NEWS - Church Stretton School

Summer 2 • 2010 • Issue Number 5
Autumn 1 • 2013 • Issue Number 21
A Specialist Technology College
www.churchstretton.shropshire.sch.uk
Amazing
Features
Success
Inside this issue:
Students Excel:
Inside this issue:




 Zeeshan Ahmad
Memorial Match
 PTA update
 Dates for your Diary




Excellent GCSE results
Sponsored Walk 2013
Pearl of Africa Choir
Aspirations Afternoon
Read more inside
STUDENTS
TAKE TO
THE HILLS
Read more inside
Summer School Success
Music Success
Stretton Magpies
Junior Maths Olympiad
Read more inside
ANOTHER YEAR OF EXCELLENT RESULTS!
More photos inside
Our annual sponsored walk,
involving all members of our school
community, took place on Friday 27th
September.
Students and staff, dressed in
colourful outfits representing their
house colours, followed a route on the
Long Mynd via Carding Mill Valley and
returned to school via Batch Valley.
After the final checkpoint at school
students were rewarded with free hot
dogs and refreshments.
Our overall target for the walk is to
raise £10,000 to further enhance
facilities for the school.
This will
benefit all students at school both now
and in the future. Monies raised will
also support a local charity and this
year we are donating money to the
Community Wellbeing Appeal, helping
to fund a new multipurpose wellbeing
centre in Church Stretton.
This has always been a really
popular event and an enjoyable day
for all involved.
Proud students with their excellent results pictured left to right; Daniel Higgins, Malachi Davenport-Smith, Lee Davies, Hugo Jervis
Church Stretton School is
celebrating another set of excellent
results.
The school has set a new record
for students obtaining higher level
GCSE grades with 81% of year 11
achieving 5 or more, higher grades.
Two thirds of those included Maths
and English.
Students celebrating success
included Melissa Griffiths and
Joshua Sansom who both obtained
8 A* as part of their 13 GCSEs.
Joshua has gained a place at
Shrewsbury Sixth Form College to
study A Level Maths, Further Maths,
Chemistry and German.
Sarah Farrow obtained 12
GCSEs with 8 A* and Megan
Marshall achieved 8 A* and 3 A
grades. Charley Giles with 6 A* and
6 A’s, Joe Hall with 6 A* and 2A’s
and Sarah Lewis obtained 6 A* and
4 A’s.
Charley said she was delighted
with her results and will continue will
be going to Shrewsbury Sixth Form
College to study A Level French,
Psychology,
Spanish,
English
Literature and Maths.
Principal Steve Lunt commented,
“Our
students
have
worked
incredibly hard to achieve these
excellent results. They have been
fantastically supported by their
parents and I pay tribute to the
efforts of the staff to achieve these
results. Well done to all!”
Students collecting results
Valuing Education
Steve Lunt, Principal
As I write the notes for this term’s
newsletter our World Expedition
Challenge students in Year 11 are
busy preparing for their trip to
Romania and Year 10s are getting
excited about the Creative Arts trip
to London, “War Horse” included. I
trust both groups have a fantastic
time and return safely. With these
preparations in mind and also
reflecting on the articles in this
edition on the Sponsored Walk; the
Pearl of Africa Children’s choir, our
Aspirations Afternoon and Summer
School, I am conscious of just how
important our attitude to education is
in making the school successful. Of
course it is really important that our
students obtain good qualifications
but
for
myself
the
positive
engagement of all students in the
life of the school is just as valuable.
There has been much talk in the
media recently about how poor the
English and Welsh education
system is compared to our
international competitors and one
startling difference that I am aware
of is the value that is placed on
education in other countries. Having
high
aspirations
and
taking
advantage of opportunities when
they come along is really important
to us at Church Stretton School and
that is why it is heartening to read of
the success of Summer School and
the Gifted & Talented Aspirations
Afternoon.
I strongly believe that raising
aspirations and making schooling a
means to an end is the key to
challenging
our
international
competitors. It seems at Church
Stretton School we have made a
good start.
Enjoy the read.
Steve Lunt, Principal
What the students say • friendships • cool • happiness • self belief • empowering • scenic • enjoyable • understanding • fun
NEWS
send your news in to: susan.fletcher@csschool.co.uk
STUDENTS’ ACHIEVEMENTS
Don’t Miss ‘The Pearl of Africa’
NATURE ALL YEAR
ROUND
By Jasper Knight
In September,
Leaves turn from green to shades of
orange, Fruit heavy on the trees is
ready to be picked, Trees are
bowed down with nuts of all shapes
and sizes, for a squirrel to harvest.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Can YOU help the organisation
Samaritan’s Purse to fill a shoebox for a
child in another country who will receive
no other Christmas gifts?
Complete shoe boxes should be
covered, preferably in Christmas
wrapping paper, and left open.
OR
Individual offerings can be brought in
and we can put them together and
make up shoeboxes.
Donated items must be NEW and
could be suitable for boys or girls any
age between age 2 - 10 (you can
choose which).
Gifts could include:
Packets of sweets (but NOT
chocolate) sell by date must be March
2014 or later.
Small cuddly toy (no sharp bits).
Writing equipment: ball point pen /
pencil rubber / crayons / felt pens /
pencil sharpener / pencil case /
notebook (with ruled lines or blank
pages)/ruler
stickers, small balls, small safe toy e.g
little car/truck/wooden yo yo, etc.
Toothbrush and toothpaste, small hair
brush or comb, woolly hat or scarf or
gloves (but no other item of clothing),
colouring book (but not books with
words), hair bobbles.
Please bring donations to Student
Services in W1. Please return boxes as
soon as possible after half term. Boxes
have to go by early November!
Many thanks
Mrs Moor
for
your
support.
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
By Eva Basnett
Rusty clouds covered the night sky,
Casting a dark shadow over the town.
Crimson reds and indigos peeped out of
small gaps,
As the cotton clouds parted.
Painted hands reached out towards me,
Trying to push through the persistent
clouds.
The clouds pulled back,
A swirling mass of light emerged.
Colour swam in and out of glistening
stars.
Splatters on an artist’s pallet spread
across the sky.
Like disco lights specks of greens
bounced around a midnight setting.
Merging together like in a magic trick.
The Northern Lights dancing in the sky.
Watching out in the chilly air,
Or through foggy windows.
Nature’s own firework show.
2
We are very lucky to have The
Pearl of Africa Children’s Choir
visiting us on Tuesday 19th
November. The choir children are
from Uganda and range in age from
8 to 19.
They live in a large orphanage
and a group children come to the
UK each year to raise funds for
food, clothes, beds and educational
equipment for the orphanage and
their school. Their aim is to raise
funds for seven schools and homes
run by the Molly & Paul Child Care
Foundation
(Ugandan
charity,
registered NGOS, 5414/481) in the
Kampala and Masaka districts of
Uganda.
Donations help to improve the
health, education and welfare of
young people suffering through
disease, war and poverty in
Uganda. By supporting the work of
Pearl of Africa Child Care we can
give orphaned and destitute children
a better start in life.
The choir will spend the day
running workshops in school and
they will be performing a concert in
the evening.
During the day students will have
the opportunity to meet the choir
children and to purchase African
crafts and jewellery, CDs, dolls and
drums, some of which the children
have made themselves.
All
proceeds will go towards the choir.
In October,
Leaves fall, Animals prepare for
their long winter nap, Hedges are
cut, and turn brown.
In November,
The black smoke hangs in the air,
Frost covers the grass like icing,
Animals hibernate, for the long cold
winter.
In December,
Winter solstice, Light snow falls,
Frost and snow cover rooftops, and
roads. And so, the earth goes round
and round again…
ASPIRATIONS AFTERNOON
Students consider their future with ex student Charlotte Lowther
Year 9 and 10 Gifted and
Talented students attended an
Aspirations Afternoon at the end of
the summer term.
Ten visitors, undergraduates,
graduates and professionals came
into school to share their stories
about their own education and
experiences.
Small groups of
students were then able to talk
informally to each of them and ask
questions and find out information
relevant to their own aspirations.
Many thanks to Mrs J Carless and
Mr D Clarkson for organising the
event.
Student
quotes:
“ Affirmed
UK Junior
Maths
Olympiad
Many Congratulations to Rose
Laurie, 9 R1, who won a
Certificate of Distinction and
Medal of Distinction in the UK
Junior Maths Olympiad, run by the
University of Leeds.
what I want to do”, “I now have a
clear view of what I want to study”,
“Hearing about the range of
degrees has really shown me that
there is much more out there than I
thought”
“A brilliant way to learn about
university and college”, “They gave
us good advice about courses”
“My eyes were opened to all the
different possibilities”, “The people
were really inspirational”
Visitor quotes: “ Wish there
had been something like this when
I was at school”, “Really good
concept - I enjoyed helping out”, “It
was nice to pass on my experience
to pupils”
Rose was one of only 200 Year
7 and 8 students nationally, from
the original 250,000 high ability
Junior Maths Challenge (JMC)
candidates, to achieve this level of
distinction.
To be in the top
thousandth of an elite group of
high ability students is a
phenomenal achievement.
Rose was also one of only 39
students out of the quarter of a
million entrants to achieve full
marks in the JMC. To be joint first
with only 38 others, out of 250,000
is
yet
another
fantastic
achievement.
Well done Rose!
Music Success
The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music; Latest awards:Elizabeth Williams
Elizabeth Williams
Elin Baker
Caitlin Davies
Sophie Scott
Esther Jones
Mark Pepper
Thomas Johnson
Francesca Johnson
Grade 3 Piano
Grade 2 Violin
Grade 3 Piano
Grade 2 Piano
Grade 3 Piano
Grade 5 Theory
Grade 8 Cello
Grade 6 Piano
Grade 8 Violin
Merit
Merit
Pass
Merit
Pass
Distinction
Distinction
Distinction
Autumn 1 • 2013
NEWS
SPORTING SUCCESS
GIRLS CELEBRATE
FOOTBALL SUCCESS
MEMORIAL CRICKET MATCH
Katie Cooke, Megan Brayne, Megan Cole
Three of our students who are in
Church Stretton Magpies had the
experience of a lifetime when
playing in the Keele International
Tournament for New York Jets,
nicknamed JIGS.
Katie Cooke,
Megan Brayne and Megan Cole
were treated to a visit to Old Trafford
and the Etihad Stadium where they
also had a training session given by
the Manchester City coaches. This
was followed by three days’ football
at the Keele Tournament. The girls
went on to lift the cup and have
made some great friendships.
Pictured are Katie, Megan and
Megan proudly wearing the kit and
displaying the winners’ medals.
Summer School Was Brilliant!
COMMUNITY NEWS
COMMUNITY WELLBEING APPEAL
On behalf of the Organising
Committee, I wish to thank the School
for its most generous pledge of £1,000
from the proceeds of its Sponsored
Walk to the Community Wellbeing
Appeal. This Appeal aims to raise
£100,000 by Christmas from the local
community to complete the £1million
purchase and adaptation of the local
Clinic building, which stands between
the GP Medical Practice and the
Mayfair Community Centre.
The
building will be transformed into a multipurpose Health & Wellbeing Centre.
Local health and social care services
will work together with community
organisations to help all ages to live as
healthily as possible and to co-ordinate
support to all those who need it. There
are currently 138 local youngsters, who,
with their families, are having to
manage long term health conditions.
This Appeal is an opportunity for the
community to come together in mutual
support and the School has set a great
example for others to follow.
For more information please go to
www.mayfaircentre.co.uk
Bob Welch, Chairman of
Appeal. 01694 722998
CHURCH STRETTON CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS
Above; Photos of the two teams
Zeeshan Ahmad Memorial Match
Congratulations to students for a
superb win over the staff in our
annual Zeeshan Ahmad Memorial
cricket match at the end of last
term.
DRESSED FOR THE HILLS!
Work on lighting up Church Stretton
for the winter season begins on 16th
October with erection of lighting on the
Bridge.
In the following weeks, overhead
street lights, erection of small Christmas
trees/ lights and the giant Christmas
Tree in the Square will all proceed.
‘Switch on’ will take place on 23rd
November 5pm in the Square. Other
attractions so far include music, school
choir, mulled wine, Santa’s Grotto, with
a Christingle Service in St Laurence’s
Church at 4pm.
The Christmas Lights Committee has
worked tirelessly for over 25 years to
provide these lights which promote the
town and are a real source of pleasure
for many people.
Are there any ‘buskers’ in or
connected with the school who would
like to join the event, or could anyone
offer assistance to erect marquees, etc.
on 23rd November?
If so, we'd love to hear from you.
Eileen Roberts 01694 720086
Students attending Summer School 2013
Over 40 students attended our
Summer School at the end of
August. This three-day scheme was
organised and run by Mrs Blount
and her usual team of teaching staff
and Year 11 volunteer helpers. The
aim was for new students starting in
September to feel more confident
with the transition from primary to
secondary school.
Students taking part enjoyed a
variety of activities including PE,
Drama, Art, Cooking, Design, Fun
Maths and ICT. Students also took
part in a treasure hunt to familiarise
them with the layout of the school
and to help them feel more confident
when moving around.
Summer
School ended with a BBQ for all the
students to enjoy.
Here
are
some
of
your
comments:
“Summer School was brilliant!
There were some great activities
going on.” Oliver R
“At the beginning I was terrified and
dreaded coming to school in
September; now I’m the opposite all
thanks to Summer School.
I’ve
made FANTASTIC new friends and
hopefully I won’t lose my way…so
much.
Although I’ve still got
butterflies in my tummy, I just know
I’m going to love Church Stretton
School and enjoy my time there.”
Jayde M
“I thought Summer School was
amazing and would recommend it to
any other year 6s.” Emily C
“Summer School was fun and very
different to what I expected.
I
thought it was going to be boring
and we would be doing lessons all
day. Instead we did lots of fun
activities where we could go to
different places to find our way
around the school.” Kristi J
“Summer School was totally terrific!”
Charlotte H
CHURCH STRETTON SCHOOL NEWS
www.churchstretton.shropshire.sch.uk
Shrewsbury Road, Church Stretton, SY6 6EX
Articles susan.fletcher@csschool.co.uk
Design/Editor ryan.muriel@csschool.co.uk
PTA office@csschool.co.uk
P 01694 722209 | F 01694 722417
Principal Mr Steve Lunt
Chair of Governors Mrs Trudie Blackburn
Printed by Positive Advertising Ltd
3
MORE NEWS
Update from your Parent Teacher Association
The Annual Craft Fayre takes
place in school on Saturday 16th
November from 10.00am until 4.00
pm. There will be more than 50
stalls offering a huge range of
products, with a great variety to suit
all ages and budgets. It is a great
chance to pick up some unique gifts
for Christmas whilst supporting local
businesses. As always, there will be
home-cooked refreshments and
meals available, and the raffle
always has some beautiful prizes.
Definitely well worth calling in, so
please save the date.
As it is a very busy day for the
PTA, and the committee is small,
we would love to hear from anyone
who may be able to spend an hour
or more on the day of the Fayre,
perhaps to help serve refreshments
or clear away later in the afternoon.
It is very sociable and would be a
huge boost to us. Please get in
touch as below.
In the following week, the PTA is
supporting the visit of the Pearl of
How is the world so
beautiful?
By Charlotte Davies
How is the world so beautiful?
Why is the sky so blue?
Why are the flowers so colourful?
Is it for me or you?
Each dewdrop so perfectly crafted,
Each creature so unique.
Africa choir, and the school feels
privileged to be hosting this event.
There is further information in a
separate article in this newsletter.
The concert is open to the whole
community and we expect interest
to be high, so please try to get your
tickets early - they will be available
from the School office, Burway
Books and John Thomas.
The PTA committee is smaller
than we would like at the moment,
since we lost several parents when
their children left school in the
summer. Please consider joining us
– one informal meeting in a pub
each half term is not a great burden
and for new parents it is the best
way to meet others.
If you can help in any way,
please send a message to the
address below - it would be great to
hear from you.
Clare Hammond
Secretary
johnandclare.hammond@gmail.com
How pretty are the butterflies,
Beating their bright coloured wings.
Why does the sun stop shining?
Why does it start to rain?
Why do all the flowers die?
I ask if I’m to blame.
But then the birds will twitter,
The sun begins to shine.
The grey clouds will all leave,
And I have all summer time.
NOTICE BOARD
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
October
PERSONAL INFORMATION/
EMERGENCY CONTACTS
28 - Nov 1 Half Term
November 4
6-7
16
19
28
29
December 18
20
School Starts (Week A)
Year 10 Creative Arts Trip
PTA Craft Fayre
Pearl of Africa
Workshop & Concert
Year 10 Progress Evening
Principal’s Afternoon Tea
Winter Concert
End of Term (early finish)
Bag2School
Bag2school,
established
in
2001, is a free fundraising scheme
working in partnership with schools
and community groups to help
raise money from donations.
Throughout the UK they collect and
sell unwanted textiles to importers
and wholesalers in many countries
of Eastern and Western Europe,
Africa and Asia. Suitable items for
collection include adults’ and children’s clothes, shoes (tied together
please), hats, belts, bags, soft toys,
curtains and bedding (not duvets or
pillows).
We receive £500 per tonne or
£0.50/kg which is a great boost for
our fundraising.
It also raises
awareness amongst the students
of the benefits of reuse and recycling. Our last collection raised
£80. Our next collection will be on
27th November. Please ask for
bags from school reception if required.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Second-hand uniform is available for sale.
Many thanks to all parents/
carers for donating items of second
-hand uniform for resale
IT’S BACK !
CHURCH STRETTON’S GOT TALENT
AUDITIONS - End of November 2013
It is very important that the
information held in our computer
system
regarding
your
son/
daughter is up to date. Can you
please make sure that you inform
the school office of any changes to
your address, telephone number or
any medical details. Thank you.
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS
We would like to remind parents/
carers: On the first day of student
absence, parents/carers must inform
the school as early as possible preferably before 9.00 am - by
telephoning 01694 722209.
We
have an answering machine to
prevent delays. Select option 1 from
the recorded message. This will put
you through to voicemail where you
can leave a message. Alternatively
you can email the school Attendance
Officer:
office@csschool.co.uk
Subsequent days absence should be
dealt with in the same way.
On the day of return please send
a note to confirm the reason for
absence. A printed slip in the back
of the student planner can be used
for this purpose. The note should be
posted in the black letter box in
reception.
Late arrivals or early departures
due to medical or other authorised
reasons
should
also
be
accompanied by a note. (Where
possible
dental
/
doctors
appointments should be made
outside of school hours.)
Absences
which
remain
unexplained will be recorded as
unauthorised.
STUDY SUPPORT
Can you sing? Act? Dance?
Do you have a special talent?
Think you have what it takes?
Come and see Mrs Coudert in D2
to book your slot and audition
for the show!
Term time only at the Craven Arms
Discovery Centre - Wed 4-5.30 pm
Exam timetables and potential
employers for work experience are
on
the
school
website:
churchstretton.shropshire.sch.uk
For advertising please contact: debbie.lowther@csschool.co.uk
MYND D.I.Y
OPEN TO THE TRADE & PUBLIC
FOR ALL YOUR DIY PRODUCTS
OPEN:
PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL ITEMS,
PAINTS
SILICONES, NAILS, SCREWS,
HAND TOOLS,
TIMBER AND MUCH MORE...
Mon, Tues, Thurs &
Fri
8:30am - 5:00pm
GROOM THE BUILDERS YARD
MYND INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
CHURCH STRETTON
TEL/FAX 01694 724427
Wed
8:30am-1:00pm
E.J & G.J GROOM
BUILDING CONTRACTORS
Brambledene, Mynd Industrial Estate,
Est.1983, employing local
Church Stretton SY6 6PG
highly skilled craftsmen.
Our attention to detail has
Tel:01694 723436 Fax: 01694 724564
seen us presented with
VAT No. 404 1040 24
prestigious awards includEmail: office@groombuilders.co.uk
ing ‘Builder of the Year 2008’
Web: www.groombuilders.co.uk
best commercial Building.
All enquiries phone or visit our website
Works undertaken:
Renovations, Extensions,
New Builds & General
Maintenance, Purpose made
Joinery, softwood & hardwood.
Church Stretton School
Peppers clothing shop in Church Stretton stock
the entire range of the Trutex uniform
approved by the secondary school.
Uniform prices will be the same as Trutex Direct.
For more information contact Peppers:
tel: 01694 722724 or email rjdpepper@btinternet.com
22 Sandford Ave Church Stretton Shropshire SY6 6BW
Music Lessons including
guitars, woodwind,
all brass, all strings,
percussion.
Enquiries to school reception Tel 01694 722209
office@csschool.co.uk
Church Stretton School News. churchstretton.shropshire.sch.uk. South Shropshire Academy Trust: a company limited by guarantee Registered in England
Company Number: 8439425 Registered Office: Church Stretton School, Shrewsbury Road, Church Stretton, Shropshire, SY6 6EX
challenging • supportive • passionate • sports • laughter • caring • opportunities • celebration • rugby • individuals • fun