Voice 8th March 2010 - Vandyke Upper School

Vandyke Voice
Monday 8th March 2010
Geography Trip to Kingswood Centre, Norfolk
After arriving at the Kingswood Centre in Norfolk, we
were shown around the building and where our
dorms would be. Once unpacked we went straight
to Cromer, the nearby town, to do some studies.
We evaluated the environment through our
‘Environmental Quality Index’ (EQI) and carried out
traffic surveys. The town was very pretty despite the
pouring rain! After looking round a few shops we
went back to the centre for dinner and the evening
lesson. The food was good and the lessons were
used to write up our results from our studies.
with an evening lesson and a magic show from Mr
Winnick!
On Saturday (after little sleep!) we spent the day visiting four beaches: Cley-next-the-sea, Sheringham, We all went to the Norfolk Broads on Sunday and it
West Runton and Overstrand. We took EQI’s at was still raining. We did field sketches, EQI’s and
each site, as well as measuring the effects of long- management processes, as well as the conflicts the
shore drift and how the beaches were being man- Broads were facing. Many had a hot shower that
aged from erosion. It rained all day (again!) so many evening to recover from the cold, wet weather and
had hot chips for lunch! Despite the bad weather it then it was on to Singstar! The centre also provided
was good to be on the coast. We finished the day activities like rock climbing and abseiling, some also
did it blind-folded!
Monday was warm and sunny, just in time for when
we were leaving! After packing, rock climbing and
archery were available and work was finished off.
We then had some free time to relax before the
coach arrived to take us home. Despite the bad
weather we had a great time in Norfolk and it was
great to be with all my friends in new places!
Arianne Hanson
Year 10 Student
World Book Day – 4th March 2010
To celebrate World Book Day there was a ‘murder’ in the library at Vandyke. Using clues
related to books within the school’s Library and Resource Centre, students had to work out
who the murderer was, what they used to kill their victim and who the witness was.
Every correct entrant enjoyed a small prize, with the
overall winner receiving a £10 gift voucher. All
students also received a £1 book token to spend on
books specially produced for World Book Day or towards any book
of their choice over £2.99.
“It was so nice to see so many students in the library taking
part in this activity and enjoying the new books” said Mrs
Lampshire.
for students and teachers. In addition to this there
will a large storage shed supplied by Leighton
Here at Vandyke we are always looking at ways to
Buzzard Garden Centre and a variety of new tools
enhance the curriculum so that it meets the needs
to use.
of all of our students. To this end we are pleased to
announce that shortly we will be able to offer a
As well as an amazing learning opportunity we also
BTEC First Certificate in Land and Environment
hope to use the fresh fruit and vegetables grown by
Studies to some of our year 9 students this year.
the students in our kitchen so it can be enjoyed by
This is an exciting development that will see
all staff and students. We will also be supplying
students learning about the cultivation of plants,
summer and winter hanging baskets to staff and
shrubs, trees, fruit and vegetables which could in
parents as well as brightening up the school with
turn help them pursue a career in garden design,
raised flower beds plants and shrubs. We really
landscaping or perhaps as the next TV garden
see this as an important way forward not only for
expert (move over Monty Don!).
our students, but for other schools in the local area
who wish to use the facilities.
This qualification will be worth 2 full GCSE’s and
will be housed in our new 42’x24’ poly tunnel which
I will keep parents and students abreast of our new
will be placed at the back of school
facilities so watch out in the future for before and
by the astro turf. This is a large,
after pictures of our new Horticulture area.
sturdy structure and will be used as
a weatherproof outdoor classroom
Mrs Beckwith
Planting the seeds of success
Headteacher
Mr T Carroll
Tel: 01525 636700
Fax: 01525 636701
Email:
office@vandyke.beds.sch.uk
Student Voice
Student Forums
Students meet each half-term in a
series of forums. Heads of House
select Key Representatives from each
year group, including Year 12, and they
form part of the Forum for at least a
term. In addition, Guest Representatives are also nominated to take part in
the discussion. In this way we aim to
spread the opportunity for a variety of
students to participate.
After the House Forums Key Representatives join with members of the Head
Girl and Head Boy Team to meet at
'The Hub'. This is a meeting to bring
together ideas and concerns from all
the House Forums. Students are joined
by Mrs Carter and a member of the
Leadership Group. This year these
have included Mr Carroll, Mr Downey
and Mrs Davies.
in a number of ways. They have delivered assemblies, put notices in the
weekly bulletin and made notes
available via the Virtual Learning
Platform. One suggestion from 'The
Hub' was that space be set aside in
House noticeboards for notes and
news of meetings and this is now
being done.
Maths Village and
Student Action Groups
Student Action Groups have been set
up to work on various projects, for
example Fundraising, Healthy School,
Anti-Bulling, Eco-Group and Praise and
Reward. These groups meet throughout the year to discuss and work on
different projects. For example, the
Fundraising Group co-ordinates Christmas hampers for local senior citizens
and the Praise and Reward group
organises collections of credit stickers
from each Tutor group.
Representatives report their discus- This academic year we are also worksions to the student and staff bodies ing on our first big Project - to improve
the envir onm ent in the Maths
Village. Fundraising has been achieved
through students' entry fees to the Staff
Panto and a non-uniform day. We have
planted pots donated by the Leighton
Buzzard Garden Centre with Spring
planting and arty students have worked
with Mrs Carr to decorate further pots
in the school colours.
Many thanks to staff at the Leighton
Buzzard Garden Centre and to all those
students who have worked to brighten
up the area around Maths.
Mrs Carter
Internet and
Mobile Phone safety
CSLA trip to
Kingswood, Norfolk.
Leighton Middle School
Thursday 11th March 7.30 pm - 9,00 pm.
A FREE educational session for parents
and carers, covering some of the issues
encountered by children & young people,
specifically information on INTERNET
SAFETY, how to implement safer procedures at home, how to discuss the subject
with young people & where to find helpful
services.
A group of year 12 BTEC Sport
students went to Kingswood Centre,
Norfolk to complete Unit 8 of their
Community Sports Leaders Award.
The students took on the role of
assistant instructors for a variety of
No need to book, just turn up on the
evening. Julia Overton will provide advice
and guidance on safe use
of the Internet and mobile
phones.
Thursday 11th March
January Results (AS)
Year 12/13 Tutor evening 3.15pm - 5.45pm
outdoor adventurous activities including; climbing, caving, problem solving, go-karts and many more.
The students impressed the Kingswood instructors with their willingness to get involved and their huge
improvement in confidence over the
weekend. On the final day the
s tudents
wer e
rewarded with the
opportunity to partake in climbing
and archery. A
huge well done to
all students on the
trip.
Miss Carss &
Miss Aspinwall
Exam Matters
Please note the following dates:
Friday 12th March
Year 9 Battlefields visit
Wednesday 17th March
A2 Music tech recording exam
Monday 22nd March
Year 12 Mock week
Vandyke Voice published
Year 10 assessment week
Thursday 25th March
Sports Awards Evening
Monday 29th March
GCSE Art Exam week
Wednesday 31st March
Nuremburg trip
DARTON DRIVING SCHOOL
Thursday 1st April
Last day of term
www.dartondrivingschool.co.uk
Monday 19th April
Training Day - No students in school
Year 12 Mock results in
Tuesday 20th April
All students back in school
Wednesday 21st April
Dance Showcase 7.00 pm
Telephone Howard on 07738 965 988
Monday 26th April
MFL speaking exam week
Issue Year 12 Mock results
FIRST LESSON HALF PRICE
Thursday 11th March
Results are published of the AS/A2/GCSE
exams taken in January of this year.
22nd-26th March inclusive.
Year 12 mock exams all week.
Mr Williams
Exams Officer
DSA APPROVED DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
RELAXED FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT
NERVOUS PUPILS WELCOME
1HR, 2HR LESSONS ALL AGES TAUGHT
PASS PLUS REGISTERED