CVC Winter 2016

NEWS

COM ISSUE 43, WINTER 2016

The Magazine of Comberton Village College

Putting other people first — Page 3

Outstanding progress

News@Com

Student progress at Comberton is among the best in the country.

Comberton’s Progress 8 score, which measures how pupils acieved across eight different subjects, was 0.54. As a score of 0 shows achievement at an average level when compared to pupils of similar ability, Comberton’s score indicates that, Based on the numbers who achieve A*-C in GCSE Maths and English, from their on average, their pupils achieve more than half a grade higher than would be starting point when they join the college in Year 7, their 2016 results put them in expected for all the subjects they were examined in. At Comberton 78% of pupils gained A*-C grades in English and Maths. the top 5% in the country, according to the Government’s Progress 8 measure.

Head of School Peter Law said: “This is an exceptional achievement for these Progress 8 was introduced this year and is designed to encourage all students to pupils, and puts Comberton in the top 5% of all comprehensive schools for this study a broad and balanced curriculum.

Progress measure.

“This outstanding result is made possible by the very hard work of our pupils and the excellent support they received.

“Congratulations to our pupils for their stunning results, to the parents and carers who have supported them throughout this work and to our staff for making this possible.”

In a letter to Mr Law from Tim Coulson, the Regional Schools Commissioner for the East of England and North East London, said: “I was very please to see the school’s provisional Key Stage 4 results.

“Everyone is aware of the changes to performance measures this year and the broader demands of Progress 8.

“It was very impressive how well and quickly your staff have adapted and taught children to the standards required. These results have PHENOMENAL PROGRESS: From joining CVC in 2011 to the end of Year 11 in 2016. come about through back-breaking work.”

The price of getting fit is coming down!

Comberton Sports and Arts, who run the leisure centre at Comberton “We run a number of different fitness classes throughout the week — and Village College, are incentivising people to get fit for 2017. have introduced a concessionary rate for them for the first time — as well They have reduced their prices by £5 a month from January and have as having a fitness suite and separate weights room. And for those who scrapped the need to have a contract. And buying a whole year’s prefer team activities, there is the option of badminton or tennis.”

Direct Debit membership: £30 per month — Standard, £20 per month — membership for 2017 is now £50 less than for 2016.

Concession/Corporate* In addition there is a new corporate membership — charged at the same Temporary one-month membership: £40 per month — Standard, £30 per month — rate as concessionary membership — which will entitle NHS, Armed Forces, Concession* Cambridgeshire County Council and Annual: £300 — Standard, £200 — Cam Academy Trust employees to a Concession/Corporate* significant discount.

Pay and play fitness suite/weights room: £6 They have also brought back the per visit — Standard, £4.50 per visit — Concession* chance to pay-and-play without a Classes: £5 per class — Standard, £4 per membership with classes at £5 each class — Concession. (£4 concessions) and badminton or Membership includes Fitness Suite, tennis court hire for £8 an hour. weights room, Fitness Classes and Finally there is the new option to Badminton/Tennis bookings. buy a block fitness card for £50 For more information please (£40), giving holders 12 classes for contact the CSA reception at 01223 the price of 10.

264444 or email us at New centre manager Jamie Shaw CSAenquiries@combertonvc.org said: “We want to encourage as *All memberships are subject to the CSA many people as possible to use our terms and conditions. Proof of facilities and are working hard to entitlement to concession/corporate make it attractive to do so, which is membership discounted rates must be why we have scrapped contracts. provided when joining.

FIT FOR LESS: Lower prices at Comberton Sports and Arts.

q Putting Others First — Page 3 q Trust News — Page 4 q MP’s Reminder — Page 5 q Buzzing at Bowling — Page 5 q Languages latest — Pages 6&7 q Spinning a Yarn — Page 7 q New Club launches — Page 7 q Lab’s £40k Upgrade — Page 8

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Contents

q DofE News — Page 8 q Sixth Form News — Pages 9-12 q Be Alert to Gaming Risks — Page 14 q Students enter Hall of Fame — Page 14 q Dancers Inspired — Page 15 q Play’s Climax shock — Page 15

q Kids’ Lit Quiz — Page 15

q Trip of a Lifetime — Page 16 q Perfect Hosts — Page 17

q Good Attendance Matters —

Page 17

q SCSSP Round-Up — Page 18

q Sports News — Pages 19 & 20

News@Com

Putting other people first

AERIAL VIEW: Students cross the fields during the ‘Walk for the World’ fund-raiser.

SMALLS CONTRIBUTION: The underwear for Africa collection organised by Sandra Blackford and Julie Peck.

Every year Comberton students and staff raise thousands of pounds for a range of different charities. Some are annual events, others are for specific charities chosen by year groups or individuals.

Here are just a few examples of the causes that have benefitted this term.

Say pants to poverty

This month Comberton staff have dug deep into their drawers to find gently worn bras and even deeper into their pockets to buy new underwear for children and women, for despatch to the Scottish-based charity, Smalls For All, who will send them on to Africa. that students from the school travel within their Underwear is a luxury some people can’t afford. Giving pants and own country let alone have the opportunity to bras may seem like a small thing, but it can make a huge visit another. Monies from the walk fund visits difference, especially as not having underwear can mean older to Comberton every two years. This experience girls will miss days off school each month. If you want to organise has been life-changing for the students and a collection, further details can be found at www.smallsforall.org teachers involved and the influence is being more widely felt now within the school itself.

Executive Principal Stephen Munday said: “We are really delighted that our students take seriously the task of fund-raising for excellent causes. This is a proper and important part of education for young people in our school.”

Help for international partners

Staff and students took part in their annual four-mile walk to raise funds for projects undertaken in conjunction with Comberton’s partner schools across the globe.

Previously known as The Walk for Africa, 2016 saw the launch of Walk for the World as commitments in Peru alongside partners, Lord Byron School in Arequipa, will receive some of the almost £3,500 donated. Comberton currently helps to fund specific projects in three orphanages in the South American country.

Support will also be given to long-standing partner schools Edendale in South Africa and with Escola Secundaria Noroeste do 1 in Mozambique; schools which strive to offer educational opportunities to their young people in challenging circumstances.

This is the 20th anniversary year of Comberton’s partnership with Edendale and funds from the walk this year will pay for specific work in the orphanage there.

Escola Secundaria Noreste do 1, in Maputo is a mixed gender STILL SMILING: Students approach the end of government school. It is very rare the walk.

Gifts of happiness

For the second year running staff, students and parents have been buying an extra present or two for the Cambridgeshire County Council Christmas Giving Appeal.

It is organised by the Children’s Services department and asks for new clothes, toys and gifts suitable for 0-19 year-olds in Cambridge and South Cambs, whose family circumstances mean they are unlikely to get any other presents.

With the other South Cambs schools in The Cam Academy Trust, Comberton, through the Charity Prefects, asked staff and students to donate.

Earlier this week, family workers and social workers selected gifts from among the donations for each young person they work with. These were then given to parents, with donated gift wrap, to be handed out on the big day.

Tangible aid for needy

CHRISTMAS CHEER: Donations for the foodbank.

Students in Year 10 have been busy this month collecting food to help less fortunate families in the Cambridge area enjoy some festive fare. They collected Christmas food items to donate to The Cambridge City Foodbank, which was set up by The Trussell Trust, a charity which helps people who can’t afford basic items like food.

Melody Lessan, one of the More than £700 was raised for Children in Need as students who helped organise Comberton staged a non-uniform day to support the BBC’s the event, said: “It’s easy to be annual appeal. In addition there was a popular cake stall and unaware of the amount of in the library students could buy Pudsey items as well as stick poverty there is in the UK or to a spot on Pudsey or Blush in the hope of winning a prize. forget about it, but the reality is In addition two separate events have boosted the coffers of national charity that one in five people in the UK Macmillan Cancer Support by more than £275. live under the poverty line.”

On the same day as the Walk for the World, staff and students from The Last year the Trussell Trust Centre manned a cake stall to ensure students had plenty of energy for the provided more than a million four-mile hike in the afternoon. emergency three-day food They raised £193.51 thanks to a selection of delicious offerings which had supplies and of these 400,000 been kindly donated. went to children.

A further cake sale organised by the food tech department netted another Year 10 decided to do their bit by £84.28. asking for items like mince pies, Another charity to benefit this term has been the Syrian Refugee Appeal chocolates, Christmas puddings, which will get £168.21, the proceeds of the raffle at the International Talent cakes and sweets.

Evening.

Donations are spot on!

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Primary plans move on THE CAM ACADEMY TRUST NEWS

The public consultation on the joint proposal by The Cam Academy Trust and Stratton Educational Trust to move to one full Primary School in Gamlingay has now finished.

Both Trusts are working together to confirm their responses to the points raised in the consultation.

The Boards of both Trusts were due to meet before Christmas to confirm their views on moving to the next stage of the potential change that would see the First School become a full Primary School, overseen

by The Cam Academy Trust, and move, in due course, on to the Village College (Middle School) site in Gamlingay.

Once a decision to proceed with the proposal might be confirmed by both Trusts then a business case

will be put to the Office of the Regional Schools Commissioner.

This will need formal approval for the proposal to be confirmed. In the meantime, planning for the development of the Gamlingay Village College site to turn it into an excellent facility for a full Primary School will need to take place. Further updates on these developments will be given when they become Stephen Munday, Chief Executive available.

More new schools are set to join Both Hartford Junior and Hartford Infant Schools in Huntingdon are set to become Academies and join The Cam Academy Trust in January 2017.

All the formal decisions have now been made regarding this development and it is a matter of all the various logistical arrangements being sorted out to allow the move to go through ready for the beginning of next term.

Their partner secondary school, St Peter’s, formally joined the Trust in September.

Jeavons Wood Primary School, in Cambourne, has just finished its consultation on its proposal to move to Academy status and join the Trust.

Following this consultation, a decision will need to be confirmed by the school’s governing body and the office of the Regional Schools’ Commissioner has to approve the decision. If all goes through as it might, this would enable Jeavons Wood to become part of the Trust early in 2017.

With these developments going through, The Cam Academy Trust will have become very clearly a cross-phase Trust with good representation of both primary as well as secondary schools.

This is a model that the Trust Board has been keen to see develop as it provides the most powerful way to have a strong influence on the whole of young people’s’ school education.

New man on team

POISED: Hartford Infant School could join the Trust next month.

Trust looks to go West

The Cam Academy Trust has submitted Free School proposals for the new schools that will be needed in Cambourne due to the proposed Cambourne West development.

Specifically, proposals have been submitted to open a new secondary school that The Trust’s new Primary Executive will be needed as well as a new primary school.

Leader, Chris Jukes, is set to take up The proposal for the primary school includes the suggestion of having an enhanced his post full-time with us in January. resources facility for some pupils with Asperger’s Syndrome that mirrors the Chris leaves his second successful PRIMARY LEADER: Chris secondary provision already available at Comberton Village College.

Primary Headship in St Alban’s, The planning proposal for Cambourne West is due to be heard soon.

Hertfordshire, to join the Trust to help to Jukes. oversee our primary school developments. His work will especially involve If the proposals for the new schools are seen as viable after an initial assessment working alongside the Heads in the primary schools in the Trust and with by the Department for Education, then the next stage will be to invite those schools’ local governing bodies. He will also work with primary representatives of the Trust to an interview in London to discuss the proposals schools who are exploring the possibility of joining the Trust in the future further before a final decision is made to allow the Trust to proceed with these and thinking through what this might mean for them. proposals.

For the love of language

The core purpose of Language Futures, an approach to language learning that was initially developed in 2009 by Linton Village College, is to generate deep engagement with learning, so learners are not motivated solely by outcomes, but also by the learning process, that they take responsibility for their learning both within and beyond the classroom, voluntarily extending it outside school.

In this extra-curricular model of Language Futures, students from Years 8 to 10 at Melbourn, Cambourne and Comberton Village Colleges are currently learning one of nine languages, including Afrikaans, French, German, Italian, Latin Japanese, Mandarin, Polish and Spanish. They are supported by voluntary community mentors, native or near-native speakers, who give their time to support and develop knowledge of both language and culture.

One student sums up the attraction of the programme: “It's a fun way of learning and is different from the classroom. You are also in control of the learning and that’s cool. It's also an opportunity which not every student in the world will have.”

It is early days but we would like to extend the programme to more languages next year.

Rachel Hawkes, Director of International Education HELP TO LEARN: From native speakers.

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Just for girls!

Girls from three of the Trust’s secondary schools are set to be invited to a new science fair.

The fair, for girls in all years at Comberton, Cambourne and Melbourn Village Colleges, takes place on March 16, 2017 at Comberton Sixth Form.

The two-hour sessions will involve presentations from guest speakers, support sessions and mentoring from Alevel science students.

This new venture was inspired by a recent sixth form science fair, which was highly successful and rewarding for students.

The hope is to inspire and encourage girls to take on sciences in further education.

For further information, please contact Nadine Malcolm on nmalcolm@combertonvc.org

For job vacancies across the Trust, visit the CAT website at www.catrust.co.uk

MP’s constant reminder

News@Com

The work of a Comberton student will remind one Government minister of her mission.

his piece: "I much prefer doing abstract or nonfigurative art, not only because I don’t have to embarrass myself sketching out inaccurate forms, but also because I often prefer looking at art from a ‘decorative’ point of view, and I find figurative subjects, like maybe a person or a flower, very specific to what they are; with an abstract ‘mash of stuff’.

“I don’t have to worry about the relevance of the image; even if some kind of meaning is strung into the work — the key focus is always whether or not it

Penny Mordaunt MP, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Word, has said that the piece of art she received from Matthew Dommett will keep her striving towards her objective of ensuring education and employment opportunities are available to everyone.

Matthew, who created the abstract piece while studying at CVC’s Cabin, a cutting edge provision for students on the Autistic Spectrum, was invited to Westminster to be personally thanked for the loan of the work, which is now in Ms Mordaunt’s office.

“I feel incredibly privileged to have such a beautiful piece of art in my Ministerial office,” said Ms Mordaunt, who is celebrating the achievements of disabled young people by displaying work in her London workspace.

“Matthew is a huge talent and a reminder of just what creativity and skill we will miss out on when education and employment opportunities aren’t there HANDOVER: for all. We must ensure they are. Every Matthew morning when I come into my office, Dommett Matthew’s art will remind me of that gives his mission.” work to MP Matthew, who is now studying Fine Art Penny at Cambridge Regional College, said of Mordaunt.

Students find science on the doorstep

The whole of Year 10 spent a day in Cambridge for a science-themed Curriculum Extension Day. They visited the Botanical Gardens, where they were able to go into the greenhouses and see the different types of plants in a variety of themed environments.

The students also completed a “science walking quiz”. The two-mile PLACE OF INTEREST: The Scott Polar Research Institute route around Cambridge city centre saw them use place where DNA was announced, where the electron their observational skills to answer questions. They was discovered and where Addenbrooke’s hospital passed key scientific points of interest such as the used to be.

looks interesting, fun, or just ‘generally nice’."

The loan, which was reciprocated by Ms Mordaunt giving Matthew a watercolour from her private collection, was organised by Naomi Marek, from the disabled children’s charity Sky Badger.

“As soon as I was approached to find a great piece of work by a disabled artist I immediately thought of Comberton Village College, she said. “CVC is outstanding at helping drive ambition for young people of all abilities.

“They fundamentally create brighter futures and I thought it was about time we celebrated these students’ abilities.

Matthew’s art work is a wonderful example of what happens when you see the talent not the disability.”

The Cabin at Comberton is a purpose-built facility that provides autistic students with extra support.

Peter Allcock, Head of the Cabin, said: “We are very proud of what we do at Comberton Cabin.

“We try always to show and provide understanding and maintain high expectations around what our autistic students can achieve.

“We know the families are proud of what their children achieve, and we want all our students to be able to contribute positively to our society.”

Cambridge insight

A number of Year 11 students were invited to attend Cambridge University’s Physics Department to encourage students to take up Physics at the next stage of their education, to raise aspirations, and to help prospective applicants understand the University of Cambridge’s collegiate structure.

Throughout the day students explored what it would be like to study Physics at Cambridge. The morning was be spent at Corpus Christi College, where students attended a talk and were given information and guidance on Higher Education, followed by a Q&A session. After this an undergraduate organised a tour of the College, which provided CVC students with a real insight into what college life would really be like. In the afternoon students visited the Cavendish Laboratory and took part in an introductory interactive lecture, followed by practical experiments using optic benches.

Social trips create buzz at the bowling alley

More than 250 Comberton students have enjoyed a trip to the Ten Pin the winning ball!

Bowling alley in Cambridge this term.

Everyone enjoyed a hot meal basket halfway through, and when all students First off the buses and into their bowling shoes were 142 Year 8 students were sufficiently fed and watered, the competition moved in the arcade. and 10 members of their tutor team. They chose their own groups and After a fun-filled evening, the whole group all got together for a festive everyone had two games to see who could get the most strikes. photo, before heading back to school.

Assistant Head of Year Fraser Kelsall said: “It is safe to say that all the pupils who attended the trip had a fun evening, not only with the bowling and food, but also spending time on the many arcade machines on offer! We look forward to our next social in the Spring term — the much-anticipated Year 8 Candlelit Dinner.”

Less than a week later it was the turn of 118 Year 9s and another 10 staff members and just as quickly the lanes were filled with enthusiastic bowlers. It was not long before the sounds of cheering could be heard as the first strikes were scored.

There was a real buzz throughout the evening as games took place, including many funny techniques to help roll COMPETITIVE: In the lanes and in the arcade.

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Exchange is so exciting

News@Com

IN SCHOOL: The Spanish way.

Going on the Spanish exchange was a nerveracking but incredibly exciting experience.

Days in advance of the trip, I was sceptical about going and worried that my knowledge of Spanish would not be enough.

However, this was not a problem as our hosts made us feel welcome and able to talk confidently.

They also knew some English if it got difficult and we were able communicate through signs and gestures.

The atmosphere on the coach to the school was very tense, but everyone was pumped to get there! That afternoon we met our welcoming host families. As we arrived the screams and shouts of the students from Rosa Molas were audible from inside the bus.

We were buzzing with excitement but also nervous at the thought that we would shortly be meeting the partners we would spend the whole week with.

They were lovely and embraced us as we got off the coach. We reluctantly said goodbye to our friends and SEEING ventured off with our families.

THE We spent the first evening with our SIGHTS: partners and their families who On a tour welcomed us into their homes, and of Castillo had cooked us delicious traditional de Loarre. Spanish meals. The first night was the

most difficult as making conversation was awkward due to the nerves of being in a new place with strangers.

Throughout the week it got easier to communicate and interact with our host families and we had fun doing activities with their friends, going out in the evenings and watching films.

On the first full day we were reunited with our English friends at Rosa Molas and had a tour of the school. The students were warm and full of enthusiasm. We experienced what it was like to be in a Spanish classroom and observe lessons in a different language, which was fascinating for us. The next day we explored Zaragoza and learned about the Roman history of the beautiful city, exploring the ancient baths and museums.

One day we had lunch at Chocolateria Valor, where we had chocolate con churros; it was delicious. We also went to Castillo de Loarre, which was magnificent and very beautiful.

On the final day we went to the Zaragoza football stadium and a park in Zaragoza. It was great to explore the city with our friends and partners.

The final day was emotional and leaving the school was more difficult than I thought it would be, as we had made so many new friends. Back in England we still keep touch with them and are looking forward to seeing them again in April! zzy Atta (9V)

Record numbers opt for working abroad

A record number of students will head for Spain next summer to experience working in a different country.

Twenty students — 18 from Year 10, in hotel accommodation, and two from Year 12, who will live with host families — will spend a week in Comillas in Northern Spain.

And it is a trip highly recommended by those who went this summer.

Emily Hodge, now a Senior pPrefect, said: “It was a great opportunity to practise our Spanish and to see what working in a different country would be like. Some of the different work placements included restaurants, tourist offices, shops, museums, hotels, pharmacies and even a local radio station.

“Although we were working, there was plenty of free time too. It was fiesta week in Comillas so we experienced a taste of Spanish music and culture in the town. We also paid visits to the local beach as well as finding out what each other got up to in their placements.

“The Spanish coordinator of the trip, Jose, helped us immerse ourselves in the different placements as well as some of his favourite songs, which he even recorded for us! His enthusiasm and positivity really made the trip and we can't wait to catch up with him when he comes back to visit Comberton next year.

“I would thoroughly recommend the trip to anyone in future years as you get to meet some amazing people and it is great for improving your Spanish.”

PERFECT MIX: 7T won Spanglovision with their rendition of Little Mix’s DNA.

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SERVICE: Madame Jarry checks out how work experience is going.

A wealth of talent

The International Talent Evening was very successful event, in which different students expressed their linguistic talents.

The most memorable aspect of the evening was the Year 7 Spanglovision performances (congratulations to 7T and their marvellous performance of DNA by Little Mix in Spanish, which won the contest).

The raffle raised several hundred pounds, which was donated to the Syrian Refugee Appeal.

Both students and teachers put hours of effort in and we would like to thank all those who contributed to the evening, including those backstage, such as teachers and the magnificent international leaders. We can’t wait until next year.

Leaders get in the swing

News@Com

Language leaders has been a great experience so far!

As well as having Ms Jones to prepare us for language leading, we also have three Year 10s, who were previously language leaders, help us in our Everyone involved has been enjoying it and we are meetings. thoroughly excited for when we go out to primary Last month, we all went on a Language Leaders schools to teach our target languages.

Training Day. We travelled to Magdelene College in As language leaders, we pair up and choose a Cambridge with a other schools in The Cam Academy Trust that are involved in the award where language out of the three taught at Comberton — we did leadership and teamwork training.

German, French or Spanish — and begin to plan a First we had a tour of the college, before we went lesson for a primary school class. In our pairs, we go back to the auditorium where we listened to a lecture to two schools during the year. about languages. After lunch, we did a few activities We have meetings at lunchtime in MFL5 on Mondays that tested our teamwork abilities before we went home.

From the training day, we were given a log book that we could write in alongside the A5 book we had been provided with when we started language leaders. We were also given a pen.

So far, language leaders has been a great way to explore, with my partner, one of the languages I love to learn. I’ve picked up so many new skills that I hope will make me a good teacher and I’m very excited to teach two lessons — there are so many topics to choose from! I strongly recommend becoming a language leader as it’s really fun, and you can use it as part of DofE Award if you choose to do it.

Imogen Halgarth (9R) IN TRAINING: Languages leaders spent the day at Magdalene College where they were shown round as well as having lectures and workshops. to prepare our lessons and learn about what it takes to be a good teacher so that we’re ready for our own lessons. We will be teaching a lesson for about 5060 minutes, while a teacher from Comberton sits at the back of the classroom and marks our performance as individuals.

So far, in our meetings we have prepared ourselves for teaching a lesson and structuring a lesson. We have had an introduction to the course, talked about what makes a good teacher, worked on our target language, planned for peer teaching and taught a five-minute lesson to our peers too.

New partners visit CVC

Thirty Japanese students from our exchange school visited Comberton to raise the awareness of our new link with Kobe Secondary School in Kobe.

The students first attended the Year 10 assembly and sang a number of traditional as well as modern Japanese songs, followed by the presentation of a gift to Head of School, Peter Law. Next the students visited a number of science lessons where they delivered presentations on earthquakes in Japan and how Japanese students prepare for the effects of earthquakes.

In the afternoon the Japanese students organised a number of workshops for the Year 12 physics students. The physics students learnt about and participated in origami, calligraphy, karuta and many other traditional activities.

Spinning a yarn . . .

The Yarn bomb that adorned last year’s Year 7 social area has been put into storage to protect it from the winter elements although some of it can still be seen handing around the windows in CPR 4.

It emerged in the summer term after Mrs Doza's Key Stage 3 classes engaged in some serious yarn questions as part of their Maths enrichment lessons. l How much money should a hand-knitted BOMBS AWAY: The yarn bomb in the social area. jumper cost, if it's fair trade? l How many metres of yarn do you need to More than 100 students took part in yarn bombing the create one-metre rope? then Year 7 social area. l How many hours would it take to knit a three-metre The students estimated that between them they hanged long magic carpet? more than 10 kilometres of yarn! This is enough to take l How many kilometres of yarn can we hang on our us from Combeton to Cambridge city centre with a few tree within 45 minutes? kilometres to spare!

CLOSE TO HOME: Japanese students teach CVC pupils about earthquakes in their homeland.

New club is launched

A new Graphic Print and Textiles club is starting next term.

It will take place on Mondays, 3-5pm, starting on January 9, and is open to all year groups.

Those attending will have the opportunity to: l Explore and experiment with your own project l Make a design for a baseball cap orT-shirt and produce it! l Pick up fantastic ideas for presents with an added personalised/personal twist l Learn basic pattern cutting to make your own garments l Add a 3D element to your art work l Enjoy creative freedom For further information on this new venture, which will take place in Art 1, please speak to Mr Feijoo or Miss Clarke. She can be found in the Cabin or DT office.

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News@Com

Labs get £40k upgrade

FROM GUTTED TO GORGEOUS: Comberton’s two refurbished science laboratories are now state-of-the-art learning facilities.

Students at Comberton are enjoying science lessons in state-of-the-art laboratories after two classrooms were refurbished with the help of a Wolfson Foundation grant.

The Foundation, an independent charity that supports and promotes excellence in the fields of science, health, education and the arts and humanities, gave the college £40,000 to upgrade two of the science rooms which were part of the original college building when it opened in 1960.

The original Sc12 and Sc13 used to be regular classrooms when the school first opened. They were converted into science labs more than 30 years ago and had not been updated since.

Now both laboratories are fitted with state-of-the-art Trespa workbenches and tables, resin sinks and science lab-specific storage cupboards. There have been upgrades to plumbing, fire and gas safety as well as enhancements to the electrical supply, a complete replacement of ceilings with energy efficient lighting (paid for from a different fund), the introduction of blackout blinds, new anti-slip flooring

and complete redecoration.

Sc12 is being used mainly for lower school teaching, while Sc13 is mainly an A Level physics lab but is also a venue for training teachers from across the region on ‘Physics for Non Specialists’ training courses.

Euan Willder, the Head of Science, said: “Students have commented on how much more inspiring and pleasant the labs are as a learning environment.”

Established in 1955, the Wolfson Foundation has awarded more than £800 million to more than 10,000 projects throughout the UK.

Facts and figures

Comberton is the hub for the Duke of Edinburgh Award for all the South Cambs Schools in The Cam Academy Trust. l There are currently 113 Comberton, 51 Cambourne and 31 Melbourn Year 10 students who will participate in the Bronze award expeditions in 2017. l There will be three practice expeditions: 24-26th March and 21-23 April for Comberton students and a joint expedition, 5-7 May, for Melbourn and Cambourne students. l There will be a joint assessed expedition for all schools in October when students are all in Year 11. l Enrolment for Year 9s for the Bronze award has just finished and numbers are being finalised. l Enrolment for Year 11s on the Silver Award has just finished and numbers are also being finalised. l Candidates for the Silver award complete their expeditions in July 2017 after they have finished their GCSE exams. l The practice expedition is 1-3 July and the assessed one is less than a fortnight later on 13-16 July, both in the Peak District. l Last July 17 Year 11 students took part in the Silver award and completed the assessed expedition. l There are currently 16 Year 13 students participating in the Gold award. l There will be a training weekend (11–12 March in Huntingdon), a practice expedition (1-6 April in the Lake District) and the assessed expedition (22-29 July in Snowdonia). l The Gold award will be launched to Year 12 at Comberton Sixth Form in the New Year.

OUT AND ABOUT: Students on the DofE Bronze award assessed expedition.

‘Painful, but we’d do it again’ During the first weekend of October, some of Year 11 travelled to the Chiltern Hills in the south east for our Bronze Duke of Edinburgh assessed expedition.

We arrived on Friday very excited and full of energy, a very different atmosphere compared to the end of the trek! Despite not getting much sleep due to a mix of excitement, dread and being freezing cold, we set off at 9:00am and were one of the first groups to depart.

We made a good start and reached our first few checkpoints early so took more than enough wellearned breaks. The rain did hit us during the day, resulting in a soggy lunch of Danny’s 20 babybels and leftover lemon cake.

Luckily, with the motivation of singing songs from the West End very loudly to all the residents of the Chilterns, we managed to reach the campsite in good time and set up our tent for the final night.

Day two was achy, but we packed away our tent and with high morale we carried on, determined to reach the last checkpoint of the train station where our warm coach would await us.

We were off to a confident start, met our assessor a few times and were reaching our checkpoints bang on time!

Pride comes before a fall, and we unfortunately then took a detour of almost an hour while trying to locate the next checkpoint, but we did find it in the end and we plodded on.

Despite being the final group to reach the end (by quite a long time), we did finally make it back, bags heavy (slightly less than before due to all the chocolate consumed throughout the walk), but smiles all round still.

Although at times it was very painful, for the most part we all (and other groups too) really enjoyed ourselves throughout the walk, and would definitely recommend it to other years. Some of us are even looking forward to repeating the whole experience during Silver Duke of Edinburgh in the coming year.

Imogen Lewis (11R), Zoe Jupe (11E), Alex Booth (11T), Anna Kirby (11V), Henry Lee (11T) and Danny Harding (11L)

8

Five years of success

Sixth Form

When the Sixth Form opened in 2011 we all hoped that it would grow to become a leading sixth form provider in the area with a reputation for excellence and a track record to prove it.

Five years on this is exactly what has happened. The class of 2016 not only achieved outstanding outcomes, but also made progress that puts them among the top 5% of students nationally for A levels; a truly remarkable outcome by any measure.

Over the past five years the Sixth Form has supported more than 1080 students coming from 30 different schools, who went on to pass in excess of 3600 A Level and BTEC qualifications, with a pass rate at A*/A (and equivalent) of 38%. These students have then gone on to attend more than 100 different universities and colleges, including Oxford and Cambridge, as well as all other Russell Group universities. As impressively, students have also joined highly sought-after employer training programmes with prestigious companies that include Deloitte, Astra-Zeneca, Ernst and Young, Barclays and Microsoft.

Unsurprisingly, the sixth form continues to flourish and grow in size as its reputation spreads, with a record number of Year 12 students joining in September this year.

The recent Open Evening for current Year 11 students saw an unprecedented number of visitors, further evidence of the continuing success story that is Comberton Sixth Form.

Lorna Conroy, Head of Sixth Form

CHEERS: Students celebrate their exam results.

The next steps . . . Getting ahead in race for best unis The 2016/17 UCAS cycle is well under way and the Year 13 students are currently being supported through the process.

We are looking at approximately 125 students making applications this year, including some early entries to Oxbridge.

Many students are already receiving offers, with some already having heard from all five of their choices.

There have been some particularly excellent offers made, such as from the University of Bath and the University of York, as well as an unconditional offer from the University of Nottingham.

Our students will have applied well in advance of the deadline, putting them in a very competitive position. We wish them all the best of luck with the process.

Top class

Last month, 25 of Comberton Sixth Form’s most able and talented Year 12 students attended a seminar to raise awareness of the process and requirements involved in making an application to the most competitive universities and courses across the UK and beyond.

The session, run by Hannah Powell, Deputy Head of Sixth Form with responsibility for supporting students through the competitive admissions process, and Phillip Evans, Associate Head of School for the Sixth Form, covered a variety of areas, which are key to making a successful application. Topics included: the requirements for applying to competitive universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, and how to conduct further research; action-planning for attaining top grades; seeking and recording extension opportunities to evidence passion for a chosen subject or career path; the role of admissions tests, interviews, personal statements and references in the admissions process. With students from Comberton Sixth Form now studying at all 24 Russell Group universities, including both Oxford and Cambridge, and students making successful applications for medicine and veterinary sciences, this seminar was an opportunity to support our next cohort of students with the hope of continuing this level of excellence.

Further support and guidance regarding higher education and wider post-18 opportunities for all Year 12 students will continue in the spring term.

Former CSF student Maddy Tomlin has aced a course taken by some of Britain’s brightest young minds.

Maddy (right), who is now reading history at Oxford, received the highest mark in the UK for the Cambridge PreU subject ‘Global Perspectives & Independent Research’ (GPR).

Maddy, who also took her GCSE exams at Comberton and left with 10 A* at GCSE and three A* at A level, was the only one to receive an award for GPR. Head of Sixth Form Lorna Conroy said: “We are incredibly proud of Maddy.

There are not many state schools that offer the Pre-U and for one of our students to get the best marks in the country is absolutely fantastic.”

Global Perspectives and Independent Research is part of the internationallyrecognised Cambridge Pre-U suite of qualifications. They encourage candidates to challenge themselves, with the highest grade awarded (D1) widely considered to be of a higher level than an A-level A*.

The Global Perspectives and Independent Research course involves a twoyear programme. In year one, the Global Perspectives course is a seminar based programme, which uses global issues through critical analysis, research and problem solving. Candidates submit a presentation, an independently researched essay and sit an external examination.

In year two, the Independent Research Report gives candidates the chance to conduct more in depth research into a topic of their choice. Candidates follow a supervision model, supported by an appropriate specialist teacher and submit a final report of between 4500 and 5000 words.

What employers want

would be likely to encounter. In the group tasks, students had complex business problems to solve in tight time frames, and they had to collaborate effectively to reach optimal solutions.

Having the chance to practise before facing the daunting environment of the real thing is invaluable. And the perspective on the kinds of competencies employers seek helps students prepare realistically for assessments in advance, PRACTICE: To get ahead with employers. and know how to demonstrate that they meet employers’ students, to prepare them for the type criteria. of tasks they will face when attending Chris is a former Comberton Village Assessment Centres for employment College student, and has good and other applications. memories of Mr Munday’s Economics He ran example group task sessions, teaching, which helped him along on and provided useful group and the track to taking a degree in that detailed individual feedback on what subject at York University. We are very employers will be looking for, as well grateful to him and to EY for giving our as explaining the other elements of students this opportunity. assessment centres that students Year 12 and 13 students had the opportunity to take part in some mock assessment centre sessions this term.

Chris Butterworth, of multinational professional services firm EY, ran some practice sessions for our

9

Weekend at the beach!

Sixth Form

After a rather soggy experience on the Year 12 geography field trip to Malham Tarn last year, now as Year 13s we were comparably enthusiastic about spending our weekend collecting fieldwork data; this time in the significantly sunnier and warmer Studland Bay area along Dorset’s splendid Jurassic Coast.

our way back to the minibuses.

On the journey back to Leeson House we stopped off in Swanage to explore the town and sit by the beach eating well-deserved ice creams and chips — even if it was quite bracing with a stiff coastal breeze!

On arrival back at the fieldwork centre we had time to ourselves before dinner, playing ping-pong and pool while the teachers enjoyed the television, leaving poor Mr Evans to kidnap the only radio so he could keep up with the Ryder Cup. However, there was still much work to be Following a four-hour coach journey along done with results to collate and kite the M3 we eventually reached the coast and diagrams to be drawn in our evening the impressive surroundings of Leeson lessons.

House Field Study Centre, where we quickly After a short morning lesson we were keen settled into our rooms and, after an to get back on the coach and return home introductory lesson, tucked into our muchto finally rid ourselves of the sand we had awaited dinner. collected the day before.

The next day we travelled to our fieldwork After two hours on the coach we stopped off site at Shell Bay in Studland, after a at Fleet Services to the relief of many who somewhat bumpy drive along the country needed a strong coffee and a McDonalds. roads at the hands of our experienced On arrival back to Comberton we were drivers, Mr Evans and Mrs Conroy. grateful to be home, even though we’d had After a short orientation walk we split into four IN THE SAND: Students collect data during the Year 13 an enjoyable and useful few days away. groups to lay out our transects. We collected geography field trip On behalf of all of the Year 13s we would a wide variety of data, such as pH levels, like to thank Miss Jones, Mrs Conroy and Mr Evans for giving up their weekend infiltration rates and percentage ground cover along our transect in order to and organising such a successful and enjoyable field trip, which leaves us well analyse changes across a plant succession. prepared for the challenges of the A-level paper four in the summer.

After lunch in an intriguing Second World War bomb crater, with both students Abigail Turner (U6-RWe) and teachers having fallen comically in the heather and Marram grass, we made

Styles merge perfectly . . .

Early this term A2 and AS drama students went on a trip to see Frantic Assembly perform “Things I Know To Be True” at the Lyric Theatre in London.

The piece was a collaboration between Frantic Assembly and thenState Theatre Company of South Australia and both companies have very different styles.

Frantic Assembly focuses solely on physical theatre, while the Australians are pure naturalism.

The combination created an effect that was unlike any theatre we had seen before due to the extreme contrast between the two styles.

Yet they somehow merged together very well to create a well put together piece of theatre that left most of us in tears, due to its emotional nature.

The set design had an emphasis on minimalism with the actors and props being visible from the perspective of the audience.

This, in turn, heightened our entertainment by putting more emphasis on the characters and the storyline.

Watching a piece of theatre like this opened our eyes to the genre which is physical theatre. It also showed us that forms of theatre can be merged in spite of contrasting methodologies.

The subject matter of the performance was very relatable as it depicted a close family unit in which all the children want to escape to live their own lives but are met with complications along the way.

We recommend this piece of theatre as it takes a different approach on the physical theatre idea, with the incorporation of naturalism, and is thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

Becky, Ashley and Ellen (Year 12)

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Having a positive impact

ENRICHMENT: Students have chosen to participate in a wide variety of activities.

As the term draws to a close it is time to celebrate all the positive experiences the students have had during enrichment and look forward to new ones next term.

Wednesday afternoons are set aside for activities that help the sixth formers develop additional skills that could make a real difference to their lives or those of others.

A sizable number of students chose to use this time helping younger children in the school, an experience that was both rewarding to themselves and has had a huge impact.

The pastoral mentors meet their mentees and provided vital support and guidance. Subject support has enabled sixth formers to work alongside teachers to assist lower school pupils in the different subject areas, and the literacy support team have been so successful in helping Year 7 students with their reading that Mr Southcoat wants to recruit more Sixth Form volunteers for next term!

Other sixth formers chose to spend the time developing other skills. The photography group have improved their basic digital skills and are moving on in the spring term to more complex work.

The magazine group will be publishing the termly magazine with articles and creative work they have researched, written, edited and published.

Mr Waller and the charities team can look back on a packed term where they have gardened and painted for Comberton villagers, run a Children in Need activity and hosted a tea party afternoon for the Comberton Friendship Club.

The students have now been asked to select a new activity for the spring term. Alongside all the activities which currently run, the PE department is offering new choices, including hockey and netball, in which we are hoping to have teams if the level of interest is high enough, indoor football, dodgeball and a new cricket academy.

We look forward to the sixth formers continuing to have a positive impact on the whole college and the local community via their enrichment activity choices.

Sixth Form

Counting down to launch of new Japan trip Comberton is organising a 10-day trip to Japan for CSF Year 12 and 13 students next summer.

Students will have the opportunity to experience Japanese student life at our partner school in Kobe, while staying with a host family.

The main focus of the trip will be to learn the Japanese language and to understand and have an appreciation of Japanese culture.

Students will also be set a project-related task where they will conduct research into a STEMrelated topic (for example, nuclear energy, maglev transport, robotics, electric cars, earthquake proofing technology, etc.).

Although the trip will have a STEM focus, there

will also be the possibility to research a nonSTEM related topic.

Details of the trip and how to apply will be published in the New Year. There will be eight places on this inaugural trip.

This follows the visit to Comberton earlier this term of 30 students from Kobe Secondary School.

After spending the morning in the main school, they ran a number of workshops for Year 12 physics students.

The CSF students learnt about and participated in origami, calligraphy, karuta and many other traditional activities.

Sharing Christmas cheer FIRST MEETING: Japanese students visit CSF.

Comberton Sixth Form hosted a wonderful Christmas party with 35 elderly members of the local Comberton Friendship Club who came to the school and attended a super soup lunch and festive celebrations in The Core.

This event was carefully planned and carried out by members of the Sixth Form, who developed excellent organisational and communication skills throughout this project.

We served a healthy soup and bread roll lunch, followed by a selection of sumptuous homemade cakes, tea and coffee.

We organised a pub quiz that became very competitive between the party guests and held a Christmas raffle with a wide selection of great Christmas gifts.

The Core was decorated to look very festive and put everyone in a great mood for Christmas celebrations.

The highlight of the afternoon was seeing different generations of people mixing together and sharing in the community spirit.

By the end of the event we had raised £120, which will go to support local charities.

LUNCH: Students serve members of the Friendship Club.

We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported us.

Chris Snow and Freddie Minney (Year 12)

Pyjamas for Pudsey . . .

The period around the national Children in Need Day 2016 event was a busy time for the Sixth Form charities enrichment group C4, with various activities being organised to raise money for this worthy cause.

By the end of the day on Friday18th November, the Sixth Form students had raised £246.53 through a pyjama and Onesie tax and a wonderfully mouth-watering chocolate cake and legendary Raff cookies sale, which many of the hungry sixth formers and staff undoubtedly enjoyed.

We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who helped to supply such tasty cakes, muffins and cookies, which were delicious and went down a treat.

Many of the Sixth Form students dressed in their pyjamas and Onesies, ranging from unicorn onesies to pink dressing gowns, in support of this amazing cause.

The record-breaking amount that we have raised will go towards supporting projects working with disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. We hope to raise even more money next year!

Aine Harbour (L6-SB) and Sarah Hannaford (L6-MR)

Community help on offer FUND-RAISING: For Children in Need.

Over the last four months a group of brave and intrepid Sixth Form students have been venturing through the local community assisting with all kinds of projects to help local residents in Comberton.

We have supported any resident, be it with a spot of painting and decorating, a bit of gardening or a general tidy up for anyone who wanted the help.

We are definitely a dynamic bunch of students, with heaps of energy and enthusiasm to tackle most things and we were not disappointed by the range of projects that came our way We have met loads of lovely villagers and learnt more about the community than we would ever have expected.

We have carried out many jobs to help

local people, including weeding, clearing up dead leaves, planting lots of spring bulbs like snowdrops and daffodils, as well as painting porches and window frames.

Our numerous jobs have taken us all over Comberton, visiting various people and we have learnt lots about the skills of teamwork, talking with the general public and appreciating the role of community help.

We will continue in our work after Christmas so If you would like any help then, please contact the Sxth Form by telephoning 01223 265470 or emailing us at enquires@combertonsixthform.org Rebecca Wilkinson (L6-JM), Amy Beswick (L6RWa) and Erica Tang (L6-JM)

HANDS ON: Students have helped in the garden.

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Chemists keeping busy Sixth Form

Day gives insight into university study Staff are already planning for Chemistry Day 2017 after the success of this year’s event.

It provided an excellent opportunity to independently research, plan and conduct a practical investigation to find solutions to various problems and tasks.

Based on university-style learning, students had tutorial sessions and had to fill in their own prep requests and risk assessments.

Based in Lab pairs, chemists were able to display their analytical and practical skills, which were then presented on a PhD-style poster in

LEARNING ZONE: Students present their work on Chemistry Day.

front of members of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Amgen and the OCR exam board.

Students had to explain their thought processes and defend their methodology.

During the day there were lectures from chemists in industry as well as PhD students and medical students. It gave students an excellent preview of science at university and left them feeling better prepared to face the next step of further education!

The winners were Kate Jakubiak, Tia-Marie Meriez and Anushka Sullivan-Harris.

Students are inspired by festival for women

Chance to develop skills PRESENTING: Students at the Women in Science Festival.

Visiting London Metropolitan University and using their SuperLab as part of a chemistry masterclass was an exciting experience.

It gave me the opportunity to work with pupils from across the country while developing my practical and analytical skills.

PHYSICS AT WORK: one of the labs at the Department for Materials Science and Metallurgy.

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We were given valuable information about the application process and life at university. The trip was a good opportunity to further explore my interests in chemistry, helping me to consider my education beyond A Levels and my future career options.

Tia- Marie Meriez (L6-RWa)

When I had the opportunity to present at Robinson College at their Women in Science Festival, I didn’t hesitate!

The festival was inspiring — encouraging girls to fill the void of female scientists in a maledominated industry.

It was such a great experience because it taught me that I don’t have to sacrifice my personal goals to pursue a career in science. I will definitely be going next year!

Laura, Year 12

As a result of this festival, Sixth Form students and science teachers are organising the first science fair for girls at schools in The Cam Academy Trust.

This will involve presentations from guest speakers, support sessions and mentoring from A-Level science students.

For more information please contact Mrs Malcolm in the chemistry department on nmalcolm@combertonvc.org

A-Level chemists visited the Sizewell B nuclear Power station, where we gained an incredible insight into the UK’s newest power station.

The processes behind the scenes were explained in depth during the tour, which was very interesting as

it gave us wider contextual knowledge for our A Level course.

We also had the opportunity to speak to our tour guides and find out about careers in the nuclear industry and the varied pathways into those.

Rebecca Walford (U6-CW)

Going nuclear!

Seeing physics in action

Sixth Form physics students recently visited Cambridge University’s Metallurgy Department where they had the opportunity to meet current students, posts docs and academic members of staff.

Cambridge staff gave live demonstrations in their labs posters and gave Comberton students the opportunity to wander around the Process Lab, where the Carbon Nanotube Rig was running.

Students also visited the Gallium Nitride Lab, which showcased the latest LED technology and included LIFI communication as well as new types of lighting technology.

Later on students visited the new Wolfson Electron Microscope Suite, where several state-of-the-art transmission electron microscopes were in operation.

Students also had the opportunity to view biomaterial scaffolds under florescence microscopy and materials in 3-D which used micro-computed tomography.

Towards the end of the visit, students saw other labs which included the Device Materials Lab (vapour deposition, 3-D inkjet, superconducting materials), RollsRoyce University Technology Centre, the X-ray Lab, the Teaching Lab and the Gordon Lab (indentation experiments).

Throughout the tour students met many academics and research staff and had the chance to talk to them face-to-face.

Comberton students were also given a sample of memory alloy which they were allowed to take home.

News@Com

ADULT EDUCATION AT COMBERTON, CAMBOURNE & MELBOURN 2017 Please see below for courses which still have vacancies. Tel. 01223 264721 or email commed@combertonvc.org . Courses start week commencing 9th or 17th January 2017.

COMBERTON VILLAGE COLLEGE

TITLE Art History European Book Keeping Part 2 French Beginners term 2 Italian Beginners term 2 Interior Design Tai Chi Beginners Photography, Digital Improvers Pilates: various classes including Bad Backs Calligraphy Watercolours Beginners Bee Keeping - starts 22.2.17 Keep Fit to MusiĐ ϲϱн ;dŽĨƚ WĞŽƉůĞ͛Ɛ ,ĂůůͿ Sign Language Spanish Intermediate Conversation

DAY Tue Weds Mon Wed Mon Mon Mon Mon/Wed Tue Thur Wed Thur Mon Fri

Photoshop French Bistro Cookery Chocoholics Cookery Creative Writing: Flash Fiction Emergency First Aid at Work Indian Dance Spring Flowers decorations (incl materials) Wired Sugar Spring Flowers

25th March 4th February 25th March 25th March 25th March 25th March 25th March 25th March

SATURDAY DAY SCHOOLS

CAMBOURNE VILLAGE COLLEGE

English Conversation for non-native speakers Spanish Beginners (term 2) Creative Ceramics Dressmaking Painting and Drawing for beginners/intermediates French Improvers (term 2) Keep Fit to Music over 65s (Caxton Village Hall) IT Skills for Work Practical Bread Making Canine First Aid

SATURDAY DAY SCHOOLS

TIME 12.30-2.00pm 6.00-8.00pm 7.00-8.30pm 7.00-9.00pm 7.00-9.00pm 7.15 ʹ 8.15 pm 7.15 ʹ 9.15 pm various 10.30 ʹ 12.00 11.30-1.30pm 7.15 ʹ 9.15 pm 10.00 ʹ 11.00 am 7.00-9.00pm 9.30 ʹ 11.30 am

Tue Mon Mon Tue Tue Tue Wed Tue Mon Tue

WEEKS 8 10 10 10 5 5 10 10 8 10 7 10 10 9

10.00 ʹ 4.00 pm 10.00 ʹ 4.00 pm 10-2.00pm 10.00-4.00pm 9.30-4.15pm 10.30-12.30pm 10.00-1.00pm 10.00-4.00pm 7.00-8.30pm 7.00 ʹ 9.00 pm 7.00 ʹ 9.00 pm 7.00 ʹ 9.00 pm 7.00 ʹ 9.00 pm 7.00 ʹ 8.30 pm 10.00 ʹ 11.00 am 7.00 ʹ 9.00 pm 6.45-9.15pm 6.30-9.30pm

COST £63 £80 £59 £78 £39 £20 £78 £45 £70 £78 £54 £46 £78 £70 £27 £40 £18 £27 £45 £8 £33 £27

10 10 9 10 10 10 10 10 5 1 eve

10.00 ʹ 4.00 pm 10.00 ʹ 4.00 pm 10.00 ʹ 4.00 pm 9.30 ʹ 4.15 pm 10.00-4.00pm 10.00-4.00pm

£59 £78 £90 £78 £78 £59 £44 £78 £49 £15

Creative Embroidery with foil backing Felt Making Growing Vegetables: beginners guide First Aid Paediatric Certificate (2 days) Spreadsheets Website Design in a day

4th February 4th February 4th February 4th & 5th Feb 4th February 4th February

DIY (wood, electrical & plumbing) Beginners Computing Indian Cookery Indian Dance French Refreshers Painting in Watercolours

Tue Tue Tue Tue Tue Mon

7.00 ʹ 9.00 pm 3.30-5.30pm 7.00 ʹ 9.00 pm 7.00-8.30pm 7.00-9.00pm 11.15 ʹ 1.15 pm

8 10 4 10 10 8

£63 £40 £32 £59 £78 £63

Oil Painting

Thur

10.00-12.00

10

£78

Pottery mixed ability Wed 10am/Tue 7.00pm Yoga (2 classes)

Wed/Tue Tue

10am /7.00pm 6.45/8.00pm

9 10

£90 £39

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

£27 £27 £27 £70 £27 £27

13

Be alert to gaming risks News@Com

Gaming can be great fun for children, but there are several risks involved, which can be reduced with the correct approach.

l Always look for the age classification on the game package or via a search engine on this website. l Try to look for a summary or review of the game content or ideally play the game first.

A survey commissioned by Get Safe Online revealed the following statistics: l Play video games with your children, watch over them when they play and talk l 51% of parents worry about their children’s safety with them about the games they play. Explain why certain games are not suitable. l 37% feel they have no control over their children’s online gaming l Set the limits by using the parental control tools of the game console or pc. l 24% are unaware of the security risks to their children from online gaming Tips for parents for online gaming l 25% know their children have disclosed personal information while online l Have open and honest conversations with your children about their online gaming gaming and the risks involved. l 34% say their children have spoken to someone they don’t know while online l Educate your children gaming about the dangers of l 16% say their child has revealing private information been bullied or verbally such as their email address, abused home address, family The risks members or financial details.

The risks arise largely from l Explain that not the vast number of people everybody is who they seem both in the UK and abroad or claim to be, and that their who are also playing, the motives may be minimal restrictions involved dishonorable. and the fact that they are l Tell your children not to not face-to-face. respond to bullying or other Because of this, children abuse, and to report it to cannot be sure who they you straight away. are playing against and l Online games are usually chatting to — or what their played in virtual motives are. communities requiring Sadly, being taken players to interact with advantage of by strangers unknown fellow players. Tell with sexual, abusive, your children not to give out fraudulent or other criminal personal details and report motives is becoming more inappropriate behaviour. commonplace. l Be aware that online RISKY BUSINESS: Be aware of the pitfalls of online gaming.

The risks are increased as games sometimes enable more and more games are being played on mobile devices rather than the 'family the download of extra software that can alter the game content and eventually the computer', giving parents fewer opportunities to check up on what their children age classification of the game. are doing online. l Set and monitor limits for the amount of daily or weekly time your children Other risks include: spend online gaming. l Children playing games with an inappropriate age rating. l Never give your child your payment card details as extras can be very costly. l Children running up bills on credit cards – if they have access to them.

Gaming currency l Spending hours at a time on online games to the exclusion of exercise, Some games have adopted in-game currencies or bonuses to attract players to socialising and schoolwork. play more to earn more. They have effectively created a synthetic economy.

PEGI Ratings Developers allow real money to be traded for these currencies in game, FIFA The Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) age rating system was established coins for example. in 2003 to help parents make informed decisions when buying video games.

As a result of this players have found that earning lots of game items/units/coins PEGI operates in 29 countries and the British games industry was a moving force etc can become profitable by trading digital assets with each other for real money. in establishing the system several years ago. The PEGI ratings give an indication The game's synthetic economy often results in interaction with a "real" economy; of the type of content found in a game and its suitability. characters, currency, and items may be sold and bought on online auction As well as PEGI age ratings, game packaging also carries PEGI descriptors that websites or purchased from standalone webshops. help explain the kind of content that might be found in a particular game.

Since January 2007 users are no longer allowed to sell virtual goods of online Descriptors appear as a set of icons that cover such themes as fear, bad games on eBay due to the ambiguous legal status of real world trading. language, violence and drugs.

This is hard for sites to manage and still happens daily. Due to the legal Tips for parents for gaming ambiguity of digital assets in regards to the actual ownership, it’s physical location PEGI provides advice regarding the age suitability of a game. However, every for taxation and its “real” value, players can end up losing huge amounts of child is different. Ultimately parents should decide what their children are capable money with no legal backing to recover it. of viewing or experiencing. Here are a few tips: Matt Mannas and Adam Gooch, Computer Science Department

Students enter the Hall of Fame All pupils in the school were invited to take part in the UK Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge 2016, held in association with the University of Oxford, and sponsored by Raspberry Pi, Arm and Computing At School.

Pupils in Years 7 to 11 took part as one of their computer science lessons during a week in November, and sixth formers were invited to take part in their own time. Results for individuals will soon be in school and passed on to pupils.

We are proud to announce that we have heard already about Comberton pupils who scored so highly in this national competition that they will

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(11L)

Intermediate Students — Kai Sun (8N), Lottie

Deane (8V)

Junior Students — Lucy Herring (7E), Zakk Lazar

be entered into the 2016 Bebras ‘Hall of Fame’, and will appear on the Bebras website.

The Hall of Fame pupils in each age category are: Elite Students — Melissa Slade (L6-CW) Senior Students — Emily Hemingway-Lawson

(7B), Joshua Upton (7T)

Some of the highest scorers will also be invited

to attend a further event at the University of

Oxford in the spring term. Watch this space to

find out how they get along!

Niki Smith, Assistant Principal

News@Com

Dancers inspired by trip

TAKING IN THE ATMOSPHERE: Outside and inside the famous Sadler’s Wells.

Sadler’s Wells was the destination for 30 students who went to see the renowned, world class Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre Company perform in London.

The evening comprised four works, including their most famous piece ‘Revelations’ as well as ‘Lift’, ‘Awakening’ and ‘Cry’.

The students, from Years 9-13, were impeccably behaved and thoroughly enjoyed the show. They were talking about the dances and the dancers the whole way through the interval and on the journey home. It clearly inspired the students and it was a wonderful evening for all involved.

Year 12 student Rebecca Lee said: “A number of dance students from Comberton took part in the trip and we were all very lucky to have this opportunity as the dance company only come to England every six years.

“This show included a number of his dances, all with different themes. My favourite dance was ‘Revelations’ as this was the closing dance which meant the movements were very big and upbeat.

“Also, it included all the dancers dancing together in unison, which was very effective to the audience as their timing together was perfect. The turns, kicks and jumps they were able to complete were amazing to watch.

“The performance skills and movements they used have given us all inspiration that we will be able to

Play’s climax is big surprise

Last month 90 excitable Year 11 GCSE English students travelled to London to see Stephen Daldry’s multi-award winning production of JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls at the Playhouse Theatre.

Being one of this year’s GCSE English texts, we all jumped at the opportunity to see it live on stage. And we certainly weren’t disappointed!

The play focuses on the affluent Birling family, who are celebrating their daughter Sheila’s engagement to local boy Gerald Croft when their evening is interrupted by an Inspector Goole, who has come to investigate the death of a local girl.

Through the tense hour and forty-five minute production, we were shown how each one of the Birlings led to this girl’s death.

The actors and actresses all played their respective characters to perfection and helped us to analyse the characters in a depth that would never be possible in class.

The doll’s house-like appearance of the set and the intense melodramatic soundtrack just helped to immerse us even more in the plot.

By far the best moment of the play was, after the Inspector’s final speech declaring that “if men will not learn their lesson, then they will be taught it in fire and blood and anguish”, when the stage started to collapse inwards on itself and sparks started to fly, shocking everyone in the audience.

Overall it was a brilliant trip for all who went on it and hopefully we’ll all remember it once our exams roll round in May! Amy Dimaline(11C)

SETTING THE SCENE: An Inspector Calls has dramatic end.

Pure poetry pleasure

On November 2, in the Performance Hall at CVC, many pupils shared some delightful poems either written by themselves, inspired by another poet or having just offered to read a poem of their choice.

We saw a range of poems from humorous, by Benjamin Ginn, to Each team of four students was asked to emotional, by Sophia answer 100 demanding questions on Green and Miss Dear. children’s literature, divided into 10 From descriptive to categories, which vary each year. seasonally themed.

Comberton’s entries weren’t able to get From childhood memories among the top teams in a hotlyto adventures so far at contested competition eventually won by CVC, by Grace Rooks. All The Quizzards of Oz from Aylesbury were wonderful and the Grammar School, A team from Impington evening emphasised the Village College were second. beauty of poetry and pure We would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ talent in Year 7. We are to all the teams that attended, Heffers looking forward to bookshop for providing a stall, and the celebrating this annually six authors who gave their time to sign as it turned out be WATCHING: Quizmaster Wayne Mills books, chat and see if they could beat marvellous event! keeps an eye on proceedings. the students!

Sophia Green (7T)

Book lovers battle it out

Comberton against hosted the Central England heat of the Kids’ Literature Quiz which promotes reading for pleasure.

It was their third and biggest year yet of hosting the quiz as 29 teams from 17 different secondary schools arrived to take part, along with six authors Helen Moss, Adele Geras, Chris Priestley, Andy Briggs, Inbali Inserles and Mark Robson.

The Kids' Lit Quiz is an annual international literature quiz for students aged 10-13 years.

The winning team from each heat went on to the National Final and the winners there go to the World Final in Canada.

use in our future dances.”

The history of the choreographer and his story which inspired his work struck home with Mille Dean (9R), who said; “Miss Tyrrell had told us that Alvin Ailey was an African-American choreographer. My favourite dance was 'Cry', which was a composition of three solos.

“Miss Tyrrell had also told us that the three pieces were choreographed by Alvin Ailey himself and his inspiration was his mum and her struggles in the mid-19th Century. I thought it was emotional and powerful.

“Overall, I really enjoyed the trip and the experience.

I hope that I can go with my family to see it again because it was incredible.”

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News@Com

Truly the trip of a lifetime RIO GRANDE: The trip included watching the Paralympics and visiting famous landmarks, like Christ the Redeemer.

At the start of term, 10 Comberton students and two from Cambourne Village situated on the borders of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay.

College started their journey to Rio de There were lots of animals everywhere we Janeiro, South America. went, including butterflies and coatis It started by coach to Heathrow, then which are racoon-like animals. We then overnight by plane to Sao Paulo and then checked into our hotel and went for a swim in another plane hop to Rio. the hotel pool.

Tired but excited, we drove to the British The next day we drove across the School where we relaxed and anxiously Argentinian boarder and went to the national waited to meet our hosts and then we spent park again, but this time on the Argentinian their last lesson with them. side. We then had a tour in an open-roofed We then met the rest of our host family and truck down to the falls. A guide talked about returned with them to their homes. The the different types of plants and animals that houses were all very luxurious and are found in the national park including spacious with pools and huge TVs. jaguars and toucans. Then we all got on to a We spent the next day with our host boat. We went down the river for a while until families as it was their Independence Day we came to a part of the waterfalls where we so everyone was off school. went into it and got absolutely drenched. It Most of the families met up at the beach was a bit scary but also very fun. We then and had a great time swimming in the sea got into dry clothes, had lunch and went for a TOURISTS: THe Comberton and Cambourne students and playing games. Some families decided walk on a boardwalk to look at more of the enjoyed a range of activities in South America. to take their English students out doing waterfalls. After an amazing day we went activities such as going to the cinema, eating out and meeting up with friends. back to the hotel where we played ping pong and other games in the games The next day we went sightseeing around Rio. First we went to Christ the room.

Redeemer. We went up on a small train then got off and walked up the last few The next day we went to a bird sanctuary where we saw lots of different types of steps. The views were incredible and the statue was huge. birds from all around the world such as flamingos and red and blue macaws. We Then we went to a typical Brazilian restaurant. It was a bit expensive but the food got to go in areas where birds flew right over our heads. After a few hours in the was great and there was a lovely atmosphere. bird sanctuary we caught a plane back to Rio. Finally, we went to a Favela, or community, which were traditionally among the When we got back to Rio we were greeted by our host families and were ready to poorest areas in the city. enjoy our last night in Brazil. Most of the host families took us out for the night to It was a very eye-opening experience and it made all of us appreciate what we say goodbye. have and how lucky we are.

On our last day we went to school with our hosts and went to all of the lessons One of our guides, who lives in the Favela, invited us into his house. It was a they had that day. three-storey house but it was still small.

All their lessons are in English so it was easy to understand. We were all very sad Our guide had also run with an Olympic torch and was able to keep his memento to leave and were going to miss everybody very much. After another long, tiring so we all got to hold it, which was amazing. journey, we were finally back in the UK. The next three days were spent at the Paralympics where we saw wheelchair It was the most amazing trip and we will never forget it and all the people we met basketball, five-a-side football, athletics and swimming. while we were there.

Fiona Musto-King (10N) and Millie Banks (10O) All the athletes were amazing and we even got to meet an American gold medallist, Gianfranco Iannotta, and he kindly signed some of our tickets.

We also saw Britain beat Argentina in the wheelchair basketball and saw two GB swimmers win gold and silver in the same race, but unfortunately we missed the medal ceremony.

The next morning, we got up very early to catch our plane to Foz de Iguazu. When we arrived it was very hot. First we went to the national park and had a buffet lunch.

Afterwards we went for a walk and looked at the brilliant waterfalls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, AWE-INSPIRING: American gold medallist Gianfranco Iannotta and the Iguazu falls.

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Perfect hosts serve up range of themed delights News@Com

This half term has been a busy one for the Year 11 GCSE Hospitality pupils.

The culmination of several months’ hard work saw three excellent events run that were meticulously researched and planned before being held during October and November.

The first was a wedding-themed event run

by Bronnie Davis-Jones, Lily Agyeman and Beth Barton. They delivered a spectacular three-course wedding breakfast to their guests, meticulously plated and garnished and professionally presented by the girls who worked tirelessly all day as well as serving their guests in the evening.

They had enhanced their venue with fairy lights and an array of decorations to create the right ambiance. The highlight of the evening was the cutting of the cake by two unsuspecting guests.

The second event was a spooky Halloween meal run by Sannah Clay, Issy Hunt, Catie Simpson and Kirsty Sheppard.

They took on the task of decorating the dining hall with dramatic lighting and table decorations. In doing so delivered a professional service to their guests.

The evening was well attended and full of surprises, as the girls had matched a range of inspiring drinks to each of the courses, which were met with delight and wonder

from all.

The food was creative and fun, yet sophisticated and perfect for the evening.

They gave themselves a lot of work to do, but remained calm and professional throughout and pushed through with smiles despite the very long day!

The final event was a canape and cocktail event and was a triumphant success. This was run by Leon Cade, Sam Jaggard, Deanna Kelleher, Liz Monington-Tucker, Ella Williams and Jodie Freed.

It was held at The Core, which proved to be a wonderful venue, especially as it has a servery area that worked brilliantly as a bar for Sam and Leon, who delighted guests with an attractive range of ‘mocktails’, enhanced with umbrellas, flamingos, sparklers and other garnishes.

They provided a range of hot and cold, sweet and savoury canapes attractively plated, which they served to their guests throughout the evening. The pupils demonstrated their culinary skills with beautiful bite-sized morsels made using choux, pate sucre and puff pastry, Yorkshire batters, cakes, gels, crème patissiere and home-cured salmon to name a few.

We congratulate all involved with these events; they really did exceed expectations.

Emily Webber, Head of Food and Nutrition

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY: Hospitality students’ themed events were well thought out and beautifully presented and one even had unsuspecting guests cutting a wedding cake.

Good attendance makes a real difference

More than a third of Comberton students did not miss a day of school last year.

And the college’s overall absence rate was just 3.9%, compared to the national average of 5%.

Despite the inevitable winter colds, 466 (35%) students managed 100% attendance, which Heads of Year are celebrating with their year groups.

Attendance does have a really positive impact on our students in terms of their access to learning as well as their engagement with wider school life and social opportunities.

Although attendance is really important for

academic outcomes, there will obviously be times when illness makes absence inevitable.

Please contact us every day of absence by phone (01223 262503) or by e-mailing Iain Grant, the attendance officer, on igrant@combertonvc.org

If your child is not registered in school and we have not heard from you, we will notify you via text so you are aware and their reason for absence can be confirmed.

Please remember that students should not sign themselves out of school unwell or make direct contact with home if they feel unwell. All students who feel unwell at school should visit the Medical Room where they will be assessed and parents/carers called if the child is too unwell to remain in school. Parental support with this is much appreciated.

Corinne Davidson, Assistant Principal

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

Coton reach county round Coton girls are through to the Cambridgeshire round of the English Schools FA competition after the tournament at Impington Village College earlier this term.

They were among the 36 under-11 seven-aside school football teams battling it out in three competitions at the South Cambs round —girls, small schools and large schools.

Coton topped their group to earn a place in the next round in February — the winners and runners-up qualified — and also a final showdown against favourites and defending champions Histon & Impington Juniors, who have won the title for the last three years .

And they were definitely the underdogs against a Histon team who had scored 24 goals and conceded none in their pool games to guarantee their progress.

The girls from Coton put in a determined performance and gave Histon a good

competitive match, but ultimately the quality of the Histon team proved superior as they took the title with a 2-0 victory.

Coton and Histon & Impington will be joined at the county finals by Meldreth and Harston & Newton, the top two in the small schools’ competition, as well as Histon & Impington’s boys and Willingham, who battled out the large schools’ final.

There were additional plaudits for the Coton girls as they won their section’s Spirit of the Games award for their good team spirit and respect of the referees. Barnabas Oley won that in the small schools section, with Melbourn Primary taking the large schools’ award.

Claire McDonnell, Partnership Manager, said: “The event was a great success with a good standard of football on show. We were delighted to have so many children involved; they all represented their schools with pride, showed great respect and sportsmanship and left having had a really enjoyable day.”

Getting right balance

Awards for sport

RUNNERS-UP: Coton girls were losing finalists.

Two of Comberton’s partner primary schools, as well as the college itself, have earned a Gold School Games award for 201516 in recognition of their commitment to the development of Physical Education, school sport and competition across their school and into the community.

Coton and Haslingfield were handed the top award alongside Comberton, but other partner schools also got in on the act. Dry Drayton collected silver and there was bronze for Barton and Caldecote.

Partnership Manager, Claire McDonnell said: “Schools achieving the coveted Gold award demonstrate a whole school approach to PE and sport. They have the wholehearted support of their headteacher and provide opportunities for all pupils at all levels.

“As well as this they are a community hub for sport, encouraging involvement from parents and community groups.”

The School Games Mark is a Government-led awards scheme where schools can gain a bronze, silver or gold level award.

This term 140 children between the ages of four and six at Barton, Harston & Newton, Fen Drayton & Waterbeach primary schools have been given the chance to learn to ride bikes without stabilisers thanks to the SSPs balanceability programme.

During six weekly sessions delivered by the SSP’s project officer, Julie Pashley, children have developed their static and dynamic balance on bikes without pedals; enabling them to transition to pedal bikes in a safe and enjoyable manner.

Claire McDonnell, Partnership Manager, said: “Balanceability is the starting point for children’s cycling and an excellent opportunity to promote active lifestyles at an early age. It also supports the PE curriculum and is a natural lead into bikeability training which children do in Years 5 and 6.

“Balance bike training has been really popular in schools since we launched the programme a year ago. It has had a real impact on the children, helping them to improve their social skills as well as their balance and coordination.

“For many it has also given them the confidence and enthusiasm to practise their cycling at home with parents.” WHEELY GOOD FUN: Barton youngsters enjoy their balanceability bikes.

Pupils are bouncing into action . . .

LEARNING: Play Leader training.

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The SSP has made supporting schools to develop ‘Active Lunchtimes’ a priority this year in a bid to help schools improve the physical activity levels of children and to help all children meet the Chief Medical Officer’s guidelines of at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Already this term more than 150 children have been trained as Play Leaders, giving them the skills and confidence to deliver games and activities at lunchtimes.

So far pupils and staff at Harston & Newton, Meldreth Coton, Barton and Dry Drayton schools have received training.

To further encourage daily physical activity and to get youngsters moving each half term the

Partnership has launched their first new playground craze and is challenging schools, pupils and families to get involved.

The craze is pogo ball bouncing and theSSP has already supplied more than 100 pogo balls to local schools that are getting involved, including Harston & Newton, Barnabas Oley, Haslingfield and Coton.

The challenge is on to see what tricks or skills children can master on a pogo bal,l with prizes on offer for the best ideas! Follow SCSSP on Twitter and Facebook to see how schools are getting involved and what tricks the children are coming up with!

Girls’ national progress

News@Com

Both Comberton girls’ teams successfully navigated their first round of matches in the National Schools Squash Championships.

The under-19 team convincingly won their first round group after meeting the three other teams in their pool in one fixture at Aylesbury Grammar School.

They defeated Downhouse B 3-2, Aylesbury Grammar 4–1 and Berkhampstead 5-0.

With the No 1 and No 5 out injured, the remaining threeComberton girls all had to play up a position and rose to the challenge.

Ellis Miller, Hannah Gingell and Aramelia Prothero (playing positions 1, 2 and 3) won all of their matches without surrendering a single game.

Millie Banks and Tess Clippingdale both stepped in to play at 4 and 5 and fought some incredibly close battles.

They absolutely deserved their individual wins against Berkhamstead and the

team have now secured a place in the main draw of the next round.

A celebratory McDonalds on the way home was definitely in order!

The under-15s are also through to the next round of the main draw after winning away at highly-regarded Benendon School in Kent against both their A and B teams.

The girls were on top form with Ellis Miller, Alicja Emmans, Millie Banks and Maya Hellin each winning all of their matches against both teams 3-0.

Despite feeling unwell, Emma Banks still turned out for the team and took a game off her opponent in a fantastic match against Benendon B. The team was then treated to a delicious supper in the boarding school’s dining hall before the 2½ hour trip home.

A huge thank you to Ben Banks for transporting all of us to the fixtures.

Julie Miller, coach

Expanding choices

Jess is District’s best QUALIFIERS: From the District cross-country races.

Curriculum Extension Day saw Year 7 taking part in a number of different sports. oveThe Y half kicked off proceedings on the Thursday with the X half taking over on the Friday.

Pupils tried sports such as rowing, badminton, dance and cheerleading. There was also the opportunity to try fencing, courtesy of Cambridge Sword Fencing Club, and cycling, in which coaches for British Cycling came in to deliver sessions. Comberton Squash Club also provided a coach to do some squash sessions over the course of both days.

As a result of this, it is hoped a fencing club will start on Wednesdays next term. Elsewhere in the extra-curricular programme, football and netball will replace rugby and hockey, while gymnastics and cheerleading will continue, Please see Mr Uttridge to sign up for these sports and for more details.

Jess Westcott led the way for Comberton as she won the Minor Girls’ race at the cold and foggy District cross-country championships at Netherhall School.

She will be joined at the county championships next term by Jana Banajee and Jeff Newham, who were both among the Year 7 qualifiers in huge fields.

There was also success in the older age groups for Comberton’s 39 entrants with sixth former Freddy Minney making his Comberton debut and qualifying.

In the senior boys’ category, Adam Lightfoot (Year 10) secured his place in the county round, while Year 9s Joe Wheeler, Hannah Williams, Ellie Davies and Lily Goodwin were all placed highly IGOOD SEASON: Fort he under-16 hockey quad. enough in their junior races to progress.

Hard work pays off in tournament finale Training for the under-16 hockey team this year has gone really well. We’ve been regularly practising skills, including teamwork, defending, and shooting to improve our overall gameplay, with Mrs Schnellmann, Miss Shipley and the Year 9s.

Every week the team plays a six-a-side friendly to help us to master game tactics.

Our first match this year was against Cottenham. It was a great start to the term as we won 2-0, with Rosie White named as the player of the match.

The following week we faced Swavesey and everyone played brilliantly, but we drew 0-0. Alice O’Connell was the player of the match.

Our third game was against Impington and we drew 2-2, with the player of the match being Gabby Borinuoluwa.

The annual under-16 tournament fell on the day after Year 11 returned from their exhausting Bronze DofE expedition, which was not great.

However, everyone tried their best. We drew 0-0

Unbeaten Year 7 develop as team

against Melbourn, beat Sawston 2-0, but unfortunately we were beaten by Bassingbourn in the last five seconds of the tiebreaker game and ended up coming third. The player of the tournament was Nourhan Sherif.

It’s been great to have such a fantastic team spirit this year, which has helped us succeed. We’re always keen for new players in Year 10 and 11 so do consider joining next year.

Rosie Lewis and Tab Stafford (Year 11)

Thirty Year 7 rugby players have been developing their skills this term Individuals — not in this TEAM Mauls and rucks a plenty, Avaan, Alex and Theo would win back the ball for us Experts are in the team. Sam, James, Ben and Tom have all played before and have helped the team develop.

Tackling is our strength, Little Leo and Big Ben have shown us how to do it — we have only conceded two tries!

Opponents, Melbourn, Impington, Parkside, Netherhall, Swavesey and The Leys have stood in the way, and then fallen.

Size. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog, just look at Alex, Jonah and Luca.

Courage was needed, and they had plenty of it.

Running, dodging and weaving past players, Callum, Ollie, Edward and Louis displaying their skills Unbeaten all term, but will we rise again stronger if the defeat comes?

Merging together this team has learnt to work as one.

Fun on bikes

British Cycling have been into Year 8 and 9 PE lessons for the past six weeks to deliver cycling sessions to students.

The coaches brought specialised bikes and students have been put through their paces, looking at practical cycling skills as well as guidance on how to check your bike’s health.

Students have experienced both track cycling and cyclocross skills and have thoroughly enjoyed every week.

There weren’t even any complaints in the howling wind and rain.

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Champions at the double News@Com

Comberton can boast an England champion and junior international competitor and a British champion in the same sport.

Year 11 Lexi Day retrained her English One Star Junior Equestrian Vaulting title after a long summer training and competing both in Britain and internationally.

She also competed at the British Championships, finishing fourth, and is now part of the English Vaulting Squad practising for international team events in France and Belgium early next year.

She practises twice a week in Cambridge and one or both days at the weekend in Warwickshire, while juggling her GCSEs, despite having only taken up the sport,

GYMNASTICS ON HORSEBACK: Lexi Day (far left) and Kate Taylor (with lunger) on their way to national titles. best described as gymnastics on horseback, less than three years ago.

She started in walk classes at competitions in the first few months and then quickly progressed to canter classes and became the English Champion.

Kate Taylor, of Year 10, won a British title in a walk class during the championships in Rugby, topping her class in both the compulsory and freestyle tests on successive days.

But her hopes of a pairs title were scuppered by a puncture on the way back to the event on day two. She was due to compete at 8am but she and her teammate missed their slot.

The judges agreed to let them ride later, but Kate ended up having to get straight

Leaders put in hours of volunteering LEADING LINE-UP: Photocall for the current members of Comberton’s Leadership Academy.

The Comberton Leadership Academy are currently eighth in the country based on the number of leadership hours they have logged this academic year.

All the students have committed to helping with at least one club, with many also extending this to helping with out-of-school clubs as well.

They started by attending their first Leadership Conference, hosted by the South Cambs School Sport Partnership and held at Comberton.

In this conference they learned of the opportunities available to them and heard from inspirational Sports Leader Laura Mott, a former Comberton

Sixth Former, who took every opportunity available and has gone on to be a young county coach and Living Sport’s Volunteer of the Year.

During half term, a number of pupils attended leadership courses in rugby, dodgeball and netball to gain leadership qualifications.

Pupils have also begun to assist with primary school competitions, such as tag rugby and cross country.

Congratulations to Ella Tomsett, who has become Comberton’s first leader to reach 50 hours of volunteering and to achieve her bronze leadership certificate.

Finding ways to involve girls!

This year, the PE department are working with the Youth Sport Trust to run a project called Girls Active.

The project aims to understand the barriers girls face when participating in sport and PE and find strategies to overcome these, motivating and encouraging more girls to be physically active.

This term has seen an initial survey sent to Key Stage 3 students to understand their involvement in sport and PE and the creation of the Girls Active Leadership and Marketing group.

This group of Year 8 and 9 students have been meeting regularly to discuss their ideas for events and strategies to promote PE and physical activity to girls in school.

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They have already come up with some fantastic proposals, including inviting a motivational speaker into school, organising additional extracurricular clubs, their own This Girl Can campaign and even a Colour Run! The group will be working to share the ideas and opinions of their peers with the PE department as well as using their own budget to make their plans happen.

While the engagement in sport and PE of female pupils at Comberton is already very positive, we would like to increase this further and hopefully the Girls Active project will help us to achieve this!

Abbey Cotton, PE Department

SCHOOLS SUCCESS: Comberton are on a roll in squash — Full story on Page 19.