2006 December - Waingels College

Inform o o o o
Waingels College
Meetings have already started with local community members about the plans
for the new build and further opportunities for parents, staff and students (current
and future) to take part in the key planning phase of the project (due to last from
January to July 2007) will be announced in the new year.
Specialising In maths and computing
December 2006
Half termly newsletter for parents and the community
Official Opening of the Weeks Building
Although our new teaching and student services block has been in use since the
start of the term, it only received its official opening two weeks ago.
A group of staff, governors, students and invited guests listened to speeches
from Richard Green, the college’s Executive Principal and the Rt Hon Teresa
May MP before Mrs May officially declared the building open by unveiling a
commemorative plaque.
The plaque records the opening and the fact that the building, which houses a
team of staff supporting students’ learning needs as well as providing muchneeded teaching accommodation for ICT and English, has been named ‘the
Weeks Building’ in honour of the great contribution that former Deputy
Headteacher, Andy Weeks, made to the development of the college during his
35 years’ service. Andy, who has now retired, was present at the ceremony with
his wife Liz, herself a former teacher at Waingels.
£30m re-building project
In his speech, Richard Green thanked the contractors and college site, technical
and clerical staff for all their hard work in ensuring that the building was ready
for use at the start of the new term. He also said that the Weeks Building
represented a successful first phase in what will become a complete re-build of
the college due to take place in four phases from January 2008, with a planned
finish date for the academic year 2009/10
Teresa May, Andy Weeks, Richard Green, Vice Chairman of the Council and students
unveiling plaque in the Weeks Building
History News
As the festive season is upon us in the History Department we have been asking
KS3 History students to find out some lesser known facts about Christmas
celebrations and rituals. For example who was the first illustrator to draw Father
Christmas as a large jovial white bearded figure dressed in a red suit with
matching cap? Who banned Christmas in England? And who came up with the
idea of sending Christmas cards? Names (and prizes) of the three students who
came up with the best facts will be announced in the New Year.
History Surgery
Calling all those Year 11 History students who find homework a chore. Every
Thursday the History department will be holding ‘surgery’ in 109 for those who
either want to get their homework done and dusted at college or/and for those
who need a little extra help with homework or a quiet space. The occasional
chocolate hob nob will be distributed to aid and improve concentration.
The Christmas Concert is on Wednesday 13th December at 7.30. Please come
along and support the performers. Tickets are £4 (£3 concessions) and are
available from the Music Department.
College Production ‘A Great Success’
A huge well done to all the cast, band and back-stage crew involved in ‘Oh
What A Lovely War’. The performances were fantastic and we would like to
thank all the staff (especially Mr McCarthy and Mrs Dunsmoir) for all their
hard work and enthusiasm. Thank you also to staff who helped out and supported in many ways backstage or front of house.
On 11th December the Choir will be visiting Fosters Care Home and Woodley
Day Centre and giving a short concert to residents.
Talent Show auditions are being held in the Music Block on Thursday 14th and
Friday 15th December.
A Message from the Chairman and Vice-Chair of
Governors
Recent changes make it an appropriate time to update parents on who forms the
Waingels governing body and what we do.
We have recently said goodbye to Mike Vosser, our Chairman of long standing.
Mike’s involvement with Waingels, both as a governor and as an active member
of the PTA, stretches back over two decades. He has now decided to step down
and, after such lengthy service, will be much missed.
We have welcomed two new parent-governors and ‘co-opted’ in several others
from the community, so that the governing body currently comprises the
following people:
Music news
Well done ‘Caution’ for achieving fourth place in the English final of the Global Battle of the Bands, held in Manchester - beating 10 other bands on the
night and many more in two rounds of regional qualifiers.
The department has been lucky enough to have been given a drum kit by Mr
Leyland in Winnersh. Students will be using this for exam performances and
concerts. Many thanks to Mr Leyland.
Sennen Al-Rehani
Nayana Bharti
Margaret Cain
Alan Clifford
Liz Edwards
Cyndy Gray
Richard Green
Rachel Hogg
Andy Holtham
Mike Hutchinson
Abdul Minhas
Gill Moss
Patti Sherratt
Parent
Community
Community
Local authority
Staff
Community
Principal
Parent
Parent
Community
Parent
Staff
Local authority
Nigel Penn-Simkins
David Reilly
Linda Stacey
Mike Tarling
Lisa Thomson
David Whittall
Parent
Parent
Local authority
Community
Staff
Parent
to be started in January 2008 takes Waingels effectively into the 21st century.
We will support the College in canvassing the views of students, parents, staff
and the local community in the consultations planned for 2007, so that the end
result achieves a measurable improvement on current provision and is
demonstrably ‘money well spent’.
Best wishes for Christmas and for the year ahead,
Mike Tarling – Chairman
Margaret Cain – Vice-Chair
Any of these governors can be contacted via the Clerk of Governors, Karen
Tagg, at the College.
The role of governor can probably be best summed up in the term ‘critical
friend’. We seek to maintain excellent working relationships with the
management and staff of the College, in order to fulfil our statutory
responsibilities and contribute to the life of the College from our own
experience of the world of work, as parents and as members of the Woodley
community.
As well as meeting regularly to discuss whole-College issues, we also have four
sub-committees which focus on:
•
•
•
•
Staffing (includes staff recruitment & development, pay & performance)
Finance (ensuring planned expenditure makes best use of the budget)
Standards (student attainment & welfare, the curriculum, teaching &
learning)
Site & Services (maintaining a well-ordered and safe educational
environment)
Every governor tries to gain a detailed knowledge of at least one area of the
College’s work by forming links with a faculty or team. A ‘governor day’ is
being planned for the spring term to enable us all to see the College in action on
an ordinary day.
Challenging times lie ahead for Waingels (when did they not!). In the short
term, we can expect an inspection at any time, while over the next few years we
need to ensure that the £30 million Building Schools for the Future project due
Mike Tarling
Rambert Dance Company
We were very lucky to have Britain’s Oldest Dance Company visit the school
on the 15 November. A dancer from the company worked with 20 students
leading them through a company class and teaching them choreography from
the present repertoire. The students then travelled to Sadler Wells in London to
watch the company perform the next day. It was an inspiring trip and was
excellent preparation for the launch of Dance GCSE at the school from
September 2007.
Maths Inspiration
On Tuesday 28th November, a small group of Year 12 and 13 mathematics
students, accompanied by Miss B. Evans and Mrs S. Neilson, attended a
mathematical lecture at the Concert Hall in Reading. The lecture, entitled
“Maths Inspiration”, was hosted by well known experts, including the popular
science author Simon Singh. Topics discussed included risk and gambling and
the mathematics of juggling. Students were also introduced to the beauty and
creativity of mathematics. The afternoon provided all involved with an excellent
opportunity to experience mathematics from a different angle.
English/Media News
Year 8 will be going to see Coram Boy at the National Theatre in December
Ed Hill and Liam Driver won media awards at the start of the year for DVD
productions.
Andrew East and Nicky Line took Year 13 Media students to BFI on a video
production course
Business Studies trip to Cadbury World
Sixth Form Learning to Learn day
Sixth form students took part in half day seminars led by three guest presenters
from ‘Learning Performance’ on Monday 20th November. In Learning
Community groups, students took part in activities that helped them to: identify
their preferred learning styles, learn how to use Mind Maps, prepare planning
for exams and understand how the memory works.
It was an excellent opportunity for Year 13 to identify key areas to focus on for
the forthcoming mock exams. For Year 12, it provided an opportunity for
students to think about using private study sessions more effectively.
The Business Studies year 10 students enjoyed a visit to Cadbury World on
November 7th. The day started with an inspiring business talk from one of
Cadbury'
s marketeers. It included a review of their latest mother
branding campaign '
The Purple Patch'
. After this the students toured the factory and exhibitions and tasted plenty of chocolate on the way round. After a
long bus journey home the year 10s all received their prizes (more chocolate)
based on how many reward stamps they have received for class and homework. The four students with the most stamps to date are Sophie Abraham,
Farhana Esmail, Tahla Ahmed and James Wallace. Well done to all however
for a great start to a new subject.
The seminars were lively and engaging and certainly got everyone thinking
about thinking!
Enterprising Students
Three of the Waingels Business Studies Year 10 teams did brilliantly in the
national Student Investor 2007 Mini Trading Challenge recently.
Out of 644 teams competing our top three teams came 26th ( James Wallace,
Chris Young, Max Legg and David Young), 29th (Lisa Boyles, Charlotte Gillatt, Sophie Abraham and Ashley Scott) and 30th (Josh Carberry, Lewis Smith,
Liam Smith and Sai Parmer).
The teams now move onto the full Portfolio Challenge 2007 where they get a
chance to win a fully expenses-paid trip to New York. Wish them luck!
Girls PE
Congratulations to the U16 Netball team who won the South East Berkshire
U16 Netball tournament last month. Many of the girls have been involved in
coaching Willowbank students netball after school, to pass on their expertise
and knowledge. This is part of the Youth Sports Trust, Sports Leaders Course
offered to Year 10 & Year 11 pupils during PE lessons.
Absence Procedure:
The college sent out 721 absence letters last week so listed below are the
correct procedures for reporting a child’s absence.
Unexpected absence (because of illness/bereavement etc):
On the first day, parents should telephone the school and leave a message
stating clearly the child’s name, year and if possible Learning Group, (or if not
able to remember that, the Learning Coach’s name), this should be followed up
with a letter on the first day back to school, to be placed directly in the green
box in the Weeks Building. Please speak slowly and clearly on the phone
message, repeating the child’s name at least twice, and when writing be sure to
always include the child’s surname, it can be difficult to associate letters with
the right children where parents have different surnames or illegible
signatures, as so many of us do! Letters should include the home address, date
written, dates of illness, nature of illness, and must always be written by, or on
behalf of, the parent or guardian as previously notified to the school, and
signed by the parent or guardian.
Planned Absence:
A letter requesting authorised absence from school, stating clearly the child’s
name, year and Learning Group, (or Learning Coach), the dates requested and
the reason for the request, (eg family event, sports tour, educational visit,
musical activity). In most cases you will quickly receive a letter back from the
Head of the appropriate Learning Team granting your child an authorised leave
of absence, although holidays in term time are discouraged, because of the
impact on the child’s education. The maximum authorised absence that can be
granted in any one academic year is 10 days.
As above letters must always be written by, or on behalf, of the parent or
guardian as previously notified to the school, and signed by the parent or
guardian, even if, for example, the proposed trip is with grandparents or a
football team leader.
Lateness:
Pupils coming into school up to 9.30am may sign in at main reception and do
not have to have a note, although that is always preferable.
Pupils coming into school after 9.30am must sign in at the Weeks Building and
must have a note from parent or guardian explaining why they are late.
Nuffield Science Bursaries
Four of our students were selected last July to take part in the prestigious
Nuffield Science Bursary scheme. The aim of the scheme is to give students an
insight into the world of scientific research and development. These places are
limited and competition for them is extremely fierce.
The students had a four or five week placement at Reading Hospital and
received a bursary of £75 per week plus expenses. All projects are at the cutting edge of scientific development and the data collected by our students in all
cases has been taken to the next level.
Harriet Parfitt
The students involved and the titles of their projects were:Lauren Mulcahy
Auditing Blood Glucose Charts
Claire Evans
Audit of current hospital practice regarding high dose morphine and
diamorphine ampoules.
Anna Minchinton
Design a replacement head injury pen. Anna’s design and specification has
now been put out to various manufacturers for costing.
Harriet Parfitt
Test range and reliability of RFID passive tags. Harriet’s research and
conclusions have been adopted by the hospital trust.
All four girls are to be commended for their work, effort and attitude
displayed during the projects.
These projects and collaborations are essential and give the students a valuable
insight into the world of scientific research as well as enhancing any C.V. or
personal statements.
All of the students gained so much from being involved and were a credit to
themselves and the college. They will now use these projects to influence
their further education choices. We wish them every success in the future.
CC4G – Computer Clubs for Girls
“It sounds like a cliche, but lots of girls think ICT is difficult and that
computer skills are boring. Girls are less likely to be confident users of ICT
than boys, and perceive IT as a male-dominated subject/industry” - In response
to this, e-skills UK (supported by DfES) has established Computer Clubs for
Girls (CC4G) as a fun way to inspire and motivate 10 to 14 year old girls with,
and through, ICT.
After two successful pilot clubs, Miss Saba has launched this ICT club for Key
Stage 3 girls in Year 7 and 8 on Thursday afternoons. Activities are centred
around the CC4G website where it is possible to develop a ‘Celebrity
Interview’ using an autocue, create a fanzine (fan club magazine) and many
more: music technology through SoundSchool, databases through MusicBiz,
control using DanceM8, Fit4Sport and so on. It is all great fun girls get a free
starter pack from CC4G.
Trial Lawyers win in court
A Sixth Form contingent took part in the national Bar Mock Trial competition at
Cardiff Crown Court on Saturday 11th November. Nine students made up the
team who were both prosecuting and defending against nine other schools. One
case concerned graffiti which had been sprayed on a station wall and the other
was a disputed drug deal in a local night club.
sent someone to prison. Eventually he gave a slight advantage to the other team
so that they got through to the national finals. But he was so impressed by the
Waingels team that he offered them a week’s ‘pupilage’ – personally
supervised work experience at his chambers in The Inner Temple, London’s
heartland for barristers. This was an amazing offer which at least three of the
team are planning to take up and particularly so as the ‘lawyers’ in question –
Ben Morley and Lotti Cashin (whose cross-examination of a key witness was
described as ‘superb’ by the judge )- had only stepped in as lawyers the week
before.
Thanks to Piers Elliott for his excellent support and coaching of the team.
Other team members were: Emily McCallum, Debbie Paine, Kate Walker,
Marianne Canning, Sam Bye, Michael Feasey, Lauren Stoodley. They all made
a terrific team.
Fast-track exchange to Berlin for Year 9
This exchange, which took place last month, was a new venture, being targeted
at a younger age-group than previous Berlin exchanges. All teachers involved
concluded that the exchange had fulfilled its linguistic and cultural aims. The
majority of pupils expressed a wish to return again on a similar exchange next
year.
The first morning we met the pupils and their partners in school. We spent the
Having won each of our three rounds, the team got through to the regional finals first few hours of the day introducing the Allies project and doing get-to-knowin the afternoon – and then drew! The judge, a member of the Bar Council, told you and communication games (to teach the German partners to communicate
us in feedback that he agonised over the result more than the last time he had
clearly in German). Following this, we all travelled together to the Allied
Geography trip
Museum and had a tour by an ex-Ally (American) from the post-war period.
On Wednesday, we visited the setting of the Potsdamm Conference. Following
this excursion, we met up with partners back at the underground station and
pupils went their separate ways for the evening.
On Thursday we spent the first two lessons in school, working on the Allies
project. We had invited two eye-witnesses to talk to the pupils and be
questioned. After the first two lessons pupils shadowed their partners in normal
lessons and so were able to gain some insight into a German school.
Year 8 geography fieldtrip to the Henley River and Rowing Museum in
October. The aim of the day was to learn about river processes
particularly why an area was more likely to flood. They also learnt about the
management techniques used to try and control flooding. Students undertook
experiments and walked along the River Thames. They also went into the
excellent interactive museum where they discovered more about the River
Thames itself. The visits over three days were very enjoyable and added to
the students learning experience.
Friday saw us sightseeing around Berlin, with Saturday and Sunday being spent
in families.
On Monday, we returned to the Alexanderplatz at the request of the pupils, to go
up the TV Tower and on our final day, pupils spent the morning in school,
working hard on their newspapers, the outcome of the Allies project. It was
clear that many Waingels students had gained in confidence speaking German
and that all had moved a long way in their knowledge of the post-war period
and the significance of Berlin.
After some tearful goodbyes we set off on foot to the nearby bus stop and took
the bus direct to the airport.
Would you like your child to take part in future visits?
It is possible for your child to take part in the second leg of the Y9 Berlin
exchange! My colleague in Berlin is keen to bring the whole class back to
Waingels, rather than just the 14 who hosted a partner. As well as providing
linguistic opportunities, this could provide a relaxed way of starting an
intercultural friendship and introducing your child to the concept of the foreign
exchange. The pupils will be aged between 14 and 15. Payment for board and
lodging is available. Please contact Mrs Lee at the college if you are interested.
A Thought Provoking Approach to Science!
On Wednesday 15 November the Science department will kick off with a
series of exciting training sessions designed to promote thinking and
reasoning skills in Science. Aimed at Year 7 to start with and progressing
through to the end of Year 8, the department will deliver 30 dedicated CASE
thinking skills lessons.
Three of the six training sessions will involve staff observing a Year 7 class
being taught a CASE lesson by a highly experienced CASE trainer.
Forthcoming events
Friday 1 December - Inset Day college closed for students
Wednesday 13 December - Music Christmas Concert
Monday 18 December – Presentation Evening
Tuesday 19 December – Christmas Lunch
Wednesday 20 December – Last day of term (college closes at 12.05)
Wednesday 3 January – Inset Day college closed for students
Spring Term 2007
Half Term
Thursday 4 January
Monday 12 February
- Friday 30 March
- Friday 16 February
Summer Term 2007
Half Term
Monday 16 April
Monday 28 May
- Friday 20 July
- Friday 1 June
Inset Days:
Friday 1 December 2007
Wednesday 3 January 2007
Friday 9 March 2007
Plus one other to be decided
College Christmas cards will once again be on sale at reception.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all students, parents and governors a very merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.