News@com winter 10 by The Cam Academy Trust

Ne ws@Com The News Magazine of Comberton Village College

ISSUE 25, WINTER 2010

MAKING THE BEST OF NEW POLICIES THINGS are changing for schools. The Comprehensive Spending Review on 20 October and the Schools’ White Paper on 24 November both suggested a direction of travel for schools that is different from that we have known in recent years. Some of the notable things coming Comberton’s way look set to be: Tighter resources The move to Academy status The ending of ring-fenced specialism funding The end of the School Sports Partnership Programme The development of new ‘Teaching Schools’ The move to a new ‘English Baccalaureate’ of certain core GCSEs

Added to this list (and there are others beyond this), CVC is also opening its new, state-of-the-art Sixth Form in September 2011. We continue also to seek a long-term solution for secondary schooling for Cambourne. Put everything together and we recognise that things must change. Some of this is a great challenge: tighter resources will have to be extremely carefully managed; the ending of the School Sports Partnership threatens much positive sporting activity (the campaign to preserve this goes on). However, as always, CVC will look to make the most of what seems to be available and possible. Our approach remains fundamentally the same — an utter commitment to the highest standards of education for

every single pupil, serving the community and working with others. Everything that can be brought to bear positively to help with these fundamentals will then be done. CVC Executive Principal Stephen Munday said: “We are seeing some of the biggest changes in the educational landscape for many years heading our way. “There are both threats and opportunities for us in all this. However, CVC is very well placed to make the most of the new world, and we will seek proactively to do that. “We want to do the very best for all our pupils and for our local community. That will always guide and motivate the steps that we have to take in the coming months and years.”

Pedalling to Africa 'Next year a group of twelve Year 11 students are going to either South Africa or Mozambique to work in our partner schools. However, to get there we have to fund-raise a large sum of money — around £2,500 each! One of our fundraising events was the 24 hour Bike Ride, which took place on December 3-4, and coincided with the Christmas Bazaar. It involved two teams of six students who raced against each other to see who cycled the furthest. The event itself was a huge success with students bringing friends for support and we were delighted to receive backing from Cambridge Broadband Networks who are sponsoring the volunteers and provided t-shirts for the cycle ride. Everyone was behind their team members and we had a great time. TEAMWORK: The Africa volunteers got together for a fund-raising 24-hour cycle. Turn to Page 2

A Wii-ally good idea!

THE RIGHT NOTES: Holly Masters at the regional finals.

Still time for Holly to shine TOP DESIGN: The Cambs Schools Nursing Team chose Abbie Palmer’s work for all its paperwork.

A COMBERTON pupil’s design has become the face of the new Cambridgeshire Schools Nursing Team.

HOLLY Masters’ dreams of singing at the O2 Arena are over for another year. The Year 8 pupil, who had been struggling with a cold in the week before the area finals, was not among the five qualifiers for the O2- based national finals of the Open Mic UK singing competition. Her performance of Simply Red’s ‘Holding Back the Years’ could not match her rendition of Adele’s ‘Make You Feel My Love’ which helped her win through the regional round of the under-18 section of the competition during half-term. But at only 12 years old, Holly, who is also a talented actress and dancer, still has plenty of time for another tilt at the competition in the future. The Simply Red song was the third time Holly, who has never had a singing lesson, had performed. She was handed a place in the regional finals after impressing with her version of Marvin Gaye’s ‘What’s Going On’ — a tune she came across after winning a week’s scholarship to Bodyworks in Cambridge during the summer. Last year more than 8,000 people entered the Open Mic competition, which has categories for under-18s, over-18s and over-25s.

Year 8 pupil Abbie Palmer is now the proud owner of a Nintendo Wii after her design was selected from 50 entries across the county. Abbie’s ‘Talk to Your Nurse’ design has now become the masthead on all the new service’s literature and will be seen by thousands of children in all the county’s schools on posters, appointment cards, leaflets and on the website. It also features on all the nurses’ business cards. Competition organiser Lisa Hindle said: “Abbie’s design was the clear winner — by miles.” From Page 1 It has helped us towards achieving our target, but you can still contribute if you like by going to the Comberton website, www.com bertonvc.org and clicking on the link to our JustGiving page or go to Top Results Confirmed — Page 3 ‘Gore-fest’ has Festival target — http://www.justgiving.com/CVCBikeRide The event was publicised in the Cambridge News and on Radio Page 7 Cabin Crews Share Ideas — Page 3 Cambridgeshire and we achieved great support from around the area. ‘More Pupils become Leaders — We all enjoyed it and we thank everyone who helped organise it for Closing on Target — Page 3 Page 7 their support. First term over already —- Page 7 Cambridge Broadband Networks is a local technology company Caring CVC — Page 4 Sixth Form Special —- Pages 8&9 which builds part of the mobile networks that allow you to make calls Pupils Pay for Badger — Page 4 from your mobile phones, text your friends and family and now, with Spreading the Word — Page 10 phones like the iPhone becoming more and more popular, use the Dark Master Visit — Page 4 Science Club news — Pages 10&11 internet at very fast speeds. They are involved with mobile networks all Lessons with Sir Ian — Page 5 over the world and some of their biggest customers are in Africa. This A Haven for Newts — Page 11 Africa Exchange which Comberton is involved in struck a chord with Pupils put points across — Page 5 them and they were happy to get involved. We are very grateful to them Learning New Skills — Page 12 The Africa Volunteers for their support Dull Corridor comes Alive — Page 5

Pupils pedal to Africa

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A Trip of Contrasts — Page 6 Local Attractions needed Testing —

Sports round-up — Pages 12&13 Olympics on Track — Page 14

Applied Learning — Pages 15&16

Page 6 Going, going — Page 6 CVC goes Green — Page 7

Designed and edited by Judy Czylok. Contact: publicity@comberton.cambs.sch.uk

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Read all about it — on-line The last eight issues of “News@Com” (including this one) are available on the school website as e-publications. This represents 128 pages of news about Comberton Village College activities and achievements stretching back to July 2008. Go to www.publications.combertonvc.org for a complete list of school e-publications and back issues available online.

Cabin crews get together to share their ideas CABINS, or resources for students with Asperger’s in mainstream schools, are quite a new feature of the landscape of mainstream secondary education. Comberton is very proud to be able to include these pupils and all the staff and students at Comberton make considerable efforts to ensure that students with Asperger’s and Autism have a successful, if occasionally rocky, journey through the school. It was therefore an honour to welcome other practitioners from all over the country to share their practice. This was the first ever network seminar specifically targeted at teachers responsible for Asperger’s Resource Bases (Cabins). We could talk about the pitch of the school bell and the change of a seating arrangement and not get peculiar looks. Peter Allcock, Head of the Cabin

SHARING GOOD PRACTICE: Staff who work in ‘Cabins’ at their first network seminar.

Top results confirmed their Comberton school years: comparable to the top 5% nationally of student progress. The results were not thus just impressive at an absolute level, but representThe Performance Hall was ed excellent ‘value added’, packed and we were given students’ starting pleased to welcome the new points. Deputy SuperA further survey by The intendent of Cambridgeshire Sunday Times (‘Parent Police from Parkside station, Power’) placed Comberton who shared some thoughts second nationally in the cateLEADERS: Last year’s head prefects gory of schools without Sixth and helped to give out prizes. It was an excellent occasion and a proper Forms. The percentage of A*/A grades achieved celebration of the wonderful achievements of last was bettered by only one school in the country in year’s Year 11. this category. Of course, Comberton is now set to We knew that Comberton students had performed move into a different category of school with the fantastically well last summer as they had broken opening of its Sixth Form next September. every statistical record relating to GCSE results in Executive Principal Stephen Munday commented: the school’s history. “It is great to have this further confirmation of the Two recent pieces of information have further conremarkable and high achievements by last year’s firmed this.The Department for Education’s proviYear 11 students. Even by the standards of those sional measure of pupil progress for our students before them, these were extraordinary efforts. suggests that they made excellent progress during Again, very many congratulations to all of them.”

LAST month the college hosted its Presentation Evening for last year’s Year 11 and their parents.

Closing on target THE CVC Trust Fund is extremely pleased to have recently received confirmation of a £7,000 grant from South Cambridgeshire District Council towards the cost of a Yamaha Grand Piano. The CVC Trust Fund also acknowledges the contributions from The Orchard Ensemble, The Combertones, the cast and crew of Sweeney Todd, CVC Year 11 of 2010, Cambridge Concert Orchestra and of course, the many individual donors. The various fundraising events held during October and November were supported by a cross-section of the community which has helped us to raise just over £1,000. The appeal now stands at just over £14,300 — 89% of the target. This brings us tantalisingly close to our target, with approximately £1,700 left to raise at the time of going to press. We also had two events in December which, we hope, reduced the tarIN USE: The grand piano. get even further. These were An evening with Capriccio, singer, pianist, violinist and cellist, then, this week, the annual CVC Christmas Concert as pupils and staff celebrated Christmas with a range of group and solo performances from pop to jazz to classical. Any donation, however big or small, will be welcomed. You might like to sponsor a particular part of the piano individually or as a group, To make your selection, please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/CVC-Trust2

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Caring CVC COMBERTON pupils demonstrated the power of a simple gift by sending a massive 120 shoe boxes filled with all kinds of presents to children in Kyrgyzstan as part of Operation Christmas Child 2010. It is a fantastic achievement on behalf of the college with each tutor group contributing at least two boxes to the scheme, which was co-ordinated by the Year 11 Charity Prefects. Operation Christmas Child has been running for 20 years and is the world’s largest children’s Christmas project, bringing joy to the lives of children in Eastern Europe and Africa. Last year the scheme sent more than a million boxes filled with gifts and goodies to children who need them most in some of the poorest parts of the world. What the scheme boils down to is a simple gift from one child to another in need. Emma Whitbread and Robyn Lau, who organised the OCC boxes on behalf of 9I, said: “We have really enjoyed doing this scheme because we know we have made someone’s Christmas really special. It WALL OF GIFTS: Some of the CVC shoe boxes. has made each one of us really appreciate just what we get in our presents and how lucky we are at Christmas.” Alice Thompson and Joely Sockett, from 10M, think that OCC is important because it makes some of the poorest children in the world feel loved and cared for. Alice said: “It raises the hopes and dreams of these disadvantaged children and shows what a simple act of giving can do to change a life.” Joely agreed: “Once you have made a box it makes you feel really good, and in giving to others, we know what a difference it makes to them.” The CVC boxes contain all sorts of presents including educational materials, clothes, soap, sweets, games and personal hygiene items. The Charity Prefects would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who took part in the scheme this year.

WILLIAM HUSSEY: Heading for CVC.

‘Dark’ master visit CHILDREN’S Author William Hussey will be visiting CVC in February. Known as the Master of Dark Fiction, he is going to meet Year 8 in their English lessons. He’ll reveal how he became an author and how his long walks across fenlands have inspired him to recreate ancient tales of Britain’s superstitious past! He’ll draw on historical details and bring the past to life — only figuratively speaking, of course! Heffer’s booksellers will join him at lunchtime to enable CVC pupils to buy signed copies of his books. The English dept will forward full details via Parentmail, early in the New Year. It promises to be an atmospheric event! Look out for details of The Times Spelling Bee event taking place from March-May 2011— more news will follow in January.

Pupils pay for Badger to join vital scheme YEAR 10s can paws for thought and The star of the show was an 18-month-old reflect on another busy year of fund raisLabrador called Pepsi, who had just finished ing for the national charity Dogs for the her training. The pupils saw first hand, Disabled through the “Pounds for through a series of interactive demonstraHounds” scheme. Pupils have raised the tions, just how amazing these dogs are and magnificent sum of £759 to purchase a how they can change people’s lives. new puppy for the charity. Dogs for the Disabled train more than 50 Deanna Woosey and Sara Churchman, assistance dogs each year to help physicalfrom 10M, who have led the charity ly disabled people lead more independent fundraising, said that Year 10s should be lives. really proud of themselves for helping the Each dog has to be carefully selected as a charity buy another puppy. puppy before beginning an intensive proThe year group have called our new gramme of socialisation and advanced trainpuppy Badger. He was born on the 29 ing. Once a dog has finished training they July 2010 and is a pure bred Flat Coated are then placed with an owner and immediLabrador Retriever. ately begin helping out with everyday practiFund-raising for the Dog Purchase cal tasks like opening and closing doors, Scheme has involved a host of activities, DOGGY TREATS: Pupils and Mr Waller at picking up dropped items, and even emptythe training centre and (inset), Badger. including various coin box collections, ing the washing machine. popcorn sales, a cake stall and a number of sponsored activities and competitions. Comberton Village College provides many excellent opportunities for pupils to learn Puppies have always had the “Ahh factor” and members of the charities group had how to fund raise, and become more responsible and active members of our local the chance to travel to the Dogs for the Disabled Dog Training Headquarters in community. Banbury near Oxford. It is vital that young people experience first hand the importance of caring for others. They talked to specialist Dog Trainers and met a number of different dogs in order to By the giving their time and energy, they can make a real difference to people’s see exactly how the money raised will be spent. lives, through various fund-raising activities. Richard Waller

Lessons with Sir Ian WE were lucky enough to have Sir Ian McKellen — yes, THE Sir Ian McKellen — visit CVC for the day. He was here as a representative of his organisation Stonewall, who work to create equality for gay, lesbian and bisexual groups across the UK. He started off talking with all the Year 10 Philosophy and Ethics groups in the Performance Hall and told us his story. It was so interesting to hear how he coped as a young boy and how he was able to eventually tell his family and friends at a time when homosexuality was looked on very negatively in society. We were able to ask him any questions we had, all of which he answered honestly. It was so obvious that he has a great interest in young people and helping to promote awareness for people who are suffering in the same way that he did. After speaking to us all, he had a session with just our Philosophy and Ethics class with Mr Bigg. This was very much FAMOUS FACE: Sir Ian McKellen talks to Year 10 pupils. more about homophobia as a whole rather than just Sir Ian’s story. A group in our class read two poems we had been working on; another showed a We found out about celebrities who are homosexual and were surprised by some of presentation they had made and another group, a movie. the names we heard. Overall it was good to hear stories from people who had been After that we were given the chance to ask Sir Ian questions and he read us his through it before instead of from a teacher. favourite peoem as well as telling us more about the acting he has done. This made us think about how people in our school might react to homophobic bullyTo finish the day, we were lucky enough to see him turn into Gandalf for 30 seconds ing because in some areas it is becoming a serious issue. as he delivered the famous line: ‘You shall not pass’ from Lord of the Rings. Sir Ian also joined Miss Norman’s Year 10 English class to talk about how homosexIt was an amazing experience that we will all remember for a long time. He is a true uality is shown through literature and, of course, to hear about the famous roles he’s inspiration. played. Jack Hallworth and Ruby Dickinson (10N) HITTING THE HEADLINES: The CVC team’s arguments were well received.

LAST term a small group of students from all years volunteered to help re-decorate the English corridor, with the help of Mr Joseph and English teachers such as Miss Norman, Mr Leggott and Mrs Moody. There was a lovely atmosphere between students and teachers as we all enjoyed participating in revamping the previously dull and tatty English corridors. Club and held at Netherhall School, attractMr Joseph designed the walls to be decoed seven other teams, who discussed a rated with famous authors by using stenrange of topics. cils and the end result certainly looks fanIn a very high standard of competition the tastic and eye catching. It is arguably the CVC team was extremely unlucky to miss best corridor in the school now! out on one of the top prizes, but the stuIn activities week, the students who did dents can take great pride in their achievespray can week designed a canvas, each ments, having acquitted themselves with one having its own famous author remarkable composure on the night and sprayed on the front. They will soon be having shown great commitment and displayed along the upstairs English corrienthusiasm in the build-up to the event. dor. Hopefully, they would not include So thank you Mr Joseph for the beautiful News@Com as an arm of the media which designs, and thanks also to all the other was deserving of criticism but, just in case, people who helped in making the new may the record show that these three were ARTISTS AT WORK: Redecorating the English English corridors look fantastic. a shining example of teenage passion, courage and endeavour. Jess Hurry and Ellie Baker-Gray (10B) Corridor.

CVC trio put their points across THE representation of teenagers in the media was explored by this year’s CVC Public Speaking team for the South Cambridgeshire Under-14 Youth Speaks competition. The Year 9 team of Emily Chadwick, Alice Swift and Glyn Lewis put forward a powerful argument in which they questioned the media’s tendency to create a negative impression of Britain’s teenagers and a wider obsession with bad news stories. Their presentation, ‘Hitting the Headlines’, was warmly received by a large audience which included judges Sue Dougan (BBC Radio Cambridgeshire) and Paul Brackley, editor of the Cambridge News. The competition, organised by the Rotary

Dull corridor comes alive

A trip of contrasts AT the end of half term, around 90 Year 11 students went on the Flanders history trip for three days in Belgium. We visited the Tyne Cot Cemetery and the Langemark Cemetery where we contrasted the presentation of the Allies' and Germans' graves. Whilst it was very sombre in these cemeteries it was also peaceful and moving as many of us looked at the graves of thousands of people who had never been identified and searched for individual ancestors in records too. We also visited the battlefields of the Somme and Vimy Ridge. Even now you can see how the land is very bumpy and filled with holes from where shells had exploded decades ago. We also saw the Lochnagar Crater which was created by 54,000lb of ammonal and was so big and steep it was dangerous to stand too close to the edge. During the trip we also went to museum exhibitions showing life in the trenches — from communication to entertainment to chemical warfare. We saw old telephones and gramophones and smelt the different gases that were used in the war. We also followed the lives of individual soldiers during the First World War. On the last day we went to Hill 62 in Sanctuary Wood where we trudged through deep mud and puddles in our wellies in pitch black trenches. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip, unless you managed to fall over! On Monday night we had a disco led by a Belgian DJ with an amazing accent; everyone dressed up and had fun dancing, including the teachers with their night fever

MOVING: The Allies’ Tyne Cot cemetery. and Cossack dancing to Ra Ra Rasputin. On our last day we had some free time to wonder around beautiful Ypres and then do some much-awaited Belgian chocolate shopping! Genevieve Hirsz (11V)

Going, going . . . ON the Thursday before half-term, we went to Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex. The Y half of Year 8 all piled on to four coaches and headed off in convoy to the seaside. OLD When we got to Walton we walked to the famous HARRY’S landmark, Walton Tower, and measured how many ROCKS: paces it was from the tower to the cliff edge. One of the Using this we were then able to calculate how long it points of would be before the tower would fall into the sea if interest for erosion continued at the rate of two metres per year. I Year 11 estimate only 15 years. geography We then walked along the beach and carried out students. some more data collection. We drew a field sketch of the eroding cliffs showing the different types of rock and the severe erosion, measured the beach on difEARLY in September the Year 11 geographers arrived at school bright and early on a Sunday morning ready ferent sides of the groyne to show longshore drift and wrote down all the different sea defences we saw. for our geography field trip to Swanage. We stopped for lunch in the nature reserve before I can safely say that despite the weather being more like January than September the trip was really good fun. walking back along the cliff top to the tower. We investigated our chosen hypotheses all focused around the tourist industry in Swanage. We brought sweets in the shop and had a fun trip This meant interviewing members of the public, counting traffic and litter, trialling the local attractions (which back on the coach. The trip was very rewarding and did include the arcades and the ice cream shops) and assessing the environmental quality at different locaAdam Sneath (8E) everyone enjoyed it. tions. In the evening we reviewed our work, which helped us develop our methods of data collection for the second day. So again bright and early on Monday morning, while our friends at CVC were hard at work in lessons, we set off back to the beach (it was still cold and raining) to finish our research. The results we collected have been put to good use as we have presented and analysed them as part of our controlled assessment. Those of us who worked quickly and efficiently then had plenty of free time to shelter from the pouring rain in the multitude of fish and chip shops and cafes. It was then back to the hostel for dinner and a round-up of our work so far. This all left Tuesday morning for a final bit of free time in Swanage then hopping onto a boat for a sightseeing trip around Old Harry's rocks and into Poole harbour where the coaches were waiting to take us home. The trip was very enjoyable and we would recommend it to all. Dan Ellwood (11B) ERODING: The cliffs at Walton-on-the-Naze

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‘Gore-fest’ now has Festival target FOLLOWING their summer debut at Cb3, the cast of Sweeney Todd reassembled just before half term for another four action-packed performances. This gore-fest of a musical had been overhauled and edited to produce an even crisper pace and energy, resulting in even stronger performances from its young cast. The result: a genuine tour de force! The lead roles were again expertly played by ex-CVC students, Duncan Edgley (Sweeney Todd) and Sophie Oates-Black (Mrs Lovett) and their on-stage exploits were simultaneously outrageous and hugely entertaining. They were ably supported by current and ex-pupils from CVC and other local schools, in a richly diverse collection of memorable characters including the lost soul of Lucy, the beggar woman (Jo Instone-Brewer)

and the hypocritically villainous Judge Turpin (Peter Sayer) intent upon marrying his ward, the sweetly-voiced Joanna (Ronni Blackford). Chorus characters provided much of the tense atmosphere and ensured the audience was held captivated for every minute of the whole show. Sensitively directed to bring out the very best in this cast, by Eleanor Lyons part of stArt Arts, this show was an absolute knockout. BLOOD EVERYWHERE: A scene from Sweeney Todd. Hopes are high it might follow in Edinburgh next summer. If you missed it here, make the footsteps of Academy of Death and transfer to sure you get tickets to the Festival!

CVC goes green GREEN week is the celebration of all things environmentally friendly. It is a national event and when Comberton held one last year, it was so successful that the RECO group decided they should run another one. This took place from 18– 22 October. One of the activities which ran all week was a bag-making workshop. RECO group members held an open workshop every lunchtime, to which students were invited to bring newspapers or magazines and learn how to create an attractive gift bag with them. The workshops were well attended by all years. They were great fun and there were some wonderful bags made. It even included making the biggest bag made in CVC’s history! All the bags made were photographed and straight after halfterm, the RECO group nominated the best three, so that prizes could be awarded to the most original and well made bags. The prizes were handed out in assembly. Congratulations again to the winner, Sara Johnson (7I). Second was Sarah Dowsett (9O) and third was Megan Kilby (7B). Green Week also marked the introduction of our new green bins for recycling. There is now one in every social area, enabling everyone to recycle all their cans, tins and plastic. RECO group are hoping to award a prize for the year group

GREEN WEEK RESULTS: Jam jars at Barton and bags at CVC (far left). who do the most recycling and maintain the most litter-free social area. Network 11 schools, which include CVC and its feeder primary schools, took part in Green Week too. The Vine held a Family Learning Workshop focusing on ‘reduce, re-use, recycle.’ They had lots of fun making activities, as well as good advice on being more environmentally friendly. Class 4 at Barton school made some extraordinary Christmas jars for their Christmas Winter Fair. They took three weeks to make these jars out of fine materials like corks, play dough and Mehr Hammad (10E) fabric, which were all recycled.

First term over already . . .

More pupils become leaders

The YEAR 7 Prefect Team has been working hard to ensure that the new Year 7s have settled in well during their first term at Comberton. Many of them have leapt right in at the deep end and are participating in several afterschool clubs and leadership schemes. They have done their first inter-form competition and survived the first of many PD Days. Each tutor group has two Centre Leaders from Year 11 attached to them. The Leaders visit their forms in tutor time once a week and work with the Year 7s to help them settle in and overcome any issues. A large number of Year 7s have signed up to become Leaders themselves and are busy planning charity and social events for next term. This is not all, however. They still have plenty left to look forward to, such as trips to Spain and Beaumanor, sports days and much, much more. They have made a fantastic start to life at Comberton (most of them keeping out of too much trouble) and we are hopeful that this will continue throughout their five or seven years at Comberton. Joe Dickens and Matt Woodward (11T)

THIS year has seen the expansion of the International Leadership programme within the MFL Department. There are a growing number of students participating in the programme from Year 8 upwards. The Leaders organise and run a number of clubs and projects including Spelling Bee practice sessions, Language on Film foreign film-making club, Year 7 revision and homework club and the Rotary International Interact club. The students meet weekly at lunchtime to run their individual club which they do independently and to a very professional standard. The schemes are proving increasingly popular with students, especially Year 7s, giving them support and mentoring from a student rather than a teacher IN ACTION: Leaders at work — something which they seem to really enjoy.

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Meet the Tutor Team One of the key features of any successful sixth form is high quality support and guidance. Comberton Sixth Form’s new academic tutor team is now in place and ready to greet and work with our first cohort of students in September 2011.

I'm really looking forward to the challenges and rewards of being an Academic Tutor at CSS. Sixth Form must surely be one of the most exciting times in a student's development and I hope to inspire, motivate and facilitate success as my students advance and mature. Can't wait!

Leigh McClelland

Dan Southcoat

I am very excited at being part of the new Comberton Sixth Form team and am looking forward to working with you as a dynamic and enthusiastic academic tutor. My experiences of counselling and working as a student welfare officer will enable me to offer you the support and guidance to allow you to fulfil your academic potential and develop as an individual.

I think that the arrival of a sixth for the most exciting developments I h Comberton and I am delighted to b Academic tutor team. I've been inv working closely with students in va CVC, including pastorally as an As of Year for many years and in my r Centre. Working with a student to make th talents a progress life they rewardin looking many liv sions as mers in this jour

Right on target ALL is still well on schedule to deliver the ambitious, four-part Sixth Form building programme, by the beginning of April 2011.

schemes, led by Head of Art, Greg Dean, who offered the following observations: “A stunning set of interiors for the sixth form buildings are being planned to match the impressive exteriors. The look of the sixth form areas will be colour themed throughout, with the three-floor plan for the main building being inspired by the 3 colours used in the logo design and branding. Accent colours and wall-sized digital art prints (to be designed by our first cohort of A–level art and photography students) will adorn the main corridors, providing inspiring images and flashes of colour among the contemporary white and grey finishes. “The cyber café will boast a large-scale piece created by internationally acclaimed mural artist Johnnie Barton, who will provide masterclass sessions for budding mural painters throughout his residency.” This bold vision has now been adopted following the unanimous support of the sixth form leadership team, student representatives and architects and everyone is now looking forward to seeing the results of this innovative and imaginative design work Phillip Evans, Deputy Principal GETTING THERE: Good progre

Since arriving back after the summer holidays, to a labyrinth of steel, the pace of development has been spectacular. The main building at the front of the school has now developed a definite shape, with prominent features, such as the signature 175-seat lecture theatre, being clearer to us all; this took pride of place when the searchlight strength, industrial floodlights were helpfully provided by our contractor, Kiers Eastern, at the first ever Sixth Form open evening last month, where more than 900 visitors re-confirmed the high levels of interest being shown in this exciting new venture for Comberton.The arrival of a 150-tonne crane was the cause of much joy from the Meccano lovers of Comberton, ( a group led by former Philips engineer, Mr Peter Law). This allowed construction of the pre-fabricated , timber framed, second storey in an astonishing four days by the hyper-efficient Austrian contractors; further joy, this time for the lovers of ‘Huf’ houses, made famous by the Channel 4 iconic series ‘Grand Designs’. This has allowed early progress with the living, sedum roof, which will do much to ensure the highest environmental credentials of the sixth form build. Biologists and geographers are particularly excited at having access to this unique resource. The establishment of a roof and the rapid infilling of the block walls moves the builders nearer to the key target of ‘weatherproofing’ the building, which means that finishing trades, such as electricians, plasterers and carpenters are able to continue the interior work, regardless of outside weather conditions. Alongside the structural work, considerable thought has been given to SIGNATURE BUILDING: The shape of the the all-important interior colour 175-seat theatre is very clear.

Crowds flock to first O ON Wednesday November 3, Comberton Sixth Form held its first Open Evening. This was a chance for prospective students and their parents to come and hear more about how Comberton Sixth Form will give its students a significant edge over other young people, at a time when competition for higher education places and employment has never been more fierce. All those who attended the evening had an opportunity to hear a presentation from the Principal, Stephen Munday, and the Sixth Form Management Team, which gave an overview of the wealth of opportunities available to Comberton Sixth Form students. They were also invited to talk to representatives from every subject area about all the specific courses on offer, to enable them to make informed choices about their future studies. They were also able to meet the Academic Tutor team, student support representatives, the Duke of Edinburgh Award Gold lead-

ers and to talk A representati Examinations interested in s The evening w whom were st are interested The feedback and their pare knowledge an opportunity on The Sixth Form applications fr now know abo their studies a

rm is one of have seen at be part of the volved with arious roles at ssistant Head role in the ensure they e most of their and make real s towards the y want is very ng and I am forward to vely discuss the sixth formy care make rney. Irayna Owen

9 What a challenge and what an opportunity to become part of an excellent Academic Tutor team to welcome our first trail blazing Comberton Sixth Formers, next year. A bit about me: I grew up in Australia and learnt to Surf before I could walk. I am passionate about Football and my Church. I have worked in Research Biochemistry and Pharmacology and have taught Chemistry for 15 years. I have extensive experience teaching AS and A2 level Chemistry and Biology, Level 3 NVQs, Sixth Form tutoring, Examining and Moderating in A level Chemistry. I look forward to meeting you in 2011.

With over ten years' experience as a tutor across Years 7 to 11, it's now a really exciting prospect for me to be working in this role within our new Sixth Form. I've always found this part of my job hugely rewarding and am very much looking forward to working alongside our Sixth Form students to help them make the very best of all the fantastic opportunities that will be available to Stephen Leggott them.

Richard Waller I am extremely excited about my new role as Sixth Form Academic Tutor. The extensive experience I have had as a form tutor at CVC along with the my role as mentor to young adults at the University of Cambridge have provided me with a wealth of expertise in the area of pastoral support and guidance and I can't wait to utilise these skills to ensure the success of students at Comberton Sixth Form. Jane Menczer

MAIN ENTRANCE: The old school reception inside the new build.

Stand out from the crowd . . . WE ARE very pleased to be offering a number of Pre-U courses alongside traditional A-levels.

These relatively new qualifications, offered by The University of Cambridge International Examinations, aim to stretch and challenge the most able students and allow them to gain a qualification that can exceed an A* grade at A-level. These courses are now offered by an increasing number of the top independent and state schools in the country and are highly sought after by universities. Achieving a Pre-U qualification will really help our students stand out from the crowd and give them the edge over others in the very competitive world of university application and subsequent employment. Comberton Sixth Form offers Pre-U courses in Maths, ess is being made on the new gym. Economics, Global Perspectives and Independent Research. The first two will be available to students choosing A-level Economics or A-level Further Maths. The Global Perspectives course will run alongside a student's A-level choices. This k about the Sports Academies. therefore, enables our students to leave the sixth form with an ive from the University of Cambridge International additional qualification, aimed at helping to ensure an even was available to offer specific advice to students more impressive university application. studying for the challenging Pre-U qualification. Global Perspectives and Independent Research (GPR) is delivwas attended by more than 900 people, many of ered as two successive one-year courses, with the tudents external to Comberton Village College who Independent Research Report growing seamlessly out of the in joining the Comberton Sixth Form. skills introduced and developed as part of the Global from the evening was hugely positive, with students Perspectives course. Universities have reported that GPR is an ents commenting on the welcoming atmosphere, the excellent preparation for undergraduate study as it gives real d professionalism of staff, and the diversity of evidence of independent, critical thinking, whilst students who n offer. follow the course are typically enthused by the opportunities m Management Team now looks forward to receiving that are offered for open debate and research on their own rom those students who are excited by what they topic. out Comberton Sixth Form and who want to begin Global Perspectives guarantees breadth of study. It takes key themes of global relevance and intrinsic interest to young peoat Comberton in September 2011.

Open Evening

ple, and encourages students to explore them in an open, critical, and disciplined way. Global Perspectives will help to develop critical thinking and research skills that are valued in higher education. It encourages the ability to follow and deconstruct arguments and assertions, to separate fact from opinion, and to assess and evaluate the truth of claims. Related skills involve knowing where to look for information, how to construct arguments, and how to assemble and handle evidence. The course is delivered through topics from different thematic groups — Ethics, Economics, Environment, Technology, Politics and Culture — and students are encouraged to explore each chosen topic by following the critical path of deconstruction, reconstruction, reflection and presentation. The Independent Research Report gives students the chance to dig deeper into a particular subject, to cross boundaries by doing interdisciplinary work, or to make a new departure by investigating a subject not covered by traditional school syllabuses. Universities put great value on a student's ability to engage in independent research because it demonstrates the direct skills of collecting, handling and evaluating information of various kinds, and also wider study skills involving planning, time-management, prioritisation, self-motivation, sustained concentration and communication. The Independent Research Report focuses on the ability to design, plan and manage a research project; to collect and analyse information; to evaluate and make reasoned judgements; and to communicate findings and conclusions. Thus the student moves on to Higher Education with study skills, enhanced subject knowledge and a more general self-discipline in independent, self-directed study. For further information about the Pre-U courses please speak to the following: Global Perspectives and Independent Research — Stephen Leggott; Economics — Stephen Munday; Mathematics — Mark Dawes and Kathryn Hurrell.

Helping ‘bee’ spread wings Alexandra was asked to speak at a large conference in London on 23rd November and to re-enact the Spelling Bee in front of an audience including among others a radio DJ, the European Commission and the Director of the UK Around 2,000 Subject Centre students particfor Languages, ipated in the Linguistics and first stage of Area Studies the competition Professor Mike last year, comKelly. pared to the Everybody was astounding overwhelmed by 25,000 taking Alexandra's fanpart nationally tastic perfor(in England and mance and Wales) this many people year. waited to speak Alexandra van to her about her den Oever (8B) WELL RECEIVED: Comberton’s spelling bee experiences. won the Alex conducted winner at the conference. Regional herself impeccaCompetition for Spanish last year and has bly throughout the conference, so much so since been working as an International that she was even offered a job at the Leader, helping to train this year's particiEuropean Commission! pants and passing on her knowledge.

COMBERTON'S Foreign Spelling Bee is turning into a major national event this year after its successful pilot in the Eastern Region last year.

The appliance of science ART meets Science; you think we're crazy, right? That's what we thought too, until 15 specially selected artists and scientists made our way to Cambridge last month to attend a lecture by Dr Spike Bucklow. We arrived at Churchill College, all with curious minds on how these two things could go together. We had a quick look around and some refreshments, a CVC tradition, and made our way to the lecture room where we were joined by pupils from various other colleges and sixth forms. We learned a variety of things stretching through science and art, including ideas about the conservation and restoration of fine art. He gave us a wonderful insight into how pictures are viewed as physical objects and how they're affected by the many elements. It was very interesting and we were all amazed at how the two worked together; by the end all of us were buzzing with ideas and questions. It was thoroughly enjoyed by everybody who went and a big thank you to Miss Segal. Chantelle Bates (10R) INSPIRING: Dr Spike Bucklow meets CVC pupils.

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SCIENCE CLUB

WE made Mars rovers which drop out of a spaceship on to Mars to collect samples and information. To make our rovers we could only use 30cm of either plastic bags, bubble wrap, air bags or foam and tape. What we had to do was use the materials to protect an egg. We got points on how heavy our Mars rover was and had to do a UV test with a UV lamp. This measures the impact of the fall. It starts off white and then if the impact is great and the egg breaks the UV bead turns red. We were awarded points according to how well our rovers performed. To put our rovers to the test we went out to the bridge between Geography and Science and there we tested our Mars rovers by dropping them from the bridge. Only three groups’ eggs survived and we then had to try and retrieve the UV bead from a mess of broken egg yoke. We all had great fun doing this experiment, especially the groups whose eggs survived because they did not have to retrieve their UV bead. Russell Challis (7T) ONE week we learned about the harlequin ladybird, which is a rare ladybird in the UK. Our group started off by looking at some of the ladybirds which at the start was manic because all they were doing was jumping out of the pots. There were various activities; one of them was making a bee hotel out of bamboo canes, another was making a paint which is painted on to trees to encourage moths to come and live. This was made out of heated-up treacle with a pinch of bicarbonate of soda added. We also made a trap so that we could see what we had in our gardens. They are made out of a small cup or glass or anything really, put in a WE had an exciting talk with a special visitor who taught us about the influenza virus and its small hole with something on top to keep out the rain, but there needs biological structure. to be some gap for the bugs to get in. At the end of the session we had We also discussed the special antibody that sticks itself to the influenza virus, to identify a quick quiz to see what we knew. We were also given a survey over how to kill it, and apply the technique. We built it with various materials. half term to see how many ladybirds we could find. Melchior Chui (8L) Russell Challis (7T) WE conducted an investigation on Mascara in Science Club last year. We first sent out a questionnaire to members of staff, finding out what they really look for when buying mascara. We found out that curling was the least popular. So we did an experiment on three different mascaras to find out if they really have a big difference between them and which curls your eye lashes more when you apply them. We did the experiment on horse hair and we found out that our winner for the best curling mascara was Collagen Curl mascara! We were able to present our project (Mascajic) at the Big Bang Science Fair and we won best Silver Crest award and Best Chemistry crest award! Anne-Lucie Bugain (9B)

A haven for newts TWELVE Comberton students have been awarded their bronze communication award after a week full of making mud and protecting newts and creepy-crawlies. For any of you who have seen the pond outside the DT area recently, you will have (hopefully) noticed a positive improvement in its presentation. This is due to the work of, no, not a Hollywood exterior designer, but everyone who took part in Conservation Week. Conservation Week, which took place during activities week last summer, was based around the local ecology and wildlife around us. Mrs.Tasker and Miss Sterling had decided there was no better way of learning than doing it ourselves. So we had been assigned the task of giving the fenced-off pond area a beautiful makeover by Thursday afternoon. This was no easy feat. All of the litter had to disappear, numerous plants had to be planted and a lot of imagination had to be used — all while making sure not to harm the pond’s precious newts. We were told by two Wildlife Trust experts that we might have some Great Crested newts (an endangered species) living around CVC! Some people decided to work in the actual pond with the newts and water lilies, while others preferred the dry areas and targeted the outside. MAKEOVER: The Comberton pond was overhauled during Conservation Week. Either way, each section had to be thoroughly researched by each group that would be working on it. In addition, we used the computers to help us achieve our British Association Bronze Crest Award. This meant filling out an application form and working and creating THERE are some interesting new (and continuing) Adult Education activities on offer in the presentation materials. New Year, some of which would make an excellent Christmas present. Throughout the week we had a couple of other activities such as Balti Indian Cookery Day School — Sat 5 Feb, 10.00–4.00pm going on a walk to Hardwick woods and making our own birdfeeders, Colour Analysis Day School — Sat 12 March, 10.00-2.00pm but the big event happened on Friday as we went to the East Anglia Indian Vegetarian Cookery Day School — Sat 15 Jan, 10.00 – 4.00pm Big Bang Science exhibition at the Duxford Imperial War Museum. Life Drawing — new 5-week course starts Mon17 Jan, 6.30-8.30pm There, we presented all of our findings. Although none of our ecoloMicrosoft Access Database – new 8-week course starts Mon 11 Jan, 7.30-9.30pm gy awards won prizes, we definitely had fun looking at other displays. Thank you to Mrs Tasker and Miss Sterling for all their encour- Photoshop Day School — Sat 5 March 10.00-4.00pm For the full programme please visit the website www.commed.combertonvc.org agement.

Try something new in 2011

DofE Silver Award It is always a great personal challenge to finish the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, especially at Silver level. Conrad Carr was the first to do this from an intake of 80 students last year, so special congratulations are due. In addition to successfully completing the expedition in the Peak District in Derbyshire, Conrad helped as a volunteer at a residential home for the elderly for six months, took up growing fruit and vegetables for the first time, including practical work on an allotment, and greatly improved his squash. Well done Conrad!

OUT IN THE HILLS: Conrad Carr and his hiking companions on a Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition.

Learning new skills MY time spent doing the DofE Silver has been very satisfying and beneficial to me. For my physical activity, I did six months of playing squash, which helped me develop my technique. For my volunteering I did six months working in Home Meadow care home, which was tiring, but I was told

many interesting stories by the residents. For my final task I worked on an allotment for three months for my skill award and developed my gardening skills. Probably the best part of DofE Silver had to be the expedition, where we explored the countryside, we planned our route, and we had to read the map to get to the final destination (sometimes getting lost). Our

group got to walk and talk in a great location, in the middle of the White Peak area of the Peak District. Although the volunteering, skill and sport sections have taken up a lot of my time this year, I feel it will benefit me later on in life and, hopefully, will open more opportunities for me, thanks to the DofE. Conrad Carr (110)

Vine make flying start CAMBOURNE school, The Vine, entered the South Cambridgeshire Primary Schools High Five netball league for the first time — and made an unbeaten start in the first round of matches at CVC. They beat neighbours Monkfield Park’s A team 1-0, doubled their score PARTIAL against Hardwick B, shared a goalless draw with Caldecote A then ended LINE-UP: the day with their best win, 3-0 over Comets, a club run by tournament Some of the organiser Helen staff team Stepney, the South and guests Cambs netball develwho lost to opment officer, and the pupils. based at Comberton. Meridian also had a strong first round, winning all four of their scored a consolation goal. games without conTheir comeback attempts were no match ceding a goal, 3-0 for the defence of Laura Tregidgo and the against Caldecote sneaky skills of Jack Hallworth, leaving B,1-0 against the teachers begging for mercy and quesCaldecote A, 2-0 tioning decisions of the student umpires. against Monkfield A and 1-0 against The teachers’ ‘true sportsmanship’ shone Hardwick A. through, setting a brilliant example. But as The next round, which expected, the pupils won. The teachers put will also include up a good fight. Well, they tried! Jack Hallworth (10N), Laura Tregidgo (10i) READY TO START: Primary pupils wait for Hasllingfield, takes place in the new year. and Pete Atkin (10T) the whistle.

Pupils give staff some stick! A TEAM of awesome pupils from the hockey team took on a makeshift staff team comprising many outside players, including Miss McKenzie’s brother and Mr Pearson. By the end they had also acquired a few student players to help them out! The match started well for the teachers with Mr Pollock scoring an early goal, but soon after half time Dan Jarvis and Pete Atkin scored two each for a 4-1 lead. After some debatable play, the teachers

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The money’s on Morgan

ENGLAND LINE-UP: Todd Roberts (left) and his team-mates

England call AFTER attending trials at Newark, I was selected to represent England at Mounted Games. This involves five people in a team and it is like doing a relay, but on horses. In October I went to Royal Windsor to compete in the Games in the the 11-15 age group. I was in a team with people from different pony clubs around

England. Before the games started I was nervous, but in another way I was excited. Once the games had started I had to concentrate so I didn’t feel nervous any more. My team performed well (but we did have a few hiccups) and we came third. After the games had finished I felt that I represented my country well and I felt proud. Todd Roberts (9C)

MORGAN Young has been identified as a future international athletics star. The Year 10 pupil has been awarded an Elite Athlete Grant by South Cambridgeshire District Council to further his development as a javelin thrower, with a realistic view to competing in the Commonwealth Games. Morgan, who competes for Cambridge and Coleridge, finished fourth in this year’s English Schools competition after first being spotted during a PE lesson by Head of Department Sean Sycamore. Comberton-based Morgan, 14, was recommended for the award, available to those living in South Cambs, by the UK Athletics Association as a potential future international. Highlights of last season were being awarded the George Smith Memorial Trophy by his club for setting a club Under-15 javelin record, breaking the old one which had stood since 1976, and being awarded the Best Performance Track and Field Male Under-17 by the Cambridgeshire Athletic Association, which he collected at a ceremony earlier this month. He also finished the season second in the East Anglian region and fourth in the UK. The grant will help fund training and transport to competitions during the coming season.

End of run for CVC girls COMBERTON’S great run in the English Schools FA under-13 football tournament came to an end in the fourth round of the national cup when they narrowly lost 2-1 to Breckland Middle School from Suffolk. Despite going ahead in the first minute through Katie Reynolds and dominating much of the match, Breckland equalised on the break before half-time and set up a round five meeting with St Peter’s, Huntingdon with the only goal of the second half. However, the girls still top the Cambs Grand Prix league by a single point after the second round of matches recently. They remain just ahead of Swavesey after winning all three games in the round of the sevena-side competition at Comberton, scoring 16 goals and conceding none. Comberton’s Navy Blue team won, drew and lost in their games although many of the team played for the Sky Blue league leaders in the first round when CVC fielded just one side. The next round of the league is on February 17. INTERNATIONAL POTENTIAL: Morgan Young.

Comberton in title double

MIXED RESULTS: Out of one cup but leading another event.

COMBERTON Squash Club dominated the County Junior Closed at Huntingdon earlier this term, with their 20 competitors comprising more than a third of the entries. They enjoyed plenty of success as well with CVC and former CVC pupils in the spotlight. Tom Blair (11C) moved to under-17 as under-15 champion and he added the older age group title to his collection in a section where Comberton supplied all four semi-finalists through runner-up Tom Symmons as well as Jack Murphy and Sam Bradshaw. A previous champion at under-13, Jeremy Harris (10C) took the under-15 crown as Comberton again dominated the semi-finals with Laurence Temple (9B) and Joseph Weavers also in the last four. Finn Savage (9R) was runner-up in the under-15 Plate, Guy Weatherhead won the under17 Plate, and Jack Murphy beat Sam Prime in the final of the under-19 Plate. Well done to the other Comberton competitors, all of whom performed well. They were: Dan Ellwood, Angus Harris, Will Harris, Sam Hicks, Charlie McRobie, Henry Prime, Todd Roberts, Chris Shaw, David Snelling and Will Thorne.

Olympics on track REMEMBER, remember, the fifth of November, the day we visited the Olympic Stadium. As of July 2005, after winning the bid to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012, the Olympic Park in Stratford started to form. In November 2007 the final design of the park was unveiled and summer 2008 saw construction get under way. A group of eight keen and lucky members of the Leadership Academy set off from Comberton to visit the Olympic Park. The hour on the tour bus around the former industrial site was very exciting. To see the stadium being formed as England prepares to host the Olympics for a third time was very eventful for all of us. The last time England hosted the Olympics was in 1948, so we felt quite privileged to be a part of such a historical event. We saw most of the venues on site, which will host most of the 26 Olympic sports. Some of the venues we didn’t see were the football pitches as matches will be played at various existing stadiums including Old Trafford, home to Manchester United. And it’s a double for Wimbledon, as not only will it be hosting its usual annual

competition, but two weeks later, will also be hosting the Olympics tennis competition. The first venue seen was the Olympic Stadium itself with a bowl-like shape. It holds 25,000 seats surrounded by 55,000 thousand removeable seats, making this Games design the first to have such a large detachable element. This main venue of the Olympic Park will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and also the Athletics and Paralympic Athletics. After the Games, the capacity will be reduced and the venue transformed into an athletics stadium, which will also hold a variety of sporting, educational, cultural, and community events. We then visited the Basketball Arena, which we quickly learned will be demolished after the Games and, hopefully, reconstructed elsewhere. It will hold 10-12,000 people during the Games and will host the Basketball and Handball semi-finals and finals and Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Basketball at the Paralympic Games. The Aquatics Centre has a roof shaped like a wave, which, at 160m long and 80m wide, has a longer single span than Heathrow Terminal 5! The Aquatics Centre will act as the ‘gateway’ to the Olympic Park. The venue houses two 50m swimming pools and a diving pool. There are 17, 500 seats in the building, which will stage swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, and the Modern Pentathlon for the

Olympics, and Paralympic Swimming. After the Games, the pools will open for use by the local community and elite athletes. It will also incorporate a crèche, family friendly changing facilities, and café amenities alongside a new public plaza in front of the building. The £95 million VeloPark for the world’s fastest cyclists has been nicknamed ‘the ‘Pringle’ and is set to be the first major 2012 Olympics sports venue to be completed. There will be a 6,000-seat velodrome and a BMX circuit with an additional 6,000 temporary seats. After the Games the velodrome will re-open in May 2013 after facilities for road cycling and mountain biking are added for the use by the local community and elite cyclists. There was also the Handball Arena, which was under construction, so we didn’t quite get to see what the building would look like, but when it’s completed, it will hold 7,000 spectators. It will also host fencing as part of the modern pentathlon during the Games, and goalboal in the Paralympics. After the Games, the venue will be used as a multi-sport arena for sport, cultural and business needs.

Another venue we didn’t quite get to see was Eton Manor, a venue more focused on the Paralympic Games, where Wheelchair Tennis will be played. It will also be a venue for the Aquatics training for the both the Paralympics and Olympics. It will seat 10,500 and after the Games will be converted into a tennis, hockey, and football fivea-side facility. Whilst going round the Olympic Park, weaving in and out of the different venues, we kept driving past the Athletes’ Village. This will provide accommodation for both athletes and officials during both the Olympics and Paralympics. It will also include shops, restaurants, large areas of open space, and medical and leisure facilities. After the Games, these apartments will become part of the Stratford Regeneration Project, providing thousands of new homes for sale and rent. There will also be educational and healthcare facilities added. 2012 is set to be a huge event. Since the Olympics started in 1896 in Athens, the number of competitors has risen from 245 to 11,028 in Beijing in 2008. The number of nations involved has risen from 14 to 204, and the number of events has risen from just 43 to a huge 302! The day was really exciting, and we all look forward to watching the Games, and being part of the Olympics. A huge thank you to Mrs Fisher for organising this wonderful experience! Harmony Hennessy (10E)

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LEARNING

Art in action! IT HAS been all go recently in the hub of creativity which is Art 3. Year 10 and 11 BTEC Art and Design students have had several opportunities to experience different styles of art first-hand, either by visiting museums, galleries and John Lewis (yes, really!) in town, or by hosting artist workshops and talks in school. Year 11s hosted a workshop for the day just before half term. Four other schools from Lincolnshire, Essex, Peterborough and Cambridgeshire came to CVC to work with Roald Bradstock, better known as the “Olympic Picasso”! Mr Bradstock is an international javelin thrower, competing in the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, and he aims to trial for the 2012 team although he will be 50. He is also a pretty good artist and has developed a unique collage style which he came to school to demonstrate. The day was set up by the Sports/Art partnership which aims to link different schools through sport and art — so Mr Bradstock was an obvious choice. He also has an inspiring story to tell, having got to where he has, despite being diagnosed with Spina Bifida when he was six. The day was a great success. Students and teachers from participating schools worked together on producing

Next please . . . WE are starting our options process to recruit the next cohort of BTEC students. Year 9 pupils will have a broad curriculum at KS4 to select their options from, with a wide range of subjects, including vocational courses in Business, Art and Design, Sport, Media, Science and Hairdressing. We will be working hard to make sure pupils and parents have the information they need to make their choices. All the vocational courses have a real emphasis on alternative assessment methods (so hardly any exams), work-based settings, and broader workplace skills such as teamwork, independent learning, and organisation. Further details can be found on the school website. There will be more options information and guidance for Year 9, but do get in touch if you have questions about the vocational courses. Last Year’s BTEC results were a fantastic credit to the pupils and staff and reinforce our commitment to delivering a very high quality suite of vocational courses. Many of these pupils have chosen to continue in these subjects at Sixth Form College. Christopher Warrington, Head of Business Education

bright coloured collages based on Olympic champions. These will be on display in London as a backdrop to a presentation on design aspects of the Olympics. We were also very fortunate to have Jonny Boatfield come into school to show his exquisitely detailed illustrations to both Year 10 and Year 11 Btec Art and Design students on November 17. Mr Boatfield is a rare specimen — an artist who can really draw, has loads of imagination, works for himself on his own terms and is a really inspiring speaker. What he can’t do with some card and a black marker pen has yet to be invented. We were so enthralled by his work that we forgot to take any photos, but if you enter his name into YouTube, there are films of his large-scale installation work that are well worth seeing. Finally, there was the Year 10 Art trip to Cambridge last month. This day is already developing its own legendary status and this time was no exception. We were awed by the Fitzwilliam Museum, prayed to in All Saints church, inspired by the leather chairs and hot chocolate in Café Nero, tired out by leaf fights on Christ’s Pieces and finally, got first-hand design ideas from riding the lifts in John Lewis. COMBINING SPORT AND ART: Collages If only learning could always be like this! based on Olympic champions.

Stunning BTEC results LAST summer our second cohort of BTEC pupils Finally, our BTEC course in Construction also procompleted their qualifications and their duced outstanding results thanks to Mr results were absolutely phenomenal. Evans’s expert knowledge, enthusiasm and In BTEC Business, Mr Warrington’s students guidance. The outcome for all participants achieved to 100% pass rate with more than a was highly successful with 100% passing at quarter of the class achieving a distinction level 2, and more than half of the class or distinction* grade. achieved a Merit grade. Matthew Dye and Special mentions go to Rebecca Farrington, Ryan Watson both achieved impressive Rebecca Hack and Jaspriya Randhawa, who Distinction* qualifications. managed to achieve full marks overall, which TOP GRADE: It is perhaps not surprising that having chois a fantastic achievement. sen to participate in such a vocationally oriFor Matt Dye. BTEC Sport was also highly successful. Mr Pollock’s entated course many are now doing higher-level exciting and challenging course, and the pupils’ dediConstruction studies post-16. The spread of subject cation and hard work, meant that 80% of the class areas chosen includes BTEC courses at Levels 2 and achieved a merit grade. Liam Goddard and Samuel 3 in plumbing, electrical installations, carpentry; AS Spencer both managed to achieve Distinction* level in Design Technology with Architecture and grades. day-release studies to support apprenticeships. BTEC Art and Design is led by Ms Powys. Her work, The interest in this course has grown since its introtogether with the ideas, support and hard work of the duction in September 2008, with two groups of stuArt Department, led to some fantastic results for our dents now in each of Years 10 and 11. We look forpupils last summer. This comprised a 100% pass-rate ward to current pupils attaining the same success as with a third of the students achieving top grades. those in the first group. Sophie Starling made a very impressive contribution, Big congratulations and thank you to all BTEC teachby achieving a Distinction* grade. ers and students for their excellent efforts!

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APPLIED LEARNING

Pupils join forces THE Business, Administration and Finance Diploma students were given a fascinating insight into the world of business and entrepreneurs at the Linton Village College Diploma collaboration day.

MAX McMURDO: won Dragons’ Den investment.

Max McMurdo, who appeared as a contestant on Dragons’ Den, was on-hand to talk to the students about his own experiences in enterprise and the challenges of being an entrepreneur. He was successful in front of the BBC dragons, after winning investment from Theo Pathitis and Deborah Meaden with his range of environmentally friendly furniture. His products included an old shopping trolley converted into a chair and an aeroplane wing made into an office desk. We were also introduced to the “Fat Bird” DIY fat cake making kit, which is designed to help feed birds in the garden. This is a simple, yet hugely popular, product. Also attending the event was Graham Ayres, Managing Director of Cambridge Newspapers, who spoke to the students about compe-

tition and marketing. He was joined by Chris Walthew, of Prospect Research, Stephen Horrey, of Clydesdale Bank, Michael Carr, of Carr Consultants, and Matthew Peek, from Barclays. All of these business people were extremely helpful in providing advice to the students and sharing their own expertise and experiences. Student teams were given the challenge of coming up with an innovative idea for a product or service aimed at music festival customers. During this process, students had to consider their target market, finances, marketing and potential competition. This was a collaborative event, which meant that Business Diploma students, from different schools in the region, successfully worked together in their teams. Other schools attending included Ely Community College, Linton Village College and Netherhall School. The day was hugely inspiring and the Diploma students were able to learn about what it takes to be a real success in business enterprise.

HELP AT HAND: Pupils with Ben Ramsey, from Northern Rock.

A different view

AS part of their understanding and appreciation for the importance of business administration, Year 10 Business Students spent time supporting various staff around the college. Students learned about the different procedures and were given the opportunity to practise and demonstrate their own administration skills by working alongside the OFFICE WORK: Included college’s administrative answering the phone. personnel. products and services available to bank customers. Tasks included database management, reception duties The students learnt about the importance of savings and dealing with lots of different types of documentation. accounts and the different features of current It was an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate accounts. Ben also spent time speaking about the their own business and ICT skills and to appreciate the usefulness of budgeting and managing personal importance of effective administration to the college. finances effectively. The visit co-incided with the learn- Office Manager, Penny Jackson said: “The students were ing module: Personal Finance and Financial Services organised, interested and had clearly thought through what might be required of them. Without a doubt the time and gave the students a real understanding of the topic while enhancing their learning and understanding spent within the Admin Department was useful from both the students’ and staff perspectives.” of effective financial management and services.

Top tips for managing your money . . PERSONAL finance involves learning how to manage your money wisely. It's a skill that you will work to perfect all of your life. Business students are provided with opportunities to demonstrate their learning and understanding of finances within a business and personal context. Comberton's Business, Administration and Diploma students were recently visited by Ben Ramsey, Business Development Manager from Northern Rock PLC. He provided a very useful and informative insight into the UK banking industry as well as the

Winners show their enterprise Spirit THE Year 10 Enterprise Day proved to be a real success. Students demonstrated their innovative and creative skills in producing a product or service idea for a specific target market. Teamwork was also on the agenda, as students worked closely together under strict time constraints with limited resources, focusing upon

key business functions such as marketing and finance. Each team then had the daunting task of pitching their idea to a panel of judges in Comberton’s own “Dragons’ Den”! On the day there were presentations by local entrepreneurs Richard Owen, of PlaqueTec Ltd, and Rebecca Carter, from Fresh

Challenges. Both guests shared their experiences of what it means to be enterprising and they spent the day supporting the teams. The winning team was ‘Little Spirit’. So congratulations to Georgia Smith, Emily Crosby, Rebecca WINNING TEAM: Little Spirit. Marcus and Erinna Jackson.

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