Memory lane

Memorylane

In the words of an evacuee – Andy’s story

Born in Edmonton in 1932, I was the youngest son of John Horace and Alice and brother to Doris and John. At Chamberlain’s announcement of war my father joined the Royal Air Force. He survived bombings at Duxford then served in Aden and Karachi. My mother painted invasion barges at Lea Valley dock. At seven years old, I made her lunch and walked it to her, unless I forgot!

With the threat of bombing imminent, parents were told to evacuate children over four. I was terrified as we waited for the coach; I told my father I didn’t like him. We arrived at North Walsham clock tower, finally, a lady chose me. I refused to go without my brother so she ended up with us both. This lady was nice enough but her husband was mean, force feeding brussel sprouts to a seven year old boy is torture. Sitting on the wall of the abattoir opposite our ‘home’ I was petrified by the sight of sheep! One particularly painful memory is my brother pouring boiling water into my wash bowl, missing the bowl and pouring it all over my hands. Nothing was done or said, I had blisters like barrage balloons.

The anticipated bombings didn’t happen, we returned home and life carried on, it was short-lived. Air-raids began and anti-aircraft guns appeared. I remember a lorry pulling a gun firing impotently as it trundled through the streets, a ridiculous morale boosting exercise. At that time anyone over 16 could be a ‘fire-watcher’, usually a young boy on a bicycle ringing a bell, laughable in hindsight, we were so unprepared.

Air-raid drills became part of school life, at the sound of the siren we dropped to the floor, tummies raised. Air raids began; the kitchen table was preferable to cold, damp, uncomfortable shelters. We watched London burning from our garden, the sky was bright enough to read the paper. We trawled the streets searching for shrapnel.

When we were 9 and 11 we were evacuated again taking only our gas masks and the clothes we stood in. Having experienced the separation once, I wasn’t happy. We were sent to Upton, Berkshire, ‘strangers in a foreign land’. My brother and I stuck together, staying with a Mrs Hickling. Our sister was a mile down the road in a village called Blewbury, we met up each Sunday. Food was in short supply but Mrs Hickling was kind, even buying us white shirts. She received around 7s and 6d a week for each of us, (around 75p). Mrs Hickling’s son David was a pilot, he flew over the village once in a double winged plane dropping toilet roll streamers.

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scary!), kayaking (very wet!), tunnelling (very mysterious!) and a campfire (very funny!). We would definitely recommend it to others! Maddie & Esther

As we are at the end of the academic Year 2016 – 2017, I was asked recently to share some ‘Glimpses of Brilliance’ of this year – there have been many: • Year 6 SAT results. Our year 6 children have recently received their end of KS2 SAT results. The government raised the expectations for all children last year and external tests reflect this in difficulty and challenge. We are hugely proud of our year 6 children in the determined approach they have shown in facing these increased demands. We are delighted to share that their efforts have been rewarded with some fantastic results! Our children have met or exceeded national standards across all areas of the curriculum – huge congratulations to them! Our teachers have been working to improve standards for the last few years, adapting their teaching techniques to reflect changes to the curriculum and pedagogy. How pleased we are to see the fruition of this objective! • A whole school theatre trip to London to see Charlie and

The Chocolate Factory. This will remain one of the highlights of my career for many years to come. I am still in awe that as a community we all kept it a secret and that we were able to give 300 plus children a truly memorable and magical experience – thank you J • We heard just this week that we have been awarded the

Silver PE mark in recognition of our achievements in school sport. Thanks to Miss Cottle who leads PE and Mr Chapman for his enthusiasm and skills in teaching PE and the many extra curricular clubs we have: the Race for Life, winning of the cluster swimming gala and finishing in the top four teams within county in the netball plate competition, just a few glimpses of brilliance! • We have been asked to be a local hub for Forest Schools, so that other schools can come and learn from our provision and all we have achieved with FS. What recognition of the excellent work Miss Jobson does and what we have achieved as a school. • Maths has been an area of school improvement for the last four years. This year all year groups are showing increased results in Maths. Both our KS1 and KS2 results show that

Maths is now our strongest area.

We are looking forward to a new academic year, with some new staff, new children and most of all new opportunities for even more success and fun. Mrs Stephanie Wilcox – Headteacher

Smelly Wellies Community Gardening Project

Our school community gardening project is now coming to the end of its second year.

The idea of the project is to give families the opportunity to learn how to successfully grow fruit and vegetables. All our produce, once grown, is divided up and shared amongst us. It’s lovely to see the children really getting stuck in and when we recently emptied our potato sacks it was like Christmas as they were amazed at how many had grown!

Picking the strawberries and raspberries at the moment is always the first job on the list for the children and it’s lovely to see some trying things for the first time. I wonder what they will think of the gooseberries when they are ready!

On hand, we have Hilary who is a volunteer and trained Horticulturist. Her advice and help is invaluable to our little group. We also have a growing tunnel so we can sow our seeds earlier and always have something to keep busy with. Catharine Staley, Family Support Worker

Upton, Berkshire (Now in Oxfordshire)

Disaster struck! Mrs Hickling sprained her foot so we were sent to Mrs Broomfield’s. One day I played with a local girl, she pulled away as I grabbed her coat, every button flew off. That moment of fun earned me a beating, Mr Broomfield was home on leave, he shouted to stop her. I couldn’t sit down in church. Her old wooden billet hut had no flushing loo, my brother’s job was bucket emptying up the lane, I loitered behind, often seeing an owl. The field opposite the hut was packed with cowslips, to me, it looked amazing. My brother and I would strip off and muck around in the river near the railway line; highly amusing for a train full of soldiers.

Food was scarce, I don’t remember eating much at all. I gave the meat to the dog and the dried bread to the village ducks. I remember paying a boy a ha’penny for an Oxo cube, I must have craved salt. I got up to all sorts, ‘lost’ ration books, black market deals… We ‘put a brave face on it’ when we walked mum and dad to the station after rare visits. I remember my brother taunting me, ‘you’re crying aren’t you!’ ‘No!’ I replied… It was a horrible time.

At school, a classmate arrived after his house had been bombed, both of his parents were dead, and there he was. Giving shrapnel was a way to make friends but friendships came with conditions. Children played with us in school but not outside. Looking back, we were Londoners, we spoke differently. My brother was bullied so he quickly adopted the local accent, a survival tactic; I remained a Londoner. I think the trauma caused me to wet the bed we shared, I wonder now if that caused the bullying.

After what felt like years, but was probably 18 months, we escaped. My brother had saved his half-crown a week from working in the maternity hospital until we had enough to pay our fare home. We couldn’t wait to go, Mrs Broomfield couldn’t wait to be rid of us. We made our way home across London from Victoria. We looked after ourselves, everyone was busy. Doodlebugs were a familiar sight and sound, one landed on the gasometer, imagine. Another dropped so near to my cousin’s house she was blown out of the window, landing outside. The rockets were worse, you never heard or saw them coming. During air raids, the choice was the shelters or the underground. We took bedding and secured our spot. Shabbily dressed children ran up and down static escalators. Often, we took our chances and slept at home. Bizarrely, we got used to it, often sleeping through it. I woke up one morning squashed by the bedroom window, a lucky escape.

If I had been a parent in the war I would never, ever send my children away, we would stay together. I suppose you do it for their own safety, but it was without doubt, the unhappiest time of my life and the experience has stayed with me to this day. Nicola Dunklin

Andrew Nisbet a Melbourn resident for many years.

Reference: www.evacuees.org.uk/ British Evacuees Association – to share stories www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/18/ a3085418.shtml www.uptonvillage.co.uk/1995/06/upton-jottings-1930-1974/ www.bing.com/images/

DofE practice

A group of Melbourn Village College students rose to the Duke of Edinburgh challenge as they embraced their bronze award practice expedition in the Chilterns.

The 22 Year 10 students camped for two nights and spent the Saturday learning map-reading and compass skills on a long hike, walking in small groups with supervising adults, who included Melbourn staff and qualified assessors.

The Sunday hike was much more challenging as students were monitored at a distance only. They also carried their full packs, as they will have to do on the Assessed Expedition at the end of September when the weather is likely to be more variable than the warm, dry days and cold windy nights they experienced this time.

They practised their cooking skills on trangias, and in some cases learnt how to put up a tent and sleep in one, for the first time!

Melbourn teachers James Richardson and Frank Fan said: “We are proud to say that the MVC students were all praised for good behaviour and a great attitude.”

Primary round-up

Primary pupils’ achievements were celebrated at Melbourn Village College last week with the second annual Celebration Evening.

Guest speaker and former world-ranked tennis player Jade Windley told youngsters, their families and teachers about her life as a professional on the circuit as well as congratulating them on their hard work and achievements.

The Celebration Evening is part of Melbourn’s primary liaison programme and pupils from the catchment primaries of all ages collected awards from events ranging from the Year 4 and 5 science and humanities days, gifted and talented maths sessions as well as netball, football and swimming.

It came in the middle of a busy few days for primary pupils. Earlier in the day the Year 6 students who will be joining Melbourn Village College in September spent the day at the college, making new friends and experiencing secondary school life.

Then at the end of the week Year 5 students from Harston & Newton, Hauxton, Foxton and Barrington spent the second of the college’s two Humanities Days undertaking geography, history and RE projects, including a river investigation, studying aspects of Aztec life as well as looking at some topical ethical and moral issues.

Below: Students on the Duke of Edinburgh challenge

Rome Tour 2017

Year 10 students taking History, RE or Philosophy for GCSE at Melbourn Village College enjoyed an amazing walking tour of Rome to enhance their studies.

The group of 34 wasted no time in getting started, heading straight from the airport to the Catacombs di St Sebastiano.

Despite fears of getting lost within this labyrinth, the tour guide led the group through with no problem, introducing memorials both Christian and older – a pair of pagan mausoleums that were only found when the foundations were being worked upon for the church of St Sebastian above.

A second walk took in the Spanish Steps and on to Piazza Navona and, after dinner, the Trevi Fountain, which was lit up and busy but stunning.

The Vatican was incredible – the grounds and the museum –and the Sistine chapel is an amazing endeavour of art and was greatly appreciated by the Melbourn students who took time to look and wonder at the sheer size and detail that was involved. Then it was on to St Peter’s Basilica, which rightfully holds the title of the foremost (and largest) basilica in the world. In comparing it to St Paul’s in London, students could see how Britain’s own feat of architecture could be seen as a pale reflection. One of the day’s highlights was visiting the body of the mummified pope!

By the third day of walking 10 miles-plus the pace was steadier en route to the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. The Hill itself gave a unique visage of the Forum, where the ruins themselves seemed unreal.

Students learned much about social hierarchy at The

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Little Hands is also at Bourn, Linton and Newton visit the website at www.littlehands.co.uk Colosseum and the uses of the ruins. Being able to look into the tunnels below the arena where the animals and gladiators would have swarmed was amazing. After this we visited the Pantheon and explored the surrounding area

The final day was dedicated to exploring some of the culture of Rome by visiting the Compo di Flores, a great example of Rome’s thriving market culture.

Marta Gunner, Head of Humanities, said: “The students were exceptional and definitely made the experience a joy. It was certainly a high spot of this year.”

Spanish Immersion Trip – Comillas

Ella Pankhurst and Hattie Walker On 18 May 30 Year 9 students from Melbourn Village College went on an amazing immersion trip to Comillas in Cantabria, Spain. It was a great trip, one of the best we have ever been on. Our flight left at 6.30 pm and it was a 2 hour flight. Once we landed and had some sandwiches at Bilbao Airport, we then made our way to Abba Golf Hotel and went straight to bed.

Every day we woke up at 0800 and had breakfast – a good choice of cereal, toast and cake. It was great! We then headed out and walked to our Spanish lesson in a historic building. We learnt about all sorts of things from our native-speaker teachers. One of the lessons was a quiz, which we really enjoyed as it was fun, but quite difficult.

The first day we went to El Soplao cave where we had a traditional local stew for lunch and then visited the cave where we saw the most beautiful mineral formations. After this we did a treasure hunt in the local town. We had to use our Spanish to find information from local people. Sadly we were defeated by another team, who won ice creams.

The next day we visited Altamira, a cave where prehistoric people lived and painted amazing cave art. For lunch we had a traditional paella, which we all loved. The afternoon was spent at a shopping centre near Santander and then we swam in the hotel pool. It was a great day.

The following day we visited the beautiful beach at Comillas and then went to see El Capricho, a beautiful house designed by Gaudí. The outside of the house was covered with sunflower tiles and we learnt about how it was designed to represent the movement of the sun and its owner’s love of music.

We really enjoyed meeting students from a Spanish school the next morning. We were put into groups with them and had to ask and answer questions in Spanish and English. Then we split into two groups and either played a football tournament or learnt some Flamenco dancing with the Spanish students. After lunch we worked in teams to write and present information about Cantabria in two languages. Finally we went to the beach with them until it was time to say goodbye. In the evening we learnt how prehistoric people made fire and practised throwing spears. This was followed by some more time in the hotel pool.

On the final day we went to Cabárceno National Park where we saw an amazing birds of prey show and a sea lion show, as well as going for a ride in a cable car over the whole park. We were very sad to have to go back to the airport and return home – this was the best trip ever and we would do it all over again if we could!

SSAT Recognition

Melbourn Village College has been nationally recognised for its exceptional 2016 performance by the Schools, Students and Teachers network (SSAT).

Educational Outcomes data analysis from SSAT has shown that the school is in the top 10% of schools nationally for progress.

SSAT Educational Outcomes award will be presented at a regional celebration event later this month which is held to draw attention to the work of high-achieving, improving and innovating schools and teachers.

Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT, said: “It’s my great pleasure to commend Melbourn Village College on their excellent 2016 performance, and to have the opportunity to highlight and share their great work at an SSAT Educational Outcomes celebration event.

“We know how hard teachers work to ensure the success of every child.

“SSAT’s Educational Outcomes award recognises the professionalism, commitment and hard work of the leaders, teachers and students at Melbourn Village College. A big thank you and well done to the pupils, staff and governors.”

MVC Sports

The PE Department definitely know how to keep busy and this term has been no exception. Aside from all the normal summer sporting fixtures such as rounders, tennis and athletics where great things have been achieved, our Sports Leaders have been working hard with Years 4, 5 and 6 from our Primary Schools. They have organised and overseen the Year 4 mini Olympics as well as the multi-skills festival when over 100 year 5/6 year olds turned up for fun in the sun. There has also been fun in the pool with the KS2 swimming gala.

At the athletics meet held at St Bedes congratulations go to; Josh Biddlecombe 2nd in 800M, Matt Pinney 2nd in 1500M, Toby Jackson 1st in High Jump, Katie Foulger 1st in High Jump, Daisy Moxham 1st in Shot, Morgan Robson 3rd in 300M. There was also success at the Sawston meet and congratulations go to; Will Mallen 1st Javelin and 2nd in 100M, Hannah Smouton 1st in shot, Daisy Moxham 1st in the Year 8 girls 300M. Well done also to Dexter Todd, Gethan Rogers and Daisy Moxham for competing up a year.

Outside of MVC Sporting achievements students have been busy competing in other events. Jake and Daisy Moxham have both worked hard to progress in swimming and Daisy has been selected for the East Region talent camp and Jake has been selected for the England East team to swim at the national school games in Loughborough in August. Well done to them both. Dominic Clemons is excelling in the golfing world and played in the England regionals, the U18s in Blackpool as well as competing in the England v Spain under 16 match in May.

We always love to hear of our students’ successes outside of the classroom so feel free to sing their praises and let us know. You can contact Alison Friday on afriday@melbournvc.org.

Sports League Tournaments

On Tuesday 22nd March, the year 7 boys went to the annual football tournament. The A team did very well coming 8th out of 30+ teams competing.

On Wednesday 23rd, the school played Cambourne at netball and Football.

Netball: year 8’s won, year 7’s lost. Football: year 7&8 A teams both won and the B teams both lost

On Thursday 23rd, MVC Sport Leaders attended the Level