BOTTISHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE
June 2009 PRINCIPAL’S NEWS Building Project The new temporary mobile classrooms are on site and have been in use since 21st April. The old mobiles have now been removed. The building works commenced on Tuesday, 5th May 2009 and it is anticipated that the new teaching block and multi-purpose space will be completed in approximately 12 months. Work will also commence on the extension to the Dining Hall. Following this, the current languages block will be converted into a Locality Base, to include a new Youth Centre and a permanent base for the Children’s Centre. Inevitably, this building programme will create some challenges, but we are confident that by working in partnership with the contractors, any disruption will be kept to a minimum. We remain excited by the benefits that these fantastic facilities will offer to all members of the community.
Investors in People We are delighted to announce that Bottisham Village College has been recognised as an Investor in People, having met all the required standards of this prestigious award. Here is a summary from our assessor: ‘Having conducted the assessment in accordance with Investors in People UK and The Assessment Network’s guidelines, I am pleased to recommend to the Recognition Panel that Bottisham Village College be recognised as an Investor in People. May I also extend my thanks to all those who took part in the assessment process for their open and honest feedback in respect of their experience within Bottisham Village College. It was a very pleasant and enjoyable process.’
As part of the planning meeting, the assessor was able to tour the site. She was able to view physical evidence which included the SEF (School Evaluation Form), Handbook, College Improvement Plan as well as performance management documentation. During the assessment period, one to one and group interviews were used to speak to twenty nine of the approx 130 members of the staff. It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of every member of our school community that we have received this award. Thanks and congratulations to all.
Year 11 Leavers’ Day On Thursday 21 May we celebrated the wide-ranging achievement of Year 11 Students on their Leavers’ Day. As in previous years, the day was a wonderful occasion. Celebrations included a ‘Champagne’ Breakfast, a BBQ lunch and a musical concert performed by the Year 11s themselves. We wish them well in their GCSE exams and we look forward to final farewells at their Leaver’s Ball on Friday 26 June.
Mrs K Evans Principal
Year 11 History Trip to Berlin 44 Year 11 History students were in Berlin over the Easter holiday, starting their revision for their GCSEs. The three day trip probably holds the record for the most places visited in one city in the time available! On the first day, students went on a walking tour of the city centre under cloudless blue skies. A whole range of sites were visited from German history – the Brandenburg Gate, the memorial to the Reichstag MPs eliminated by the Nazis, the Russian WW2 memorial, the graves of the first and last people to die trying to cross the Berlin Wall, the Kaiser Wilhelm Church and more. A fast-paced revision session took place in the Story of Berlin Museum where all teachers agreed that this Y11 knew their stuff. After a balmy evening meal watching the trams come and go at the Alexanderplatz, we headed off to former East Berlin to see a section of the Berlin Wall where the death strip is still visible. The morning of the second day was spent at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, viewing the excellent exhibitions about the people who were sent there. Each year, Sachsenhausen staff unearth new parts of the camp and prepare them for the public to see. This year, students were able to see the crematoria, and learn more about Sachsenhausen’s role as a model camp for the later Extermination Camps in Poland. The afternoon was spent at Hitler’s Olympic Stadium and at the Jewish Museum, ending with a vigorous debate about whether the Holocaust Tower or the Memory Void was the better way of representing the Holocaust. Half the group chose to go for an evening tour of the Reichstag, climbing right up into the dome to see Berlin by night and to take part in some stargazing through the roof. The final day started out by passing the Rosa Luxemburg memorial to get to the Resistance Museum, seeing the site where Count von Stauffenberg was shot (and where Tom Cruise acted it all out for Valkyrie) and learning about others who stood up against the Nazi regime. From there, it was on to the Holocaust Memorial (and the site of Hitler’s bunker) and then on to see Goering’s Air Ministry Buildings before heading off to learn more about the work of the Gestapo in Berlin at the Topography of Terror. An obligatory visit to Checkpoint Charlie was taken before shopping became the focus of the hour. So, exhausting but absolutely worth it! The sun shone, we ate too much ice-cream, we learnt loads, we argued hard, we stopped to remember and reflect. Roll on 2010, and we’ll do it all again! Miss Hammond
Technology Faculty World Record Attempt We arrived at Alton Towers Hotel all rearing to go and break a world record. After a long bus journey we ate lunch outside in the gorgeous sunshine. Everyone was really excited. After a quick briefing we got our hands washed and we were ready. The first sight of the room was amazing with all 100 cookers lined up perfectly alongside the ingredients. After being equipped with aprons and hats everyone was finally ready to start cooking and break the world record. Atomic Kitten star and celebrity MasterChef Liz McClarnon was leading the event, and was a great influence on all the young chefs. Everyone managed to cook a pizza. Everyone that took part should be proud. It was a great day out and also thanks very much to the sponsors Belling for a fantastic event. Lewis Steckelmacher 9.2
Modern Foreign Languages Faculty Paris Trip 2009 During May half term, 29 students and staff set off for a four day Paris tourist Marathon. The group travelled on the Eurostar to central Paris and stayed in a hostel right in the heart of the historical city centre, five minutes from the Louvres Museum.
We had four days of beautiful sunny weather and clear blue skies, perfect weather for some serious sightseeing action! The students had the chance to visit some of the most famous Parisian landmarks, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Arc de Triomphe, The Champs Elysées Avenue and many more. Paris is also famous for its Museums and our students enjoyed learning about the impressionist painters at the Musée d’Orsay and admired the Mona Lisa’s smile at Le Louvre. Students made some good progress using their French in real life situations, a real confidence boost for their GCSE course. They also learnt important life skills like travelling on the busy Paris underground and dealing with unpredictable situations Students got to learn a lot about the French capital and its history throughout the stay and had a chance to test their knowledge on the last day with a quiz and a film. For many, one of the highlights, although not truly Parisian, was our visit to Disneyland, a chance to take some more pictures and get some serious adrenaline boosts. For me, the highlight was the boat trip on the river Seine on the last night, a chance to see all those sites again in the beautiful setting sun...and from the comfort of our seats! We all returned exhausted but fitter after just four days and with a few stories to tell our families. Given the success of this first Paris trip our thoughts are already turning to how we might repeat the activity in 2010. Thank you to all the staff who took part and to our students who were a real credit to the school. A l’année prochaine Paris! Ms Larrieu
Arts Faculty Dates for your diaries: Between Monday 29th June and Thursday 2nd July, the GCSE and A-Level Art and Technology Exhibition will be held in the Project Area. All parents/carers are invited to a private viewing on Monday 29th June from 6:30 to 8pm. The public viewings will be on Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 1st July up until 7:15pm and on Thursday 2nd July from 3:15 – 6pm.
This year the Summer Concert dates are Tuesday 30th June and Wednesday 1st July with the opportunity to see the Art and Technology Exhibition before the concert starts at 7:15pm. (Tickets are available from Finance office £6 and £4 concession from 15th June).
We have a thriving Arts faculty at Bottisham with many students taking advantage of a range of extended schools activities in art, photography, drama, dance and many music ensembles such as the rock school, wind and jazz bands and orchestra. Students are busy rehearsing and are looking forward to performing and demonstrating their achievements.
We are currently planning the extended schools arts programme for September and we are always interested from hearing from any parents who might be able to offer Arts Workshops or work related learning opportunities. We have been fortunate this year to have had financial support from Marshall of Cambridge for our school production ‘Return to the Forbidden Planet’, along with some local businesses who advertised in the programme, and also from a John Lewis Music Award for our concert featuring performers from Bottisham and our partner primary schools. Please do contact me if your business might be interested in helping to sponsor Arts events in the future. We look forward to a successful culmination of the school year and hope to see many of you at our Exhibition and Summer Concert. David Minchin (Art Development Officer)
Physical Education Faculty Athletics The Summer Term activities are in full swing and there have already been some excellent performances on the athletics track. Matches against other schools take place throughout the summer and students also get to train on a weekly basis, where they are able to try or practice most events. There is also the opportunity to join Cambridge and Coleridge Athletics Club. Details are available from the P.E. staff. Rounders and Cricket The rounders teams have been training and playing competitively against other schools. This is a popular game, and it is pleasing that most year groups can field two or three teams. Congratulations to all who join in. The Year 7 and Year 8 boys will be playing in their cricket tournaments in the coming weeks. The finals of these competitions are being held at Fenners in Cambridge at the end of term, so there is quite an incentive to get through. We have good contacts with a number of junior cricket teams in the area, and anyone who wants to play regular club cricket should see the PE staff for information. Football Congratulations to the Year 9 girls who play football for Cambridge City Team which won the Under 14 plate competition this season. Captain Beth Woodfield, Shannon Manchett, Hannah White, Ebony Rankine, Ciara O’Brien . Keep us in the picture! We love to hear of your efforts/successes in sport, in and out of school. This could be as an individual participant, as part of a team; a leader, an official or as an organiser. Please email the PE Faculty with a short description of what you have achieved, and if possible send a picture as well. We will do our best to publicise your achievements in future editions of this newsletter.
All activities are based at Bottisham Village College unless stated otherwise and all students, irrespective of ability, are encouraged to participate. If you wish to get involved see one of the PE staff
Monday 8 June 2009 10a and 7a Rounders Match at Chesterton - against Chesterton and St Bedes (Times 3.05pm –6.00pm) (Approximate return to Bottisham Village College 6pm) Tuesday 9 June 2009 Cricket Coaching Badminton Club Key Stage Four Golf Festival Years 7 and 9 Athletics Match at St Bedes (Times 3.05pm – 6.30pm) (Approximate return to Bottisham Village College 6.30pm) Wednesday 10 June 2009 Tennis Coaching – All year groups Thursday 11 June 2009 Year 9 Rounders Tournament (Times 3.05pm – 6.00pm) Friday 12 June 2009 Triathlon Club (Times 3.10pm – 4.30pm) Badminton Club (Times 3.10pm – 4.20pm) Tuesday 16 June 2009 Year 10 Rounders Tournament at Linton Village College (Times 3.05pm – 6.00pm) (Approximate return time to Bottisham Village College is 6pm) Cricket Coaching Wednesday 17 June 2009 Year 7 only Athletics Match at Chesterton Tennis Coaching – All year groups Thursday 18 June 2009 7ab, 9a and 8a Rounders Match - against Impington (Times 3.05pm – 5.30pm) (Approximate finish time 5.30pm) Tennis Coaching – All year groups Friday 19 June 2009 Triathlon Club (Times 3.10pm – 4.30pm) Badminton Club (Times 3.10pm – 4.20pm)
Tuesday 23 June 2009 7ab, 8a and 9ab Rounders Match at Linton Village College - against Chesterton and Linton (Times 3.05pm – 6.00pm) (Approximate return time to Bottisham 6pm) Wednesday 24 June 2009 Athletics Club – All year groups Tennis Coaching – All year groups Thursday 25 June 2009 Primary Pentathlon Sports (Times 9.30am – 1.00pm) Friday 26 June 2009 Triathlon Club (Times 3.10pm – 4.30pm) Badminton Club (Times 3.10pm – 4.20pm)
Wednesday 1 July 2009 Jubilee Cup Athletics at Wilberforce Road, Cambridge – All year groups (Times 11.30am–5.15pm) Tennis Coaching – All year groups Thursday 2 July 2009 Year 8 Boys Cricket Tournament at Sawston Village College (Times 3.05pm – 5.30pm) (Approximate return time to Bottisham Village College 5.30pm) 7ab Rounders Match - against St Bedes (Times 3.05pm – 5.15pm) (Approximate finish time 5.15pm) Tuesday 14 July 2009 County Cricket Finals – Fenners Wednesday 15 July 2009 Sports Day – All year groups NB: This calendar is subject to change at any time. Events may be added or dates/venues changed. Students will be informed via the PE Faculty noticeboards.
Newbury National 10s Rugby On Sunday 3rd of May I took part in the Newbury 10s under 13 Rugby Tournament with my team from Shelford Rugby Club. This was a big competition with 16 teams from all over the country. Shelford were in pool 3 and we played against Newbury winning 44-0, then we beat Market Harborough 34-5 and drew 10-10 against Ivybridge (Devon Champions). This meant that Shelford won the pool and went on to play Portsmouth in the quarter finals beating them 22-0. The semi final was against Guildford and this was a very close match with the final score 19- 14, putting Shelford through to the final. In the final Shelford played Salisbury (Dorset and Wiltshire champions) and after a very hard game finally won 10-7. It was a very long but enjoyable day. Olly Walker 8.2
General Reminders
Mobile Phones Please do not contact students on their mobile phones at school. Phones are allowed only on the condition that they are turned off during school time. You may contact the Student Support Office on ext 272 and a message will be passed on.
Parents Use of the Staff Car Park Please can we remind parents that you should not enter the staff car park to drop off or pick up students. This car park is reserved for staff and we are finding parents using it as an entrance/exit from the main car-park or dropping off students and blocking access. Please be aware of your speed when travelling into any of our car-parks, particularly at the beginning and end of the school day, as many students will be walking around or stepping off from buses. We would like to ensure a safe environment for all our users.
News from Friends of Bottisham Village College
A plea from Friends! Saturday 27th June 2009 – Casino Las Vegas Summer Ball – A night not to be missed! The Year 11 Leavers Ball has been a tradition for many years. It is a wonderful celebration of the students’ time spent at Bottisham. The Ball is held in the magnificent marquee on the Principal’s lawn. Although we have in the past and once again this year been extremely fortunate to receive a substantial discount towards the cost of the marquee, it has always relied on parental involvement and support to fund the cost of the marquee by holding The Bottisham Ball which takes place the day after the Year 11 Ball. As in previous years, we are calling for your support once more by purchasing tickets for the fundraising ball, come along with family and friends. The event is not restricted to parents of the college and encourages participation by the local community. We realise that in the present economic climate it is not easy to support every cause but we hope that with your support we are able to continue this wonderful tradition for our Year 11’s and leavers to follow. The evening begins with a Champagne Reception; Sit down Three Course Dinner, Cheese & Biscuits, and Tea & Coffee. The entertainment continues dancing the night away to the fabulous music from ‘Shredded Beat’. . Why not get a table together! Tickets cost £40 each. Please support this event! Please email friends@bottishamvc.org or contact Claudine Bateman on 01223 811250 Ext 275 If you are unable to make the evening but would like to help with setting up on the Saturday and/ or clearing up on Sunday morning, please contact as above. Grand Summer Prize Raffle – Shortly we will be sending home a book of raffle tickets for our fabulous summer draw. There are some fabulous prizes: Family Day pass to Center Parcs, Six months membership to Bottisham Sports Centre fitness suite and pool, Barrow of Booze, Jaguar Car for the weekend(subject to conditions) and a Bottle of Aston Martin Limited Edition Champagne Jacquesson. Please return completed raffle stubs and money in a sealed envelope to the Finance Office marked Friends of Bottisham Village College Raffle. Winners will be drawn at the Bottisham Ball on June 27th.
You’ve got to be in it to win it!!!!! Friends Committee – We need you!
AGM Tuesday 14th July, 7pm in the Lecture Room, Bottisham Village College The Friends committee are actively seeking new members, we have been extremely lucky to have a committed group of parents who have supported Friends but as their own children leave Bottisham we desperately need new blood and ideas. As our logo reads our aim is Fun and Fundraising, we meet once a term and are always looking for new events to hold during the year. Our events are not just for fundraising but for giving the opportunity for parents to socialise and meet. As we have a number of members leaving us at the end of this term, we would love you to join us. We will also have a vacant position for a new secretary for the start of the September term. Please consider joining the Friends and making a difference!
BOTTISHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE CLEANING STAFF REQUIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Hours of work: Term Time plus training days 6am – 9.00am (Mon – Fri) £6.37 per hour Uniform & training provided
For an application pack please contact: Mrs Karen Beckett, PA to the Principal On 01223 811250 Ext 224 “Bottisham Village College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment”
BOTTISHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE TERM DATES 2009 - 2010
Autumn Term Wednesday 2 September 2009 Staff Professional Day Thursday 3 September 2009
Autumn Term begins for Year 7 only
Friday 4 September 2009
Autumn Term begins for Years 8, 9, 10 & 11
Thursday 1 October 2009
Staff Professional Day
26 - 30 October 2009
Half Term
Friday 18 December 2009 Term Ends for Christmas Holidays
Spring Term
Monday 4 January 2010
Staff Professional Day
Tuesday 5 January 2010
Spring Term begins
Friday 12 February 2010
Staff Professional Day
15 - 19 February 2010
Half Term
Thursday 1 April 2010
Term Ends for Easter Holidays
Summer Term Monday 19 April 2010
Staff Professional Day
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Summer Term begins
Monday 3 May 2010
May Day Holiday
31 May – 4 June 2010
Half Term
Thursday 22 July 2010
Term Ends for Summer Holidays
Calendar of Events
Month June
July
Date 11
Event Year 8 Ecology Trip
12
Year 8 Ecology Trip
15
Year 10 Parents’ Evening
18
PSHE Day
24
GCSE Exams end
26
Leavers’ Ball
27
Friends of BVC Summer Ball
29
Year 10 work Experience starts
30
Summer Concert
1
Summer Concert
2
Year 6 Parents’ Evening
3
Year 6 Induction Day
6 – 10
Activities Week
10
Year 10 Work Experience ends
13 – 14
Year 10 Arts Curwen Print Trip
13
Prize Giving
15
Sports Day
17
School closes for Summer holidays