July 2015

Kingsmead Newsletter July 2015 In this issue: Student News Sports News School Trips Primary Liaison Community Update House Information

Term Dates School closes: Friday 17th July 12:00pm School opens

“Well Done!”… from Kingsmead School Governors.

One of the pleasures and privileges of being a Kingsmead School Governor is to serve on the Students Welfare and Rewards Committee. Each term three of the governors meet with students from each of the six Houses to recognise and celebrate achievements. Students from each year group are selected by their respective Head of House for a variety of reasons. These include achievements in such areas as academic attainment, progress, attitude, participation, sport, music, community, charity, out of school successes and personal qualities. Those selected…and it’s often a really tough decision as so many of our students would qualify…all epitomise the school aims of Challenge, Achievement and Pride. They reflect so well the key school values of being Polite, Prepared, Proud and Positive.

Those pictured meeting with the school governors Mr Bernard, Mr Hayes and Mr Shirley include:Coppice: Emily Craft, Jay Dommett, Taylor Allen, Alice Kingham, Oliver Spruce, Katie Jones and Tanaka Katsukunya.

Hayes: Sophie Hollyhead, Charlie Harrison, Rianne Martin, Ben Marshall, Jenna Martin, Eleanor Cartwright and Lily Cocks.

Littleton: Louise Maunders, Kieran Roberts, Hannah Baker, Abigail Malcolm, Aaron Baldwin, Molly Bishop, Jacob Straw, Georgia Rose, Olivia Taylor and Sophie Tompkins.

Uxbridge: Diogo Baptista, Bryony Roberts, Travis Goodhead, Rachel Harris, Charley Ottey, Emma Guest, Dylan Ottey and Libby Walsgrove.

Valley: Tiegan Kelly, Kyle Parker, Ethan Thornton, Kezia Robinson, Hannah Hampton, James Bradman, Megan Pee and Madison Griffiths.

Wimblebury: Lauren Pearse, Katie Mead, Ellie-Mae Perkins, Molly Bruton, Morgan Watkins and Emily Watson.

Wednesday 9th September Y7 9:50am Y12 9:00am Y13 11:05am Thursday 10th September All Years (7, 8, 9, 10, 11 & 13) 8:50am Y12 Induction Morning Keys Park 9am—12pm School closes: Friday 23rd October 3:00pm School opens: Monday 2nd November 8:50am School closes: Friday 18th December 3:00pm School opens: Monday 4th January 9:50am School closes: Friday 12th February 3:00pm

Students News Sports Day … and a Sunny Afternoon!

Pre-Sports Day events began on June 15th with Y7 students taking to the field. This was followed by Y8 and Y9 on June 24th and Y10 following on the 25th.

Sports Day took place on a sunny afternoon on June 30th and all students and staff were in attendance. It was a fantastic event with all competitors and supporters being in top form!

Following some incredible battles Littleton House were crowned overall winners as they won both Y9 and Y10 competitions with Wimblebury winning Y7 and Hayes triumphing for Y8.

Mrs Greenwood, Head of Littleton House said, “This is the first time Littleton have won Sports Day and as a PE Teacher I am so proud! Congratulations to all of our competitors and our Sports Representatives who did a great job organising their teams for Sports Day and ensuring we entered competitors for nearly all events”.

Well done!

Girls—Victrix Ludorum Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10

Boys—Victor Ludorum Y7 Y8 Y9 Y10

Maths Masterclass Our Maths Masterclass Experience was definitely one to remember! It was held at ‘Staffordshire University’ and it lasted for six weeks.

Many talented people came in to show us new skills and challenge us in ways we could never think of!

Professors and leading mathematicians demonstrated strategies and techniques used to solve real life problems.

Did you know mathematical patterns are even used to prevent two ships from crashing into one another?

From juggling to binary, we learnt how a wide array of topics are related to Maths and the wider world.

After six enjoyable and educational weeks, we finished off with a challenge session that ended with each person receiving a certificate.

By Jay Lawton and Roan Lilly Y8 students

Angelique Marron (Wimblebury) Jasmine Bradbury (Uxbridge) Rianne Martin (Hayes) Mollie-Mae Hudson (Hayes)

Sebastian Burton (Wimblebury) Thomas Hudson (Hayes) James Chisholm (Littleton) Jack Fisher (Hayes) and Daniel Robinson (Valley)

Prom Once again our Y11 students did us proud at their Prom at ‘Cannock Golf Club’. The evening was enjoyed by all and the array of outfits and vehicles were splendid!

Our students were commended on their behaviour by the staff at the Golf Club. Well done!

Attendance Reward Congratulations to L-KP who won the best forms attendance award for the second time this year.

They were rewarded with a Pizza Party during form time.

Keep up the good work!

Student News Youth Endeavour Award Each year Kingsmead and other schools in the area have the opportunity to nominate students between 11 and 18 years of age for the Youth Endeavour Award. The award is offered through ‘Cannock Chase Council’ and can be for things such as services to the community, academic achievements and taking part in activities outside of school.

This year, Mr Farrell, (form tutor), nominated Lewis Powell Y9, for the award. Lewis was very pleased to receive a telephone call just before half term to say he had won overall! Ms Evans, Wimblebury Head of House, also telephoned to congratulate Lewis on his achievement. He then received a letter of invitation asking him to attend a ceremony at the Cannock Chase Council Chamber on Wednesday 27th May to receive his award.

Parents were also invited to this special occasion along with grandparents and friends who were able to come along and watch from the public gallery.

Mr Pearson, the outgoing Chairman of the Council, opened the proceedings swearing in the new council members and outlined details on the agenda.

The Youth Endeavour Award ceremony then took place. Lewis was called to the front of the Council Chamber and Mr Pearson read out a summary of why Lewis had been chosen. He thanked Mr Farrell at Kingsmead for nominating Lewis. He had chosen Lewis as the overall winner because of his charity work and events on behalf of 'Breatheasy' (nominated charity of Wimblebury House), his many golfing achievements (about which Lewis is passionate) and his well-rounded approach to academic aspects of school life.

Lewis was then presented with an engraved rose bowl trophy to keep for a year, a certificate and a cheque for £50.

POETOPIA

Arts Mark Bronze Award

Our students were invited by Young Writers to submit their poems to an exciting new competition called POETOPIA, which is loosely based on the Insurgent series Hunger Games format of Factions.

They were asked to think about themselves and their personalities, to decide which Faction they belonged to; Castitas; Temperantia; Humilitas; Benevolentia; Industria or Dissimilis. They could then select which type of poem best suited their personalities and temperament; reflective, angry, love or emotional, spiritual or celebrating something or someone.

As we had recently held a writing workshop with a visiting poet, this seemed an ideal opportunity for the poems written by our students to receive recognition.

Some Kingsmead students have already had their poems published by Young Writers in their competition War of Words, so we are eagerly anticipating hearing from them to see if any of our students are Prize Winners, and therefore have their work published in the Poetopia collection.

Ten students have been working towards their Bronze Arts Award. The award is equivalent to a GCSE and students have the opportunity to progress to the Silver and Gold level.

The group of boys and girls from Y7, Y8 and Y9 have really impressed the ‘Staffordshire Libraries’ staff (who are working with them). The group are all working well both independently and as a team.

The team have now completed the first part of the Award by filming a book trailer in support of Bodyguard: Ransom, one of the books nominated by the Staffordshire Young Teenage Fiction Award. They read the book, designed a storyboard and wrote a script.

Each student had a part to play (sometimes more than one) and film maker Hollie Turner came to Kingsmead to help film and edit their trailer.

Through the Summer holiday, the Arts Award group will continue working on the Inspiration part of the project. They each have to research someone who has inspired them within ‘The Arts’ field. It could be an artist, sculptor, actor or musician depending on their own interests. One student has decided to base their project on Hollie Turner, the photographer and film maker who helped them make their film.

The final two parts of the Award will take place next term.

Student News England Goalkeeper!

It has been a hectic time over the past few months for our Y9 student Hannah Hampton.

She has been playing football all over the UK! Hannah is Stoke City's U15s goalkeeper and recent fixtures she has played for them have been against 'Leeds United', 'Manchester United', 'Cambridge United', 'Leicester City' and 'Everton'. The team finished the season with a fantastic 5-1 win against Everton, which meant they were unbeaten for the season. We believe this accomplishment means they are the only Centre of Excellence in the country to achieve this feat at U15 level. The Everton goal was the first past Hannah since October (that’s over 500 minutes in goal without conceding) and that was scored by an England player!

Hannah has also been representing Staffordshire Girls FA U14s, who have recently been crowned Midland Counties Champions, a first for a girls team from Staffordshire! During this time Hannah has also played for the England Schools FA U15s team in Dublin against 'Ireland', where they won 1-0. Other tournaments she has played in include the Bob Docherty Tournament in Glasgow involving schools from England, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

England came third in that tournament. The match went to a penalty shoot out, with Hannah making two saves, the second save leading to a win for England!

Hannah has also attended the Elite Performance Camps with England Women’s FA U15s and an England Goalkeeper Training Session at ‘St. George’s, Burton on Trent’. Every three weeks she has been travelling to Knutsford, near Manchester for England U15 goalkeeper training.

Finally, she has played in her first full football international for England Women’s FA U15s against the Netherlands at ‘Warwick University’, playing in two games, where she was selected as the Number 1 goalkeeper. England drew the first match 1-1 but unfortunately lost the second 3-1. Hannah performed really well in both matches making some fine saves.

Hannah recently received her England Schools FA Cap. She said “I have enjoyed some fantastic experiences and I am now looking forward to taking the next step to the U16s teams”.

Futures Fayre This term, Kingsmead held it's first ever Futures Fayre organised by Mrs Butler, Information & Guidance Co-ordinator and Mr Cope, Assistant Headteacher. The Fayre aimed to raise the aspirations of students whilst giving them a chance to see what educational opportunities are currently available post 16 students. The Sports Hall played host to thirty providers ranging from local businesses, apprenticeship training firms, universities, the armed forces and police and approximately five hundred students and parents attended.

The event was open to all age groups. Indeed speaking to students as they went around, everyone was excited to know more about courses available to them. For some, this meant researching the university courses that are available. Others were helped to realise just how important their GCSEs are to access the highest level of apprenticeship they can, having made links with local businesses and members of the armed forces.

Mr Cope, Assistant Headteacher said “I was pleased with the number of students and parents who attended the event. This is the first time we have organised an event like this and the positive response was overwhelming. We at Kingsmead are keen to continue to provide opportunities, like this one throughout the next year. The providers were keen to share how impressed they were with the pertinent questions Kingsmead students asked. Due to the success of this event, we are now planning to repeat the fayre in a couple of years time, with even more providers likely to join us from all over the country”.

Nepal Earthquake Moved by the media coverage of the devastating earthquake in Nepal, a group of Sixth Form students wanted to see if there was anything they could do to help.

After speaking with Mr Bryant (Headteacher) and Mrs Collins (Head of Sixth Form) it was agreed that they could do a whole school collection.

This took place over three days from Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th May and the students were all very pleased with the outcome as £420 was raised for the appeal.

Many thanks to everyone for their support and for giving so generously.

Sports News Rounders Round Up!

Athletics Results

Y8 and Y9 girls rounders' teams have had an extremely successful season!

Students have been competing foe a number of weeks at ‘Aldersley Stadium’.

Y9 girls were crowned Cannock and District Champions. The event took place at ‘Cardinal Griffin School’.

Mrs Ryder, Teacher of PE said, “The girls played brilliantly and we are extremely proud of them all. Well done!”

Y8 girls were also crowned Cannock and District Champions at the tournament that took place at ‘Erasmus Darwin Academy’.

Mrs Greenwood, Teacher of PE said, “A great achievement! So proud of you all!”

The Y7 and Y8 teams also beat ‘Erasmus Darwin Academy’ 16.5 - 15 and 21.5 - 13 respectively with excellent play and great attitudes shown by all. This followed a great start to the season by the girls with a win over ‘Great Wyrley School’ 17.5—7.

Well done girls!

Charity Swim Y7 student Jessica Allman completed a 5k swim on Saturday 18th April as part of the Marie Curie, Cancer Care Swimathon which took place from the 17th - 19th April.

Jessica completed the swim in two hours and forty minutes and raised a fantastic £76.50 for the charity.

Football Champions!

Two of our football teams have been crowned Champions this term!

Congratulations to Y10 Boys who played 'Chase Terrace School' at Cardinal Griffin School in the District Cup Final.

The boys won the match to retain the Cup!

Congratulations also go to our U15 Girls who were crowned Staffordshire County Champions after beating 'Thomas Alleynes School' 3 - 0 in the Final.

Fantastic Achievements!

Notable results from: Y7s Adam Phillips - 1500m, Aaliyah Neale - 100 and 200m, Shannon McGowan - 1500m and Chenoa Raine - long jump.

Y8s Will Tolley - triple jump, Tom Brindley - shot putt and Lilly Walker 800m.

Y9s Kieran May - 100m, James Chisholm - long jump, Kyle Baskeyfield - triple jump, Joe Hendon Javelin, Megan Nicholson - 800m and 1500m, Hannah Hampton - long jump and Molly Bruton - shot putt.

All students who participated performed extremely well and are a credit to themselves and Kingsmead.

A number of them were selected to represent Cannock District at the County Championships.

Well done!

Trampolining Students Lewis Byrne Y11, Caitlin Cockayne Y8, Jasmine Bradbury Y8 and Thea Benbow Y9, qualified and competed in the Level 3 Schools Trampolining Games at ‘Trentham High School’ this term.

Mrs Greenwood, Teacher of PE said “The students performed very well, completing their routines in the intermediate team category. No medals were won today but getting to the competition in the first place was a big achievement! The students were a pleasure to take and conducted themselves in an exemplary manner”.

School Trips Oxford University Open Day “On 2nd July, myself and a group of Y12 students were lucky enough to enjoy an excursion to ‘Oxford University’ for an open day experience.

We set out at 7am and arrived in beautiful Oxford at approximately 9:30am, ready to view some of the cities prestigious, historical colleges.

We, as budding doctors, teachers, journalists, lawyers went our separate ways to speak to current students about the application process and life as an undergraduate at Oxford.

Following the exploration of the city as well as the specific colleges that interested us personally, the group reconvened to enjoy a guided tour by Mrs Harvey (Curriculum Leader Languages). She attended 'Merton College' for her university years. Here, she showed us the college church, gardens, accommodation and music rooms, recalling happy times spent at the University. We then took a walk down to the river to watch the punters passing by, just in time for the sun to join us!

Hopefully, the trip has inspired us all to aim for our highest and best in life after Kingsmead, whether it be in the 'City of Dreaming Spires' or elsewhere”.

Ellie Ryder (Y12 student) Y10 History students visit Quarry Bank Mill ‘Quarry Bank Mill’ was a textile mill which first opened in 1784 and remained in business until 1959. The Mill was owned by the Greg family.

The focus of the visit was for students to gain an understanding of both the working and living conditions there. Students were given a guided tour around the Mill and the village where many of the workers lived. Students learned how the Mill was pioneering both in terms of what it produced and how it treated its workers. Samuel Greg even employed a doctor to help look after them. Despite this, the students on the visit were still shocked at how loud the machines were and that children as young as nine used to work there. They quickly realised that two hundred years ago it would have been them operating the machines! A particular highlight was the smell box at the end of the tour which captured the essence and smell of a sweaty and unclean 19th century mill worker. The tour guides complimented the students on their engaging and inquisitive nature throughout the visit.

Commenting on the visit, one of the students said, “I really enjoyed the visit, especially the tour guide as he gave us lots of good information that will help us with our coursework. The tour guide clearly explained and demonstrated the dangers that the apprentice children faced working in the Mill as well as showing us the conditions they lived in in the apprentice house”.

The trip was a huge success. Students will use the information from the visit to complete a piece of controlled coursework about Quarry Bank Mill.

School Trips Y10’s GCSE History Trip to Italy In the early hours of Thursday morning a bunch of forty, tired but excited Y10s and four excited, but slightly more tired members of staff met at Wood Lane for the start of their Italian adventure.

Myself (Miss Hughes), Miss Baylay (Teacher of History), Mr Farrell (Teacher of PE) and Mr Bryant (Headteacher) were going to accompany some GCSE students to visit a range of places in Italy related to their GCSE study of Medicine Through Time.

After a smooth flight from Liverpool and with no use of sick bags (hurrah) we landed in Naples, bathed in beautiful sunshine and were whisked straight away by coach to Pompeii - scene of disaster in 79AD. Our Italian guide showed us around key parts of this preserved ancient roman city. One particular feature that fascinated us was a collection of casts made of people who had been caught up in the eruption of ‘Vesuvius’, one cast in particular was especially gruesome as the persons’ teeth could still be seen!

The following day we visited ‘Mount Vesuvius’, a volcano that still has the potential to erupt! We walked up to the rim of the volcano where an Alpine guide explained how the volcano had formed and how it had erupted in the past. Alongside learning about the volcano we enjoyed some amazing views over the bay of Naples. After the volcano, we travelled down to ‘Herculaneum’, another Roman town that has been preserved by the eruption of ‘Vesuvius’. Here, we enjoyed the opportunity to see some fantastically preserved mosaics and frescos.

From ‘Herculaneum’ we travelled by coach to Rome, staying in a hotel in the centre of the capital city. That evening we made our way to the world famous ‘Trevi Fountain’ and much to the delight of Mr Bryant (a great fan of ice-cream) had the chance to sample some top quality gelato, choosing from dozens of flavours.

On Thursday, we visited the ‘Coliseum’, ancient Rome’s version of Wembley, except rather than football, it saw sports such as feeding Christians to lions and gladiator fights! From there we went to the ‘Forum’, which was the centre of Rome’s government. Again with the sun shining and the temperature staying around 29-30 degrees, we saw some great views across the ‘Forum’ and back towards the ‘Coliseum’ (as well as giving certain members of staff the excuse for a cooling ice cream!).

The week was whizzing along and already we were on our last day. We used this to visit the smallest country in the world – ‘The Vatican’. We had planned to use the Underground, but due to a strike, we walked, brilliantly led as ever by Miss Baylay and her trusty Google Maps! Whilst at the ‘Vatican’ we got the chance to see superb art by Raphael and visit the ‘Sistine Chapel’ – all of which was explained via a microphone and head-set by me, so the glory of ‘Renaissance Art’ was explained by a rather Black Country accented guide! Inside ‘St Peters Basilica’, Mr Farrell explained the rather sinister process of how you can preserve the human body with a range of chemicals (the basilica is home to Pope John Paul II – his body preserved and kept in a glass case!).

The flight home was smooth, and our students who had never flown before showed no nerves whatsoever. The staff are really very proud of the behaviour of our students and yet again Kingsmead showed why we are officially Good!

I’d like to thank the students and staff for making Rome 2015 such a great success.

Miss Hughes Curriculum Leader Humanities

Looking Forward… Looking Back A welcome to our new Y7 students As we go to press, we are eagerly anticipating and preparing for the arrival of our new Y7 intake in September.

Certainly, if raw enthusiasm is anything to go by, the Y6 pupils who visited recently for our annual cycle of induction events, will be a real asset to our school in the years ahead.

On their Induction Day visit, they all made a really good impression. They were eager to get to know all about Kingsmead, eager to engage with other pupils from other primary schools with evaluative comments such as ‘great’, ‘awesome’ and ‘can’t wait to come’. They were a real credit to their primary schools, their parents and most importantly—themselves!

A similar positive attitude was apparent on the Primary Inter-Schools Sports Day. This is a fun afternoon aimed at gathering the pupils from our local primary feeder schools to begin to bond together as they participate in Olympian challenges such as the obstacle, potato and sack race—to name a few!

My First Year at Kingsmead My mind is stained, With the sorrow of that day, It’s a tapestry of memories, A cascade of colours of dreams, That was the day I left it all behind, My primary, all that I knew and loved.

Then I travelled just around the corner, A hulking building, filled with laughter, A new uniform, a crown on my chest, This is where I would stay for the next several years.

Finally, it was encouraging to see such a good turn out for our ‘Induction Parents Evening’ in early July. Parents were, as ever, very supportive and we were delighted to receive positive parental feedback regarding both the usefulness and effectiveness of the evening.

Mrs Ryder, Senior Leader My Induction Day by Y6 pupil Grace “Why did I like it so much?”

It started off with all the dread, Late for lessons, lost again, Forgetting homework, I don’t know what to do, I swear I’ll get a detention soon.

I liked Kingsmead so much because of the friendliness of the staff and the students. I am looking forward to becoming more independent here and having the chance to go on trips to different places like Rome and Berlin.

Tried to stick with all my friends, But then they started to fade away, Then I felt all alone, But then things started to look up.

“What I am looking forward to…”

I was doing well in Science, History too, Not late to lessons, I knew when the homework was due, Made new friends, helping me around, Lots of praise, Vivo’s all around, I love this school, look at me now!

A published author, 600 Vivo’s and counting, What could be better than this!

Lauren Pearse Y7 W-LAW

I think I am going to enjoy Drama, Art, Food Technology, PE and form time.

Hazel Slade ‘Automators’ Mr Francis (teacher of Technology) got a little scary with some Y5 pupils from Hazel Slade Primary School this term.

Pupils created an 'Automator Mechanism', which changed a circular movement into a linear movement. They then designed and made a 'Monsters Head' which when attached to the mechanism made the monsters jaw move!

Mr Francis said, “The lesson was awesome and the kids were great!”

Community Update Some Sad Goodbyes to House Staff…

“We are sad to be saying goodbye to two of our Littleton House tutors this year. Miss Rosbach (Teacher of MFL) left at Easter and Mr Hunt (Teacher of Science) will be leaving at the end of this term. We wish them all the best for the future”.

Mrs Greenwood “I would like to take this opportunity not only to welcome those who are joining us for the forthcoming year but to say goodbye to those who are leaving us. We have some long-serving staff who we are losing as well as some who have been with us for a shorter time but have played a pivotal role in Uxbridge House and Kingsmead life. In general, I would like to thank Dr Thomas for her help running the Uxbridge House Council for the past couple of years, as well as her service as Lead Tutor. After many years of service at this school Mrs Robins (Subject Leader Child Development) is looking forward to retirement after 28 years and good luck wishes to Mr Perry (Curriculum Leader Performing Arts), who is leaving to become an Assistant Headteacher at another local school. All of these staff will be missed and it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye and good luck”. Mr Cavanagh “I would like to thank Miss Brant (Teacher of Technology) for all of her hard work with V-SLB and wider contributions to Valley House. Miss Brant will be leaving in July and will be a big loss to the House. We all wish Miss Brant the very best for the future”. Mr Broomhall “Coppice House bid a fond farewell to tutors this year; Mrs Jones (Teacher of Technology) who leaves after 22 years, Miss Fittes (Subject Leader Health & Social Care), Mrs Harvey (Curriculum Leader MFL) and Miss Turner (Teacher of Art). We wish them every success in their new ventures and thank them for all of their hard work in making Coppice such a wonderful team. I shall miss them greatly”. Mrs Davies … and finally from Hayes House Mr Bradbury and his team would like to thank Mr Francis (Teacher of Technology) for all his hard work and support during his time at Kingsmead. We wish him well in his new position.

We wish Mrs Davies, Head of Coppice House every success in her new post and thank her so much for all she has contributed both to the development of the House system and to the wider life of the school.” Mrs Mist and Mrs Ryder Making the Feathers Fly… A trip to the schools Pigeon Loft...

For those students and parents who do not know this already, Kingsmead is a pioneering school in more ways than one! It is the first school in the country to have its own pigeon loft. As one of the Governors who voted for this, I was amazed to realise this was FIVE years ago! This week, I saw some of our pigeons circling the sports field, building up their muscles ready for their next race, so I decided to visit the pigeon loft to see how everything was progressing.

Mr Chambers and Charlotte, (a student from Pye Green Primary School who will be joining Kingsmead in two years’ time), gave me a guided tour of the loft and told me about the latest races in which our pigeons have taken part. One bird has just returned from ‘Poitiers’ in the south of France, a trip of an incredible 446 miles!

One section of the loft, houses cock birds who are being prepared for racing. The middle section is for those birds which have recently returned from a race, which need a bit of R & R to settle after their long journey. The final section houses the remaining birds, with space for them to fly and stretch their wings.

The Pigeon Plan is rolled out over a two year cycle, one year Education and the next year Racing. The pigeons are used to support different aspects of the curriculum and new students are encouraged to participate in the care of the birds. The breeding programme is also highly successful, creating and training new racers for the following year.

It was all very interesting, but one of the aspects I was particularly delighted by, was how the loft insulation system worked. This ensures that the temperature inside the loft never falls below 3 degrees and never goes above 35 degrees. Part of this system had been developed

by Mitchell Worrall Y10 (a member of the Pigeon Team), who used it as part of his GCSE Technology coursework. There are great plans for improving and extending the paved area and fencing in front of the loft. One of the things they are most in need of is a volunteer with a petrol strimmer or mower who could tackle all the nettles which have grown round the side. If anyone should wish to know more about the pigeons, I urge you to look on the Kingsmead Pigeons website http://kingsmeadpigeons.wix.com/kingsmead-pigeons or contact Mr Chambers, who will be able to fix up a visit for you.

Lesley Harrison (School Governor)

House Information Coppice House As the school year draws to a close, it is a time for reflection; what a lot Coppice House has packed into their time at Kingsmead! It all began in September welcoming our new Y7s and I am so very proud of how well they have settled into the Kingsmead community.

At the other end of the academic spectrum, Coppice said goodbye to the Y13s, including Deputy Head Girl and Boy; Becky Bradshaw and Thomas Birch who have done a sterling job representing both Kingsmead and Coppice House.

Year 11s began their study leave in earnest before rounding it off with a wonderful celebratory morning at their Leavers’ Assembly. Their year was made complete when they were decked out in their finery at the annual Prom at ‘Chase Golf Club’.

Whether continuing their studies at Kingsmead or progressing to pastures new, I wish all students the very best and exam results that reflect all their hard work.

During the year, Coppice has worked tirelessly raising funds for SNAP, the Cannock based charity. Students donned Santa hats and Christmas cheer during the Kingsmead Christmas Fayre, which was very well attended and is now a permanent fixture on the Kingsmead calendar. Although Coppice have the privilege of organising this event, the other Houses contributed and all profits are divided equally amongst the six House charities.

Congratulations Congratulations to our newly appointed Y10 House Captains; Dan Skerman and Abbie Duffin and to Jay Dommett and Emily Craft Y9, who have been elected Deputy House Captains.

Congratulations also go to Jack Cartwright, Taylor Allen, Oscar Spruce, Dominic Bowman, Chloe Sproson, Phoebe Woolley, Natalya Birch, Libby Jones, Katie Garraton, Leah Allman, our newly elected Y10 prefects. Well done to you all!

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Coppice staff and students for making my role as Head of House an absolute delight! I have had the privilege of working with you all since vertical tutoring began at Kingsmead and it has been eventful to say the least! I add myself to the list of goodbyes, as after fifteen years at Kingsmead, I relinquish my pastoral post to take up a new position. I shall be leading A level English at my new school and focusing on mentoring and coaching new staff. I leave with a heavy heart but with great pride in all of Coppice House’s achievements and the wonderful students I have had the privilege of working with.

I would like to take this opportunity of wishing all Coppice staff and students a wonderful Summer break and a well earned rest after yet another busy year.

Mrs J Davies Head of House

Students with consistently high ‘Attitude to Learning’ Y7 Elle Cartwright Jack Langley Ryan Leech Liam Thompson Steven Watts Lewis Woolley Y8 Danielle Anslow Charlotte Cooke Piper Craddock Jennifer Dunning Josh Hiatt India James Tiegan Kirkham Ethan Rogers Y9 Abbie Davies Olivia Green Elle Haytree Katie Jones Lewis Scott Jessica Shore Leo Slinger Jenna Wood Y10 Taylor Allen Leah Allman Natalya Birch Katie Garraton Libby Jones Rebecca Knott Grace Pike Chloe Sproson Oscar Spruce Phoebe Woolley

House Information

Hayes House It is hard to believe another academic year is coming to an end. I have found myself reflecting on the successes and development of Hayes House students, particularly our Y7s who have settled in to secondary school extremely well. It only seems like a very short time since they first started, but this week our new Y6 pupils arrived for their initial taste of Kingsmead life and it looks as though Hayes House is in for another strong intake of musicians, artists, actors and sports stars. I look forward to welcoming them properly in September.

Huge congratulations to Y10 students Sophie Hollyhead and Charlie Harrison who have been selected as House Captains. Rianne Martin and Ben Marshall Y9, will be representing Hayes as Deputy House Captains. Our newly elected Y10 prefects are: Meghan Hill, Varinder Kaur, Tilly Smith, Amy Lynk, Amber Johnson, Jade Gough, Alice Evans, Reece Marriott and Colin Traat, all of whom are very deserving of the role and I know will do a great job.

I would also like to give a special mention to Lilly Cocks in Y7, who has made an amazing impression this year, taking part in many charity events and gaining an incredible 1656 achievement points! Well done Lilly, keep up the good work!

Our new Y10 House Captains and Y9 Deputy House Captains, along with Lily and Eleanor Cartwright were also selected to appear in front of governors this term to receive congratulations for their achievements this year. I was very proud to introduce them and listen to their conversations with the governors, where they presented themselves in a very mature and articulate fashion. Jenna Martin Y8, was also selected for her outstanding attitude and high number of achievement points (1051!).

Although she was not in school on the day of the meeting, her accomplishments were nonetheless discussed and praised.

We are also looking forward to a range of end of term activities put on by Hayes tutors, which promises to be a fun and varied way to complete what has been a busy and at times intensive school year.

I wish all students who took exams over the Summer the results they deserve on their results days. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Y13 and Y11 students who are leaving us this year all the very best for their futures. We are all very proud of you!

Lastly, I wish all the students and staff of Hayes a very enjoyable and well deserved Summer break and I am looking forward to what next year has to bring.

Mr P Bradbury Head of House

Students with consistently high ‘Attitude to Learning’ Y7 Nina Cuthbert Georgia Glynn Ben Gough Liam Hollyhead Lucy Hunt Y8 Rhiannon Bickley Eleanor Cartwright Sarah Gray Chloe Pickerill Maisie Radford Megan Renshaw Megan Robins Chloe Salt Tayla Tudor Y9 Megan Birch Ben Marshall Rianne Martin Harry Palmer Y10 Paige Collins Alice Evans Jade Gough Ella-May Greenfield Meghan Hill Magenta Hiscock Mollie-Mae Hudson Amy Lynk Holly Mullen Colin Traat

House Information Littleton House Welcome to the last Littleton Newsletter of this school year.

Where has the time gone? Yet again it has been a very busy term with students sitting exams, Sports Day, Y6 Induction Days, interviews and much more! Also, our House Council have been particularly pleased that their ‘Water Machine Campaign’ proposal has come to fruition. This was the winning idea regarding what the School Council could spend £1000 on to make a difference to all students. Earlier this term the machines were installed in various locations around the school, which is great news!

Outside of school, Caitlin Tsang Y10, has been selected for a Medical Summer School at ‘Keele University’, Matthew Speake Y10, climbed ‘Ben Nevis’, Eleanor Cumbley Y7, passed her 800m swimming badge, Stepha Wainwright Y8, performed in her dance school’s production, Luke Woodhouse Y8, has had a successful season in motocross, James Chisholm Y9, has played District Football, Jack Maiden Y7 and Sam Harris Y7, won the league tournament with ‘Cannock Town Football Team’ and Taylor Baylis Y9, won the Football League with ‘Great Wyrley’, Sophie Tompkins Y9, has passed Grade 3 keyboard and received trophies for dancing and many more students achievements will be celebrated in our end of year assembly.

I can’t believe our Y7s have nearly completed their first year at Kingsmead!

It is great that they have settled in so well and got involved in a wide range of House competitions.

Since the Y11s have left on study leave we have been busy interviewing to replace our House Captains and Deputy House Captains.

Some tough decisions had to be made as there were some fantastic candidates. In the end Kieran Roberts and Louise Maunders Y10, were chosen as our House Captains and Jude Hughes and Georgia Rose Y9, as our Deputies…..well done to all of you and thank you for applying. We have also elected ten new Prefects from our current Y10, who have already started well in their role. Again this was a difficult decision as we have some really good role models to choose from… well done to Caitlin Tsang, Hannah Baker, Charlie Thompson, Anna Woolridge, Hollie Gallier, Thomas Byrne, Joe Cowdell, Lana Titley, Abbie Malcolm and Chloe Stuart.

I would like to wish all of our students in Y10, Y11, Y12 and Y13 who have sat their exams this term all the best when they collect their results in the Summer holidays. I hope all the hard work you have put in pays off and allows you to move one step closer to achieving your future goals. Lastly, we wish our Y13s and any Y11s who are leaving us all the best.

That just leaves me to say…. I hope everyone has a great Summer Mrs K Greenwood and comes back refreshed ready to start all over again in Head of House September!

Students with consistently high ‘Attitude to Learning’ Y7 Ellie Harris Samuel Harris Jack Maiden Amber Powell Callum Stenning Megan Vincent Y8 Arran Baldwin Kelly Bodley Charlie Evans Anna Lycett Jack Miller Brad Parker Abigail Phipps Amandeep Singh Y9 Amber Crisp Jude Hughes Brandon Stokes Olivia Taylor Samuel Whitehouse Y10 Hannah Baker Holly Butterfield Thomas Byrne Hollie Gallier Amie Heath Rajinder Kaur Abigail Malcolm Chloe Stuart Lana Titley Caitlin Tsang

House Information Uxbridge House It’s time for the last Newsletter of the academic year, hasn’t it gone fast? The year has absolutely flown by. I have welcomed the new Y6s for their Induction Day with many proud parents looking on. Some of the current Y7s were watching and they couldn’t believe that a year ago, they were doing the same thing! The journey from Y7 to Y11 is only five years, but so much happens in that time. In the last year the current Y7s have gone from arriving slightly late to lessons clutching onto a map and apologising profusely to now informing me exactly where the Science Technicians’ room is, when I ask! The Y11s have flown the nest, albeit with a large number intending to return to the Sixth Form in September. They have sat the last of their GCSE exams and must now play the waiting game. They attended their Prom looking grown up and smarter than ever, less than five years since that first nervy day on Rocky Car Park.

Since the last Newsletter lots has happened at Kingsmead and more importantly in the Uxbridge House. The Y11s have relinquished their House Captains, Deputy House Captain and Prefect roles. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Natalya Bubalo and Charlie Walker for being House Captains for the past twelve months. The House Captains transfer into Sixth Form has meant the re-election of the House Captain and Deputy House Captain positions. All Uxbridge students were invited to apply. They were then interviewed by myself and Lead Tutor Dr Thomas. Before I announce the successful candidates, I must stress how difficult the decision was with such a great range of skills, talents and personalities applying for the roles. Everybody who applied did themselves justice and should be thoroughly proud of their efforts. I know I am. It is on that note, that I give big congratulations to Heather Smith and Dylan Ottey Y10, who were both successfully promoted from Deputy House Captains to House Captains. From Y9, Emma Guest and Charley Ottey, were both elected to the Deputy House Captain roles and have already played a pivotal role in the Y6 Induction Days, guiding students and parents around the school. To assist with the House Captains, Uxbridge have recently appointed a team of ten Y10 students to take up the role of Prefects. Along with the Prefect badge to wear on their blazer, the Prefects provide a crucial role in demonstrating the high standards that are expected, not only of Uxbridge students, but of Kingsmead students as a whole. They act as a role model to the younger students and will conduct a lunchtime duty.

I would like to say a big thank you and well done to every single Uxbridgian who took part in the recent Sports Day and helped us come so close to winning the title! Next year the title will be ours!

It is time to wrap up the final Uxbridge page for this academic year. For those of you who are waiting to start your first day at Kingsmead on Wednesday 9th September, I wish you a relaxing and enjoyable Summer. Do not be too nervous about joining us – be excited! Those students who will be returning to Uxbridge after the Summer holidays, have a good break, rest and come back even better than before. Those of you who have finished your time at Kingsmead, I wish you the Mr M Cavanagh best of luck in your future endeavours.

Have a great Summer holiday!

Head of House

Students with consistently high ‘Attitude to Learning’ Y7 Diogo Baptista Tara Brough-Smith Alex Mowe Erin McVinnie Byrony Roberts Holly Short Y8 Rachel Harris Jordan Ketland Isobel Morson Lily Walker Tom Walters Y9 Millie Bates Caitlin Briggs Carl Corns Megan Grantham Bradley Harvey Charley Ottey Jasmine Rainer Conor Rigby Molly Skelding Ellie Winfield-Brown Y10 Amy Beech Ryan Davies Amy Dyas Emily Nash Dylan Ottey Lauren Roberts Heather Smith Daniel Waddison Natalie Wain Callum Warren

House Information Valley House As the academic year comes to an end and with Y11 leaving, I had the privilege of interviewing students for the roles of House Captains, Deputy House Captains and Prefects. I was exceptionally pleased by the quality of the applications and I am delighted to announce that the following students have been successful in being appointed: House Captains: Isobel Cummings and Daniel Robinson Y10.

Deputy House Captains: Kimberley Brindley and Luke Rowlands Y9.

Y10 Prefects: Tiegan Kelly, Amy Corcoran, Lauren Davison, Emily Wilkinson, Hollie Davis, Georgia Haddon, Brittany Purshouse, Scarlett George and Jess Smith.

Congratulations to all students, I am confident they will be a credit to Valley House in their roles.

Sports Day Sports Day was fantastic! It was brilliant to see so many students representing their House in the different events. It is always important to me that students show their pride in Valley House by taking part in events like this regardless of their athletic ability. Many students showed real outstanding character, competing in multiple events or stepping in as a last minute replacement when another competitor was injured or absent.

Congratulations go to Dan Robinson Y10, who won the Victor Lodurum for best performing Y10 boy across all of the events.

V-DSU assembly Students in V-DSU were proud to produce and present an informative assembly about a range of local and national charities. They explained what they do and how heavily they rely on voluntary contributions to maintain their work.

Charities Louie Smith Y8, recently took part in the 10 mile Summer walk across ‘Cannock Chase’ in aid of the Valley House Charity, Katharine House Hospice. It is fantastic to see students take part in fundraising efforts for our charity outside of school. Louie completed the walk with his family and raised a total of £57, well done Louie! Ethan Thornton Y10, completed a thirty eight mile hike to raise funds for a charity associated with his Scouts group.

Congratulations to Reece Hawkins Y9, who has been selected to represent England at a karate demonstration in ‘Luxembourg’ in October. Reece has been doing karate for over ten years and has over 100 medals!

I wish all students who took exams over the Summer the results they deserve on their results days. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all Y13 and Y11 students who are leaving us this year all the very best for their future. We are all very proud of you!

In closing, I wish all students and parents connected to Valley House a very happy and restful Summer break. I look forward to seeing you in September.

Mr R Broomhall Head of House

Students with consistently high ‘Attitude to Learning’ Y7 Ellie Jones Neahve Jones Fay Woodhead Y8 Caitlin Cockayne Madison Griffiths Josh Hastilow Destiny Jones Kieran Ramah Kezia Robinson Louie Smith Bethany Webb Holly Whitehouse Y9 Ethan Garbett Reece Hawkins Hollie Spooner Emily Walker Y10 Oliver Butler Isobel Cummings Hollie Davis Amie Howe Ellie Merricks Elisha Pearce Daniel Robinson Drew Roden Jess Smith Thomas Stevens Ethan Thornton Emily Wilkinson

House Information Wimblebury House It has been another successful and busy term for Wimblebury.

I am proud to say that we are currently in the lead for House Point achievements. So, well done to all Wimblebury students for working hard in order to achieve these points for themselves and our House. Unfortunately, we did not win Sports Day this year, but I would like to congratulate all the students who took part and supported our House, in particular Angelique Marron and Sebastian Burton for gaining the Victrix and Victor Ludorum – Y7 Champions!

We began this term by saying goodbye to our amazing Y11 students and wishing them great success with their GCSE examinations. I hope to see many happy faces on results day. Following their departure we had to appoint new student roles of responsibility. I am pleased to announce; House Captains: Emily Watson and Joshua Lily; Deputy House Captains: Lewis Powell and Isobel Copland. Prefects: Chloe Heeley, Amber Poole, Todd Rogers, Beth Haywood, Reuben Murcott, Millie Haynes, Morgan Watkins, Bethany Parish, Simran Kaur, Hannah Ridgway, Stuart Henley and Morgan McKenry. This year, following the success of our Charity Representatives, we have appointed a ‘Community and Charity Ambassador’ – Niall Toolan. In September students will be electing Form Representatives and Charity Council Representatives. I would particularly like KS3 and Y10 students to consider these roles.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Wimblebury Sixth Form students good luck in their examination results and extend warm wishes to those who will be leaving us to pastures new. I hope you find success and happiness in whatever you set out to achieve.

We have some remarkable and talented students in Wimblebury House and I would like to mention some of them at this point. Niall Toolan Y9, has completed the ‘Three Peaks Challenge’; Lewis Powell received the ‘Cannock Chase Youth Endeavour Award’ while Lauren Pearse Y7, has had several of her poems published. Molly Bruton Y9, deserves a mention as an excellent athlete who, alongside a number of other students has also moved into a higher academic set – well done to you all!

A final thank you to the Sixth Form students who in tutor time have been excellent role models to younger students.

Wimblebury students are very proud to be in their House and indeed the tutor group within it. Students from SBU write…”We always feel welcome in our tutor group….it’s friendly….relaxed….and we all get on well with each other”. While students from RDC write….”We pride ourselves on the successes every member of our form achieves dayin-and-day-out”.

All Wimblebury staff and students are very excited about meeting our new Y7 intake in September and welcoming them to our team.

On behalf of us all I wish you a fantastic Summer break.

Miss A Evans Head of House

Students with consistently high ‘Attitude to Learning’ Y7 Benjamin Anderson Sophie Green Lauren Pearse James Sephton Y8 Jeeven Bahia Holly Barfield Luke Hendy Keeley Holland Hannah Jones Jay Lawton Roan Lilly Louise Limbert-Ray Thomas Pinson Diogo Rodrigues Georgia Thompson Y9 Molly Bruton Isobel Copland Megan Nicholson Sophie Oakes Lewis Powell James Robson Cara Slade Katy Wilcox Y10 Jay Boora Milly Edwards Samantha James Reece Lappin Joshua Lilly Morgan McKenry Reuben Murcott Adam Price Hannah Ridgway Emily Watson

Future Events Friday 11th September Y7 & Y8 Photographs Thursday 17th September Y12 Welcome Evening

Contact information Kingsmead School Kings Avenue Hednesford Cannock Staffs WS12 1DH 01543 512455 office@kingsmeadschool.net What is happening at Kingsmead?

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Thursday 1st October Open Evening Wednesday 14th October Y11 Progress Evening Thursday 22nd October Festival of Achievement Wednesday 11th November Y9 & Y10 Photographs Wednesday 11th November Y7 Partnership Evening Thursday 5th November Sixth Form Information Evening Thursday 19th November Y10 Progress Evening Friday 18th December Y7 St Peters Carol Service