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 As you may be aware, we have introduced Citizenship to replace PSHE. Our Year 9 students are beginning a cycle of assemblies designed to explain the process of options and to share with them key information to help them to make their option choices for KS4. There are subjects that form a core compulsory curriculum and these include English, Maths and Science, Citizenship and PE (non-examined). As Citizenship is a relatively new subject, I want to take the opportunity to explain what is involved and how the study of this subject benefits students. Citizenship helps prepare students for life after school. It helps them to make decisions for themselves on all sorts of issues and to learn about law making and, our legal system, and to understand how we are affected by global issues, such as international conflicts, global warming and immigration. The subject also gives students the opportunity to take an active role in solving problems in the local area or school through campaigning where they make the changes they want to see happen. The Citizenship course is accredited as a full GCSE and for those students who have gained a good grade at GCSE, the natural progression will be study at A level in Citizenship, Politics, Law or Sociology. Whilst we do not offer all of these subjects at A level, they provide a solid foundation for any Humanities discipline and enable students to develop their advocacy and negotiation skills which are useful in all areas of study beyond 16. Earlier this week, we remembered those who have lost their lives in previous and current wars or conflicts by a two-minute silence. Although much time has passed since the second World Wars, there are clearly many lives that have been lost in more recent conflicts in the 21st century, so making a tribute to those who lost their lives for our country has lasting relevance. I would like to thank the four students, Martha Gallagher, Adam Hnat, Lucy Hollings, and Joel Scott for playing the last post on both of our sites. I would like to take this opportunity to remind students about the policy on the use of mobile phones in school. Mobile phones, if they are brought into school, should be kept switched off and out of view. They are not to be used for recreational purposes during the school day and if pupils are seen using phones during the school day, they will be confiscated. If any student needs to make contact with home during the school day, they should mention it to their head of year or report to reception and they will be given permission to use a phone if it is for an emergency. Mobile phones of course are strictly forbidden in examinations and the use of a mobile phone could disqualify a candidate from a public examination. The majority of our students adhere to the policy but it is worth reminding everybody of our expectations. As usual, our non-uniform days raise funds for worthwhile charities. Our non-uniform day today is in support of Children in Need. Thank you for your continued support for our regular fund raising events. Yours sincerely H.H.S. Abbott Headteacher th 14 November 2014 DIARY DATES November 20th Year 11 Parents Evening Armistice Day At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month staff and students in school observed a two minutes silence. Our thanks to Adam Hnat 11K, Martha Gallagher 11D, Lucy Hollings 9J (pictured) and Joe Pollaco 11F who played the last post. The Year 11 mock timetable is now available to view on the VLE. If any students wish to discuss their timetable, please pop and see Mrs Kelly or Mrs Chamberlain in the exams office. Origami Club Every Thursday lunchtime 12.40pm In U12 Limited places For all abilities If you have origami paper please bring it along with you. Sixth Form Drama and Theatre students visited by Frantic Assembly. On Monday 10th November, AS Drama and Theatre Studies students were joined by Rachel and Pete from The Young Performers Institute for a Physical Theatre Workshop. The students were introduced to the techniques and principals of Physical Theatre companies like Frantic Assembly, where they created their own movement material and chair duets. A fantastic opportunity which has helped prepare them for their Unit 2 practical exam next term. Kenilworth School PTA Was very successful and raised the huge sum of £1,113.45. Thanks to all the PTA members involved for all their hard work Abbey Hill Church (United Reformed) An Exhibition of Nativity Sets from around the world The church is open to view this exhibition from Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th December 2.00pm to 4.00pm Saturday 13th December 10am to 4pm Marcus Teale 9J baked a beautiful Lest We Forget cake during Food Technology on Tuesday ~ Carols by Candlelight Sunday 21st December at 6.30pm SPORTS FIXTURES Day Nov Year Group Sport Tue 18th Yr 9 Hockey Wed 19th Sixth Form Football Wed 19th Year 7 Fri 21st TBA Hockey American Football Sat 22nd Year 7,8,9,10,11 Rugby Opposition/ Venue Home / Away Approx Return/Finish St Nicholas Lawrence Sherriff Kingsley Away Check with PE Home Check with PE Home Check with PE Tournament Bluecoat Check with PE Woodlands TBA Check with PE MOCK TIMETABLE ON VLE The Year 11 mock timetable is now available to view on the VLE. If any students wish to discuss their timetable, please pop and see Mrs Kelly or Mrs Chamberlain in the exams office. ORIENTEERING NEWS Good luck to the school orienteering squad on Sunday. Twenty-seven runners from Y7 to 13 will be travelling to Leeds to take part in the main event of the year, the British School Orienteering Championships. We will be leaving at 7am and returning around 5pm. Last year we came 3rd in Britain overall - a fantastic result (with our top 9 runner counting) and won the Y13 Girls category (top 3 in each age group). This year, as well as the overall team competition we have entered the following age group teams: Y8, 10 and 11 boys Y10 Girls We also have individuals running in Y7, 9, 12 & 13 boys and Y8 & 12 Girls However, several of our top scorers are now at university and we are in the process of re-building the squad. Therefore, a top 10 finish overall would be a good result this time. Full results will be in the newsletter next week. Mr Lockren. 2014 PTA CHRISTMAS RAFFLE Please support the PTA Christmas Raffle by buying the tickets that were sent home with your child. Please return them by 26th November. Our fabulous prizes include three hampers packed full of Christmas goodies, a real Christmas Tree Voucher & a 1 hour Young Driver Lesson Voucher To mark the centenary of the start of The Great War there has been an Open Space for pupils to reflect in Upper School this week. This was organised by KYFC and The RS department. Comments and Feedback from pupils What do you think about Open Space? It’s a really friendly and reflective place that could calm people. It’s very relaxing I think it’s good for you if you have something you want to get off your chest. Its private. It’s a great way for children to reflect and be honest with themselves. I think that it is really good because the thinking just made me feel like I am with Grandad It really helped me to open up with the activities. I feel like I have let off steam in a relaxing environment. It’s a good place to think and give yourself a break. I think it is very relaxing and really helps with your worries and feelings. I think it’s a great way for kids this age to be true to themselves, have some rest and to just have some time to reflect. It’s a lovely peaceful place to be. I think its amazing, I let go of things that have haunted me for a long time. What was your favourite part and why? Naming the poppy leaves because I can remember the people who influenced me and I could put down that I wanted to influence my cousin. The letting go because I could get rid of family worries. I liked making the poem because there were really strong words so you could make it really good. I liked planting the poppies because I remembered people who had an impact on my life. My favourite part was the pink room because it gave me time to reflect. The mirror because it really works, it was very calm and relaxing. I liked the quiet room behind the curtains I liked it because it let me realise who I am. Autumn Historical Reads for Key Stage 3&4 Extensive reading is the key to improving all aspects of your English work, and it will benefit you in other curriculum areas too. More importantly, you may be inspired, able to relax more easily, and your imagination will flourish… The Kin Peter Dickinson - A historical family adventure Children of Winter Berlie Doherty - Set in Eyam, a village isolated by the plague in the 1600s After this summer’s focus on adventure we have decided to focus on the genre of historical fiction. Why not try some of these titles over this half term? Many of the texts are related to this week’s Remembrance Day. Street Child Berlie Doherty - The story behind the foundation of Dr Barnado's children's homes The Diary of Anne Frank / Diary of a Young Recommend books to your friends and swap books you have enjoyed with each other. When you have read a book you have enjoyed, look for other titles by the same author. Happy reading everyone! Girl Anne Frank - The diary of a Jewish girl in hiding during WW2 Coram Boy Jamila Gavin – a book concerning the Coram Hospital, Slaves… P.S Don’t forget to pop in and see us in the English Office in November/ December and tell us what you enjoyed reading. Stars of Fortune Cynthia Harnett - What Mrs Tristram - English Department imprisoned by Mary I? happened when Elizabeth I was I Am David Ann Holm - A journey from Historical Fiction imprisonment Carrie’s War Nina Bawden - Evacuation & When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit Judith Kerr - adventure during WW2 A humorous adventure story from WW2 PoW Martin Booth - A novel of conflict and Private Peaceful Michael Morpurgo - The adventure personal story of a soldier during WW1 Kezzie Theresa Breslin - Mining and Witch Child Celia Rees - Sixteenth century transportation… witch hunts – a horror mystery Remembrance Theresa Breslin - The story The Silver Sword Ian Serraillier - A journey of two families in WW1. to escape from attack during the WW2 King of Shadows Susan Cooper - A time Last Train from Kummersdorf Lesley travel adventure into the world of Wilson- Considers the events of the WW2 Shakespeare from the perspective of two young Arthur and the Seeing Stone Kevin Germans Crossley-Holland - The first of a trilogy set in Medieval England PAPER COPIES OF THE NEWSLETTER Maths Club From this week we will be only sending the weekly newsletter out by email. This decision has been made to save both money and paper. If you do not have access to email and wish to receive a paper copy please ask your son or daughter to see Mrs Hughes in the Main office and she will arrange for a paper copy to be printed for you. Alternatively, if you do not receive a newsletter please email Mr Garratt at [email protected] stating your son / daughters name and tutor group and we will add your email to our database. is up and running as of Wednesday 12th November. Able and/or interested Mathematicians in years 7 – 9 are cordially invited to attend after school on Wednesdays. The club will be in U27 and will run from 3.40pm – 4.30pm. The focus will be extra-curricular mathematics, cryptography and preparation for national team Mathematics competitions. It will meet on the following dates: 12-Nov, 03-Dec, 17-Dec, 07-Jan, 14-Jan, 21Jan, 04-Feb, 04-Mar, 18-Mar, 25-Mar TASTE TESTING PANEL This week the Year 11 Food Technology students were involved in a taste testing panel for some new chicken products in the School Canteen. A company called Theo's have been working with Innovate to introduce some healthier, street style foods such as chicken burgers, chicken koftas and a Chinese style turkey, served in interesting breads such as Lebanese Kobus bread and Naan. The students said the chicken was "really well flavoured" and "incredibly tasty". Hopefully the rest of the students in the school will enjoy the new products as much as the Year 11 students did. Mrs Davidson GREASE AUDITION DATES We are excited to announce the school production this year is Grease. Auditions will take place on 17th December from 3.45 until 5.45pm for lower school and on 18th December from 3.45 until 5.45pm for Upper School. The audition process will begin in the Upper School Hall on both dates. Girls should be prepared to sing a verse and chorus from ‘Hopelessly Devoted’, boys should be prepared to sing a verse and chorus from ‘Grease Lightening’. Please attend the audition wearing comfortable clothing, any questions regarding this please see Mrs Wheatley in the Upper Drama Room.