oakwood Summer 2011 - Oakwood Park Grammar School

spring / summer 2011
@oakwood
www.opgs.org
by students for students
WELCOME TO THE NEW @OAKWOOD MAGAZINE
by students
for students
THE STUDENT REPORTERS have done another fantastic job of compiling a
range of well-written, varied and interesting stories for the second edition of @
oakwood of the school year. The news team is made up of students from all year
groups who enjoy writing, interviewing, and are interested in journalism. Over
the past few months they have had opportunities to improve their journalistic
skills through a shorthand master class and a talk from radio presenters about
working in the media. Some of our KS4 and KS5 reporters have also had articles
published in local magazine The Vibe.
Our talented and committed Year 13 reporters have filed their last articles for @
oakwood and will be sorely missed as they embark on the future careers and
university courses, many of them hoping for a future in the media.
In this edition one of the students interviews Mr Rains who has left OPGS to
pursue his musical career and who, for many years, was responsible for the
layout of the magazine and did a superb job. The layout of this edition is down to
the talented Mr Solly who the students thank for helping to bring their stories to
life - welcome to the @oakwood team!
MRS GREEN
meet the team
Cameron McIntosh T7, Jack Phur C7,
James Morrison C8, Ben Hodges S8,
Chris Johnson P8, Ryan Fields T9,
Drew Dutoit C9, Jon Daniels C9,
Will Jeffery T9, Jamie Coombs C9,
Charlie Wood P10, Alex Midgely C11,
Sam Jamaa C11, Rory Weal C11,
Gregg Harfleet S11, Andy Rodman Yr 12,
Luke White Yr 12, Chris Rickett Yr 13,
Paul Monan Yr 13,
Francesca Earnshaw Yr 13,
Mike Smith Yr 13, Mike Thompsett Yr 13.
Thank You to our contributors:
Pets As Therapy, Simon Grant,
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do you want to be a
student reporter?
perhaps you’re interested
in photography?
In September we will be looking to add to our news
team and recruit new members from each year
group. So if you’re interested in writing, design or
photography, see or email Mrs Green.
Remember, anyone can submit a story.
introduction
DEAR PARENTS, CARERS AND STUDENTS
@oakwood
autumn / spring 2010-11
Welcome to the Summer edition of @Oakwood. As ever, I am really grateful to Mrs Green for editing and
to Mr E. Solly for the layout. The magazine is a hugely impressive piece of work and I am particularly
impressed with the quality of journalism from our student reporters.
Our students continue to involve themselves in an impressive array of activities but as usual, much of this
would not be possible without the commitment of staff and the support of our parents. So a big thank you on
behalf of our students!
A number of staff are leaving us at the end of the academic year and I should like to take a few moments to
thank them for their contribution.
First, we say goodbye to our Graduate Teachers who have completed their one year training programme
– Mr Bell, Mr Barnard, Miss Trott and Mr Silver. Miss Newbury will be joining us next year as a teacher of
Mathematics and Science.
Mr McAuley leaves the Geography Department after two years to return to Northern Ireland. Mr McAuley
has packed a lot into his time, helping with cross country, table tennis and Head of Sadler House, and we
wish him well.
Miss Broom and Mrs Jeffery are leaving us from the English Department. Miss Broom leaves us after three
years to take up a post in an international school in Bucharest. Mrs Jeffery leaves us after seven years as
a teacher of English and latterly Head of English, to go into business with her husband. Mrs Jeffery leaves
the department in a particularly strong position after the Outstanding Ofsted Inspection. We wish both
colleagues the very best as they pursue new avenues.
Mrs Thomson retires from the Mathematics Department after seven years. She
will be known to many students for her work in primary schools as part of our
outreach work as a Specialist School in Mathematics and Computing. Mrs
Thomson has made an outstanding contribution in the field, putting countless
hours into the organisation of mathematics taster days and competitions. Our
best wishes for a well deserved retirement and I hope Kent County Cricket
Club starts to be more successful!
Mr Peter Ingram retires after fifteen years of outstanding service to the school as
Premises Manager and latterly Director of School Learning Resources. Many
parents and students might not be aware of the work Mr Ingram does but
put simply, he and our support staff make the school work.
I am especially going to miss Peter because when I started as
Headteacher in 2006 he was helpful and supportive in sorting
out problems we had with financial systems in school, as well as
overseeing maintenance and development. The development
of the school’s specialist status, the refurbishment of Science
laboratories, the Sixth Form study area, the extension of the
Mat&Lan building and countless others are all down to Peter’s
skill, tenacity and hard work. I am delighted Peter has agreed to
keep in contact with the school, acting as a consultant in future
building projects. He goes with our best wishes and thanks.
I hope everyone enjoys @Oakwood and that all of the school
community has a good Summer break.
K.W. Moody
Headteacher
battle of the bands
APRIL saw Oakwood Park’s very first Battle of the Bands take
place. A large crowd descended on the school hall to witness the
evening’s entertainment and a well delivered introduction and a
good dose of humour from year 12 hosts Shaun Stewart and Peter
Rodgers set the standard for things to come.
The band also brought out a crowd pleaser
with the classic ‘All The Small Things’
First up on the bill was Signpost To Nowhere which kicked things
off with a solid cover of Oasis’ ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’. The
year 10 outfit were met with a great reception as they went to give
a polished rendition of Jet’s ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl?’ Good
performances from guitarists Nick Rowland and Ben Town saw the
band receive a huge round of applause and cheers as they ended
their set. Following them were indie rock group Purple Sky who
wowed the crowd with confident playing and a huge sound for their
four members. I had my doubts when lead singer Shina Oguntoye
announced they would play a cover of Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’ but they
were soon dispelled. The band went on to perform a stylish cover of
the song, playing with unfaltering confidence and technical ability.
Guitarists Shina Oguntoye and Aaron Jackson interacted with the
crowd well, utilising humour and audience interaction to great effect.
The band also brought out a crowd pleaser with the classic ‘All The
Small Things’ by Blink 182, capping off a very impressive set.
Clay Pigeons were next to come out with a cover of ‘The Bucket’
by Kings Of Leon yet it was their cover of Weezer’s ‘Buddy Holly’
which impressed me. The band displayed musical ability and
true authenticity by stepping outside the realms of clichéd cover
versions. The infamous crowd pleaser of “Mr. Brightside” was next
up and the band played well with vocalist Luke Bury doing a great
job. The next band up was the year 12 collective The King’s Eyes
who were absolutely superb. Vocalist Tom Metalle did an excellent
job of delivering stylistic and confident versions of ‘Dance Wiv Me’
Year 9 in Boulogne
BY LEO GOSS AND MARK WYATT
by Dizzee Rascal and Cee-Lo Green’s ‘Forget You’. Their unique
mix of folk, rock’n’roll and blues stood out well and proved to be a
huge hit amongst the audience. Years of playing experience shone
through as the band played with masses of confidence and ability.
Following them were the heavy metal collective ‘Concealing Fate’
who made a change to the light rock mood of the evening and with
guitarist Joe Bartholomew showcasing some impressive guitar
playing.
well done to The King’s Eyes as
they were deserved winners
I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge well done to The King’s
Eyes as they were deserved winners. The combination of their
unique style, confident playing and original covers saw them take
the competition. Oakwood Park’s first Battle of the Bands was a
huge success; not only did it provide the school with an opportunity
for fundraising but also gave the musicians within the school a
platform to showcase their hard work.
OUR DAY began with the usual trip excitement as we made our way
to Dover, all of us looking forward to the day ahead in Boulogne.
Our first stop when over the border was the Todt Battery. We were
fascinated by the history all around us and found out that the
museum had been set up in the biggest bunker along that part of
the French coast. Originally housing a 380mm gun, the concrete
design was intended to keep it safe from RAF bombs. Inside the
bunker we found a collection of interesting artefacts including
models and photographs and we got a good sense of how the
soldiers who manned the battery lived.
Hopping back on the coach, our next destination was Old Boulogne
where we embarked on a town trail. With high hopes we entered
the huge grounds and scoured the battlements, looking down for
landmarks. When we went through the town, we were surprised by
the amount of shops around us and the old signs and market stalls
everywhere. We learnt a lot about what life was like when the town
was the main part of Boulogne.
the biggest bunker along the French
coast, originally housing a 380mm gun
Finally we stopped off at a French hypermarket where we indulged
in the vast array of different shops, restaurants and stalls. The
hypermarket was a stretch of 300-400m long, with shops on
each side stocking everything from coffee to toffee, and lime to
thyme! After dining at the most exquisite restaurant in the entire
hypermarket (half a pizza and a can of coke) we got back on the
coach and left for Calais.
The ferry back was interesting to say the least. We gained firsthand
experience of how rough the journey could be as the waves crashed
into the boat. We all stayed on our feet, well some of us!
The trip was very interesting and we learnt all about the history of
the town in a fun and enjoyable way.
oakwood in the news
MANY OF OUR EVENTS ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE
MADE IT INTO THE LOCAL PAPER. READ THE FULL ARTICLES IN
THIS EDITION OF @OAKWOOD
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THE YEAR 13 Theatre Studies students scored in the top band for
their assessed practical piece which was also a hit with staff and
students.
The piece, devised and performed entirely by the students
themselves, was called A.C.I.D. (accident, claim, insurance, denied)
and focused on fraudulent insurance claims in our complainant
culture.
all students were awarded ‘band
one’ for their practical assessment
Done in the style of physical theatre, the piece was influenced by
their study of the work of performance companies such as Knee
High and Frantic Assembly.
All students were awarded ‘band one’ for their practical assessment
with two students scoring full marks.
IN MAY we said goodbye
to student intern Mr Baker
who has gone to teach in
Ghana.
Having studied Theatre
Studies at Oakwood
Park last year, he was an
invaluable addition to the
Drama department.
In his time here Mr
Baker worked on major
school events such as
the production of Lady
Windermere’s Fan, Battle
of the Bands, Stars in
their Eyes, and the A-level
Theatre Studies and GCSE
Performing Arts practical
pieces.
After his two months in
Ghana he will be studying
Drama at university.
Good luck Mr Baker!
another fantastic
school production
BY RYAN FIELDS
OAKWOOD is becoming known for its impressive school
productions and this year’s Lady Windermere’s Fan was no
exception.
The play begins with an upper class couple in London until
Lady Windermere discovers that her husband has been giving
money to a mysterious woman. So begins a hilarious series of
misunderstandings and a satirical look on high society.
“We are all in the gutter, but some
of us are looking at the stars”
The cast, made up of students from A-level Theatre Studies and
GCSE Performing Arts, truly grasped the feel of the era from their
accents to their physicality. It is down to them, and the direction of
Miss Kirke, Mr Baker and Mr Wood, that Oscar Wilde’s famous play
really came alive and did not seem outdated at all.
“It was a pleasure to work with so many
talented and enthusiastic students.”
The production was performed to a packed audience of teachers
and families who filled the hall with laughter and enjoyment. And
it wasn’t only the acting that brought the play to life but also the
dramatic lighting and sound which was stunningly pulled off by
Mr Wood and Mr Baker. There was also much appreciation of the
impressive set, designed by the art department, which saw the
stage transformed into a range of elaborate settings.
Director Miss Kirke said: “All the students put in such a great deal of
effort and I was really proud of them.
It was truly a night to remember both for those who had the
pleasure and delight of watching, and those who were performing.
A huge thanks has to made to the teachers who were involved for
putting their hearts and souls into the project on both the directing
and technical side. We look forward to next year’s production!
goodbye oakwood,
allo fame?
OAKWOOD has said a fond farewell to much-loved media
technician Mr Rains, brining an end to five and half years of
invaluable help to the school’s flourishing media department. Mr
Rains leaves to embark on a world tour with his band Allo Darlin’,
realising the teenage dream of becoming a professional musician.
Despite coming from the ‘dark side’ (he attended Maidstone
Grammar School for his secondary education), Mr Rains was a
hugely popular and talented member of the media department.
He worked as a freelance animator before he moved to Oakwood,
winning a Channel 4 competition to create a ‘sting’ (the little clip that
accompanies the voiceover before the start of a programme) which
then brought about further opportunities to design for C4. He then
moved to Oakwood in 2005.
Mr Rains fast became an integral part of the development of Media
Studies within the school. Opening up the subject as a GCSE option
for the first time in 2007, he was also responsible for designing the
promotional material for school productions, ‘Oh! What A Lovely
War’ and ‘Jack The Ripper’, and piecing together numerous editions
of @oakwood.
Yet his expert eye and majestic approach to creative projects were
only part of the day job, with music being influential on his life
from an early age. Taking up the piano at the age of five – which
led to a spell as a piano tutor – and guitar as a teenager, it is as
his long obsession with music and loyalty to his friends that has
prized him away from Oakwood. Gaining a taste of success and
Mr Rains was a freelance animator
before he moved to Oakwood
live performance in Hexicon, it is his current work, in the on-thebrink-of-mainstream-success band Allo Darlin’ which has proved
to be too tempting an opportunity to surpass. Coming second in an
e-music poll of Top 100 Best Albums goes to show just how close
the band have come to breaking into the public eye. Commitments
to the band’s inaugural world tour, which visited a host of European
nations in February and March 2011, and will visit the USA later this
year, forced Mr Rains into giving up his comfy seat on the second
floor for a not-so-comfy place in a van, which cantered around
Europe in what happened to be a resounding success of a tour.
Following his decision to become a rockstar, Paul Monan
(year 13) says goodbye to media maestro Mr Rains
His time at Oakwood has proved hugely beneficial to hundreds of
students, not to mention the reputation of the school, as he has
transformed the way we have created high-production coursework
pieces across the key-stages. He is also highly valued by all of us
on the student news team for the way he has skilfully put together
@oakwood. From a personal perspective, I am extremely grateful
for the help and know-how that Mr Rains brought to my work over
the four years I’ve studied media, helping me to develop a portfolio
of work, and a knowledge of computer programmes, that I’m proud
of.
giving up his comfy seat on the second
floor for a not-so-comfy place in a van
I think I speak on behalf of everybody who has met, and had the
pleasure to work with Mr Rains by wishing him all the best on his
daring decision to go for broke with Allo Darlin. Who knows, maybe
he’ll be back in a few years to share stories of stardom, rather than
of Photoshop skills!
Houses are alive with
the sound of music as
Wilberforce win cup
BY SAM HOLLAND, HEAD BOY
THE inaugural House Music competition provided an entertaining
array of Oakwood’s finest musical talent. Organised by our new
Director of Music, Mrs Ord, the competition portrayed the musicality
of the school combined with the House system - perfectly conveying
cultural life at Oakwood.
people of all years were positively
and actively encouraged to take part
The competition was separated into three sections: a junior solo,
a senior solo and a group piece. These sections would then
be accumulated to give an overall winner. The structure of the
competition was to emphasise a whole house approach; people of
all years were positively and actively encouraged to take part.
The winning participants for each section were: Robert Crawford
of Fisher for the junior solo, Luke Bury of Hazlitt for the senior solo
and Fisher’s jazz quartet for the group piece. These were judged
by the esteemed company of our illustrious former Head of Music,
Mrs Tate, in addition to our former Head Boy and current Durham
scholar, Tom Murton.
And after much thoughtful consideration, their choice for the overall
House winner and current holder of the House Music Cup was
Wilberforce. Wilberforce were awarded the honour after being
runners-up in all three sections of the competition, portraying an
overall greater breadth of high quality musicianship.
the opportunity to perform on stage and be
recognised for their outstanding achievements
Overall, the competition was a positive outlet for the Music
department and most importantly for the students, giving them
the opportunity to perform on stage and be recognised for their
outstanding achievements. The House Music competition is sure to
become an integral part of Oakwood’s cultural calendar.
From Morris Dancing
to Manga...
wilberforce
HOUSES LEARN ABOUT A RANGE
OF COUNTRIES AND CULTURES IN
HOUSE ENRICHMENT DAY.
TO CELEBRATE house enrichment day, Wilberforce went Aussie for the day! We
began with a game about guessing what Australian related objects or words you
had stuck on your foreheads which was a great ice breaker!
The rest of the day was spent creating Australian inspired art, analysing and
storyboarding soap operas, and learning about Aborigines.
Then we all went outside to take part in a fiercely contested cricket games with
nominated players trying to hit wickets from a distance.
fisher
SLAVERY AND THE SLAVE TRADE were two topics of our day which began
with a two hour session in the drama studio, watching a film about William
Wilberforce and his fight to abolish the slave trade. This was a thought provoking
activity which carried with it the history of the trade.
We split into vertical house groups and completed a range of African themed
activities. Every group chose an African name and then embarked on their
competition to learn the most about slavery and win the series of activities.
Everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed themselves and took away an important
message.
hazlitt
HAZLITT BEGAN their day finding out about Asia by watching a range of
Japanese movie trailers and advertisements. We then split up into groups
and got started on a range of activities including using a computer
program to learn Mandarin, a quiz on the countries in Asia, origami and
Manga drawing.
We all had a lot of fun creating different shapes out of square paper
including swans, dolphins and all types of animals.
broughton
THE ORGANISERS of the last Broughton House Enrichment day pulled out all
the stops to ensure that there was perhaps a more quirky running order than
would be usually expected. Proceedings began with a small performance from
the local Morris Dancing group before pupils had a crack at the famous English
folk dance themselves. Some were more enthusiastic than others, but everyone
gave it a try and seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Next was an hour of board game making based on a period of English history; up
for grabs were the Celts, the Vikings. After break we learnt about the similarities
of the European languages, a great opportunity for the small pool of Latin
students to show off their skills and an interesting lesson in where our words
derive from.
Finally, we got a crash course in the history of the Eurovision song contest,
culminating in each group performing their own, slightly cheesy, Eurovision
song. A very different day to what we’re used to, but good fun nonetheless!
sadler
WITH A VAST land area of 42,549,000 km2 there is a lot of
America to learn about! This enrichment day opened the doors
to dive into American Literature, Music, Geography as well as
Landmarks and Heritage and many more.
The highlight of the day was the piecing together of all of our
presentations about the Geography and vast array of landscapes
in a private Sadler viewing in the hall at the end of the day. Within
everyone’s presentations there was such variety from the Caribbean,
to North and South America, and even Mexico.
This resulted in everyone gaining a lot more knowledge into the
Americas and leaving school wanting to know more.
Carbon detectives
win national competition
AFTER entering a competition on the Carbon Detectives website, we beat
800 schools in the country to be judged the most effective in terms of our
school’s attempts to lower its carbon footprint. Our prize is a five-day trip
in July to the
Czech Republic!
As part of the entry process for the competition we had to fill in a form
about what steps we’ve taken in school and there was a lot to say! We
are taking steps with food, transport and energy. We use over one million
sheets of paper in this school so we’re trying to increase our recycling
rate. We also have installed light sensors so we don’t keep the lights on
and we try to encourage people to switch lights off where necessary.
We’re growing our own food with help of the gardening club and we’re
producing our own compost as well. In fact, we’ve been selling our
lettuces and herbs to the canteen and staff! Another step we’ve take is
the automatic shut down system in ICT which turns the computers off if
they aren’t used after 10 minutes, and we’ve got stickers on doors telling
people to shut them in the Winter to keep the warmth in. Our next step is
to release a school survey and make everyone aware of what we’re doing
in our school.
IT’S A BUSY time for us in the
garden at the moment. We’re
growing onions, lettuces and
potatoes as well as herbs and
other produce. We will give
some to the canteen, hopefully
keep some for ourselves or even
set up a mini market stall within
school.
We have been awarded a
£2,500 grant to buy an ecofriendly greenhouse which will
have a rainwater harvesting
system. This will mean the
plants are watered in a
sustainable way. We are getting
a potting table that can catch
any excess soil which will also
be helpful.
Overall, it may not have been
the best winter for the garden
with all the snow and frost, but
it’s been a success.
During our trip to the Czech Republic we will be attending the
European Schools Climate Change Conference which will be really
interesting. There we will get our own personal translator so we can
speak to the students from other countries. We could probably talk
a little to the Spanish and French people ourselves but not if they go
into eco terms with it!
we will be attending the European
Schools Climate Change Conference
We’re very excited about the trip - for two of us it’s our second
time abroad, after our school trip to Normandy the week before!
We’re really looking forward to the experience and going to Prague
particularly.
footballs for fondants
BY ALEX MIDGLEY
TEAM OAKWOOD swapped footballs for fondants when they
were given a cookery master class. I was fortunate enough to be
amongst the gifted and talented sport students who were given a
crash course in culinary expertise when the head chef of The Barge
restaurant paid us a visit.
It was a fantastic opportunity for us to experience firsthand just a
morsel of what is required to produce great tasting food on a tight
schedule.
First on the menu was a pan fried chicken breast accompanied with
Gnocchis (small Italian dumplings made carefully from potato and
flour). The latter part of the meal proved to be the most delicate and
fine tuned, with most of us ending up with them tangled, muddled
and bound together in the bottom of the sieve! When we compared
these to the chef’s (which were perfectly shaped, tormenting us on
the chopping board) we found ourselves questioning our ability to
handle the basic skills of boil potatoes and mixing in flour!
THE DAY WAS A REFRESHING CHANGE TO BEING IN THE
CLASSROOM AND THE WORKSHOP GAVE US A FANTASTIC
INSIGHT INTO THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF A CHEF.
After much frustration and anguish provided by the main
course, the time came to produce the most eagerly awaited
product of the day- a rich chocolate fondant for dessert (a
small chocolate cake with a beautifully thick liquid centre).
Perhaps unsurprisingly, this proved to be the more popular
choice out of the two dishes prepared and the results were
quickly wolfed down to much appreciation.
The day was a refreshing change to being in the classroom
and the workshop gave us a fantastic insight into the trials
and tribulations of a chef, highlighting the extortionate
amount of skill, craft and speed required to run a
successful restaurant.
the head chef of the barge
restaurant paid us a visit.
After the cookery class we went to David Lloyd for a
session on sports nutrition before taking a spin class.
@oakwood reporter becomes
You Tube hit in Japan
BY GREGG HARFLEET
WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE
g up homes which triggered the tsunami, sweeping up villages and swallowing
up homes without warning and leaving a trail of devastation across north-eastern
Japan, I was prompted to do something.
I wanted to spread the message so that as many people as possible knew of the
horrors that were unfolding on the other side of the world and would donate, so
that together we could help them move forward to try and rebuild their shattered
lives.
With this in mind, I created a music video which was released on YouTube on
12th March – the day after the disaster. Due to the success of the video in the
online world, within days I was interviewed by the Kent Messenger and the video
featured in the newspaper and Kent Online.
The video became one of the most
watched in 20 countries around the
T7 saves the day
BY CAMERON MCINTOSH
ON THE 25TH OF MARCH, the incredibly charitable T7 held a cake sale for the whole school
to enjoy. All of the cakes were baked by none other than T7 students.
Some T7 students stayed behind after school on the 23rd of March to bake their very own
recipe in the new food tech room (with some help from Miss Walther, T7’s form teacher.) The
students that didn’t stay behind made their own cakes at home. Some absolutely delicious
cakes were made, including chocolate cakes, flapjacks, brownies, rock cakes, and lots more.
Meanwhile, the whole form were joining in and making posters to go up around the school to
inform all years about the event.
all proceeds go to
japan earthquake and
tsunami relief fund
When all the cakes were made, T7 set up 2 areas for the cakes
to be sold. Outside the hall and in the Quad. The best part
was that all of the proceeds went to the Japan Earthquake and
Tsunami Relief Fund.
T7 would like to say a big thank to all of the people who bought the delicious cakes, a thank
you to Miss Walther and Miss McConnachie for all their help and support. Thanks to these
people, we were able to raise an amazing £220 For
the victims of the Earthquake and tsunami! Thank you!
Just 6 days later, the video had already achieved 8,000 views and to date it has
clocked up well over 15,000 views! The video has also gone on to receive 36
honours on YouTube (they are the equivalent of ‘awards’ for achieving enough
views to become one of the most watched videos in countries around the world).
Honours received included the ‘most watched’ in Saudi Arabia, UK, Italy, France,
Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Japan (amongst a number
of other countries). The video became one of the most watched in 20 countries
around the world for the entire week, and as if this wasn’t exciting enough, the
video then went on to receive honours for the most watched of the entire month,
even though it had only been uploaded for two weeks at this point.
The whole purpose had been to reach out to people and spread hope. In order
to give me an idea of whether I’d achieved this target, I eagerly awaited reading
the comments on the video (which has now exceeded 50 responses). I was
obviously happy to see what people in the UK wrote but it was the responses
from Japan which really affected me. For instance, a film crew working in one of
the worst affected regions in Japan had been shown the video by the locals who
were deeply moved by the notion that people in the rest of the world were thinking
about them. Furthermore, a Japanese girl posted her thanks for the compassion
shown in videos like mine, and for the support being shown to them in their time
of dire need.
At least a million households have been without water since the quake, and food
and fuel are quickly running out across the coastal regions hit by the tsunami.
Japan still very much needs our help and support and I am happy to have played
a very small part in attempting to show compassion.
It’s great to see that others at Oakwood affected by the events in Japan wanted to
do their bit to help support the Japanese people. T7 did so through a cake sale
-well done to them for raising even more money for the cause!
p8 in pyjamas to raise
money for charity
BY CHRIS JOHNSON
Y10 are smelling
of roses
BY TAHMID CHOUDHURY
EVERY two years the epic comedy-filled, action-packed charity appeal we call
Comic Relief comes around. Each time Lenny Henry has looked me in the eyes
and told me to ‘do something funny for money’, and finally I have.
AS A REWARD following the stress of our science exams, the science
department planned a an action-packed enrichment day which saw teams come
up with a brand new fragrance for the market.
When three members of P8 first announced they were going to do a sponsored
bike ride I jumped at the chance to join them, ever the keen cyclist. Little did I
know they would be riding around Leybourne Lakes on one of the hottest days of
the year in stripy pyjamas and fluffy dressing gowns!
Split into groups names Armani, Dior, YSL, Versace, and D&G, we had to come
up with a strong marketing campaign a well as actually creating our scent.
The brainchild of Joe Bass, Harry Young and Luke Sutton, this seemingly simple
challenge would become a battle to fight off ‘what on earth are those boys
wearing’ type looks and put aside our personal pride for a good cause.
together we raised around £250 for comic
relief through sponsorship.
Tom McGrath and Jason Ferris joined me and we set off on our own pace with
the PJ gang attempting to drum up support and collect money as they went. The
three of them were even given free ice creams by the onsite ice cream man!
Jason and I had to drown our sorrows with a slightly melted Twix I found in my
back pocket instead! After many more laps, a few races and photographs, we
had completed the charity challenge.
Well done to all of the boys. Together we raised around £250 for Comic Relief
through sponsorship by family, friends and teachers.
later we went on to make the scent and I
can assure you ours smelt very good
In my group, Armani, we came up with an idea for a unisex fragrance for the
market aged between 20-30. We also had to come up with a box idea for the
product. We had earlier decided to call our product ‘Alert’ with the slogan “be
awake – be alert”, therefore we thought the colour red would reflect our brand
name. Later we went on to make the scent and I can assure you ours smelt very
good! We also made a hair gel which would come free with the product as an
incentive to buy.
The day tested us on a lot of skills needed for business, such as our ability to
work as a team, communicate, and come up with and sell a product.
On behalf of year 10 I would like to thank the science department and particularly
Dr Oguntoye for planning such an exciting day, which provided us with much
knowledge and gifts for mothers’ day!
dogs in the classroom
DOGS might not be what you would usually expect to see in a
classroom but that was certainly the case when Pets As Therapy
paid us a visit.
Students stopped in their tracks when they saw the unusual sight of
the dogs wandering through the corridors.
The friendly animals were accompanied by volunteers from Pets As
Therapy which takes P.A.T. dogs P.A.T. cats to hospices and care
homes to offer comfort, relaxation and motivation for those who are
unwell or elderly.
students stopped in their tracks when
they saw the unusal sight of the dogs
The visit was organised by Alex Miles, year 12, who is a member
of Pets As Therapy Junior Club and accompanies her mum, to
promote awareness events wih their own P.A.T. Dog Sally.
Here she explains what the charity is about and why it is so
important to her.
Pets As Therapy is a national charity and is unique in that it
provides temperament assessed P.A.T. Dogs and P.A.T. Cats
with registered volunteers to hospitals, hospices, residential
care homes, day centres, special needs schools and many other
establishments, providing comfort, companionship and therapy.
There are approximately 5,000 P.A.T. Dogs and 108 P.A.T. Cats
bringing benefit to more than 150,000 people of all ages every
single week throughout the UK.
This was shown when I brought 5 P.A.T. Dogs into our school on
an enrichment day. Being a volunteer myself I wanted to show the
students how Volunteering can be fun for everyone. The dogs had
a brilliant reception as they entered the school being well received
by all of the students in every year. Each volunteer was really
impressed by how well all of the students reacted to the dogs as it
was a change to their normal enrichment day.
Being a volunteer myself I wanted to
show the students how Volunteering
can be fun for everyone
Raising awareness within the school proved to be a wonderful
experience as when speaking to the year 12 students about
their volunteering and what we do, they all seemed to be really
interested.
As well as the students being welcoming to the dogs, the teachers
and school staff also enjoyed our visit, proving that everyone can
benefit from the animals. The smiles and reception was outstanding,
reinforcing to me why I have worked with this charity for 5 years. I
would like to thank everyone for the wonderful opportunity to bring
the dogs in and I hope that everyone benefitted from the visit.
THE VISIT is one of the many volunteering opportunities Ms Hern
has provided to Sixth form students who are taught about a variety
of charities and organisations and encouraged to get involved.
Ms Hern said: “Students find working in the community a good way
of developing their skills, using their academic and social abilities to
help others.
“In school they volunteer as buddies and mentors to younger
students, providing them with an important role model.
students find working in the community
a good way of developing their skills
“Our students also volunteer in a range of contexts outside of
school from working as riding and swimming instructors to acting as
computer teachers for the Royal British Legion.
“We are always very proud of the way our students rise to the roles
and responsibilities they take on and the interest and empathy they
show towards organisations such as Pets As Therapy.”
on the radio
MUSIC, money and the media were amongst the many topics us
@oakwood reporters quizzed presenters from a local radio station
about when they visited school.
Breakfast presenters Rob Wills and Nic Fletcher from Kmfm Extra
came straight from their show The Extra Big One, to give us a talk
and workshop on radio presenting and production.
They filled the team in on the new station, how to get into jobs in
radio and the media, and about the industry itself.
Year 7 reporter Cameron McIntosh said: “It was interesting to learn
all about what goes into producing a radio show.
“Normally I wouldn’t listen to radio but kmfm extra has persuaded
me to listen to more.
“The media is certainly an industry I’m interested in for a future
career so it’s always useful to hear from people who work in the
industry.”
presenter rob was
equally impressed
He said: “It was brilliant visiting the guys at Oakwood and was really
good to chat to students who knew about radio.
“Oakwood has been one of our best schools yet as the students
were really interested and engaged with what we had to say.”
Earlier in the day we took part in a
shorthand master class to keep
brushing up those journalistic skills!
mr dwinell takes music
to local primary schools
HERE is one of the many sketches done of Mr
Dwinell by some of the primary school children he
teaches. Each week Mr Dwinell visits different primary
schools offering a variety of music and literacy
enhancement, mostly to key stage 2.
For Music he introduces the pupils to basic rhythm
recognition, a steady sense of beat and the
instruments of the orchestra. For more advanced or
able groups, the pupils work with ‘boomwhackers’
something different to the pupils,
in content and presentation
and other class instruments to perform a variety of
ensemble pieces.
For Literacy Mr Dwinell displays a number of his
photographs of animals for the children to respond
to. The results of a morning’s work are very often the
beginning of exceptionally insightful poetry.
Mr Dwinell said: “By offering something different
to the pupils, in content and presentation, the class
teachers have the rare opportunity to view their own
class learning from a different adult. The pupils can
relate to the visiting teacher with a ‘fresh start’ and
often display engagement in a new and special way.”
The ‘portrait’ of Mr Dwinell shown here came from yr
3 at Brookfiled Primary.
flowers bloom in memory
of holocaust victims
BY ROBERT CRAWFORD
LAST YEAR the Gardening Club planted rows of crocus bulbs
along the edge of the school garden. The bulbs were given to us by
the Holocaust Education Trust in Ireland to commemorate the date
that the Holocaust ended. The flowers are now starting to bloom
and can be seen through the large glass panel on the side of the
quad. The beautiful yellow flowers unfortunately bloomed late due to
the bad weather as they were meant to appear around the date of
the commemoration day in January.
We were one of the hundreds of schools in the UK to take part in
the Crocus Project which sees provides thousands of yellow crocus
bulbs for schools to remember the 1.5 million Jewish children that
died in the Holocaust. The yellow crocuses resemble the yellow
Stars of David which all Jews were forced to wear under the Nazi
rule.
The Holocaust took place during World War Two when the Nazis
held six million Jews and five million others in concentration camps
due to their beliefs.
IN 2009 I had the opportunity to visit the Auschwitz concentration
camp in Poland with two Year 12 students and also to attend
a course run by the Imperial War Museum and the Holocaust
Education Trust. The purpose of the course was to examine how
this sensitive and challenging subject is best taught in secondary
schools. It was as a result of this that links were made between
Oakwood Park and the Holocaust Education Trust Ireland which
runs the Crocus Project.
i am glad that their interest can be
reflected outside of the classroom
through the crocus project...
When teaching about the Holocaust in History lessons and an
Enrichment Day, we are constantly impressed with students’ mature
reactions to what they learn. I am glad that their interest can be
reflected outside of the classroom through the crocus project and
thankful to the Gardening Club students for giving up their time to
help commemorate this event in our school community.
MR MCAULEY joined the Geography
department in September 2009. He
has worked enthusiastically in the
classroom but has also become
involved in other aspects of school
life such as teaching table tennis
to GCSE students, running crosscountry club and being Head of
House for Sadler. Mr McAuley’s
charity events this year have certainly
set the mark, which have revealed his
hidden talent of cake baking!
Mr McAuley is well-known throughout
the school which is due to his friendly
and approachable manner, and
can often be seen talking to staff
and students. In his short time at
Oakwood Park, Mr McAuley has
made an impact on the school and he
will be missed.
Hi, Ho, Hi, Ho
it’s off to Burham We Go
BY JAMES MORRISON
THE SUN was out as year 8 set off to Burham to study the Geography of the
town. So with our packed lunches and clipboards packed away in our rucksacks
we were on our way to Bluebell Hill.
From the top we could see Snodland,
Burham, the M20, Maidstone
Once we were there our artistic skills were called upon to draw a field sketch
of the view we saw at the top of the hill. From the top we could see Snodland,
Burham, the M20, Maidstone and various industrial estates in the area.
In the sunshine we then set about noting down the change in vegetation and soil type
and were then let loose in the village. Our job was to work out the age of the buildings in
Burham. So, with ice-lollies and cakes from the bakers in our hands, we started to work
out the building ages.
After we had devoured the buns we slowly worked our way down to the bank of the
river Medway. Once we arrived at the bank and stared longingly at the cool water we
discussed the uses of the river in Maidstone, writing down more facts ready for our
Burham project next term.
SCHOOL TRANSPORT CUTS ARE
AMONGST THE QUESTIONS RAISED
BY GREGG HARFLEET
THE SCHOOL was lucky enough to have been visited recently
by local MP Helen Grant. Mrs Grant was elected as Member of
Parliament for Maidstone and the Weald in the May 2010 election.
During her visit Mrs Grant, who was a solicitor before becoming an
MP, engaged in a lively question and answer session with students
from across the years who raised several challenging questions.
Some of the topics discussed included the plans to cut Legal Aid,
the fight to keep maternity services at Maidstone Hospital and the
new Alternative Vote system proposals.
Describing OPGS students as ‘real model citizens’, Mrs Grant
said: “The young people here are very politically aware and really
conscious of issues affecting their community”. She credited the
school for the encouragement and work they put in to helping
provide such learning experiences.
“The young people here are very politically aware and
really conscious of issues affecting their community”
My main area of questioning for Mrs Grant was on Kent County
Council’s proposal to reduce the school transport budget to remove
free transport for pupils who attend grammar schools or faith
schools. This would mean that, except for a limited number of
children from families with very low incomes, many families would
have to pay for transport to any school other than their nearest. In
my opinion, the diversity of schools in the system is a key selling
point of Kent’s current education system. The removal of transport
support will remove that choice from families who do not have the
means to pay for their children to attend the schools they choose in
a diverse system. Whilst appreciating the difficult financial situation
the country is in, I believe the proposed cuts are bad for choice,
bad for diversity and bad for the majority of Kent council tax payers.
Once we go into sixth form my annual bus fare will be almost £500,
just to get to school!
days like the one spent at OPGS
made her glad she was an MP
Mrs Grant said: “It is a worry because it will impact. I know there’s
a Freedom Pass for under 16s, but people need to be aware of
it and applying for it can often cause problems. Part of the issue
here goes back to the problem that we have been spending money
that we haven’t got. The country is in a mess and the councils are
having their budgets slashed and they have to make savings.
“Unfortunately until we can get ourselves out of this terrible
financial situation that we are in, I suspect that these changes are
going to continue to impact”.
Mrs Grant said she was a firm supporter of justice and explained
that should any of her constituents ever hear of injustices they
should contact her and “we will have to do battle on an individual,
person by person basis”.
Discussing May’s referendum she said: “I’m against AV. I’m a Tory
and most of the Conservative party are not in favour of AV. I think
the first past the post system that we have had for years and years
and years has worked very well in providing stable democracy and
I think we have got bigger issues to worry about like the financial
crisis and hardship rather than spending time changing our voting
system.”
Speaking about the conflicting opinions of the two parties
leading our government, Mrs Grant said: “The liberals are in
favour of AV so this is the first little battle we’ve had since we
formed our coalition and its being done very sensibly and in
a civilised manner, and that is fine. We are two very different
parties, we always have been and we will always continue
to be. I think it is right in some ways that we should have
differences in opinion”.
Mrs Grant was a very interesting speaker who had lots to say
but was also keen to take in our opinions. She even said that it
was days like the one spent at OPGS that made her glad she
was an MP because she valued being able to speak with our
generation, and incorporate their views. Thank you very much
to Mrs Grant for her time.
Debate and Discussion as Palestinian
Peacekeepers Visit Students
WE WERE fortunate enough to be visited by OneVoice Movement,
a grassroots organisation which seeks to promote peace and
reconciliation in Israel and Palestine. One of the representatives
was from Tel Aviv in Israel; the other was from Bethlehem in the
West Bank of Palestine.
We were then handed three different maps of the region and told to
decide which solution we thought would be the best. The first was
an illustration of the current situation, with the West Bank and Gaza
Strip divided and a significant number of illegal Israeli settlements
within Palestine.
A group of year 9s and Sixth Formers watched them give a
presentation on conflict resolution in which comparisons were
drawn between the challenges faced by diplomats and the various
conflicts encountered in everyday life. Ultimately, the principle is
the same, because the solution tends to involve compromise.
The second map showed a ‘two-state solution’ where Palestine
becomes a legally recognised country with complete independence.
Here, the Israeli-controlled settlements had either been removed
or been taken over by Palestinian authorities. Many students felt
this was the best solution, although flaws were highlighted such as
the continued separation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the
way in which Israeli Arabs and Palestine-based Israelis were not
accommodated for.
over lunch, us sixth formers had a even greater
opportunity to talk further with the representatives
One of the key points made by OneVoice was the difference
between what each side is demanding, and the underlining reasons
and feelings that motivate that. So, for example, both Israelis and
Palestinians want to be allowed an expression of national identity,
and to live without fear of attack.
The third map was an illustration of the ‘one-state solution’, which
involves the entirety of Israel and Palestine forming a single unified
government. Although controversial, because of the loss of the
independent national sovereignty and identity of the two states, this
solution was seen to treat the citizens involved fairly and in the long
term could be a greater model for peaceful relations.
Over lunch, us Sixth Formers had a greater opportunity to talk
further with the representatives. Merits and flaws of each proposal
were discussed with comparisons made with the situation in Ireland
and the discussion turned to the present outlook.
The visit was extremely informative and interesting and it is
clear that it is a topic demanding both international attention and
reasoned debate.
xbox controllers to paint
brushes to fret saws
YEAR 8 spent the day slicing wood, playing Xbox and painting
Abstract art in what was described as a ‘really good and enjoyable’
enrichment day.
You probably think kids spend enough time with these controllers
in their hands but now they are in school. Don’t worry they’re not
playing their normal shooting and sport games, Year 8 worked
instead on designing their own world and game using software
called Kodu Game Lab. Rob Hipps, T8, said: “It’s been very
different having an Xbox controller in our hands at school, the
game is really good and creative.’
“It’s been very different having an Xbox
controller in our hands at school, the
game is really good and creative.”
oakwood’s f1
future funding
FORMULA 1 is usually a sport associated with big budgets and
high speeds. F1 in Schools is here to give young people the chance
to experience the speed, on a much smaller budget. This is only
small compared to the budgets used by the actual teams. We are
lucky enough to have secured £500 of funding from Toyota UK,
with your help, we believe that we can
really be successful in this competition
for which we are very grateful, but this is only part of the way to
raising competitive funds. More details on how to sponsor us can
be found below. With your help, we believe that we can be really
successful in this competition, and then advance on to the national
and potentially international finals.
After their Xboxing, Year 8 turned to saw and sander in DT where
they worked on the clocks they designed in class.
Next on the agenda came the paintbrush and we went to the Ms
Neelands art room to see some Picasso paintings being produced
by T8. The master art in work consisted of shapes that they
extracted from the drawings of still art that they did last term. With
fancy shapes and colours everywhere you couldn’t tell which was
which and well which was the best I can’t decide.
OAKWOOD PARK GRAMMAR SCHOOL is looking for sponsors to support the school.
Advertising your business in @oakwood, the schools website and the TV screens around the school,
viewed by hundreds of people each day!
We are able to offer a varity of services from creation and design to just hosting
For more information contact Mr M Solly or Mr S Peacock
Tel = 01622 726683 or Email = msolly@opgs.org or speacock@oakwoodpark.kent.sch.uk
english department is
‘outstanding’ according to ofsted
YOU may have noticed an inspector wandering around the English
department just before the Easter holiday from Ofsted.
THE ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT says
goodbye to both Mrs
Jeffery and Miss Broom at
the end of the school year.
We asked both of them
what they will miss most
about OPGS.
Head of English Mrs
Jeffery, who has been with
us for 7 years, said: “It’s
been wonderful to see so
many students achieve
fantastic grades in English
after starting with no selfbelief in their abilities in the
subject at all.
“I’ve made some wonderful
friends in the department
and have felt very
privileged to have had the
opportunity to make some
drastic changes to the way
the English department
works over the years.”
Well after a thorough inspection of a range of lessons and books,
the English department has been rated as ‘outstanding’. This is the
highest level a school or department can achieve.
During the two day inspection a range of English lessons were
observed and a variety of students’ work was looked at from all key
stages. Students were also spoken to in depth about their views on
the style, delivery and content of English lessons and how much
progress they felt they were making in the subject.
According to the report published by Ofsted, the support and
guidance given by teachers in the department was said to be
exceptional. Lessons are said to be “stimulating and challenging”
with “imaginative, well constructed approaches”. It was also said
that the “quality and clarity of guidance in lessons and marking are
exceptional”.
The report also noted the high attainment in GCSE English
language and Literature which has risen consistently, with the
proportion of A and A* grades well above average.
The department’s enrichment programme was identified as another
strength with students involved in range of trips and activities
including visits from authors and other industry professionals, filmmaking and writing for this very magazine.
The inspector was also very impressed with the Penguin book
cover doors which also got a special mention in his report.
So well done to the English department for doing us proud and
keeping Oakwood on top!
certificates for school
reading club ‘the blurb’
AS part of the OPGS reading club ‘The Blurb’, we joined other
Maidstone secondary schools to attend the Maidstone Area Book
Awards (MABA).
At the event we were given a talk by author Andy Briggs (of the
Hero.com and Villain.net series) and the Mayor of Maidstone, and
then each school gave a presentation to the others about what they
had been doing in their reading groups.
The books which were voted as most popular by the schools were
Wolf Brother for KS3, and The Hobbit for KS4, and we were each
given a certificate for our work.
In our reading group we have been reading and discussing books
which all have the common theme of Journeys, whether through
place, time or space. We have also been able to blog and share
comments on the website ‘MABA Jabber’.
‘The Blurb’ reading group meets Friday lunchtimes in the library
and is open to all year groups so if you enjoy reading and creative
writing come along and find out more about the group’s next focus.
MISS BROOM, who has
been with us for 3 years, is
leaving to teach in Romania.
She said: “There have been
so many wonderful moments
- it’s been wonderful watching
my first year 9 class grow
into young adults and finish
their GCSEs.
“I’ve also been really lucky
this year to have a fantastic
year 7 form- I don’t think I’ll
ever forget their impromptu
crazy cake sale to raise
money for the postage of our
Christmas shoeboxes!
“I will miss most the colourful
personalities that populate
the Oakwood corridors, my
form and the extraordinary
friends I’ve made here.”
Dear Grandad
By Phodios Papa-Adams
Stormy Seas
By Sam Stedman
Inspiring as a leader,
Help! Help!
The moments were like a dream,
The sailor yelped,
Thought on his feet like a cheetah,
I could hear his shrieks from ashore.
He never gave up.
But I ran back home and closed the door,
Got up early, went to bed late,
His cries I could hear no more.
But still helping everyone in his way,
The little twinkle in his eye,
I went to sleep that night,
His sheer presents lit the sky.
And I woke with an awful fright,
The irreplaceable memory,
I looked out of my window and saw a light,
Will be cherished until I die,
I followed the light to a familiar sight,
The TIME he made to take me out,
It was where I heard that man last night,
The words of wisdom,
The view was certainly not a delight,
I couldn’t live without,
It looks like the boat had got into a fight!
I wonder if grandad is looking down on me,
Simply to make me,
Pieces of timber all over the show!
A better person through and through,
What happened? Well I don’t know!
Dear Grandad I miss you
I wonder if the sailor could tell us his story,
But with the state he is in, it might be quite gory!
By Phodias Papa-Adams, T7
The Earth Awakes
I threw down the spade in frustration,
The Thief
By Cameron McIntosh
Strolling down the alley way,
Towards my favourite place,
The air choked your lungs; It was as thick as gravy.
The noise and smell and coldness too,
The sky, Oh the sky! Fiery red
Slapped me in the face.
T7
shortlisted for human
rights reporter of the year
AMERICA. LAND OF THE FREE?
Indefinite. One word expressing the cruel reality for Guantanamo
Bay detainees. The murky future of this shameful American
creation is echoed in its murky past. With accusations of
mistreatment, torture and four suicides, Guantanamo Bay has
remained at the centre of worldwide controversy. We only need
glance at the disturbing photographs of the prison to get a sense of
why Amnesty International supporters have compared it to a Soviet
Labour camp.
The US defence argues the camp, which plays host to suspected
terrorists, is a deterrent and prevention for attacks on America. A
clear symbol of the ‘war on terror’. However detainees like Shaker
Aamer have had to pay the ultimate price. Recently Amnesty
International wrote to the Foreign secretary William Hague to urge
him to intervene in bringing freedom to the UK’s last prisoner at
Guantanamo Bay. He is held over claims of links to the Taliban and
al-Queda. Yet he has never been charged with any offence. He has
been detained for 10 years. His British wife has been helplessly
waiting for her husband for 10 years. And for 10 years his four
children have been without their Dad.
Aamer and his fellow detainees have been labelled ‘Enemy
Combatants’. This is a military euphemism designed to hide a
blatant violation of justice. The detainees have become human
anomalies with their rights inferior to prisoners of war and US
citizens accused of crime. Result? 755 people since 2001 have
become powerless in the hands of a lawless institution. Many
imprisoned without a charge, let alone a trial. Alarm bells should be
ringing worldwide questioning the legitimacy of the detention camp.
There has been evidence for mistreatment such as shackling
detainees to the floor and subjecting them to extreme temperatures.
As if heaven was alight.
Entering the cafe
Leaving the cars and buses too,
The smell, Oh the smell!
It was like the Earth was burning,
The smoke penetrated
Every last corner.
The feeling of soft lino,
Underneath my shoe.
The smell of sausage rolls and,
Coffee in the kettle,
A man kept changing seats
The noise, Oh the noise!
The Earth was cracking in half,
The thunder penetrated the Earth itself,
As slowly the Earth was consumed in flames
He just would not settle!
Finally choosing a seat to sit,
He settled down at last,
Right across the table from,
Ms Pammington, she’s got class!
By Tom Spackman
T7
Her jewellery gleamed as always,
Especially her ring,
Glancing down at it,
Gave my eyes a sting!
The bright lamp above,
Made the ring look hot!
Then the unsettled man stood up and,
Nicked it on the spot!
At first every effort was made to capture and imprison these
people except now they have become a burden. A large portion
of prisoners have been cleared. This leaves a dilemma of where
to send them. In their home countries they face bleak prospects
of torture yet nowhere else will take them. The most wanted have
become the unwanted. The U.S created the problem and if no other
countries are prepared to take the detainees the responsibility
should lie with them. But America doesn’t want to play at its own
game. A Gallup poll in November 2009 found two thirds of US
citizens were opposed to the prisoners being brought into America.
The undeserved stigma has meant many politicians refuse to
allow detainees into America, anxious about the effect on their
own popularity. Ignorant fear has driven this rejection. The guise
the military can use is frightening by labelling the detainees as
suspected terrorists the public will continue to ignore the unfair
treatment. It’s quite right to respond to citizens’ fears; people should
feel safe in their day to day lives. However I strongly disagree with
how they have chosen to ‘protect’ their citizens. Sacrificing personal
freedom and human rights is never acceptable.
CATHERINE LEONARD Y13
has been shortlisted for a
national journalism competition.
Cat beat more than 1,000
entries in the over 16 category
with her impressive article
about Guantanamo Bay and
made it to the top 10.
The Human Rights Reporter
of the Year competition is run
jointly between The Guardian
and Amnesty International.
The brief was to investigate
any issue about human rights
whether this be a story about
someone being discriminated
against or abused, or a
story celebrating a positive
recognition of human rights.
earthquakes and dinosaurs at
the national history museum
BY CHARLIE WOOD
A VISIT to the National History Museum was a great chance for
Year 10 to see a broader range of topics in a more engaging
environment. The museum offers the opportunity to see a variety
of different items from the remains of dinosaurs to experiencing a
‘make-believe’ earthquake right below your very own feet.
The variety made it an exhilarating day for everyone as there
were some really exciting things to be seen. The dinosaur exhibit,
for example, offered an extensive outlook on how the dinosaur’s
structure is composed. Not a single student who walked past was
not utterly intrigued by the 3D motion dinosaur as it moved about
the area within the museum.
the dinosaur exhibit, for example,
offered an extensive outlook on how
the dinosaur’s structure is composed
The same memorable experience was provided in the stimulus
earthquake. Going up the escalator towards the exhibit, the
excitement levels were intense as students made a frantic dash to
secure their place on the platform that wobbled vigorously below
your feet.
It was clear from the moment you walked through the large double
doors to the Grand Hall of the museum that it was the place to be as
you could just see a spectrum of different coloured school uniforms
with students from a range of schools learning in a different way.
head boy
and girl
story
what a ride it
has been
BY SAM JAMAA
FIVE LONG YEARS the current Year 11s have been at Oakwood and it has definitely been
an eventful time. So to mark this we took a science trip to Thorpe Park. The day was, as
you would expect, filled with excitement and high spirits, and there was a real ‘end of an
era’ feeling to the day.
And that’s exactly what it is. Over the last 5 years I, along with every other Year 11, have
found fantastic friends. Some people will return in Year 12, some are moving to other Sixth
Forms, joining College, or going straight into work, and the shape of the year will never be
the same again.
filled with excitement and high spirits, and there
was a real ‘end of an era’ feeling to the day
Our day at Thorpe Park would prove to be the last time the whole year could be
together outside of exams and the opportunity was embraced by the boys who
soon began reminiscing about their time at Oakwood. The well-received trip
was a truly great finale to our time at Oakwood -demonstrated by some great
photos! It was also a real fond farewell to all those Oakwood Park students
who will be leaving us this year, and a way of rewarding the students for
their hard work, so I think it is worth noting some of the highlights and
successes of our 5 years.
Very recently Oakwood celebrated a fantastic victory in the Football Kent Cup
Final; it was a great success to see so many of our fellow Year 11 students
playing their part in the 1ST XI. The residential trips also hold fond memories for
us, including Norfolk and Normandy, as well as Year 9 Camp, and trips to Cuba
and Barcelona. These trips really helped us bond and build really strong and
valuable relationships.
Academically, throughout the five years, we have strived to get the best grades,
with some really impressive results, and let’s hope, come August, everyone gets
the grades they want and deserve.
Academically, throughout the five years,
we have strived to get the best grades
All the students who will be leaving us this year will be sorely missed by everyone
at the school, despite the ups and downs. The year has been a real asset to
the school and I hope that many relationships made throughout the last five
years of our lives will be continued and never forgotten, and that everyone
achieves what they deserve in the future.
So on behalf of Year 11...... farewell Oakwood!
Fond farewell from
Head Boy and Girl
IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE that we are approaching the end of another academic
year and the end of our secondary education. It has been nearly 18 months since
we graciously shook the hand of Miss Tipp to accept our roles as head boy and
head girl. We know what you are thinking too- senior prefect teams enter and
leav¬e every year and each year has a series of tasks, events and changes to
implement but do they ever really achieve their goals and what have we done?
it has been nearly 18 months since we
graciously shook the hand of miss tipp to
accept our roles as head boy and head girl
Throughout the year we have had three main goals; charity work, the student
voice and a sense of shared responsibility and we believe these goals have been
achieved. The latter has included giving middle school prefects a role within the
school by joining them into sixth form prefect duty teams. Our team has worked
hard to get all students involved in our ethos. We like to think of ourselves as a
positive team, focusing on the positive things about our school and all the good
things which happen each day as opposed to the negatives. We think that gentle
encouragement, advice and the occasional moan have made students think
about their actions and buy into this shared responsibility idea. The house system
links nicely into this idea and we have been impressed with students’ willingness
to take the lead and get involved with activities such as house music, house
charities, enrichment days and competitions.
The student voice has been given a new lease of life this year.
Rebranding it to resemble a student union has given students an
ever increasing and needed voice; this culminated in the student
voice elections where a variety of students politically fought for
the post of president of the student voice. Providing a vehicle for
students to air their ideas is wonderful and we are after all what
make the school; the collective minds of many are better than a few.
Charity and volunteer work is incredibly important to us; we believe
it broadens people’s outlook on life and in particularly in a Kent
grammar school where students tend to be from very privileged
backgrounds. This year we have raised money for Demelza House,
which cares for 600 life-limited children and their families across
Kent, South London and East Sussex and Build Africa who help
with the building of primary schools in Africa, giving thousands
of children the chance to go to school – something we take for
granted. The money has been raised through house charity weeks,
by individuals, non-uniform days and key events like Stars in Their
Eyes.
Stars was a great success and a great opportunity for the Sixth
Form to work together. Almost £4,000 was raised which is the
largest amount in its seven year history; something we are
particularly proud of. In March our challenging quiz night was well
supported by parents, friends and students raising nearly £2,000.
Each charity will receive £3,000 thanks to our school’s collective
hard work.
Leading a team and taking on extra responsibilities does come with
many challenges but is also very rewarding. We have had to be
strong and totally committed together as leaders. Good leadership
should argue behind the scenes but when it comes to it, support
each other on the final decision.
Oakwood Park has been an amazing adventure; we could not have
been more pleased with our time here. We have brilliant and happy
memories and take great pride in having been a part of the school
over the last few years. The school doesn’t try to push you into a
box or make you fit a mould, it develops each individual’s unique
characteristics to get the best out of them. Our advice for the future
would be to seize the opportunities you are given, say ‘YES!’ and
believe in yourself. From now on, the world is your oyster.
each charity will receive £3,000 thanks
to our school’s collective hard work
Although we are sad to leave, we also feel ready and are excited for
the opportunities which will head our way next year. Finally, we just
want to say that it has been brilliant and we hope you have enjoyed
having us as your lead students over the past year. We would like
to wish you all love, happiness and success in your own futures and
look forward to hearing about many great things to come.
Dan will be studying Physics at the University of York and Gemma
is studying Social Policy at the University of Birmingham.
leavers day for year 13
SHIRTS WERE SIGNED, INNUMERABLE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN, AND MANY
A BURGER WAS EATEN AS YEAR 13 MARKED THEIR LAST DAY AT OPGS.
LEAVERS’ DAY thas long been a glorified event signalling a coming of age, the
last stretch to a seemingly horizonless finish line, and the end of an era. But for
many at OPGS this year it was a chapter of their lives that they weren’t yet keen
to close.
I’m one of the ones lucky enough to have spent a full seven years at the schoola veteran of Oakwood life who is eager to tell the stories and anecdotes at
any given chance, to any willing (or unwilling) listener. Seven years can seem
a lifetime and you never really contemplate its end or that the familiar faces
and routine will suddenly stop. This was the case for our Leavers Day where
beginning the day in a new white t-shirt soon turned to leaving as a human
canvas, adorned in an explosion of scribbled sentiments. Age-old friendships
tried to boil down to a few words on a shirt and what struck me was just how
‘together’ people were and that sharing the years meant something beyond
education. In minutes, a simple t-shirt became a scrapbook of memory and
understanding ranging from the almost short-story mini essays frantically drawn
on, to the simplistic but eternal “it’s been jokes”.
Even the new additions, some might say mainly the new additions, were sad to
let go. Oakwood has forever had that welcoming atmosphere - we look out for our
own. But don’t be misled! Leavers’ Day was much more a day of celebration than
of separation, and this part started with the prestigious Leaver’s Assembly.
Being labelled as the most controversial, revealing, shocking, honest, and just
all-round greatest thing to ever grace the school hall, watching our self-made
presentations with teachers and peers is a moment I don’t think I’ll ever forget. It
included the likes of a tear-jerking speech, the reform of an old-favourite band of
ours and every single photograph you never wanted anyone to see; it really was
a masterpiece to be proud of. It delved back to the roots of our Oakwood careers
with the year 7 photo to match, whilst also never forgetting the ones that got
away who now live on through legend!
The End Of Year Awards is a long-standing tradition in Oakwood heritage and we
did not disappoint. Our year’s ‘Funniest’ jokingly shrugged off chants of speech,
our ‘Cockiest’ conjured up an applause-worthy poker face as he stood up to
collect his award seconds before officially winning it, even our ‘Most-likely-tosee-on-Crimewatch’ stole the show. It was also great to see that whatever we
were feeling in that hall, living in past memory and reminiscence, the teachers
were feeling too. Head of Year, Ms Lane, in particular wouldn’t have passed the
chance to shortlist her favourite moments and “enlighten” us with her “pearls of
wisdom” in a million years. So rather than be joyous to see the back of us as
some suspected, the staff clearly were going to miss the strong characters, class
discussions and countless crazy shenanigans.
If emotions were all over the place inside, outside the story wasn’t much different
as souls were inflated at the glorious sight of a gigantic bouncy castle assault
course! The stuff of dreams! After a few unimaginably satisfying bounces and
an ice cream in hand, it was hard to feel anything else apart from ultimate
happiness. Whether it had been our leavers’ day or our very first day of school it
was practically indistinguishable on that bouncy terrain, as the Christmas morningesque stretched smiles and inevitable case of bumped heads showed. But all in
all, what a way to go. It was slightly surreal taking one last pan around at everyone
in a sort of lame Hollywood movie finale way. I knew that despite how unbearably
cliché it is to admit, these were probably going to be the best years of my life. Last
minute photographs, rib-breaking hugs and manly handshakes ended the day as
one by one people fled the field for their own private get-togethers.
each charity will receive £3,000 thanks
to our school’s collective hard work
I’d like to detail all the highlights of my year in one huge montage but unfortunately
they are far, far too difficult to select. It’s unfair on the other stories to not be
included, each one is an article on it’s own, whilst some could be considered
a bit too … ‘elaborate’ for this article. It is near impossible to sum up years of
experience and feeling into this one feature, some things are even beyond words
but it’s not goodbye, and the people I’ve met still mean a lot to me, as I would
later spill that day at Open Mic pub night! Year 7 to Year 13 has been a huge
transformation that went by at just the blink of an eye, but I wouldn’t have changed
any of it. So that’s Leavers’ Day 2011 effectively and me signing our year out.
I’M ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REUNION.
THE EXAMS, HOWEVER, NOT SO MUCH.
Rugby team mark 25th anniversary of the first
sport tour by going back to where it all began
SOME 25 YEARS AGO in February 1986, the Under 16 Rugby
squad embarked on the first ever Oakwood Park Rugby tour, led
by Mr M Housden. The squad travelled to Cambridge for the
weekend, playing fixtures in Cambridge and New Market. From
small beginnings began the school’s tradition of sports tours around
the world.
to mark the 25th anniversary of the first
tour, the 2010-11 1st XV travelled to new
market rugby club to play....
Since Mr Housden began the tour tradition the school has toured
Canada, Portugal (the first joint rugby and football tour), Spain,
Leeds (the first joint rugby, football and netball tour), Ireland
(becoming one of the last teams to play at Landsdown Road RFC)
and most recently, touring the delights of South Africa, as part of the
school’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
To mark the 25th Anniversary of the first tour, the 2010-2011 1st XV
travelled to New Market Rugby Club to play a one-off fixture in April
2011. Mr Keeling-Jones and Mr Housden travelled with the squad
to the club the under 16s had visited 25 years ago. The 2010-2011
squad is a mix of Year 11, Year 12 and Year 13 students.
All the players were looking to recreate the winning feeling of 25
years ago. New Market took the kick off and after a few short
minutes and some superb clearing out by the forwards, enough
space was created for Alex Caine to run in the first of his four tries.
However, after 10 minutes it was clear that New Market were just
sussing out Oakwood’s style of play. This led to a few positional
changes to combat some of stronger players in the Oakwood
team. Oakwood ran in a couple more tries before New Market
really started playing and when they did the team demonstrated
that they could play some very good rugby, leading to a couple of
tries being scored. These tries brought the score line closer, but
also refocused the Oakwood Park team who started to dominate
the game once again. At the half way point, Oakwood Park were
ahead on the score board, but if they became complacent New
Market were certainly capable of scoring and putting pressure on
the opposition.
the final score was 36-12, with new market
unable to score in the second half
As the second half began Oakwood Park certainly were continuing
the dominance shown at the end of the first. The breakdown
became more important to us as we began drawing more New
Market players to it with quick recycled ball and a number of pick
and drives to create space for Chris Carr, Chester Clough and Ben
Summers to exploit. Unfortunately, Will Dolton pulled a hamstring
(a tradition for him on tours) and this ended his last game for the
school with an early shower.
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New Market certainly made Oakwood Park feel welcome and
played their part in celebrating 25 years of tours. We are hoping to
make this fixture a regular aspect of our fixture list and thank them
for their hospitality. I would also like to thank the players for their
dedication this year to the development of the squad and also to Mr
Housden for all the support, coaching and refereeing that has been
invaluable this year. A fitting end to a good season.
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The team showed great commitment and certainly played some
of the best rugby all season, with a stand out performance by next
season’s Captain Chester Clough, who was named as man of the
match. The final score was 36-12, with New Market unable to score
in the second half. This was certainly the best way to celebrate 25
years of tours and also congratulate the Year 13 students who had
played their last game for the school.
Mr Housden hangs
up his rugby boots
Q: Why has rugby been such a large part of your life?
At the grammar school I went to they played a lot of rugby and although I really
enjoyed football I wasn’t the best build for it! I found I fitted in better with rugby,
and that I enjoyed it more too.
Q: Why have you decided to retire from coaching the team?
I still want to keep fit and will be happy to referee when I’m asked but as Deputy
Head I just don’t have the time. I’ve kept on with the coaching until now because
of my son, Toby, being in the rugby team but he’s off to university now so it’s time
to step down.
Q: If you had another chance would you change anything?
I would have kept up refereeing as well as coaching. Because I was focused on
running the team I passed up a lot of refereeing jobs I was offered.
Q: What have been your most memorable/enjoyable experiences coaching the
rugby team?
Going to South Africa last year because Toby was captain of the team which
made me very proud - seeing him play was one of my most enjoyable moments. It
was amazing to see a country like South Africa play.
Q: How has the game of rugby changed since you first started playing it?
Younger people have a better, more positive attitude towards rugby. I have
gained more respect from the students by doing things outside of the classroom
and coaching the rugby team. If there was a tip I would give to the teachers it
would be to let the students see you outside of the classroom as you’ll gain more
respect.
“Football is a gentlemen’s
game played by hooligans,
rugby is a hooligans’ game
played by gentlemen”
TOBY PUGHE, Year 12, tackles the topic which is a constant source of debate in
this school and any boys’ school for that matter!
Without doubt the quote above is one which brings much debate to the sporting
world. ‘Gentlemanly’ is certainly not the word that springs to mind when looking at
previous goings on in within the game of rugby over the last few years. The much
talked about eye gouging issue during January 2010 which left Clarence Harding,
26, blind in one eye is a prime example of how ‘thugs’ are being let out to inflict
destruction upon innocent sportsmen, with the knowing that stereotypical views
will protect them, as of course, rugby is played by ‘gentlemen’.
thugs are being let out to inflict
destruction upon innocent sportsmen
Since then the game’s reputation has been further damaged by the ‘bloodgate’
scandal, in which Harlequins’ winger Tom Williams bit a fake blood capsule in
order to show signs of an injury that would allow his side another substitution
during their Heineken Cup game with Leinster in April 2010. Williams’ mouth was
later cut for real by a club official in order to cover up the deceit. Correct me if I
am wrong, but these are not the characteristics of a gentleman.
In comparison to the somewhat questionable behaviour shown by rugby players
in recent years, professional footballer and national treasure David Beckham
appears to be the model of all gentlemen. David Beckham is a spokesperson
for Malaria No More, and a supporter of Help for Heroes, a charity aimed at
helping injured service personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. His own
charity, the Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust, provides wheelchairs
to children in need, and his focus on helping children has led to his appointment
as a Unicef Ambassador. Not only is it that the honorable David Beckham among
others in the footballing world posses their own charities but the England players
donate all their match fees to charity. Although there are many definitions of the
term gentlemen, these are the type of men that in my opinion would fit the mould
adequately.
David Beckham is a spokesperson
for Malaria No More, and a
supporter of Help for Heroes
By no means are footballers perfect. They do lose their tempers from time to
time, they do drink occasionally, and sometimes they even break the law. But in
conclusion the ‘hooligan’ tag that has been applied to football is nothing more
than a stereotype that lacks sufficient proof to generalise it to the whole of
football.
Don’t agree? Feel your sport or something you feel strongly about is misjudged or
stereotyped? Then submit your article to @oakwood.
Oakwood wins Kent Cup
for first time in 14 years
HISTORY finally repeated itself when the Oakwood Park football
team won the Kent Schools FA Under 19 White Cup 2-1 after extratime. It has been fourteen years since the school last played and
won the senior competition.
On their way to the final Oakwood beat Maidstone Boys 2-0 in the
semi-final and faced a very strong Kemnal Technology College from
Sidcup in the final.
it has been fourteen years since the
school last won the senior competition
The final, which was played at Sevenoaks Town FC and attended
by staff and students, was a tight and nervy affair which saw
Oakwood settle the quicker of the two sides and after 10 minutes
take the lead. Toby Pughe latched onto a loose ball in the Kemnal
area to fire home a left-footed shot low in the bottom corner.
Oakwood grew in confidence after the goal and managed to control
the play throughout the majority of first half but were wary of the
threat that Kemnal posed. As the first half came to an end it was
Oakwood who were the happier of the two teams but the game was
far from over.
The second half started with the same high intensity from both
sides and with Kemnal looking to use a more direct style of play to
utilise their pace upfront, Oakwood had to defend well. For a time
it was backs against the wall for Oakwood who managed to thwart
everything Kemnal threw at them but at the same time looking to
deal the killer blow on the counter attack. This so nearly came when
Paul Mancktelow picked the ball up in the middle of the park and
proceeded to drive at the Kemnal defence, gliding by three players
before slotting the ball past the outrushing keeper only to see it hit
the post and roll agonisingly away from the goal.
With Oakwood still ruing this opportunity it was Kemnal who seized
the initiative back in the 75th minute when a free kick wide on the left
was dangerously whipped into the Oakwood Park box and, with the
faintest of touches from Aaron Corbin, the ball nestled into the net.
With the scores level and extra-time looming, both teams pushed
hard for what would have been a winning goal and it was Oakwood
who had that chance. Sean Johnson found himself a yard of space
and, with only the keeper to beat, dragged his shot narrowly past
the post, so the game went into extra-time.
IT WAS an extra special
occasion for Mr Smith who,
being and old boy of the
school, was the captain the
last time Oakwood won the
White Cup.
He said: “The squad have
been amazing all season
and deserved this. They
showed tonight that they
have a tremendous team
spirit and attitude, I am so
pleased for them and all of
them have played their part
in tonight’s success.”
sean johnson found himself a yard of
space and, with only the keeper to beat...
The pace of the game looked to have taken its toll on both sets of
players early on in extra-time but it was Oakwood who found an
extra gear and started to look the stronger, Johnson again only
had the keeper to beat but failed to hit the target from eight
yards. The continued pressure finally paid off as Johnson,
again in the thick of the action, skipped past two defenders
and looked to thread a ball into the path of Mancktelow only
for it to strike the arm of the defender. With the assistant
signalling a penalty it would be Mancktelow who
would step forward with the opportunity to put
Oakwood back in the lead and he did so with
aplomb, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Kemnal pushed hard to find another
equaliser but were hit with another counter
attack and this time Oakwood thought
they had sealed the victory when Sam
Chapman lobbed the keeper and, with the
ball trickling painfully slowly towards the
goal, it was cleared by the excellent Billy
Leitchford. Oakwood still had to survive a
late scare when goalkeeper Chris Slater was
forced to make two outstanding saves. The
first tipping over a fierce shot from the edge
of the area and the second flinging himself
low to his left to push a goal bound header
around the post.
That was the last of the action and as the
referee signalled the end of the game it was
the Oakwood Park players and supporters
who could celebrate.
CONGRATULATIONS to chriss
letchford-Jones for winning the
photography competition
CONGRATULATIONS to tom
jackson for coming second in
the photography competition
THANK YOU FOR READING AND A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL
OF OUR REPORTERS. LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT EDITION!