Bulletin Dec 2011

King Edward VI School

Christmas Bulletin 16th December, 2011

T

erm is drawing to a close with the cast of Ali Baba emerging from an intense period of rehearsals and performance, Christmas charity sales taking over the Crush Hall and preparations for the Carol Service at St. Mary‟s Church keeping our musicians busy. There are, understandably, some very exhausted children and staff wandering around the corridors!

We have had a good term on the sports field with some enjoyable highlights such as the county successes for the U14 girls' hockey team, the U13 girls' hockey team and the U16 netball squad who have become county champions. Our rugby players have been busy, with particular success for the U14 side, as well as the level of participation enjoyed at the South Coast Rugby Tournament. Our footballers and our basketball players go from strength to strength.

Many students in the Upper Sixth and the Fifth Year will have plenty of work to do as they prepare for examinations in January. We would appreciate your support with maintaining high standards of dress; some students can begin to look a little scruffy as they approach the Christmas holiday and we like to sustain smartness.

Carol Service Mr Tasker is leaving King Edward‟s after 21 years as a biology A big Thank You to all parents who sang so teacher, supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh award, charities and a host of other activities. We wish him well in his very well enthusiastically in the choir at this year’s Carol Service. It was really appreciated by music staff deserved retirement. and pupils alike.

The new term begins on Wednesday 4th January and, until then, I wish you a Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Photographs and excerpts of the music from the evening can be found by clicking here.

AJ Thould Head Master

Parents’ Childnet Talk C H A R I T I E S

Our Charity Commission has been as energetic as ever with over £8,800 raised for a range of causes this term and more to come as the First Year Toy Appeal goes from strength to strength.

Internet Safety Seminar for Parents Tuesday 10th January, 2012 at 7pm in the Dobson Theatre You are invited to attend the Know IT All seminar presented by Childnet International.

This is a very informative presentation which will give you an insight on how your child uses online and mobile technologies and the pitfalls and risks that can be associated with it.

Many thanks to all who have supported us this year.

BEAM HOUSE - 9th to 13th April, 2012 There are still places left on the Beam House activities holiday scheduled in the Easter holidays. Any parent of a Third Year pupil who would like to spend a great week climbing, abseiling, quad-bike riding, bodyboarding and more should email Dr Gamblin sdg@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.

The seminar will last for approximately one hour and refreshments will be available from 6.30pm Please click Childnet for more information and booking information.

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Notice to all Upper Sixth Candidates

THE START OF THE SCHOOL DAY The attention of pupils and their parents is drawn to the fact that the School day begins at 8.30am. By this time, all pupils are required to be inside the School buildings, attending to their lockers, and making their way to their Group Bases, where they must be by 8.40am.

Forms to request GCE unit resits in June are now available from the Examinations Office, or can be downloaded from the School website - click Resit Form All completed forms for known resits to date must be returned to Mr Courtney by 10am on Thursday 26th January.

It is not sufficient to aim to arrive at the School grounds by 8.30am (or later), as there is not enough time to do all that has to be done and still be in group base at 8.40am.

All completed forms for resits following the results of the January examinations must be returned to Mr Courtney by 10am on Tuesday 13th March.

It is recognised that from time to time, due to failings of public transport, some pupils may arrive late; but these occasions should be very rare, and when they occur with any regularity, alternative means of transport should be found, to ensure punctual arrival in School.

Substance Abuse Talk for Parents Tuesday 17th January at 7pm in the Dobson Theatre

Your fullest co-operation is sought to ensure that pupils begin each day promptly.

Bob Tait of Drug Education UK, is a former member of the Royal Navy Drugs Education Team and he has been working with the School on Drug and Alcohol Education for many years.

He delivers sessions to our students in their First, Third, Fourth and Lower Sixth Years as part of our PSHE programme.

Southampton University A level MFL Conference This year KES will be hosting the conference for students of French, German and Spanish on 22nd March.

We will be welcoming A level students from other schools and colleges to the Conference.

This year Mr Tait will be giving a talk to parents on the evening of the 17th January which will deal with all forms of drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. It will also contain advice about such matters as parties.

Open Instrumental Lesson Week During the week of 30th January – 3rd February, parents are warmly invited to come to the School and attend their childâ€&#x;s instrumental lesson.

Mr Tait will talk for approximately one hour and then take questions.

This will be a good opportunity to see the lesson in action and discuss instrumental progress with the teacher.

Please click Drugs talk for more information.

Parents are asked to contact the instrumental teacher in advance if they would like to attend and to sign in at reception on arrival.

The Byron Society

KES SUSTAINABILITY

trip to London We have recycled printer cartridges and batteries for some time at KES.

On Saturday 4th February members of the Byron Society have the wonderful opportunity to visit the birthplace of Lord Byron and to tour various sites around London where the Byron myth was crafted.

We shall be leaving the Hill Lane Gate at 8am and our return is timed for 8pm. A full day certainly, but one which promises to linger long in the memory.

If you have printer cartridges or batteries at home, rather than putting them in the bin, please bring them in and put them in the large white boxes in the school office. The boxes have been moved so please ask for their location if you are unsure.

If you put your cartridges in small plastic bags to transport them they can be left in these.

For more information please contact Mr Giles ceg@kes.hants.sch.uk 2

Theatre Studies Previews & Performances Advance Information

Italy - Easter 2013

A level Theatre Studies Preview Evening 7.30pm on Wednesday 14th March.

The Classics department is organising an exciting educational tour of Rome and the Bay of Naples. The trip will run from the 2nd to the 9th April during the Easter holidays of 2013.

Third Year Theatre Studies Performances,

by Mr Jones‟ groups only, 7.30pm on Thursday 29th March in the Dobson Theatre.

We will spend two days in Rome, visiting the Forum, Palatine, Colosseum, Pantheon and other sites and will have an afternoon excursion to the ancient port of Ostia where students can explore independently. We shall then travel to Sorrento via Cumae, the seat of the Oracle and Apollo. Day visits will include Pompeii, Vesuvius, Herculaneum, the roman villa of Oplontis and the volcanic site of Solfatara.

Staff & Parent Prayer Meeting Tuesday 17th January, 2012 1pm-2pm

The tour is open to all students at a cost of £815 which can be paid in instalments over the coming months. In order to reserve a place on this trip for your son or daughter please would you pay the nonrefundable deposit of £200 as soon as possible.

Commemoration Room

Espaňa 2012

Please click here for more information.

Sixth Form Salamanca Lessons and Homestay programme 9th Feb - 15th Feb

Gala Concert Anvil Concert Hall, Basingstoke at 7.30pm on 14th March, 2012

Third and Fourth Year Córdoba Lessons and Homestay programme 30th March - 3rd April Parents’ Information Evening Monday 5th March at 7.30pm in the Dobson Theatre

To celebrate the Cultural Olympiad KES musicians will be staging a sparkling Gala Concert at the Anvil. The concert will feature the Symphony Orchestra, Second Orchestra, Big Band and Choirs and we will be joined by our musician-in-residence, Matthew Barley, and guest choirs from Prince‟s Mead, Sherborne House, Springhill RC Primary ,Stroud and Twyford schools. Tickets, priced £6, are on sale now from the Anvil Box Office box.office@anvilarts.org.uk or Tel: 01256 844244.

First and Second Year Cataluña 1st - 5th June Parents’ Information Evening Tuesday 1st May at 7.30pm in the Hospitality Suite

Further information please contact eml@kes.hants.sch.uk

Higher Education Evening Tuesday 21st February 7pm in The Dobson Theatre

Green Team Christmas Card Recycling

This Information Evening is designed to help Lower Sixth parents understand current procedures for applications to universities. More than 98% of our students leave us to go to university and we will begin our Higher Education Programme with our current Lower Sixth students at the beginning of February.

An estimated 1.7 billion Christmas cards are sent each year in Britain, the equivalent of 200,000 trees. Around 1 million of these Christmas cards are thrown away every year.

Please help us to reduce this number and save resources. Don‟t throw away your used cards; bring them into school where there will be a special green bin in reception for you to deposit them in until 30th January. The Green Team will then make sure that your cards are recycled or reused in a way that will benefit the environment.

We also produce, each year, a booklet „Information for Parents‟ which is intended to help you understand the Higher Education process.

An invitation letter and booklet can be found by clicking invitation and booklet 3

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Wed 4th Jan Thurs 5th Jan

Tues 10th Jan Wed 11th Jan Tues 17th Jan Sat 21st Jan Sat 28th Jan Mon 30th Jan Wed 1st Feb Fri 3rd Feb Mon 6th Feb Wed 8th Feb Thurs 9th Feb Friday 10th Feb Tues 21st Feb Tues 28th Feb

Term commences Fifth Year GCSE Mid-Year Examinations begin concludes 12th Jan Fourth Year Morrisby Testing Second Year PSHE Day Childnet Internet Safety Parents‟ Seminar Upper Sixth AS/A Level Examinations begin concludes 30th Jan Third Year PSHE Day Substance Abuse Parents‟ Talk Admissions Exam Burns Night Supper Open Instrumental Music Lessons Week Fifth Year Parents‟ Evening KESSOC Quiz History Boys production: finishes 8th Feb Summer Camp Rowathon Rotary Club Music Competition Last day of Spring half-term Staff Inset Day - school closed Higher Education Evening for Lower Sixth Parents Third Year Parents‟ Evening

Please note: A more comprehensive calendar, which is updated and reviewed regularly, is available on our website at http:// www.kes.hants.sch. uk/calendar

Simon Allen Masterclass & Concert - 31st January, 2012 The KES Big Band have a fantastic opportunity coming up in January when they will have an afternoon workshop from leading British jazz saxophonist, Simon Allen. Simon has played recently on Jools Holland’s ‘Later’ show and at the 2011 BBC Proms.

The material worked on during the day will then be presented in an informal evening concert at 7:30pm in the Recital Room.

Burns Night

Watersports 2012 Two places have become available on the Watersports 2012 trip.

Open to Second, Third and Fourth Year pupils, this trip is always a firm favourite with pupils, with activities such as windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing on offer. Please contact Dr Gamblin on sdg@kes.hants.sch.uk for more information.

in Tic c k Al lud et l p in s £ Go roc g s 2 e e Pr dge eds up 5 oje da to p ct ch th er t e

Saturday 28th January, 2012 7.30pm - 12 midnight For more information please click here Your can purchase your tickets by cheque or online at http://payments.kes.hants.sch.uk/ shop

Classical Society Academic Weekend Over the weekend of Friday 24th to Sunday 26th February we have the wonderful opportunity to visit Dartmoor, England‟s last great wilderness. Whilst based at Lovaton, we shall tour various sites around the Moor associated with the famous novel “The Hound of the Baskervilles”. During our time on the moor there will be three presentations on literary aspects and three explorations of key places.

Friday 3rd February at 7.30pm in the School Hall for parents and friends Teams of 8 The cost is £12.50 per head with supper included

We will leave School at 2pm on Friday 24th and return at 5pm on Sunday 26th February.

For more information please contact Mr Giles ceg@kes.hants.sch.uk

Click Quiz for more information and booking form 4