DECEMBER 2012
THE CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER News from the Pupils and Teachers of King’s College, Alicante
G i v i n g Tre e Message from the Headteacher Pope John XXIII in his Christmas message of 1959 emphasised that Christmas, as a time of peace, starts with every individual, extending to family and friends and with regard for the wider world; what he labelled Peace of the Heart, Social Peace and International Peace. Christmas, whilst being a very personal experience is also synonymous with spending quality time at family gatherings, enjoying fun parties with friends and attending special local events. However, the wider world is often brought into our Christmas through news reports of tragedy, strife and disasters. It seems to invade our personal space casting a shadow on our own enjoyment. Yet it also offers us a timely reminder of just how fortunate we are to have what we have, live where we live and go to school where we do. We can celebrate our own personal achievements, the successes of our wider school community and the increasing involvement we have in the wider world through travel, further education and work. Christmas is also traditionally a time for giving and sharing. We ask our pupils to
reflect on what Christmas means to them personally and what they can learn from the values of the Christmas message. We encourage generosity and selflessness every day towards our fellow pupils and others: we are proud to be a very caring and sharing school community. We also support various charitable causes throughout the years and especially at this time of the year we bring donations of clothes, food and toys for the less fortunate families in Alicante. Today, the world has become a much smaller place than it was in 1959 in terms of travel, media and understanding. Throughout the year our pupils learn about the different cultures, political, ethical and moral issues we face in the 21st Century and we are more able to address and embrace the wider world. Our Eco-School project extends from every pupil´s individual responsibility to the school environment, to the local area through beach clean and tree-planting projects to the wider world through projects supporting water aid and children´s charities. In other words, we consider ourselves, our school and the wider community.
I am immensely proud of the young people who attend King´s College Alicante and of the work of the teachers and support staff in creating such a caring and sharing environment. I am also grateful for the cooperation and support of our parents and other friends in the community. This Christmas, I hope you all have a very happy and relaxing time; enjoy the company of family and friends, reflect on your own achievements and hopes for the future and spare more than a passing thought for those children and families who continue to endure the hardships of life in the 21st century and offer them the hope of peace. I look forward to welcoming you all back on January 8th 2013, refreshed and full of hope and optimism for the year ahead: for ourselves, our school and the world in general.
Mr. Derek Laidlaw Headteacher Pag e 1
Christmas
FUN December always brings with it our very enjoyable Christmas Parties in Primary school. Once again, Santa made an appearance in his grotto much to the delight of our younger children. We held our annual Christmas Carol Concert and again collected a huge amount of toys, clothes and food for charity. We also held two cake bake sales raising money for local charities. Thank you to all pupils, staff and parents for your generosity.
One of our innovations this term has been the new temporary ´Museums´. These will highlight some of the technology projects carried out in primary and secondary. These ´museums´ are held in various locations including the siesta hall, school office and library. So far we have held museums exhibiting Robots, Transport, Rockets and Castles.
Senior School
EXAMINATIONS
Our Y11 pupils ended this term with their diet of mock examinations for their forthcoming GCSE examinations. It is a very important part of their preparation and they can now enjoy a rewarding holiday. Our Y12 students will sit their mock A Level examinations (which have replaced module exams) in January, so they should prepare to spend some time wisely over the festive period revising for these. Similarly, our Y13 students will need to organize their revision schedule for their A2 Module exams in January during the Christmas holiday period, whilst remembering to enjoy the festivities!
CHRISTMAS
FAYRE
Our first Student Christmas Fayre held on December 18th was a great success with over 1,500â‚Ź being collected in under 3 hours! Added to our Christmas Card sales, the total raised in December for charities is now well over 2,000â‚Ź. I will be detailing all our fund raising this term in my January letter. I would like to congratulate our Head Boy Craig , Head Girl Verena and our 6th form committee for their wonderful work this year towards our various charities including planning, organizing and running the Fayre. I would also like to thank the other 6th formers who helped on the day and Sr Esteban and Mr Wicks for their guidance of the committee.
Pag e 3
Staff News
At the end of this term we will be saying farewell to the following members of staff. On behalf of the pupils and staff at King´s College, I would like to offer them our thanks for all their contribution to the school over the years and to wish them well for the future. • Mrs Linda Davidson (Foundation Subjects Coordinator and Key Stage 1), Miss Clare Hales (Temporary Y2) • Miss Gina Parry (Key Stage 3 Coordinator and Secondary Art) We will be welcoming the following new members of staff in January and wish them every success in their new posts: • Mrs Stephanie Metcalfe (Year 3) • Mrs Susan Lawrence (Year 2) We will be welcoming back Mrs Karen Tomkins in January following her period of maternity leave and Mrs Suzanne Manners (Year 3) will be taking up her new post in secondary school as our new Teacher of Art.
Founders’ Plaque To recognize the inauguration of the BSA, over ten years ago, and the subsequent transfer to King´s College in 2010, a short ceremony was held in school on November 29th. Sir Roger Fry ,Chairman of King´s Group, unveiled a plaque in the presence of the Founding parents and guests.
Important Dates
Please note that the school re-opens on Tuesday 8th January. The school office will be open throughout the holiday period from 10.00am – 2.30pm for parents and visitors. The School Shop will be open at the following times during the Christmas holidays. • Thursday 27th December 9.00am – 1.00pm • Thursday 3rd January 9.00am – 1.00pm 17 Jan 24 Jan 28 Jan 31 Jan
Year 9 Parent Meeting Year 11 Mock Analysis Meeting Year 12 Mock Examinations (until Friday 1 st Feb) Year 7 Parent Meeting
Glorieta del Reino Unido 5 Alicante 03008 Spain www.bsalicante.com email: carlos.lazaro@kingsgroup.org