News@com winter 08 by The Cam Academy Trust

The News Magazine of Comberton Village College

ISSUE 19, WINTER 2008

INSPIRING NEW LINKS COMBERTON is set to play a key role in the largest international partnership scheme in the English state school system.

meaningful exchange programme, with Year 11 leavers last year visiting Mozambique and running a sports festival along the lines of the Year 6 athletics event held annually at Comberton. Six Year 11 students have been selected to go to Mozambique in July and two students from Escola Secundaria Noroesta 1 are scheduled to visit Comberton next summer, funded by some of the proceeds from the Walk for Africa earlier this term. Now, in a project worth up to £100,000 over three years, the plan is to strengthen the link by involving Comberton's partners in the South Cambs Schools Sport Partnership (SCSSP). Turn to Page 2

And a spin-off from the burgeoning partnership with Mozambique means the African nation have verbally pledged to select Cambridge — and Comberton in particular — as their training camp for the 2012 Olympic Games. The International Inspiration project, which is being led by UK Sport with backing from the British Council and Unicef (The United Nations Children's Fund), aims to affect 12 million children in 20 countries worldwide ahead of the 2012 Games. It has been influenced by the Dreams and Teams initiative, which was set up two years ago by the Youth Sports Trust and British Council to link UK schools with schools across the world. Cambs schools were linked with Mozambique and Comberton has since set up a successful pairing with Escola Secundaria Noroesta 1 in the capital, Maputo. FACT-FINDING MISSION: Members of the Mozambique delegation with Comberton have Comberton Executive Principal Stephen Munday (back, second from right) and established a Director of Sport Nigel Carrick (back, far left).

‘Outstanding’ Comberton wins praise COMBERTON is one of only two 1116 schools to be named among the country's top schools for a fourth time. Of the 2,944 schools, childcare providers, colleges and children’s homes rated outstanding in the Annual Report of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills for 2007/08, only 22 have been listed four times and just CVC and a school in Solihull serve the 11-16 age group. In Cambridgeshire, 13 schools and 14 childcare providers were judged to be providing outstanding care, education or skills. Comberton Executive Principal Stephen Munday said: “We are delighted to be listed for a fourth time in the Chief Inspector’s annual report as an outstanding and particularly successful educational provider. “There are very few schools in the whole of the country that have achieved this. It means that every time that Comberton Village College has been inspected by the Ofsted regime, it has been given the accolade of ‘particularly successful’. “This long-term consistency of outstanding provision being recognised is great testimony to the staff who have worked here over the years, the efforts of very many students and the great support of all parents. Our target, of course, is, as always, to work out ways that we can continue to improve!”

Pay as you go! THE 12 pupils selected to go to Africa after they have finished their GCSE exams next summer are already in travel mode. The group — six going to Mozambique and six to South Africa — have started the mammoth task of raising the approximately £2,000 they each need to fund their working holiday. As well as sightseeing, both groups will work with pupils in Comberton’s partner schools, Escola Secundaria Noroesta 1 in the Mozambique capital, Maputo, and Edendale in Pretoria. There is no set amount each has to make through fundraising, but it was agreed that that they would do a minimum of one group funding event each.

Both sixes have done that, with the Mozambique students providing the catering at the farewell party for the German Brass Ensemble and the South Africa students contributing to the catering for the International Talent Evening (full report in the next Lingua@Com). Some boosted their funds further at the Christmas Bazaar earlier this month, while others are working on independent projects outside school, either on their own or in pairs. Pictured below are the pupils going to South Africa (Rob Cassey, Kelly Scrivener, Anna Carter, Josh Maloney, Grace Scupham and Hannah Chandler) while Jenny Bane, Amy Lamb, Phoebe Sharatt, Charlotte Glasse, Holly Jukes and Holly Sheppard are the all-girl group bound for Mozambique (bottom picture).

Travel aid on offer THE Henry Morris Travel Awards offer financial help to young people (aged 13-19) who wish to make a short visit, or travel further afield, to find out more about something that interests them. Young people must make all the arrangements for the trip themselves and submit an account of the visit by September. This year applicants compared different skateboards in the region, others made a study of wildlife and flowers in the Pyrenees and one group went to Holocaust sites to trace relatives. The choice is yours and the trust will give up to £250 per person. The closing date for this year is 31 January 2009. Students should see Ms Cook in the Community Education department for help in applying.

Read all about it! This edition of News@Com is also available as an e-publication with a page index, word search, tell-a-friend, print and download options. Go to the CVC website at www.combertonvc.org and follow the link. Publishing News@Com online is an experiment for CVC and we would welcome parents' opinions and feedback about the on-line format.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Shaken not Stirred — Page 3 Mike s other Life — Page 3 Fighting Bullying — Page 3

Teams’ Second — Page 6

Many Changes but still the

Words make Money — Page

same at Heart — Pages 8 & 9

Leading the Way — Page 10

Something new — Page 4

On Yer Bike! — Page 7

Great Day Out — Page 10

Feels Like Forever — Page 5 Biggs deal — Page 5

Debate Builds Character — Page 7

Questions of Faith — Page 5

Chance to Indulge — Page 7

Shot in the Arm — Page 6

Students Elected — Page 7

Muddy Hell of War — Page 6

Darwin Celebration — Page 7

Sport — Pages 11 &12 Applied Learning and Enterprise Competition — Pages 13-16 Designed and edited by Judy Czylok. Contact: publicity@comberton.cambs.sch.uk

Inspiring new links From Page 1 The other secondary schools, Granta Special School — and possibly primary schools as well — will have the opportunity to develop links with schools in Mozambique ahead of 2012. Earlier this month Comberton hosted a delegation of visitors from Mozambique as well as representatives from the International Inspiration partners and the YST. The group included a senior education minister, the President of the Mozambique Olympic Committee, and the head of Mozambique's teacher training programme. They spent two full days at Comberton and were very impressed with what they saw. Their visit also included a presentation at Marshall Aerospace led by the airport's head John Watkins, who is playing a key role in promoting Greater Cambridge as a pre-Olympic training venue. As a result of the visit, Marcelino Macome, the president of Mozambique's National Olympic Committee, has verbally committed to sending his country's competitors to the region ahead of the 2012 Games. It is hoped he and Comberton's Director of Sport Nigel Carrick, who is also on the Pre-Olympic Training Camp steering committee, will sign a Memorandum of Agreement next spring when Mr Carrick and teachers from interested SCSSP partner schools visit Mozambique. Comberton Executive Principal Stephen Munday said: "It's another opportunity for further strengthening international ties, tying it together with other areas of student leadership and linking to the 2012 Olympic Games in London. "This new initiative will enable many of our partner schools in South Cambridgeshire, through the sports partnership, to enjoy this development for their pupils as well."

Shaken not stirred! WITH the new James Bond movie hitting cinemas across the country Comberton decided to go with the flow. Next year’s Principal’s Ball on Saturday March 7, 2009, will be themed around the exploits of James Bond and it promises to be a real blast! Everyone will certainly look the part in best dresses and black ties, but to really get you into the Bond mood, try sipping a Dry Martini (shaken but not stirred) in the fun casino, or take part in our competition to find the best Sean Connery impersonation. There are other spy-related activities throughout the night but it’s all a bit hush-hush right now as we are waiting for Q to tell M what U are doing.

What we can reveal is that there will be a sumptuous banquet and danceable music from Rockin Revival, who play a selection of Sixties and Seventies music including your favourite Bond themes. Tickets are £27.50 each and are available from Miss Moneypenny in Cb3 (that’s the reception desk in the gym next to the Performance Hall not a branch of MI5!). Proceeds from the event, which is organised by the Comberton Village College Trust, will go towards providing and updating equipment in the Performance Hall so that more shows and productions can take place right on your doorstep. Dum de dum dum, di di di, dum de dum dum, di SINGING STAR: Duty site manager Mike di di…da nah, da nah nah… Richardson.

Mike s night life is very different . . . ROCKIN Revival, who will play at this spring’s Principal’s Ball, will feature one very familiar face. Duty site manager Mike Richardson has recently joined the Cambridge-based band, which is made up of ex-professional musicians. Although many of you will know Mike from his day job, he has a long history in the music business. After signing with the Bob Kidman Orchestra at the Dorothy Ballroom in Cambridge (now Waterstones), he turned professional and moved to London where he sang with the Tony Evans Orchestra, a 16-piece dance band in the West End, performing at The Empire

Ballroom, Leicester Square, in the afternoon and the Lyceum (Mecca Ballroom) in the Strand in the evenings. After two years of West End life, Mike returned to Cambridge, let his hair grow long, accessorised with beads and sandals and joined a hippie psychedelic band, called Forever Amber, whose music was similar to that of Pink Floyd and the Zombies. The band made 99 copies of an LP entitled the Love Cycle, which is now a collectable and selling for as much as £3,000 a copy. If you were about in the Sixties and can remember this era then check in your loft! In 1978 Mike joined a University Band called

Out of the Blue, a 14-piece jazz funk band, then in 1979 Mike went to America where he joined various country rock bands in Texas. He returned to the UK in 1989 when he worked with adults with learning difficulties. While on a training course about working with the aged, he saw the need for some entertainment, as he found they were not laughing at his jokes, but appreciated his singing. So he began to entertain with “A Walk Down Memory Lane”, a collection of music from the Forties, Fifties, Sixties and Seventies. Earlier this term he performed for The Friendly Circle over-60s group at the college.

Working together to combat bullying LAST month 16 Comberton pupils travelled to The Vine Inter-Church Primary School in Cambourne to help out with the children’s learning as part of the nationwide primary school anti-bullying week. The afternoon started with the 70 Year 5 and 6 pupils listening to an introduction to bullying from the Cambridgeshire Diversity Manager, before going to their classrooms for further activities. The Comberton pupils led workshops in small groups where the youngsters discussed the key HERE WE ARE: Comberton pupils preconcepts of anti-racism, pare to join youngsters at The Vine.

took part in role play to practise changing their responses to teasing or bullying in the future and were helped to present ideas which demonstrated understanding about what racist bullying looks like and how it can be avoided. Students from both schools really enjoyed meeting each other as well as working with each other throughout the afternoon. Everybody, including staff, felt that they had gained new insights into how we should move forward and respect every single person equally no matter what their background is. The Vine’s pupils were interested to find out about Comberton’s PEOPLE scheme (Pupils’ Equal Opportunities Policy means Learning for Everyone) and we have begun to think about how we could take the PEOPLE scheme into primary schools in the future. Lewis Mancer (10O)

Something new to do FOR two days each year, normal lessons are collapsed and pupils in each year group have the chance to sample a range of different activities on Curriculum Extension days. This year, Year 7 had one day of science and one

Spanish show is pure magic DURING Curriculum Extension Days a Spanish theatre group, the Firewalk Theatre Company, visited Comberton and performed an amazing show for the Year 8 pupils and some other local primary and secondary schools. The production was a play and a magic show all in Spanish and it was very educational. The plot was about a young girl called Miranda and her father. Miranda’s mother was a powerful magician but she died, and Miranda and her father were alone. They tried to perform magic shows on the street in order to earn money and to travel to visit Miranda’s mother’s grave. Miranda kept having dreams involving the ghost of her mother and they were sometimes very scary! Towards the end of the play Miranda and her father reached her mother’s grave and Miranda takes on her mother’s magical powers.

time as Year 9 focused on Design Technology and maths. Year 10 spent two days working on their English and science coursework, while Year 11 pupils took mock GCSE exams in the expressive arts subjects or studied for other subjects they are taking for GCSE.

of PE, with a range of different sports on offer. Year 8 spent one day doing geography fieldwork at Walton-on-the-Naze and the other doing language-related activities, including dancing and tai chi. New this year was a Spanish Theatre production complete with magic tricks. Making trebuchet was another new activity this

Ready for battle PUPILS in Year 9 participated in a day of Design Technology activities. They worked in small groups to complete three different challenge projects — two old favourites, Ready Steady Cook and Wind Powered Vehicles, plus the new gladiatorial challenge of building trebuchet that could have broken many a Roman siege. This challenge involved constructing a swinging arm catapult from garden bamboo sticks. The motive power for the firing arm was provided by an old cycle inner tube. Testing took place under strict competition rules adjudicated by Mr Rigg. JOLLY GOOD SHOW: From the Firewalk Just like on TV, the Ready, Steady Cook task was Theatre Company. to design, develop and prepare a culinary masterThe tricks the actors performed during the piece from a standard basket of ingredients. It was show were amazing and the final trick was pasta galore as Year 9 produced a variety of Italianbreathtaking. Miranda completely disapstyle cook - chill delights. The production of an peared and then re-appeared in less than a eye-catching CAD-developed package completed second at the back of the hall! the task. We all learned a lot and it was very interesting Super lightweight engineering coupled to innovative wind-catching devices was the name of the and we all really hope they will come back soon! Chantelle Bates (8R) and game for the wind powered vehicle challenge. One Phoebe Rooney (8R) large desk top fan, four wheels, two axels, strips of pine, card and glue! Hotly contested, the competition was fierce as these whacky racers roared, well trundled, down the test track. It's JUST before half term, Year 8 went on a trip to surprising how far a small buggy powered by a Walton. sail will go! While we were there, we were able to visit some areas that were eroding away quickly and some where it was eroding slowly. On the beach we found bits of houses and other things that were originally on the cliff top before they had fallen down with the eroding cliff. At lunchtime we ate on the wildlife reserve and talked about why people would and would not want to save it from eroding away. People said that it should stay because of the animals and other uses it has, but others also said it does not need to be helped as no-one lives there and it costs too much money to protect the land. After lunch, we visited the tower that was on top of the cliff. We all estimated how many years it would take until the tower fell into the sea. Most people said it would take at least 30 years as it was not so close to the cliff edge. Everyone had a great time. TREBUCHET CHALLENGE: Pupils work Tasmyn Huseyin-Sharp (8T) on their model.

Focus on erosion

FIELDWORK: Year 8 pupils on the beach at Walton-on-the-Naze.

Biggs deal for Natalie . . . YEAR 10 pupil Natalie Biggs reached the semifinals of a national competition. She competed in the penultimate round of Miss Teen British Isles after funding her initial steps towards a modelling career with a g2g card. The g2g card gives youngsters, aged 13-16 from low income backgrounds or who are in care, £40 a month to spend on a range of council-approved activities which they would not otherwise be able to do. The scheme is run by Cambridgeshire County Council and Raphaels Bank and so far 1,500

youngsters have received the Maestro debit card. The scheme, launched in April, has already won many plaudits and Natalie (pictured) said: “I’ve used the card to pay competition fees to help me with my modelling career and g2g sponsored me at the Miss Teen British Isles competition. I think the scheme is wonderful.” Natalie’s mum, Angela, added: “I don’t work because I’m disabled. The card means Natalie can go out with her friends and it helps pay for her modelling, which has given her confidence.”

Feels like forever . . . ONCE again Comberton has brought in a superb batch of new pupils and it already feels like we’ve been here longer than a term. From Tutor Boards, a competition won by 7N, we went straight into Spanglovision, where 7E triumphed, and it was still only September. Run, whack and throw! All of Year 7s showed off our PE skills during the inter-form sport competitions. By having both a rugby and hockey tournament as well as doing the church run, it was a team effort as well as doing your own personal best. The number of people who have already got their bronze merit award is fantastic, but 7B are the ones to beat for merits with more than 700! There were many people standing to be form representatives so congratulations to the ones who did get chosen and for those of you who didn’t, make sure that you keep trying! The form reps’ first task was to create a presentation for their form’s chosen charity so that all the presentations could then be put together into one big assembly for all Year 7 to watch. The results were great and so much of the work had been done without the help of the tutors! Our chari-

ties, Wood Green Animal Shelter and the Teenage Cancer Trust, will be donated a large sum of our earnings as a year group and so it was wonderful to see what each of them actually was before we voted. Form representatives have also helped organise this term’s social events: our Oscars themed disco and the swimming trip to Bedford Oasis. School Council elections also created a real buzz and we were all impressed at the professional stickers and campaigning strategies that all candidates showed. After waiting for most of the day, the announcements finally came — with Cameron Reed (7M) and myself being elected. Hopefully we will be able to work together DRESSED TO IMPRESS: as a team and make sure that we continue Year 7 pupils donned their the amazing start we’ve had in the year! party clothes for last Anne-Lucie Bugain (7B) month’s Oscars Disco.

A question of faith and science THE first of Year 10’s three RE Conference Days covered ‘Religion and Science’ and saw a range of staff getting involved with teaching, including Head of Year, Mrs Jones. Students studying Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE looked at this issue from the perspective of Islam and to further their understanding of this faith, Mohsin Badat (a Muslim medical student) from the University of Cambridge came to talk about how he views the relationship between science and his faith. The rest of the year group looked at a range of views on how science and religion relate. This led into discussion of the use of animals in medical research and some video clips helped students understand a range of views on this issue, including

how such an emotive topic is portrayed in the media. In the afternoon, the whole year group came together to listen to a speaker from Huntingdon Life Sciences who talked about his view on the value of using animals to test new medicines. Students were able to ask him questions about the work that goes on in the laboratories and how he would respond to people who think it is wrong. Students who study Philosophy & Ethics have the opportunity each year to visit Huntingdon Life Sciences and those who went last year talked to Year 10 about what they had seen during an assembly.

Cashing in for charity THERE was a range of cakes, biscuits, tea and coffee on sale at the Year 10 coffee morning in aid of the Macmillan Cancer Trust. After last year Mrs Jones was keen to make this one a big success and we didn’t disappoint, raising £250. Thank you to everyone who came. Maddy Winnard (10T) & Sophie Rudkin (10E)

Shot in the arm for geographers! THE streets of Swanage and the footpaths of West Lulworth welcomed another 84 Comberton geographers on the annual field trip to the Isle of Purbeck.

watching students scampering across the beaches and the pavements taking detailed notes on any discarded wrapping paper or lollipop sticks. We met back outside the heritage centre and it was then when rumours started to escalate concerning the state of the accommodation at the youth hostel. The coach journey seemed to fly by and we arrived in Walking up the steep road to our residence, the air was the picturesque village of Corfe Castle. We soon busfilled with murmurs such as: “What if there are comied ourselves with note-taking and taking pictures of munal showers?” and “I’ve heard that the only toilets local amenities to add to our coursework. are in a shed outside!” played along to the amusement To make sure we made the best use of our three-day of the geography teachers. stay, we were then hurried on to Swanage. A sigh of relief was breathed by all as we discovered The geography teachers issued each of us with a bookthe rooms were clean, the toilets were indoors and let and left us free to wonder the streets of Swanage, there were no communal showers. The games and TV earning the occasional raised eyebrow from the locals rooms came as a pleasant surprise and each evening the Victorian-styled youth hostel came alive with loud music and dance there. As well as the fun and games, vital research was collected to help our coursework. One of the most memorable moments on the trip was when Kenny was ‘shot’ in the arm with a toy gun by the local youths. A contradiction to those who claim: ‘There is little to do for young people in Swanage’! The next day was spent discovering the wonders of Purbeck’s own World Heritage Site at Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door. To round off the trip we spent the last day on a boat trip visiting Old Harry’s rocks. On behalf of the geography students I would like to thank Mrs Conroy, Miss Carr, Mrs Pearson, Mr Evans and the assisting staff for a great trip. COURSEWORK: Pupils on the Year 11 geography trip. Jeff Wilkinson (11E)

Words mean money THANKS to all who took part in the Sponsored Read over the summer holidays, especially Phyllis Armstrong in Year 9, who raised the greatest amount of sponsorship money, and to Highfield Farm Touring Park for their generous donation. We were able to order books totalling twice the value of the money raised, through the generous support of the publishers Usbourne. The books will be available for loan from the library and used to augment the English department’s Year 9 book boxes. Many thanks also to Jenny Bowles, the parent who conceived and organised the project, without whose hard work none of this would have been possible.

MEMORIAL: Part of the Menin Gate.

The muddy hell of war

IN October, 72 historians in Year 11 visited the First World War battlefields in Flanders, just before the 90th anniversary of the ending of the Great War. The visit focused on two main areas: the Somme, where the British began an offensive against the Germans in July 1916 — the first day of which cost the British 60,000 casualties — and Ypres, site of three battles during the war, the third of which is notorious for turning into a muddy hell. During the trip, we visited many amazing sites including Vimy Ridge, with its monolith of a memorial to the Canadian troops who fought there. We saw memorials to British and Commonwealth soldiers who fought in The Great War, such as Thiepval on the Somme, with the names of over 70,000 Allied soldiers whose bodies were never found, and attended The Last Post at the Menin Gate. Despite the rain and wind, we were able to visit many other sites including Tyne Cot Cemetery and walk through some of the muddy trenches. SIX Year 10 pupils, Michael Booth, Chris Knutsen, Will McArdle, Stephen The trip was a huge perShawcross, Duncan Edgely and Will Evans, travelled to Coleridge sonal experience for us, Community College in Cambridge for the Worldwise Geography Quiz. especially those of us who The first round included five stages such as an A-Z about countries and had relatives who fought sports, an OS map reading and questions about East Anglia. The top three in WW1. teams moved into the next round and both Comberton teams led the way It has given us all a real with The Perse School in third. The final round was oral and we felt our perspective of war that questions were harder as we were asked to name a type of Israeli farm, could never be gained in whereas the Perse only had to spell ‘Igneous’. After this round Comberton B the classroom. were third and the A team and Perse joint first. The second part included a I think I speak for all of group oral quiz in which Comberton B managed to close the gap. However, us who went on the trip the Perse gained full marks and although the final part included gambling when I say it was truly an points on questions, Perse held on to win with the CVC teams joint second, enjoyable, educating and ahead of last year’s winners, The Leys. Thanks to the teachers who helped valuable experience for train us. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were rewarded with gift everyone. vouchers. Michael Booth (10M) and Stephen Shawcross (10V) William Wilson (11B)

Comberton teams share second

A chance to indulge COMBERTON hosted its second Indulgence Evening — this time with a festive twist! Christmas decorations, perfumes, make-up, jewellery, books, cards, clothes, shoes and handbags and much, much more were on sale. In addition to a wide range of therapies available, there were several nail technicians providing manicures and polishes on the night. Students were given a special one-day dispensation for Friday if they had their nails done. (It would have been a waste of money to remove the lacquer for the next day!) After indulging your purse and person you could then indulge your taste buds with a delicious array of homemade cakes and a cuppa — or glass of SURVIVAL SKILLS: Adventure Club members learn to master a bike (more practice needwine! All the stall holders donated gifts for the rafed) and make pot noodles. fle and a thoroughly enjoyable evening raised well over £300 for the Year 10 fund — we’re all looking forward to the next one!

Students elected AFTER an exciting election during last month’s Personal Development Day, the following students were elected to serve on the School Council, alongside the head prefects. Year 7: Anne-Lucie Bugain and Cameron Reed; Year 8: Peter Atkin and Sara Churchman; Year 9: Hattie Algar and William Thorne; Year 10: Micha Thomas and Michael Booth. There were several candidates for each year group and they should all be congratulated for the excellent speeches they made.

On yer bike! HAVING mastered the tricky skills of bike mechanics, the Year 8 Adventure Club set out for our first adventure on bikes.

After the chicane of bollards outside the school, slow riding competitions and the muddy banks of the school field to practise gear changes, it was off to the alleys of Comberton and the skateboard park, which was lethal with a wet and slippery surface. However, most stayed upright but Josh had a spectacular 'stack'. Mark and Nathan managed to get to the top of the ramp and down again. FEBRUARY 12, 2009 is the 200th anniversary of Everyone found that if you keep in a straight the birth of Charles Darwin. line skidding was avoided. Everyone now has We will celebrate this important date with another good bike skills and road sense and we can performance of Most Beautiful, Most Wonderful – a think about crossing the border out of play based on the life and work of Charles Darwin. Comberton to the badlands beyond. This will be performed by Year 9 and 10 students The Year 9 Adventure Club, meanwhile, have at 7.30pm in the Performance Hall. been practising their expedition skills and while If you missed the play last term, here is another Gordon Ramsey has televised cook-alongs, the chance to see it. Adventure Club has 'cook-along-a-Riggy', learning to master the intricacies of a 'Trangia' stove Tickets from the Community Education office.

Darwin celebration

which runs on meths. The tower of parts has to be assembled and the burner lit before we set about boiling water. With boiling water lots of food options are possible and there is little washing up! We started with hot chocolate then set about creating our own version of 'Pot Noodles'. Old yoghurt pots served as cups and we crumpled noodles in, added flavourings from stock cubes and stirred it all up with water. Levi said he didn't like 'Pot Noodles', but gave it a go and found that his version was gorgeous and filling. Sorted! Chris and Nathan were commended for their team work, while Harry won the prize for eating the most with the longest slurp. Hayden and Kier kept the tidiest cook area; Matt and Hal had the most random cooking style! Our aim is to take on a mini expedition with better preparation than Bear Grylls. So far we know we can live on noodles — but for how long? Ian Rigg, Adventure Club Co-ordinator

Debate builds character! COMBERTON maintained its recent proud record in public speaking and debating with another superb performance in the South Cambridgeshire Under-14 Youth Speaks competition. The Year 8 team of Ruby Dickinson, Matthew Clark and Iris Breward prepared and delivered an excellent presentation as they debated the motion ‘Is Competitive Sport Character Building?’ Their argument was so impressive that the man assigned responsibility for asking questions of the team found himself unable to raise any

points of objection! The competition, organised by the Rotary Club and held this year at Melbourn Village College, attracted 10 other teams from schools across Cambridgeshire who discussed a range of topics over the course of the evening. In a very high standard of competition the CVC team was extremely unlucky MAKING A POINT: The Comberton debating trio. to miss out on one of the top prizes, selves, it isn’t the winning but the taking part but the students can take great pride in their achievements. And, as the team argued themthat matters.

Many changes but st Learning (Vocational) College, Training School and Leading Edge Partnership School. All of these remits imply working significantly with other schools to help all of us to continue to improve. It The college opened in 1960 for just 240 pupils. It is thus a common experience for many Comberton has grown in various phases ever since. Today, staff not just to work within our own school but there are 1370 pupils on roll. also to work with other schools. Given this, it is hardly surprising that a dominating When asked what is one of the distinctive features feature of the school site at the moment is the latest of Comberton Village College today, there is no building project. doubt that, along with the traditional role of village It has been a source of great interest for students community college, this working with other (and staff) watching this being built up as the large schools is one of those features. It is crucial in crane has put the main structure in place. The new order for us to continue to develop ever-better facilities remain on schedule for completion in opportunities for our students. summer 2009 and thus to be available for use in The final important current development has been September 2009. the creation of the new Comberton Educational They will enhance general classroom space as well Trust. This was legally formed in September and as providing new and much needed further facilities the school is now affiliated to it. In all the forthfor Art, Music, Drama, ICT and Science. We are all coming developments, this is likely to be the overgreatly looking forward to enjoying use of these arching organisation. It can hold together all the new facilities soon. future developments, whether primary, secondary A further key part of Comberton’s on-going develor sixth form. Its fundamental principles reflect the opment that is now fundamental to us has nothing essence of the school’s foundation as a village colto do with buildings. It is the school’s central posilege, an all-ability school devoted to the highest tion in the school system in working with many possible standards of education for all, a commitBUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: The changother schools in many ways to provide the best posment to work with others and a desire to ensure a ing skyline at Comberton. sible educational experience and student achievestrongly international outlook in all that we do. ment for all. These are the principles of the school today. They are consistent with the This stems particularly from the college’s virtually unique position in holdprinciples of the school at its outset. They will be the guiding principles as ing five different official designations (the maximum permitted now to any we develop into the future. successful school is three): Sports College, Language College, Applied Stephen Munday, Executive Principal ORIGINAL DE

ONE consistent theme in Comberton Village College’s history has been its growth.

Our key aim is to develop the full positive potential of every individual pupil in our care CVC Prospectus 2008 The aim of the school is to provide a sound general education and to encourage creative and satisfying leisure activities CVC Prospectus 1960

THEN AND NOW: Views of Comberton Village College.

And even the Warden took to the stage . . . I HAVE worked at the Village College in the General Office (in various roles) for almost 23 years and there have been a great many changes to school life during that period. When I first arrived we were a very small team of ancillary staff, still using electric typewriters with carbon paper and stencils or the spirit-based duplicator (which changed black print to mauve) for whole school letters, weekly bulletins and subject worksheets. My current workspace used to be a cupboard but this has now been opened out and incorporated into what is now known as the General Office – which itself used to be the Warden’s (now the Principal) Office and a section of corridor.

DESIGN

One of the benefits for us was the conversion of the Community Education buttery into a separate ‘reception’ area with a (then) modern telephone system and a dedicated ‘meet and greet’ area for visitors and parents. Gradually we were dragged into the age of IT and over the years more sophisticated computers with new programs have been introduced into the office and now we’re totally reliant on them. There are some traditions that have disappeared with the growth of the school. I think the most memorable for me was ‘Christmas at Comberton’ when staff participated in a production, usually written by some of the teachers, and even the Warden took to the stage and joined in.

That was the beginning of Christmas for I think the greatest change over the year acknowledgement that the ancillary staff ‘support staff’) are as important as the t the success of the school and, happily, th division, which was so evident 23 years a peared. CVC is a happy workplace and colleague sent almost without exception, have been work alongside. I hope the school contin and be an asset for the community. Pat Gifford ([pictu

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till the same at heart COMBERTON opened as the last of the Cambridgeshire village colleges in 1960.

AL DESIGN: The 1960 plans of the college

The new Primary School at Cambourne to be overseen by the Comberton Educational Trust will have community spaces built into it and be very much a school at the heart of the community. Perhaps most significantly of all, if the new secondary school development at Cambourne is overseen by Comberton Village College (as governors recommend), then it will be clearly designed on the Village College model. It will provide a crucial focal point for the local community as well as being a centre of educational excellence. As we move forward in many ways, we will be looking to our past to help to guide us. Stephen Munday, Executive Principal

It was officially opened by Henry Morris, the man who articulated the vision of the village colleges as schools at the heart of their communities. The school was designed to be a school that went beyond ‘just’ being a standard school for young people between certain ages and attended between certain hours. This can clearly be seen today. The first two rooms that anyone sees from the school foyer are the Common Room and the Lecture Room. These are not standard classrooms. They are not to be seen in most schools up and down the country. They provide a resource for all sorts of people and groups to meet, be educated and be trained. The public library remains clearly locat. . . will fit boys and girls for life in its widest sense as ed at the front of the school with the country men and women . . . an education which will not college buildings. It is totally in keeping unfit them for life in any sphere that the newer Building Society branch Henry Morris is clearly visible and used by many members of the local community. We do seek for every pupil As the college looks to the future and to to achieve at the highest grow and develop as required by local possible level in examinachanging circumstances, the roots of the STEPHEN college are as relevant as they were tions, but we recognise MUNDAY: back at the college’s outset. that preparing young peooverseeing A new Sixth Form will need to ensure ple for life involves much, that it meets the appropriate needs of all many develmuch more in the local area and provides a further opments at CVC Prospectus 2008 resource for the local community. Comberton.

Something magical in the climate

. as for lots of us. e years has been the y staff (later re-named the teaching staff for ily, the ‘us’ and ‘them’ ears ago, has disapleagues, past and pree been a pleasure to continues to flourish [pictured right, bottom)

THREE decades of working as a teacher at CVC have given me a privileged position as both witness and participant in its history. The most obvious change is the growth and development of Comberton into a leading state school whose expansion has taken place alongside, and also been integrated with, an era of revolution in communications. This ICT revolution and the influence of globalisation have had a major impact on the mechanics and interpretation of what should be taught and how learning should take place within and beyond the classroom walls. The most significant change here is the infinite capacity for school to be a progressively more exciting and energising place. Other visible signs of change can be seen in school uniform design: sweatshirts have replaced blazers and ties, school trips extend beyond

Education for all

COMMUNITY Education has our immediate environment to include South Africa, always played a key role at Mozambique and Peru. Latin went out but has come Comberton. And 2009 will see another comprehensive proback and, in addition, pupils have the option of gramme, starting on January learning, for example, Mandarin or Portuguese. Teachers used to give sweets as rewards for learning 12. New classes in 2009 include Alexander Technique: Mon 7.00 but thanks to Healthy Schools policies we are now a -9.00pm; Life Drawing: Weds chocolate-free zone! 6.30-8.30pm; Men in the The pace of the school day has accelerated as have Kitchen: Mon 7.00-9.00pm the expectations of pupils; happily, overall standards (8wks); Reflexology: Mon 7.30have kept pace with these expectations to ensure that 9.30pm (5 wks). CVC remains a thriving, outstanding and vibrant Day Schools usually take place place to learn. With this proven track record of adap- on Saturdays and next month tation to and spearheading change, CVC is well include: Food Safety in positioned to embark on its next half-century. Catering Level 2: 17 Jan. 9.30Students who train to teach here often remark on the 4.00pm; Indian Vegetarian dynamic creativity and clear focus of pupils and Cookery: 17th Jan. 10.00staff and observe also how friendly relationships are 1.00pm; Photoshop: 17 Jan 10.00-4.00pm; First Aid in and what a wonderful atmosphere exists among all Workplace: (Tue) 27 Jan. 9.00of us. This I think is the secret of CVC success – something magical in the climate, which newcomers 3.00pm. Full details of all courses can be delight in, long to linger in and which is cherished found on the website and nurtured by our whole community. Mary Martin (pictured left, top) www.commed.combertonvc.org

Please mention this publication when contacting the Advertisers. It is through their generous and continued support that this Magazine is brought to you at no cost to Comberton Village College. We hope you will support these local businesses in appreciation of their commitment to the College.

Great day out OUR year group trip to Thorpe Park started at 7.00am when 120 bleary-eyed Year 10s turned up in the car park. After sorting out who was sitting where, we set off down the A1 and around the M25 to Thorpe Park. Batteries charged through extra sleep, food and chat we arrived raring to go — except the park was not yet open. It was only 9.30am. Some of us had more patience than others until the signal was given 25 mins later and off we charged to hit the big rides ahead of the crowds and Mrs Jones! Our day consisted of looping the loops, spinning fast and furious, dropping into big black chasms, getting a good cold soaking, being chased by ghoulish figures brandishing evil weapons and reaching the highest heights then dropping like a stone. By the end of the day, when everyone had eventually returned to the coaches, we had experienced the full range of emotions – fear, excitement and fun. It was a lovely day. Many thanks to Mrs Jones and Mrs Mackie for organising the trip, and to all the staff and parents who accompanied us on the day. All we need to know is: “When can we go again?” George Haworth (10E) and Billy Haynes (10O)

Leading the way proven leadership skills, were asked to apply in writing for these roles. The quality of applications was outstanding and selecting the successful four pupils was not easy…we were spoilt for choice…but after It uses motivated KS4 stucareful consideration dents in schools to act as Belinda Hughes and ambassadors within their Richard Tanburn were school to promote involvechosen as the Young ment in Sport, PE, leaderAmbassadors and Anya ship and volunteering. Hall and Lewis Mancer Comberton were asked to were chosen as the Top provide two ambassadors, Link Organisers. a boy and a girl from Year Belinda and Richard 10, to represent the school attended a conference last and to attend a conference month preparing them for day to prepare them for their roles and Anya and their role. Lewis are waiting to hear In addition to this, whether their bid to run Comberton is applying to the conference and become a hub site for leadbecome a hub site for ership and volunteering leadership and volunteerand to organise a Top Link ing has been successful. If conference for 150 sports it is they will be attending leaders from across a training day next month Cambridgeshire next in preparation for deliverspring. Again we were PROVEN LEADERS: Comberton’s Young ing their Top Link conferasked for two outstanding Ambassadors and Top Link Organisers. ence in the spring. sports leaders in Year 10 We wish these talented who could attend a conference day and co-ordinate this pupils all the best in their new roles. project. Ally Brennan Consequently a group of identified students, with Assistant Director of Sport

THE South Cambs School Sport Partnership is running a programme called Young Ambassadors.

Pressure on past champs ONCE again it has been an exciting year for netball inter-form and I think all the girls in our year will agree that it was one of the tensest, especially for my form, 8T. From the beginning we were feeling a little nervous as we won last year and we needed to do well again this year. We all worked extremely hard and after a couple of arguments that had to blow over so we could play to our full potential, we ended up coming second to 8V. I must admit that V played an excellent game and they were worthy winners, but there was one girl who stood out in my team and that was Lucy Pollard. Whenever I needed someone to pass to she was always there in a space ready to catch and when I'd hear the word 'Spencer' I knew immediately she was in a space and ready to receive the ball. Thank you to our teachers and sports leader. Because of you we had an excellent day even though we didn't win. Catherine Spencer (8T)

We all did our best AROUND October half term there were the interform competitions in PE. Year 8 girls did the Church Run and netball. You had to play against every form in your half year. You took part in four games and also had a break. As I am in 8R, I have concentrated on their competitions. We started against 8E and won 4-0, which was amazing, but in the next round we lost 1-0 to 8T which was a good game! At the beginning T managed to get the ball down to their end and then Hannah Sabey scored for them. They managed to keep that goal for the whole time we played. We then had a break and in this we went and supported our B team. In our third game we were playing 8N. It was hard but we won 2-0 with Selina Leung scoring both in a tricky game against a good team. In our final game we played 8V. This team was very hard to compete with and the score at the end was 00. It was a tough PE lesson and we all performed to the best of our abilities. We then made our way into the sports hall where the results were announced. Congratulations to everyone who competed in the inter-form netball! Chantelle Bates (8R)

Becca stands out ON Friday November 7, the Y half of the Year 8 girls had their inter-form netball competition. The first game was 8E v 8V. Two minutes in and the V goal shooter scored a goal and had three other attempts. E had more of the play in the centre of the court but failed to score and the game ended 4-0 to V, although Becca Shaw (E, GS) was girl of the match. Chelsie Orange (8E)

ACROSS THE FIELDS: Girls on the inter-form run from Toft church to Comberton church.

Spoils shared NEARLY 800 students participated in the recent inter-form competitions. The girls ran the church run, while the boys contested a range of invasion games which they had recently been taught. After half term, the students swapped, with the boys tackling the run and the girls playing invasion games. The conditions were excellent before half-term, making for some great performances, but two weeks later the rain created some very tough conditions, although the students showed real determination to succeed and improve. The overall results for the competitions, based on the highest scoring points as a tutor group, were as follows: 7N were top in the girls’ inter-form run as well as the 7Y invasion games competition, while M won the X half. C were double winners among the boys, winning the inter-form run

and their half-year invasion games. 7R took the Y half title. N also won the Year 8 girls’ inter-form but the invasion game spoils went to B and V, while for the boys it was 8I who landed both the inter-form and 8X crowns. 8T won the Y half. The glory was well spread in Year 9 where the girls’ and boys’ inter-form winners were V and N respectively. B won the girls’ X invasion games title with E taking the Y title. For the boys, 9I and 9E triumphed. All the students involved displayed fantastic support for one another and real determination. Those students who performed particularly well on the run were invited back to running club on a Friday to allow further training to take place. This was in preparation for the District Cross-Country championships which were due to take place last week. Sean Sycamore, Head of PE

Runaway regional winners COMBERTON made an excellent start in the National Under-15 squash competition, winning their regional league against Bedford School and St Peter’s, Huntingdon.

ON THEIR WAY: The Comberton squad have reached the national knockout

Not a single match was lost by any of our players, with coach and team organiser Ray Scrivens commenting: “Our players have been in devastatingly good form.” Now they move on to the second stage of the competition which is a knockout against winning schools from other regions aiming to get a place in the finals held at the England Squash National Centre in Manchester. Their next match will be against Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe.

rounds.

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Two teams end up with shared titles

Super six seek glory

THE start of this season for the Year 10 rugby team was a challenging one. We knew we had big games ahead of us such as the Daily Mail Cup, the Huntingdon schools tournament for the first time and playing friendlies at U16s level with teams in the age group above. SIX Comberton pupils helped In the first game of the Daily Mail Cup Cambridge and District Schools we were up against a strong Ramsey Abbey team and lost by two points under-15s into the last 32 of a after a great display by both teams. national football competition. Being relegated to the Plate, we played Sam Spencer, Max Harradine, Ore another strong team from Famurewa, Charlie Dear, Declan Turner and Northampton, Wrenn School. Bu Cameron are all part of the Cambridge After a slightly disappointing game, we squad and they beat Halesowen & were also knocked out. FIVE STARS: The Comberton representatives minus Ore Stourbridge 3-1 in their third round clash at Putting this behind us, we put in a lot Cambridge City’s Milton Rd ground last Famurewa. of very impressive performances at the month. break before Alfa made it 3-0. An own goal gave the Hunts Schools Tournament where we Charlie scored twice in the exciting game which set visitors a late consolation. drew three games and entered a threeup another home clash, due to be played last week. In the previous round Cambridge and District saw off way tie with Sawtry and After a sloppy start, Alfa Balde (Coleridge CC) came South Bedfordshire 5-1 with Ore and Charlie both Hinchinbrooke. on in place of Jake Hayden-Smith (Swavesey). His scoring and Dec going close. Good defending by Sam The big game was against Sawtry, who first contribution was to set up Charlie to comfortably and Max helped ensure the 2-1 half-time scoreline in we have drawn with in the final of this hit home. Charlie doubled the advantage after the favour of Cambs was as close as the hosts got. tournament for the last three years. In a tightly-contested match, Sawtry scored a breakaway try in the final seconds and equalised. We still, however, SIX local schools contested the first round of the Primary drew on points difference with Sawtry and eventually found out that we Schools High Five netball league at Comberton, plus one shared the title with Sawtry. Sam Spencer (10B) team from the Comberton & Richard Tanburn (10C) High Five Club. COMBERTON finished as runnersTeams play over two rounds up to hosts Hinchingbrooke in a Year (the second is in March) and those finishing in the top half 8 District 10-a-side rugby tournament go forward to play the other last month. top-half teams from similar The team won every game on their leagues taking place across way to the final to come up against the South Cambs. favourites. Hardwick and Meridian were Having played the full time allocated strong in both the A and B in the final, they were level at 20-20, leagues last month, with AS a football team, the Year 8 boys (pictured above) Haslingfield having led for most of the match. The game then went to a golden try situahave gelled extremely well and stormed into the semi(A) and finals of the County Cup. tion and Hinchingbrooke managed to Monkfield In the first match the team totally outclassed St John Park (B) score to take the title. Fisher Catholic School (Peterborough) and won convincalso looking The Comberton students showed ingly. They then saw off Neale Wade School, from dangerous. determination, focus and real commitMarch, gaining revenge against the side who knocked ment as a team throughout — they them out last year. That earned them a quarter-final were a real credit to the school in match against Stanground, from Peterborough, and everything they did. Comberton triumphed in a strong physical match to earn

Year 8 storm into semis

a semi-final against yet more North Cambridgeshire opponents, Sir Harry Smith. Comberton: Kieran Gibbons, Guy Kendall, Sam Reynolds, Matt Clark, Rory Thompson, Sam Hills, Liam Kivlin, Rukki Djejomoah, Harley Godfrey, Josh Majka, Jake Gibbs, Jimmy Cousins, Alex Burford, Owen Edgley, Marcus Wing.

Matt Clark (8R)

Race is on

BALL WATCH: Firstround action.

Comberton: Will Cox, Rafael GrahamMosmang, Daniel Jarvis, Matt Clark, Alex Gooding, Luke Webb, Rory Sheppard, Gus Scottoe, Sam Reynolds, Guy Kendall (CVC’s nominated player of the tournament), Morgan Young, Jamie Smith, Ed McAuley.

Sean Sycamore, Head of PE

APPLIED

A Specialism of Comberton Vi l l a g e College

LEARNING

New BTECs take off IT'S been a quite momentous term for Comberton Village College in terms of vocational education. We are a specialist Applied Learning School, with a clear aim to make sure that pupils are equipped and prepared for the world of work. We chose to develop this specialism to ensure that every young person at the college has the ability to achieve their potential through courses they feel are appropriate and of interest to them. In order to achieve this, the number of BTEC courses has doubled to six. We have continued to build on the strength of the Art & Design, Business, and Sport courses as pupils have moved into Year 11, thanks to the hard work of Mrs Powys, Mr Pollock, Mrs Weston and all the other staff who work with them. More details of what these pupils have been achieving can be found on Page 16, and we are confident that all the indications point towards our Year 11 pupils achieving very highly on these courses at the end of the year. We are delighted to now have Year 10 pupils additionally studying towards qualifications in

Hairdressing, Construction and Media. A group of extremely motivated and hardworking girls travel each week to the training salon at Swavesey Village college to learn not only the skills of hairdressing, but also other lessons on personal presentation, appropriate conduct and customer service. Every Monday, 16 pupils spend four consecutive lessons developing their construction skills. They have worked very hard this term on their carpentry and joinery skills, working to achieve very tough standards of finish. Finally, Media pupils have worked this term on the key skills of researching in media, and spent a morning with a BBC journalist. It was a delight for me personally to meet so

PIPEWORK: Plumbing is one of the areas of study on the new BTEC Construction course. many parents of pupils on these courses at a parental meeting in the autumn, and to hear from them how much their sons and daughters are enjoying the courses; the increase in motivation, interest and enthusiasm these pupils have has carried over into other lessons and increased their feelings of self esteem. Lorna Bateson, Director of Applied Learning

Raising cash for charity THE Year 10 BTEC Business groups have created their own mini-enterprise as part of their course. They will donate all profits to Save the Children charity. Save the Children is an independent charity especially for children. They are currently working in 52 different countries around the world and they respond quickly in emergencies. The BTEC students will be running two businesses over the next few months. Anisah NEWCOMER: Emma Khan said: "We are going to raise money by setting up a small enterprise called Weston is the new CoElectrified Photography. This is where students from CVC can come along and have a Ordinator of Business and high quality photograph taken with friends. The photographs will be edited to make Enterprise Education. them look their best. This is an amazing opportunity for friends to have an affordable professional-looking photograph to keep for memories." SOME Year 11 BTEC Business students ran a fair trade stall, selling confectionery WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;D like to introduce our new Co-ordinator of Business and items to students on the way back from the Africa walk. Enterprise Education, Mrs Emma Weston. The stall consisted of Fair Trade produce including cookies and a school favourite: As well as taking on the majority of teaching for our BTEC Divine Bars. Fair Trade is a foundation that has dedicated itself to giving a better deal Business groups, Mrs Weston is putting her marketing degree to for those third world farmers who produce their product. This means that farmers from good use selling all her new initiatives to Comberton pupils. across the globe from Africa to South America will always get a better deal for their produce. This in turn means a better life for those farmers From the Student Investors Challenge to the first ever CVCbay and their families. The final amount has not been totalled yet as we are in Enterprise Week this year, Mrs Weston has created a huge still selling goods but we raised over ÂŁ30 in profit, and this money will go number of opportunities for pupils to develop their enterprising to the Africa fund. We would like to thank Mr Dawes for his help in skills over this term. ordering the food for the stall. We look forward to the upcoming Year 10 PD Day on Matt Starace (11M) Enterprise which she is co-ordinating!

Looking after business . . .

DESIGN

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APPLIED LEARNING

Take a risk . . . SIXTY Year 10 and 11 students last month began investing a virtual £100,000 in FTSE100 companies. Over the next three months they will watch their wealth grow (and maybe decline). The Student Investor Challenge is a competition run by the IFS, which gives students aged 14-19 the opportunity to take risks and develop their team-working and decisionmaking skills in a simulated stock market. All stock market data is genuine live data, provided courtesy of Bloomberg, only the trading and cash are virtual! The rules are tight. Their portfolio must consist of 10 stocks chosen from the FTSE100 companies, plus 50 selected smaller companies that are called the ifs SmallCap 50. At least six stocks must be from the FTSE100. Students are charged stamp duty and commission, just like they would be in the real world.

When they sell a stock, they are also charged commission. They also have the option to invest up to £20,000 of their virtual cash into an investment trust. The charges for investing in a trust vary, just like the real world. The minimum investment in any one stock or investment trust is £1,000. There is a 20 per cent maximum spend in any one company. Students are also limited in their number of transactions. The top 20 or so teams from each region with the best performing portfolios as of 27 February 2009 will be invited to attend the regional finals in mid-March. Teams will be given a series of questions and the top two teams from each region will be invited to the National Final in April. Winners of the national competition get an all expenses paid trip to New York, £2,000 for the school and £200 for each team member. There are also several smaller prizes along the way. Good luck Comberton!

Lots of lessons learned TO celebrate Enterprise Week last month, and Tuesday Year 9 customers browsed Year 9 pupils were invited to take part in and bid for any items they were interested an exciting new venture: ‘cvcBay’. in. The highest bid at the end of Tuesday The aim of cvcBay, which took place over lunchtime won. two lunchtimes in the Performance Hall, Students kept their profits (minus the 20% was to develop students’ enterprise skills. table charge which will be donated to These are vital skills which are transferable Children in Need, the charity chosen by the across all aspects of life, and include: the pupils). The event was really successful and ability to handle uncertainty and respond all of the students made a sale. One trader positively to found the trading change; to create conditions very diffiand implement new cult when they were ideas and ways of undercut by a comdoing things; to petitor! They also make reasonable learned the difficult risk/reward assesslesson that somements and act upon thing is only worth them; to manage what the buyer is their own finances willing to pay for it! and to understand It was amazing to see business and ecothe students haggling nomic contexts. and there was even a cvcBay was a stimubidding war at one lating and reward- HARD SELL: A pupil tries to shift his goods. point for a very reaing way for students sonably priced comto explore these areas. puter game. The rules were similar to eBay. When stuThank you to all the students who particidents registered to trade, they listed the pated and to the Year 9 team for all their items they wanted like to sell with a starting support. price or ‘buy it now’ price. On the Monday Emma Weston

GOOD SHOW: Comberton girls on the catwalk.

Fashion sense THE enterprise competition fashion show featured gorgeously vintage (and vintage-style) clothes, with references from almost every era of the last century, from ‘Forties pin-up’ to ‘Sixties dollybird’. The show began with an androgynous theme — the models striding out to Prince’s ‘Kiss’ in a selection of mannish shirts worn with black leggings and waist-cinching belts, which combined to create an entirely alternative, utilitarian look. Utility chic was followed by the Casual collection, which consisted of oversized jumpers, à la Stella McCartney, paired with skinny jeans — quite possibly a new phase of winter style. After a spectacular ballet performance came Outrageous, White dresses, and evening wear. From cocktail frocks to floor-length dinner gowns, the evening collection had a party dress for every occasion. With the personalities of the models adding to the originality, each outfit became unique. My favourite pieces in this superb fashion show were: a high waisted, beach-blanket skirt, worn with a simple white vest — a very autumnal look; a gorgeous pale pink shift dress reminiscent of Biba (look it up if it doesn’t ring any bells); and a highnecked, Victorian-style dress, pinned and tucked to create a very Vivienne Westwood look (I later found out that this was simply a last-minute customisation by the model, Chloe Haynes). Milan, New York, Paris and London, we are so over you. Comberton now has a place on fashion’s world map — and all for a good cause! Kitty Robertson, a fashion enthusiast (10N) The team of Jess Bols, Grace Veenman (10I), Olivia Pilsworth (10B), and Charlotte Morrin (10C) want to thank everyone who helped with their Fashion4Famine show, which raised more than £900 for Oxfam, who also lent some of the outfits.

APPLIED LEARNING

It’s all about money! The CVC Enterprise Competition is a competition that has been running at Comberton for a few years now. The aim is to raise as much money as you can between the months of June and December, and the winning team is the one that has raised the most money. The competition began towards the end of Year 9 when we got into teams of between four and six people and came up with ideas for businesses — events, selling products or both — wrote a business plan, and then pitched to three judges in a ‘Dragons’ Den’. Ms Bateson, Mr Munday and Mrs Jones were the hard to please (with help from Miss Carr) and they decided whether to give the groups the go ahead. Each group had to have a Managing Director, Finance Director, Product

Director and Marketing Director. Then, the competition began. The last chance to make money was at the Christmas Bazaar earlier this month. We had to complete a review form to confirm how much money we are keeping for ourselves, how much we’re giving to charity and how much to our year fund. We had to make a final pitch to show our progress and how much we made. The winner was then chosen. The competition has been very stressful at times, but has been very enjoyable for all of us. We all have learnt things throughout, from how to hold a successful event (and make it go smoothly), to sales techniques when selling things. We all can say we have enjoyed ourselves and learnt plenty of vital things for the future! Vincent Menezes (10N)

Teamwork is crucial to success students in the older years! FOR the Enterprise Challenge, we Pixel’s second event was a Year 7 formed the group Pixel ‘Oscars’ Disco. It was a very Productions. Originally, we decided to make entertaining night. Everyone was dressed to impress and so was the money through running events dining hall! Red carpet, photograand producing year specific calenphers and amazingly dressed Year dars. However, after much 7s made it a night to remember! research and price negotiation we decided to focus purely on events. The Year 7s enjoyed having their pictures taken and they all had In July, we held a band evening fun (we hope!) at the disco. with five bands from the local Although they seemed to be havarea. By doing this event we ing a good time, we were a bit learnt how important teamwork stressed before and during the is, and how much effort and time disco. They are a lot harder to has to go into organising and SO PROUD: Year 7 girls with organise than they look! However, planning an event. their Oscar . it was a great night and made However, even though planning more than £250 for the Teenage Cancer Trust. the event was hard work and also rather stressWe would like to thank everyone who helped on ful, it was extremely rewarding afterwards to the night, including teachers and our parents. It receive so much praise from other students and was such a fun thing to organise and we made members of staff; and the profits certainly did not disappoint! The event put us under a lot of some good money for charity. pressure as a team, and although at times we Sophie Rudkin, Laura Edwards, Belinda were stressed, we pulled through to produce a Hughes (10E), Holly Gale (10V), fantastic event that proved popular with many and Lewis Mancer (10O)

BOYS NIGHT OUT: Year 7 pupils at the Oscars .

CVC’s got talent LAST month our enterprise group held a Year 7 and 8 Talent show. At first everything seemed to be going wrong; the microphones stopped working before the dress rehearsal and we could not figure out how to work the sound system! However, everything worked out all right. The night started off with a very lively band, followed by many singers and dancers, At the end we held a raffle with 10 great prizes and we totalled up the judges scores to find out who won. Chantelle Bates and Lara McCarthy (Year 8) were third, behind Catherine Spencer and Catherine Brown (Year 8), with Rowanna Soyza, Olivia Barton, Kelly Anne Isaacson, and Yasmin Maio the winners. A percentage of the profits are going towards the East Anglia Children’s Hospices. Sophie Dyer (10N), Victoria Unsworth, Seraya Yildirim, and Sasha Henry (10E)

Disco delight OUR enterprise group Lilac Jelly, hosted a Year 4, 5 and 6 disco at Meridian School, Comberton. It was a great success and raised just under £200 before we paid for the DJ and food. Just under £100 will be donated to our year fund (40 per cent) and charity. All the children had a great time, especially those who won the best dancer and raffle prizes. Claire Haugh (10R), Rachel Lambert, Amber Osborne (10B) and Micha Thomas (10I)

APPLIED LEARNING

Hair we go . . . ONE of the new courses on offer to Year 10 pupils this year is the BTEC Certificate in Hairdressing. This is a vocational qualification, equivalent to two GCSEs at grades A*-C, which is being delivered at a purpose-built training salon at Swavesey Village College. Eight girls travel by minibus each week to spend two hours with Judith Clarke, the hairdressing teacher at Swavesey. The salon, called Reflections, is an extremely impressive venue. As Sophie commented: “When I first walked into Reflections I was amazed. I didn’t actually think there was going to be a proper look-alike to a salon so I was really impressed.” Bethany likes the fact that they get their own equip-

ment to work with: “The salon is amazing — it’s just like being in a real salon. We have head baths and different stations to work on. We also have a trolley of stuff like curlers and hairdryer, combs and paddle brushes, demon brush and clips and many other things.” As they are beginners, the girls work on mannequins to practise their techniques rather than real people. At first they covered basic health and safety requirements necessary to operate safely in a salon — everything from the chemicals to the curling tongs — and all girls successfully passed their certificate in this first time. They were presented with their certificates in assembly to recognise their achievements. They have now moved to shampooing and blow drying and some basic styling techniques, including pin PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT: Pupils curls! use mannequins to learn techniques.

Pupils learn a range of new skills

Kim’s work shapes up

SIXTEEN Year 10 pupils have been rising to the challenges presented on the new BTEC First Diploma in Construction this term. Pupils have completed a range of assignments that has seen them develop skills in electrical installation work, carpentry, joinery and plumbing. It’s early days but some impressive pieces of crafted practical work are coming together. While practising their craft skills to achieve industrially acceptable standards, pupils are also studying varied aspects of the construction industry and how individuals operate within such a complex environment.

THE students of BTEC Art and Design are developing a taste for winning competitions! Last year, Abbey Stevenson won £1,000 for the course with her sculpture of a hand holding the world. This year, it was the turn of Kimberley Simmons and Sophie Clarke in Year 10. Kim is the overall winner in a competition run by Shape East, a company concerned with sustainable development. Students from Cambridgeshire were asked to draw a building or a space that they knew and draw improvements in a second picture. Kim cited Salvador Dali as an inspiration for her idea to improve an area outside the Pottery Room. The judges described her work as: "An intelligent, sophisticated space. We enjoyed the flair and the looseness of the drawing combined with the use of multiple views." Sophie Clarke was a commendable runner up. Both girls were due to be presented with their prizes at the Annual Christmas COMPETITION PROJECT: On the BTEC Architecture Art and Design course. Lecture.

The visit to the National Construction College at Bircham Newton next term will be interesting. Activities include Bulldozer driving and changing a JCB wheel, the big one! In school our focus for the summer term will turn to site work and bricklaying.

PLUMB JOB: Plumbing is one of the skills being learned on the BTEC Construction course. THE BTEC Media group were joined by John Cary, editor of ‘Drive’— an afternoon news programme on Radio 5 Live — earlier this term. Telling the students about his typical day gave them a real insight into the influential decisions he makes with regards to prioritising and scheduling news bulletins. Students themselves then had the opportunity to grapple with some topical news headlines and to justify their decisions regarding the order of these stories. Putting his training into practice, the BTEC students split into small groups to gather information about what was going on around the school on Curriculum Extension Day, before COMMONWEALTH gold medallist Dave then writing up a script for their own news bulletin. Morgan visited the Year 11 BTEC Sport They learned a lot about how to delegate tasks and group to talk about sporting injuries in his the importance of organisation when working to weightlifting career. tight deadlines. Make-do auto cues were fashioned He also spoke about how he treated his out of large pieces of sugar paper and students were injuries and how he tried to prevent them filmed presenting their news. The standard of the from happening again. Dave also brought a short programmes produced was really high and few of his many medals in for us to hold and everybody appeared to enjoy themselves. see. While talking to us he also explained how

Making news

Champion shares his injury insights

he has his own company where he is a personal trainer. He handed out his CV for us to see and also take home. This was interesting as it had all the world records which he held. Jack Harris won Dave Morgan’s signed autobiography. Dave’s talk was very good and gave us more knowledge on sporting injuries. Jack Harris (11M) and Max Willis (11O)

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