Issue 498 - 6th February 2015
C7 Shakespeare’s Globe
and British Museum
Page 4
Lead Learners Page 6
Page 8
www.honywoodschool.com | Tel : 01376 561231 | Fax: 01376 563067
Headlines
By Simon Mason
Lead Learners
On Monday 26th January we appointed our
tenth team of Lead Learners. As the years have
progressed, we have considered how best to
appoint this key team and this year made a
change that will, in future, see these learners in
post from the January of their fourth year at the
school through to the December of their final year
with us. The major change we made this year is
that we offered every learner in Cohort 10 the
opportunity of applying for one of the six posts
on offer. An exceptional fifty seven learners
expressed an interest and of these forty two
submitted a letter of application.
The standard of these applications was superb.
Many that we received were better than letters
of application we receive from adults looking for
work at the school. As a result twelve learners
were interviewed for the six positions.
In each of the past ten years I have always
been overwhelmed by the passion, drive and
commitment shown by our candidates for Lead
Learner. However, this year was truly exceptional,
not because any one learner was better than
those in the past, but because the quality of
applicants was so strong across all twelve that
we interviewed. Indeed, many of the learners
who submitted application letters this year and
did not get down to the final twelve would have
done so in previous years so strong was the whole
field this time around.
Whilst it was an incredibly difficult decision to
choose between the outstanding young people
called for final interview, choose we did and I
am delighted to announce that Katie Armitage
(10HBr/MSh) (who will take responsibility for
leading our drive to improve youngsters’ use of
technology in their learning), Sam DonnellyBoote (10PBl) (leadership in learning),
Inaam Khan (10DEl) (learner wellbeing),
Harrison Lock (10HBr/MSh) (skills for
learning), Izzy Robson (10CMo/RHo)
(progression in learning) and Hazel Sarti
(10ABu) (environment for learning) were
appointed as our new team of Lead Learners.
As the standard of applications was so high, we
decided that we would also create six deputy
Lead Learner posts so that our Lead Learners had
the support of youngsters who came very close
indeed to being awarded one of the leading roles.
Thus Charlie Baker (10DEl) (environment
for learning), Tom Clark (10VSt) (progression
in learning), Harry Doubleday (10VSt)
(learner wellbeing), Caitlin Greene (10CMo/
RHo) (leadership in learning), Cameron
Harbison (10RHa) (technology in learning)
and Katie Henn (10PBl (skills for learning),
will each deputise for the lead learners holding
the responsibilities described above. This group
will look to build on the Deputy role created
three years ago, whilst also standing in for the
appropriate Lead Learner in any situations at
which they are unable to participate. We have
very high expectations of them as in many
previous years they would have succeeded in
gaining a Lead Learner post themselves.
Having listened, during the interviews, to a
variety of new ideas about how we can further
develop these key roles, I am really excited about
the prospect of working with this superb group
of young people throughout their final sixteen
months at the school. They introduce themselves
to our community inside next week’s Gazette.
The official duties for our ninth team of Lead
Learners will now begin to diminish as they focus
in ever more acutely on the challenges they will
face in this summer’s exam series. They played
an important role in helping us to appoint their
replacements, supporting Cohort 10 learners
through their leadership training and offering us
their views of the learners in that setting. Once
again they proved to be a mature, thoughtful,
analytical and insightful group of young people as
they have done throughout the year where they have
advanced the views of young people with great skill
as we have taken our school forward. On behalf of
our whole community can I thank Coral Bocking
(11PJe), Grace Felstead (11LKi), Savannah
Lowing (11ARo), Amy Moore (11SFa), Jamie
Murray (11MWh) Henry Onno (11LKi),
Sophie White (11OCi) and Phoebe Wickens
(11LKi) for their exceptional contribution to our
school so far this year and thank them in advance
for the contribution they will continue to make in
these last few weeks prior to their exams.
Congratulations
To Maja Jeffs (9DSm) who spent two days
recently supporting visitors to the school. Maya
speaks fluent Swedish and was able to use her
language skills to act as a translator for the
Scandinavian visitors
To Zak Johnson (11DCa) who passed his Black
Belt in Ju-Jitsu with Distinction – an outstanding
achievement!
Thanks
To Joshua Ambrose (7EFo), Beth Archer
(8CBt), Keena Bean (9STn), Lilly Brewer
(7ATo), Alex Evins (8DWi), Rhys Goodman
(8CGa), Amy Hart (8MJo), Amber Jordan
(8MJo), Joshua Lee (9LJo), Harry Saville
(9LPu), Katie White (8LVa), Brandii
Whymark (7CKh), Alex Willson (8SHa) and
William Wright (8LVa) for their support with
interviews at the school last week
To Elliot Adams (8CHo), Holly Ager
(8CBt), Maisie Armstrong (8SHa), Isabel
Baker (7CKh), Frederick Barnett (7ATo),
Louise Bass (7EFo), Lauren Beney (8DWi),
Dylan Bentley (8CHo), Rafferty Bradford
(7MMe),
Cameron
Branagh
(8CBt),
William Brassington (7CKh), Lilly Brewer
(7ATo), Sean Brewer (7CKh), James Brown
(9HTo), George Butters (8LVa), Olivia
Campe (7MMe), Ellena Cardy (8CBt), Liam
Chapman (8SHa), Louis Clements (8SHa),
Yasmin Clitheroe (8ADo), Harry CokerShepherd (8MJo), Phoebe Cole (7CRs),
Christie Conway (8CHo), Yasmin Cook
(9LPu), Holly Copping (8LVa), Rebecca
Cordeiro (8DWi), Charlotte Deal (8CHo),
Eloise Dockerty (8MJo), Simon Donnelly
(8CBt), Eloise Dyer (7CRs), Jessica Dyson
(7MWo), Megan Evans (7SSo), Hannah
Everitt (8MJo), Freya Fox (8CBt), Sara
Franco (8SAr), Henry Freeland (7CKh),
Sophie Gaskell (7ATo), Amber Gent (8SHa),
Rhys Goodman (8CGa), Brooke Greatorex
(8CGa), Gemma Harrington (9NPo),
Morgan Harrod (8LVa), Max Haywood
(8CHo), Kadie-Jay Heaney (7HTr), Alishia
Hewson (7ATo), Jacob Higgon (8MJo),
Joseph Hodgkins (7ATo), Samuel Hodgkins
(9MRa), Alfie Holland (7CKh), Rhyse
Hudson (8DWi), Kyle Jarman (7MWo),
Isabella Jeggo (9HTo), Elleanna Jenkins
(8DWi), Oliver Jordan (8SAr), Benjamin
Joyce (9LJo), Jaydon Kellyman (9LJo),
Louie Kendle (7ATo), Karina Kilgour
(8ADo), Ella King (8SAr), Annabelle
Kitching (8SHa), Rebecca Kitching (9STn),
Eadan Lagdon (8ADo), Amelia Lane (8CGa),
Holly Lawrence (8LVa), Rebecca Lawrence
(8ADo), Benjamin Lown (8MJo), Benjamin
Macklin (8ADo), Simran Manku (8LVa),
Hayden Matthews (8MJo), Benjamin
McSweeney (8CBt), Isabelle Murphy
(8DWi), Cameron Newton (7DSc), Mark
Odell (8SAr), Adam Osborne (8ADo), Todd
Osborne (8DWi), George Panting (8LVa),
James Parkinson (8MJo), Imogen Pearey
(7CKh), Lauryn Pinder (8SHa), Ryan Pitt
(9STn), Holly Plank (8CBt), Bethany Potter
(8SAr), Philippa Pratchett (7EFo), James
Raine (7DSc), Samuel Riches (7EFo),
Taylor Roffey (9NPo), Kai Ryan (7CRs),
Alfie Saunders (7MMe), Emelia Saunders
(7CRs), Katie Smith (8CHo), Madison Smith
(7SSo), Abigail Steele (8CHo), Samuel
Stinton (7HTr), Beth Tatnell (7CRs), Regan
Turner (9DSm), Cameron Walker (7MWo),
Eva Warren (7MMe), Sasha Warwick
(7MWo), Molly-Ann Watts (7HTr), KieraJane Whittle (9STn), Alexander Wilcox
(8SHa), Molly Witney (7DSc), Samuel
Witney (7EFo) and Raff Yarrow (7CRs) all
of whom supported the school during visits by
teachers from Scandinavia recently.
Parents’ Time
Simon Mason will be available to
see parents without appointment:
Monday 9.00am—9.45am
Tuesday 7.30am—8.15am
Wednesday 3.15pm—4.00pm
Thursday 5.00pm—6.00pm
Friday 7.30am—8.15am
C7 Shakespeare’s Globe and British Museum
As part of Cohort 7’s exciting learning
journey, this week learners visited Shakespeare’s
Globe and the British Museum.
Learners were given the opportunity to approach
Shakespeare’s plays through the context of the Globe playhouse
and to interact with real life actors and actresses. Through practical
exploration, Cohort 7 developed an understanding of Shakespeare’s
characters and stories, and engaged with the text as a script for
performance!
Whilst at the British Museum in the afternoon, Cohort 7 worked
with resident artists to explore how different cultures use
adornment and decoration. They spent time carefully considering
the cultural significance of artefacts looking at shape, pattern and
meaning.
“What I most enjoyed about the trip was when we went to the Globe and the actors
were performing at the bottom and using all fancy words.
Also when we got to go on the stage to say a line from a
‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’.” Ella Pell-Coggins 7ATo.
“The Globe theatre was breath taking; I learnt a lot of history when
I was there, it was amazing” Joe Grant 7CRs.
“I really enjoyed visiting London. I liked the fact that Shakespeare’s Globe was
theatrical but fun and I really enjoyed the museum.” Emily Reeve 7SSo
“I learnt a lot from this trip; how people used to perform and the museum was amazing
with lots of different items.” Phoebe Cole 7CRs.
“I thought it was really good especially when we saw the mummy” Esme Convery 7CKh.
“The tour was great and experiencing acting one of Shakespeare’s plays was fascinating.
I really enjoyed the day.” Kenzy Sherif 7CRs.
C10 Lead Learner appointments
On Thursday 29th January, 12 learners were interviewed for the post of Lead Learner. This role is the most
prestigious role that learners can aspire to during their time at Honywood, and competition is very strong. The way
in which the selection process for this role has changed this year; the opportunity to apply for the post was made
available to the entire cohort, rather than a shortlisted group of Prefect Coordinators, as had been the case in
previous years.
Preparations for the selection process began a number of weeks ago, when our Cohort 11 Lead Learners provided a
series of workshops which aimed to help learners develop their
leadership skills and prepare for the application process. The
following week, Mr Mason, Mr Caygill, Mr Rawlings, Mrs
Hickford and myself worked together to provide a learning
experience entitled ‘Leadership Experience Training’ where
learners had the opportunity to refine and become more aware
of their leadership skills, and put them to the test. Attendance
to both of these events was compulsory for learners who were
thinking of applying for the post of Lead Learner, or Prefect
Coordinator. It was fantastic to see so many learners sign up for
these events, and we had 57 potential applicants in attendance
at both events.
During the course of the training, observations were made of the learners in terms of their participation in the tasks,
leadership skills, and ability to work and collaborate effectively with a team. These observations, along with each
individual’s own reflection and evaluation of their participation in the training, would be used to inform the
decisions made about selecting a total of 12 candidates for interview.
Following the training that was available to potential applicants, learners were then invited to submit an application
for the role of Lead Learner, in which they had to explain why they wanted to apply, and how they could contribute
to leading the development of learning at Honywood.
We received a staggering 45 letters of application!
Next came the extremely difficult task of shortlisting 12 candidates
from so many applications. Mr Caygill, Mrs Lee-Allan and myself went
through each of the applications separately, and then met together to
share our feedback. We found that we had to be very strict, using only
our observations from the training events and the application letters to
inform our decisions. We each found this very challenging, as the
standard of the applications was so high. However, we finally managed
to secure our list of 12.
On Thursday 29th January, each of the 12 learners were invited to attend an interview, in which they were asked to
give a presentation, lasting no more than 10 minutes, outlining the leadership skills they felt they possessed,
ideas for developing the role next year and how they could have an impact on leading learning at
Honywood. The presentations were then followed by 10 minutes of interview questions which had not
been pre-designed; the questions were based on what had been seen in the presentation, and also the
application letter.
Mr Mason, Mrs Lee-Allan, Mr Caygill and myself led the interviews, and we had an incredible day where
the quality of the presentations given, and the contributions of the candidates were outstanding. Without
a doubt, this was the strongest field we have ever seen, and so it was very hard to choose between them.
We decided that all 12 candidates were deserving of a role, and so we offered 6 Deputy Lead Learner
positions to support the Lead Learner posts.
I am delighted to announce that the new team for 2015-16 are:
Technology- Katie Armitage
Leadership – Sam Donnelly-Boote
Well Being – Inaam Khan
Skills – Harrison Lock
Progression – Izzy Robson
Environment – Hazel Sarti
Deputy - Cameron Harbison
Deputy - Caitlin Green
Deputy - Harry Doubleday
Deputy - Katie Henn
Deputy - Tom Clark
Deputy - Charlie Baker
The next day, the new team worked together to begin planning the development of their new roles. Mr Caygill and I
spent time with the group as they planned and organised
the process for the recruitment of our Prefects and
Prefect Coordinators this year. They also began sharing
ideas and making plans for their first joint project,
‘Speakers Corner’ which will be launched in March (more
details to follow soon!)
Later that same afternoon, the team got together with
our current C11 Lead Learners, to discuss how each team
would continue to manage their responsibilities. This was
an important discussion, as the move to recruit our Lead Learner teams earlier in the year (so that when in C11
learners could relinquish their roles to concentrate on their exam preparation) has resulted in a period of parallel
running for our Cohort 11 and Cohort 10 team. The maturity and professionalism displayed by both teams as they
reached their decisions was superb, resulting in the discussions running very smoothly.
Both teams felt that they would like to have their own ‘stand-alone’ projects and commitments for which they would
retain responsibility and ownership. However, both teams recognised that there are areas where their ideas for
development do overlap, and that it would make sense to work together on those ideas.
Therefore, the C10 Lead Learners and Deputies will be
focusing on supporting the new prefect application
process, for which interviews will be taking place after
half term, followed by collaborating to launch the
‘Speakers Corner’ project.
In the meantime, the C11 Lead Learners will continue
to work on their current projects, some examples of
which include designing themes and activities for
Quintet Weeks, a Careers Fayre for C8, and the
development of the ‘Learner Gazette’.
However, both teams will work together to continue
the projects being developed by our Cohort Creative Teams and Learner Leadership Team.
I would like to thank all learners who expressed an interest in the application process this year – the experience was
one which left staff who were involved feeling immensely proud that we have the privilege to work with such
confident, determined, thoughtful young people. Extended thanks and congratulations go to our newly appointed
team – well done for your amazing efforts!
Mrs Meacock
Mock Exams - MONDAY 9TH MARCH – FRIDAY 20TH MARCH
With your mock exams a little over a month away it is important you are now starting to plan how you
are going to use your time in the most efficient way to help prepare for your exams as best you can.
It is important to remember to spread your time evenly amongst all of the subjects you will be sitting
an exam for. You may find in some sessions you start to complete some revision during these learning
sessions, this does NOT mean that you then shouldn’t be revising at home! In fact as a minimum you
should be spending around 45 minutes per evening for the three subjects you have studied that day
revising (that’s a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes per evening!)
The best way to plan when you are going to do this is to create a simple revision timetable as shown
below. (There are plenty of other revision timetable proformas available on the internet if you don’t
like the look of this one). If you would like an A4 or A3 copy of this revision timetable let Mr Caygill
know and we will have one printed for you.
This way you can plan ahead, knowing which sessions you have had that day, when you have other
commitments outside of school in the evenings and at weekends, and be able to fit in all of your
revision as well as a little bit of down time for you to relax in.
Best revision techniques
From a study carried out in 2013 several of the most popular methods of revision were analysed and
rated on how successful they were. The table below summarises the methods and how they were
rated in terms of success (High being good and Low being not so good)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Elaborative interrogation - being able to explain a point or fact - MODERATE
Self-explanation - how a problem was solved -MODERATE
Summarising - writing summaries of texts -LOW
Highlighting/underlining - LOW
Keyword mnemonics - choosing a word to associate with information - LOW
Imagery - forming mental pictures while reading or listening - LOW
Re-reading - LOW
Practice testing - Self-testing to check knowledge - especially using flash cards - HIGH
Distributed practice - spreading out study over time - HIGH
Interleaved practice - switching between different kinds of problems - MODERATE
The important thing to remember when it comes to revision is to do more than just read through your
notes and/or GCSE Bitesize. Making mind maps, creating flash cards and testing your knowledge
with friends and family are the best ways to revise.
Also remember to start your revision early (as in NOW) and break it up into small chunks of time.
For every 20 minutes you revise you may find it useful to take a 5 minute break and repeat this cycle
for a few hours each evening and weekend.
Every department has a range of past paper questions that are available to you. Revision guides and
workbooks for most subjects can be bought through the Honywood School shop online.
Rickstones 1 Honywood 8
Team: Jamie Cornish, Connor Hardy, Daniel Girling, Sam
Hodgkins, Harry Jacobs, James Hopwood, Jonjo McCabe, Jacob
Owen, Ben Pitt, Louis Shepherd, Issac Skubich, Daniel Rogers,
Callum Tracey
On a very cold evening and bumpy pitch Honywood produced
some excellent team Football. Sam Hodgkins opened the scoring
after Honywood dominated possession early on. Honywood
scored a further two goals to take a deserved 3 nil lead. but just
before half time Rickstones reduced the lead with a fine long shot
from their centre forward.
In the second half, Honywood again dominated possession and continued to score at regular
intervals. Sam Hodgkins completed his hatrick and the final score ended at 8-1 to Honywood. This
was the first league game of the season and if the team maintains this present form they should
retain their league title from last year.
Scorers Sam Hodgkins 3, Issac Skubich 2, Harry Jacobs 2 , Ben Pitt 1
Because of the weather we have decided to play all the fixtures
after half term. Honywood teams are in league A with, Tabor,
Hedingham and Forest Hall.
Winners of league A will play the runners up of league B in the
semi finals
Runners up of league A will play the winners of group B in the
semi finals
The finals will be played at Halstead Football Club
Upcoming Fixtures
Boys Football
25th February 2015Cohort 7 v Tabor at Honywood
Cohort 8 v Tabor at Honywood
26th February 2015Cohort 9 v Tabor at Honywood
Cohort 10 v Tabor at Honywood
Girls Football - C7 and C8 Every Thursday Lunch
Can your learning group collect the most Sainsbury’s
vouchers?
Would your learning group like to win the use of the Sports Hall
at lunchtimes for a week?
Most importantly can you help the PE department collect
enough vouchers to make sure you have equipment to use in
lessons and extra-curricular clubs?
Start collecting the vouchers today and give them to your
learning group leader. The PE prefects will come round and
collect your vouchers weekly and keep a running total.
We are looking for a group of learners from all cohorts to take on a
new role within school as part of the ‘FS20 Team’. This will involve:
LEADING
ACTIVITIES
RUNNING
EVENTS
TAKING
RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE AREA
You must be reliable, willing to take responsibility, have willingness
to lead and plan lunchtime activities for other learners.
To apply, please email: [email protected]
Or hand in your application to Learner Reception in an envelope
marked ‘FS20 Team Application’.
Outline why you feel you would be suitable for the role and any
experience you have that may be relevant.
Deadline for all applications is Friday 13th February.
Interested in a career in teaching?
Recruiting now for Primary and Secondary
Opportunity to speak directly to representatives from Essex TT,
current trainees, newly qualified teachers and teachers from our
partnership schools.
Presentations at 4.30pm and 6pm
Information Event
Tuesday 10 February 2015 4 – 7pm
The Marconi Club, Chelmsford, CM2 9FH
Salaried and non-salaried places available
SCITT and School Direct
QTS with PGCE or 120 Masters Level 7 Credits
Essex Teacher Training in partnership with the following for School Direct:
Academies Enterprise Trust NTSA
Gable Hall School
Greensward Academy
Lee Chapel Primary
Lyons Hall Partnership: Honywood School
St Albans Catholic Primary
South Essex Teaching Institute (SETI) – Rayleigh
St Thomas More’s Catholic Primary
Tendring Technology TSA
MLC
Week Commencing
9th February 2015
Family
English
Learning
C7
Would you like to learn more about
the Globe theatre?
C8
How is your showcasing developing?
Would you like some additional
guidance?
C9
Travel Writing - where are you going
next and how are you planning to
explore your surroundings
C10
Are you fully prepared for your
Speaking and Listening assessment?
Book a MLC appointment to find
out more and to fully prepare for the
future. Team
On Wednesday 28th January, we held our FLT annual Internet
Safety Evening presented by PC Kathryn Nessling. Kathryn is a local
Youth Officer and a CEOP Ambassador. Parents and carers from
C7-C10 were invited, along with parents with youngsters in Years
5 and 6 at our local Primary schools so we had about 50 people in
total. Kathryn gave us an interactive session about the dangers for
our youngsters when engaging with the internet, how parents and
carers can assist with teaching youngsters and help keep them safe
online. Further advice to parents and carers may be found on our
website.
Modern Languages
Would you like to focus on a key
skill area in languages? Do you
find
Listening activities hard or
would you like to learn strategies
to use when tackling a reading
comprehension?
For any language support simply
book an MLC with Mrs Wilson.
[email protected]
Well done
to our Cohort 8 Duty Receptionists
Emily Eagle
Samuel Cousins
Charlotte Deal
Christie Conway
Learners have been told, that as of Monday 9th February, if they do
not have a valid bus pass, they will not be permitted to travel to or
from school on the Hedingham buses.
Please ensure that your daughter/son has a valid bus pass. If you
need a replacement bus pass please contact Hedingham Buses on
01206 769778.
All Learners must have a valid bus pass for all journeys on school
transport.
Cohort 9 Aspirations Week - Information Evening
Parent/Carer of Cohort 9
I would like to invite you to an information evening at Honywood Community Science School regarding
the upcoming Aspirations week (22nd - 26th June) for Cohort 9. On Tuesday 10th February there will be a
meeting in school at 7.00pm where you can hear more information about our specific plans for the week and
the residential visit.
During the week we are taking the opportunity to allow learners to consider the options available to them
once they leave Honywood. Many learners will leave us to attend college where they'll study for A-levels or
vocational qualifications. However often learners do not consider, at this stage, opportunities available to
them once they have turned 18.
Mr Philpott
Cohort 9 Leader