A57977 comberton summer 13 web

A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:28 Page 1

The News Magazine of Comberton Village College ISSUE 33, SUMMER 2013

FRIENDSHIPS AFFIRMED The very important friendship and partnership between Comberton and its link schools in southern Africa has been confirmed for the future.

Four members of staff visited Mozambique and South Africa last month to secure and strengthen the future of the partnerships with Noroeste School in Maputo, Mozambique, and Edendale School in Pretoria, South Africa.

Executive Principal, Stephen Munday, together with Nigel Carrick, Euan Willder and Carole Scibor, flew out for six days. Their aim was to develop these pre-existing

partnerships for the benefit of students for years to come.

One symbolic act undertaken at both schools was the signing of memorandums of friendship and understanding.

These certificates commit all the schools to work together in partnership with each other for the good of the education at all the schools. These certificates will be displayed prominently in all of the schools.

As well as looking at how to make the exchanges more affordable and educational in their nature in the future, the visits were also seeking to launch new joint curriculum projects between the schools to enhance the learning possible for many of the students at the schools, not just

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EXCHANGE PROGRAMME: This year’s South African visitors at Comberton.

those who take part in the actual exchanges themselves.

A grant from the British Council helped to support the visits. “It’s hard to over-state how significant these brief visits seem to have been,� said Mr Munday. “These partnerships have been important to us for a number of years, but we now have the opportunity to take them to a whole new level. The impact that they could now have in strengthening the education of all students at Comberton Village College, and our partners in this country, is really exciting. It will certainly help us even more to ensure that there is a strong international dimension to the education that we provide.�

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Continuity and change! assume the role of Executive Principal of both Comberton and Cambourne Village Colleges.

This is in conjunction with the role of Chief Executive of the Comberton Academy Trust, working with and overseeing the work of the other Academies in the Trust (The Voyager in Peterborough and proposed to be Melbourn Village College).

The roles of Head of School in both Comberton Village College and Camboune Village College then become central to the day-to-day leadership and oversight of both Academies. This simply builds on our current successful system.

From September, the current positions of Heads of School at Comberton are further reinforced as follows: l Peter Law, Head of Lower School (Years 7 to 9) l Paul Lawrence, Head of Upper School (Years 10 and 11) l Phil Evans, Head of School, Sixth Form Daily decision-making and oversight in these identified

Cambourne Village College opens its doors to its first students in September 2013.

This is a major development, not just for our local area but for the Cambridgeshire schools’ system. So, how will we cope with this? What will change? The answer is, quite a lot and yet not much!

In terms of 10 years ago, the change is very great.

Comberton was a stand-alone 11-16 school with around 1,100 pupils, and a traditional Principal/Headteacher with three Deputies model of senior leadership.

That is nowhere near the model of leadership and size of pupil numbers that will be the case from this September. However, Comberton has evolved so much in the past 10 years that the changes for this September will actually be a meaningful, but not huge, step from the arrangements that exist right now.

The model of leadership will see Stephen Munday fully

STEPHEN MUNDAY

PETER LAW

PAUL LAWRENCE

areas rests with these Head of Schools. Assistant Principals report to the Heads of School who, in turn, report to the Executive Principal.

At Cambourne, the two senior leadership positions from September are confirmed as: l Claire Coates, Head of School l Sean Sumner, Deputy Head of School Both staff are currently members of the senior leadership group at Comberton.

They will oversee the effective running of Cambourne Village College with Claire Coates reporting to Stephen Munday.

This September will thus see both a new world, but one that is very recognisable from where we are today.

Continuity and change: they have served Comberton Village College well over the past decade and they can continue to do so into the future.

Stephen Munday, Executive Principal

PHIL EVANS

CLAIRE COATES

New-look college website under construction distinct websites as part of a rebranding programme to co-incide with the opening of the new school at Cambourne.

It is intended that all three will look similar but be different and will be much cleaner and easier to navigate than those currently in place. Each will have its own colour scheme but many of the features, including the ability for parents to sign forms on-line, will be the same.

All the web addresses will remain the same so Comberton’s will be www.combertonvc.org and

New websites for Comberton Village College, Cambourne Village College and Comberton Sixth Form are due to go live ready for the next academic year.

It is planned that all three will be up and running in time for the new term in September after months of work by current Comberton Assistant Principal Sean Sumner, who is switching to become Deputy Head of School at Cambourne.

He has been working with designers at www.schoolwebsite.co.uk to come up with three

WHAT’S INSIDE THIS ISSUE l l l l l l l l l l

Rewards for Top Behaviour — Page 3 Principal Collects CBE — Page 3 Cambourne: Counting Down — Page 5 Sixth Form Round-up — Page 6 Epic in the Making — Page 7 Thorpe Park Reports — Page 7 Spotlight on Science — Page 9 To the Manor (re)Born — Page 10 Library Latest — Page 11 Securing Meaningful Partnerships —

l l l l l l l l

Pages 12 & 13 DofE has New Look — Page 15 Student’s Winning Fanfare — Page 15 More Choices for Adults — Page 15 End of an Era — Page 16 Students Make the Grade — Page 16 Russia: so much to see — Page 17 Languages round-up — Pages 19-21 Sports News — Pages 22-24

Contact: publicity@comberton.cambs.sch.uk

Cambourne’s will be www.cambournevc.org with the sixth form sticking to www.combertonsixthform.org Each site will be linked from the others and there will also be links to the Comberton Academy Trust (CAT) which oversees all three establishments as well as The Voyager Academy in Peterborough and, potentially, Melbourn Village College.

The redevelopment of the CAT site is set to take place in the second phase of the rebranding process.

Award for News@Com News@Com was named as the best college magazine for 2012 at the Cambridge Building Society Community Magazine Awards presentation evening at Cambridge Rugby Club last month.

There was also recognition for sister publication Lingua@Com, which focuses on the College’s international and language work, as it was named as the best specialist publication by judges.

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TOP TEAM: Staff and pupils who went on the award-winning Foundation Ski Trip with Interski Managing Director Colin McIntosh.

Rewards for top behaviour!

Each year the host hotels used by the ski company Interski are asked to nominate a school that has stayed with them this season, for their annual ‘exemplary behaviour’ award.

The Hotel Col Serena in Pila, Italy, nominated Comberton Village College following their visit in February half term this year, where 40 staff and pupils filled the hotel for the week for their annual ski trip.

The selected schools had their names put in a hat then the winner was drawn by the Managing Director Colin McIntosh. The name drawn out this year was ‘Comberton Village College’.

As Mr McIntosh likes to make this a surprise for the school and pupils involved, several very secretive phone calls were made to the Principal’s PA, Yvonne

Corkin, to make arrangements.

The ski team involved in the February half term trip were all asked to attend the next Year 8 assembly — only being told that it was ‘something to do with the ski trip, involving the pupils who attended and it was nice’.

On 23rd May Mr McIntosh and his Associate Coordinator, Karen Szczerbiuk (the school’s main contact), travelled from their base in Mansfield to the College — they were kept from view until the ski staff were safely in the assembly then brought through.

Mr McIntosh introduced himself and asked pupils who had attended the ski trip in February to put their hands up — he told them to give themselves a round of applause as he explained what the award was for and they had just won it for themselves and the school, Mr McIntosh also announced that along with the award came a cheque for £1,000 for the school. The pupils

and staff also received goodie bags containing Interski T-shirts, key rings etc.

Mr Evans and Mrs Downie said: “To say we are delighted to receive the award is a huge understatement — we always expect excellent behaviour from our pupils on any school trips but to have it recognised in this way is just brilliant.

“This number of pupils in a hotel causes a certain amount of noise and bedlam but the family who own the Col Serena took it all in their stride and nothing was a problem.

They did tell us that they had been told by other hotels not to take a ski school group in as it would be so disruptive — they said they were so pleased they did as we had become part of the family to them.

We will be returning to the Col Serena in 2015 and look forward to the same behaviour from our pupils.”

Principal collects CBE from Prince The day had been ear-marked in my diary for a little time.

Friday 28 June was set to be the day that I visited Buckingham Palace to receive my CBE for ‘Services to Education’.

I was permitted to take three guests, and thus on the Friday I headed for the Palace with my wife, my mother and my father, all suitably attired.

Upon arrival, guests were whisked away to take their seats in the Ballroom, positioned to watch proceedings.

The Ballroom is a magnificent room with the most extraordinary and large chandeliers. Music was played by a Royal band in a balcony throughout.

Those of us receiving awards were taken to receive our instructions. Knighthood and CBE recipients were put in a room together and received very clear instructions about the protocol. This included the appropriate way to address Prince Charles (who was giving the awards that day): start with ‘Your Royal Highness’ and then use ‘Sir’ after that. Bowing was simply from the neck: not a grand body bow. Curtseying looked more challenging.

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I was towards the end on those receiving CBEs. Two in front of me was Mo Farah. He was able to make this Investiture as he had a major Athletics event in Birmingham that weekend (he lives in the USA these days). He was happy to reminisce about those wonderful days at The Olympics last summer and his two fantastic Gold medals.

Prince Charles was pleased to know that I still worked in a school and interested that we were now a group of schools seeking to support each other. “This is a little something to encourage you in your endeavours” he suggested as he placed the award over my neck.

It was encouraging and it was highly memorable. I am, as I have said previously, deeply grateful to those who organised my nomination for the award. I am even more indebted to the wonderful colleagues that I am fortunate to work with day in and day out. It is all of us working as a team that provide the quality of education that we all HONOURED: Stephen Munday with want for our young people. It was that which was rewarded on 28 June.

Stephen Munday his CBE outside Buckingham Palace.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:28 Page 5

Cambourne: counting down The new Cambourne Village College buidling is looking splendid.

Progress on the site has continued at what seems an ever-greater pace in June.

With the approach road from Sheepfold Lane now tarmacked, the car parks in use and the tennis courts surfaced and fenced, the northern side of the building is really taking shape, while to the south, the pitches are seeded and the elegant canopies that shelter the pupils’ outside social areas are in place.

Inside, many classrooms are completely finished, the drama studio is looking impressive and carpets are being laid in the vibrantly-painted corridors. The kitchens are being fitted out, the flooring is laid in the Sports Hall, Gym and Main Hall, and we’re looking forward to the builders handing us the keys by the end

of July so that we can start to take delivery of the huge array of furniture and equipment on order.

Clearly the building is important, but the most exciting event of this half-term was our visit to Anglesey Abbey with what will be the first-ever intake of pupils to Cambourne Village College.

The sun shone all day and the children from the different primary schools quickly got on with making new friends. With the house and mill to visit, the nature reserve to explore and picnics to be shared, the children behaved impeccably and the day passed swiftly.

Back at Comberton, many staff are working at high speed to finalise all arrangements. We have passed our Pre-Registration Inspection with Ofsted, the final Support Staff appointments have been made, the last set of policies sent to the Department for Education,

the new website commissioned, caterers appointed, prospectus photographs with the new uniform taken and the Year 6 children welcomed for their New Intake Day and Athletics Festival.

We are now taking bookings for community use of the new facilities, and the Tuesday night Adult Education programme for Cambourne Village College is ready.

Please see our website for details of classes and activities: www.cambournevc.org — and do sign up and support your brand new Village College!

Any parent interested in applying for one of the remaining places for a child should contact the Local Authority Admissions service on (01223) 699200/ 699662 without delay.

Claire Coates, Head of School Cambourne Village College

ALL COMING TOGETHER: New Cambourne pupils at Anglesey Abbey and the Year 6 Athletics Festival (top), the new uniform is photographed for the prospectus (left) and the building is almost complete (above).

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Moving on already Lower Sixth students are already getting to grips with A2 work in advance of their Upper Sixth year and thoughts have very much turned to university preparation as the UCAS ‘season’ gets under way.

We are all grateful to Mr Frost, Deputy Head of Sixth Form, who has put together a comprehensive programme to help students with those all-important decisions, including an evening for parents and students, with guest speakers from universities, as well as trips this term to Birmingham University and to Anglia Ruskin University for the annual UCAS Higher Education Convention.

Those students interested in applying to Oxbridge or for courses in medicine and veterinary science will continue to receive additional tailored support and opportunities to help prepare them as effectively as possible for the particular demands of this process.

Earlier this year a twilight session for this group of students discussed key information in specific relation to Oxbridge entry, guidance which has since been complemented by expert input from two visiting speakers — Mike Nicholson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Oxford University, and Laura McGarty, Schools Liaison Officer at Pembroke and St Catharine’s Colleges, Cambridge.

Acting on this advice, many students have sought to take advantage of the extension and enrichment opportunities made available to them, with Sixth Form staff actively co-ordinating and supporting students with successful applications to a range of events, including intensive residential weeks at Villiers Park, taster days at Trinity College and summer residentials at St Catharine’s College.

There were also taster days for prospective sixthformers, with Year 10 Comberton students having the opportunity to spend time in lessons and see how subjects that interest them are tackled at CSF.

TASTER: In the Sixth Form Art Studio.

Exciting — and scary

STUNNING SOPHISTICATION: Sixth Formers at the highly successful first Comberton Leavers’ party at The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge.

First cohort’s fond farewells Looking back over the past two years at Comberton Sixth Form on Leavers‘ Day in May produced a completely mixed bag of feelings.

Some of us were tearing our hair out, thinking about how much revision we could be doing for the imminent A2 exams; some of us were already looking beyond exams, thinking about gap years, entering the world of work, or study-free summers before university. But all of us were brought to the realisation that we would probably never sit together in the Lecture Theatre again, witnessing Mr Evans’ legendary assemblies, and that we would have to say final goodbyes to some.

As Mr Ryall read out an elaborate story based on highwaymen in the Toft area which, amazingly, included every single one of our surnames (be that with witty humour or cringingly bad puns), many of us became aware of the magnitude of what we succeeded in doing over the past two years, both on an individual level and as the ‘trail-blazers’ for Comberton Sixth Form.

While we enjoyed our burgers and sausages, many were giving their individual thanks to teachers as they came out to say goodbye to us. Collectively however, I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that we will always remember the two years we have had at CSF, the boundless dedication of teachers, tutors and heads of sixth form, and sincerely hope that as well as making ourselves proud on results day, we make them proud too.

Molly Farrow , 6th Form Council President

Now our exams are over, we are all turning our attention to what we are going to do after sixth form. For some this will be employment, but for the vast majority of us it is university. So last month we all went to Birmingham University for their open day. When we arrived we were let loose, splitting off in to different groups to see the departments we were interested in and go to various talks, including ones on specific courses and things like applying to university.

For a lot of us this was our first open day experience so it was quite exciting! The campus was really lovely with a mixture of old architecture and more modern buildings for some departments. The sunshine made it even better, so we of course made good use of the extensive green areas and the ice cream vans that seemed to be on every corner!

Even though for some people Birmingham is not going to be one of their choices, it was good for us all to go and see what university open days are like. For me it was useful because it’s given me something to compare against when I see other universities. I think it also made us realise that university is not far off and the process has really started now. It is, of course, a really exciting time to be entering into but equally it is pretty scary!

Issy Clayton-Lucey (L6-EW)

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 7

Epic in the making Rehearsals are already well under way for next year’s musical production, Geoff Page’s The Odyssey: An Epic Musical Epic.

Following multiple rounds of auditions, a company of 50 has been assembled, and more than 20 principal parts have been cast.

The musical is still being frantically composed, and halfway through Act 2 Odysseus is still a long way from home, but the piece will be finished (the gods willing…) by the end of the summer holidays.

“It’s a really great experience doing a show where it’s not a well-known musical, and where it’s being written as we go.” (Jamie Hennessey-Jackson) “Doing The Odyssey is exciting because you’re learning

all the songs from scratch, so it’s brand new for us as well as the audience.” (Rachael Chambers).

Plans are already afoot to take The Odyssey on a tour to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2014, as well as to a number of other venues around Cambridgeshire and further afield.

Tickets will be going on sale in November, and we encourage you to make sure you come and see this notto-be-missed world premiere which will run from 4–8 December.

“It really is an epic musical epic!!” (Holly Masters). l For those looking for an opportunity to showcase their acting talents, Jeremy Frost will be directing Audacious Productions’ first play (as opposed to musical) next year.

Auditions for Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus will be in September and open to pupils from Years 10-13.

AT WORK: Cast members and Geoff Page.

Thrills for all as students visit Thorpe Park Finally, our year group’s long-awaited trip to Thorpe Park, was here! We were lucky enough to avoid the wet weather with only a little rain. Everyone enjoyed a great day out, screaming and holding poses for the cameras. Some personal favourites were Saw and Stealth, despite the long queues.

Most of us were lucky to avoid the drenching of the log flumes and Tidal Wave, thanks to our pink ponchos, excluding the few who dared to brave the water rides with no protection! Overall it was a fantastic day, which we hope to be able to repeat. Thank you to all the staff who gave up their Sunday to spend it with Year 10, we are very grateful.

Megan Eaton, Alex Sheppard (10N) One moment firmly fixed in my memory, was seeing Miss Slusar, Mr Southcoat, Miss Frampton and Miss Segal all about to enter IN THE PINK: At Thorpe Park ‘Saw’ ride, and seeing Miss Slusar very scared. As we found out later she was too scared and chickened out at the last minute! We were very lucky with the weather and everyone who went on the trip thoroughly enjoyed themselves and was exhausted. Thank you to everyone who supervised us, the coach drivers, and Mr Southcoat for organising the trip.

Claire Shawcross (10I)

By going to Thorpe Park for the second year in a row, Year 8 pupils knew that we were in for a fun day with water rides and rollercoasters. Left to roam in groups, the rides such as Swarm, Stealth and Nemesis Inferno were a top priority.

As well as the main attractions, the park also has spinning, spiralling and swinging contraptions that afterwards give high rates of dizziness and imbalance. To add to the enjoyment, camera shots taken during the rides let you fully remember the extreme thrills.

Don’t worry, if you’re the person that has a bit of a phobia of going upside-down and getting dropped from 70 metres in the air; Thorpe Park will still be able to offer you a great time with its gentler rides.

Our thanks go to Mrs Barcz-Morgan and Mrs Girling for organising another fantastic social for our year group.

Evren Uygun (8M)

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Fun Family Summer Events at The Willow Tree: Aug 10th Circus Workshop Lunch 11-3pm Learn juggling | plate spinning | diabolo | hula hoop & more Circus inspired lunch menu for all ages

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Science and the media!

Six Year 11s were chosen, for their interest in science and the media, to visit the British film institute, in South Bank London.

They joined a panel that judged the young people’s science TV awards. These awards are for the science documentaries that have been on TV throughout Europe.

Before that, different Year 10 and 11 groups had watched some of the documentaries and voted on which should win, based on the scientific content, narration and presentation.

In 'Orbit' they used a roundabout to explain the Coriolis Effect, which had fantastic narration. We thought that the documentary 'Bones' was great because you could see that Lucy, aka Australopithecus skeleton, bridges a crucial gap in the evolution of modern man being able to walk upright. Both documentaries were well presented and fascinating.

Those who went to London had a great day with Stephen saying: "An illuminating experience, and I enjoyed learning about the timeline of Science within media, and the adaptations it has been through.”

James said: "I enjoyed hearing about the how science has changed." He also asked an important question: "How has science within media changed over 20 years?" The answer was that people presenting know more about the subject they are talking about, that it has allowed research to be done quicker and it has become more engaging.

Miss Frampton, who led the trip, added: "It was great because Comberton Village College pupils asked really good questions, and the organisers thought that we made some really good contributions to the discussions.”

Mentors help with exams MRS Tasker asked us to participate in some Peer Tutoring for her research project.

We were helped by two Year 10 Triple Science pupils to revise for our Year 9 exam.

They helped us by going through past paper questions and explaining key words in detail and how to use the question to form the answer.

The students were really helpful as they went through different aspects of the Science topics.

We would recommend that others do this because it helps you to focus on the difficult parts of science and it helps you to understand concepts and difficult science terms.

The students helped us to improve our exam technique by explaining the different ways we could answer questions and how we can check our answers.

LONDON TEAM: The Comberton panel and Miss Frampton in the capital.

Spaghetti bridges gap YEAR 6 pupils from six of Comberton’s feeder primary schools visited the science department last month for the annual science challenge.

The 130 pupils were challenged to build both a tower and a bridge using only dried spaghetti, jelly babies and lots of teamwork.

It was encouraging to see lots of design ideas, co-operation and sturdy structures from the

engineers of the future.

Not only were pupils challenged to show what they could do, they met their year group, experienced our science labs and heard our bells for the first time.

A very impressive cohort of pupils was really focused on their tasks and we are all looking forward to their joining CVC in September.

Catherine Meddle, AST Science

WORK IN PROGRESS: Making custard bouncy balls during Science Week.

Fun experiments

This year the Science department held a two-day event during National Science Week.

Our Science leaders, Stephen, Fiorella and Rebecca worked hard on organising and delivering some exciting experiments for year 7 to have some fun with during lunchtime.

The first day was fireworks and the second custard bouncy Lucy Purse and balls. The science department was oversubscribed on both Fran White (9C) days!

ENGROSSED: Bridge and tower builders at the Year 6 Science Challenge.

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To the Manor (re)Born!

Budding philosophers of the future visited a Hindu Community at Bhaktivedanta Manor, as part of a trip designed to enrich their understanding of different religious traditions.

In May, Year 10 students studying Religion, Philosophy & Ethics at GCSE had the opportunity to explore the richness of culture and the historical tradition of a Hindu community in the UK. Students listened to a talk about Hindu beliefs (including re-birth), observed a lively Hindu ceremony of worship, ate a delicious traditional Indian lunch, dressed in Saris and, as the very pinnacle of excitement, had a chance to ride on a bull-pulled wagon.

One of the students said: “It was immensely thought-provoking. It made me think about the pace of life we lead in the modern world and how it’s important to stop, stand back and reflect on life a bit more.�

Trip leaders Mr Beamish-Cook, Mrs Davidson and Dr Kueh, as well as those other staff members involved, were extremely impressed with the respectful and ambassadorial manner in which this fabulous group of Year 10 students conducted themselves. Many thanks to Mr Bigg and Miss Titchmarsh for organising the trip.

Dr Kueh HINDUISM: Students learn about the religion first-hand.

Learning a new role LATE last term, next year’s prefect team had a day of training at Anglia Ruskin University to prepare us for our duties.

We took part in a series of fun and interesting activities to help us learn the different skills we’ll need, while working within our new teams.

Some of the activities included were a Mission Impossible task, a tour of Anglia Ruskin University and practising speaking in front

TRAINING: For prefects took place at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

of a large group of people.

The Mission Impossible task was our favourite as we thought it most interesting as it was timed and we had to do a number of tasks before the end.

The skills we learnt during this day helped us work well in our teams and helped us feel less nervous about next year’s duties.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable day for everyone and we will keep these skills for leadership — and life!

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Colts League (age 12–17) Karen Whyatt, 01954 203886 07803 610320 Karen.whyatt2@ntlworld.com

Girls – all ages Ingrid Sims 01223 263430 07747 072340 girlssecretary@combertoncrus aders.com

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:40 Page 11

Library on the shortlist! the UK and to set future standards for the recognition of excellence in school library design.

The award is made to the school library that shows innovation, creativity and resourcefulness in its library design.

What matters is not how big the school library is, but what it has achieved with the available resources and the challenges it faces.

The judges spent most of the day speaking to staff, students and some members of the Governing body and also had the opportunity to see the library in action.

Comberton was visited by judges from the Library Design Awards as the school library has made it into the top six finalists for this year’s award.

The School Library Association award is sponsored by Demco Interiors and aims to raise awareness of the importance of good school library design in helping young people tune into reading and learning.

It highlights the innovation, commitment, flair and foresight being found in school libraries across

They asked lots of questions and took photos which they will use to decide if we make it through to the next stage.

By the end of term each school will have been visited by representatives of the judging panel and the final three will then be invited to the School Libraries Celebration day in London, held in October, when the winner will be announced.

The winning school will win the opportunity to select products for their library and there will be additional prizes for the runners-up.

Pictures play a key role . . .

The Kate Greenaway Medal was established in 1955, for distinguished illustration in a book for children.

It is named after the popular nineteenth century artist known for her fine children's illustrations and designs.

The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded annually for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.

The winner receives a golden medal and £500 worth of books to donate to a library of their choice.

The medal is awarded by CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

This year we have shadowed the award with a very enthusiastic group of Year 7s, led by Art Teacher Helen Lanzrein and Teaching Assistants Jess Roffey & Zuza Jackson, who are all talented Illustrators themselves!

SPOOKY: Joe Delaney talks to Year 7 about his books.

The group met at Wednesday lunchtimes over eight weeks to discuss the eight shortlisted books and sometimes have a go at the techniques used in some of the books.

There was also a visit from Paula Metcalf, a local writer and illustrator, who brought in many examples of her work showing the stages she went through.

To reveal the winner we held a special celebration afternoon in the Library last month with Glenn Dakin, another local illustrator and writer (Candleman & Shaun the Sheep to name a couple of his claims to fame!).

We held a vote for our winner, which was Again, before revealing the official winner, which was Black Dog.

Spook revealed Author Joseph Delaney visited CVC last month.

He talked to each half year of Year 7 in the Library about the origins of his popular Spooks series and shared a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming film adaptation of The Seventh Son (which hits cinemas in October 2013), including when he met the Spook himself, Jeff Bridges!

Joe’s event consisted of a presentation revealing the dark real-life places and mysterious legends the books are based on and photos from the set of The Seventh Son, as well as chilling book readings.

He was also available in the Library at break and lunchtime for pupils to buy one of his books at a reduced price and have it signed.

Quality shines through as votes are cast The Carnegie Book Award Shadowing Group has been meeting weekly on a Friday lunchtime to eat, read and discuss the books on the award shortlist.

The books created a lot of discussion and differing opinions, and all of the pupils said they read something they wouldn’t have normally read, and enjoyed a book they weren’t expecting to.

We were joined for the Carnegie celebrations by Miss Comerford and Mrs Moody, who enjoyed the books and the discussions as much as the pupils did!

We made posters and trailers, and wrote reviews of

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the books both for the Carnegie website and to make a display.

The books were: Sarah Crossan — The Weight of Water, Roddy Doyle — A Greyound of a Girl, Sally Gardner — Maggot Moon, Nick Lake — In Darkness, R. J. Palacio — Wonder, Marcus Sedgwick — Midwinterblood, Dave Shelton — A Boy and a Bear in a Boat, Elizabeth Wein — Code Name Verity.

Maggot Moon was named as the winner. It wasn’t the one we had chosen; the group chose The Weight of Water, with Wonder coming a close second and two of

A DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING AT BOOKS: Students voted on the illustrations in these stories.

the others getting some votes. The split in votes can only be a testament to the quality of children’s literature available today.

These books are now all available in the library, so perhaps there’s some summer reading on the horizon.

The Year 9 and 10 students taking part were Julia Wilkinson, William McGuinness, Sean Coyle, Jonathan Maskell, Alex McCulloch, Aditya Alladwar, Mary White, Rebecca Hitchings, Rebecca Walford.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 12

Securing meaningful Comberton’s African partnerships have been an important part of the wider education at our school for a number of years now.

The link with Edendale School in Pretoria, South Africa, has existed for about 15 years. Initially established through a visit by Diana Cook, still working to oversee adult community education at our College, the partnership has fundamentally involved annual visits of a few Comberton students to Edendale each year and a few Edendale students to Comberton each year. It has been very greatly valued by all those involved.

The partnership with Noroeste School in Maputo, Mozambique started in 2006. Its origins were in a ‘Dreams and Teams’ initiative with the Youth Sports Trust, supported by the British Council.

Comberton was invited to take part in the initiative, and the partnership was formed. Again, it has largely involved an annual visit by Comberton students to Mozambique and very occasional visits from Noroeste students to the UK. The visits have had a major impact on the students involved in them.

There were a number of reasons for believing that the time was now right to review the nature of these partnerships and to look to develop them considerably, if we were to continue with them into the future. These reasons included:

n The costs of the actua so that they can be acce n Our Sixth Form is now be the main participants and work at a different le n We want to make sure clear charitable focus. Th n The British Council’s ‘ deepening the partnersh schools.

This really has great pote can make use of the gre The reports from other st South Africa have helped us as we now move forw

New trip covers three countries The exchange visit with Noroeste Secondary School in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique, has taken an exciting new turn.

The exchange programme between CVC and Escola Noroeste aims at giving all our students the unique opportunity to reflect on the differences and similarities existing between these two very different countries through working on common projects which have been integrated into both schools’ curriculum.

In these projects students in both countries will be able to exchange views and classwork in the form of posters, displays, group feedback and individual opinion.

Some students will also have the opportunity to apply to be part of the annual three-week visit to our partner school.

On the programme is leading lessons and organising a sport festival for the primary school, working together with PE and language leaders students from the secondary school and helping weaker secondary school students with their English.

Students will, of course, also have time to visit some markets and an African game reserve in order to get a fuller experience.

In line with developments at Edendale, South Africa, aspects of the exchange visits have changed slightly. While the core of the trip remains working with Noroeste, there is a greater focus on project work for students during the remainder of the stay. For the Mozambique exchange this will involve crossing

borders into the independent, highland kingdom of Swaziland!

This is hugely exciting and the rural nature of the new project provides a perfect foil to the busy, loud and congested life found in Maputo.

Based at Shewula Mountain Camp, some 100km south of Maputo and just over the border, students will be based in Shewula village huts on the edge of the beautiful Lebombo plateau. Views are simply stunning; on a clear day you can see Maputo! The huts are owned by the locals. Project work could include teaching English in the nearby primary school, clearing bush in the national park, helping to build houses, footbridges etc and is based on local needs. The village people provide examples of their need and, under the guidance of local people, our students provide a helping hand.

Projects are therefore 'real' and important to the area. The environment is amazing, the people open and friendly and the experience could be life-changing.

With a safari trip to Kruger National Park to finish, the Mozambique experience will involve travel in three countries.

The next trip is planned for the summer of 2014. Open initially to Sixth Formers, with potential involvement from Year 11, more details will come out in the autumn term.

Through its contrasting nature, the trip will give students a stronger insight into life in a developing country and promises to be an experience to be shared and never to be forgotten.

Nigel Carrick & Carole Scibor

PARTNERSHIP WORK: Pupils at Comb partner school in Mozambique (above) mountain village in Swaziland and Ste Munday and Nigel Carrick signing cert of friendship with the heads of Edenda Escola Noroeste in Pretoria and Mapu respectively.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 13

ul partnerships for the future e actual visits had become very high. We needed to review how to reduce the costs e accessible to a good number of our students. is now strongly established. This thus means that older (Sixth-Form) students will pants in the actual exchanges. They can be expected to take on more responsibility rent level while on the exchange. ke sure that the first focus of the exchange is strongly educational together with a cus. This is something of a change in emphasis. ncil’s ‘Connecting Classrooms’ grant has enabled us to look at broadening and tnerships with a clear emphasis on teaching and learning in the curriculums of the INTERACTION: Mr Willder meets an elephant in South Africa.

at potential to enhance the education of students in all the schools, especially if we he great potential of IT to enable powerful links. ther staff here indicate the ways in which our recent visits to Mozambique and helped to secure these important aims. It really is a moment of exciting potential for ve forward with these important partnerships.

Stephen Munday

Revamped exchange is a sure-fire success The long-standing connection and partnership with Edendale School, about 20km east of Pretoria, has taken significant steps towards becoming a very fulfilling, varied and educational experience for Sixth Form students.

Some of the opportunities experienced by many Comberton students in South Africa and at Edendale School over the last 15 years will remain the same. Memorable visits to Soweto township, a visit to a traditional cultural village with opportunities to taste very different cuisine and an organised sports day at Edendale Primary School will follow similar setups to previous exchanges.

In addition, assisting in an orphanage, staying with Edendale students and their families over a weekend and a trip on safari at the famed Kruger

National Park will also remain.

New projects now include students working as volunteers at a charity project in Pretoria that aims to help people unable to gain employment.

Students will also be able to visit places where they can interact with the wildlife they will see in Kruger, with hands on experiences with elephants, giraffes, lions cubs and snakes. An extension to the trip to Kruger will incorporate a visit to some of South Africa’s most beautiful countryside.

The visit is designed such that when the students are in the Edendale High School and Primary School, they will be fully integrated with Edendale students. Comberton Sixth Form and Edendale students will be working side by side towards a common goal, such the sports days and literacy

and numeracy mentoring. At other times CSF students will be leading Edendale students through lessons, some of which will be connected to the Curriculum Projects.

The trip in essence will challenge students, where they will certainly be “out of their comfort zones”, whilst gaining vital cultural and life experience.

The older nature of the students means that more responsibility will be put on their shoulders to engage and contribute to real, meaningful and worthwhile projects both in Edendale School and further afield. Coupled with opportunities to really experience one of the most beautiful countries in the world, the South Africa Edendale Exchange Programme is sure to be a hit.

Euan Willder

Visiting students sample English life

Comberton’s bove), the d Stephen g certificates dendale and Maputo

while at Comberton there was the opportunity to try their hands at baking SIX students from South Africa and two members of staff enjoyed an scones and making pizza, art, sport, action-packed three weeks in England. business and leadership in the form of The four girls and two boys from Comberton’s long-standing partner helping with the annual Year 6 athletics festival. school, Edendale School in Pretoria, sampled British home and school life as Trips were as wide-ranging as a day at they not only stayed with host families, Thorpe Park on the Year 10 social, a day at the seaside, a look around the took part in or led lessons at Comberton, performed in assemblies and went on a National Trust estate, house and farm at school trip, but also had a range of Wimpole Hall, punting and shopping in organised excursions.

Cambridge, a weekend in London and a Within Comberton they taught some basic visit to the National Space Museum in Leicester, complete with flight simulator.

Afrikaans in MFL, talked about their homeland in geography and shared some For one of the staff, the trip was an unexpected bonus – Nicole is an of their amazing music both in lessons American spending a year volunteering and with the international choir. They also performed in assemblies with great at Edendale and had never been to DANCING: South African students work with pupils at success.

England.

One whole day for the 14-17 years olds For the others it was undoubtedly the Meridian Primary School. trip of a lifetime. As one of the girls said: “ It has exceeded all my and their teachers, most of whom had never been out of South Africa before, expectations.” involved a day at Meridian Primary School teaching singing and dancing,

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 15

D of E has a new look THE last couple of years have been something of a transitional period for DofE at Comberton.

With the arrival of the first sixth form students in 2011, meaning the first cohort of Comberton students able to do the Gold Award here, we decided to have a rethink and shake up the way we do DofE. A DofE Award (fully the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award) can be taken at three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold, depending on how old you are. Each Award is achieved by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five if you’re going for Gold) — Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and for Gold, a Residential.

Over the years, we have found that students found it hard to complete all the sections in one year, and more than we would like had a fantastic expedition experience but did not manage to gain the full Award. To rectify this, Bronze now starts in Year 9, with the expeditions taking place in Year 10, Silver happens over Years 10 and 11 and Gold throughout the Sixth Form.

This change has not diminished numbers significantly, but has resulted in a large cohort of Year 10s completing their practice and assessed expeditions in the beautiful Chiltern Hills.

Equally exciting is the first Gold assessed expedition. Having developed their mountain skills in the Lake District last summer, 12 members of Year 13 are heading off to the Swiss Alps, in the Canton of

CAMPING: The Bronze expedition has been moved into Year 10.

Valais, to pit their skills against huge ascents and real mountain altitude.

Along with all this, we have also continued to build our relationship with Melbourn Village College, working in partnership to offer DofE to their students for the first time in many years.

The next few years certainly look full for Comberton students who sign up for DofE! Finally, I would just like to thank all the volunteers, both staff and members of the community who freely give up time to assist with expeditions. Without their good will and expertise we would not be able to offer such a valuable experience to young people.

Leigh Bellis, D of E Co-ordinator

More choices for adults The new adult education programme in September is ready and has a great selection of courses on offer.

For the first time these activities will be spread across both Comberton and Cambourne Village Colleges.

New courses this year include Woodwork and Carpentry Skills, Hand and Machine Sewing and Cycle Maintenance. There’s also a chance to learn to Play Acoustic Guitar, to Tap Dance or gain a Certificate in Accounting , not to mention a range of Cookery courses and day schools (Thai, French, Chinese, Indian, Wine Tasting). Or perhaps you want to redesign your garden and then keep bees — both these courses are on offer.

Look out for your copy of the programme, which will be delivered at the start of August door to door.

It is also available on the college website or we can send you an electronic version now. Please e-mail commed@comberton.cambs.sch.uk if you wish to receive one.

Diana Cook (Adult Education Manager)

Student’s fanfare is a winner

WINNER: Jay Richardson’s fanfare has been professionally recorded.

EVERY year, the Royal Opera House challenges 11 to 16year-olds to compose their own fanfare — a short piece of music designed to grab attention.

The 10 winning entries are played before performances and during intervals to let the audience know it is time to take their seats.

This year, more than 230 entries were received and among the winning fanfares was Bang on a Trumpet by Jay Richardson, an Aldeburgh Young Musician and pupil in Year 11 at Comberton.

Jay and the other winners visited the Royal Opera House in late March to work with composer Duncan Chapman and members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House on his entry, which was then rehearsed and recorded by the

orchestra in late April under the baton of Antonio Pappano.

It will be used as an interval bell at the Royal Opera House throughout the 2013-2014 season.

“I was absolutely blown away when I found out I’d won,” said the 16-year-old composer. “It’s an amazing opportunity for a young person to be able to work with such a first-rate orchestra under an internationally-renowned conductor, and it’s been an incredible experience all the way through. I would really encourage anyone who can to enter it.”

You can find out more about the competition and how to enter it, and listen to the winning entries, at http://www.roh.org.uk/learning/schools-andcolleges/fanfare

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 16

End of an era . . .

Pupils make the grade

MORE than 240000 pupils from across the UK sat the Junior Maths Challenge in April.

Roughly the top 6% received a gold certificate, the next 13% silver and the next 21% bronze.

After more than a week of rain and cold Comberton has a record of doing conditions we were blessed with sunshine extremely well in this Challenge and from the start, and this certainly set the tone 2013 was no exception. for a wonderfully positive and enjoyable day.

Of the 125 pupils who took part, Many parents joined us for a formal 14% gained gold, 27% silver and assembly in the morning, where Mr Munday 34% bronze — an outstanding result and I both spoke, subject prizes were awarded and we reminisced over the past from our top mathematicians in five years through a slideshow of old Years 7 and 8. photographs. Students also had the Pupils who achieved gold opportunity to spend time in their tutor certificates in Year 7 were William groups and receive their fantastic Year Shellard, William Zeng, Tommy Poll, Books; the Year Book is a wonderful Jennifer Marcus and Marcus memento of their time at CVC and the Mayfield. finished product is incredibly impressive, In Year 8 they were Samuel Clarke, thanks to the hard work of the Year Book FINAL BATTLE: Year 11 students enjoy one of the activities at Tom Jarvis, Waqas Haque, Bryan Team, led by Roxi Shini, Jason Mashinchi Celebration Day. Tan, Marcus Jacklin, Patrick and Mrs Moody.

After break we moved over to the field where They did a wonderful job and I am very thankful for their hard Butterfield, James Hayward, Melek the students were able to enjoy a range of activities, including work.

Hitch-Turkmen, Melissa Slade, an inflatable bungee run (please note that Mrs Compton We finished the day back in the Performance Hall, where we Megan Masters, Paolo Mastroeni defeated both Mrs Moody and Mr Southcoat on this!), gladiator spent time thanking the tutor team, distributing some Silly and Sophie Hanitzsch. challenge and bouncy castle. The queue for the Photobooth Awards (Chris Warsap received The Barbie Award, sponsored Sam, Tom and Waqas from Year 8 never eased up, and the results were amusing to see!

by Domestos) and watching an entertaining video from the staff did so well that they were among Refreshments seemed endless, thanks to the barbecue, ice at CVC (SLG’s version of “Gangnam Style” is certainly the 1,200 highest achieving pupils cream van and candyfloss stall. The friendly and enjoyable impressive!). nationally who were invited to sit atmosphere was enhanced by the PA system, which was Overall, it was a fabulous day and a fitting farewell to a the follow-on Olympiad Paper — blasting out hits from the past five years, carefully selected by wonderful year group. I will miss them very much indeed.

Hollie Cooke and Amy Bland, our Celebration Day Prefects.

Hannah Compton, Head of Year 11 two more hours of maths!

On Thursday 16th May, Year 11 marked the end of their KS4 studies at CVC and the start of their Study Leave with the Celebration Day.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 17

Russia: just so much to see We had the unique experience of an overnight train from St Petersburg to Moscow. We had nine hours on the train which had very small compartments with bunk-beds in. After getting over the initial shock at the size and temperature of the compartments it was actually a lot of fun! Maybe not the most comfortable sleep I’ve ever had, but the experience was really amazing. We all woke up the next morning very tired but had a breakfast in I really enjoyed the trip and how much we got to see over the course of the the Hard Rock Café which five days we were there. woke us up!

The tour guides were very The train took us to a very useful and informative different environment in because they could tell us Moscow; although both are about the history of where famous Russian cities, I we were as well as views of found them to be quite people living at the time. As different. The buildings and would be expected the way churches in Moscow were we would think about the perhaps even more past history of the country spectacular than those in St is different from that of how Petersburg. As the capital of the locals would view it, Russia, there was a lot to do and it was really interesting in Moscow, including to look at the history of visiting the Kremlin, St Russia in this way.

Basil’s church and various We had a lot to do all the museums. We experienced time on the trip, and it is different food in Moscow as safe to say that we were well. On our last night in tired by the end of it! We Moscow (and on the trip) we visited well-known places had a night tour of the city such as the Winter Palace on the coaches. Despite the in St Petersburg, Church of rain, the city lit up at night Spilled Blood, the was incredible and we all Hermitage arts gallery and OUT IN THE SNOW: Students on the History trip to Russia. got some amazing pictures! we saw famous music I felt that I learnt a lot on this trip and enjoyed getting a feel for a country that academies where composers such as Tchaikovsky had studied. All of these I will probably never visit again in my lifetime. We did so much while we were were fascinating and huge in size! The Hermitage arts gallery had such a in Russia and I think everyone on the trip enjoyed it! Visiting the Kremlin and wide range of artists’ work on show, but this did mean that we got very lost going on the overnight train were probably the highlights of the trip for me. I while trying to navigate our way out with a Russian map! felt like everyone involved learnt a lot and had a lot of fun during our time in We visited lots of churches, all of which were physically amazing but also we Russia. could learn loads about the religion of Russia and the differences there are between Britain and Russia in this respect.

Meghan Pemberton (L6-JF)

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 19

Soaking up the sights . . .

Students from Comberton’s partner school in Peru had an amazing time in Cambridge when they visited for the first leg of the current exchange.

They spent time visiting the sights locally as well as spending time in school and with their host families.

The 12 students who travel to Peru in July 2014 will begin preparing for the second

leg of the exchange in September.

They will teach in the Lord Byron School in Arequipa, as well as taking part in lessons themselves, stay with host families, and visit amazing sites such as Machu Picchu, Cuzco and the floating islands in Puno.

The students taking part are: Mary Borrett, Georgina Harnwell, John Harnwell, Jamie Hennessy Jackson, Kristina McMahon, AJ Mahmood, Will Pritchard, Reuben Swift, Alfie Tiplady, Ishka Trace-Kleeberg, Ben Whelan and Harry Winterbotham.

PACKED PROGRAMME: The Peruvians’ visit included a trip to the Wren Library at Trinity College in Cambridge where they saw a statue of Lord Byron after whom their school is named, as well as playing traditional music for Comberton students.

Challenge yourself!

Teaching and Learning Started in 2006, Language Leaders is a project for Year 9 students where they practise a foreign language by learning to teach it at primary school.

To achieve the award, students prepare and deliver three different lessons (one at the end of each term) in their chosen language, the idea being that they learn from their experiences and improve their language teaching skills.

Language Leaders is a scheme that began at CVC and has now been rolled out regionally through the university-based organisation Routes into Languages. To date, 11 other schools have signed up for the LLA with 177 pupils from nine schools currently doing the award.

The award has been written up in a book of language learning initiatives. One teacher described it: “…The challenge involves a winning combination of skill development and different ways of working that appeal to a variety of students.

The challenge of planning to teach and then teaching primary (or other) learners generates enthusiasm and creativity and develops confidence and leadership. There is no question that learners come to view their language skills as a tool to use IN THE CLASSROOM: CVC students at Hardwick. and develop beyond the classroom. Teachers who This year at CVC, 30 students have taught lessons in have already implemented this project have reported it French, German and Spanish in six different feeder being inspiring for students and teachers alike…” primary schools.

(Teacher quote, Living Languages, Routledge)

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The Languages Challenge is a brand new project running at Comberton this year and is open to all students in all year groups.

George Blackhurst Patrick (8M) was one of the first students to complete his portfolio: “I decided to enter the languages challenge as I enjoy my MFL lessons,” he said. “I also wanted to find out more about the languages that I’m learning. It is really simple and fun. All that you have to do is get 100 points by completing challenges that you pick yourself.

“I chose to make a website about myself which had a word search in French and Spanish and a quiz about France and Spain.

“I also looked at the courses available at some top-end universities. I had a conversation in Spanish with a friend over e-mail. I also made a display promoting the challenge, which was put up in the MFL corridor.

“I interviewed someone who uses different languages in their job too. Finally, I represented the MFL department at open evening. I am very glad that I did this and would definitely do it again!”

Congratulations to Alice Borrett (Year 11), Sophie Johnson (Year 9), Alexia Sloane (Year 8) and George on being the first students to complete the challenge!

To get started, choose from the list of challenges displayed in the MFL corridor and collect your portfolio from the MFL office.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 20

Teamwork pays dividends A new foreign languages Spelling Bee Team Challenge was launched this year.

This version of the competition for Year 9 was inspired by the Year 7 Spanish Spelling Bee, which has seen Comberton produce champions since its inception four years ago.

As well as challenging students to learn and spell 60 common words in their chosen language, the competition has sections on sentence translation and cultural knowledge.

As students progressed through to the next stage, they had to show mastery of an additional tense.

At the end of the Spring Term all Year 9 Dual linguist classes took part in a class

competition, competing in the language they had chosen for GCSE. Class winners then took on the challenge of sentence translation in the past tense as well as the present tense at the end of May, competing for a place in the regional final.

Congratulations to our school champions in the three languages: French — Daniel Brewis, Alex Day, Jonno Gaze and Roman Godfrey; German — Jacob Myers, Luke Perry, Heinrich Verwoerd and Richard Carter and Spanish — Francesco Demetriou, Matthew Davison, William Pritchard and Noah Waldock.

These students battled it out against the region’s other school winners at the Regional Final at Anglia Ruskin University earlier this month.

FINALISTS: The Year 9 students before the class finals of the new Spelling Bee Team Challenge.

National final for Katie KATIE Hodge represented Comberton at the National Finals of the Year 7 Spelling Bee earlier this month.

The 7R pupil won through from the Regional Final earlier in the year, having qualified through class and school competitions at Comberton.

She was among the 36 best Year 7 foreign language spellers in French, German and Spanish who battled it out for the national crown at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge.

Katie, who had to learn to spell 200 everyday Spanish words, was supported in her preparation for the event at Spelling Bee Club by our Spelling Bee leaders (Mary Borrett 8I, Sarah Hannaford 8V, Patrick Butterfield 8L, Emily Hodge 7N, Abbie Buckingham 7E) and Mrs REGIONAL WINNER: Katie Hodge collects her award.

Collado.

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A special award

JUDGES of this year’s European Language Label Awards have decided to attribute a special award to Comberton Village College.

The college is to be rewarded for its commitment to language teaching and learning over many years and in recognition of the school’s position at the forefront of innovative project ideas, collaborative working and sustainability in language teaching.

It is the first award of its kind.

Previously Comberton has won an award for individual projects, such as Spanglovision and CuLP. Director of Languages and International Development, Rachel Hawkes said: “ We are extremely pleased to have been given this award, which reflects the excellent team work of the whole department over the past 10 years.”

Teachers from the languages department will attend the prize-giving ceremony on 26th September in London.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 21

Penpal link gets the ball rolling celebrations.

Some Spanish students even sent over mementos for their partners from their festival for El Pilar, the patron saint of Zaragoza.

This year students in four The project has been a Year 8 classes have huge success for both been taking part in a penschools and students friend exchange project have been motivated by with pupils at our new the opportunity to use link school, Colegio M. M. their Spanish for a real Rosa Molas, in Zaragoza. purpose, and make new Students in participating friends along the way! classes were paired up Following the success of with students in the the project, plans are Spanish school in ZARAGOZA: New link with a school now under way to launch September and have a new Year 9 exchange been exchanging letters in the Spanish city. with the school. throughout the year.

Miss Halter and Miss Zimmermann recently This has been a great opportunity for students visited the school to make preliminary to gain an insight into Spanish culture through arrangements and the first visit is provisionally receiving letters from their partners, including set to take place in September 2014. Watch this differences in daily routines, hobbies and space! interests and Christmas and Easter

Comberton has a new exchange project with a school in northeastern Spain.

GUIDED TOUR: Students learn about Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium.

Doubling up!

This spring students in Year 8 have enjoyed Arsenal Double Club, which has now run for its third successful year.

Ten lucky students from Year 8 attended the club, which consisted of seven after-school sessions, split into 45 minutes of Spanish and 45 minutes of football training, and culminated in a Celebration Day at the Emirates Stadium.

The Arsenal Double Club allows students to improve their football skills and to learn football language in Spanish – as well as practise language they have learned before.

We were given a guided tour of the whole stadium. We even got to sit in the directors’ box and Arsene Wenger’s pitch-side seat!

We compared the away team’s changing rooms to Arsenal’s changing rooms, which were of course much more luxurious – even our die hard Liverpool fan Simon Southwell enjoyed himself, and he eventually gave up trying to convince our dedicated Arsenal guide that Liverpool were better!

The day ended with two quizzes in Spanish about Arsenal and using the language we had learned during Double Club and the winners scooped prizes for their tip-top knowledge! We all were given a certificate, football and Double Club t-shirt as a memento of a great day.

Amazing trip was great fun The trip to Granada was probably the best school trip I’ve ever been on. I loved the experience of staying with the Spanish family, even if it was scary to begin with!

We got to experience so much, visited lots of amazing places such as La Alhambra and enjoyed our time in the sun.

The segways were a lot of fun and easier than I would have expected, doing a tour of Albayzin on them.

The school we attended was small and loads of fun, still leaving time to do what we wanted to and spend time with the group.

I feel like my fluency improved over the course of the week and I became a lot more confident in speaking Spanish. This trip was so much fun and so well organised; I would do it again any day!

Meghan Pemberton (L6-JF)

SEGWAY TOUR: For Comberton Sixth Form students in Granada.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 22

Youngsters’ fun festival Four hundred youngsters spent the day at Comberton as the college staged a super-sized athletics festival.

For the first time, pupils starting at Comberton and Cambourne Village Colleges in September, as well as other Year 6 youngsters from the feeder primary schools, came together for the annual day of fun and friendship as a record 15 teams took to the field.

Each pupil was given a team T-shirt to keep thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Ally Brennan Trust, the Friends of CVC Trust Fund and Hardwick company Signwork & Expertees, who printed all the shirts.

Teams from each secondary school competed in teams around a carousel of events, scoring points for a collective team total. Although the emphasis of the day was getting to know other children, spending time at secondary school in a relaxed environment and enjoying sport, there were winning teams.

The purples won the Comberton section with pink

winning for Cambourne. There were also awards for the teams in each festival who best supported each other. These were voted on by the organisers of each event and these endeavour awards went to Comberton’s lime green team and Cambourne’s black team.

There were also medals for Comberton’s best boy — Joseph Ambery — and two girls, who topscored.They were Mollie Coupar and Katherine Newman. Cambourne’s leading individual girl was Kirandev Manoharan while for the boys there was a three-way tie between Jack Downes, Jai Ki Wu and Liam Allen.

After last year’s festival was forced indoors by torrential rain, organisers were delighted to wake to a dry day this year as they set up high jump, long jump, 50m, 400m hurdles, shot, javelin and quoit throw for the Comberton children, with the Cambourne children having standing triple jump instead of high jump to make best use of the available space. A rest station, with refreshments provided by Morrisons, gave youngsters a break after the 400m run.

RUN, THROW, JUMP: At the Year 6 athletics festivals.

Points add up Twelve Year 9 and 10 girls competed in the regional round of the English Schools Team Athletics Championships for Intermediate Girls at Basildon Sports Village.

The event is an accumulation of points from each athlete, who competes in one track and one field event only. The faster, longer, higher you go, the more points you receive.

Top scorer from Year 9 was Jess Kennard with 35 points, while Megan Caw produced two fantastic performances to receive 33 points. In Year 10, Katie Reynolds accumulated 44 (of which 28 were the maximum in the shot plus an extra point for exceeding the top distance).

Other notable performances came from Emily Dowsett (Year 9) in High jump and 100m and the relay team of Caitlin D’ Souza, Alison Holmes, Megan Caw and Emma Littlewood, who finished off the day with a win.

IT’S ALL GO: Mini Olympics action at the Cambridge University sport complex.

Leaders make for a smooth day

Teenage sports leaders from eight secondary schools in South Cambridgeshire helped more than 1,300 primary pupils enjoy an action-packed day at the Cambridge University Sports Ground last month.

The members of the South Cambs Sports Leadership Academy, including nine from Comberton, as well as eight CVC dance leaders, worked with teams and on activities as Year 4 pupils from 43 schools celebrated National School Sport Week with their own Mini Olympics.

The potential future Olympians and Paralympians threw, run, jumped, pulled and danced their way around a rotation of activities, trying out activities including shot putt, javelin, tug of war, hurdles, hockey, tennis, boccia, and long jump.

The Mini Olympics is now in its ninth year and is designed to encourage children to try out a range of different sports and achieve their personal best. It is supported by Total Promotions Ltd and South Cambridgeshire District Council and is part of Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week.

Cllr Pippa Corney, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s lead Cabinet member for sport, said: “The motto for the London 2012 Games was ‘Inspire a Generation’ and events like this help to continue to encourage a love of sport, giving children a chance to try something new and have fun while they do it. We’re very pleased to be a sponsor of the Mini Olympics and hope that everyone who took part had a great day.”

TEAM CVC: Comberton’s Intermediate girls’ team.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 23

Podium finish for athletes Comberton’s PE department organised and ran the annual Jubilee Cup athletics competition for Years 7-10.

This is the premier athletics event for schools from the

Cambridgehire District Secondary School Sports Association and it took place at Wilberforce Road Athletics Track in Cambridge last month.

There were many outstanding performances and tight competitions with plenty of Comberton wins on the track and in the field as nine schools battled it out.

After five hours of thrilling competition the results collated by our excellent Maths leaders were handed over. We were very

pleased to hear that our Year 10 team won their year group. Comberton were a very respectable third overall with Chesterton second and Bottisham first.

We are already very excited about the Jubilee Cup in 2014 and we are will be keen to try and top the podium in next year’s event. Many thanks to all the staff, parents and of course the pupils who made the event such a positive experience.

CVC make a racket!

JUMP FOR JOY: Comberton’s Jubilee Cup team who finished third overall.

Winning’s a Breeze Year 8 student Henry Breeze enjoyed International success earlier this term as he was part of the Welwyn Rugby Club team which won the Frankfurt International Rugby Festival held in Germany.

His team were unbeaten during the tournament and beat the German Under-14 Champions, which is even more impressive as the boys are still eligible as Under-13s!

During the four-day trip the team visited the financial district of Frankfurt, some historic buildings and enjoyed a cruise along the River Main as well as practising their German.

Henry also helped his club to win this season’s Saracens Herts & Middlesex top division at Under-13 level by seven points, having won all their matches.

Throughout the summer, Years 7, 8, 9 and 10, both boys and girls, have been representing the school in tennis fixtures every week.

We have had some good results across all years with a special mention going to the Year 7 girls, specifically Aramelia Prothero and Maria Von Heimendahl, who have played tirelessly and improved massively over the season.

Another mention must go to the Year 7 boys’ team, who have played a number of tricky fixtures and have shown their strength and determination in tennis — well done to all.

However, tennis is not just about playing, it is also about leading and a number of players helped out at the Year 3 and 4 mini tennis festival; umpiring and keeping score. Thank you to all those who helped out. It was a great tournament and good experience for both the primary school players and the tennis leaders.

Finally, the tennis season is well and truly upon us and we celebrated this with a day trip to Wimbledon. Eight students and two teachers were lucky enough to get tickets for No 1 court on Saturday 6th July. It was a fantastic day full of excellent tennis, great matches and, of course, strawberries.

ON COURT: Comberton boys in action.

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A57977 Comberton Summer 13_comberton temp.qxp 11/07/2013 12:29 Page 24

Fund profits from fun day The first annual family sports day was held by the PE department to raise funds for the Ally Brennan Trust.

Despite a few rain showers, parents and children of all ages turned up to take part in various activities at an event in memory of the inspirational Comberton PE teacher who died last year.

The day started with 30 children enjoying a fun run around the athletics track with each participant collecting their medal at the end.

Other activities on offer were trampolining and climbing taster sessions and more than 50 children

Elsewhere the audience were treated to a performance from the Response dance group while enjoying some refreshments from the BBQ and cake stall.

The day finished off with a visit from Cambridge United who helped to organise a football tournament on the astro. On the day the event took £870 and all profits from the day will be donated to the Ally Brennan Trust Fund. A big thank you to all staff who helped to organise the event and to the sports leaders for helping to run the activities. We have already started to plan for next year and are hoping to be able to offer even more activities for families to take part in.

took the opportunity to take part in these sessions which were led by staff and sports leaders. The adults versus children rounders match brought back good memories for many of the adults who hadn’t played rounders for some years and the match was so competitive that a rematch was organised for the afternoon session Ben Roach was the winner of the one- minute rowing challenge covering 322m while Sophie Gledhill was the quickest over the agility challenge.

The street dance master class with MJ taught some of the unders-10s (and dads) some new moves.

. . . And from cycle ride FAMILY DAY: Alfie Brennan joins in the rounders (top), plus climbing, dancing and running at the first Ally Brennan Family Sports Day.

Newcomer takes over A new member of staff will join the PE department in September.

Jane Clarke has been appointed as the new Head of Department. She is currently an assistant Head of PE at Sandy Upper School in Bedfordshire and has previously held a subject leadership role in a Sports College in Buckinghamshire.

Ms Clarke (right) will replace Sean Sycamore, who will be completing his

transition on to the Senior Leadership Group to continue to focus on the Extended School provision.

Mr Sycamore said: “This appointment is a very positive step for the department, school and Trust, which will ensure the developments already made are maintained and that new opportunities for teaching and learning can be applied. I look forward to working with Jane in this new role.”

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Mr Brennan, a former Director of Sport at Hinchingbrooke School in Huntingdon, joins the Comberton staff next term working part-time as the new Primary Physical Education Specialist.

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