News@Com Spring 15

ISSUE 38, SPRING 2015

The News Magazine of Comberton Village College

Les Misérables raises the roof — Pages 6 & 7

TV auctioneer strikes again news@com

TV auctioneer David Palmer skilfully ‘picked the pockets’ of bidders at Comberton’s Auction of Promises.

The Ely-based star of ‘Flog It’ and ‘Cash in the Attic’, who is famous for his colourful waistcoats, cleverly extracted a total of £2,600 at the annual Friends of CVC Trust Fund auction.

Bidders were often persuaded to part with more of their ‘pocket money’ than they had planned as David, who again gave his time for free, filled the coffers to help the Friends fund projects around the school.

Among the items which went under his hammer were a guaranteed entry to the 2016 Cambridge half-marathon and the chance to play a round of golf at the Gog Magog club with Executive Principal Stephen Munday and Head of Sixth Form, Phil Evans, two tonnes of manure and a variety of Mother’s Day gifts.

This year the money will go mainly on their headline projects; helping to buy Apple Mac computers for the music department and enhancing the students’ social areas, but small grants will also be available for specific events.

One attendee told organiser Vijju Churchman: “I wish to thank you and the Friends of CVC for a splendid evening on Saturday at the Auction of Promises. Susan and I enjoyed ourselves despite spending more than we had budgeted for!

HAMMER TIME: “I have emailed David Palmer to thank him for a very Auctioneer David entertaining evening and the painless removal of money Palmer at the from my pocket. He is good isn’t he?

CVC auction.

“A lot of work goes into producing an event such as the Auction of Promises and it is not always acknowledged, but the funds you raise are a valuable asset to the College and I am sure that they appreciate it even if we as parents forget to say ‘Thank You’ sometimes.”

The following day 20 Friends volunteers were at the finish line of the Cambridge Half Marathon, handing out the medals and goody bags to all the runners, including Mr Munday and other staff members, finishing the race.

The Friends of CVC Trust Fund will receive a donation of £250 from the organisers of the race.

The next fund-raising initiative is Bag2School with collection scheduled for April 23 so please save any items of clothing and shoes if you have a spring clean over Easter.

New Cabin takes shape If you look out of Geography, Science or DT you can’t miss the new Cabin building. We were awarded a grant from the Academies Maintenance Fund of nearly £800,000 and we are using this to build a new purposebuilt unit. After months of planning and designing (yes it is triangular in shape — that is the shape of the plot of land!) we are at a stage where the builders are now well under way and we’re seeing daily progress.

Hopefully we’re still on target for completion of the building by the end of the summer term.

The builders had to hand dig around the existing services and drainage runs which slowed our progress initially.

This has now been completed and the steel structure has been erected and the concrete floors have been poured.

The builders have put timber frames into the sides of the building to allow them to complete the blockwork around where the windows and doors are going to go.

The capacity of the new build will be up to 40 students and will include five classrooms. These are smaller than the classrooms in main school as they have been planned for smaller group teaching.

One of them will be equipped to have cookery and life skills taught in it.

There will also be a toilets and a changing area for PE as a lot of Cabin students struggle in the busy PE changing areas.

The rest of the space is split into smaller rooms which will be used for therapy, or one-to-one teaching, and for all the admin that goes on supporting all the learning.

Jane Kilby, Cabin

FRONT VIEW: Of the New Cabin building

ON COURSE: Bricking up is now under way.

Contents q BBC School Report — Page 3 q Global Update — Pages 4 & 5 q Les Misérables has Audiences in Raptures — Pages 6 & 7 q Actors go Wilde with Ease — Page 9 q International Effort brings Noah’s Story to Life — Page 9 2

q Mural Points Way — Page 10 q Here’s One to Watch — Page 10 q Pupils Reach Gold Standard — Page 10 q Mentor Inspires Students — Page 10 q Cooking up a Tweet — Page 10 q Sixth Form News — Pages 11-

14 q Celebrating Differences — Page 16 q Get Stuck into Books — Page 16 q Funny for Money — Page 16 q Snowsports — Page 17 q SCSSP — Pages 18 & 19 q Sports Latest — Pages 21-24 News@Com

UNBIASED REPORTING: Comberton students produced the FA Cup in pictures from Manchester United v Cambridge United. Go to www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/31122924

As part of the BBC School Report Project, three other CVC students and I visited BBC Cambridgeshire’s studios to produce a photo gallery of the FA Cup Fourth Round Replay match between Cambridge United and Manchester United.

This was later put on to the BBC School Report website for people to take a look at what we produced.

Unfortunately, the match ended 3-0 to the home side but that didn’t affect our spirits. We had a brilliant time and even got to look into the Look East studios!

Again, as part of BBC School Report, earlier that day, I was on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire to discuss BBC School Report and what it is all about. It was quite nervewracking being on live radio!

Overall, it was a brilliant experience and something we all thoroughly enjoyed doing.

We would like to thank all the staff who made this possible and BBC Cambridgeshire for allowing us to visit.

Nick Mobin (8C)

Picture perfect for Cup It was a memorable evening for School Report journalists covering Cambridge in the FA Cup against Manchester United.

On a historic night in which some students were lucky enough to visit the Theatre of Dreams in support of Cambridge United, others still were treated to a special night out of their own at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire covering the FA Cup tie — in pictures.

The opportunity arose as part of the long-running journalism initiative, BBC School Report, in which students write on a number of topical news stories.

There could be no items more relevant than the U’s extraordinary trip to Old Trafford…

Our evening began with a briefing in the studio. We were charged with conveying the story of Cambridge United’s Cup tie using just pictures and carefully crafted captions.

After studying previous examples and having already sourced potential images, we joined everybody else in

eagerly counting down the minutes until kick-off.

With the match beginning and the photographs only just filtering through to us in the studio, we were assigned a break and took the opportunity to explore the news complex.

Our tour began with a trip to the radio station where the brilliant and baffling radio technology was explained by a DJ and helpful technical assistant.

Having soaked up all the insightful radio jargon, tricks and abbreviations (and stored them for use on our own news day), we took a short walk to the Look East studio.

Here we studied the various camera and lighting effects that were mastered by those in the neighbouring studio and harboured some intriguing information from the newsroom itself.

For instance, I was surprised to discover a bottle of hairspray under the table and computer screens embedded in the desk!

With the second half starting, we hurried back to the newsroom and found various uploaded images from

the first half — which had proved disappointing for the men in yellow.

We began saving our favourite shots and working on compiling the picture commentary.

Bouncing ideas for the captions off one another proved rewarding and we soon had a growing narrative.

Suppressing our support for Cambridge was difficult, but we attempted to convey a fair representation of the match, such is the requirement from the BBC. As the match concluded and a third goal for the ‘Red Devils’ confirmed an end to Cambridge’s remarkable run, our fascinating evening also came to a close.

With the picture account of the match complete and even an image of ourselves on the live text commentary, we left very satisfied.

We knew we had covered a momentous game for Cambridge and had a unique, behind-the-scenes experience at the studio. All in all, an unforgettable evening.

Sam Serby (10C)

THE ART OF REPORTING: Students in the ‘field’ and in the ‘studio’ for BBC School Report.

It’s all about the deadlines . . .

One Year 8 English class was selected to do the BBC school report this year.

We had to come up with reports on issues we thought were important.

During this half term we have interviewed people such asFran Williamson, paralympian, and the bishop of

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Europe so we could include their views in our reports.

It was a great experience ending with a day to write up our stories working closely with Mr Davies from BBC Look East.

It was fantastic to learn lots of great tips about reporting, although there were a few headaches.

We had the website up and running by 2.00 on the dot.

It was really interesting doing all the work ourselves We would jump at the chance to do it again.

Sophie Gledhill (8O)

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school report

Getting the right shots!

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A GREAT SUCCESS: Language leaders visiting Barnabas Oley for Golden Time receiving great feedback from pupils.

Thumbs up for leaders CVC Language leaders are now starting their second visits into local primary schools to share their love for languages with the younger pupils.

The secondary and primary students alike are awaiting these lessons with much anticipation, following rave reviews of their first teaching sessions.

Our Year 9s use a range of teaching strategies and activities including, songs, props, flashcards and games to make sure that lessons are fun and engaging as well as educational.

The CVC students who visited Barnabus Oley primary school made such an impression that the children they taught wanted to get in touch to let them know how much they enjoyed it: “It was more than good ...

it was amazing!”

“Loved it, learnt loads and would love you to come back again.”

“It was amazing.”

“It was awesome and the most fun I've had learning for a long time.”

“Golden Time was amazing and I learnt lots!”

It was a real pleasure for us to see the confidence and skill with which all the Year 9 Language Leaders delivered their lessons.

A big thank you to Mrs Shorten who has helped to run the teaching sessions in the primary schools, and to Ms Heffernan and Ms Vázquez-Valero who have been working with these students at lunchtimes to prepare them for this. We all look forward to seeing how they progress and develop their skills in Lesson Two! Claire Jones, MFL Dept.

CHINESE LEARNERS: With their teacher Haiqi Li.

Getting to grips with Chinese Comberton has a fantastic new Chinese club.

Since January students have had the chance to learn Mandarin and explore aspects of Chinese culture at the Thursday afternoon sessions, run by Haiqi Li, a native Chinese speaker and Comberton’s new Mandarin teacher.

The sessions involve plenty of authentic materials and activities such as songs, storytelling, games, crafts and role-plays.

This term’s sessions have included an introduction to China, its writing, its people, and its most important icons and festivals.

Students have learnt how to greet people, give their (Chinese) name, their age and present their family.

To mark Chinese New Year, students learnt about the Chinese Zodiac and celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Goat with stories and videos, and made their own decorations with Chinese writing.

In the final session this term, they learnt how to use chopsticks.

CHALLENGING: The Braille paper took twice as long.

Tough challenge even tougher in Braille The UK Linguistics Olympiad is a competition for students who are still at school (or equivalent college) in which they have to solve very challenging linguistic data problems.

There are several levels ranging from Foundation to Intermediate and Advanced. Typically, the Advanced level is for 17 to 18-year-old students.

Last year, Alexia Sloane (10C) and a small group of CVC linguists entered fthe UK Linguistics Olympiad at Foundation and Intermediate level for the first time.

This year, Alexia, who achieved 97% in last year’s competition, entered the Advanced paper.

She was the only CVC pupil to enter the competition

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and achieved a Gold Certificate, which came with one of only 15 places in the second round at Somerville College, Oxford, last weekend.

Alexia is the youngest contestant ever to make it to Round Two and to achieve Gold at the Advanced Level in Round One. Only four will reach the International Olympiad of Linguistics in Bulgaria this summer from 1,700 entrants.

The Saturday consisted of intense training with many linguistics questions and problems to tackle and advice on strategies. Unfortunately a lot of the materials were not accessible to Alexia in Braille.

The following day contestants were put to the test during a highly complex three-hour paper.

They had to solve linguistic problems ranging from Maxakali, Malagasy, Hmong, Aymara and Vulgar Latin.

For Alexia, the competition consisted of a six-hour paper as Braille takes much longer to read than print.

Her paper was 30 double-sided Braille pages while her sighted peers had six A4 double-sided pages.

There is still a long way to go to make this competition fully accessible to blind contestants although Alexia's achievement in the first round was remarkable.

Alexia now hopes to start a Linguistics Club at Comberton with a view to entering next year.

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‘Spanglish’ breaks the ice The day began with both Spanish and English ice breakers — 'rock, paper, scissors', or 'piedra, papel, dijeras'.

We made our way outside for some more fun and games, getting to know each other. This was our first opportunity to demonstrate our language skills.

Our next activity was a competition in international groups. We were to invent a Spanglish soap opera and advertise it to the other competitors.

We came up with some great storylines, and already we were feeling more confident with our Spanish.

After enjoying lunch in the Sixth Form together, we then made our way to Cambridge to go bowling.

This was popular with both groups of students and within our groups we all enjoyed two games.

It all came down to which team would get the highest average score — with a 'no barrier' rule, this proved difficult for everyone.

Instagram and Snapchat details were exchanged as we conversed in Spanglish throughout the afternoon. When it came to say our goodbyes it was clear the day had been a success.

Some English students are now looking forward to meeting their new Spanish friends during the Work Experience trip in July.

Danielle Richardson (10V)

international

Year 10 GCSE Spanish students took part in an interaction day withstudents from Salesianos School, Santander.

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS: Comberton students meet their Spanish visitors.

Bags of money is real booster for Mozambique trip Students fund-raising for their trip to The customers were all intrigued by what Mozambique in the summer went to we were raising money for and it was Sainsbury’s on Coldham’s Lane to bag interesting to hear about how some had packing for customers. relatives who were doing charity work in We arrived fairly early at the grocery other countries like Thailand and the store, in our school uniform, put our advice they had to give. belongings behind the customer service People were also very generous with their counter and got shown the staff room donations and even if some didn’t have where we could eat our lunch. any cash to donate, it was nice to see how We then immediately positioned captivated people were to hear what we ourselves at a checkout counter and were going to do in Mozambique. started asking customers if they wanted This event was extremely successful and any help with their bag packing. we managed to raise more than £600 in At first it was rather stressful as different total, which was a relief because it meant people like their bags packed in certain standing for more than six hours, which is ways; one bag for fresh food, one for actually extremely tiring, had been worth cleaning products, another for cupboard it. food. We also had to remember to not We all really enjoyed the day and are put eggs at the bottom of a bag and to keen to do it again however we are now EVERY PENNY COUNTS: Bag-packing bags at Sainsbury’s. put bread on top. focusing on other fundraising events such After about half an hour, however, we became more relaxed. as a car wash and car-boot sale, which will hopefully happen later this year.

Thrilling race to next stage The Year 7 class winners in the Foreign Language Spelling Bee spent many hours learning and practising the meanings and spellings of 100 words in Spanish to participate in the school final of this national competition this term – fantastic work!

A big thank you is also due to the CVC Spelling Bee Leaders and Mrs Collado-Canas who have ably assisted Year 7 in their preparations for this competition.

The standard of performance in this final was incredibly high, and the fourth place for the regional level of the competition was hotly contested, all the way to sudden death.

The top scorer managed 18 words in the space of a minute (translated into Spanish and correctly spelled out) which I am sure you will agree is very impressive. Congratulations to all of you who took part.

William Lutkin, Claudia Bazyk, Josh Tingley and Julian Shellard will now go on to learn a further 50 words to compete in the regional final of the competition next month — we wish them the very best of luck!

Well done to William Lutkin, Imogen Halgarth, Ned Gilhooly, Niamh Redmond-Sanghera, Claudia Bazyk, Josh Tingley, Julian Shellard, Manula Dharmawardana, Tesni Walsh, Mia Hoover-Harrison, Lauren Higgins, Phoebe Stearn, Peter Watts, Rebecca Kilner, Rosanna Poll, Rhys Edmunds and Marine Carval, who reached the Comberton school final.

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PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Spelling Bee leaders help Year 7 learn their words.

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Wow! Les Misérables has news@com

At the close of every performance of of Les Misérables, the audience rose immediately for a standing ovation.

Upon leaving, praise of brilliant, outstanding, amazing, was uttered repeatedly by hundreds of over-awed spectators shuffling out the exits, which was predictable given just how many separate numbers were applauded.

In short, the latest Comberton Village College musical was an instant success!

Before the opening bars of music began, the audience were stunned by the grandeur of the set, with its three-storey high flats and two levels.

The first half of the performance rocketed along at so fast a pace as to cover Jean Valjean’s entire adult life until his arrival in Paris as an old man. The second part eases up on the speed to focus on the heartwrenching finale to both the 1848 revolution and the central love story.

Here were pin-drop moments of quiet and the sound of the sniffles that accompanied the moistening the audience’s eyes.

In the lead role of Jean Valjean, Adam Pennington strolled calmly on stage and delivered song after song in deep, measured tones that were, to a note, eerily beautiful. He saved something for the second half too with his breath-taking rendition of “Bring Him Home.”

His steady, robust portrayal contrasted effectively with Heinrich Verwoerd playing Police Chief, Javert, and his boundless, if grim, determination to hunt down his nemesis, Valjean. Verwoerd’s powerful delivery effortlessly matched the officer’s aggression.

The manic chorus, whether as denizens of Paris or patrons of the wine shop, awed the audience with sheer energy. “At the End of the Day” and “Look Down” in particular seethed with anger, while “Master of the House” exuded all the raucous verve one would expect from this comic showpiece. Conor Hunt and Rachael Chambers were mesmerising at every appearance as the opportunistic M. & Mme Thenadier.

The other principles likewise shone brightly at their respective moments.

Charlie Weldon’s Fantine carried plaintive warmth in her voice when she dreamed her dream. As a convincing mother-daughter link, Cossette (Emily Dowd) enjoyed what might have been her finest moment in the wonderful scene by the wrought-iron gate as she sung her heart out for Marius in the love triangle. Abbie Palmer, as the devoted Eponine, delivered a magical “On My Own,” which pours forth her unrequited love for Marius, effortlessly carried off by Christian Turner.

Devoted to both his love, Cosette, and to his student friends, led by the superb Eddie Gao, Turner and the rest of the young men managed to capture a naïve, doomed idealism with true precision and brilliance.

There was a fantastic cameo appearance by Oliver Wilkinson, as Gavroche, the urchin who is endearing from the moment he extolls the power of “Little People.” (He makes one wonder if an Oliver Twist production is on the cards.) Alice Heydinger and Eliza Chambers also delivered notable one-off numbers.

Director Jez Frost and his assistant, Charlotte Fenn-Goode, were clinical in their masterminding of the whole show; the flawless precision of so many actors across so many scenes was more to be expected from a cast of seven rather than the 70 or so under their tutelage.

The entire production team is to be credited for their superb work with a complex set.

Costuming managed to be both sumptuous and harlequinesque, a real pageantry of poverty, always colourful and frequently grandiose.

A fantastic (and invisible!) orchestra, led by Geoff Page, provided a luxurious range of music, enhancing the varied vocal styles of the singers. The lighting was precise and controlled until the fireworks went off during the revolution which livened up proceedings even further. Engulfed in smoke, it reminded one of a few pubs before the national smoking ban was implemented (as the fire department can attest when they responded to the smoke alarms sounding during Sunday’s tech run).

In turns intensely dramatic, full of frivolity, and emotionally charged, this production of Les Misérables was sensational. Victor Hugo himself would have been impressed.

Mike Ryall, English Department

INCREDIBLE: The Comberton production of Les Misérables was ‘the most professional school production I have seen in 35 years of teaching’.

Pictures: Charlie Rayner www.charlierayner.uk

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all audiences in raptures

What they said . . .

‘It was an utter pleasure to be able to watch this really excellent production of Les Misérables. It had everything and more that anyone could ever want from a school musical. High levels of student participation were coupled with truly exceptional individual performances.

‘I do not exaggerate by saying that, by the end, the packed audience was overwhelmed. The universal and spontaneous standing ovation said it all. It was a wonderful evening and will live long in the memory. Very many congratulations to everyone involved.’

Stephen Munday, Executive Principal "‘I can honestly say that this is the most professional school production I have seen in 35 years of teaching.’

Phillip Evans, Head of Sixth Form ‘There are not enough words to describe the performance of Les Misérables. Truly amazed, blown away, and totally cried out by the end of it all. I would like to say well done to each and every person involved. Never has a standing ovation on each night been more deserved. this performance is going to be remembered by all for several years to come. How wonderful it must feel to have so many talented young performers at CVC; you must feel very proud.

Heather Robinson ‘Amazing — best show ever from Comberton’ Anonymous ex-student ‘Sets, lighting and staging were fantastic, particularly the barricades and the lighting and sound effects for the battle scenes. Some great performances and excellent voices, particularly Fantine, Marius, Little Cossette and Gavroche.

Loved the Thenadiers' comic timing and the way the chorus came together with great focus in the headline songs. Well done also to the hidden band!’

Helen Snelling ‘I love Les Mis and have seen it many many times in London and whilst on tour around the country but I can honestly say that Comberton’s production was the most enjoyable and moving (not just because my grand-daughter was in it). The production was beautifully put together and the orchestra were, quite simply, brilliant. What a talented group of young people you have at CVC and what amazing group of staff to bring out everyone's talents so fully . Very, very well done to everyone involved.’

Chris Martin

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Oscar Wilde’s satirical commentary on upper-class Victorian life is a challenging drama for any troupe of actors to pull off, but Comberton Village College’s players produced a tremendous performance with remarkable ease.

Directed by Mike Ryall (English department) and Jane Menczer (drama), this talented group of Year 10 and 11 performers wonderfully captured Wilde’s sense of hypocrisy, elegance and wit.

The performance started with the charming dandy, Lord Darlington, wooing the Puritan-like character of Lady Windermere, played by Heinrich Verwoerd and Sophie Johnson respectively.

Heinrich played the character with flawless charm, demonstrating a great mastery over Wilde’s witty language as he plopped an outrageous number of sugar lumps into his delicately poised teacup, much to the audience’s delight.

Sophie’s performance of Lady Windermere was played with great maturity as her character came to accept that “it is absurd to divide people into TANGLED WEB: Lord Darlington and Lady Windermere (left) and Lord Windermere with Mrs good and bad.” She played Lady Windermere’s Pictures: Charlie Rayner. www.charlierayner.uk moral dilemma as to whether to leave her husband Erlynne. his real contribution to the humour of the show. or not with a beautiful earnestness.

The turn in the play came with the entrance of the infamous Mrs Erlynne. Claire Arguably the highlight of the play, though, came in the Act 2 ball scene. It opened Hough did a superb job of balancing this tricky character’s aloof nature with with a trivial discussion between four ladies over the proper role of a married man, moments of vulnerability. Her strong stage presence helped her to tug the emotions provoking great laughter from the audience. of the audience in her heartfelt conversations with Lady Windermere while The stunning period costumes, twinkling notes of the piano and numerous fans — all demonstrating callousness towards the desperate Lord Windermere (played with contributing to Wilde’s comment on the hypocrisy of the upper class — contrasted eloquence by Evan Lincoln). brilliantly with Darlington’s honest declaration of love to Lady Windermere.

And of course, one cannot but mention the highly amusing Tuppy (Ashley Kemp), Of particular note, however, were Dumby’s (excellently played by Alfie Tiplady) who delighted the audience with his bumbling character and gravelly voice. His was hilarious lines on the “quite delightful” season, only to agree seconds later with the final triumphant line in an uplifting drama. another character that it was “dreadfully dull”. Alfie’s comic timing here was excellent.

Overall, this was an excellent performance of one of Wilde’s best comedies. The Sarah Hannaford did a remarkable job as the ironically named “chatterbox” of the combination of a set of brilliant actors — each with their own well-developed comic play, showing great reluctance, yet also compliance as she was instructed by the characters — and the clever direction as well as the set, lighting, and sound crew Duchesses of Basildon and Berwick (played by Alexia Sloane and Mary Borrett with (supporting the actors with understated elegance) meant that this was a really rather wonderful pomposity) to go outside and watch the sunset — again, causing great charming way to spend an evening. Well done all!

Rebecca Lefroy hilarity among the audience. And Reuben Swift’s Cecil must also be mentioned for

International effort brings Noah’s story to life The Biblical story of Noah and the flood colleges and schools on both sides of was brilliantly brought to life in an the channel. This production is just one incredible cross-border collaboration. of many cultural exchanges the project Following two sell-out performances of has enabled over the past three years. the Benjamin Britten opera Noye’s Melbourn’s head of music, Paul Belbin, Fludde in France in January, the Anglosaid: “This was a stunning opportunity French cast reconvened for two for our students to be a part of a spectacular shows in Comberton Village professional production.

College’s Performance Hall.

“We took a large party of children to Seventy-eight French schoolchildren, Amiens and Compiegne in January, the Orchestre de Picardie, where we performed two sell-out internationally-renowned conductor Arie shows. van Beek, Royal Opera House company “We were delighted to be able to members Anne Mason and Geoffrey welcome the cast to Cambridgeshire.

Moses (Mr and Mrs Noah) and Southend Britten devised the opera to be YMCA joined students from six South performed by communities in Cambs schools for the show directed by community settings and I am sure that Amy Lane, also from the Royal Opera he would have approved of such a COLLABORATION: An international cast performs Noye’s House. Costumes, sets and props were Fludde at Comberton. diverse coming together to re-tell a designed by students from the great story with great tunes!”

University of the Creative Arts.

Melbourn Principal, Simon Holmes, added: “This There was also a special opportunity for talented The lead English school in the production was has been a huge collaborative effort between 10 Melbourn Year 10 cornet player Ben Doughty to Melbourn Village College and they provided six organisations and thanks must go to all involved, join the 42 French conservatoire students playing soloists — Tom Carrington, Cameron King, Jenny including those whose work behind the scenes has alongside the Orchestre de Picardie and Elliott, Izzy Koyander, Sophie Jelley and Joe enabled it to be such a huge success.

Melbourn’s Alderney Smith to join the Comberton Randall — who were Noah’s sons and wives.

“The experience of working with so many different technical crew.

An additional 25 Melbourn students were joined by professionals in a performance of this standard is The production came about through an EU funded 30 from Foxton, Harston & Newton and Hauxton something the students will remember for the rest project called ACT — A Common Territory — which primary schools in the chorus with 15 students of their life. celebrates the shared culture of northern France each from Comberton and Cambourne village “They should be very proud of what they have and south east England through a creative colleges added for the English performances. achieved.” partnership between cultural organisations,

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Actors go Wilde with ease

Mural points the way made many sweet and savoury foods including cake pops, pizza and tortillas with Mrs Welburn. It was an action-packed two days with many triumphs and some disasters.

It’s a fantastic facility for GCSE and A “Then on Wednesday, we had a Level students to design and lovely relaxing day with Miss manufacture their projects, but not McClelland, Mrs Gillings and Miss everyone knows it exists because it is Jones. We made bunting using hidden behind the design and technology sewing machines and made some department. great shambala bracelets.

As a consequence, Sixth Formers were “We did the mural in the last two set the challenge of designing a mural to days, alongside making vehicles, promote it. Chris Nightingale produced animals and a variety of other objects the most eye-catching design. All we with Miss Roffey, using paper needed then were some lovely volunteers engineering techniques. to help draw it up for our new signage.

“Mrs Allen helped us draw up the Introducing Rebecca Waterfield, mural using pencil and charcoal. The Georgiana Blair, Anushka Gyanchandani, background and foreground were Ella Williams and Ella Newman. spray painted and we used acrylics During Activities Week in the summer, a for some of the lettering. large group of students chose to take the FINISHED PRODUCT: The new mural and the artists who produced “It was brilliant fun and we were very Design and Technology option, which pleased with the result, which you will it. was incredibly enjoyable. Five of those soon see outside T7 — on route to Design’ mural. students also volunteered to present the ‘Product the Design Suite.”

Rebecca Waterfield said: “To start off the week we

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Last year, it was noted that lots of people don’t know where the Sixth Form Design Suite is.

Pupils reach the gold standard More than 90 pupils took part in the Intermediate Maths Challenge earlier this term and an amazing 75% were awarded a gold, silver or bronze certificate.

Pupils had an hour to attempt 25 questions such as ‘Three different positive integers have a mean of 7. What is the largest positive integer that could be one of them?’ No calculators were allowed!

The pupils who achieved a gold certificate

were James Gibson, Sean Coyle, Edward Shellard, Matthew Davison, William McAuley, Ewan Jenkins, Gregory Kendall, Rebecca Burton, Gala Dalgety, Luke Perry and Finlay McGee (Year 11).

Achieving gold from Year 10 were Tom Jarvis, Samuel Clarke and Megan Masters, with Emily Hemingway Lawson gaining gold while only in Year 9.

(The answer to the integer question is 18).

Cooking up a tweet!

CVC’’s Food Technology and Catering department now has its own Twitter feed, primarily to provide access for students to a wealth of relevant and fascinating articles, podcasts and clips to support learning in the classroom. @CombertonFood will also tweet to keep followers updates with forthcoming events or changes as well as deadline reminders. This should be particularly useful for GCSE Catering students, but all are welcome to follow!

Mentor inspires students The Adventure Club was started to help students be inspired through outdoor and adventurous activities and hopefully bring a renewed confident attitude into school and life in general.

BMX rider Mike Mullen visited Comberton last month to work with the Year 8 and 9 Adventure Club students.

The 2014 UK half-pipe champion and a former world champion, Mike is also a Youth Sport Trust athlete mentor working on the Sky Sports Living for Sport project and also for the Dame Kelly Holmes

ON SHOW: The work of one student hit a chord with his art teacher.

Trust on a range of initiatives to help young people to develop their lives.

From being disinterested in sport at school, Mike became hooked on BMX riding aged 11 and went on to win two world titles, compete all over the world and set up his own BMX Academy. He taught the Adventure Club students some exciting tricks on his BMX and helped inspire the students through his life story and demonstrated that if you are motivated and really want something you can achieve it.

Jason Mannion

Here’s one to watch . . .

I don't normally put the spotlight on homework since most that are handed in are terrific, showing just what vast reservoirs of talent we have here at Comberton.

Here's an exception: I am showcasing these wonderful van Gogh's, beautifully interpreted by James Stephenson, of 8M. I was so pleased, surprised even,

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when I first saw them; my pleasure was doubled when I read his research and analysis, both of which were the equal in sophistication to his acrylic paintings.

I shall watch James's progress with interest — maybe I ought to stockpile a few drawings to provide for my retirement!

Chris Ilsley

DIFFERENT VIEW: Mike Mullen gave Adventure Club students a new perspective.

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The next steps . . .

This is the mechanism through which applications are made to gain places to study at Higher Education institutions.

It is very pleasing to report that all 103 of these students have received offers to continue their studies at a range of excellent institutions, including offers being secured by all three of our students who made applications to the prestigious and highly competitive University of Cambridge.

Emily Davidson, who achieved A*, A*, A*, A in her A levels last summer has a place to student Natural Sciences at Murray Edwards College in the Autumn, while two others who sit A levels this summer have also received offers.

Larry Read has been offered a place at study Maths at Queens’ College and Amy Bland has secured an offer from Selwyn to read Theology and Religious Studies.

We now have students well-placed to progress on to study a wealth of different courses, from traditional academic subjects, such as English Literature at Edinburgh University and Chemistry at Manchester University, to BOUND FOR CAMBRIDGE: Two Upper Sixth students have been offered places at more vocational routes, such as Child, Adult and Mental Cambridge colleges.

Health Nursing, Optometry, Osteopathy and both primary and secondary school teaching qualifications.

They were able to research university courses, apprenticeships and workplace Our congratulations rightly go to all our university applicants on their successes so opportunities, to begin to prepare for the applications process, and to listen to a far. student now working for Ernst & Young, who explained and considered the relative In addition, the process for guiding our next cohort of students to make decisions merits of graduate recruitment opportunities and school leavers’ programmes. about their progression beyond Comberton Sixth Form was furthered, when Students will continue this research in earnest through work with their tutors, a visit students attended a ‘Futures Day’ at the college last week. to a university, a UCAS convention, and with a UCAS Information Evening for Students had the opportunity to consider the possibilities beyond Sixth Form and to parents when they return following their AS examinations in the summer term. listen and seek advice from a very experienced University Admissions Director.

Hannah Powell, Higher Education Tutor

Rewarding role helping youngsters

FIRST PRIZE: For Maddy Tomlin.

Top of the class Maddy Tomlin has won a prestigious history essaywriting competition.

The Lower Sixth student, who was 17 last week,, was awarded top spot — and a prize of £100 - in the Christ’s College, Cambridge, History Essay Prize Competition 2015 after being nominated by teacher Rachel Foster.

But she missed the prize-giving and the chance to spend the day at the Christ’s Arts Subject Open Day as the talented teenager, who achieved all A* in her GCSEs last summer at Comberton, was on a college language immersion visit to Granada, Spain.

In a letter from Admissions Tutor, Dr Andrew Spencer, he said: “Thank you for sending your essay entitled ‘ Is Gender History simply history with the men left out?’ We had an excellent field of entries this year and we much enjoyed reading the contributions.

“I am delighted to report that the your essay was selected for the winner’s prize of £100.”

But Maddy admitted she nearly didn’t enter at all. “I wasn’t going to send it in,” said the modest student.

“I really didn’t think it was good enough.”

As well as history and Spanish, Maddy is studying for AS exams in geography and Maths (statistics).

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Literacy support is one the most rewarding enrichment options. Each week we greet our assigned Year 7s, and usually start by reading their chosen book, sometimes taking the reading in turns if they're finding it challenging.

Following this we go through the spellings they have learnt at home, and then used the words to make some sentences.

Once all this is competed, we play some word-related games - hangman is a firm favourite - and this is by far the part the Year 7s enjoy the most, especially when they watch your squirm trying to figure out what on earth their hangman word could be!

Perhaps the best part for me personally, though, is that I can see the improvement in my two Year 7s, and I find it really satisfying to know that the time we spend together is truly making a difference.

Mia Surridge (L6-IW) Within my enrichment afternoon on a Wednesday I help a couple of Year 7s with their spellings and reading.

It is a rewarding role as I am able to see the children grow with confidence, not only in the subject but in their personalities too.

Each week we spend a certain amount of time reading out loud, sometimes taking it in turns if the pupil isn’t confident in reading consistently for a long time.

It is wonderful to hear the children develop more selfconfidence in their pronunciation of words and their acknowledgement of punctuation which helps them to read more fluently.

We also practise spellings too; I help the students to understand the meanings of words, how they are spelt and how they would read within a sentence.

We use phonics to develop on spelling patterns and address common mistakes.

After learning the spellings together the pupils are set six words to learn for homework each week to consolidate what they have learnt. It is very gratifying watching the pupils excel in their literacy skills.

Lauren Pocknell (L6-RWe)

WORKING TOGETHER: Sixth Form and Year 7 students.

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sixth form

More than 100 of our current Upper Sixth students have enrolled in the UCAS cycle this year.

All go for sixth formers sixth form

We have had another busy term in the Sixth Form.

The students have been working extremely hard keeping up with the increasing demands of A-level and BTEC level 3 courses while preparing for and sitting mock examinations (not to mention completing coursework or practicals in many subjects).

Alongside their studies, Year 13 students have finalised their university applications and are now thinking about their offers, have applied for an apprenticeship or School Leaver Programme, or are planning a range of exciting activities and adventures

to complete on their gap years.

It’s not been all hard work, though, and a large number of students have participated in many trips and visits.

Geographers have been investigating rivers in the Yorkshire Dales, Photographers and Artists seeking inspiration in Paris and linguists perfecting their Spanish in Granada.

Many students have also benefited from and enjoyed taking part in a number of day trips, including a Business Studies trip to the Sky TV Academy, a Politics trip to the Houses of Parliament as well as numerous subject related conferences, lectures and

theatre performances.

Not only this, but also in the small amount of time they have left in their busy days they have been involved in a wide variety of charity, enrichment and sporting events.

As a college we are now finalising arrangements for the fast-approaching exam season and thinking forward to next year. With a record number of applications from 45 different schools, the sixth form has firmly established itself as a successful and popular educational provider.

Lorna Conroy, Head of Sixth Form

A‘Juan-derful’ insight into Spanish life . . . vocabulary that I have Five sixth formers spent been able to transfer half-term in Granada, Spain, to my learning in immersing themselves in the school. language and culture of “Señora Collado's teacher Maria Colladohumour and Canas’ home town. knowledge of the local Here are some of their area ensured that we thoughts: all had an excellent “The recent Spanish trip to time, and for that we Granada was an excellent are very grateful. It and fun opportunity that was ‘juan’ great trip!” helped me to develop my Maddy Tomlin (L6-LM). skills and gain an insight “My two favourite into Spanish culture, things on the trip were especially because we got the visit it to the to stay with a host family Hammam Al Ándalus who were so lovely.

“A few of my most favourite ALL THINGS SPANISH: For the Comberton students on the immersion trip to Granada. Arab Baths which was very relaxing, as well moments were the trip that “My favourite part of the trip to Granada was the as the visit to the Alhambra which had the most we took to an Arabic bath and also around the immersion we had into Spanish life. From walking amazing views of the city! “Also the tapas Alhambra, which was so beautiful. around the city, to talking to the three sisters who everyday as well as the churros con chocolate (the “It was also great to be able to walk around the city were my host family for the week, I gained an most delicious things ever). Our guide Juan and independently and try and find our way around. I invaluable insight into everyday Spanish life. the 'juan' jokes also made the trip pretty fabulous.” am so glad that I went on this trip, it really helped “I was able to simultaneously improve my Spanish, Georgie Harnwell (L6-GI) to give me more confidence in my abilities and I would love to return again.” Erin Carr (L6-SB). and I learnt some useful (and some strange!) new

Inspiring look at the evolution of language Students from across the country gathered at the University of London to listen to lectures delivered by some important figures in the study of linguistics.

The day turned out to be memorable and inspiring, further developing interest in the subject area.

Professor Deborah Cameron presented first. She spoke of findings of gender differences in English language. For example, how young girls tend to lead language innovation, the stereotypes of manly men and womanly women and how “up-talk”, the rising pitch of the voice to create a question from a statement, has become a meaningful part of language.

Afterwards, the funny David Marsh, an editor of the Guardian spoke. He explained how, after a period of being hyper-corrective of grammar use, he realised that English should be adaptable and can express an individual’s style.

He encouraged the use of as many negatives as you want in a sentence, regardless

CRSTAL CLEAR: Comberton students meet Professor David Crystal.

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of what your grandmother says; you can just tell her “I don’t need no education”.

Marsh showed how English can be adapted to suit your style, by reciting a song that he learned to enjoy, and without hesitation he said: “a hip-hop hippie to the hippie, the hip-hip a hop, and you don't stop a rock it to the bang bang boogie, say up jump the boogie, to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.”

Professor David Crystal, author of the Cambridge Encyclopaedia of English Language and other important works, was a speaker that many of the crowd adored.

He showed great enthusiasm while exploring how English language study has evolved throughout generations The Professor explained how he inadvertently told a French stranger he loved them, by using the flirtatious “tu”, which is French for “you”, when asking where the bus stop was. He even demonstrated how you can get away with swearing, by simply becoming a linguistics professor and ending your lecture with a swear word and a smile.

Akala was another interesting speaker. Akala showed similarities between some of the writings of Shakespeare and that of hip-hop artists such as Eminem and the Wu-Tang Clan. The crowd actually found it very hard to distinguish whether quotes were from hip-hop or Shakespeare.

He developed his company, Hip-Hop Shakespeare, inspired by these similarities, and it has adapted scenes of Shakespeare’s plays to be presented in the style of hip-hop.

What all these speakers had in common was enthusiasm for their talks.

They all proved to be inspiring, informing and entertaining, creating a memorable trip that anyone slightly interested in the study of English would enjoy.

Eddy Spall (L6-RWe)

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SKY-HIGH: Students gain insight into the media industry and enhance their business skills and career aspirations.

Reach for the Sky The Year 13 BTEC Business Studies students visited the Sky TV Academy, based at their studios in West London.

This was related to their current unit of study about planning for career development.

Students completed an activity that focused on their employability skills before taking part in a question and answer session with the Director of Tax and Treasury, Tanya Richards.

Tanya spoke about her experiences and challenges in her job role, which has included working out how to raise the huge sum of £5 billion for the new Premiership football record television deal, which was recently

announced by Sky. The students were then given an exclusive tour of the studios, which included a visit to the sets of the La Liga football programme and the PGA Golf studio.

We were also given a chance to watch Sky Sports News being filmed live.

Following lunch and a game of pool (and some celebrity spotting, consisting of ‘Tubes’ from Soccer-AM and Sky‘s very own Chris Kamara!) students then took part in a marketing challenge, which involved creating an innovative promotional campaign for the Sky Movies Disney Channel.

It was a fascinating day which gave the students a real insight into the media industry while enhancing their own business skills and career aspirations.

Christopher Warrington, Head of Business Education

After a few pit stops, the excitement of the Eurostar, and some ‘dad jokes’ from the bus driver, we arrived at our destination for the sixth form art trip to Paris, the Hotel Fiap Jean Monnet.

With just enough time to unpack and grab some dinner we were whisked off to visit the Montparnasse Tower, where we witnessed an impressive night time view that spanned the entirety of Paris.

This provided an ideal photo opportunity for the photographers among us, and for the art students it was a picturesque introduction to our home for the next three days.

The Saturday and Sunday of the trip were packed with experiences, learning and excitement, with a variety of diverse educational and leisure activities, ranging from gallery visits and sightseeing to a muchanticipated visit to a jazz club.

My highlight was undoubtedly our trip to the famous Pompidou Centre. Brimming with creative inspiration, I felt it was an invaluable experience for my photography and art work, and also a great personal experience.

By the time it came to Sunday we were all looking slightly worse for wear, from a concoction of overexcitement, a jam-packed itinerary, and what felt like a marathon amount of walking.

So, after a spot of retail therapy and a bite of lunch, we headed back to Comberton, seven hours away!

Laura Wright (U6-SB)

Fitz has so much to offer Our Enrichment group has been exploring Twentieth Century British Culture and this week it meant a trip to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. We were mainly going to see the MOONSTRIPS exhibition by Eduardo Paolozzi but quickly discovered the museum is home to a whole lot of fascinating art.

Paolozzi’s printed collages featured bright and unnatural colours, and discussed the new emerging impact of technology of the time. Several pieces focused on presenting media such as magazines and articles from 1965-72, which helped us to understand a bit more about consumption in post-war Britain, painting a vivid picture of our country during a time of global uncertainty and unprecedented change.

However, before we left the museum, we couldn’t help but stop by the armoury displays and be amazed by the elaborate weapons on show. The Fitzwilliam is definitely worth a visit and I think we’ll all being go back to see more.

Sam Addy (L6-CW)

AT THE FITZ: Comberton sixth formers.

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FIELDWORK: Year 12 doing what geographers do best.

Staying dry in the river!

On a very cold weekend in February, 42 Year 12s trekked four hours up the A1 to Malham in the Yorkshire Dales for a weekend of fieldwork for their Unit 2 exam.

With snow patches everywhere, students wrapped up warm in their thermals, waterproof trousers and wellies to spend the day walking through the Dales along the Cowside Beck, a tributary of the River Skirfare.

Students collected data on river velocity, bed load size and bank gradient in the glorious sunshine with guidance from the Field Studies Council tutors, having to avoid falling in the river throughout.

Luckily on our arrival back to the Field Studies Centre there was tea and cake waiting for us!

After some follow-up work on the Saturday evening and a good night’s sleep, students learnt how to calculate Spearman’s rank on their results for bed load size and velocity and identified findings and conclusions from their investigation.

It was a long, tiring but enjoyable weekend doing what geographers do best.

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sixth form

Art in Paris

sixth form

CHANGING CONDITIONS: Participants on the DofE gold expedition last summer experienced extremes of weather.

Chasing gold at the finish The latest group of Sixth Formers embarking on the quest for DofE gold have completed their first task.

The eight Year 12s who have signed up for the most challenging of the three awards spent last weekend assisting the Year 10 students on their Bronze practice expedition to The Chilterns.

Training for their own expedition starts in September with monthly sessions, leading up to a training weekend at Grafham Water at the start of March 2016 and a practice expedition in the Lake District at the end of the same month.

The assessed expedition in Snowdonia in July 2016 is a bit closer to home than for the previous cohort, who spent their week in Switzerland.

After a short flight, a sprint to catch the train and a long wait at a bus stop, the 14 students plus staff finally reached their base camp for the week.

Students completed an orientation walk in the local mountains recapping their navigation skills using the Swiss Maps. It became evident very early on that if we

can get lost using the UK OS Maps then it would be incredibly easy to get lost using the Swiss Maps, which lacked serious detail and colour!

After the orientation phase of the trip, it was a long bus journey to the start of the assessed route.

Two groups set off in different directions on the ‘Tour Des Muverans’ route involving tough walking, including ascending to over 2000m, tackling some challenging terrain and experiencing a variety of weather from glorious sunshine to thunderstorms.

Four days later, students crossed the finish line looking tired but elated at their success. All were incredibly proud of their achievements, while looking forward to a shower, followed by a meal at a restaurant before heading home.

At the end of the trip, students were able to reflect on their Gold DofE journey and one said: "Gold D of E was an unforgettable experience.

“Genuinely every aspect of the course helped me develop as a person, as well as helping me stand out on my university applications.

“The majority of universities I applied to questioned me on some aspect of it or another and every response I gave about the course gave a positive impression.

“Despite the bad weather and long days, I'd do it again in a heartbeat, and recommend for anyone else to do so as not only is the physical challenge of the expedition rewarding but the whole time we were in Switzerland, in spite of the moods and emotions felt at the time, was thoroughly enjoyable upon reflection.

“And you get to experience all this with your friends and great staff which is a bonus."

A big thank you to all of the DofE volunteers who gave up their time to assist on this expedition…needless to say they all enjoyed their time supporting the groups in the Alps.

Following this expedition, students are still working on their other DofE sections to gain the full Gold award.

A big congratulations to Sam Cartwright, who has completed these and will be invited to Buckingham Palace to receive his badge and certificate in the near future.

Jolene Pattrick

Putting others first!

Sixth Form tutor group, L6-SB, organised counselling for a young adult in need a series of events at Christmas to raise this year. money for Centrepoint, the UK's leading The chosen charity for L6-EW was the charity for homeless young people, British Heart Foundation, who are now supporting 16-25 year olds with housing, more than £100 better off. learning, health and life skills.

Mr Willder’s tutor group took part in the Mrs Blackford’s entire tutor group charity’s ''Wear it. Beat it.' fundraiser in chipped in to buy prizes for a Sixth Form which they asked sixth formers to wear raffle and a Chocolate Tombola, while something red. staff donated prizes for a staff raffle.

They also had a cake sale in the Core at Thanks to the culinary and creative skills lunch to further boost the total.raised. of Hannah Glover’s mum and Ella Wells’ mum, yet more money was raised by the Gingerbread House auction.

The winners of £15 iTunes vouchers were Connor HanaganMorrisey (L6-EW), Lydia Watt (U6-EW) and Amber Thomas (L6-IW).

The final total was rounded up to £200 and sent off to Centrepoint, specifically to be used to help fund its work in providing THE HOUSE THAT DEBBIE BUILT: Hannah accommodation and Glover’s mum’s fund-raising creation.

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Good reasons to get stuck into a book World Book Day took place this year on the March 5.

Every student in Years 7-11 was offered a £1 book token with the chance to exchange it for one of six great titles written by prestigious authors, which were on offer in the library, or to take it to a book shop for money off a title of their choice.

The special Book Day books were: l Dork Diaries by Rachel Renee Russell l Best Mates by Michael Morpurgo l Geek Girl by Holly Smale l Goth Girl by Chris Riddell l The Diary of Dennis the Menace by Steven Butler l Killing the Dead by Marcus Sedgwick It was well attended by the students and they thoroughly enjoyed picking the novelette of their choice.

Many other students intend to use their book tokens at participating book shops but will need to hurry as the offer runs out on Sunday.

WHAT WILL YOU READ? Students make their World Book Day choices and (right) the Readathon record.

Year 7 and 8 students are going to be very busy reading during April as the library, in conjunction with the English Department have just launched READATHON, starting in a couple of weeks’ time and ending on April 30.

Pupils will set their own challenge and can read whatever they like be it novels, recipes, e-books, joke books or newspapers.

Taking part in READATHON really helps seriously ill

children by supporting charities such as ‘Readwell’, ‘Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity’, ‘Together for Short Lives’ and ‘CLIC Sargent for children with cancer’.

So if you feel able please sponsor a Year 7 or 8 student; not only does it help improve their literacy skills, it helps a very poorly child too!

Want to know more? Go to: www.readathon.org

Celebrating differences Since the start of this Academic year, I’ve been working with a fantastic group of young people who operate under the title of the Equality and Diversity Group.

What started out as a large number of irregular volunteers has become a steady core — smaller but very dedicated — and each of them a passionate advocate of valuing difference.

This is important work and I’ve been taken aback by the commitment and enthusiasm of our young people to increasing awareness and encouraging their peers to think in more open-minded ways.

One of the most incredible things they’ve done so far is teach one of my Year 7 PSHE lessons.

7M were treated to 50 minutes of teaching, entirely planned and delivered by four members of the group.

It was a remarkably professional affair — with an excellent starter, well-developed teaching ideas and some very well-orchestrated group work.

The pupils in the class responded well and treated the visitors with the respect they deserved. It was a really interesting experience, which I’d like to repeat in the future.

What’s exceptionally valuable about this group is that it provides me the opportunity to listen to what pupils are

saying about our school environment.

It teaches me an awful lot about what is really happening in classrooms, corridors and social areas alike.

I look forward to future developments — I know that this group will prove a real asset in seeking to make our school the most welcoming place it can be.

If any pupils are interested in joining the group, they should contact me directly, or put an application — with their name, form, and a few words about why they’d like to join, into the black box outside the English office. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sean McKenna, PSHE Co-Ordinator

Table tennis tables are a big hit At the start of Year 8, the current Year 9s received two new table tennis tables in their social area.

These has proved very popular and they get a huge amount of use.

Every break and lunchtime there is always a queue of people waiting to play.

We have devised a fair system of play: round

robin with winner staying on. It is great fun and very sociable.

I really enjoy playing it and my table tennis skills have dramatically improved over the last 18 months.

I really hope that the school can fund raise to purchase more tables for all social areas.

Harry Newman (9E)

GOOD CAUSE: Teachers Kirsty McKenzie and Dan Southcoat in Comberton uniform for Comic Relief.

Something funny for money The Head and Assistant Head of Year 8 donned Comberton uniform for the day after their year group rose to a charity challenge.

Each tutor group was set the target of bringing in at least £10 for Comic Relief to total £90 for the year group.

Their incentive was that Mr Southcoat and Miss McKenzie

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would wear the Year 11 and PE uniform respectively to “humiliate ourselves for the day all in the name of comic relief!”

The year group raised £120 so the pair had no option but to stick to their end of the deal too!

As a school Comberton raised more than £1,350 from a range of activities.

ALWAYS BUSY: The table tennis tables in the Year 9 social area.

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Top snow all year round

THE WHITE STUFF: Students enjoy skiing in Italy.

Activities are available all year round thanks to a fantastic line-up of events.

There is the opportunity to find out more all about what’s on offer at a Snowsports information Evening on Wednesday April 22, 7.00pm. l Foundation course to Courmayer, Italy l Development course to Pila, Italy l Snowboasrd taster sessions at MK Snowzone l Ski and snowboard for Activities Week Over a number of years we have found that the best way to provide information about the Foundation and Development snowsport courses is to invite all those interested in participating to the trip reunion.

At this event we show pictures and video clips of the activities on the courses, talk about the organisation of the trips, and possibly tell one or two of the funny, not at all embarrassing, stories from this year.

If you are interested in participating in any of the forthcoming snowsport activities please join us at the reunion for the current year’s trips on April 22.

Ready to hit slopes Packing should be complete by now, along with those tone and warm-up exercises, ready to hit the slopes.

Pupils from Years 8 and 9 depart on Saturday evening, heading for Pila, in the Aosta valley, northern Italy.

They will be staying once again in the lovely little Hotel Col Serena and skiing and boarding on the high slopes of the Pila resort. This is a great place to learn, the high altitude slopes offer spectacular views from Mount Blanc around to the Matterhorn and on to the Monto Roso.

The party includes both beginner and experienced skiers and boarders all of whom are hoping for a repeat of last year’s conditions, beautifully groomed pistes, bright blue sky and so much sun that nothing less than factor 50 will do.

Gear up in summer

Mr Mannas is once again organising a series of snowboard taster sessions at the Milton Keynes Snowzone for pupils in Year 7.

These two-hour tutored sessions provide a great opportunity to have a go at snowboarding, even in the summer.

And pupils in Years 8 and 9 — as the sun passes its highest point in the sky — can go skiing or boarding for Activities Week.

Both snowsports weeks will be organised, with skiing at Hemel Hempstead indoor ski centre and boarding at MK Snowzone.

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SNOWBODY DOES IT BETTER: Another successful Comberton snowsports trip to Italy.

Good manners cost nothing!

A group of intermediate and experienced skiers and boarders headed out to Pila back in December for the development snowsport course.

Arriving the day after the Pila season opened, well ahead of many resorts, the altitude of the main ski area thankfully provided good snow conditions while many resorts were struggling to get going.

As a late comer to snowsports, I am always amazed by the high standard and quality technique of these young aspiring experts; I struggle to keep up.

IT’S ALL THE ABOUT THE HAIR: Students on the ski trip try a different style!

I am also delighted to report that once again staff from Interski, instructors from the ski school and the hotelier all sought out CVC teachers to comment on the good behaviour and polite manner of Comberton pupils.

Of particular and slightly amusing note were comments from the senior instructor of the Italian Ski School. He set out that from their good behaviour and attitude, he assumed that Comberton must be a high-achieving academic school. I was pleased to confirm this to him. He then enquired as to the fees for children to attend the school.

It might be worth knowing the context for his chain of thought being that Interski take more than 10,000 students from the UK into the Aosta Valley for snowsports each year.

The children come from across the range and sectors of educational establishments. While we were in Pila this year we shared the slopes with a group from The Leys in Cambridge.

Last year, a party from Kimbolton and another from Oundle had stayed in the same hotel as us, at other times.

It will be no great surprise to hear of my pleasure in availing him of that notion and providing the truth regarding our firm footing in the state comprehensive sector. However, it did make me smile.

Nick Evans, Snowsports co-ordinator

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snowsports

Comberton’s extensive snowsports programme continues even when there’s no sign of the white stuff.

Round-up of the latest news from the South Cambs SSP

SCSSP

PLANNING AND LEARNING: Leaders of all ages take their roles very seriously.

The leaders of the future The South Cambs SSP Leadership Academy has 130 young leaders in it this year, with 33 from Comberton Village College, 15 from Melbourn and the others made up from Swavesey, Cottenham and Impington Village Colleges.

The year 10 leaders have been working really hard on their leadership skills this term. At half term we ran rugby and dodgeball leadership courses, both of which saw nearly 20 leaders attending. We also recently hosted a Safeguarding for Young Volunteers Course, something they themselves had requested; this shows how seriously they are taking their role as leaders.

As well as attending courses they have been busy volunteering at different events, including a Year 3/4 Key Steps Gymnastics competition, our very first Primary Adapted Sports event, a Rugby tournament and a Quick Sticks Hockey competition.

Several also volunteered to marshal at the Wimpole Hall night run and the Cambridge Half Marathon.

Since January we have been busy delivering Play Leaders training across the Partnership.

The Year 5/6 children who have taken part in the training have all been extremely enthusiastic,keen to learn and have shown some great leadership qualities.

The young leaders have come up with lots of different activities to deliver during the lunchtime break, from the usual team sports and playground games to a dance class.

The children have also come up with great ways to advertise their Play Leaders’ programme with one group planning to do a sketch in their whole school assembly.

They all understand the importance of being organised, planning the sessions, knowing the games and getting their equipment sorted before the start of the session. Lunchtimes at these schools are certainly set to be a lot more fun and active for the younger children from now on.

It is fantastic to see so many young people volunteering their time and inspiring the younger children they lead.

The tightest margin

WINNERS: Coton’s gymnastics team.

Debut delight for Coton’s gymnasts An impressive range of skills were on display at Comberton Village College recently as youngsters battled it out at the Partnerships Key Steps Gymnastics Competition.

Teams of Year 3 and 4 gymnasts took part in the event which resulted in a very close finish.

The mood was quietly focused whilst the children demonstrated their skills on the vault and floor in front of the judges and on looking spectators. At stake was the chance to represent South Cambs SSP at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough School Games Spring Festival, with the top two schools qualifying to take on the best schools from across the county.

After a welcome and warm- up led by coaches from High Flyers Gymnastics Club, which is based at Comberton, the competition started.

The mixed teams of six children from Barton, Bassingbourn, Coton, Dry Drayton, Gamlingay,

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Harston & Newton, Haslingfield, Hatton Park, Linton Heights, & Thriplow schools all had to perform a vault and then either a floor or body management routine with each performance judged and given a score out of 10. Each child’s individual score in both disciplines was then combined to give an overall team score out of a maximum of 120.

Fewer than 10 points separated the top eight teams with pupils from Coton, who were competing in the competition for the first time, coming out on top.

The teams below them couldn’t be separated on points though, which meant last year’s winners Haslingfield and Gamlingay First School finished as joint runners up. All three went forward to the School Games finals.

The top three individuals, who also won medals, were Starr Harrison (Bassingbourn) and her twin Lily, who sandwiched runner-up Lucia Clarke (Haslingfield).

It was an action packed and competitive afternoon at Swavesey Village College as 18 teams battled it out at the Partnership tag rugby event.

The competition for Year 5/6 teams was a qualification round for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Sainsbury’s School Games Spring Finals with the top team going through to represent South Cambs at this prestigious event.

The competition was played in a round robin format with teams playing the other schools in their pool before qualifying through to either Division 1, 2, 3 or 4 based on their results in the first section of the competition.

The teams making a strong start and winning through to the top division included newcomers Caldecote Primary, reigning champions Elsworth as well as Over, Swavesey B and Fenstanton & Hilton.

As expected the second round of matches were much closer with some really competitive play and close score lines creating an exciting but tense atmosphere for the on looking spectators. In the end and after 70 matches the title was decided by the closest of margins with both Fenstanton & Hilton and Elsworth finishing on equal points and having scored the same number of tries.

It was then referred back to the score in their match but even this was a tight 1-1 draw so it had to go to the number of tries conceded throughout the competition and with one less score against them it was Fenstanton & Hilton who were crowned winners.

Claire McDonnell, Partnership Manager, said: “It was an exciting afternoon of competition and congratulations must go to all of the players and schools that took part. It was nice to see schools like Bar Hill and Caldecote taking part for the first time; hopefully it will encourage them to get involved in other events as well.”

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Round-up of the latest news from the South Cambs SSP

Pair shine at new event The morning was full of activity and excitement with children competing in pairs as they rotated around four different sports: Polybat, Boccia, Table Cricket and New Age Kurling.

For many this was their first experience of representing their school and taking part in competitive sport so the event was very much about the children having an enjoyable experience PIONEERS: The and trying out some new sports, with an element of competition added in.

The points from each activity were added together to give each pair a total and determine the winners.

More than 30 children aged 8-11 took part in the event which was hosted by Impington Village College as the Project Ability lead school for the county.

The competition was opened by Double Paralympian and medallist Fran Williamson, who was also on hand to encourage the children and hand out the winners’

SCSSP

The first Primary Adapted Multi Sport PLUS Competition attracted pupils from across the South Cambs School Sports Partnership.

first participants in a new competition with (right) the inaugural winners from Meridian. medals.

She said: “It was great to see so many children taking part in this event for the first time and some of them were really quite competitive as well.”

The different sports were led and overseen by sports leaders from Cottenham VC, Granta School, North Cambridge Academy, Netherhall School and Impington after they had spent a day last term learning these inclusive sports and looking at how they could be adapted for children with different disabilities such

as reduced physical mobility, visual/hearing impairment and wheelchair users.

After all the activities had taken place, the points were added up and the finishing positions announced with not much separating the top pairs.

Congratulations to Joshua Trueman-Heath (Year 4) and Harry Houghton-Walker (Year 5) from Meridian Primary School, Comberton, who won the competition, and a huge well done to everyone who took part!

All fired up . . .

ALL GO: Action from the Year 5 and 6 hockey event.

Youngsters from Meridian Primary School made their intentions very clear ahead of the finals of the High Five netball competition after Easter.

They won both the A and B team events at the first round of matches held at Comberton Village College.

They have set out their stall after both teams finished unbeaten, although all the teams go through to the finals; which section they play in depending on where they finished in one of the area rounds also held at Melbourn, Impington, Linton and Swavesey.

In the Melbourn round, teams from all eight feeder primaries contested the A and/or B team competitions.

The B-team finals take place on April 23 at Impington, the A-team Plate finals are at Comberton on Monday April 27 with the A-team Shield finals on April 30 at Impington. A record 53 teams entered this year.

New champions are crowned It was an action-packed afternoon of hockey as 32 teams descended on Comberton Village College to take part in the Partnership’s annual Year 5/6 Quicksticks Hockey Competition.

With 16 teams in both the A and B/C team competitions, the first round matches were played in a round robin format with four pools of four teams in both events. Schools then qualified into one of four divisions in Round Two, depending on their first round results.

In the A-team competition it was the squads from Harston & Newton, Steeple Morden, Great Abington and Histon & Impington who won their first round pools to qualify for Division One. In the second round the standard of play was high and matches were fiercely contested but with three wins out of three it was Histon & Impington Juniors who came out on top to lift the trophy that they last won in 2012.

Runners-up were Steeple Morden who couldn’t quite retain the title they held for the last two years.

Harston & Newton & Great Abington finished third and fourth respectively and all four will now represent South Cambs SSP at the County School Games Summer Finals in June.

Claire McDonnell, South Cambs SSP Partnership Development Manager said “It was great to see so many children enjoying the game of hockey; it was certainly an action-packed afternoon with some really competitive matches.

“We must thank all the leaders from Comberton Village College who helped us to run the event on the day; umpiring the 96 matches, organising the results table and helping to coach some of the teams.

They did a great job and we couldn’t have run the competition without them!”

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COMPETITIVE: Action from the first round of the High Five tournament.

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Why PE really matters She has played, coached and team-managed netball at a national level for England and is also the founder of The Youth Sport Trust.

Her manifesto is to keep core PE lessons in the National Curriculum, because it has proved to improve exam results and more importantly helps improve quality of life and life skills, such as communication and teamwork.

We were lucky enough to be invited to attend a seminar delivered

by Baroness Campbell at which she said that the problem is that too many young people have inactive lifestyles: l 21% of boys and 16% of girls meet the minimum recommended guidelines for physical activity. l Children born today are on course to be 35% less active by 2030 (compared to 1961 levels) The consequences are: l Low levels of physical activity and aerobic fitness are associated with declines in academic achievement, cognitive abilities, brain structure and brain function. l One in three children leave primary school obese or overweight. l Increased risk of developing mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. l Increased risk of chronic conditions such as cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

THE SAME GOAL: Baroness Sue Campbell with Comberton Sixth Form l A huge strain on our economy, the NHS and health and social Sports Ambassadors, who are all committed to raising participation levels. care services and having with a poor quality of life (In England something needs to be done about it because sport enhances young people’s alone, the cost of inactivity among today’s children is estimated to exceed £53 billion employability and create a well-rounded individual, who can contribute positively to in their lifetimes.) society.

Additionally, there is an association between obesity at 11 years of age and poorer Stephen Munday, chief executive of the Comberton Academy Trust, which oversees academic achievement in GCSE exams five years later, particularly in girls.

Comberton, Cambourne and Melbourn village colleges and The Voyager Academy, Emotional well-being is an advantage of PE that many people forget about, but it a in Peteroborugh, said: “Hearts and minds. If we all work together and are passionate very important aspect because if children are emotionally well then they will be able about changing school PE for the better, we can make it work. to learn a lot more.

“We can use our minds to devise a strategy that will work and we can use our Sport can be used to change problems on a whole school agenda; for example passion from our hearts to make it work.” eliminating bullying by promoting teamwork and confidence of children through PE. The real questions are how can we redesign school PE so that everyone enjoys it We found it very interesting to find out what our class would look like in 2035 (see and we raise mass participation? www.classof2035.com). Experts say it will be split into four groups — digitally That is a question that we, as young coaches, will be trying to solve over the next distracted, fit for purpose, go it alone and the side-lined, with only around 25-50% of few years. The seminar made us realise the importance of PE within school, which is all children participating in sport. why we encourge all students to get involved with any aspects of sport in their PE As young ambassadors of sport we want to get as many people as possible lessons.

Laura Mott (L6-RWe) and Liam Hunt (L6-EW) participating in sport regularly. We are currently watching participation decline and

First win for team Comberton’s new equestrian team collected their first victory when they entered only their second National Schools event at the College of West Anglia in Milton.

In the Regional Points League, the team of Lauren Bell (7C), Maisie HayClarke (L6-EW) and Lexi Day (9I) won the 70cm class with Lexi coming third individually and Maisie sixth.

They also picked up a second place in the 80cm class where Ella Wilson joined Maisie and Lexi in the team competition, with Lexi picking up another individual third.

Earlier in the day Lauren had finished sixth in the 60cm section in a fast time but with a pole down. Ella also had a pole down in the 90cm to spoil an otherwise fantastic round.

Inspiring trip

Ready, steady, row Last week 22 pupils from Comberton went to Lea Valley Athletics Centre to participate in the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships.

When we arrived pupils warmed up READY TO ROW: and stretched, when it was our turn to compete we were herded into pens like sheep to wait for our go.

When it was finally our turn to compete we got on our machines, ready to face the challenge.

As a Year 7 I had to row as far as I could in two minutes.

Older pupils had to row for longer.

Comberton also entered relay teams who had to row 2000m as a team as quickly as possible.

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UP AND OVER: A Comberton competitor at Milton.

Comberton students on their marks.

I am pleased to say after the challenges and amidst sweating bodies and legs-like jelly, most of the team managed to set personal bests.

Having competed in the rowing, we were able to take part in biathlon, basketball and climbing, as well as seeing how far you could throw an American football. It was a fantastic day and I am hoping to do it again next year and hope to beat my PB! Fox Pollock (7V)

Students travelled to the Copper Box in London to watch England v Malawi in the triseries netball match.

The visit was organised as a joint venture between Cambourne Village College, Comberton Village College and Camborne netball club (whose junior teams train at Cambourne VC).

The girls enjoyed watching England play some very competitive netball and were pleased to see them take the victory.

The girls were definitely inspired by what they saw as the girls from Cambourne went on to win their last two league fixtures against teams who were placed above them in the league table.

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Baroness Sue Campbell is a sporting inspiration.

Sharing the joy of dance dance

The Annual Comberton Family Dance Share took place last week with five primary schools taking part to perform and watch examples of dances all the way from Year 1 to Year 13.

Rebecca Tyrrell, Comberton’s new Head of Dance, and all her Year 10 and 11 dance leaders were on hand to ensure that each school had plenty of practice time and that every pupil performed to the best of their ability.

Special mention for the Year 3 groups from both Monkfield Park and Caldecote, who worked extremely hard with the Year 10 Dance Leaders on their primary placement to produce their dances for the show.

A DVD resource has now been produced for all of the schools to use within their dance lessons as inspiration for what can be achieved.

REACH FOR THE SKY: At the Dance Share.

Students showcase their latest pieces

SNAKING: Pupils from Monkfield Park.

Working together is fun

LEARNING CURVE: Year 10 dance leaders help Year 3 pupils with their dance moves.

Year 10 GCSE Dancers worked very hard in their lessons, planning and preparing a dance to teach Year 3 pupils from two local primary schools.

Both GCSE groups created a dance based on a theme chosen by the primary school.

The pupils at both primary schools had a wonderful time being taught by the GCSE dancers and were excited to showcase their work when they performance at the Comberton Dance Share last week.

Year 10 student Becky Lee said: “I really enjoyed my first dance leader session at Monkfield Primary School.

“We were welcomed by 60 Year 3 students who were eager to get started! We began sessions with a warm-up and then split in to smaller groups to start teaching them their dance about Egyptians!

My group’s section was on mummies and there were also animals, pyramids, river and boats, Gods and pharaohs.

The children did very well and picked the dance up very quickly.”

Hannah Simpson worked with Caldecote students and said: “It was really great to choreograph our own dances in groups, and I loved teaching it to the Year 3s.

“It was really nice to see them getting involved and waddling like penguins in our dance and I think they enjoyed it as much as the leaders did.

It was also really fun showing them how to correctly warm up and cool down in dance, and it gave the dance leaders a lot of great experience for the future.”

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Following the huge success of the Winter Dance Showcase, performers were this week counting down to the Easter Dance Showcase, which was taking place on Thursday.

If the December performances were anything to go by then another fantastic evening will have been had by all involved.

Gemma Pritchard said: “I found the winter dance showcase a fun, new experience. The winter showcase was the first dance showcase I have performed in.

“I really liked performing in it, as it gave me the experience of performing in a proper dance show. “ I was in the chandelier dance, which opened the show. Before I went on I was quite nervous, but all of us were, and after starting the dance it seemed to go really quickly.

“I really recommend joining a dance class and performing in a showcase as it gives you the chance to see how these types of shows are run. Also it is really nice to share the things you work on with your friends and family.”

WINTER WORK: Dances from last term’s showcase.

Pictures: Gareth Nunns.

Performing on a different stage Comberton students were once again invited to take part in the annual dance show organised by Cambridge Performing Arts and the Bodywork Company Dance Studios.

The dancers performed in The Great Hall Theatre at The Leys School in a show which featured performances from Comberton, the hosts, The Perse School and students studying at Bodywork.

It was the first time that some of Comberton’s GCSE work was showcased which was a huge privilege and showed off the hard-working and talented dancers we have here at CVC. Seventy dancers performed in total ranging from Year 8-12. We were the most represented school in the show and the pupils behaved impecciably and perfromed fantastically. I was very proud of the dancers and they too should feel proud of their hard work and committment.

Rebecca Tyrrell, Head of Dance

THE CAST: CVC dancers on stage at the outreach show at The Leys School.

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Top five nationally Playing at the National Squash Centre in Manchester, the squad of Charlotte Davies (Year 12), Casey Miller (Year 9), Katie Reynolds (Year 12), Ellis Miller (Year 7), Fiona Hughes (Year 11) and Izzy Broadbent (Year 11) was one of eight from around the country contesting the finals.

The girls played tremendously well but were drawn against Gosforth, a strong Newcastle School, in the first round. Closely losing their first FINALISTS: The Comberton squad at the National Squash Centre in fixture, that put them into the second round group of schools playing for Manchester. positions 5-8.

A fantastic performance ensured they comprehensively beat Heaton Manor (also from Newcastle) 4-1.

The sun is starting to Monday 27th April 3-5:30 In the fifth place play-off Comberton took on Benendon School, from shine and the good and the boys Kent. In some heart-stopping final matches, the girls secured fifth place competition on Thursday weather is upon us, this nationally with a 3-2 victory. can only mean one 30th April 3-5:30.

A brilliant effort girls, you did Comberton proud! thing; the tennis season The winner of each Julie Miller, team manager is beginning. competition will then The season will begin play in the regional with an inter-school finals with the winner of and honing their skills in the competition playing A team of four Year 7 boys singles round robin preparation for such an event. tournament called The at Wimbledon in August! travelled to Linton Village The team have been supported College as part of the recent Throughout the rest of Road to Wimbledon.

by Rahul Jhawar, sports leader School Games table tennis There will be a separate boys and girls the term there will be tennis clubs on for the table tennis club, Mondays for girls and Wednesdays for boys competition. competition and anyone who is 14-andthrough the introduction of under can enter as long as they have signed from 3-4pm as well as fixtures for those The students have been small tournaments as part of up with Miss Curtis before Thursday 23rd pupils who would like to pit their skills regularly attending the after the extra curricular opportunity against others schools in both singles and April. school club on a Friday for the The team comprised William doubles.

The girls competition will be held on last two terms – sharpening Gibbons, Peter Watts, Owen Shields, Alex Anderson.

The Comberton team played against Linton A and B teams as part of the competition This year's badminton has gone from strength to which required singles and strength; with more and more pupils taking the doubles matches to be opportunity to watch, play and compete. completed.

Badminton club runs every Friday 3-4pm and this The overall result placed the year we have expanded into both the sports hall and students second overall by the gym to accommodate the number of players. only a few match points. The In the last term pupils have represented Comberton in boys represented the school in the school games competition where our year 7s an incredibly positive and came up against some strong opposition but battled mature manner, with a very valiantly and did themselves proud. pleasing outcome for their first Both the KS3 boys teams and girls teams travelled experience in inter school into Cambridge on a very snowy day to play in the county finals of the National Schools' Competition. competition.

The boys A team, captained by James Mikelson, I am sure we will hear about played some very strong opponents but did many more future successes themselves proud by reaching the semi-finals and just from this team of four as they losing out to their opponents who went on to win the begin their competition tournament. journey.

Sean Sycamore MEETING: Comberton students and Japanese players.

The three other teams all played well and demonstrated massive improvement in both their singles and doubles play.

The boys KS4 team played the week before and showed good determination against some very tough opponents.

The season has ended with some friendly fixtures, including against The Perse where both the KS3 boys and girls teams were victorious. Well done to all players who have represented the school this year.

LAST Badminton club will continue to run in the summer term on Fridays 3-4pm.

FOUR: In addition to playing, pupils also had the opportunity to go and watch the The KS3 Yonex All England Badminton Championship and see the best in the world boys competing. reached The trip is always a great way to see how the professionals play and gives the semiinspiration to many of our pupils on how to play winning shots and to finals of develop their attacking tactics. This year several pupils also got the the opportunity to meet some of the Japanese players and have their photo county taken with them. schools Hannah Curtis event.

Starting on Road to Wimbledon

Boys take runners-up slot

Something for everyone . . .

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Comberton finished a creditable fifth in the country after qualifying for the National Schools Squash Championships finals earlier this month.

Success is rewarded

ACHIEVEMENTS RECOGNISED: Comberton’s Roy Burrell Award winners.

This month saw the annual Roy Burrell Sports Awards take place at Netherhall School.

The evening is the equivalent of the sports personality of the year awards for the pupils in Year 11 across all schools in the Cambridge and District Secondary School Sports Association.

Each of the pupils who were invited to attend the awards evening receives the Roy Burrell medal for the excellence they have shown in their sporting specialisms and this year received them from Great Britain goal ball player Georgie Bullen.

She spoke to the pupils about her experiences as a pupil at Melbourn Village College and the transition into training full-time for the Paralympics and international competition.

This gave the pupils a real insight into what life is like as a performer at the highest level, the sacrifices you make to be the best you can be and the highs and lows of her career.

It was a great evening with all of the pupils dressing up for the occasion and many parents and staff members were in attendance to celebrate with them.

Particular mention must go to the pupils from Comberton who achieved higher recognition for their achievements.

Anthony Scully, who is on West Ham’s books, was named Sportsman of the Year for his footballing achievements, which include playing for England Under-16s this season and the republic of Ireland under-15s last year.

He was also a member of the Cambridge and District Schools under-15 squad who last year reached the final of the English School competition and were named Team of the Year.

Sam Rolls was named as the 3rd placed sportsman for his achievements in bike trials. Sam also gave a fantastic demonstration of his ability on the bike to the pupils and parents who attended the event. His talents are hugely impressive and were very well received.

Rebecca Burton was the third-placed athlete in the sportswoman of the year for her achievements in swimming.

We are very proud of the pupils who achieved these special accolades and we hope they will continue to enjoy and achieve the best they can in their chosen

specialisms. They are all role models who, along with our other Roy Burrell winners, will, we hope, inspire the next generation of pupils at CVC to achieve the best they can in their sporting endeavours.

CDSSSA chairman and Comberton Assistant Principal Sean Sycamore said: "I want to extend personal congratulations to all recipients and wish every one of them the best of luck in their sporting endeavors. Everyone involved on the night has achieved remarkable levels of excellence in their field."

The other Comberton year 11 students to collect Roy Burrell Awards were: Dan Anderson (football), Fin Atherton (Eventing), Hannah Bird (dance), Izzy Broadbent (football), Hannah Caw (dance), Megan Caw (dance), Lucy Clarkson (leadership), Sam Cridland (football), Ryan Fletcher (football), Ben Freshwater (rugby), Lauren Hall (swimming), Molly Harper (rowing), Bethnay Johnson (dance), Ashley Jones (rugby), Jessica Kennard (athletics), Natalie Newman (dance), Louis Neal (rugby), Urwa Mogul (leadership), Sam Roach (football), Abbey Robertson (leadership), Hannah Ward (golf).

Scully — remember the name Three caps for England, an Irish player of the year award and a four-year contract with West Ham United are just some of the many achievements that Anthony Scully has picked up so far – and he’s only 16.

The ferocious forward, still in Year 11 at Comberton, has been living the dream with exotic trips to Florida with West Ham and more locally he has been to the fairly contemporary St George’s Park which he could only describe as ‘an overwhelming experience’.

He has already gained so much experience in his footballing career and there is no doubt in the future that he will still be determined to meet his aspirations like playing in a World Cup, which only a select few get to participate in. But for now, he says, he is going to be continuing playing football and living every boy’s dream.

The choice between the white of England and the green of Ireland will be one of the toughest decisions he will make. He has been settling in well with the rest of the England under-16 team and already has a few mates there. He has three caps and has performed well in tournaments.

However, his family Irish connection and his great performances might make his decision harder as he has been highly successful with the Republic of Ireland and has picked up the prestigious Irish young player of the year award. But whoever he chooses to play for his fans will be behind him every step of the way.

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Between playing football at the highest level he also is involved with the Comberton football team. For him there is an obvious gap between playing for West Ham and playing for Comberton but he says that he really enjoys the banter between him and his school friends when he plays.

However, his hunger and desire to win is still very much a part of his mentality when approaching matches. This has shown in the performances for the team as they are rarely on the losing side.

To be great at something you must practice as much as you can and that’s why Anthony Scully has got to where he is today. His silky skill moves, flicks and tricks are all a product of practice on the training ground.

He continually practises moves on the training pitch — and anywhere else he can play — that he is copying from his idols Eden Hazard and Neymar Jr. These tricks come in handy in game situations and help him beat the oncoming defenders.

Anthony Scully is a very bright prospect and has very big aspirations himself. But for now his mind is still set on being a student and getting his qualifications.

However, with his talent and ability it is very likely that you will hear the name again being sung from the RISING STAR: Anthony Scully has terraces of a famous football ground or at an award international honours and a contract ceremony in the future.

Ciaran Coyle (9E) with a professional club.

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