and Friday will be the last day for Year 13. They have been a great year group and the Ball last Friday was a hugely enjoyable experience for staff and students. We should feel proud, as a school, of our senior students leaving us and look forward to hearing of their future successes. I would also like to wish every success to our Year 11 students who will also be leaving to begin the next stage of their education, training or employment. On a negative note, we are still dealing with uniform issues on both sites. I wrote in the last edition of Take Me Home about our concern for all students to dress modestly. A number of students have been spoken to and we expect all students to return to school, after half-term, correctly attired. We now have an agreement with a uniform supplier, Price & Buckland, and have samples of uniform in school on both sites. There should now be no confusion about why jeggings/leggings are not trousers and why jeans are not acceptable. Uniform will be available to purchase online from Price & Buckland at the beginning of June. Further details will be sent to you by email, including a link to their website. Finally, you may be aware that all secondary schools will have a full time school nurse from September. We were disappointed not to have a full time nurse for both sites but have secured the services of a member of the PCAMHS team (Primary Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) to work with our school nurse and pastoral teams for half a day a week from September. We can there-fore continue to provide an impressive range of support and guidance in terms of the health and welfare of our young people.

Best wishes, Mr David Wybron

Inside this issue:

Take Me Home!

t: 01844 210510 e: office.4580@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk

w: www.lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk

Headteacher’s Message

Email Communication Update GCSE Art Exhibition

2

Year 7/8 Mathematics Music Notes LWA Raffle

3

Stonewall Campaigns 4

Young Carers Silver Award

5

Sixth Form News Most Able

6

Fishing Accelerated Reader

7

National Citizen Service

8

Advertisements 9

Advertisements 10

Contact Us/ Term Dates/ Calendar

11

Lord Williams's School is an academy managed by Thame Partnership Academy Trust, which is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, with registered company number 8154932 and its registered address at Lord Williams's School, Oxford Road, Thame, Oxon. OX9 2AQ.

Page 2

Email Communication – Update As you know, we are in the process of changing our email communication provider from ParentMail to SIMS InTouch which we

anticipate will give you a better service.

We have received a very high response rate from parents/carers providing us with their personal information and would like to thank you for your help with this large data collection exercise.

We have now started testing the system and initially this will mean you receive duplicate emails from us – from ‘ParentMail’ and from ‘Lord Williams’s School’ (InTouch). Please bear with us as we run these tests; we do not want to stop using ParentMail until we are satisfied that all parents/carers who signed up to the new system are receiving emails via InTouch.

Please may I ask you to monitor your emails and take the following action if this applies to you:

• You receive an email from ParentMail only Please complete the SIMS InTouch data collection sheet which is available from our website: www.lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk/parent-communication/2638.html and return it to us as soon as possible so that we can set you up on the new system.

• You receive an email from ‘Lord Williams’s School’ (InTouch) only If you are satisfied that this is the email address you wish to use, there is no need to take further action unless you subsequently change your email address in which case you should send the new email address to the school office at: office.4580@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk.

• You receive emails from both ParentMail and ‘Lord Williams’s School’ (InTouch) No action required. Once testing is complete we will stop sending emails via ParentMail.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Miss Victoria Timms via the school. Thank you for your assistance.

Ms Armitage, School Manager

Issue 5, May 2014

Page 3 Take Me Home!

To Parent(s)/Carer(s) of all students in Year 7 & Year 8

Lord Williams’s Association LWA

LWA Raffle Tickets Students should have now received raffle tickets to bring home. The raffle draw is on Monday 16th June, so please return all stubs and money in the envelope provided by Friday 13th June. Many thanks and good luck!

ALL students in Year 7 and Year 8 will be doing a Mathematics assessment in the period between Monday 23rd June to Friday 4th July. There will be two written papers (one calculator and one non-calculator) and a 20 minute mental arithmetic test. Please make sure that your child has a pen, pencil, ruler, rubber and calculator for these tests and encourage them to review everything they have learnt during the year. Please speak to your son/daughter’s Mathematics teacher for advice on how to support your child and look out for a letter to be emailed in June.

Mrs Askew, Team Leader Key Stage 3 Mathematics

Music Notes On Wednesday 2nd April we were treated to a fantastic evening of performances at the annual Singer of the Year Competition. Congratulations to all who participated, especially the overall winner, Sadie Kempner. Many of you may also have heard Sadie performing at Music in the Park recently. Little Bill's Big Band also performed a fantastic set at this event and our thanks go to Jane and Ben Twyford for their continued hard work in leading and rehearsing the band.

Mrs Purcell, Head of Music

This term the instrumental and singing teachers have been busy preparing our young musicians for examinations. We are pleased to celebrate the following results:

Piano Madeline Thirtle Grade 1 pass Josephine Golds Grade 1 distinction Emma Fotherby Grade 2 pass

Singing Charlotte Ayres Grade 1 pass Alice Tanner Grade 1 pass Emilie Felicien Grade 1 merit Bex Surridge Grade 3 pass Katie Strathdee Grade 4 merit Shannah Hatch Grade 4 distinction Sophie Haxworth Grade 5 distinction Emily Wignall Grade 5 distinction

Flute Isobel Nelson Grade 1 merit Megan Cooper Grade 2 pass Laura Creswell Grade 4 merit

Congratulations to all the students for all their hard work and music making.

Mrs Brooks, Team Leader Key Stage 3 Music

Page 4 Issue 5, May 2014

Stonewall Campaigns

Students in Year 10, led by Amy Hunt, produced a video which told the story of a female student, played by Katie Wakeling, who felt the need to hide her sexuality because of fear of prejudice and the lack of positive images of same sex couples. Students presented this video to a Year 8 assembly, encouraging students to be good role models in the school community. Year 12 students, led by Zac Kilroy-Silk, also filmed a video about a young man getting to grips with the term “gay” and how its meaning has changed over time. They challenged the use of the word gay to mean something “broken”, “useless” or “defective” and encouraged their Year 9 audience to embrace diversity within society. The film was made by Jonny Gardner-Cobb and the lead role was played by Hamish Riddell.

The film was followed by a balloon race so that students could spread their message far and wide. They designed a logo for the balloons with the slogan “Change the Meaning”. They made sure that everything they used was eco-friendly and bio-degradable. A prize will be awarded to the person who finds the balloon which lands furthest from Thame. School Manager, Dawn Armitage, said “The students have worked extremely hard on their campaigns and have produced high quality resources which we can share with the rest of the school community. They have shown great commitment to promoting equality and diversity and we are very proud of them and their achievements.”

Page 5 Take Me Home!

We are pleased to inform you that Lord Williams’s School has received a Silver Award from Oxfordshire County Council and Spurgeons Young Carers Service for outstanding work in supporting young carers. We have been a leading school in the identification of young carers and currently have around 110 students who are young carers. Our young carers have been identified over a number of years throughout the school. We have established groups and created an environment where the young carers feel that they are not alone and therefore feel safe to identify themselves as having extra responsibilities at home. Through the group meetings, they are able to identify each other – peer to peer and engage socially. The

groups have annual trips to venues such as Thorpe Park, Christmas parties, bouncy castle and other fun activities. The Award is based on our school: • working collaboratively with external agencies in assessing and meeting the needs of the young

carers • developing and sharing information with our young carers through our website • providing opportunities to listen to our young carers’ voice through Student Council and

encouraging them to participate in the development of the support we provide • improving attainment and attendance • ensuring all members of staff are informed of the development of young carers • group and 1:1 support through pastoral/counselling service • ensuring that all students are supported during their transition from primary school and to our

Upper School We would like to say a huge thank you to Jane Harrison (previous Lead Counsellor), Lynn McGill and Helen Englefield (previous Young Carers Co-ordinators) who have contributed to the development and success of this support. For more information, or if you are interested in supporting us in our work, please feel to contact me. Mrs Munro, Lead Counsellor/Young Carers Co-ordinator

Share in our success!!

Page 6 Issue 5, May 2014

Good Luck to Year 12 and Year 13!

Congratulations to our new Senior Students!

I would like to wish all Year 12 and Year 13 students the best of luck with their forthcoming examinations. I know what a stressful time of the year this is and how hard students have worked in the lead up to their examinations. It is particularly important for those Year 13 students who need certain grades to take up their places at university; I have reminded all Sixth Form students recently that there is lots of help and support available in school should they need it. We say a sad farewell to our lovely Year 13 students who go on study leave on Friday 23rd May. They have been a fantastic year group and I would like to especially thank all the senior students for the work they have done this year, Mary Buckland and Harry Jones (Head Girl and Boy) and Jessie Kempner and Ollie Picot (Deputy Head Girl and Boy). Also, thanks for all the hard work by members of the Ball Committee and the Year Book Committee. A reminder to all Year 13 students that we will be looking forward to celebrating with them on Results Day on Thursday 14th August and then at the Sixth Form Awards Evening on Friday 7th November. Congratulations to the following students who have recently been elected as Senior Students for next year: Emily Keogh – Head Girl Matt Walker – Head Boy Hannah Brown – Deputy Head Girl Tom Nolan – Deputy Head Boy Rebecca Brightling Jimmy Austin Alex Butcher Conor Champion Emma Maclean Samuel Hook Hannah Smith Dominic Kelsey I would like to wish all of Year 12 the best of luck with their AS examinations. Year 12 study leave has now started; students return to Year 13 lessons on Monday 9th June. Finally, I would like to wish all Year 11 students good luck in their GCSE examinations. For those who have applied to stay on at Lord Williams’s we look forward to welcoming them to the Introduction to Sixth Form Conference which is on Monday 30th June and Tuesday 1st July.

Up for a Challenge? “I enjoyed discussing facts and being with like-minded people and absorbing facts which other people know”

“We developed the skills of knowing when to bring up a subject and learning from group discussions” “The workshop helped me learn strategy and improved my way of thinking more methodically”

These are just some of the things that Lord Williams’s students are saying about our GIFT Sunday workshops this year.

Visiting lecturers who are experts in their fields lead the students through exciting challenges to their thinking in the company of other able students, some joining us from other schools.

We have looked at life on Mars, mathematical puzzles and patterns, surrealist creative writing and the sci-ence of colour.

The last of our termly workshops is called Active Journalism and takes place on Sunday 22nd June. Details and application information is on the school website under ‘Teaching & Learning’, then ‘More Able Students’.

Also worth a visit, while you are on the website is our project e-book ‘Extra Challenge for Able Learners’. This is a collection of family-based projects to do together which are challenging and good fun. The projects offer creative ways to develop independent thinking and flexible ideas. I hope you enjoy them!

Ms Muldal, Coordinator for More Able Students

Page 7 Issue 5, May 2014

Fishing Unfortunately, we have done little fishing this year because of the weather, with rivers and lakes flooded it was impossible to go; the rain even stopped us fly tying a couple of times. As the weather improved, we were able to get out in April and Mr Brooks took a small group coarse fishing to a private lake at Bullingdon where the students were guests of the Oxfordshire Masons Angling Club. On Monday 12th May, we set off for Bushy Leaze to do some fly fishing, the weather did not look too bad but we knew we would need a coat! Fishermen arrived at school on time and were very excited; some were experienced for others it was their first trip. Traffic was a bit heavy between Thame and Headington and just after the Headington roundabout we hit major traffic. It took 2+ hours to do the journey; the fishermen were still excited but a little fed up!

On arrival all were eager to get started and after introduction to tutors students were soon walking around the lake looking for likely spots to fish. We are lucky enough to have a large group of volunteers who give

up their time to help our fishermen. Mr & Mrs Robinson came along and brought hot soup and rolls and the wife of one of the other volunteer tutors made sausage rolls. Fishing was steady and students were hooking fish, maybe not landing all fish they hooked but still some were getting to the bank, others got away to be caught another day. We had enough fish at the end of fishing for each student to take one home for dinner. The weather was beautiful, the journey home was much better only taking 45 minutes - a good day was had by all.

Mrs Mansfield, Vocational Courses Teacher

Year 7 Achievements on Accelerated Reader (A/R) Congratulations to everyone who has taken part in Accelerated Reader this year. The aim of A/R is to improve the students’ reading skills through testing their understanding of graded reading material (almost all the fiction books in the Lower School Library are on A/R). This is the first year that all Year 7s have taken part and we have been delighted with everyone’s progress. These students have read nearly 180,000,000 words and have taken, on average, over 20 quizzes each, meaning that they have read over 20 books since September. We have been particularly pleased with the way so many students have read something new and have considered new and different authors and genres. There have been inter-form competitions, culminating in the End of Year Awards in June. Individual students have also been recognised for their hard work in improving their reading skills. We hope that as they move into Year 8, everyone will continue to use the library regularly and enjoy our huge range of books.

Mrs Fenton, Mrs Sugden, Ms Maldé, Lower School Librarians

Page 8 Issue 5, May 2014

National Citizen Service: Summer sorted for £35! Government backed and funded

The National Citizen Service (NCS) is the Government’s flagship personal and social development programme for young people. NCS is a once in a lifetime opportunity, open to 15-17 olds in Years 11 and 12, from all schools and colleges across England, including state funded, special and independent. At the heart of the NCS ethos is the view that given the chance young people can make a real difference to their future and their community. What happens on the programme? NCS offers programmes during summer, autumn and spring. It takes place over several weeks out of school time, during school/college holidays. It brings together teams of 15 young people from different backgrounds. Firstly they’ll take part in two five-day residentials (or one three-day residential in the spring or autumn programme). Then they’ll be given the opportunity to create a project they really care about and bring it to life in their local community. This can include anything from creating a community garden to fundraising for a local youth centre. Once they’ve successfully completed their project it’s time to celebrate at a huge graduation party and become a member of the NCS graduate association, giving them access to unique opportunities to stay involved. Benefits There are many benefits for young people. Along with thousands of other people their age, participants enjoy different outdoor activities and develop confidence and skills – especially the team and leadership skills that employers, UCAS and admission tutors value. They learn lots and help their local community. Perhaps most importantly of all, make new friends, developing socially too. Funding The Government funds the £1200 per place with a contribution from participants of between £35 and £50, which covers all costs including transport, food and accommodation. Bursaries are available to ensure NCS is accessible to all. Safety The safety and wellbeing of participants is paramount. NCS has been running for two years and more than 30,000 young people have taken part. All activities are comprehensively risk assessed and overseen by carefully selected trained instructors and mentors, who undergo Enhanced DBS (former CRB) checks. Find out more by calling the NCS Team on 0800 027 9111 or visiting our website -www.thencsnetwork.org.uk. Advertisement*

Page 9 Take Me Home! Advertisement*

1st Thame Guides are holding a Bank Holiday Tabletop

JUMBLE AND BAKE SALE At Guide HQ, Southern Rd, Thame (By the Park)

Sunday 25th May

11am – 2pm

Childrens items Babys items Toys Clothes Houseware DVDs Games Shoes Cakes, etc

Teas, Coffees, Cake, all available under £1 before, during or after you browse the bargains available

Good quality pre-loved or Home baked donations welcome please email: thame1stguides@outlook.com

horsewyse@btinternet.com 01844 202966

Advertisement* Advertisement*

“I enjoyed discussing facts and being with like-minded people and absorbing facts which oth-er people know”

“We developed the skills of knowing when to bring up a subject and learning from group discussions”

“The workshop helped me learn strategy and improved my way of thinking more methodically”

These are just some of the things that Lord Williams’s students are saying about our GIFT Sunday workshops this year.

Visiting lecturers who are experts in their fields lead the students through exciting challenges to their think-ing in the company of other able students, some joining us from other schools.

We have looked at life on Mars, mathematical puzzles and patterns, surrealist creative writing and the sci-ence of colour.

The last of our termly workshops is called Active Journalism and takes place on Sunday 22nd June. Details and application information is on the school website under ‘Teaching & Learning’, then ‘More Able Students’

Also worth a visit while you are on the website is our project e-book ‘Extra Challenge for Able Learners’. This is a collection of family-based projects to do together which are challenging and good fun. The projects offer creative ways to develop independent thinking and flexible ideas. I hope you enjoy them!

Ms Muldal, Coordinator for More Able Students Advertisement*

Issue 5, May 2014 Page 10

Advertisement*

Nominate Your Unsung Hero! Cast your vote in the 6th annual Town Awards

If you know an individual or organisation that has made a contribution to the welfare and well-being of the community of Thame then we want to hear about them! Nominations are sought in the following categories: Sporting Achievement - Someone of any age who has shown great dedication to their sport Voluntary Individual or Organisation - An individual or group that has worked tirelessly for the good of our community Person of Courage - Someone of any age who has overcome adversity or is facing everyday life challenges Lifetime Achievement - Someone who has made a significant contribution to the community over an extended period of time Young Achiever - A young person up to the age of 18 who excels in a particular skill or discipline Service with a Smile - A business or individual that consistently provides a faultless and friendly service Nominating is easy- visit www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk.

The closing date for nominations is Friday 13th June 2014.

3rd Apr Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Practice (3rd - 8th)

4th Apr Term Ends

22nd Apr INSET Day (School closed to students) Duke of Edinburgh’s - Silver Practice Kit Check

23rd Apr Term Begins 8.30am

25th Apr AS Sociology Revision Seminar

27th Apr Duke of Edinburgh’s Silver Practice 'A' (27th—29th)

29th Apr Year 8 Girls’ HPV3 Vaccinations

30th Apr Internet Safety Evening, 7.00pm, Lower School

1st May AS Drama Performance Examination

3rd May Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Practice 'A' (3rd - 4th)

6th May Primary School Dance Show, 7.00pm

How to Contact us

Main switchboard: 01844 210510

Fax (Upper School): 01844 261382

Fax (Lower School): 01844 218371

E-mail: office.4580@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk

Cashless Enquiries: datareply@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk

Parent Communication: intouch@lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk (Please only use e-mail for enquiries which do not need an instant response).

Website www.lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk

Term Dates 2013/14

Term 5 Friday 23rd May – Term ends

Term 6 Monday 2nd June – Term starts Tuesday 22nd July – Term ends

2014/15 Term 1 Weds 3rd September – Term starts Yr 7, 10, 11

Thurs 4th September – Term starts all other Yrs Fri 3rd October – INSET Day (School Closed) Fri 24th October – Term ends

Further Term dates for 2014/2015 are available on the school’s website.

Calendar

Old Tamensians’ Association Membership members@oldtamensians.info Newsletter ota@waitrose.com Web www.oldtamensians.co.uk

*Items with this heading are external advertisements and have not been organised by Lord Williams’s School.

21st May Year 7 Syson Final

22nd May Year 8 Girls HPV catch up GCSE Art Exhibition, 6.30pm DoE Committee Meeting 5, 7.30pm

23rd May Year 10 CoPE Trip, Mini Plant, Cowley Last Day Years 11 & 13 Term Ends 2.50pm

2nd June Term Starts Year 9 Asdan Trip to Marlow A2 Examinations Begin

2nd-12th June French Exchange, Thame to Lisieux

5th June Year 7 Humanities London Trip

12th June Year 9 Humanities World War 1 Trip - Ypres

16th June Year 8 Netherlands Trip (16th-19th) Parents' Consultation Evening - Single Site, Upper School Main Hall

17th June Year 8 Parents’ Evening

18th June LWA Meeting, 7pm, Sixth Form Library

19th June Year 8 Gifted & Talented Hospitality Challenge Year 10 Dance Examination Evening

20th June A Level Psychology Trip

23rd June Year 10 Examination Week Primary Dance Show, 7.00pm (23rd & 24th)

25th June Year 13 Book Return Key Stage 3 & 4 Awards Evening, 7.00pm

26th June Creative Arts Evening, 6.00pm

What’s Your View?

................................................................................................................................................................................................... Please use this tear-off slip to forward any comments you have on issues raised in this Take Me Home or any other school matters.

Name: ……………………………… Parent/Carer of: ……………………………….... TG: …………… Date: ………………

Comments:

Please return to Dawn Armitage in Reception at either Upper School or Lower School.

30th June Introduction to Sixth Form Conference (30th & 1st) Sports Awards Evening

1st-6th July Gambia Week

1st-2nd July Lower School Production

2nd July Duke of Edinburgh Silver Kit Check

3rd July Year 12 Futures Day Gambia Night, 7.00pm

4th July Year 6 Taster Day Year 9 Transfer Day to Upper School Year 11 Ball

6th-8th July Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Qualifier ‘A’

7th-11th July ACE Week Year 10 Work Experience Year 8 Marlow Camp

8th-10th July Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Qualifier ‘B’

10th July Year 12 University Visit

10th-12th July Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Qualifier ‘C’

14th July Year 10 Work Experience Review Year 12 Summer Party, 6.00pm

15th July Lower School Sports Day Year 6 New Parents’ Evening

17thJuly Duke of Edinburgh Gold Qualifier (17th-22nd)

Choreography Challenge

22nd July Term Ends for students, 12.25pm