Cherwell Sustainability: Page 8

CHERWELL SUSTAINABILITY

The Importance of Hedgerows (continued …) The good news is that some 114,000 kilometers of the hedgerow that was counted as lost is now believed to have become relict hedges, or hedges that have grown into trees either due to a lack of maintenance or through their purposeful incorporation into new small coppices of woodland. In recent years some ecologically minded farmers and local volunteer wildlife groups have been replanting old and new hedges and there is growing awareness of their value. We hope our hedge planting action, along with the assemblies we plan to run in the new year will increase student awareness of their value. Our new hedges contain Hawthorn, Alder and Guelder Rose among other species and we hope students will have the joy of seeing them grow and become havens for wildlife as they move through the school.

Links to more information on Hedgerows:

https://hedgelink.org.uk/campaign/national-hedgerow-week/ https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211125-britains-ancient-fortresses-for-nature https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/habitats/hedgerows/

By Mr Cappleman

WORK EXPERIENCE

10 TO 14 OCTOBER 2022 - By Mrs L Dale

We were thrilled to send out our Year 11s on their work experience after an enforced 3-year covid break.

Three-quarters of our resourceful students found their own placements across the county, the country and even abroad! The remaining students accessed placements organised for us by the lovely Pip Elphick at the River Learning Trust.

Students went into a huge variety of work places:- primary schools, nurseries, hospitals, construction firms, charities, architects, hairdressers, leisure centres, vet surgeries, hotels, theatres, care homes, printers, publishers, museums, estate agents, car industry, offices, accountants, lawyers, HM courts, shops, railway stations, pharmacies, health centres, fire stations, restaurants and universities. They went to work with many different people, including their mums, dads, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents and family friends.

Employers were very keen to have youngsters back in the workplace after 3 years, and some of the students were even offered apprenticeships and part-time work after their week.

The feedback on our students from their employers was brilliant and overwhelmingly positive.

** A massive thank you to all our employers **

Darren at Bayards Hill Primary School

Sophie, Alicia, Lucy and Alice at Lincroft Meadow Care Home

Louise at The North Wall Arts Centre

Comments from Employers:

“She has gone above and beyond with everything we've asked of her” “We would like him to come and work for us after he finishes at Cherwell” “She has a skill of being a leader where others follow” “They have all been polite, helpful, flexible willing and enthusiastic” “What a superstar!” “Blended in nicely with the team” “They were so keen, one day they arrived before the staff” “Excellent practical skills, manners, politeness and attitude” “He impressed senior staff with his two presentations” “Please can you send us 4 students next time, instead of 2!” “Very impressed with his attitude” “Happy to have them back for more experience or employment! “ “We are considering him for an apprenticeship”

“She helped us update our social media – she taught us so much!” “He was quiet to start with but grew in confidence during the week “