Bottisham Village College News Summer 2010

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BVCnews Summer Term 2010

The magazine of Bo sham Village College

New team leads from the front BVC News is proud to introduce the College’s Student Leadership Team.

The seven students have a busy year ahead. Here they tell us about their new roles.

William Brown (head boy): “One of my roles is overall leadership of the team, helping other members to fulfil their roles. My main role is the management of mentors and buddies.”

Lydia Tabbron (head girl): “I hope to develop communication between pupils and staff. I organise, manage and lead events that the SLT are involved in.”

Ryan Butler (deputy): “My roles are to oversee transition – this means I will be getting involved with all the primary schools events. I am also KS4 celebration coordinator.”

Jonathan Malton (deputy): “I am Year 7 and 8 celebration co-ordinator.

This means I’ll be putting their achievements into end of term assemblies and the newsletter.”

Issue 2

Inside this issue Lord Coe joins the team

– Page 3

Under canvas The new Student Leadership Team: Will Brown, Lucy Abbersteen, Lucy Pluckrose, Jonathan Malton, Lydia Tabbron, Kate Bashford and Ryan Butler.

Kate Bashford (deputy): “My role within the team is developing student voice, acting as a link between our school and the community. I also lead student research and co-ordinate key student voice opportunities.”

Lucy Abbersteen (deputy): “My role is public relations management. This means I publicise everything we, as a team, do in school. I also

manage the SLT notice board.”

Lucy Pluckrose (deputy): “I was appointed KS3 to KS4 transition mentor and Year 9 celebration co-ordinator.

This includes me helping with the move from Year 9 to Year 10.”

The team was selected after making presentations, to a panel of staff and students, and a formal interview.

The story behind Year 7 Camp – Pages 8&9

Election Special: BVC at the polls – Page 11

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BOTTISHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE www.bottishamvc.org

Lode Road Bottisham Cambridgeshire CB25 9DL Tel: 01223 811250 Fax: 01223 813123 enquiries@bottishamvc.org

Term dates 2010/11

Autumn Term September 1 – Staff training day September 2 – Term begins for Year 7 September 3 – Term begins for Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 September 30 – Staff training day October 25-29 – Autumn half term December 6 – Staff training day December 17 –Term ends for Christmas holiday Spring Term 2011 January 4 – Staff training day January 5 – Term begins February 21-25 – Spring half term April 8 – Term ends for Easter holiday Summer Term 2011 April 26– Staff training day April 27 – Term begins May 2 – May Day Bank Holiday May 30-June 3 – Whitsun half term July 22 – Term ends for Summer holidays

We would welcome your feedback on our newsletter, as well as any other suggestions about ways in which we can further improve our work with you; we would welcome your comments via email at feedback@bottishamvc.org or by writing to Mrs Evans directly.

Burwell (Bottisham - L) - V3

Welcome to the second issue of BVC News.

This edition not only reports on the wide range of activities that have taken place in the College this term, but also celebrates a year of achievement by our students – most recently the winning of the Jubilee Cup, the premier athletics event for Cambridgeshire schools.

All of our annual prizewinners are listed on page 6 – a roll of honour which reflects outstanding academic achievement and tremendous effort and endeavour.

Congratulations to all those who won a prize – they are all richly deserved.

This issue also introduces our new Student Leadership Team who were chosen earlier in the term. They face a challenging year ahead but I am sure they will meet it with maturity and confidence.

Also new to the College next term will be the online reporting system, which we believe will greatly improve our

A message from the principal communcication with parents.

As Mr Tooley explains below, a great deal of effort has gone into making this as effective and user-friendly as possible.

Finally, I would like to wish all parents, students and staff a restful and enjoyable summer holiday. I look forward to seeing everyone back in College in September.

Mrs Evans

Just a click away Over the past 18 months, extensive development work has been taking place to introduce an online reporting system for parents.

Providing information in this way is a requirement that all secondary schools need to meet by September and fits into the ongoing drive to enhance communications between school and home.

We asked for a group of 8-10 parents to assist us with this project and 35 parents responded. We decided the more input we could have, the better, so all were invited to form a working group.

We met at the start of the summer term to look at the range of information the school could provide and which of these details would be helpful for parents. This discussion was very animated, firstly regarding the content to be delivered, but soon moving how 1 9/3/10 11:34 on pm to Page

the system would technically operate. I was very glad to have our ICT Strategy Manager Mr Pain and Network Manager Mr Mayer along to interpret.

The outcome of the meeting was a list of requests going well beyond the requirements of the legislation and presented a real challenge to our technical team.

Never ones to turn away from a challenge, a test version of a ‘Parental Intranet’ was developed and, at the time of writing, is being tested by our team of parents with feedback arriving at school on a daily basis.

Our plan is for the online reporting system to go live to all parents in September.

Usernames and unique passwords will be provided, along with a guide for the initial setting up of home

computers. The system will then allow each parent to securely view information about their own children.

Information that will be available includes: Attendance statistics Current level statements/ anticipated GCSE performance Links to student timetables and the contact details for teachers Details of any coursework that your son/daughter is working on, including deadline dates Commendation or behavioural incidents Full reports, including those from previous years.

We look forward to the rolling out of this facility in September and would like to thank all of the parents and technical team who have been involved in shaping and driving the project forward.

Mr Tooley

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Student Leadership

Lord Coe joins the team BVC sports leaders had an extra special member of their team when they took to the court for a game of wheelchair basketball.

Year 10 students Chris Darling, Alice Hubbard, Rebecca Knowles and Tommy Stevens were joined by one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes, Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of London 2012, at a special event held to promote both the Olympic Games and Paralympic sport.

Lord Coe was guest-of-honour at Wheeling Towards London, at Long Road Sixth Form College and the four Bottisham students were selected to represent the Cambridge and District area in the high-profile event.

“He was really nice and a good speaker,” said Chris.

“He talked generally about the Games and then spoke to us individually. He talked about Sport Relief and James Corden

Lord Coe chats to the Bottisham team at the Wheeling Towards London event and said he knew he was going to be picked on. He also told us he supported Chelsea and goes to all their matches,” he said.

Chris said playing wheelchair basketball was harder than he thought.

“It showed us how disabled sport is just as hard and you need to be just as skilled as in other sports.”

Bottisham VC was one of just three Cambridge schools invited to take part in the day.

Sporty Year 9s lead the way Hundreds of children from the Bottisham Family Primary Feeder Schools have taken part in two sports-based events at BVC. On Friday May 21, 262 Year 2 pupils enjoyed a morning of multi-skills fun. The College supported the event with 20 Year 9 Sports leaders and the primary schools with 12 Sports Leaders from Year 6.

The children rotated around 15 activities based on agility, balance, co-ordination and speed. Empty the Hoop, Throw Mania and Sumo Pentathlon proved the most popular.

I am sure this group of Year 9 leaders gained valuable experience in leadership which will help them later in other areas of their coursework.

“The object of the event was to capture the spirit and ethos of the Olympic Games and the raise the awareness of Paralympic Sport,” said BVC’s head of sport, Mr Alvey.

“Lord Coe decided to join in the final game as a member of the Bottisham team and made a break for the opposition basket.

Tommy, with all his usual exuberance, shouted ‘go on Seb!’ and Seb smiled broadly,” he said.

Senior schools sports coordinator Mrs Martell said the four students had been chosen to represent Bottisham as they had demonstrated excellent commitment to sport during their time at the college.

Lord Coe, as Sebastian Coe, won two Olympic gold medals and notched up 12 world records for middle distance running before retiring from athletics in 1990 and going into politics.

BVC sports leaders at the Year 3s event

Hannah Slater, Ian Chard, Frances Seddon, Emma Tunnacliffe, Ben Jeacock, Will Smeeton, Ben Snaith and Jake Brown.

On Tuesday, May 25, it was the Year 3s’ turn when 204 pupils took part in an Olympics Festival. Each school represented a previous Olympics Games host country and children produced banners, flags, posters and even Tshirts for their groups. The morning was supported by 19 Year 9 Sports Leaders and 12 Year 6 sports leaders from the primary Year 9 students involved were: Zoe Colegate, Ellie Phipps, schools.

Shannon Duce, Kelly Ann Challinor, Sophie Hammond, Mrs Jupp, primary schools sports coBethan Manton Roseblade, Maya Marty, Hannah Taylor, ordinator “What Melissa Pettitt, Jake Mair, Michael Hannah8/3/10 Lamb, Ayesha (Bottisham - Ward, L)-V2 2:31 pmsaid: Page 1 a great group of Year 9

leaders we’ve worked with so far this year.”

Year 9 leaders were: Grace Newton Livens, Hannah Peacock, Cicely Robertson, Amy Mills, Jake Bowden, Christian Jackman, Daniel Downing, Daniel Hammond, Oliver Sanusi Bartlett, Shelley Blackwell, Jack Willows, Sam Rix, Jonathan Pilosof, Will Bowley, James Crosby, Kate Brown, Iona Bryson, Lucia Gabain and Ellie Hadley.

The annual Primary Schools Pentathlon Sports saw students from our Partner Primary Schools compete against each other in a variety of athletic events and experience a large scale event. BVC Sports Leaders (80 Year 9 students) organised each group and supervised all the events.

Mrs Martell, PE faculty

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BVC students proudly show off their Kick Ash certificates

Mentors: We’re here to help Bottisham VC’s smoking mentoring programme has a new catchy title and is ready to be rolled out countywide.

The Young People’s Smoking Prevention and Cessation Programme is now known simply as Kick Ash and has an eye-catching logo to boot!

At an official launch on PSHE Day this term, mentors took their message from the college to a wider audience. They promoted the initiative to an audience including county and district councillors, business under-age sale of tobacco products people, local headteachers and school supported by Cambridgeshire’s Trading governors.

Standards They also took part in radio interviews to Helping develop access to stop smoking promote the message that they were proud services aimed at young people supported to be smoke free.

by NHS Cambridgeshire’s Camquit team The programme has been piloted at Kick Ash mentor Molly Wells said: “This is a Bottisham VC but will eventually involve 10 great opportunity for us to make a secondary schools across Cambridgeshire difference to younger pupils and help them over a three-year period. The programme in times which can be very worrying and will also work with primary schools in each confusing for them. It’s vital that younger secondary school’s catchment area. pupils get advice from people who The Kick Ash programme involves young understand the pressure they are under to mentors acting as role models by: smoke.”

Working with younger pupils to explore Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cabinet the pressures on young people to smoke member for Children Cllr Martin Curtis said: Newhhave Working with local businesses to prevent “It is 7:48 really inspiring to see (Bottisham - M)-V1 20/3/10 am Page 1 young people

challenging the rationale behind smoking.

What’s great about Kick Ash is that it doesn’t talk down to young people. It’s about young people finding out about the truth themselves and taking action.”

Val Thomas, Assistant Director of Public Health at NHS Cambridgeshire, said: “Cambridgeshire’s young people should be commended for taking forward this important project, which recognises the importance of young people being able to make a choice about smoking through exploring its effect upon their health and the role of such issues as tobacco advertising.”

In a recent assembly, the Kick Ash mentors spoke about their work and urged students to contact them if they needed help with any smoking-related issue. They were presented with certificates in recognition of their hard work and achievement by Ellen Nicholson from NHS Cambs (public health).

BVC Assistant Principal and PSHE coordinator Mrs Melling said: “I am very proud of this group of young people. They have come a long way in a short time. They have grown as people and developed fantastic new skills.”

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School steps out for charity

Talented bunch

They walked, ran, jogged, bounced, skipped, cycled, danced, unicycled, pushed wheelbarrows and gave piggy backs – everyone at BVC did a circuit of the sports field in their own way to raise money for charity.

Last term saw staff and students, some in running gear, some in fancy dress, completing the Sport Relief Mile.

And their efforts paid off as the school raised a staggering £4,837.18 to help disadvantaged people both in the United Kingdom and abroad.

“A great time was had by all.

Congratulations to everyone who raised sponsorship money, and thank you to everyone who contributed to the final total. A great effort,” said Mr Alvey, head of PE. Bravest on the day was deputy principal Mr Tooley, a lifelong Ipswich Town supporter, who agreed (reluctantly) to don the shirt of arch rivals Norwich City.

Sport Relief has raised more

than £30 million nationally this year. The 2010 campaign highlighted three particular issues the charity supports – children who live on the streets or work in dangerous conditions, people affected by malaria and local UK projects for children with learning disabilities, older people and families living in poverty.

Bottisham VC students proved themselves to be a talented bunch when they took part in a charity variety show.

Some 25 acts auditioned for a place in the grand final of Bottisham’s Got Talent and the hall was packed to see the pick of the crop.

The final six acts were: Ben Rowe 7.1 (rapper); Rachel Towers 7.2 (singer); Maddie Grounds 7.5 (singer/guitarist); Daniel Hammond 9.6 (break dancer); Georgia Bristow and Molly Takacs 11.1 (dancers) and Scott Black 11.5 and Henry Barraclough 11.6 who sang a song about toast accompanying themselves on . . . a toaster.

The event was presented by Eik Hunter (9.2) and Kate Bashford (10.3).

Spectators voted for their top act and in the end of year assembly cinema

vouchers were presented to the winners – Georgia and Molly.

The event, organised by Lydia Tabbron and friends from 10.5, raised about £100 for COPARS (Childhood Cancer Organisation for Parents and Relatives Support) and the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

“It took about six months to organise,” said Lydia. “I had no idea I would have so much to do.”

Lydia’s form tutor Miss Hammond praised her efforts.

“She had every base covered, negotiated and organised a vast group of students and staff, dealt with changes to her programming with maturity and professionalism, and successfully raised a lot of money for charity,” she said.

A NON-uniform day and cake stall raised more than £1,000 for COPARS, a charity that supports both young

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people with cancer and their families.

The events were held in memory of Year 9 student Ayesha Williams, who died earlier this year.

“COPARS were a great support to Ayesha and her family as she battled cancer over the past years,” said Year 9’s head of learning, Mr Hall.

“Last term, Ayesha tragically lost that battle with cancer and her wish was that money raised was used to support a number of charities who have made a difference in her life.

“This charity does not receive funding from the Government and relies on donations and support from the public to keep going,” he said.

In addition Mr Hall said a sale of pink giraffe stickers (Ayesha’s favourite colour and favourite animal) raised £350 which her family would be donating to five different charities of Ayesha’s choice.

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And the winners are . . .

Year 7 Principal's Prize: Chloe Millard; Lewis Hall.

Endeavour: Arts – Adam Wright; English – Jack Chamberlain; Humani�es – Samuel Norris; ICT – Luke King; Maths – Becky Arksey; Modern Foreign Languages – Phoebe Hammond; Physical Educa�on – Miriam Amrani; Science – Ewan Bryson; Technology Emily Mackness; Ayesha Williams’ Prize for Endeavour – Shannon Chamberlain.

Achievement: Arts – Chloe Millard; English – Ciara McNulty; Humani�es – Emelie Chard; ICT – Fallon Claydon; Learning Support – Harry Lewis; Maths – Joseph Lancaster; Modern Foreign Languages – Samuel Chris�e; Physical Educa�on – Byron King; Science – Phoebe Nichols; Technology – Will Hasleham.

Our annual prizegiving event is a special evening of celebration which is always a highlight of the summer term. The sports hall is filled to the brim with families, students and staff who come together to mark the hard work and successes of many of our students.

Our guest presenter of prizes this year was Dr Colleen McLaughlin, deputy head of the Faculty of

Education and Senior Lecturer at the University of Cambridge. Ours has been a longstanding partnership with the Faculty of Education and it has very recently become one of our trust partners.

The achievements of these young people cover many diverse aspects of College life; their talents and commitment serve as a stunning example to us all.

It is the College’s opportunity to thank them for their contribution to the life of the College and to offer congratulations and acknowledgement.

It was a pleasure to welcome them on Monday for an evening of celebration, with music and refreshments to help us on our way!

Mrs O’Reilly, Assistant Principal

Year 8 Principal's Prize: Harry Doe; Catriona Marrio�.

Endeavour: Arts – Will Matlock; English Daniel Blocksage; Humani�es – Jamie Wicksted; ICT – Mary Dean; Learning Support – Ma�hew Hobbs; Maths – Rory Williams; Modern Foreign Languages – Toby Brooker; Physical Educa�on – Daisy French; Science – Charlo�e Rollin; Technology – Flynn Cavey.

Achievement: Arts – Leo Charlesworth; English – Jasmine Herdman; Humani�es – Samuel Weinberger; ICT – Charlo�e Chapple; Learning Support – Eleanor Norman; Maths – Angellina Cao; Modern Foreign Languages – Will Matlock; Physical Educa�on – Sam Clowes; Science – Charlo�e Elston; Technology – Emma WadeGledhill.

Bowley; Rank Prize for Technology – Eliza Glover.

Achievement: Graphics – Alice Hubbard; English – Alex Snow; Humani�es – Rebecca Fountain; ICT – Kelly–Ann Challinor; Learning Support – Kelly Muller; Maths – Ian Chard; Modern Foreign Languages – Rama Lakshman; Physical Educa�on – Ben Snaith; Science – Connor Wynn; Rank Prize for Technology – Caspar Randles-Mills.

Year 11

Principal's Prize: Rachel Robertson; Rhys Wormald.

Endeavour: Addi�onal Science – Jessica Simmons; Applied GCSE Science – Oliver Benne�; Art & Design – Jack Kiff; BTEC Sport – Harry Barne�; BTEC Travel and Tourism – Chris Daniel; Catering – Liam Mills; Ci�zenship – Adrian Fitch; Construc�on – Michael Turner; Year 10 Drama – Molly Takacs; English – Meredith Principal's Prize: Ka�e Wi�y; Christopher Ennis.

Willmo�; French – Rachael Bryce; GCSE PE – Tom Rodhouse; Geography – Amy Peck; Endeavour: Art & Design – Georgia Hellmers; Graphics – James Heckford; ICT – Ma�hew BTEC PE – Amanda Dawson; BTEC Science – Phipps; Maths (A Level) – Vicki Halsall; Music – Charlo�e Ricke�; BTEC Travel and Tourism – Luke Rhodes; Resistant Materials – Benny Connor Wormald;Catering – George Smith; Pe�ersson; Spanish – Megan Hayman; Tex�les – Ci�zenship – Ka�e Wi�y; Construc�on – Chris Katrina Oates.

Darling; Drama – Kian Derakhshan; English – Kara Year 9 Chamberlain Prize for History: Ka�e Scholan.

Wright; French – Nicole Davies; GCSE PE – Lydia Ince Prize for Maths: Chrystal Atkin.

Tabbron; Geography – Christopher Kindred; Principal's Prize – Mackie Goddard; Jack Stoten.

James Fisher Prize for Music: Peter Liddiard.

German – Josh Arksey; Graphics – Sian Tanner; Endeavour: Arts – Jonathan Pilosof; English – Peter Osborn Mentoring Prize: Luke Rhodes.

Health & Social Care – Leigh–Ann Chamberlain; Aldrin Manaois; Humani�es – Ma� Horsfield; ICT History – Daniel Wicke�; ICT – Tyler Carr; Learning Achievement: Addi�onal Science – Francesca – Rumen Hussain; Learning Support – Chris Jones; Support – William Smith; Maths – Olivia Fagg; Baker; Applied GCSE Science – Chloe Trainer; Art Learning Support – Amy Courtenay–Moore; Music – Nickie Dailly; Religious Studies – Jess Bye; & Design – Nat Harris; BTEC Sport – Lee Edwards; Modern Foreign Languages – Ma�hew Fuller; Science – Chris Darling; Spanish – Edward Fisher; BTEC Travel and Tourism – Sophie Graham; Maths – Julianna Barker; Physical Tex�les – Olivia Gaze.

Catering – Natalie Boyle; Ci�zenship – Ma�hew Educa�on – Ellie Phipps; Science – Will Brown; Drama – Georgia Bristow; English – Achievement: Art & Design – Myfanwy Davies; Andrew Teevan; French – Hugh Burton; BTEC PE – Tommy Stevens; BTEC Science – James Geography – Charlie Mahoney; German – Green; BTEC Travel and Tourism – Abi Pain; Shannon Senz; Graphics – Josef Curry; Catering – Harvey Mar�n; Ci�zenship – Jonathan Hor�culture – Lauren Blackwell; ICT – Lewis Malton; Construc�on – Alistair Cook; Drama – Moran; Learning Support – Parris White; Maths Lizzie Mann; English – Danny Johnson; French – (A Level) – Clare Crossfield; Music – Henry Lewis Steckelmacher; Geography – John Skead; Barraclough; Religious Studies – Leah Fisher; GCSE PE – Ben Millard; German – Bethany Resistant Materials – Thomas Pumfrey; Spanish – Woodfield; Health & Social Care – Holly French; Eric Wieser; Tex�les – Suzi Gould; Triple Science History – Lucy Pluckrose; Hor�culture – James (Biology) – Oliver Cook; Triple Science (Physics)– Payne; ICT – Rachel Smith; Learning Support – Hester Bowers; Youth Award – Jamie Wilson.

Adam Judge; Maths – Penny Wieser; Music – Ben Aven s Prize for Triple Science (Chemistry): Millard; Religious Studies – Mara Hall; Science – Hugh Burton.

Sam Stringer; Spanish – Faith Tapper; Tex�les – Chamberlain Prize for History: Annie Tomkins.

Rebecca Morris; Triple Science (Biology) – Daniel Charles Curley Prize for GCSE PE: Lauren Gibson; Triple Science (Chemistry) – Ka�e Stevens.

Bellis; Triple Science (Physics) – David Ince Prize for Maths: Christopher Bodger.

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BVC News issue 2:Bottisham Village College temp.qxp

Unexpectedly short tales . . .

Almost 90 BVC students will be seeing their work in print following success in a competition for young writers.

The students in Years 7, 8, 9, 10, were asked to write a mini saga – a proper story with a beginning, middle and an end – in just 50 words. The winning stories will appear in Mini Marvels Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, which is due to be published at the end of this month.

Every student who entered the competition received a bookmark and in addition the successful writers were given a certificate of merit.

The college stands to win up to £1,000 if the judges decide Bottisham sent in the best overall set of entries.

English teacher Mrs Wayman said she was impressed at the standard of work.

“They were well written and I was amazed at the originality,” she said.

The winning writers were: Year 10 – Jenny Shelley, Lauren Potter, Alice Hubbard, Kezia Adams, Rachel Smith, Theo Clarke, Kate Bashford, Lydia Tabbron, Melanie Cornwell, Sian Ellis-Daish, Rebecca Morris, Libby Wiseman, Jessica Foster, Ellen Rayner, Joe McGee, Charley Hagger, Chris Ennis, Danny Johnson, Fran Collett, Rebecca Webb, Rebecca Haswell, Alex Gilday. Year 9 – Laura Foreman, Hannah Lamb, Thomas Groom, Holly Krombacher, Amy Mills, Iona Bryson, Grace Newton-Livens, Gus Martin, Jake Brown, Oliver Galletly, Laura Shephard.

Year 8 - Jodie Young, Reece Brown, Charlie Barry, Rebecca Wells, Anne-Marie Lindsay, Ben Millard, Katie Smith, Rebecca Asplin, Reece Jones, Matthew Le Coq, Jakob Baines, Ben Beaumont, Joshua Gulab, Daniel Blocksage, Toby Brooker, Billy Rayner, Eleanor Norman, Katharine Rochford, James Stanford, Josh Steggles, Harry Benton, Jake Clennell, Joshua Howe, Aimee Kennedy, Jamie Bruce, Ashley Brand, Dana Burton, Niamh Bursford. Year 7 – Oliver Kirk, Sam Johnson, Michaela Avey, Kieran Darlow, Alyx Hatton, Aidan O’Brien, Jack Wickett, Owain Robinson, Deesha Lucas, Amulet Halliwell, Olivia Greenhill, Reece Barwick, Amy Lake, Jody Jackson, Lauren Raper, Kieran Burnett, Joseph Perry, Christopher France, Asha Simon, Megan Greenhill, Ashley Watkinson, Jack Chamberlain, Joshua Pearman, Sophie Leaman, Becca Perkins, Jed Hawkins, Aiden Curry, Cameron Mayes.

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KS3 get creative KS3 English students have been involved in two creative projects with a PGCE team of trainee teachers from Cambridge University’s Faculty of Education.

Year 7s took part in a poetry sculpture trail, writing poetry inspired by the college’s sculptures and artwork, while the Year 9s compiled a video of the new English block.

“With the upcoming unveiling of an exciting new sculpture at the school, we decided that our first mini-project should focus on Bottisham’s existing statues and artwork,”said PGCE student Chris Peirce.

“Channelling student creativity through the stimuli of the Bottisham sculptures resulted in some fantastic poetry ranging from the profound haiku to the downright spooky blank verse,” he said.

The poetry is on display in Mrs Lawton’s classroom.

The second phase of the project gave Year 9 students an opportunity to develop their media skills in preparation for Year 10 BTEC study. Groups were responsible for filming the video plus interviewing staff and students and for editing and adding music.

“It is something students can be proud of,” said Chris.

The Education students Chris, Marie-Louise Henham, Tuesday Nathan, Jen Carter, Laura Neasham, Beth Bourne and Jenny Hindmarsh said the projects were a way of giving something back to the College and had been received enthusiastically by the classes involved.

Theatre trip Shakespeare manga style A project with a difference on Shakespeare saw Year 9 students creating comic strips to retell scenes from Romeo and Juliet.

English teacher Mrs Wayman said students were encouraged to analyse a scene from the play, which is studied at GCSE, and reproduce it in the style of the Japanese comic style manga.

“This project combined Literature with media.

Manga uses a lot of close ups of facial features. It made the students think about the psychology of characters and what they were thinking rather than what they were saying,” she said.

Mrs Wayman said Hannah Lamb’s comic strip 23/3/10here) 2:35 pm ‘outstanding Page 1 piece of work’. (featured was an

On Thursday May 30, 10X3, with teachers Miss Boss, Miss Nathan and Mrs Wayman, went to London to see the play Blood Brothers.

The trip was out of school hours for a piece of coursework that we were and are still working on that was to do with the audience’s reactions towards the two characters in the play.

The trip was enjoyed by everyone and was really successful.

The play was nearly three hours long and we didn’t get back from London until past midnight and yet we still came into school the next day!

Throughout the play we learnt such a great deal that would contribute towards our coursework. We would highly recommend people to go and watch the play in order to get the amazing feeling that all of us got.

Kara Wright 10.1

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It’s a tents time for Year Year 7 Camp – once experienced never ever forgotten. It’s the highlight of the summer term and for many students, the highlight of their time at BVC. Over the years, thousands of 12-year-old students have spent a week under canvas and, love it (as most do) or hate it, they never forget it.

It never seems to lose its draw as every year about 95% of the year group (some 200 children) sign up, some of them tentatively, for the adventure.

But let’s not forget the staff who spend 12 months organising the huge event – the mountain of paperwork, the trolleys of shopping, the form filling, the CRB checks – to ensure it runs as smoothly as possible.

For the past 23 years, the job of main organiser has fallen to Mr Baker, the college’s SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) and rather than dreading the prospect of putting the huge residential trip together, he relishes it for both the staff teamwork and the reaction of the children who take part.

cooking – it was like disappearing from the modern world for a week.

“In those days, children tended to stay within their form groups for many subjects, so camp brought the children together and helped to create an identity for the year group,” said Mr Baker.

The highlight of the week was Mr Bull’s walk to Banham Zoo. It took a good hour to get there.

Today, the week-long camp still includes a walk but now students go along the River Yare to UEA, Norwich (about 45 minutes), where they take part in an arts workshop at the Sainsbury Centre and swimming and volleyball at the campus sports centre.

The camp was held briefly at Chalfont St Peter in Buckinghamshire but since 2003 it has been based at the Eaton Vale Activity Centre, near Norwich.

It is more sophisticated, in keeping with the 21st century, with proper toilets and hot showers and some buildings providing indoor activities and also shelter when the weather is bad.

11s to help Trained instructors can lead activities such as decision to kayaking, canoeing, abseiling, high wires and rich experie archery and the school buys in other Year 7 and w organised activities as diverse as forensics Each year u and backwoods living. members of When about 200 Year 7 students set off for accompany Eaton Vale on the Monday morning, they are some teach unaware that for staff and volunteers the support staf camp started the day before. They arrive on many it is a Sunday, setting up camp, pitching the have repeat college’s stock of 50 tents, times. transporting food and equipment, “It has got e to ensure everything is ready over the yea when the convoy of coaches Mr Baker. “ arrives. we first star The camp is organised into asked paren 21 groups of around 10 bring in ten boys and girls. Each which wasn group has two Year 11 ideal, but no helpers. we have ou “It is essentially the own.

Year 11s who run camp “We have and it is an important access to ho part of camp that they showers, bond with the younger flushing loo students,” said Mr and having Baker. instructors o “This year we had 120 stu applications Year Ideal Landscapes (Bottisham-S) Cambridge 8/3/10 Pine2:38 (Bottisham-S)-V1 pm Page Stonetime 1 17/3/10 (Bottisham 7:04 am - S)-V6 Page Bottisham 123/3/10 Thankyou 4:23 from pm 23/3/10 Page 1 complex 5:27 pm “It is massive, but over the years it has got easier. It’s a big team effort and I am grateful for all the help I get. A huge amount of goodwill goes into organising and running camp. Staff are still interested and enthusiastic after all these years.

“Year 7 camp is part of the year group’s induction into secondary school; it is part of the journey and an important part of the journey of becoming part of Bottisham Village College,” he said.

“It’s an opportunity for Year 7 students to set themselves personal challenges and meet those challenges whether it’s abseiling for the first time or being away from home.

There is a real sense of achievement for everybody.

“We want camp to be inclusive but we appreciate that some children cannot manage the experience so they are provided for back at school.”

The journey began more than 30 years ago, in the 1970s when the first Year 7 camp was held at Thorpe Woodlands in Thetford.

“It was a basic site. There were no proper toilets and just a cold water shower. They organised very simple activities – wide games, exploring the woods,

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Mr Baker has organised Year 7 camp for 23 years

Despite some challenging weather conditions over the years – last year’s torrential rain being the worst on record – Mr Baker said the camp had never been abandoned – although one year they came home early.

“We have got close to it sometimes. It was really wet in 2009, a lousy week. The year group did a brilliant job and showed great spirit. I was really impressed with them,” he said.

As well as the weather, homesickness is also a big problem.

“Camping is more complicated than children think. They need to keep warm, keep clean, keep organised. They have to look after themselves and for some it proves too much.

“Every year we probably have 10 children showing the signs of homesickness and have to release one or two, so a vast majority manage the whole week.”

So what is Mr Baker’s fondest memory of camp?

“On the Tuesday morning the children always think it’s time to get up at around 4.30am.

Once they have been settled I like to stay awake. It’s quiet, peaceful, I watch dawn breaking – it’s the best feeling in the world.”

At the end of camp students have the opportunity to buy a DVD of photographs, giving them a permanent record of their Year 7 experience.

11s to help at camp and it was a very difficult decision to invite just 50 of them. They have rich experiences of camp when they were in Year 7 and want to repeat it.”

Each year up to 24 members of staff accompany the trip, some teachers, some support staff. For many it is a trip they have repeated many From Y times. ear 7 C amp “It has got easier over the years,” said Mr Baker. “When we first started we asked parents to Mrs Eva bring in tents, ns P which wasn’t rincipal ideal, but now Bottisham V we have our B ottisham illage College own.

Cambs “We have access to hot showers, flushing loos and having trained instructors on site allows us to do more complex stuff.”Cambridge Book (Neale-L)-V1 19/3/10 1:21 pm Page 1

POST C

Dear Mr s Having a Evans, at camp. great time weather a Good n do. The f d plenty to o fantastic! od’s Year 7

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9

A trolley big shopping list Spare a thought for the members of staff who organise the catering at Year 7 camp.

Consider the average weekly shop, times it by more than 50, and you begin to get an idea of the amount of food that is needed for five days under canvas.

The quantities are staggering and it takes something akin to a military exercise regarding planning, shopping and topping up supplies to ensure everybody (some 250 children and young helpers plus 20 adults) is well-fed throughout camp.

Imagine five huge pots of Bolognese sauce bubbling away on an industrial hob - and that’s part of just one meal (the children having to cook their own pasta).

Teaching assistant Mrs Cook was involved in the catering at camp for three years. This year she is leaving her pinny at home and is off to the camp in a pastoral role as Assistant Head of Learning for Year 7.

She said food planning started months before camp as staff scoured the stores for BOGOF bargains on non-perishable and tinned goods.

Before camp, orders would be placed at the local Sainsburys store. She and other staff would collect around 20 trolleys of basic foods – but in addition further supplies of bread, milk etc would need to be picked up on a daily basis.

A typical dinner would involve 1,000 chipolatas, 160 cans of beans and 40 bags of spuds! And a simple breakfast of cereal and juice would mean 42 boxes of cereal, 42 cartons of juice and more than 120 pints of milk!

This year, the job of organising food fell to Mr Pain, BVC’s ICT strategy manager, helped by college canteen staff, a volunteer, various staff and six prefects, one of whom works in the kitchens at Trinity College.

With his background in Scouting and catering – he is a Scout Leader in Cambridge and has been responsible for catering for camps in this country, expeditions in Africa and last year catered for a wedding for 150 – he was the obvious man for the job.

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Page 10

Transitions

10 Reptiles, skunks and a tawny owl were among the attractions at the Year 5 Careers Event held at Bottisham VC on July 8.

The creatures were on Shepreth Wildlife Park’s stand, the zoo being among 25 local employers who agreed to help at the event for Year 5 pupils in the Bottisham, Burwell and Soham Cluster. The businesses devised a range of ‘hands-on’ activities to make the day enjoyable for its young visitors.

The Old School House Day Nursery

CAREERS FAIR at Stetchworth, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue, Cambridgeshire Football Association, G’s Marketing and the Imperial War Museum, Duxford were just a few of the employers to sign up for the event.

Coulsons, from the construction industry, had a table to demonstrate electric circuits and a local driving instructor, L2K, intended to use Scalextric for his

A fitting farewell Year 11 arrived at school looking rather different for Leavers’ Day – lads in snappy suits and bright ties and girls in a fashion parade of summer dresses.

After some reminisces with form tutors, the year group came together for breakfast and plenty of photos, returning to their forms for a quiz before the only formal part of the day – a farewell assembly when Mrs Evans wished the group well.

Through photographs, Mrs Noakes compared life at BVC with a school in Uganda and followed this with yet more photos from the archives showing some of the activities the students had enjoyed since Year 7. This proved very popular and caused quite a few laughs.

A barbecue lunch was followed by games, karaoke and a concert. Despite the inevitable tears at the end of the day – it had been a happy and fitting farewell to their five years at BVC. As their head of year I was so pleased that they were all present and looking so smart.

The day had involved a huge amount of help and I would like to thank all those who were involved.

Mrs Noakes

hands-on activity!

Year 9 Ambassadors from the College ensured the day ran smoothly.

The theme of this year’s primary multicultural day at Bottisham VC was South Africa.

Year 3 pupils from Bottisham’s 12 partner primaries tried their hand at a range of arts, music and dance activities including bead making, making shields and drumming. The children also enjoyed a storyteller.

Mrs Kennedy

Zoo-keeping was one of the career options

Warm welcome

Senior students have been invited to do The Year 10s helping with the scheme their bit to help September’s new Year 7s will get accreditation from the county’s settle into secondary education. youth service.

Eleven Year 10s have been chosen to take Year 6 pupils got a taste of life in their part in Second Step, a transitions project new school when children from the organised and run by Bottisham, Burwell College’s partner primaries took part in and Soham Locality Team. the annual Induction Day on July 9.

The scheme is in its third year but this is Many of them came to college by bus the first year Year 10s have been actively and then joined their new forms and involved. met their form teachers before They will support about 15 following a simple timetable children from BVC’s feeder and sampling a few lessons. primary schools in afterThe induction followed school activities and four the schools receiving activities during the visits from Mrs Noakes summer holidays – an and Mrs Ryder – Head arts project, a one night and Assistant Head of residential at Mepal Learning for Year 7 Outdoor Centre, a from September – treasure hunt around and the College’s the college and a day Special Educational with the Ramsey Gauntlet Needs Co-ordinator Mr Auto Project.

Baker.

“It is fantastic project,” said “We have a 45 minute chat Helen Mendis, Connexions personal and tell the children what to expect adviser with the Locality Team. from then until September,” said Mr “We hope it will be of benefit to the Year Baker.

Months of hard work ensured Year 11s 10 students as well as the younger ones,” “We ask them what they’re excited had the perfect send off on July 2. she said. about and they mention things like Their Leavers’ Ball – with the theme of “They are important to Second Steps as making new friends, the science labs and The Candy Shop – was as spectacular as they are the experts on the college – they Bunsen burners, new lessons and sport.” ever thanks to the hard work of organiser will be the friendly faces the younger The new Year 7s start a day earlier than Mrs Cook and her committee of students. students see when they start at the other students and are supported by The Year 11s enjoyed a finger buffet, college in September.” form buddies from Year 11. ‘bar’ (serving fruit juice and lemonade) Helen introduced the scheme in an Mr Baker said transition from primary to and a chocolate fountain. assembly and asked students to complete secondary school was hugely important. an application “We have to get it9/3/10 right,” he11:24 said. pm Page 1 Body Image (Netherhall - M)-V1 1/3/10 9:23 am form.

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Humanities Specialism

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Students go to the polls The Liberal Democrats topped the polls when BVC held its own mock election.

The party took 45% of the vote followed by the Greens on 20%, Conservatives on 18% and Labour on 14%.

The college’s new Hall 2 was transformed at lunchtime, on General Election Day, into an authentic polling station complete with tellers, booths, voting slips and a ballot box.

Turnout for the event was 31%, with Year 7s and Year 9s proving the most enthusiastic with 50% and 43% respectively casting their vote.

Year 9 students representing the four parties held hustings in assemblies with candidates putting across their policies on

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health, pensions, taxes, crime and the environment.

And in the run up to the big day they promoted themselves and their parties through videos, PowerPoint presentations and posters round the college.

“We had our very own mock election so students could find out how elections work and to give them more information about what political parties stand for,” said humanities teacher Miss Gleeson.

“It gave students an opportunity to have their voices heard and find out about the policies and how they affect young people.

“I would like to thank those who voted and those who helped both behind the scenes, setting up, acting as polling station staff and those standing as candidates and party members.

“The voting ran really smoothly with 328 pupils passing through in just half an hour,” she said.

Year 9 students involved in the project were: Eik Hunter, Hannah Slater, Laura Grillenzoni, Olly Sanusi Bartlett, Jack Stoten, Hannah Lamb, Maya Marty, Connor Wynn, Eliza Spindel, Ian Chard, Alice Wright, Oli Bidwell, Jordan King and Guy Birch.

Some of them were featured in an election special by Cambridge youth radio Youthoria, talking about the relevance of politics and what they wanted from the next Government.

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Applied Learning Specialism

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Students get a taster

Well done Harvey Talented young chef Harvey Martin has been praised for the way he handled the pressure in the finals of a national schools’ cooking competition.

The Year 10 student may not have walked away with the top prize, but as a FutureChef finalist he went home with £100 cash plus equipment, cookery books, a chef’s jacket and a day of work experience in a professional kitchen, and he impressed everyone with his approach to the big event.

“Harvey was a credit to his school and parents,” said, Mrs Taylor.

He was one of the youngest of the 12 finalists from all over the country who had won through to the last stage of FutureChef 2010, held in London.

His challenge was to produce a two-course meal for four people in just two hours and using a set list of ingredients.

He served up a menu of roast rump of lamb with polenta; sun dried tomato and basil oil; purple sprouting broccoli and spinach with streaky bacon and orange followed by plum tart tatin with chantilly cream.

Judges included TV chefs Brian Turner and Lesley Waters.

Students taking the Hospitality Diploma course from September tried their hand at oriental cookery during an induction day at Bottisham VC. Seven BVC students were joined by 14 of their peers from Sawston and Witchford Village Colleges and the City of Ely Community College, so they could meet each other, work together and get a flavour of how the course will be taught.

The day began with a teambuilding exercise as teamwork is so important in the hospitality industry.

After coffee, the students were set a Diploma assignment, a business problem scenario based on comparing styles of service at two contrasting Chinese restaurants from the perspective of both management and customers.

They then had to give a presentation.

This was followed by a demonstration by guest chef Sirikul Sirisang from the Holiday

Inn, Histon, who previously worked with Steven Saunders at the famous Pink Geranium restaurant in Melbourn.

She cooked chow mein, noodles, beef with oyster sauce and then showed the students how to carve various fruits and vegetables.

The students cooked up their

own stir fry feasts, choosing from a range of ingredients.

“It was a fantastically successful day,” said Mrs Taylor, BVC’s head of food and catering.

“What was so good was to see the students taking on board a new style of learning and it was a good team-bonding

Hospitality the professional way

PLANS for BVC’s Diploma in Hospitality are steaming ahead with the installation of a new coffee shop, preparation and serving area..

Gleaming stainless steel work equipment in the technology The coffee shop will be run as a project area, complete with commercial venture with commercial coffee maker, has students doing everything from been fitted to provide a realistic costings, food preparation, environment for the students taking orders, serving real starting the new qualification in customers and using the till. They September. Fifty per cent of the will also need to be up to the course is practical and hands on. highest standards in hygiene, The area will be essential every safety and risk assessment.

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“It has to be a realistic working environment. In the coffee shop we will be mimicking what happens in the industry which is a better preparation for work,” said Mrs Matthewson, vocational co-ordinator.

“They will be focussing on customer service and business and financial aspects of hospitality but also teamwork, problem-solving and personal learning and thinking skills,” said Mrs Taylor.

Students will begin by running small events at the coffee shop for people from the local community but the goal by the end of the two-year course is to organise a gala dinner.

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BVC News issue 2:Bottisham Village College temp.qxp

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13

A bonus for ICT students Due to the exceptional hard work put in by Year 10, they managed to complete all of this year’s ICT coursework ahead of time. I decided to use this gained time to add a more comprehensive overview of ICT to the course. Last term, this involved some lessons looking into ICT theory and a lesson on ICT and future, where we looked at how ICT innovations which are being used, were created and could be created in the future. Within this lesson we looked at CGI and robotics.

During this half term, the students are studying ICT Careers, which means that each lesson they are getting the opportunity to use programs used by specific ICT professions and learn the skills used. So far, the students have tried being a software engineer, a graphic designer, a hardware engineer and a games tester. Within these lessons they have also looked at the salary, the qualifications and the pros and cons of each job.

Probably the most exciting part of this project was when the students were able to see a computer stripped down and then had a go at putting it back together and get it working, as a group.

Special mention needs to be given to Alex Gilday who provided the game for the students to test. This was a game that he created at home through programming language.

This project is a new addition to the course and one which I would like to run in future years.

I hope that future GCSE ICT students will approach the coursework with the same enthusiasm and dedication to allow this to happen!

Miss Hanley

A celebration of song Vocalists from Bottisham VC were among hundreds of children of all ages to take part in a celebration of singing in the beautiful setting of Ely Cathedral.

In Sing, Sing, Sing, Bottisham students were joined by their peers from Soham VC plus pupils from 16 local primary schools and community choirs from Burwell and Soham in performing to a large audience.

They presented a diverse programme with a general Gospel theme.

Got to Find a Way written by BVC Year 11 student Henry Barraclough was performed by the primary school choir (400 of them).

The event was staged with funding from ContinYou and Sing Up, an organisation that aims to ensure that good quality singing is central to young people’s lives.

ContinYou has been working with SingUp to link singing projects into the Extended Schools agenda.

The concert, on May 25, was the grand finale to a singing

project which has included all participating primary schools (around 500 children).

Mr Minchin, Bottisham VC’s arts development officer, said the concert had been a great success.

“With over 500 performers from our school and communities singing I am sure everyone enjoyed the concert and agreed that singing is very much alive in our local area.”

He paid tribute to Nicola Plumb, choir festival organiser, primary school choir leader, Young Singing Leader trainer and director of Burwell Community Choir

who is leaving the area to take up a new job in Somerset.

During the evening, BVC principal Mrs Evans received a Lowry print presented by Linda Oliver, of Cambs County Council, on behalf of Cambridgeshire Culture.

Concert showcases musical talent

It has been another busy term in the music department. We held auditions for the summer concert and the standard was higher than ever, reminding us of the impressive talent at Bottisham.

The concert was well supported and more than 100 pupils took part. As usual our dress rehearsal was in front of the primary schools and they were a great audience, making it a special occasion.

The orchestra, jazz and wind bands had worked hard in extended schools time and a lot of the programme showcased vocal and instrumental work prepared in KS3 and GCSE classes. There was an exciting and varied programme which hopefully catered for all musical tastes! It was particularly pleasing many John LewisAd Manchetts (Bottisham (Bottisham - L) L) - V5 5/3/10 10/3/10 4:50 10:10 pmthatPage am of Page 1 the 1

performances were original compositions.

Mrs Hall AN informal hour-long concert was held at the end of the Spring term to celebrate students’ achievements in music and Extended Schools activities. Highlights included performances from Year 10 GCSE students and the college jazz band.

This term Bottisham VC has seen the creation of Glee Club, held on Tuesday from 3.15-4.15pm.

Currently there are seven of us in the club and the girls in the group have performed in Year 7 assembly. We are planning to perform as a whole group in the last Year 7 assembly of the year. All details about the club, can be found in the Extended Schools Brochure.

Miss Hanley

“Proud to be supporting Bottisham Village College Trust”

BVC News issue 2:Bottisham Village College temp.qxp

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BVC

14

Wow, what an evening! Great fun was had by all, fantastic atmosphere, good food, fabulous music, truly a night to remember. Without your support we would be unable to fund the marquee for the Year 11s’ Leavers Ball.

Many thanks also to all those who helped to set up and clear away, to the bar staff for all their hard work and a special thanks to the Ball Committee for all their hard work and enthusiasm The Friends would like to thank the sponsors of the ball. Their support is much appreciated and plays a major part in this fund-raising event.

In June, we held our third Bag2School clothing scheme, this was well supported.

We will be holding another Bag2School in January 2011.

All parents and members of the school community are welcome to join the Friends. We’re about much more than just fund-raising. The Friends exists to

provide closer links between home and school and is an excellent way to bring staff, parents and friends together socially in support of the College. It is fun, too.

To continue the success of the Friends we are always seeking new committee members to join us and look forward to seeing you at one of our meetings, held once a term at the College.

Contact friends@bottishamvc.org if you would like to join.

Support throughout the year has recently enabled the Friends to purchase the following equipment which will bring immediate benefits to the College, Extended School provision and the community: Ceiling mounted projector, audio system, docking station and electrically powered screen for the lecture room.

Plasma screen for the school foyer.

Completion of the development of the Main Hall by purchasing a mixing console,

Receptionist Mrs Johnston points to a huge pile of lost property – at least 50 bags!This represents just six months of polo shirts, jumpers, PE kit, even shoes, that have been lost and never claimed by students.

All uniform needs to be named to allow it to be returned to its rightful owner. A simple marker pen/biro will do. Earlier this term the lost property box was overflowing just four days after being emptied! wireless microphones and cabling .

Apple Mac computers and accessories for the Music Sound Studio.

High quality digital camera.

Electronic screen in the Main Hall.

PPE clothing for construction course. £1,000 donation towards new minibus.

New courses now on offer Community (or Adult) Education at Bottisham has had a very successful year, in its first year under the ‘umbrella’ of the main school.

Craft classes, in particular, continue to be popular. Dressmaking and upholstery are skills which people of all ages still want to learn. Upholstery has always been popular during the daytime, so from September we will also be offering an evening class. We will also be offering a Sewing for Beginners class.

Our Creative Drawing and Painting class has been so successful that the students decided year we achieved a 91% pass rate. The to hold an exhibition of their work at the qualification suits the enthusiastic gardener Youth and Community Centre on July 4. or those who want to use it as a stepping Bottisham is one of the few adult education stone to a career change. centres in the region which offers the RHS Another success story is one of our former students who attended our Russian evening Level 2 Certificate in Horticulture. This course class for four years. Valerie Stubbs, who has proved popular year after year and our Bott are Sports Centre Page 1went 10:32 started as12:46 a complete on to am Cull (Sawston -pmM)beginner 5/3/10 proud of. Libby Last 14/4/10 results something to be(Bott-S)-V1

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achieve a grade A in her A-level. Tutor, Marina Lushnikova, has continued to support Valerie, who now finds her knowledge of Russian useful in her work.

As well as our regular craft, cookery and language courses, from September we will be offering many new courses, including Assertiveness and Self Esteem, Room Makeover on a Budget, Self Protection for Women, Raising Teens and Printmaking for Beginners. There will be weekend workshops on Dressmaking, Felt Making, Paper Jewellery, Photoshop, Oriental Cookery, Stained Glass, Woodturning and much more.

For more information, see the new Adult Education Prospectus in August, look on our website www.bottishamvc.org/commed or call 01223 811372.

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15

Distinction for maths pair BVC students Rama Lakshman and Eric Wieser notched up high scores to take prizes in a national mathematical challenge.

Both Rama (Year 9) and Eric (Year 11) achieved distinctions in the Intermediate Mathematical Olympiad, an event organised by UKMT (UK Maths Challenge), a charity which advances young people’s maths education.

Students in Years 7 and 8 took part in the Junior Maths Challenge with Ramganesh Lakshman and Cameron Mackay (both Year 8) gaining gold certificates. There were silvers for Ben May, Jake Crown, Nathan Isaacson, Leo Charlesworth and Rory Williams (Year 8) and Bea Loveridge, Chloe Millard, Isabel Swift, Jordan Delanoy, Joseph Lancaster and Lucy Loughlan (Year 7).

Kit Turner, Emma Wade Gledhill and Marcus Wharton (Year 8) and Roman Armstrong, Adam Tarasewicz, Oscar Bowden, Chester Swann Augur, Sean Irving and Gemma Galletly (Year 7) achieved bronze.

Ben May, Kieran Gilday, Ramganesh Lakshman and Rama Lakshman took fourth place in the regional final of UKMT Team Maths Challenge.

Mrs Fries

First Year 7* group gets star rating

Girls’ rounders teams have been taking part in district tournaments.

Round and around The girls from all year groups compete against other schools in the district in regular rounders matches and tournaments. Bottisham always enters as many teams as possible into these events, sometimes with three teams from each year group.

The standard of play improves year by year in this very popular and active sport.

In recent weeks the Year 8 A team came third and the C and B teams came second and third in their respective district tournaments.

Mr Alvey

Students saddle-up for competition

Riders and their grooms (mums) from Bottisham Village College made their The college’s 7* group has just come way to The Jays Equestrian to the end of a successful first year.

Centre at Bury St Edmunds The group is open to 15 Year 7 for an NSEA inter-schools students to help the transition process. showjumping competition.

They follow a simplified timetable with The 70cm team consisted less French, less art and more literacy of Domini Wright, Cleo and numeracy.

McGregor, Georgia The class is not static with children Marshall, Isobel Gabain able to both leave the group as they and Lucia Gabain, Kellygrow in confidence and skills and to Ann Challinor, Sam join the group if they need more Stringer and Emma Butler support. were in the 80cm team.

“It is a short-term arrangement to set Both teams did very well the children up for Year 8 and has with the 70cm team proved highly successful,” said Mr coming second and the Baker, BVC’s SENCO. 80cm team coming third in He said a new 7* group would be their respective starting in September and members competitions. would be invited to Literacy Summer McGregor School.

Sears Print Ad - (180 x 50) 9/7/10 In addition, 1:04 pm Cleo Page 1

The 70cm team, which came second. finished second as an individual.

Well done to all and we look forward to many more BVC Riding Club

competitions in the future.

Anybody interested in joining the club, please see Mrs Stringer.

Mrs Challinor

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BVC News issue 2:Bottisham Village College temp.qxp

01/07/2010

23:23

Page 16

16

Jubilee celebration

Year 7 boys, above, won the athle cs meet, while Year 7 girls, below, were just pipped

Teams are on track The summer term sees students being challenged in some of their PE lessons to beat their personal best performances in a wide range of runs, jumps and throws. Extra training is available every week after school, and a lot of students put themselves forward to represent the school in competitive events against other schools.

An example of this was when the Year 7 and Year 9 squads competed against teams from Cottenham, Soham, Melbourn, Comberton, Swavesey, Impington and Bassingbourn in an event we hosted at the end of May. With over

200 competitors the events were exciting to watch as all the athletes worked hard to gain points for their team.

The final positions for the Bottisham teams were; Year 9 girls third; Year 9 boys second; Year 7 girls second (by just two points), and Year 7 boys first by 24 points.

The Bottisham sports leaders supported the PE staff as officials and team managers and did a great job. These events occur on a weekly basis throughout the summer and are open to all students. Well done to all competitors and leaders.

Bottisham VC has won the prestigious Jubilee Cup – the premier schools athletics event in the area.

More than 100 students represented BVC in the competition.

All of them really worked hard to ensure that we gained as many points as possible. Final results: 1 Bottisham, 2 Netherhall, 3 Sawston, 4 Impington, 5 Linton, 6 Comberton, 7 Chesterton, 8 Soham.

There were lots of hot and happy students on the buses on the way home. Well done to all who took part.

Mr Alvey

Virtually the best Bottisham VC has been presented with the Cambridge and Peterborough Competition Managers Cup for the highest number of participants in the 2009/10 virtual rowing league.

Well done to all students who took part.

Tee time for girls Golf coaching has been available for Year 7 girls this summer and the uptake has been excellent. Learning a range of shots through a variety of innovative and interesting teaching methods has encouraged a number of the students to start playing on a regular basis outside of school. Golf was again included in the recent Inter-form competition.

A number of KS4 students have the opportunity to learn this game in PE.

Mr Alvey says:

Cricketing finalists

‘

The summer holidays are nearly upon us. Make the most of the time by following a simple exercise programme, combining some aerobic activities (walking, running, swimming, cycling) with a series of stretching and muscular endurance exercises (press ups, sit ups, squat thrusts etc). Take care of your skin in the sun and think about what kind of diet you eat (Do you get your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day?)

Making some simple positive choices can have a big impact on how you feel and perform. Have a great summer.

PHJ Ltd (Bottisham - L)-V2

12/3/10

Edited by Mandy Turner, BVC. mturner@bottishamvc.org

6:07 pm

Page 1

’

Six Year 8 cricketers were in the team of Bottisham & Lode CC U13s which reached the club’s first ever County Cup final on June 20 at Clare College sports ground against Granta CC. They were: Alex Claydon (captain), Sam Clowes, Andy Baker, Louis Cope-Cornell, Charlie Root and Toby Brooker. Bottisham played well but were unable to overcome a very strong Granta team.

Slam dunk trio Congratulations to Olivia Wade-Gledhill, Jake Jupp and James Johnson who were selected to represent the county in the Under 13 Inter County basketball competition. A great achievement.

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