in the
Ringwood News
All the latest news from Ringwood School ~A National Teaching Academy~
Spring Half Term 2014
In this edition...
Spelling Bees, Duke of Edinburgh, Stamp collecting, Alumni and much more!
Christmas Carol Concerts
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nce again, the Music Department produced three fantastic Carol Concerts during the last week of the Autumn term. Nearly two hundred students performed to combined audiences of seven hundred and fifty people, who were very appreciative of the range of styles of music presented. Before the concert, the audience was greeted with music from the string quartet and flute ensembles and was able to enjoy these Christmas pieces with a glass of mulled wine and some traditional German Christmas delicacies. Students from all year groups performed in vocal and instrumental ensembles as well as in the huge finale of The Twelve Days of Christmas, which has become the traditional end to the annual concerts. This year Ian Hawkins, who arranges the humorous masterpiece included celebrations of the two hundred year anniversary of the birth of opera composers Verdi and Wagner; the 50 year anniversary of Dr Who; last year's School Production of Cats, and
some hints at this year’s production: Miss Saigon, amongst many others. The concert started with a dramatic performance of O Fortuna by Carl Orff and was followed by Children of Eden, from the musical of the same name, by Stephen Schwartz. The first act included choir
performances, congregational carols, the famous Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah interspersed with traditional readings from the Bible and Christmas poetry. The first act finished with an uplifting performance of Joyful Joyful, with the opening solo sung by Shona Graham in Year 13. All instrumental ensembles, including string and brass groups, flute choirs, saxophone and clarinet ensembles and senior and junior jazz bands showcased Christmas pieces they had been preparing this term. The Big Boys Breakfast Crooning Club performed a difficult arrangement of the well-known Christmas song All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey. They looked very smart in their gold ties! Praise for the concerts was received from many staff, Governors, parents and members of the public. Thanks to those of you who wrote in. Thanks go to all the staff involved in creating such a large concert, all the students who performed and worked as technical crew, and to all audience members who supported this important formal School occasion.
New Year's Honour for Don McMath Foundation
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nne McMath was awarded the British Empire Medal in the New Years honours list for her work in education in The Gambia. Anne is a trustee at the Don McMath Foundation, which Ringwood School activity supports. The Don McMath Foundation started in 2001, and is named after Anne’s
late husband Don, who passed away in 1991. Anne went on holiday to The Gambia and noticed that there were a lot of children on the streets every day because their parents could not afford to send them to school. She began sponsoring a couple of children at local schools and rallied friends to sponsor a few more. This grew until she decided that she wanted open a school to help
lots of children instead of just one or two. The school is called The Don McMath Foundation and schools 340 children from aged 5 to 17. The school is the first and only completely free school in The Gambia. They provide the schooling, books, equipment and uniform.
Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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Headteacher’s News
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“Preparing today’s young people for tomorrow’s workplace”
s we move into 2014, we are becoming increasingly aware that today’s economy and people’s lives are rapidly changing. Technological change and globalisation have changed the nature of jobs available and the skills required by employers. Self employment and part-time work statistics have risen. The era of the job for life is well and truly gone. Fifteen years ago, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn did not exist. Fifteen years before that, we did not have the worldwide-web. Technology has changed the way that people work and live. Against this backdrop we are seeking to raise the aspirations of our students to
equip them for life, learning and work in a modern world. We know that today’s young people face tough competition for jobs, yet many employers report difficulties in recruiting people with the right skills. We have seen the emergence of the knowledge economy and loss of many unskilled and semi-skilled jobs to technological and globalisation changes. If we are going to effectively prepare our students for the workplace we know that careers provision has to keep pace with change in the working world. That is why we are working so hard to provide opportunities for our students to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding through our careers programmes. National Careers Week is the 3rd-7th March where the focus is very much on
Welcome Back
Written by Head Boy and Head Girl, George Whittingham and Evie Davies
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appy New Year to all and welcome back from what was a very well earned Christmas break. We are sure many students were able to enjoy their time off, without the pressure of returning to January exams. As always, the Christmas Carol Concerts, which are always so successful, captured the audience and sold out on all three nights. Mr Hawkins’ topical version of the Twelve Days of Christmas was brilliant and as always left the audience laughing. The Student Christmas concert was an excellent event, showcasing the vast array of talent that Ringwood has to offer. We look forward to the production of Miss Saigon that is being organised by the performing arts departments. With all day and after school rehearsals, it is sure to be a fine display of talent and culture to entertain the local community. The Sixth Form held an ‘open mic’
session, with many taking the opportunity wow the rest of the Sixth Form. It is fair to say that the ‘Just Dance’ competition did not show such impressive talent, Evie and I making fools of ourselves as always! As you are now aware, the BIG Walk was a huge success with thousands being raised, enabling the construction of a canopy. There has been a great deal of discussion with students and we are confident that we will have an excellent canopy in the desired location, which was decided by students as a result of the Tutor Group Tasks. The Sixth Form have been inviting students on taster days to visit the school in preparation for September. It is brilliant to see so many external students wanting to join us at Ringwood. We hope that you have a brilliant half term and take advantage of all of the opportunities that are continuously made available to you.
bringing employers, students and teachers together. “You can help us by getting in touch to offer your skills and expertise – we want to bring the school and the workplace closer together. Our students are your future employees”
In an intensely competitive global marketplace, our society’s future will need to be based on becoming a high-value, high-skills economy. As our students move into the workplace they will need to demonstrate that they can be flexible, adaptable and resilient. “We know that collaboration between school, business and higher education is going to become increasingly important if we are going to effectively develop talent in a way which meets workforce needs”
There is no doubt that young people bring a variety of strengths to the workforce: comfort and skill with technology for information or connectivity; a creative approach; their multicultural awareness and tolerance of difference; their confidence and willingness to challenge the status quo; and their work ethic. We want our young people to be realistic in their goals and to be able to communicate effectively. Employers want young people to have experienced a range of learning opportunities. This is why we place such importance on mentoring and leadership skills, team work, being a positive role model and relevant training and work experience. In the fast changing world of education we are expected to provide high quality, relevant, impartial careers information about the job market. “More complex careers, with more options in both work and learning, are opening up new opportunities for many people.They are also making decisions harder as young people face complex choices”
Every year between the ages of 1618 we have 580 young people making decisions about their next steps into training, employment or further learning. If you feel able to contribute in any way to our careers programme, by giving your time to talk to young people, offering work placements, shadowing roles, apprenticeships or any other offer of support we would love to hear from you. “Working to bridge the gap between education and the workplace”
Chris Edwards
Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
Ringwood School presents Miss Saigon
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ver 150 students and staff have been working tirelessly on this year’s production of Miss Saigon. Miss Saigon will be performed over five nights and a Saturday matinee before February half term. The show is set in 1970s Vietnam and tells the intense love story of a Vietnamese girl and American soldier during the final days of the war.
Year 7 Spelling Bee Success Written by Year 7 student, Lauren Christopher
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ive students from Year 7 are taking part in a National Spelling Bee competition. Thomas Tuddenham, Isabel Williams, Elliott Wilson, Madeleine Parker and I, have been revising every day in preparation. The competition requires us to spell out words given in English, saying them how they are spelt in French using the French alphabet. We were all given 50 words to learn, and the competition can be run across French, German or Spanish classes.
Stage 1 of the competition took place in our French class with Miss Altinkalp, and we were the top five students as we spelt the most words in a minute. Our success meant we moved on to Stage 2 of the competition, which is a whole school Spelling Bee competition. We have been given 50 more words to learn, and if we make it through that we will be entered into a regional competition, followed by a national competition. In order for us to succeed we have needed to be very dedicated and study
very hard. Some of the things we have been doing to get ready include: testing each other on the words provided; spending break times and lunch times practising extra hard; and many more things that will help. We’ve even been able to download an app on our phones to revise! Let’s hope that our revision is enough to qualify for many more rounds to come!
Ringwood in the News
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Spring Half Term 2014
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Rwanda Journey
ollowing the success of the visit to Rwanda last year under the auspices of the charity, the Amakuru Trust, another group of 11 Ringwood Sixth Formers and 2 teachers will be going in June of this year. The students will be learning more of the genocide of 1994 by talking to survivors and visiting memorials. They will be teaching in a primary school and taking part in activities with Rwandan students of their peer group. A safari in Akagera Park will round off a very busy, exhilarating, thoughtful but sometimes sad 10 days. Having just been to Rwanda, I can assure them that the Rwandans are looking forward with much anticipation and excitement to their visit! The team have raised money for the Trust by offering their bagpacking services at local supermarkets. Here are some of their thoughts about what lies ahead: Anisa Yahya - “I applied for the Rwanda trip, because it seemed like a great
W r i t t e n by Mr H ayes , Amakuru Trus t
opportunity to do some charity work which I have always wanted to do. I am really looking forward to visiting the schools and teaching the students with the limited resources that they have. I think I'll have a great time and come back with a new perspective on things…” Charlotte Heaps - “Whilst I am out there I intend to try and help out as much as I can with both the children suffering and those that were left without their families during the Rwanda Genocide. I hope this makes a difference to them and with all the work that our group is coming up with, will change their lives that little bit extra, for the better.”
Lucy Hines - “I want to help the widows share their stories and to know that they will not be forgotten. We are also looking forward to meeting the children that the school have been supporting through their education so far and other children we could possibly sponsor in the future.” Scarlett Smith - “So far I've only been able to go busking with my harp to kick off my fundraising (which is great fun in the freezing cold weather might I add) but I'm looking forward to trying out lots of different things to try and raise money for this great cause. It will be wonderful learning how to money we raise helps the families out there.” Students met Cyntia and Josua, the two children with special educational needs supported by Ringwood Sixth Form. The Amakuru Trust is a charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering and poverty of the vulnerable in Rwanda through the support of humanitarian, education and health projects. For more information go to their website www.amakurutrust.org
Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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Weihnachtsmarkt 2013
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W r i t t e n by Su b j e c t L eader fo r G erman, Mr s G ilber t
t was that time again - the last week of term and time for the now traditional German Christmas Market. Those of you who have come along to buy or browse, eat or sing – or indeed do all four, will know what a magical occasion it is. For those of you who have not been before, let me paint you a picture and tell you the tale. In October as the supermarkets start wheeling out the Christmas decorations and a few more desperate shops begin the Christmas music , we students and teachers of German start preparing for the Christmas Market – the Weihnachtsmarkt. All across Germany in December every town square or castle grounds are filled with German Christmas markets, selling hand-made goods and traditional German food and drink. We like to learn about the
that will be perfumed with cinnamon oil and to be hung with ribbon on our Christmas trees. As you can see – we are very busy. On the day for an hour and a half we transform the Sixth Form common room into a little market. Stalls are decorated, beautifully laid out and manned by candles and fir cones to make Christmas sparkle. We make tiny antlers and googly eyes and soft red noses to transform our candy canes into a hundred little Rudolph reindeer. We harvest lavender at the end of summer to stuff our pretty red gingham pouches tied with ribbon and we collect pesto jars all year so we can paint a snowman face on the lid, tie a tartan scarf round the neck and fill it with colourful gummi-bears. Closer to the market we package German biscuits and cakes (some hand-iced) in silvery cellophane with twirling ribbon and German Christmas greetings. Thursday after school – with the help of Mr Tomkins – we work in Tech, sawing, filing, sand-papering and drilling to make small wooden angels, trees and stars
culture of a country as well as its language and so creating our very own little Christmas market is what we do. On Wednesday after school – sometimes until 5 o’clock – students from years 7 to 11 are creating the wares that will be sold to raise money for Naomi House whilst celebrating Christmas in a typically German way. We sew felt into Christmas tree and stocking shapes, stuff them and decorate them with sequins and buttons. We glitter glasses, tea-light
enthusiastic students ready with their German phrases to invite the browsers to buy. Genuine German Frankfurters are served with non-alcoholic Glühwein (mulled wine) and hot chocolate. It is all enchantingly authentically German. For many the icing on the Christmas cake is the sound of the old school bell which signifies we are about to sing Silent Night – in German of course. All faces are smiling as we sing along, visitors and non-German speakers squinting at their song sheet as they join in – a really special communal moment. If you missed it this year don’t despair, like a very famous German- speaking Austrian actor once said ‘I’ll be back’. The next German Christmas Market will be in December 2015, as it becomes a bi-annual event. Auf Wiedersehen (‘see you again’).
Point-to-point Triumph W r i t t e n by Year 8 s tudent, Megan Samps o n n Boxing Day 2013 I it was announced we were off at a flying entered the New Forest speed. I began by following the leading point-to-point on my 14h ponies, but after a few minutes we split bay New Forest pony, Bracken. up and I couldn’t see anyone and my This year’s meet took place at Wilverly competitors were soon out of sight. Plain. Point-to-point is a one and a half Instinct kicked in as I listened for the mile race from one location in the New crowd; I took a left and the big finish Forest to the other as fast as you can. came in to sight. When you enter the race you are told As quickly as it started it was over! the finish but the start is unknown until As I rode through the crowd I felt so the day before which means not only are happy that I had finished the race in fifth you going at a flat out gallop but you also place. Bracken and I also won the Best have to navigate yourself through the Rider and Pony trophy, which was such forest. an achievement. Most of all I was proud; I had a nervous half an hour wait, as proud that I had completed the race myself and eight others waited for the on the pony that I got for Christmas 10-13 Years class to be called. As soon as thirteen years ago!
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Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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Careers Department: Meet the Team
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he Careers Room is located in GG01 within the Geography Block. Keep an eye on the board for updated apprenticeship information and college open days. If you would like a Careers Interview please contact the Careers Team: Ms Nikki Challis, Mrs Emma Barnes, Miss Debbie Smart and Mrs Claire Doolan via email: careers@ringwood.hants.sch.uk
Careers News
National Careers Week (3rd – 7th March)
is fast approaching and we are looking to hold various events during tutor, lunchtime and after school. It is a week to celebrate Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance and the purpose is to bring employers, students and teachers together. For Y11 & Y13 and their parents we will be holding an Apprenticeship Evening on Monday 3rd March. Look out for further information.
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Lions Den presentation
he Ringwood & Fordingbridge Lions Club held a Lions Den Cheque presentation morning at Ringwood School in January. Students competed against Burgate School in the Lions Den Event before Christmas, and the Ringwood School teams were awarded the lions share of the money available.
During the presentation morning students were awarded with their winnings, and the winning teams then presented their donation to their chosen charities. Eleanor Bowen, Ailsa Poulter, Molly Fairhead Parsons, Mae Hutchins, Jacob Adams, Charlotte Christopher and Joshua Wale were presented with a cheque for £325 which they donated to the
Ringwood Foodbank. Charis Donnelly, Evie Davies and Thomas Tuddenham received a cheque for £175 for Liberty’s Owl, Raptor and Reptile Centre. Talia Keen and Bethany Brooks received a cheque for £300 on behalf of the team that represented The Lantern Community, and Angus Smith was awarded a cheque for £50 on behalf of the Multi Activity Centre (1st Poulner Scouts).
Good wool at Christmas!
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he Sixth Form Social Committee encouraged students and staff to wear their Christmas jumpers to school on Friday 13th December to support Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day fund raising campaign. Some wonderful jumpers were on display and over £196.80 was raised. Students celebrated the day with an Open Mic in the Common room at lunchtime.
Ringwood in the News
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Spring Half Term 2014
Future First at Ringwood School
very July we wave goodbye to hundreds of students, as they finish their exams and move on to the next stage of their life. Some have been with us since Year 7, others joined us in Year 12. Some go on to college or University, some enter the work place and others opt for a gap year. Regardless of what they choose to do next, we are always keen to hear from former students, and we love to hear where life has taken them since they waved goodbye to Ringwood School. Last year Ringwood School joined Future First, which is a dedicated programme that helps build a thriving and engaged alumni community, and
e Where ar ? w o n y e h t
in turn allows schools to harness the experiences and skills of their former students. We are keen for all of those leaving us in the future to register with Future First, so we can remain in contact for years to come. Staying connected with ex-students allows us give back to current students, and also allows former students to stay up to speed with what Ringwood School is doing. We hope to build a resourceful and engaging database of former students over the coming years, so that our students can learn from them. We may arrange for one of our former pupils to speak in an assembly, provide guidance on how break into a certain area of work,
have a chat about what to do next, or simply for them to be a ‘Where are they now…’ case study.
Ex-Ringwood School student, Jonathan Yeomans recently graduated as an Officer in the RAF after successfully completing Initial Officer Training at RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire. Jonathan left Ringwood after his A Levels in 2005. He took a gap year and went travelling in New Zealand before returning to Hampshire to study Chemistry at Southampton University. He was a cadet at 2515 Ringwood and Fordingbridge Squadron of the Air Training Corps from the age of 12, returning as a civilian instructor after university. Jonathan went through a very arduous selection process to gain entry to the RAF Regiment in which only1 in 600 applicants are successful. He has now moved on to RAF Honington to train as a Regiment Officer.
Samantha is now a Digital Marketing Executive for Creditplus, a car finance company based in Poole. Samantha manages the company blog which has doubled in readership since she has been in charge. She ever received a nomination at the UK Blog Awards. While at Ringwood School Samantha studied Maths, English Literature, English Language, Science, French, Spanish, Music, Drama, Art, IT at GCSE, and English Literature, Theatre Studies, Biology and Chemistry at A-Level. She then went on to study English Literature at The University of Essex. The one piece of advice Samantha would tell her teenage self is... Not to worry so much about the future.You don't have to have it all sussed right now, just seize each opportunity and good things will happen.
Are you a former Ringwood student? Maybe your friend, parent or grandparent is a former student? If so, please encourage them to register on the Ringwood School Future First Network http://networks.futurefirst.org.uk/formerstudent/ringwood
On the hunt for record holders!
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hey may have left Ringwood School sometime ago, however we have not forgotten them and their record breaking results! If you know Neil, Laura or any of the following record holders please encourage them get in touch with Jennifer Pilley (jennifer.pilley@ringwood. hants.sch.uk) in our P.E Department as she is keen to touch base with exisiting record holders.
Laura Burton - Girls 50m Freestyle record 1996 & Girls 25m Fly 1996 Jenny Cotton - Girls 25m Back Crawl 1994 Neil Manson - Boys 50m Freestyle 1990 Jo Dormer - Boys 25m Back Crawl 1998 Jonathan Hiett - Boys Breast-stroke 1988 David Fraser - Boys 25m Fly 1988
Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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The fallen remembered by students W r i t t e n by Year 9 s tudent, L is a Co ttenham W r i t t e n by Year 9 s tudent, L is a Co ttenham
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n Sunday 10th November 2013, a group of Year 9 students travelled to Belgium to attend the Remembrance Parade on the 11th November, at the Menin Gate, in Ypres. It was a privilege for us to be able to lay a wreath at the service on behalf of our school. We visited many sites of key events from the First World War. These included: the Somme Memorial; Tyne Cot
Cemetery which is the largest British war cemetery in Belgium; and Vimy Ridge, one of the Canadian victory sites where they had succeeded in getting past the German frontline. We also made special trips to visit graveyards so students could lay wreaths for family members lost during the war. On the way back we visited trenches at Sanctuary Wood. They were filled with mud and the tunnels were pitch black and claustrophobic,
New 2 You Uniform
tudents raised £129 through a Fairtrade cake cake hosted in the canteen. Hand crafted jewellery, recycled gifts and Fairtrade smoothies were sold to students and staff. All funds raised were donated to the Philippine Disaster Fund. We are particularly grateful to Sainsbury’s of Ringwood who generously supplied the Fairtrade ingredients for the cake bake.
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o you have an old blazer at home that just doesn’t fit anymore? A pair of trousers that are simply too short? Or an item of P.E kit that has been made redundant? If so, bring it in to school and help us with the New 2 You campaign. New 2 You donation bins can be found in reception. We are keen to receive donations of uniform that you no longer need. Donated items will be sorted, and later sold to other students who need to update their school uniform essentials. The New 2 You Store can be found at every parents consultation evening (dates below) – feel free to pop by and make a purchase, even if you are not attending with a student: Thursday 6th February, Thursday 27th February, Monday 24th March, Thursday 3rd April and Thursday 1st May.
Fairtrade for Philippines
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PTA Quiz Night
he PTA raised around £300 for the Social Enrichment Fund at its Quiz Night in January.Thanks to all who helped organise the evening. The Social Enrichment Fund helps pay for a range of items. In the past the fund has put money towards minibuses, and places on school trips. The next PTA meeting is 2 April at 7pm, in the Elm Tree pub. All Welcome. To contact the PTA, email: pta@ringwood.hants.sch.uk
which showed us the terrible conditions the soldiers had to cope with. The whole experience was very moving, seeing what it was like to actually be there. Reading about it in a book is fine, but it doesn’t give you any idea of the true extent of the war. By visiting graveyards we began to understand the devastation it caused. The trip was a memorable experience and I feel very honoured to have been part of it all.
Stamp Appeal
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ast term Ringwood School collected over 11KG of stamps for the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB). We are continuing to help with their campaign, as they hope to collect in excess of 15,000,000 stamps by March 2014. Please continue to drop your used stamps off at reception – please note: stamps should be cut or torn with approximately 1cm of envelope surrounding the stamp to prevent damage. If the stamp is damaged in any way it will not be counted towards their goal.
Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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News from the PE Department Interform Tournament begins!
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ear 7 tutor groups are currently competing in a host of Interform sports. Boys are currently competing in football and girls are battling it out in a netball tournament. The sports captains in each tutor group (one boy, and one girl), are responsible for ensuring that that each team has enough players, organising a rotation of substitutes, and making sure people play well and fairly. Results and photos will be displayed on the Interform notice board next to the gym. Results go towards an overall tutor group winner for each year group and an opportunity to win a trophy!
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BTEC Kayaking
ee Lonnen, Alex Tanner and Alex Poulter recently competed their 1 star kayak award as part of their BTEC Sport course. The Outdoor Education module saw them spending five weeks in open water at Hengistbury Head, before they entered the swimming pool at the Recreation Centre to master the art of capsizing, and how to recover capsized kayakers.
Table Tennis Win!
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ear 7 student, Luke Du Preez recently competed in the Hampshire Schools Table Tennis competition at Testwood Sports College. Luke competed well and made it in to the quarter finals of the U13 competition. Year 9 student, Ross Campbell also qualified for the U16 category, but unfortunately could not compete due to illness. Luke Mortimore of Year 9 competed alongside both Luke and Ross in the New Forest qualifier competition. Luke played well, and was close to qualifying but sadly didn’t make it to the Hampshire final.
Y13 test Y10 students
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ear 13 BTEC Sport students test Year 10 PE students. The Year 13 students will become personal trainers and coach the younger students through a six week training programme in the Recreation Centre fitness suite.
Recent Results Boys Hockey
U14 Ringwood School v Priestlands – Win U16 Ringwood School v Priestlands – Win U14 Ringwood School v Noadswood – Win U16 Ringwood School v Noadswood – Win U14 Tournament – First Place U16 Ringwood School v Testwood – Win Congratulations to recent Players of the Match – Ross Hattermore, Henry Parris, Matt Lumley, Tom Candy and Dan Burns.
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Victory in Palamós
ear 12 student, Joseph Burns and sailing partner Max Clapp sailed to victory in the Palamós Christmas regatta in December. Great Britain took the title in the 420 class, with a Spanish crew finishing second, and a Polish crew in third place. Later in the month they competed in an event at Blanes in Spain where they were the first GBR boat to cross the finishing line and achieved third place. Congratulations to them both!
Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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2014: A Year for Will
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ear 10 student Will Bedford, has recently qualified for the RYA National Squad in the Laser 4.7 junior class. The squad consists of 12 of the top junior 4.7 sailors in Great Britain, and training takes place nationwide throughout the winter. The RYA is the national sporting authority for sailing and receives some of its funding from the National Lottery. Will moved into his Laser in July of last year after competitively sailing an International Optimist (the largest class in the world) for 5 years. His first major event was the Laser 4.7 National Championships during the Summer 2013 and Will had a great result finishing as third Brit overall. He also helmed in a team (which included Year 9 student Dan
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Burns, who crewed in one of the boats) that won the Eric Twiname Team Racing Championships. Teams come from all over Britain to take part in this event. In addition to this, Will is competing in a series of racing events that take place throughout the nation that determine a national ranking position for the Laser 4.7 class. Three of these events have already taken place for the 2013/14 series, and Will is currently lying in second position. Will spends most of his weekends away either at squad training or competing at racing events. It is an active sport and keeping fit is paramount. Will swims regularly for Ringwood Seals and keeps fit at the gym. 2014 looks to be exciting; Will hopes to compete in the Laser 4.7 European championships in Norway, and to
represent Great Britain in the 2014 Youth Olympics in China. He will be competing in selection events this year in order to try and achieve these goals. In addition to this Will is planning on taking part in other international events in France, Holland, Belgium and Miami. Sailing can be regarded as an elite sport, however, Will started to learn to sail on a lake in Ringwood! Spinnaker Sailing Club in Ivy Lane, Ringwood, is a great location for children and adults to learn and is not as expensive as most first think, making this sport accessible to many. Will has been very fortunate to receive financial support from Spinnaker Sailing Club which helps towards the costs of travelling to many of the events.
Year 10 impress with their cooking skills
ourteen year old Charlie Karelus cooked up a treat and won a competition run at the school by the Christchurch Food and Wine Festival and The Pig in Brockenhurst. As part of their GCSE assessment, nine Year 10 students welcomed Mary Reader, Founder and President of the Christchurch Food and Wine Festival, and James Golding, Executive Chef of The Pig in Brockenhurst, into the school last term to judge the competition. The project was launched in early November by James and Mary. James demonstrated two dishes from the current menu at The Pig, before tasking the students with designing a two course meal for teenagers costing no more than £14. The task was their first GCSE controlled assessment, which accounts
for 10% of their overall GCSE mark. First prize was awarded to Charlie, who cooked pan fried venison, with a blackberry sauce, crushed new potatoes, cabbage and pancetta. James was particularly impressed by the wonderful flavours, and said that the venison was cooked perfectly. Charlie also made a delicious apple pie with dried fruits and cinnamon. Second place was awarded to Sophie
Carlton, and Kieran Baggs and Rachael Dodd were well deserved runners up. The students’ efforts were recognised and all those who took part were given a cookery book donated by the Education Trust, while the winners were awarded with a piece of useful kitchen equipment, and Charlie was invited to spend a morning with James at The Pig. James Golding said: “As someone heading up the kitchen in an award winning sustainable restaurant, I was looking for students who used seasonal local produce. Charlie’s love of food and cooking was most encouraging to see and the students showed great flair with their menu writing, they really have taken the competition to another level this year. I look forward to seeing what they can do next year.”
Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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A S t ude n t P e r s p e c tiv e: A re we a llowing stude nts to b e c ome le a de rs?
W r i t t e n by Ye a r 1 3 s t u dent and H ead B oy, G eo rge Whittingham exploring who they are as a person and On the basis of this information, n December 2013 I attended the should either of these student have more being given freedom. SSAT National Conference in Having been involved in a range contact time and guidance, or should Manchester. of personal development activities, I they be treated equally? I do not know Ringwood has been at the forefront realise the importance of stimulating the answer, but it’s a question that needs of student impact for some years, students and teaching the key principles to be addressed by all teachers, and by developing the Student Leadership of leadership. As well as staff, students student leaders. Accreditation with SSAT, and trialling it with leadership experience should talk I started my leadership journey in Year with ten pupils, including myself. Upon to students on the topic of leadership, 8 at Ringwood Academy and thoroughly returning from the conference I decided immersed myself in school life. I rolled up enabling fellow pupils to realise what it is to reflects on the values of leadership, about. However, the onus has to be upon my sleeves, and was determined to help and whether the current system the students themselves to interpret and others as well as further my personal supports the development of these development. I have achieved this through develop their own leadership styles. values. It is this key factor in the education of regular interaction and guidance from the Everybody likes to think that they a young person that teachers need to senior management team. are, or have the qualities to be, a address. We need to ensure rigour and leader. Qualities such as team work, challenge within the system, allowing communication, determination, the student to be slightly out of their dependability – the classic buzzwords depth but to know that there is a helping that we are told employers want to hand if they need it. I truly believe hear. Yet leadership at all levels, whether that if an individual wants something, students or staff, is far deeper and they can work hard and eventually more challenging to grasp. they will achieve it. If leadership is Leadership is the ability to guide about independence and exploration, a individuals from where they are now teacher who is constantly presiding over to somewhere they have not yet been; students’ activities cannot be a leader, allowing them to be better than they nor developer of leaders. Students need ever thought they could be. How can time and space to grab opportunities and we achieve a constant development then the freedom to make it their own. In my role as Head Boy, I have to plan, of confident, capable and visionary At Ringwood Academy we are taking deliver and lead fast paced interesting individuals that will go on to be the great strides to combat this problem. meetings; listen to suggestions made leaders of tomorrow? The successful integration of the Student by students and enable the committee The seemingly continuous reforms Leadership Accreditation allows older members to feel valued. I also have to to education have occupied teachers’ students to mentor younger students. see discussions lead to positive actions valuable time and placed our future The recent reforms to education in and help to achieve results for the school leaders under even more this country seem to have been designed, leadership team. If I had not been given pressure to achieve academic results in in part, to increase knowledge. Some responsibility and independence early the classroom. Should teachers, whose see this as detrimental to the practice, on, I would not have the confidence to time is so precious, focus attention on exploration and development of skills. undertake such tasks. students who shine and show promise Schools nationwide must offer the I have been lucky as my experience at from the outset? Or should they divide Ringwood Academy has been outstanding. extra-curricular activities and student their time equally amongst all students, leadership opportunities to combat this Nevertheless, in the current educational in the hope of nurturing those with potential shortfall of skills. This requires and economic landscape I believe that leadership qualities yet to emerge? enthusiastic, imaginative and creative staff there should be widespread changes Imagine a student called Jack. Jack is with a belief in student responsibility and – primarily in the level of teacher the sort of student who achieves good independence. interaction in student leadership. grades at mostly A and B standard. He It is imperative that the education In the workplace, individuals rise works hard, balancing his studies with system evolves in order to meet the through positions of leadership and being a student receptionist, a tour guide challenges of the 21st century, and that responsibility on the basis of merit and and helping the school to gain ecowe draw parallels with the workplace their proven contributions. At what age schools ambassador status. He is also and university, preparing students for an should this be made clear to students? the captain of a local football team and environment with a level of competition Surely this is paramount: a school is an plays the piano. He has shown that he greater than most students have ever organisation that prepares young people enjoys helping in the community takes experienced. for the world of work. Ofsted requires part in student voice presentations. Now In my last year of compulsory teachers to support and intervene to consider Thomas, like Jack, he is active promote pupils ‘spiritual, moral, social and education, I am confident that I have in the school community, involved in learnt the skills needed to be successful cultural development’; in order to fulfil sustainability and a tour guide. However, in my future career. I believe that I have themselves as individuals and members Thomas struggles with time management a firm moral compass and want to do all of society students need to be able to and organisation. He does not tend to that I can to benefit my local community, experiment, develop and raise their ideas contribute at meetings and would be and am willing to put in the effort and in a safe environment. This can only be described by some teachers as slightly hours to do so. done through independence; students aloof.
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Ringwood in the News
Spring Half Term 2014
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1000+ food items collected for homeless
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tudents collected1,600 items for the 2013 Danny Cracknell Christmas Appeal. Tinned food, dry goods such as rice and pasta, and essential toiletries were donated by students and staff at the school, and were collected on Thursday 12th December. The items collected were distributed to homeless shelters that are not in receipt of funding in Bournemouth, Portsmouth and London during the Christmas period. The Danny Cracknell Christmas Appeal,
Year 8 Free Your Feet Winner
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ast term we challenged students to take part in the Walk to School campaign. The 'Free Your Feet' campaign aim is simple: to encourage parents, children and young people to make walking to school part of their daily routine. Students were issued with a walking log, which allowed them to monitor their time spent walking to and from school over a given week. All those that took part were then entered into a prize draw, and the lucky winner was announced on the last day of term. Miss Edwards presented the lucky winner, Carlie Lonnen of Year 8, with £50 of shopping vouchers. Well done, Carlie!
which has been running for over 20 years, was previously organised by Mayor of Ringwood, Danny Cracknell before he passed away in 2008. Jock McMaster and other supporters have since driven the Appeal and encouraged the people of Ringwood to help others during the festive period. Jock said: “Year in year out Ringwood School helps with our goal, and we are truly thankful to all of those that have donated items to this year’s collection.”
Recycling drive…
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e are keen to encourage students, staff, parents and carers to recycle the following items via the school. Collection boxes can be found in reception: - Stamps support RNIB - Bras are recycled to support research into Breast Cancer and women in Africa - Mobile support schools in Rwanda - Spectacles for Vision Aid - Hearing Aids for Help the Aged - Used or broken pens, biros, felt tips, markers are recycled for charity by Terra Cycle - Milk bottle tops for Naomi House
Year 10 brave the elements for
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Duke of Edinburgh training
uke of Edinburgh season has begun at Ringwood School.
Year 10 students recently spent a weekend at Foxlease near Lyndhurst, where they learnt all the essential survival skills for their planned expedition next term. Skills included first aid, map skills, bag packing, countryside code and how to put up a tent.