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Telephone: 01304 201151 Absence Line: 01304 200155 Fax: 01304 200152
the
LINK Autumn 2011
Dear Parents/Guardians This start of the academic year has been extremely rewarding with OFSTED grading the College as ‘Good with Many Outstanding Features’. I must thank those parents who completed the OFSTED questionnaires so positively and shared your high regard for the teaching, learning and pastoral care that the College provides. The record academic successes of our students in Years 11 (GCSE) and 13 (A Level) were celebrated at the Annual Speech Day in the Town Hall in front of parents, staff and the local community. The Year 13 Art Exhibition held in the Stone Hall of the Town Hall was a visual reinforcement of the excellent work students produce at Astor every year. I am extremely proud of the hard work and collaboration between students, staff and parents to achieve these fantastic results. I must say a big a thank you to the 11 students and to Mr Oliver and Miss Wood who took the selected students to New Kent, Virginia, USA to perform in our International Musical Cabaret during the last week of term and over the holiday. The students performances were extremely professional in two theatres at New Kent High School and the Kimble Theatre in Williamsburg, over 5 nights. I am very much looking forward to watching the show in our White Cliffs Theatre in December and hope that many of you will attend. Our powerlifting team has continued to produce impressive results with 8 gold medals at the All England Championships and five lifters and two of our referees have been selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Championships in December. I would like to take this opportunity to remind students and any interested adults that the club (which runs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday after College) is always looking for new members and further information is available from Mr Clubb (PE Department). Congratulations must go to the College Council who under the direction of Lucinda Kerr (Year 10) raised over £1000 following a SPUD day which included various additional activities throughout the day. Lucinda and the College Council demonstrated high level leadership skills to work with Mrs Clifford and Miss Amici to support CLIC Sargent. Finally, can I conclude by thanking all parents and students for their continued support and a copy of our fantastic OFSTED report has been sent home to every parent. Very best wishes
Mr E Pallant Head of College
Is your child at school? How are they behaving? How are they progressing? Do they have homework? If you want a quick answer to all of these questions log on to
www.mychildatschool.com using the school id 10508 and the username and password we have given you. We think you will find this a very useful tool to help you monitor your child’s school day. If you have any logging on problems, please email
lg@astorcollege.org.uk
ASTOR POWERLIFTING The Astor Powerlifting Team won 8 gold medals at the All England Championships held in Northampton at the weekend. Taking gold were Sam Pile (59kg Sub-Junior class), Andrew Dixon (74kg Junior class), Chris Simmonds (74kg Senior class), Cameron Keyes (83kg Sub-Junior class), Jack Long (83kg Junior class), Liam Wilson (93kg Sub-Junior Class), Daniel Fletcher (105kg Sub-Junior class) and David Cridland (120kg Junior class). Also lifting was Craig Wilkins in the 83kg Senior class who came in a respectable fifth in his group.
In addition to the above, five members and two referees from the Astor Powerlifting Team have been selected to represent ENGLAND at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships on 15-18 December 2011 at Bournemouth University. The students involved are Sam Pile, Cameron Keyes, David Cridland, Jack Long, Chris Simmons (1st Reserve) and the referees involved are John Halfacre (IPF Category 1) and Adam Reilly (IPF Category 2).
Dear Parent/Guardian Independent Catering has changed the way to pay for school meals on line. This will enable you to see balances, purchases and credits and we have introduced a new balance reminder email! You will now receive a reminder email when the balance falls below £5. To register you will need a sQuid registration number (16 digits) and ccv number (3 digits) which is unique to each student. If you do not have this, please email via our website (www.independentcatering.co.uk) stating your son/daughters name, form and Astor College as the School.
SQUID Squid is a new way for you to top up your child’s school cashless catering account online. sQuid is free to get and free to use for Debit Cards. How to create your own online sQuid account: 1.
Go to the following web page ‘www.independentcatering.co.uk’ where you will find your school listed under sQuid. Click on pay online and then the link for Astor College.
2.
On the sQuid web page, select ‘Click here to register’ to create an account and register your unique sQuid registration number (see details above on how to obtain a sQuid registration number).
3.
Create a sQuid account by registering your details and create your own User name, Password, security question and answer.
4.
Register your sQuid registration number and 3 digit security code.
Once you have created a sQuid account and registered your sQuid registration number you will also be able to manage your sQuid account online at anytime. Check your account balance. Top up your account from your credit or debit card. View transactions. Please refer to the sQuid website if you have any queries and for full Terms and Conditions.
www.independentcatering.co.uk
SPEECH DAY The Dover Federation for the Arts held its annual Speech Day ceremony on Tuesday 11 October 2011. The awards evening took place at Dover Town Hall and provided the opportunity for the whole Federation to unite and celebrate the achievements of its pupils. The ornate Connaught Hall was packed with students past and present, parents, staff, governors and special guests. This year’s Guest Speaker was the Venerable Stephen Robbins CB, who has recently retired from his position as the Chaplain General Archdeacon for the Army. Before giving his inspiring speech, the Venerable Stephen Robbins CB presented Astor College’s Subject and Special Awards. The pupils from Shatterlocks Infant and Nursery School, Barton Junior School and White Cliffs Primary College for the Arts received their Achievement Awards from the Chief Executive, Mr Russell. Mr Peall, the Chairman of the Governors’, presented Astor College’s Tutor Merit Awards. The evening would not be complete without the involvement of the students. Courtney Wain, who is currently in Year 12, confidently conducted the ceremony as Chairperson. The Head Prefects, Luisa Pasquino and Lauren Solly, assisted in the presentation of all the prizes. We were entertained and enlightened by both Finley Guy and Jaouhar Ben Ayed, who gave the junior and senior student reports respectively. They provided humorous accounts of what life is really like for a Year 7 and Year 11 student at Astor College. Jaouhar also demonstrated his musical talent by performing a musical piece on the piano. After the ceremony had finished there was a reception in the Stone Hall where the Astor College Art Exhibition visualised the outstanding work students produce. It was a wonderful occasion for the Federation, where the talent of the students and the success of each school were recognised and celebrated.
PINK LADIES FOOTBALL Astor V Castle - Tue 18 October Astor won 4-1. Another great result for the Pink Ladies. They all played terrific football and dominated the first half with goals from Zoe Smith, Emmy Billing, Charlotte McColvin and Charlie Spiers. Although the girls played the second half with a similar great standard of football there were no more goals. Well done Pink Ladies! Team Sheet Megan Scott, Lora Reid, Kayleigh Anderton, Ellie Marsh, Helin Buyuktemur, Emmy Billing, Lauren Walledge, Zoe Smith, Tia Wesley, Charlotte McColvin, Michelle Aloe
Astor v Sandwich - Tue 11 October The Pink Ladies were in good spirits following their excellent run of wins and awaited the arrival of the Sandwich team with much excitement and expectation. The team were bolstered by the inclusion (at the last minute) of Michelle and Lora - many thanks to them. It was Sandwich who gained the upper hand and quickly went 1-0 ahead. The girls quickly rallied and by half time had reversed the situation leading 3-2. The second half saw the defence soaking up the pressure as Sandwich sought to level the match and it was to their great credit that only one goal was conceded whilst Astor increased their domination and the team played some excellent football, finishing the match 6-3 winners. THREE CHEERS FOR THE PINK LADIES!!! Team Sheet Megan Scott, Lora Reid, Kayleigh Anderton, Ellie Marsh, Helin Buyuktemur, Emmy Billing, Lauren Walledge, Zoe Smith, Tia Wesley, Charlotte McColvin, Michelle Aloe
Careers Interviews Throughout the year the Connexions service will be in college to carry out Information, Advice and Guidance meetings with Years 9, 10, 11 and 6th form. Some of these meetings are group guidance sessions whilst others are individual or paired meetings. All parents are welcome to join in with their son’s/daughter’s careers meeting when the time comes. Please contact Mrs L Goodwin for more details. Should you wish to have a meeting at any other times please contact me to arrange this. A careers drop-in clinic is also held every Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes in room 66.
TERM DATES
HOLIDAY DATES
Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Drugs Education in PSHE These two important topics are covered in PSHE and a full copy of the policies and more detailed information is available should you wish to see it. However a brief outline of the work covered is as follows:
Relationships and Sex Education Year 7: Puberty; Growing up; Conception; Friendships Year 8: Contraception (covering arguments for and against its use); Boyfriend/girlfriend friendships Year 9: HIV/AIDS; Relationships Year 10: Sexually Transmitted Infections; Relationships Year 11: You as a parent
Drugs Education Drugs Education in all years follows a similar format looking at: Knowledge and understanding Attitudes and values Assessing and managing risk Giving and getting help Basic First Aid All lessons are planned considering the needs of the students and all materials are age appropriate. Should you wish further information please contact Mrs Goodwin at the college.
CABARET Virginia, USA From October 12th-27th, 8 Astor College and three Duke of York students travelled to New Kent County in Virginia, USA to participate in a collaborative international production of ‘Cabaret’. Upon arrival, students were warmly greeted before launching into classes the next day followed by intense rehearsals after the school day had finished. Students were able to shadow American students each day in order to experience life in a true American High School. They were involved in a variety of experiences including a Pep Rally, followed by participating in the half time parade at the homecoming game, a visit to the Holocaust Museum in Richmond, and a day trip to Jamestown. The performances of ‘Cabaret’ were fantastic and the students worked exceptionally hard in order to produce a polished and professional production, with many shows receiving a standing ovation during the curtain call. Three performances were held at the New Kent County Theatre and two nights were performed at The Kimble Theatre in Williamsburg. Students were hosted with American students and were treated like family as they all commented on how much fun they were having and that they wanted to stay longer! We are very proud of what the students achieved in a short space of time and are looking forward to December when our Russian and American friends join us for the second part of this international collaborative experience. Miss Wood and Mr Oliver
Many thanks to the following companies for sponsoring Astor College’s Sports Day:
Inter Form Cross Country Results Teams Year 7 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th
SS KE EF CJ AC AP
Year 8 DS PM JB CB BS CG
Year 9 PG KT GC HH SD CS
Top 3 Individuals Year 7 Boys Bradley Whittaker Ben Cassingena Finleigh Porter
Year 8 Boys Cameron Westbrook Callum Mullin William Hyndman
Year 9 Boys Harry Humberstone Robbie Dickenson Liam Clark
1 2 3
Year 7 Girls Megan Rose Barter Sharon James Lauryn Stone
1 2 3
Year 8 Girls Josie Scales Josie Doyle Beatrice Harrington
1 2 3
Year 9 Girls Mollie Allen Eleanor Weymouth Tierney Williams
WHITE CLIFFS LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIP SCHEME KCFN, who also run the Youth HQ centre in the Dover Town, is working with Dover District Council to encourage young people aged 11-19 in the Dover and Folkestone area to be involved in the White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme. The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme will be a five year Heritage Lottery Fund project to improve people’s access to and understanding of the landscape and heritage in the Dover and Folkestone area. Please find below information about 3 steering group meetings coming up at Youth HQ for young people aged 11-19 on: 10th November 1st December (all at 3:30 to 6pm.)
On 26 November a group of staff from Astor College will take part in the Hell Runner - Down South, not just because they love getting cold, wet and dirty but also to raise money for Clic Sargent, a charity that helps children with cancer. The Staff: Mr Clubb Mrs Fountain Mr Fountain Mr Gibson Mr Davies Mrs Parker If you'd like to support this charity then please visit the DONATION site (astorcollege.org.uk)
We will always remember, The 11th of November, For that was the day, The war went away. We lost a lot of soldiers, Some not that much older, We remember them through a poppy, Hopefully the war will never be copied. Although some soldiers did survive, They still watched their friends die, And although they are not dead, It still messed with their head. This poem is in remembrance of the war, And for all the things people saw, So spend a minute’s silence, For all the suffering and violence.
Katrina Austin Year 9 wrote this poem as part of her work on Remembrance Day in History.
CHARITY EVENT FOR CLIC SARGENT Written by Lucinda Kerr, Year 10 The College Council were approached by Miss Amici as she wanted to raise money for Clic Sargent. She asked if we could have a spud day to raise some money for charity and the council agreed. I then decided that we could do a lot more than this and organised additional events such as a staff/student rounders match and a food and drink stall. I approached Mr Pallant and the College Council about my idea and they agreed and said that it could go ahead. Mr Pallant agreed the date of 14 October and organising the event began by producing posters and displaying around College. On the day, staff had arranged some Sixth Formers to be left in charge of the food and drink stall which went brilliantly as we had students queuing up to get sweets and drinks etc. Before I knew it, it was period 5 and it was time to set up for the rounders game. We set it up and students started coming along with sixth formers and teachers. To actually watch the game, students had to pay a small donation. The teachers were very competitive and Miss Amici had no clue whatsoever on how to play the game so we had a PE teacher show her and overall she was pretty good! Unfortunately, the teachers lost and the sixth formers won again! After school I went to see Miss Amici to talk about the day and found her outside selling sweets. I took some bags off her and went round the classrooms to sell the remaining sweets to teachers. By 4.30pm they were all gone and the money had been collected. Our job was complete. The total raised was
ÂŁ1,001.33
In my opinion I think the day turned out really well and the amount raised was totally unexpected. I would like to say thank you to those who participated and also a huge thank you to Miss Amici for letting me organise the day.