SPRING
NEWSLETTER 2021
www.plymouthcollege.com Prep School ages 3 to 11 | Senior School ages 11 to 18 1.
CONTENTS 3.
Head’s Foreword
4.
Lockdown Learning
5 - 9.
Academic
10.
Extracurricular
11 - 12. Creative Arts 13 - 17. Preparatory School 18 - 19. Sports 20.
Swimming Success
21.
An Evening With…
22 - 23. Alumni
2.
HEAD’S FOREWORD As we emerged from a rather different Christmas celebration, the staff and I turned our attention to welcoming the children back to school for the Spring Term. We were aware that things may be slightly different but somewhat convinced that despite what was happening, schools would be re-opening in some form, albeit with a delayed start for senior pupils.Then suddenly, barely twenty four hours before the Prep children were due to come back, the announcement was made that we would return to a national lockdown where all schools would be closed and a period of remote learning was thus required. I am still quite staggered at just how brilliantly the entire Plymouth College community responded to the enormous challenge that was presented to them; pupils, parents and staff.Your perseverance, resilience and collaboration were evident in spades! Despite lockdown, it has been amazing to reflect upon what a busy term we have had as you will see throughout the pages of this newsletter. Our “An Evening With…” series has proved extremely popular. Conceived as a way of keeping the wider school community together, I have been fortunate enough to welcome some inspirational guests from a variety of backgrounds; from Olympic and World Champions to Hollywood actors; from serving Members of Parliament to TV news journalists. It has been a fascinating and inspiring series, and I would like to extend my thanks to Mr Mutlow for his work in making this happen. Keeping both our physical and mental health in check is often a struggle during home learning. Our ‘Evolution Expedition’ has made considerable progress during the course of the last few weeks. Following the success of the Mayflower Marathon during the first lockdown, Mr Mutlow set us another virtual journey challenge, this time around the world to follow the voyage that Charles Darwin completed when studying evolution and completing his book, ‘On the Origin of Species’. We know that exercise plays a big part in our mental health, but to specifically focus on our mental wellbeing, Mrs Byrne, our School Counsellor, organised the #PMCSelfCareChallenge. Daily video snippets were published on our social media channels to give us all the opportunity to take five minutes in our day to think about our wellbeing.The community has also been able to take part in other activities such as yoga and singing. I must make mention of our Upper Sixth pupils who have, this term, received a wealth of offers from top universities with over 70 from Russell Group institutions including Cambridge, King’s College (London), Imperial College (London), University College (London), Durham and Exeter. Whilst most pupils have not been physically present at school, we have still seen plenty of activity at our Ford Park site. Not only have we welcomed our Preschool children, but also those pupils whose parents are critical workers, and I thank our staff for enabling them to have as ‘normal’ a school day as possible. In addition, we have been able to continue the work on the new Prep School and it is beginning to take shape nicely. With the emergence of Spring and the return of all pupils back to both the Senior and Prep schools in March, it has been a joy to witness our pupils embracing again the dynamic, inspiring and creative atmosphere that Plymouth College provides - one where our pupils thrive and flourish. We look forward to providing as many opportunities as possible for learning and extra-curricular activities outdoors next term. I wish you and your families a peaceful Easter and look forward to hopefully seeing many of you in person again next term. Mrs Jo Hayward, Head
3.
LOCKDOWN LEARNING Coronavirus has thrown up a myriad of challenges for schools across the country and each institution has its own unique circumstances. It is clear that there has been some outstanding practice across the independent sector and some innovative approaches to online learning and activity provision. All staff who work in education deserve a huge pat on the back for the way in which they have tried to maintain a sense of normality in a situation that is anything but ‘normal.’ From speaking with the young men and women at Plymouth College it has become clear that the biggest hole in educational provision during the first lockdown has been the sense of community that is so hard to replicate remotely.To that end, we have used this lockdown to find ways in which we can still maintain a sense of togetherness and encourage pupils to contribute to the school community, albeit virtually. Consequently, we have launched some ambitious new ventures and maintained some of our firm favourites when it comes to extra-curricular provision. The workout videos and online challenges of the first lockdown remain in place, but this period of home learning has also seen the introduction of a Community Choir, where pupils, staff and parents can all sing along - with microphones on mute of course - and share the joy of music making without feeling conscious about the quality of their own voice. An Online Running Club has been established for the keen athletes, allowing them to follow weekly run sessions and report these back to staff members. An Outdoor Education Club has been in operation, encouraging pupils to experience the great outdoors in their own gardens, or complete team building challenges from the comfort of their own homes. Pupils in the Sixth Form have started a mentoring scheme for pupils lower down the school who are struggling with the challenges of coronavirus and have been instrumental in helping to support younger pupils. All of these activities have enabled pupils to stay connected with their friends, teachers and the wider Plymouth College community and ensured we do not lose the sense of togetherness even though we may not physically be in the same place. We have also seen some other new initiatives take shape in the new ‘virtual’ world we inhabit.The monthly ‘Plymouth College Presents Series’ has seen interviews with staff, parents and former pupils who have pursued careers in sport.These have ranged from Neil Warnock (current manager of Middlesborough F.C.- a former parent) to Tom Daley (former World Diving Champion and Olympic Bronze Medalist - a former pupil) and have introduced current members of our community to those in whose footsteps they are following. Additionally the weekly ‘An Evening With…’ series has seen ‘live’ Q & A interviews with guests from a range of backgrounds who might inspire our pupils to pursue a career in certain fields.To date, guests have included Christophe Ridley (Premiership Rugby Referee), Heather Knight (England Women’s Cricket Captain), John Hannah (Hollywood actor and T.V. star) and Tom Pursglove MP. Many of these things will not be new and will - I have no doubt - be in operation in schools up and down the country. As lockdown drags on however, it has never been more important to try and keep the sense of community - that defines schools like ours - alive. Plymouth College is a wonderful place and one which is built on the community, something we are endeavouring to keep alive in these challenging times. Mr Mutlow, Director of Sport.
4.
ACADEMIC Despite going into the third national lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Plymouth College pupil community have excelled in their remote learning, especially our entire Sixth Form, who have continued to complete their A Level coursework that will count towards their final grades. Our Upper Sixth cohort has impressed us all with not only the amount of conditional and unconditional offers that they have received, but also the subjects that they wish to study and the vast amount of Russell Group and highly respected institutions that have offered our Upper Sixth the next step of their academic journeys. We have had over 70 conditional offers from Russell Group universities such as Kaden Kwok, who has received a conditional offer to study Architecture at University of Nottingham and Queen’s University, Belfast, and our Head Boy, Henry Dean, has received a conditional offer from University of York to study Business Management. Also studying Business Management is Harry Wannell, who, as well as starting his own business re-selling
vintage clothing, has received a conditional offer from Russell Group university,The University of Southampton. Joining them is Alireza Maleki and Zoe Lancaster. Alireza has received conditional offers from all of his Russell Group choices, including the University Birmingham and University of Sheffield and Zoe has received conditional offers from University of Durham, University of Exeter and Robinson College, Cambridge, to study Modern and Medieval Languages. She has also rwon a Choral Scholarship from Robinson College for which we are extremely proud. For this year’s Upper Sixth, have also Some of this year’s had unconditional offers to study at university.These include Eva Mackenzie, to study Fashion at Bath Spa and Molly Antrobus, to study Sport Conditioning at Cardiff Met. We have also had unconditional offers from the University of Plymouth for Sebastian Tustain to study Business Management, Joseph Davies to study Psychology and Maisie Elliott
to study Criminology and Criminal Justice. In addition, last year’s Head Girl, Emma Andrews, along with Plymouth College alumni Ella Bean, Eliza Prosser, Joseph Thompson and Alex Rose have been given unconditional offers from universities such as University College, London, Cardiff University, Cardiff Met, University of Stirling and University of Plymouth.The courses that they have chosen to study include Business Economics, Business Management, Natural Sciences and Biomedical Science. It is safe to say that the Plymouth College university applicants have worked incredibly hard over the last two years and especially during the COVID pandemic. We know that all our pupils will go on to achieve, be the best that they can be and be amazing representatives of Plymouth College.
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ACADEMIC Biology
at home which enabled them to extract DNA from a kiwi. Some of these were more successful than others, and I’m sure some parents were mortified seeing their finest gin being used in a rather unsavoury cocktail, but the results were clear enough to see.
Year 7 quite possibly had the best experience of this by using bathroom scales and bags of flour to look at muscle strength and fatigue. Whilst that was a necessary practical, we can only apologise for any emergency clear ups that were needed to prevent kitchens from turning into a snow scene.
Year 11 and Sixth Form biologists have been working tirelessly to keep on track with their courses and we have been so impressed with their attitude and resilience during such an unsettling and disruptive time.Their dedication and focus has meant that we have remained on course to complete their respective specifications and this will give them a greater understanding of biology for when, or if, they continue to study it at the next stages of their education, which of course we hope they will!
In Biology this term we have continued to teach our lessons as normally as possible, which meant adapting our lessons and practicals so that they could be performed from home.
Year 8 pupils have studied photosynthesis and were given the opportunity to get outside and away from their screens to investigate the leaves in their gardens.The structure of leaves is often overlooked so students were able to learn about, and appreciate, the complexity of what appears to be a simple structure. Year 9 biologists have been delving into genetics. Here they have been studying inheritance and selective breeding.The application of this process in farming has been used for centuries, but now our Year 9 pupils are able to understand why selective breeding works and is still used today. Year 10 have also been looking at genetics but with greater focus at the structure of DNA. Pupils were also able to complete a practical
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British Science Week at Plymouth College British Science Week this term corresponded with the recent landing of the Perseverance Rover at Jezero crater on Mars as well as Mars Day.This made for a Marsfocussed science week and all four science departments have been holding Mars-related activities in lessons for Year 7 and Year 8. In Physics, the pupils have been looking at the Mars helicopter ‘Ingenuity’, investigating the design parameters of rotor blades and parachutes that are used to travel through the Martian atmosphere.They have been designing small rotating flyers and parachutes
and investigating the changes in flight speeds that result from changes in the design, such as rotor length or parachute diameter. We have also been using augmented reality to look at the design of the actual Mars helicopter and how it would look in our lab. In Year 8 Physics with Mr Grey, pupils also got the chance to try out a VR headset to have loads of fun and explore the surface of Mars!
ACADEMIC Religious Education and Philosophy
Remote learning has proven to be fruitful across all classes in Religious Studies and Philosophy; this is a testament to the hard work of all pupils. For Year 7 and Year 8, pupils are continuing with their studies of both Islam and the problem of suffering, currently focusing on the 5 Pillars of Islam and the distinction between natural and moral suffering. Philosophers over many centuries have attempted to establish the existence for God through reason and evidence. In Year 9 we are currently analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the cosmological argument; can you trace the causal chain of creation back to God? Throughout the term we have studied theological art, language and biblical texts to give us clues as to the nature and existence of God. In Year 10 and Year 11 we have been studying wealth and poverty. Fascinating questions have emerged. What would you do with £1 million? Is it better to do a job that you do not enjoy with a big salary or a less well-paid
job that you love? We also discussed the stereotypes associated with the class system. Topics studied over the course of the term have included the nature of human rights, the role of the UN and Amnesty International, the distinction between prejudice and discrimination and religious figures who have fought for justice and equality. In the Sixth Form, we are continuing with our Ethical Studies - with Lower Sixth examining Aquinas’ claim that there are absolute moral laws discoverable in our universe. Do we have God given purposes to fulfil? Whilst in Upper Sixth, we are studying the support from psychology, science and Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialism for free will. Asking ultimate questions is a fascinating and rewarding pursuit. Topics across both Lower and Upper Sixth have ranged from the psychological challenge to the existence of God, religious experience, miracles and an in-depth study of Mahayana and Theravada Buddhist religious texts.
History
challenges and produced some fantastic work. Year 8, in particular, have been building their analytical skills as well as their knowledge through working in small groups to create and analyse pieces of World War Two propaganda.They have also engaged in a variety of role play activities from delivering a speech as Franklin Roosevelt after the attack on Pearl Harbour to being Neville Chamberlain and deciding when exactly to stop appeasing Hitler in the 1930s. Other tasks have included debates on the main reason for the abolition of the Slave Trade and working to break the code used in the Babbington Plot which lead to the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots, with Year 10 creating domino runs to illustrate US fears over the spread of communism during the Cold War. As always, we have been incredibly impressed with the creativity and enthusiasm shown by pupils and are delighted to be reunited back in the classroom together.
Throughout this period of home learning our pupils embraced the technology and the
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ACADEMIC Geography
Geography this term has been innovative and strong in delivering the core content planned for the Summer Term. Once again, lockdown has brought the very best out of our geographers.They have embraced learning from within the classroom, their homes and in their gardens. In KS3 we have explored fantastic places through virtual fieldwork,Tectonic Hazards and the impact and awareness of the Japanese Tsunami. Pupils have used a wide range of learning methods and developed their GIS (geographical information systems) throughout their lessons. Pupils have taken photos of their weekend adventures and mapped these - seeing how far they have travelled. Some pupils have explored climate change and the impact we have on the earth and are currently looking at how water is a limited natural resource.
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KS4 have engaged in a booklet-style learning with Google Meets every single lesson with Mrs Paice, with a range of research tasks, embedded with TED talks and websites for to help their learning. Year 10 started the Spring Term with their second topic of Coastal Environments. We will embark on our annual coastal fieldwork after Easter once restrictions have been eased. Here,Year 10 will focus on primary data collection and application of theory to the lived environment. During this unit, pupils have excelled themselves in baking, drawing and designing coastal features and landforms. Year 11 have continued to work on their IGCSE Human models - Globalisation and Migration. I am so proud of the pupils as they have finished the course this week with a focus on mass tourism and the
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global aspects which facilitate travel.Year 11 have embraced this and have been able to contrast this to Bhutan and Cyprus as case studies of sustainability and ecotourism. We now take all our learnt skills and apply them to the course specifications through short answer questions, mid unit assessments and revision. KS5 have also continued with their learning, focusing on the completion of the entire A Level course. During the physical element of the course, pupils have embraced recalling and revising Natural Hazards and Water and the Carbon Cycle. Alongside this, pupils have avidly been completing their independent NEA on Dawlish Warren, where they were lucky enough to explore prior to November’s Lockdown.The Human element of A Level Geography has seen the teaching of Contemporary Urban Environments and the embedding of the synoptic links and skills required to become an excellent wellrounded geographer.
ACADEMIC Design Technology
This term, our pupils have been covering a combination of practical and theory lessons in Design Technology.They have produced some amazing, exemplary work including architectural models, design sketches, carbon footprint analysis and even some vegetable peeling research. Our Year 7 classes have been working on a variety of projects this term and we haven’t allowed remote learning to stop our practical lessons. Pupils completed a project based on the influential architect Zaha Hadid involving research on her designs and using that research to influence their own ideas for buildings that could be built on Plymouth Hoe. Pupils also created an architectural scale model of their designs using recycled materials from around their homes. Our Year 8 designers have completed an eco home project where they learnt about the importance of looking after our environment, making sustainable choices and renewable power options. Pupils also designed and modelled a renewable energy power source with some really creative outcomes.They have also learned about the sources of the materials, how they are processed into workable products and the different categories for each. We had great fun completing some remote quiz games to test out knowledge. Year 9 have produced some outstanding work over lockdown following the iterative design process.They have been working on the project ‘Cycle Plymouth’ - a scheme where locals and tourists can hire a bike to view the city and beauty spots instead of using motorised transport. Pupils designed a logo, a poster to encourage using the scheme, a bike docking station and finally modelled their ideas. Pupils have been using their research skills to analyse existing smartwatches for a new project and produce a user profile for their chosen client. Now that we are back in the classroom, pupils have been modelling their designs out of card and paper with the aim to begin 3D printing components next term. During the course of lockdown, our Year 10 GCSE designers have been following the course specification and covered theory topics such as forces and stresses, electronic components and energy generation whilst completing a vegetable peeler design project. Pupils have used their research skills to carry out primary and secondary research into existing products.They then used their research to help them produce designs for a new, improved vegetable peeler, using Play-Doh and cards to model designs at home before developing them and producing final designs.The outcomes were exceptional and pupils are busy creating models out of foam in the design studios now that we have returned to school. Our Year 12 pupils have continued with their theory programme this term covering industrial processes and design methods. Alongside this, they have been developing their own projects based on individual briefs.There are a variety of briefs ranging from redesigning COVID-safe takeaway packaging for a local high end restaurant to designing a baby’s bottle for newborns living in third world countries with limited access to clean water and medical care. Pupils have been completing some high level research into their briefs, interviewing clients remotely as well as generating creative and innovative design ideas for their projects.
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EXTRACURRICULAR Politics Club
This term, the Politics Club looked at several prevalent topics.This included subjects such as professional athletes and their ability to use their exposure to spread awareness about key social issues before matches and should big tech companies be regulated by the government? Whilst having these topics in mind, we have been able to construct complex debates for topics such as the power of conglomerate corporations over citizens around the world and whilst the act of taking a knee is an effective way to raise awareness of campaigns such as BLM, we also decided that further, more direct action needed to be taken by professional teams. Now that we are back to being in a physical classroom, we’re very excited for future debates next term and discussing the affirmative and negative arguments regarding societal issues.
Manga, Drawing and Cartooning Club
In Manga, Drawing and Cartooning Club with Mrs Sullivan for the Lower School, we have had some beautiful pieces of work being produced, including pieces by Year 8 pupils, Alice and Eva, and Year 7 pupil Oliver. It’s great that even through lockdown, we’ve been able to spend time together after school and create some amazing work.
a programme of run sessions, core strength sessions and advice and tips on running.There has been a Google Meet every Thursday at 4pm for a briefing on the interval session for each week and a catch up on everyone’s running progress. Completion of runs and tasks on Google Classroom have been tallied together to create a leaderboard which will lead to prizes.
Running Club
Plymouth College Running Club with Dr Norris has been one of our extracurricular clubs that have continued during lockdown and our pupils have been enjoying the outdoors and counting up their kilometres for the Evolution Expedition with Mr Mutlow! Google Classroom has been used to deliver
Megan Shorey
Alice Nor they
Phoebe Timson
Eva Langman
Tristan Babb
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CREATIVE ARTS Art
Our young artists have been keeping busy throughout the term by trialling different creative methods to produce wonderful pieces of work. Our GCSE pupils have been busy creating their final pieces for their Fine Art GCSE portfolio using a mixture of mixed media and 3D collage to stunning effect. For Years 7, 8 and 9, they have been practising their drawing, in all styles, as well as their painting. Our Year 7 pupil Josh even created the beautiful portrait ‘Benji’ to be submitted to the Great Big Art Exhibition, that is being promoted by artist Antony Gormley.
Photography
Our GCSE Photography pupils have been busy all half term, both taking photos and editing their work.They have been trying out new methods to refine their editing skills as well as experimenting with new Photoshop techniques to create pieces to add to their final GCSE portfolios.To say their work is outstanding is an understatement! .
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CREATIVE ARTS Spending the majority of this term in a lockdown may have put a halt on some aspects of our ‘normal’ school days, but it hasn’t stopped our pupils winning awards and achieving fantastic results in their creative extracurricular activities.
Online South West of England Speech and Drama Festival
This term saw some of our LAMDA pupils take part and place in the Online South West of England Speech and Drama Festival.Year 10 pupil, Lydia Lambie, came in first place for the Solo Acting and Humorous Verse categories and also came second in the Musical Theatre category. Fellow Year 10 pupil, Lily Walsh, achieved second place in the Solo Acting category and Year 8 pupil, Alice Northey, came second in the Own Choice Verse Speaking category.
Lydia Lambie
Lily Walsh
Alice Northey
Music Gradings
A huge congratulations to the following pupils who have worked incredibly hard to achieve great results in their recent music exams: Frazer Oliver (Upper Sixth) - Awarded Merit in Grade 8 Piano Alexander Smythe (Year 8) - Awarded Merit in Grade 5 Music Theory and Grade 6 Electric Guitar Matilda James (Year 7) - Awarded Pass in Grade 5 Violin Charlotte Bryce (Year 10) - Awarded Merit in Grade 6 Piano
Frazer Oliver
e Alexander Smyth
Matilda James
Year 7 Performance Poetry
This term, our Year 7 pupils took part in the Performance Poetry Competition - organised by Miss Husband. Mrs Moore was our guest judge and decided on our winner and second place. Congratulations to the Year 7 pupils that made it to the final: Freddy Dennis Barnaby Hutchings Megan Hayward Abby Sweby Chloe Nicholson After much deliberation, Megan Hayward was announced as first place, with Abby Sweby coming in second place.Very well done to all!
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Charlotte Bryce
Abby Sweby
Megan Hayward
PREPARATORY SCHOOL A Note from Miss Newnham We were all ready to return to school in January, we even had our staff inset day on the Monday, preparing for the term and left in the afternoon with classrooms ready to welcome the pupils back the following day.Then, at 8pm that evening, the Prime Minister announced that schools were going to be closed at least until after half term and that remote learning would be starting the following day.The seamless transition was a credit to both pupils, parents and staff. At 9 o’clock the next morning we were all ready to go into our new virtual classrooms. By the following week, the Sixth Form Centre at our Ford Park site had turned into a pre-school and classrooms for children of our critical worker parents. We were able to make use of both the classroom facilities and the outdoor environment surrounding us with some pupils making some hedgehog houses around the school field. Virtual assemblies were held to celebrate pupils’ successes, participation, independence and hard work.Year 5 and 6 even had a guest magician at one of their assemblies! We dressed up for World Book Day and participated in Internet Safety Day with our online assemblies.The children have worked so hard and it is impossible to list all the topics and activities that they have experienced this term. Here is a small reflection of what our pupils have experienced:
Early Years pupils have taken traditional fairytales and story books to work through themes and incorporate all key learning areas to enhance their development and learning.The Bad Tempered Ladybird story helped children learn about time and The Gingerbread Man and The Three Little Pigs not only helped with writing skills but also gave the children challenges such as making a boat to help the gingerbread man cross the river! In the Infants,Year 1 were able to pick up from where they left off in the classroom and continued to have daily Maths and English lessons as well as their practical lessons, such as PE.Thanks to Google Classrooms, we were able to share some of the wonderful work that was produced by our pupils - including the beautifully created blossom trees in Art. In Year 2, the structure was very similar with Maths and English in the mornings, followed by afternoons where we had some wonderful work shared, showing how they learnt about food chains in Science and their theme of rainforests inspired some really creative artwork and story planning.They also enjoyed an online pyjama party as a half term treat! In the Juniors, all lessons continued online and our older pupils coped so well with moving from lesson to lesson with different teachers. They managed their Google Calendar and classrooms with ease and showed great support and encouragement to others.
History in both Years 3 and 4 was a favorite. They learnt about the Anglo-Saxons and the Tudors. Impressive creative writing skills were developed and the Year 4 poems ‘My Heart’s in Plymouth’ gave us all a chance to reflect on our wonderful surroundings.Years 5 and 6 have worked hard learning about topics such as forces and even had the task of creating ‘flubber’ as a Science experiment. When learning about fractions, cakes were made and PSHE lessons focused on wellbeing, making positive lists and looking forward. Pupils wrote some fantastic pieces of work in English and developed skills by reading these aloud in assemblies. Our extracurricular activities also continued where possible during lockdown - with after-school clubs such as Lego club with Miss Manuel and Chess club with Mr Paull taking place both on-screen during lockdown and face-to-face since being back in the classroom. Now that we have all gone back to a more regular timetable of extracurricular activity, we are able to enjoy and organise more extracurricular activities that we hope to bring to next term. All pupils have worked so hard and developed some really useful skills.Their resilience, cooperation and resourcefulness have been tested and they have become excellent communicators. I believe they have come out the other side as much stronger individuals.
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PREPARATORY SCHOOL Karneval
Mask-making and singing were just some of the fun activities undertaken by Year 6 when we celebrated German Karneval (this year virtually). Dressed in carnival costumes, the children celebrated the mid-winter festival with a mixture of learning and fun activities.The children got to grips with the language through learning a traditional song and learning a brief dialogue. Mr Carr (Deputy Head - Teaching and Learning) said it was fantastic to see Year 6 get so involved, especially this year with the use of filters and backgrounds on their Google Meet being a particularly fun element. It is so important to inspire a love of languages in people so young. Pupils also learnt about the importance of languages in general, fostering an appreciation of other cultures and an awareness of their
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own.The afternoon was testament to the curriculum at Plymouth College where true cultural and educational enrichment is so important to prepare our young people for their futures.
World Book Day
This term, our Prep school pupils celebrated World Book Day, albeit a slightly modified, lockdown version. Whilst some of our infants had loads of fun telling us about their favourite books and reading them to everyone over Google Meet,Year 1 incorporated our World Book Day theme of ‘bubbles’ into their Maths lessons. Our Year 3 and 4 pupils listened to MC Grammar and tried to work out how many children’s books had been mentioned in his rap song.The children were then set a scavenger hunt to
find items or themes in books that they had read. All our pupils looked fabulous as they dressed up as their favourite book characters in true World Book Day tradition and whether our pupils were learning in-person or at home, it was a splendid day!
Year 1
In the classrooms this term,Year 1 undertook some amazing projects based on The Three Little Pigs story theme.They looked at materials to build houses and had to think about why they are chosen.The pupils were then encouraged to make a small house out of whatever they liked - Hula Hoops, biscuits, cakes, bread, matchsticks, Lego … What an exciting day for Year 1!
PREPARATORY SCHOOL Maths
All our pupils have adapted so quickly and maturely to getting back to home learning and we couldn’t be more proud of their progress! In particular, our Year 2 pupils have had loads of fun in Maths and have blown Mrs Jenkins away with their knowledge and understanding of the column method! In Years 5 and 6, our pupils have been learning all about fractions with Miss Newnham by making delicious cakes at home and taking some time away from their screens to learn about fractions in a fun and visual way.
Science
Science this term has been nothing short of fantastic with Mrs Burnman! All our Prep pupils have been able to learn about different elements of the world around us with experiments that can be done at home, with the help of Mrs Burnman’s step-by-step video guides.
Year 2 African Animals
This Spring Term,Year 2 have been learning all about African animals in their online lessons with Mrs Jenkins. During their lessons, they have been going outside and collecting a range of natural materials and then making them into their favourite African animal!
Edie Russell (Year 4)
During the course of the Spring Term, we have been able to see some amazing home learning taking place and the extra work that has helped our pupils to discover their passions. In particular,Year 4 pupil Edie created a wonderful presentation on echolocation and created a Powerpoint to present to teachers and peers.
Year 1 and 2 Makaton
Years 1 and 2 have continued to learn sign language songs in their critical worker classes, with a wonderful Makaton interpretation of True Colours from the Trolls film that they couldn’t wait to show off and rightfully so!
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PREPARATORY SCHOOL Art
In Year 5 Art lessons this Spring Term, our pupils have been learning all about silhouettes and African sunsets by studying the colours, blending them all together and then layering the black silhouettes onto their sunsets. All pupils have got stuck into their work by having a go at painting them themselves. Year 4 have also been looking at Banyan Tree artwork, studying the colours and having a go at creating their versions of Banyan Trees to see how they compare and they are all beautiful! Year 6 have also been learning about various different artists, such as Bridget Riley, who specialises in ‘optical art’.They all got stuck into creating their own versions of Riley’s work and had loads of fun learning about her!
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Lego Club
Despite being in a lockdown, that hasn’t stopped some of our after-school clubs going ahead, including our at-home Lego club with Mrs Manuel this term! Our pupils joining Mrs Manuel have been able to let their creativity flow in and create different objects such as a car, a dinosaur and a pizza!
Year 2
Our Year 2 class have been busy this term learning all about Shackleton’s perilous trip to Antarctica.They have been busy making models of Shackleton and his men trapped in an ice floe with their ship The Endurance!
Critical Worker Pupils
Whether our pupils have been situated at home or in school as a critical worker pupil, they have all produced outstanding pieces of work. In Pre-school learning, pupils have been looking at the story of ‘Lost and Found’. Not only have they designed and made boats from a variety of materials, they also became illustrators! Look at how proud Lily was of her artwork! Year 5 and 6 critical worker pupils have continued their hard work by building shelters for the local wildlife animals that take residence in the Ford Park school grounds.They have been working hard on their hedgehog houses and hopefully they’ll soon have some residents in! We have been able to incorporate our online lessons with our in-school learning for our critical worker children and we are so proud to have been able to get all pupils involved in academic and physical lessons, such as PE.
PREPARATORY SCHOOL Although the school site has been closed during this most recent lockdown, we have been fortunate that government guidance has enabled the construction industry to continue. As a result, work on the interior of the new Prep building has moved on at pace in recent months. The internal layout has been remodelled, and the building is now ideally suited to the needs of a modern Preparatory School. Significant elements have been adjusted and upgraded to create large and airy classrooms, suitable toilet facilities and the various requirements to ensure we are able to provide an excellent
education for our youngest pupils. Inside of the building, we really have started again. As well as an almost complete rewire, replumb and replaster, the new Prep will benefit from no less than 8 new sets of toilets. A new fire alarm system, upgraded data provision and better lighting will all play their part in improving the building.The installation of the new windows has now been completed.
the inside spaces to the play areas beyond. As work progresses the outside areas will become a very secure and versatile space. During the course of the holidays further internal work will be carried out, and by the start of the new term we anticipate being able to showcase what is rapidly becoming a great new facility. Plans are well advanced for the external spaces, as well as the outside of the building which will have an fresh new look.
Aesthetically, one of the biggest changes this term has seen the making of several large openings in the downstairs perimeter of the building. Full height windows have been added, along with 3 huge sliding doors to link
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SPORT Sport in Lockdown
The Spring Term of 2021 has been a challenge for so many people in so many different ways. We have all been required to think differently and adapt accordingly, and Sport has been something that has proved a real challenge for schools up and down the country. This term has seen a combination of different challenges and tasks set for pupils to engage with, in the hope that there would be something for everyone. Online workouts, House Challenge Board, Skills Challenge, Yoga videos and lots more have become regular features of our life in recent times and pupils have risen to the challenges set admirably, with lots of regular contributions and excellent engagement with all of these activities. 18.
Spring has also seen the launch of the Evolution Expedition, a whole-community challenge designed to unite people when we haven’t been able to be together physically. Launched in January, the challenge was to follow the route of HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin on the famous voyage of discovery that inspired ‘On The Origin of Species.’ Setting off from Plymouth in December 1831, Darwin circumnavigated the globe, making various stops on the way, on a voyage that took 5 years to complete. Mr. Mutlow challenged the Plymouth College community to get out on their bikes, run, walk, swim, row or move in any way possible and record their distances in order to see how much of the journey could be replicated.The response was outstanding, with over 200 contributors across the parent, pupil and staff body. At the end of lockdown, we had travelled the length
of the Atlantic Ocean, around the tip of South America and made landfall in New Zealand before moving on into the Indian Ocean, travelling well over 30,000km in the process. The challenge has enabled the community to stay connected and active during challenging times. The end of term has enabled a brief return to sport, with House Matches and competitions being the order of the day in the handful of weeks since schools were back in session. Well done to everyone who has approached this term with such a positive attitude, it has been wonderful to see people rising to the challenge in true Plymouth College style.
SPORT Summer Term Sport
With restrictions easing, the Summer Term looks likely to be more ‘normal’ than what we have become accustomed to since Easter 2020.There is a renewed optimism that we might hear the sound of leather on willow and the prospect of competitive sport returning to Ford Park.There is a significant amount of water to pass under the bridge before we can confidently predict where we will be when we return and it seems inevitable that any return to ‘normal’ will not be complete prior to the Summer Holidays. Whilst fixtures may return in some format, hosting, travel and numbers of teams playing at any one time may be limited by continued restrictions as the nation eases its way out of this pandemic. We will - of course - do our best to respond to changing circumstances
and to communicate as effectively as we are able to in this regard. We do know some things about our return after Easter. Grass-roots sport is scheduled to be back on the cards, especially in outdoor environments and therefore we will be offering as full a range of Summer Sports as we are able to. Cricket, Rounders, Tennis and Athletics will all be on the cards in some format, although the usual staple events such as Sports Day may not be able to run. Fixtures against other schools will be undertaken if we feel it is safe to do so, although our overriding priority will be the safety of our community. After the disruption of the last year or two, we look forward to making use of
the fabulous George Stephenson Pavilion something that has had limited use since its opening in Summer 2019 - as well as the continued development of Cricket for girls. With a professional pathway now available to them, this is an area we will be looking to expand into next term and beyond Whilst uncertainty remains, I am certain of two things: 1.The Plymouth College community will rise to the challenges posed and approach whatever lies before us with positivity and a ‘can-do’ attitude that defines our pupils and staff. 2. As Captain Sir Tom Moore said, ‘tomorrow will be a good day,’ and I am certain that brighter days are just around the corner.
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SWIMMING SUCCESS Plymouth College Pupils Chosen for Commonwealth Games Training
For next year’s Commonwealth Games that will be held in Birmingham,Team England have announced the names of the 85 swimmers that have been selected as part of the training squad prior to final selection. We are incredibly proud to say that 2 of our current Plymouth College pupils and 2 Plymouth College OPMS have been nominated to be a part of this squad. A huge congratulations to Honey Osrin (Upper Sixth), Sophie Freeman (Lower Sixth), Laura Stephens OPM and Ben Proud OPM. We’re extremely proud of our pupils and coaches for this achievement and we cannot wait for 2022. Congratulations!
Manchester International Meet 2021
During this term, Plymouth College pupils, Honey Osrin and Sophie Freeman, and OPM Laura Stephens competed at the Manchester International Meet, hosted by the Manchester Aquatics Centre.The International Meet was revised with the announcement of the third lockdown and only swimmers on the government-approved Elite Athlete Return to Training lists were allowed to compete. Joining our Plymouth College girls were athletes such as Adam Peaty, Luke Greenbank and Paralympic athlete, Ellie Simmonds. All three swimmers returned with incredible results from their races! For OPM Laura, she brought back 1st place for the 200m Butterfly event with her 4th fastest time ever of 2’08”88! She also returned with a 6th place in the 50m Butterfly final and 3rd place for 100m Butterfly final over the course of the weekend. Before COVID, Laura was set to represent Team GB - but even with the Olympic Games being postponed, that hasn’t
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stopped her from training incredibly hard and staying on track to compete in Tokyo. For Plymouth College pupils, Honey and Sophie, they also competed outstandingly! Honey achieved not only 4th place in the 50m Backstroke and 8th in the 50m Freestyle but also returned home with a 2nd place in the 100m Backstroke and 1st place in the 200m Backstroke! Sophie achieved 8th place in the 100m Butterfly final, 5th place in the 50m Butterfly final and 4th place in the 200m Butterfly, with an amazing time of 2’14”43! Even though training has been somewhat limited, they have done so well and have done us all proud here at Plymouth College!
In addition, the following Plymouth College swimmers achieved an amazing 27 medals (9 gold medals, 7 silver medals and 11 bronze medals): Aviva Hollinsky (1 gold, 4 bronze), Freya Pearson (1 silver), Ellie Kennington (3 silver, 1 bronze), Ollie Dennis (4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze), Johari Masinde (1 bronze) and Finn Broekhoven (1 gold, 1 silver from only 3 events). Well done to everyone who took part and particular thanks to the swimmers’ main Plymouth Leander coach, Richard Beard, for all his hard work and dedication to enabling the swimmers to be the best they can be.
Plymouth College Swimmers Achieve Fantastic Results at Virtual Level X Competition
Over the Christmas break, Upper Sixth pupil, Salvador, participated at Open Jamor Swimming Meet 2020 in Lisbon Portugal and achieved a new Angolan Junior National record, swimming 100m Butterfly with the time 57”11! As well as success on home soil, he competed in the Federation Swimming Cup competition in Penza, Russia later on this term, in which he represented Plymouth College and Plymouth Leander superbly! Over the course of the weekend, Salvador was able to not only smash his personal best time in the 50m Butterfly by securing a new record of 26”02, but also performed incredibly in the 100m Butterfly and broke the National Angolan Juniors record with a time of 56”81! A huge congratulations on a phenomenal achievement!
At the end of last term, a number of our pupils from Years 7, 8 and 9, took part in the first virtual national swimming competition, Level X, organised by Swim England to replace the usual swimming competitions during the COVID period. Swimmers across the country took part in officially timed events during their training sessions. The times were then ranked nationally and final Leaderboards created for the top 10 swimmers in each event. Our Plymouth College swimmers achieved a fantastic total of 70 top ten Level X national rankings in their respective age groups. Congratulations to Dixie Turner-Moore (Year 7), Aviva Hollinsky (Year 8), Ellie Kennington (Year 9), Freya Pearson (Year 8), Ollie Dennis (Year 9), Finn Broekhoven (Year 10), Johari Masinde (Year 9), George Hayward (Year 9), Matthew Hamilton (Year 8), James Blackwell (Year 8) and Sudki Al Khatib (Year 10).
Salvador Gordo
AN EVENING WITH... Lockdown has seen the introduction of a new series to the Plymouth College Enrichment Calendar. ‘An Evening With…’ has seen Mr. Mutlow interview a range of different guests on a variety of topics, enabling them to share their stories with our community. Since January, Tom Daley (Olympic Diver and OPM), Christophe Ridley (Premiership Rugby Union Referee), Heather Knight (England Women’s Cricket Captain), John Hannah (Film, television and stage actor),Tom Pursglove (Conservative MP), David Pond OBE (retired Navy Commodore and CEO of GB Wheelchair Rugby), Jacquie Bird (ITV Westcountry News Reporter) and Pete
Reed OBE (Triple Olympic Champion as well as former World Champion rower who is now paralysed from the chest down) have all spoken with honesty and candour about the lessons they have learned through their experiences and the advice they would offer. More importantly, each has also identified their takeaway of choice with Sushi, Indian, Chinese, Italian and Burgers all making an appearance.
hotel room in New Zealand or dashing back from the Treasury Bench in the House of Commons to get on Zoom for 18:00. At the outset, the intention has been to broaden the horizons of our young people and to offer them an insight into what it takes to be successful in any given field.This has certainly been achieved, and the messages of hard work, resilience and perseverance have been consistent threads.
The series has been compelling viewing with so much for everyone who has tuned in to take away.The speakers have been very different, but no less interesting, whether providing a guided tour of a Montreal apartment, joining us from a quarantine 21.
ALUMNI This term, we were able to commemorate International Day of Women and Girls in Science and as such, we got to talk to Vicky Vincent OPM, who not only spoke to Mr Mutlow last term about her career as a Team GB diver for 2014 Commonwealth Games, but spoke to us about entering into her career in Medicine. “I think I have always enjoyed science. Even before secondary school, I always enjoyed playing around with commercial chemistry kits, growing salt crystals and looking at different slides under my own microscope. However, I think I really began to realise my love for it once I reached Year 7, mainly because the sciences were then split into physics, chemistry and biology, allowing myself to explore the different areas in greater depth.” Vicky and her family relocated to Plymouth when she was 11 and she started her journey with Plymouth College in Year 7, where she
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trained with fellow OPM,Tom Daley, and also was able to pursue her love of Biology: “I would always present my findings to my biology teacher, who was Mr Prideaux at that time, who would always encourage me or point me in the right direction to further facilitate my learning. I think biology has always been an interest for me due to the degree of complexity surrounding the human body.The way in which the body functions at both a microscopic and macroscopic level has always been fascinating to me. Knowing how the body works, I believe, is so important as that really is what we are. I think this, and the fact that there is so much to learn, was appealing to my inquisitive nature and is what drew me towards this subject.” When discussing her future in Medicine, the possibilities are endless: “As medicine is a 5-year course (hopefully 6 because I am hoping to intercalate), I am still quite a way off from qualifying! There
are so many different aspects to medicine that it’s difficult to have a clear idea of what to do when I am only in my second year. However, at this moment in time, I feel that I am interested in potentially applying for an Academic Foundation Programme job for my foundation years.This specific programme will allow me to be able to carry out some research or, alternatively, learn how to become a medical educator, during my first two years as a doctor. I think this caters well for my want to be a doctor, as well as my want to pursue a small amount of research alongside my future job. I’ve also had some ambitious ideas about pursuing a PhD later on down the line to really challenge myself, but we’ll see how we go! In terms of what specialty, I really don’t have that much of an idea at the moment – emergency medicine, intensive care, ophthalmology, nephrology and gastroenterology are the current topics of interest. However, these really do tend to change on a monthly basis! Next year, I will be heading into my clinical years where most of my teaching will take place on the wards. Older years say that this is where you start to get an insight into what interests you and what you may be best suited to.”
ALUMNI Dawn French
Former St Dunstan’s pupil, actor and author Dawn French, has created two one-off episodes with UKTV Gold .The first is a retrospective about ‘The Vicar of Dibley’, where she will be partner-talking with screen-writer of the program, Richard Curtis, to get nostalgic and look back on the rehearsals and filming of the legendary series. Co-writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, as well as producer Jon Plowman and actor James Fleet, who plays Hugo Horton, all sat down to talk about their favourite moments of the show, revealed unseen footage and also remember the stars who are no longer with us, such as Emma Chambers, who famously played verger and French’s right-hand woman, Alice Tinker. She has also paired up, once again, with comedy partner Jennifer Saunders, in a one-off special from the set of their ever-famous French and Saunders sketch show - where they will be discussing the plethora of female figures that have contributed to the comedy scene both in history and the world today.
Clive Jenkins and Jonathan Mallalieu
At the beginning of this term, composer and former Plymouth College Director of Music, Clive Jenkins, had his piece Romance for Viola and Strings played on Radio 3 as part of the Classical Breakfast Show with Martin Handley. The piece was originally composed in 1987 for Plymouth College OPM Jonathan Mallalieu. Clive Jenkins was educated at Plymouth College and furthered his education at Pembroke College, Oxford, where he read Modern Languages. He then continued his passion for music by becoming a conductor of the City of Plymouth Light Orchestra for many years and wrote and presented programmes about West Country music for the BBC in Devon and Cornwall. After studying at Plymouth College, Jonathan Mallalieu then studied at Oxford University and worked as a freelance musician before following post-graduate studies at London University and later St. Andrew’s University. Jonathan has had a distinguished career in the world of Performing Arts and has been Director of Music in several schools within the UK. He has extensive experience as a Theatrical Director, having produced over thirty shows including Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady, Oliver,The Insect Play, Grease and West Side Story. Jonathan has composed TV theme songs, as well as music for cinema adverts, documentaries, video and short films in the UK, Europe and the US and has written many songs, piano pieces, orchestral works, educational music and even a musical. He is now a freelance composer, musician and producer as well as Artistic Director of Beauville Arts.
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