Latest Newslette - Kenilworth School

Leyes Lane, Kenilworth, CV8 2DA
Tel: (01926)859421 • Email: [email protected]
Head: Mr H. Abbott, B.A.(Hons.), M.Ed • Deputy Head: Mr. M. Snape
Dear All
22nd May 2015
DIARY DATES
We have had a number of very successful sports events earlier this week with
many boys and girls winning competitions in a range of events or being
selected for county championships in athletics. I wish the students well in the
forthcoming events and I hope that they will have fun and enjoy participating.
Needless to say, our students are always true ambassadors for the school.
In July later this term our Learning Ambassadors will be hosting an
Independent Learning Conference which will involve Year 5 students from
some of our local primary schools, enjoying a morning of workshops, about
learning led by our Year 9 and 10 students. This will build on the excellent
work that the Learning Ambassadors have done this year.
Currently, we have a number of Duke of Edinburgh Bronze practice
expedition weekends taking place. These will be followed by the actual
Bronze expeditions, which will take place after the summer holidays. A group
of Year 10 students are currently in Cornwall taking part in a GCSE catering
visit. We look forward to their safe return and hearing about their improved
culinary skills.
I am sure that we would all agree that full attendance and punctuality are
essential to academic success. To help us to realise each students’ potential,
requests for leave of absence during term time are refused unless there are
exceptional circumstances. The DfE have ‘tightened up’ on the expectations
of schools for absence in term time and, whilst we do not wish to be
inflexible, can parents be aware that it is the norm for requests for leave of
absence during term time to be refused. We will of course judge cases on
individual merit and these may be approved in very rare instances.
With regard to punctuality, teaching staff on duty welcome students at the
gate in the mornings at the start of the school day and they also monitor late
arrivals to school. Can all students please make every effort to arrive at
school on time as it is good preparation for work experience and for future
employment. As we approach the public examinations, all students should
ensure that they have checked their examination timetables for any clashes.
Parents, please ensure that students leave home promptly in the mornings to
be in school ready for a timely start to their exams.
The charities that will benefit from the non-uniform day at the end of this half
term are the Shelterbox appeal for the Nepal earthquake and our school
production of ‘Grease’.
I wish you all a good half term break.
Yours sincerely
H.H.S. Abbott
Headteacher
May
25th – 29th Half Term
June
22nd
29th
Work Experience
Fortnight
Fashion Show
£3,314.00 RAISED
FOR NEPAL
SHELTER BOX
APPEAL!!
This equates to four
Shelter Boxes. Well done
to all those students who
have taken part.
See later in the
newsletter for more
information and
photographs
If you still have money to
return please hand it to
Mrs Moores as soon as
possible.
MISSING HOCKEY TOPS
Congratulations to Ms White (Head of English)
who is now Mrs Jones!
Could the girls hockey players check at
home as we are missing a number of new
hockey tops. These will easily be
identified as they are numbered.
Numbers missing are 3,4,9,13,14.
Please return to the P E Office as a matter
of urgency.
Thank you.
ACTIVITY DAY UPDATE: CONFIRMATION OF PLACES HAVE BEEN SENT
OUT TO STUDENTS
Please ensure signed reply slips are return and
payment is made by Friday 5th June.
Thank you
PLEASE NOTE: The cost for West Midlands
Safari Park is £19.50
RECYCLE YOUR UNIFORM
DO YOU WANT TO BE A VET?
ARE YOU IN YEAR 11 OR 12?
Emscote Vets in Warwick have a vacancy for a
Saturday student, an opportunity for a
voluntary ongoing work experience placement.
On Year 11 Book Return day there will be a
‘bin’ in the Upper School foyer to put any
unwanted uniform donations in.
To apply, send a CV and covering email to
[email protected] with Saturday Student in the
subject line. Say why you would like to be considered.
PTA will then be able to use it at their
second hand uniform sales.
No skirts or trousers please
SPORTS FIXTURES
Wed
Thu
Thu
JUNE
Year Group
Sport
Opposition
Home Away
Approx Start
Finish
3rd
4th
4th
Year 9 & 10
Year 7
Year 9
Rounders
Cricket
Rounders
Myton
North Leam
Tournament
Away
Away
Myton
5.30pm
6.00pm
TBC
REPORT FROM THE WEST MIDLANDS SCHOOLS
ORIENTEERING CHAMPIONSHIPS MAY 16 TH 2015
On Saturday a squad of 14 orienteers from Y7-13 took part in the West Midlands Schools Championships
held at Park Hall Country Park near Stoke-on-Trent. The courses were quite challenging with lots of hidden
paths and plenty of ups and downs in this former quarry area but everyone performed really well. Overall
we came 3rd behind Walton High School, Cannock, and our local rivals King Henry’s but this was a pleasing
result considering we are in the process of rebuilding the squad following the departure of several former
members last year.
Individual results:
4th places: Hannah Matthews (Y9/10 girls),
Oliver Lunn (Y7/8 boys), Ben Goldie (Y11+ boys)
5th place: Jeremy Knott (Y11+boys)
6th places: Felix Lunn (Y7/8 boys), Catherine Beattie
(Y9/10 girls), Stephen Elkington (Y11+boys)
7th place: Cameron William-Stein (Y7/8 boys)
8th place: Luke Lambert (Y11+ boys)
9th place: Alastair Shiels (Y11+ boys)
10th place: Oliver Flippance (Y7/8 boys)
12th Place: Nathan Chapple (Y7/8 boys)
14th place – Holly Glover & Emma Hayward-Higham
(Y7/8 girls)
It is farewell to one of our long serving squad members, Jeremy Knott, who will be off to continue his
orienteering at St John’s College Cambridge in September – we wish him all the best for the future.
Next local club events (everyone welcome)
Wednesday 27th May – Kingsbury Water Park, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Wednesday 3rd June – Coombe Abbey Country Park, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Sunday 7th June – Shuckburgh Hall, 10am – 12pm
Wednesday 10th June – Itchington Holt, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Wednesday 17th June Hillfield Park, Solihull, 6:30 – 7:30pm
Full details about start times and costs will be on the club website. Runners and walkers of all ages, 5 – 85
years, and abilities will be welcome to come along to try out this outdoor adventure navigation sport.
Several courses have been planned and help is available to all newcomers. A large scale map and electronic
timers are provided. To find out more see the website of our local club OD’s: www.octavian-droobers.org or
tel: 01926 632189.
Planning for the future
The next major school competitions take place in the autumn;
British Schools’ Score Championships – Cobham Common, Surrey on Sat 10th Oct
British School’ Orienteering Champs – Sandringham, Norfolk on Sunday 15th Nov
Then in November 2016 we have the schools’ selection races at Sutton Park to represent England at the
Word Schools’ Championships which take place in North-East Italy in April 2017. Our Y7 & 8 boys in
particular, provided they continue to make good progress, will stand an excellent chance of making it (when
they will be in Y9 & 10). So, if you want to join them, get started at some local events, join the school squad
for next autumn’s British Schools’ and/or come and have a chat with me in my office in upper School.
Mr Lockren [email protected]
NB A big thank you to the PTA for assisting with funding entries for this and future schools events.
Alan Turing Cryptography Competition Success
The students participated in the internationally recognised
Alan Turing Cryptography competition and both teams of 4,
including the missing Joe Pollacco, were among the top 30,
from over a thousand teams nationally. Of course the
competition is named after the fine Mathematician of
Bletchly Park fame and our students performed exceptionally
in this legacy competition. They successfully solved all six
puzzles and our Year 11 team of "Mathletes" were placed in
the top 10. The Year 9 team also attended a Cryptography
day at Manchester University which enabled them to meet
fellow cyptographers from across the country.
Students meet cryptography in school in ICT and in Maths
club and both subject areas are justifiably proud of the
students.
From Left to Right: Charlotte Watson, Andrea Sendula, Tim Stallard, Mr Abbott, Nicola Jennings, Jessica Tracey,
Isabelle
Fullerton, Mr Rafferty, Janina Branke
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Customer Service Apprentice
Location: Tachbrook Park, Warwick
Expected Apprenticeship Duration: 18 Months
A superb opportunity has arisen to begin your career in a successful and
forward thinking energy company based in Warwick as a Customer Service
Apprentice. Working in a professional Customer Services department, you will
be an integral part of a busy team that is intent on providing excellent service
to its customers.
The Job
To provide excellent, professional Customer Service and Customer Administration. This includes customer contact
via telephone, email and fax to handle and resolve all customer queries as well as basic book keeping, handling
accounting queries and keeping our billing databases up to date.
In order to offer an optimum service you will liaise with all parts of the business and as part of the overall customer
service provided by our team, you will be required to direct customers to the correct account handler, take orders for
bulk and cylinder customers, as well as taking basic calls relating to engineering.
The Person
A minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade A-C, to include Mathematics and English Language.
With a positive attitude and desire to progress within a Customer Service environment, you must be able to work as
a team member. You will have a flexible and adaptable approach and will demonstrate excellent organisational and
administrative skills. With the ability to use your initiative and analyse problems you will have good attention to
detail. Excellent interpersonal skills, a professional telephone manner and a positive 'can do' attitude, you will be PC
literate and possess quick and accurate keyboard/VDU skills.
As this role is offered in partnership with Warwickshire College, the successful candidate will work towards an NVQ
level 2 qualification and be supported through the apprenticeship programme by Warwickshire College.
Calor is a company that takes pride in investing in the Training and Development of its employees and has a
defined career and progression framework for employees working in the Customer Services department and the
wider business.
Please follow the link for more information http://www.fish4.co.uk/job/4016396/customer-service-apprentice/
Those who are interested can also apply via this route or directly through the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
via Warwickshire College (the advert for which should be listed by the end of the week) then we will screen
applications from there.
Write a Book Review!
Read an interesting book recently? Tell us about it. Just log into Eclipse
(http://u006806.microlibrarian.net/?ad=true) from the home page using the barcode number
on your LRC card as user name and your date of birth as password, then follow the steps below:
Click on past loans (left of home screen) to view books you have read. They will appear on the
display window.
Select one and click the icon
write a review
Any book shown in the central display window, such as Book of The Week, Top Ten or New Arrivals may also
be reviewed.
You can go back and edit your write-up, just click the ‘my review icon’
Save your review, the LRC manager will approve and post. Happy Writing!
‘More Than This’ by Patrick Ness
I found the novel really weird but was still compelled to finish it. The novel explores what is thought to be ‘real life’
and ‘afterlife’ as Seth drowns and wakes up in a weird and desolate environment he considers initially as hell. It toys
with the idea of afterlife being a sort of virtual environment we created for ourselves to escape the tragedies of real
life. The story shifts between both worlds creating a sense of intrigue and suspense.
Ness dwelt on the complexities of human emotions, love, friendship, betrayal, hope and forgiveness as shown in
Seth’s story. Seth encounters two unlikely people when he woke up who risked their lives to save him despite
himself. His experience and relationship with them changes his views and attitude to life as he knew it and leads him
to want more – ‘More Than This’. Angel Egbuji Learning Resource Centre Manager
SHELTER BOX NEPAL APPEAL
We have had a wonderful response from what some are now referring to as Stretch a Pound! Each student
was given £1 and asked to make it grow to raise money for the earthquake victims in Nepal.
Many students have really gone the extra mile raising money.
They have been car washing, baking cakes, mowing lawns,
car boot sale, sponsored silence, doing housework, selling
original drawings, running a 24 hour sponsored gaming party
and walking through the town in Onesies. We have had
envelopes returned, some with hundreds of pounds in others
with just a few pounds and we are very pleased to announce
we have collected £3,314.00!
We are grateful for all donations large and small, keep
bringing them in to the Main Office, Mrs Moores
is still counting!
Kenilworth Lions Show
We are looking for Dancers and Cheerleaders to
perform at this year’s show. If you are
interested please come and see me in the PE
office
Mrs Shakespeare
GOODBYE AND GOOD LUCK
It’s farewell to one of our long serving
Orienteering squad members, Jeremy Knott,
who will be off to continue his orienteering at St
John’s College Cambridge in September – we
wish him all the best for the future.
PANDORA BRACELET FOUND
One of our students found a Pandora bracelet on Leyes
Lane. If you have lost this bracelet please contact Mrs
Hughes at school on 01926 513656.
Maths Challenge Star places in top 100.
Students from across the country, including many from Kenilworth School have sat too many papers to count over the
years and we have notched up another great success. Andrea Sendula in Year 9 progressed from the Mathematics
Challenge to the Cayley round alongside the other 499 best Year 9 students in the country. She is pictured with the
bronze medal she achieved for placing in the top one hundred in this illustrious company. A huge achievement indeed!
In fact she is pictured in front of our honours board
which records the winners of our internal team
Mathematics events each year. Perhaps
unsurprisingly, her name is already on this board.
In the coming weeks students will be competing for
this years’ honours and we wish all our young
mathematicians the best of luck!
Apprentice Needed!
Do you enjoy working with people & having fun?
Want to join our industry?
There’s no better place to start!!
Rumours Hair & Beauty
Caesar Road, Kenilworth 01926 858951
Contact the Salon or Lesley 07973 168 122
WIN YA
At Kenilworth Books we are aiming to develop our Young Adult selection and would love to hear from you.
To get involved simply tell us what you think about one or more of the books below and we’ll enter you
into our YA competition to win a YA title of your choice. Entries will be judged by our good friend and YA
blogger Michelle Toy http://talesofyesterday.co.uk/. Drop your review into the shop, at 12 Talisman
Square, Kenilworth CV8 1JB, and you will also qualify for £1 off any YA book or a free book from our YA
offer basket. Competition closing date: Saturday 30th May 2015. Look out on facebook and
twitter@kenilworthbook for up-dates
A chilling and heart-breaking coming-of-age story of life within a cult, Seed will
take readers on a journey of gripping self-discovery reminiscent of The
Handmaid's Tale.
Hey, buster! Normal life is a total yawn. Break out of boredom with Ruby Redfort,
the super-awesome teen detective series from multi-million-copy bestseller
Lauren Child…
Hello blog! It's the start of another term and there are three things that SUCK
about my life:…There's just one thing for it - me and my best mates Harry and Ad
are going to have to enter the same DJ competition as Seb and WIN! What could
POSSIBLY go wrong?
Sephy is a Cross – a member of the dark-skinned ruling class. Callum is a nought –
a ‘colourless’ member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The
two have been friends since early childhood. But that’s as far as it can go.
Make your own recommendation and tell us about your personal favourite.