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THEMES OF THE WEEK“Sea Cadets”

“Decision Making”

WoodlandsCOMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 32

PURSUE EXCELLENCE AND SEIZE OPPORTUNITIES

WOODLANDS

SCHOOL

I hope that you all enjoyed a restful and reflective Easter break, even if the weather was traditionally average.

Staff often pass comment on how quickly time goes in school, and for our Year 11 pupils, the last few grains of sand are falling to the bottom of the timer. I would like to thank the pupils and staff who attended the revision sessions that were on every day of the holiday period. The reason staff give their time so freely for our pupils is that they understand that these few hours can make a significant difference to the pupils’ life chances through the impending external exams. We are planning on keeping our Year 11 pupils with us until Friday 10th June before their leavers’ assembly on Monday 13th June (you will receive a letter outlining the plan).

It was another excellent consultation evening on Wednesday 23rd March for Year 8 pupils.

Working with families is always an excellent way to support our pupils as they strive for personal excellence in their studies and school life. You will find attached to this edition a copy of the survey feedback. Thank you very much for your comments and we have been looking to improve our provision based upon the feedback from all consultation evenings.

I recently read a very interesting report which highlighted how successful schools had extensive extra-curricular provision for their pupils. I am proud to say that whilst we are still working hard to keep improving standards across the school, we do offer all pupils an excellent range of opportunities outside the classroom. Please encourage your child to attend an extra-curricular activity and make the most of the exciting opportunities available.

Congratulations should go to our Year 7 netball, Year 7 girls’ basketball, and Year 8 & Year 9 boys’ rugby for

reaching and winning Essex cup finals this month! This is a tremendous honour and is testament to all the hard work and efforts of both pupils and staff #PESO. Mr Reed is unbeaten at chess club so we need a pupil to show him who’s boss!

On an individual basis, you will have read about some excellent performances by our pupils in martial arts and gymnastics events, and we’ve got all our fingers crossed for Keenan H in Year 11 who is in the EIRE gymnastics squad for the Olympics in 2016 and if the team can qualify, we will be celebrating our first Olympian!

One of our three points in our vision statement is ‘to create an environment which is stimulating, secure and provides opportunities for all’. Mr Wright has co-ordinated our successful bid to achieve the Safeguarding Award which is nationally recognised. This extremely rigorous process highlighted the care and attention that pupils receive at Woodlands and that all of our safeguarding and child protection processes are graded as outstanding. Thank you to all our staff and community for helping make Woodlands such a caring and safe place for our young people.

We demand the highest standards from our pupils and expect them to work very hard to achieve these standards in every aspect of their education.

Thank you all for your continued support in driving standards forward rapidly at Woodlands.

‘Don’t assume a door is closed. Push on it.’

Kind regards

Simon Cox

Science Club is an after school event run on Mondays by Mr Druce and Mr Davies where pupils can come and practise all sorts of fun experiments, from working with fire and chemicals to more long running projects decided upon by ideas given by the pupils.

Last month a dozen pupils from Year 7 who regularly attend Science Club prepared a presentation to be given in front of each of the year groups and teachers in assemblies. The presentation was designed to showcase some of the exciting activities recently undertaken in the Science department.

Information collated by Mr Penson, Science Technician

The Stargazing Evening

The ‘Egg-speriment’

Pupils designed a vessel and parachute

which could safely land an egg from around

5 metres

The Royal Institute of Science Exhibition

Over the Easter Break top set Year 7 Science pupils were given the task of making a 3D model of the solar system using whatever materials they wanted to and their own imagination.

Pupils produced some great models including hanging mobiles, giant ‘space-scapes’ of planets and even a cake.

Pupils were given some examples and were able to use their own ideas to make it as interesting as possible. I was flabbergasted with the results.

- Mr Druce

Some of the construction ideas the pupils have come up with over our modelling projects has been very innovative using very little resources given. The pupils have also shown patience in making satellites this week as there were some very small intricate parts to create and display.

- Mr Davies

On the 24th February, Woodlands School was very pleased to host their first stargazing evening.

The evening consisted of:

• Children and adults learning together about the constellation of stars, satellites, orbits and many other interesting and exciting science facts and theories.

• Three expert physicists teaching about the above topics along with planning fun, engaging activities for everyone to join in.

• Drinking hot chocolate under the night sky.

• Applying knowledge learnt to observe the night sky using telescopes.

The feedback from both pupils and parents was very positive and was enjoyed by all. We look forward to the next stargazing event. Thank you to all involved

- Mrs Hill

On Tuesday 19th April, the Art department ran an all-boys session after school, where the lads explored the work of the painter, Francis Bacon.

Mr Wiley reporting...NO GIRLS ALLOWED!

They sampled different photographic techniques, including slow and fast shutter speeds, as well as utilising Photoshop to manipulate their results. The boys were very much into the idea of sticking post-it notes to their faces and rocking their heads back and forth in order to achieve Bacon’s ghostly paint-stroke effects in their portraits; some said this was an improvement to their pictures, but these rumours are unfounded.

This session’s aim is to fulfil their A01 target, which is centred on studying other artists’ work

and is worth one quarter of their GCSE grade. Boys are vastly outnumbered in Art classes and this gender gap can lead to a lack in achievement, so this session gave the boys an opportunity to shine on their own; independently developing understanding of materials and techniques, as well as managing themselves in group work, breaking down written tasks and furthering their knowledge of digital manipulation.

Some quotes from the session:

“I’d never used Photoshop before, but the way Miss Taylor explained it was clear and easy to understand.” – Bradley G

“I use Photoshop at home, but I learnt some new and useful techniques that I can take with me for future projects.” – Jack E

“I really enjoyed it! I liked using the camera in a different aspect to what you would in class.” - Connor S

“I loved smudging and altering the faces on Photoshop, also the snack selection was good…particularly the Doritos.” - Blade L.

Lines are being learnt. Choreography is on point. Characters are developing and the singing is exquisite.

The 40+ size cast are full of energy and their focus and commitment to rehearsals on a Tuesday and Friday, after school, has been outstanding.

The show opens on the 28th June for a 7pm start. Subsequent performances are on the 29th June and the 1st July. There will also be a matinee on the 30th June which will be an invited performance for our local primary schools.

Tickets will be on sale for the public very soon, so watch this space.

Mr Townsend reporting...

AuditionsAttend one workshop on 1st, 2nd or 3rd of

December. 1.20pm DR1

Then attend an audition on the 7th, 8th or 9th of December. 1.20pm DR1

Aladdin RehearsalsRehearsals are underway for a magical and spellbinding production of Disney’s “Aladdin”.

It has been a busy few months for the EPD team as we have been in rehearsals for Dance Rio 2016.

Saturday 23rd April will be our first performance as the Woodlands EPD Dance team. This will also be our first performance for Dance Rio 2016.

On Friday 15th April we went for our rehearsal at Colchester Football Ground, it was a great experience.

The EPD Dance team are a credit to Woodlands.

EPD DANCE...Mrs Kean reporting...

Comedy Club for boys:

• Do you always make your friends and family laugh?

• Are you someone who likes to perform?

• Do you love drama and making your audience laugh?

Then the Comedy Club for boys may just be for you!!!!

To find out more about this new and exciting club come along to DR2 on Tuesday 26th April at 1.30pm with Miss Churchward.

Good luck to all the Year 11 Drama pupils who have their Unit 3 Practical exam on the 29th April. Have an excellent performance and enjoy the experience!!!

Congratulations to the following Year 7 Geographers who successfully completed top secret missions in their Geography lesson recently:

Paul M – successfully used 300 words used to examine coastal erosion.

Dominic N – successfully used key geographical vocabulary during discussion work.

Taylor F – Used success criteria during discussion and feedback was used to improve work.

Owen B – successfully used key geographical vocabulary during discussion work.

Kelci H – Used literacy support materials to improve her spelling, punctuation and grammar successfully.

Reece H – Worked towards the 500 hundred word challenge by examining coastal erosion and landforms.

TOP SECRET MISSIONS IN GEOGRAPHY!Mrs Merchant reporting...

More Geography secret missions in class to follow! Keep up the good work Year 7 Geographers! Mrs Merchant looks forward to seeing your glaciation models and presentations after Easter (see Show My Homework).

MUSIC FACULTYIn Music this term we have been focusing our attention away from the keyboards and onto other instruments. Some of our Year 7s have been learning the Djembe which is a goblet shaped drum from West Africa. By composing their own rhythms they have begun to create a piece of African music for performance.

In another class the Year 7s have been exploring the music of Hawaii through studying the Ukulele. Pupils are excelling with their technique and are really enjoying the chance to learn a new skill.

The Year 8s have been rocking some classical music on

the guitars, drums and keyboards. They have created rock arrangements of popular classical works, from Strauss to Orff.

Sadly, we are getting ready to say goodbye to our current Year 11 cohort who have created some excellent work in their lessons throughout the year. Good luck to you all.

Finally, we are hoping to get a lot of interest from Years 9 and 10 in the upcoming Holst’s The Planet Suite trip to the Royal Albert Hall. We will be sending out letters for this soon.

Mr Priddle reporting...

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Week Commencing When?

Location and Teacher Focus

11th April

Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

8–8.30am - SPa: G5 / FTu: G6 3-5pm G4 KMe (Higher) 3-5pm G3 JFl (Foundation) 8-8.30am - SPa: G5 / FTu: G6

• Geography revision skills • Dynamic Planet – Water World and Extreme Environments

• Case Study Knowledge

18th April


8–8.30am - SPa: G5 / FTu: G6 3-5pm G4 KMe (Higher) 3-5pm G3 JFl (Foundation) 8-8.30am- SPa: G5 / FTu: G6

• Understanding command words • Dynamic Planet – Climate and Change

• Picking apart the question

25th April



• Map and source skills in Geography examinations • Dynamic Planet – Battle for the Biosphere

• Developing answers to 9 mark questions

2nd May



• MGD – The Key Ideas • People and the Planet – Changing Economy of the UK,

Globalisation • MGD – Interpretation of information

9th May



• MGD – Using the Resource Booklet • People and the Planet – Development Dilemmas /

Challenges of an Urban World • MGD – Making better decisions

16th May



• Time management in the Geography exams • Dynamic Planet – Quizzing of all topics

• Photo analysis and interpretation

23rd May



• Dynamic Planet Last Minute Exam Blast! • People and the Planet – Population, Resources and

Globalisation • Exam skills focus – People and the Planet

Dynamic Planet - Tuesday 24th May People and the Planet – Wednesday 8th June

Making Geographical Decisions - Friday 17th June

WOODLANDS SCHOOL VIEW - SPRING TERM 2016RESULTS FROM YEAR 8 (132 responses) 2016 / 2015

1. My child is happy at this school

Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’t Know

44% 30% 55% 66% 1% 2% 0% 1% 0% 1%

2. My child feels safe at this school


35% 28% 62% 66% 2% 4% 1% 1% 0% 1%

3. My child makes good progress at this school


40% 31% 54% 62% 4% 3% 1% 1% 1% 3%

4. My child is well looked after at this school


36% 28% 62% 68% 1% 2% 1% 0% 0% 2%

5. My child is taught well at this school


27% 26% 71% 65% 0% 3% 1% 2% 1% 4%

6. My child receives appropriate home learning for their age


21% 18% 69% 65% 6% 12% 2% 3% 2% 2%

7. This school makes sure its students are well behaved


33% 24% 56% 58% 7% 10% 1% 1% 3% 7%

8. This school deals effectively with bullying


34% 21% 50% 53% 4% 6% 2% 5% 10% 15%

9. This school is well led and managed


40% 30% 56% 60% 1% 3% 1% 1% 2% 6%

10. This school responds well to any concerns I raise


30% 20% 65% 61% 1% 7% 2% 4% 3% 8%

11. I receive valuable information from the school about my child’s progress


31% 24% 62% 65% 4% 8% 2% 3% 1% 0%

12. Would you recommend this school to another parent?


46% 35% 50% 53% 2% 4% 1% 2% 1% 6%

School Leaver Information Fact Sheet

Options for summer 2016

Academic Courses Apprenticeships

Full time work with training

Vocational Courses Short course opportunities

Traineeships Volunteering with training

Raising the Participation Age (RPA) The Government has increased the age to which all young people in England must continue in education or training, requiring them to continue until their 18th birthday, for more information visit www.essex.gov.uk/futurelearning

Remember…it is always important to have a back-up plan, so consider other options and get an application completed for plan B.

Sixth Form/College options for summer 2016

Summer 2016 Visit our Facebook page www.facebook.com/ESUessex

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School Leavers Information Fact Sheet

For more information on the courses available, application procedures, open events and entry requirements, please contact the establishment directly.

Establishment Location Contact Details Adult Community College Various Telephone: 0845 603 7635

Website: www.essex.gov.uk/Adult-Learning/Pages/Default.aspx Anglo European School Ingatestone Telephone: 01277 354018

Website: www.aesessex.co.uk Basildon Academies Basildon Telephone: 01268 552536

Website: www.basildonacademies.org.uk Beauchamps High School Wickford Telephone: 01268 735466

Website: www.beauchamps.essex.sch.uk Brentwood County High Brentwood Telephone: 01277 238900

Website: www.bchs.essex.sch.uk Brentwood Ursuline Convent School

Brentwood Telephone: 01277 277156 Website: www.buchs.co.uk

Greensward Academy Hockley Telephone: 01702 202571 Website: www.greenswardacademy.org

Mayflower High School Billericay Telephone: 01277 623171 Website: www.mayflowerhigh.essex.sch.uk

NCB Studio School Basildon

Basildon Telephone: 01268 240300 Website: www.ncbstudioschool.org.uk

PROCAT Canvey Skills Centre

Basildon Canvey

Telephone: 0800 389 3589 Website: www.procat.ac.uk

SEEVIC Benfleet Telephone: 01268 756111 Website: www.seevic-college.ac.uk

Shenfield High School Shenfield Telephone: 01277 219131 Website: www.shenfield.essex.sch.uk

South Essex College Basildon, Southend and Thurrock

Telephone: 0845 52 12345 Website: www.southessex.ac.uk

St Martins School Hutton Telephone: 01277 238300 Website: www.st-martins.essex.sch.uk

The Appleton School Benfleet Telephone: 01268 794215 Website: www.theappletonschool.org

The Billericay School Billericay Telephone: 01277 655191 Website: www.billericay.essex.sch.uk

The Bromfords School Wickford Telephone: 01268 471201 Website: www.bromfords.essex.sch.uk

The King Edmund School Rochford Telephone: 01702 545771 Website: www.kes.essex.sch.uk

The King John School Benfleet Telephone: 01702 558284 Website: www.thekjs.essex.sch.uk

The Sweyne Park School Rayleigh Telephone: 01268 784721 Website: www.sweynepark.com

Other Colleges close to South Essex

Barking and Dagenham College

Romford Telephone: 020 8090 3020 Website: www.barkingdagenhamcollege.ac.uk

Chelmsford College Chelmsford Telephone: 01245 265611 or 01245 293031 Website: www.chelmsford-college.ac.uk

Havering College Hornchurch Telephone: 01708 455011 Website: www.havering-college.ac.uk

Havering Sixth Form College

Hornchurch Telephone: 01708 514400 Website: www.havering-SFC.ac.uk

Palmers Sixth Form College

Grays Telephone: 01375 370121 Website: www.palmers.ac.uk

Writtle College Chelmsford Telephone: 01245 424200 Website: www.writtle.ac.uk

Are you still unsure about what college course to take? Speak to your school or call the Employability & Skills Team for some impartial advice on 03330 139842


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Apprenticeships, Traineeships & Foundation Learning

Apprenticeships give you a unique opportunity to gain a qualification, get work experience and earn a wage at the same time. Apprenticeships are now available from Level 2 (equivalent to GCSE A – C) to level 6 (equivalent to degree level) in many different types of occupation

Traineeships are work experience placements with employers (occasionally paid) lasting from six weeks to six months. You will gain employability skills, functional skills and experience and it could lead to an apprenticeship with an employer

Both Apprenticeships and Traineeships are advertised on the National Government website www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Foundation Learning Providers offer vocational training, with English and maths qualifications to help improve your skills and get you ready to undertake an Apprenticeship opportunity

For further advice on these opportunities, please call 03330 139842 or email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/esuessex. For information on Apprenticeships and Traineeships visit www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Essex County Council opportunities for young people How well do you know Essex? Essex is facing big changes, and you can be a part of it. With the following key sectors all currently growing in the Essex area, there are hundreds of thousands of exciting career opportunities available right on your doorstep. Care Top local employers: Essex County Council, the National Health Service and Forest Care Limited Top advertised vacancies: Social Worker, Auxiliary and Nursery Nurses and Support Workers Construction Top local employers: TRS Consulting, ARC Incorporated Limited, ARC Norwich Limited and the National Health Service Top advertised vacancies: Quantity Surveyors, Site Managers and Field Service Engineers Manufacturing and Engineering Top local employers: Luton Bennett Company, Raytheon and IFDS Top advertised vacancies: Maintenance Engineer, Mechanical Engineer and Electronics Engineer Logistics Top local employers: Reliance Employment Limited, ARC Incorporated Limited and Harper Guy Consulting Limited Top advertised vacancies: LGV 2, Forklift drivers and Warehouse Managers Finance Top local employers: AJ Chambers, International Financial Data Services and Gerrard White Top advertised vacancies: Account Manager, Accountant, Data Analyst. I.T, Digital and Creative Top local employers: IFDS, Raytheon, Searchica Ltd. Top advertised vacancies: Java Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, Systems Engineer Health Top local employers: National Health Service, the Spire Health Care, Care UK Health Top advertised vacancies: Nurses, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists

Find out more about these and other sectors at: https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/LMI/Pages/Sector-Index.aspx These sectors have been identified by the Essex Employment and Skills Board, which represents local employers and educational establishments.


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What’s Next? Are you unsure about your next step? Essex County Council has an Employability and Skills Intervention Team that can provide you with more information on all of your options including apprenticeships, college, employment, short courses and volunteering opportunities. Our team of experienced and friendly advisers have helped more than 3000 young people into education, employment or training in the last two years. We will help you to find the right opportunities in your area and will also support you with your applications, including creating your CV. Please contact the Employability and Skills Intervention Team on 03330 139842 or email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/esuessex to get your career on the move!

Child Benefit Extension If you are a school leaver and unemployed and do not have a course or training programme to start in September 2016, your parent/carer may be entitled to claim Child Benefit Extension. There is a time limit in which you can register your claim. For more information contact the Employability and Skills Intervention Team on 03330 139842 or contact 0300 200 3100 or visit www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

Specialist Support IAG Advisers within the Children and Young People with Disabilities Service work with young people who have a statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan from Year 9 onwards. They provide information, advice and guidance on education, employment and training opportunities. For more information place call: 03330 139867 or email: [email protected]

Useful Websites Website: www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk

Details: Help, support and opportunities for young people finding their first job

Website: National Careers Service Telephone: 0800 100 900 Details: Career guidance website and help line

Website: www.notgoingtouni.co.uk Details: Jobs, training and college options for those that may not go to university

Website: www.ucas.com

Details: Organisation responsible for managing applications to Higher Education courses

Website: www.ucasprogress.com Details: information for all post 16 options with course search facility

Website: www.vinspired.com Details: Connects 14- 25 year olds with volunteering opportunities in England

Website: https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch

Details: The job search website for the Job Centre Plus

This factsheet was produced by the Essex County Council Employability & Skills Intervention Team. All Information was correct as at March 2016

DUTY PUPILSTo the following Year 8 pupils who have acted as Duty Pupils, thank you very much for all your hard work.

DIARY

FIXTURES

Jack T Jamie W Layton W-FCallie B Joseph-Lee B Abbie BPaakofi E Bill G Alfie LAbigail L Liam N-W Daniel Primero N-KJack O Joshua P Jean P Ben R Lee S Ivy S Jasmin S-K Millieann S Tony SShannon V Morgan W

Tuesday 26th April 2016 Year 9 & 10 Studio Sessions (Art and Photography)

- 3.15-5.15pm

Wednesday 27th April 2016 Year 10 English PiXL Pupil Conference (Dominion Theatre,

London) - 8.30am - 4pm Year 11 Practical PE Moderation - 12.30-4.30pm

Cookie sale in aid of ‘Help for Heroes’ - 1.20-1.50pm

Thursday 28th April 2016 Year 8 Language Leaders Project at Merrylands

Primary School - 9-11am

Friday 29th April 2016 Year 11 GCSE Drama Exam

Sunday 1st May 2016 EPD Saracens Rugby game at Allianz Park

Monday 2nd May 2016 BANK HOLIDAY - school closed

Wednesday 4th May 2016 Years 7-10 EDP Dance Rio at Chelmsford Cricket Club Years 10 & 11 Mini Higher Education Fair in the Atrium/

Performance Hall

Thursday 5th May 2016 Year 11 Art and Photography Exam

Friday 6th May 2016 Year 11 Art and Photography Exam

Friday 6th - Sunday 8th May 2016 Year 7 Netball Tour at Liddington, Wiltshire

Saturday 7th - Sunday 8th May 2016 Year 10 D of E Mud ‘n’ Maps (Woodlands Expedition)

in Chelmsford

Saturday 30th April 2016 EPD Football U13 v Chelmsford City at 10:30am

Monday 2nd May 2016Athletics at Chelmsford

Wednesday 4th May 2016 Dance Rio at Chelmsford Cricket Club

Friday 6th May 2016 Year 7 Netball Tour at Liddington, Wiltshire

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF, OR A WITNESS TO BULLYING IN

WOODLANDS, TEXT US NOW FOR HELP & SUPPORT

TEXTLINE

ANTI BULLYING

!

07519 361717

Woodlands operates a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on bullying.

-

Year 8 Girls’ HPV injections (1st dose) will be taking place on Wednesday 11 May in the Performance Hall at 9.20am.

The 2nd dose will be given in Year 9.

Forms to be returned to Pupil Services.

Thank you.

HPV INJECTIONS

We are collecting Active Kids Vouchers to enable us to obtain PE equipment for our school.

Your continued support is very much appreciated.

WE ARE COLLECTINGSAINSBURY’S VOUCHERS

A collection box is situated in Pupil Services.

PursueEXCELLENCE

& SeizeOPPORTUNITIES

Woodlands School, Woodlands Approach, Basildon, Essex, SS16 5BA Tel: 01268 282146

For up-to-date information please visit our website: www.woodlandsschool.org and Schoop ID: 22047

or follow us on Twitter: @Woodlands_sch

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