October 2013 Chronicles

We hope that you will enjoy receiving your copy of Chronicles Magazine more frequently. We plan to publish each half term rather than only termly.

Inside this Edition School Council Road User Awareness Year 11 Football inspires Year 8 Writing German Exchange Year 10 Science Workshop at Godalming College Author Visit to Charterhouse Year 8 ‘Matilda’ Theatre Visit for Year 8 Opening of our Arts & Crafts Garden Project Ability Climbing Sessions Year 11 Netball Swansong Support Katherine’s sponsored head shave

Please watch out for your news being delivered in a number of new ways: 

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Our new website will be used to bring you news stories almost as soon as they happen.

You can subscribe to our @Rod_Tweet twitter feed for news flashes.

We have begun to make greater use of our big TV screens at Reception and around school.

Accident simulation drives home safety message to Year 11s

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Dates for your Diary

25 Oct INSET 28 Oct – 1 Nov HALF TERM 4 Nov Pupils return to school 7 Nov Certificate Evening for Class of 2013 12 Nov Information about German Christmas Market for Parents from 7:30 14 Nov Awards Evening from 7 pm 18-19 Nov Year 11 GCSE Drama 20 Nov from 7 pm Young Musician of the Year

21 Nov Friends’ Christmas Market 5-7 Dec German Christmas Market Trip 1 11 Dec Christmas Music Concert 12-14 Dec German Christmas Market Trip 2 13 Dec from 7:30 pm Year 7 Disco 18 Dec Carol Concert in Milford Church 20 Dec 1 pm School ends for Christmas

Please check the News & Information and Calendar pages of our new website www.rodborough.surrey.sch.uk regularly to catch up on what’s happening at Rodborough.

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Reporter Ellie Page School Council The first School Council meeting of the academic year was held on Monday 14th October. The meeting was jointly chaired by our Head Girl, Ellie Page, and our Head Boy, Ben Sheppard.

There 1.

2.

3.

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were 5 agenda items: The Flagpole House Identification The Pond The Swimming Pool Seating Any Other Business

1. The Flagpole We would like it to go on the patch of grass outside DT. Each house will have its own flag. The winning house flag will fly during their 'reigning' period.

Other ideas included flags for special days e.g. St George's / St Patrick's Days.

The Green Eco Flag will also be flown.

2. House Identification We discussed how house members could be distinguished e.g. by different coloured polo shirts, ties or badges.

For finance reasons we decided that badges would be best.

Senior 6 will research the cost of badges and consider how to manage lost badges etc.

3. The Pond (Eco Prefects) We would like to put in a pond in the far corner of the athletics field by the football grids and the fence. The pond will be 'naturally developing' so won't require much maintenance. It will be no more than 1 metre deep and will be surrounded by a mound to protect it from balls etc. The Science Department have expressed an interest in using it as a teaching resource.

4. The Swimming Pool One of the beautiful carved The pool is ready for use and will be open in the benches in our new Summer Term for PE lessons. Extra clubs will run Arts & Crafts Garden during summer opening times. Heating will be by boiler pre-warmed by 'snails' (black coils heated by the sun).

5. Seating around the school We would like new seats - hopefully by the Science Block, Bus Shelter and Room 114.

We will buy indoor benches and get the RM Prefects to adapt them for outdoor use.

Ben Murphy & Jonny Ford will purchase two different types as prototypes to see which is best.

6. Any Other Business i. We would like a clock on the tower. We will speak to Innovate and try to get something similar to the one in the canteen. We may need another clock in the Outside Eating Area. ii. We discussed the rise in food prices. Innovate are a business so they need to make a profit. We have been assured that prices will only rise once per year and that they will notify parents in the newsletter when this is about to happen.

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Road User Awareness for Year 11

Quotations from Year 11

Year 11s spent a whole day ‘off timetable’ working in a number of workshops with Surrey’s Emergency Services.

The day is designed to help change present and future driver attitudes and behaviours by showing 15 & 16 year olds what they can do to keep themselves safe on our roads, both as drivers and as passengers.

There were several different activities. Film clips featuring realistic drama gave students the chance to think hard about possible consequences of their actions as drivers or passengers.

“I enjoyed dressing up in the uniforms and doing the accident re-enactment.

It was fascinating to see what a big job the Emergency Services have to do.”

“Some of the statistics were really shocking.”

“It was really interesting. I found the video quite hard hitting and it really made me think.”

First Aid refresher training reminded everyone of the vital skills learned in Year 9.

Students took active roles in a realistic reconstruction of a road traffic accident involving two cars and a motorcycle.

All emergency services, the press and witnesses were played by Rodborough students. Casualties were played by Drama Students from Godalming College.

“It was an opportunity to work with different people in my year group.

I enjoyed working with the adults from the emergency services too.”

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After lunch, the Fire Service gave a graphic demonstration of one of their crucial roles by removing the roof from a car in order to release a `critically injured` occupant.

“It was great for me, as I want to be a paramedic, so I was able to ask some career based questions!”

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Football Inspires Creative Writing

Mr Honeysett’s Year 8 English Class

A group of boys from Year 8 are currently using their interest in football to develop their writing skills.

They recently visited Wembley for an afternoon to tour the stadium and complete a range of written assignments.

Here are some extracts from their news reports and creative writing: “As we approached the stadium, we were overwhelmed by its size. When we got off the coach I saw the arch which was very big. It is 440 feet high and has beacons to warn low flying planes.”

George Horn “Firstly, we went to the Press room where we sat in the seats of the manager, the man of the match and the captain. Then we progressed into the changing rooms where we saw the shirts of the best players…and got to touch them!”

Jacob Key

“We stood there, hearts pumping with excitement . . . ” “We stood there, hearts pumping with excitement watching a video of lots of different players going in and out of the tunnel. This made me feel like a professional football player just waiting to jog out onto the pitch. The tour guide did a countdown of “5,4,3,2,1”. We walked out slowly and it was completely surreal.”

Charlie Prichard

“Surprisingly, we had to take a lift to get to the main entrance of the building where we saw a statue of a famous player called Bobby Moore and some of us took pictures of it.

Once we had made our way through security, we walked over to one of the eating areas where we had our lunch. They did have some amazing things in the canteen area such as a few automatic computer game screens and famous trophies. One of them was a replica because it said the real one had been stolen.”

Adam Street

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“We went through to the tunnel. I was so excited and nervous. The tunnel was smaller than I thought it would be. We walked onto the pitch and the stadium was massive. It was the best part of the trip and one of the best experiences of my life.”

Liam Clarke “We met the tour guide and he answered all of our questions. He took us to the players’ changing rooms to look at the shirts. Some of the boys had their photograph taken in front of Steven Gerrard’s England shirt and this was only a few days before England were due to play Montenegro. It was immaculate.”

Alex Smith “Wembley is a massive building full with toilets, cafes and changing rooms. It has 90,000 seats and is the 8th biggest stadium in the world. The pitch is cut with precision ready for a football match.”

Jack Matthews www.london-attractions.info

“ . . . like seeing a diamond on the floor – it was a precious moment.”

“As I got to the higher seats I could see the sun reflecting off the £21 million worth of pure silver that is the FA Cup. It was like one million car headlights racing towards me.”

Ben Gosden

“As we walked into the tactics room, the elephant-grey ground under our feet was spongy.

The thick, concrete walls were soundproof just in case the enemies, in this case the other team, were trying to hear just one little peep from the team talk.”

Josh Harman “I moved onto the players’ tunnel, except it was not much of a tunnel, more of a room. As we walked towards the pitch they started playing atmospheric music. As I was heading out, I could smell the pitch. I looked over to it; it was bright green with white stripes.”

Josh McIntyre

“Entering the changing rooms I could see football shirts of all the best players.

I saw Messi’s shirt and Ronaldo’s and they were awesome. I’d never seen anything like it. It was the first time I’d ever seen a professional footballer’s top. It was like seeing a diamond on the floor – it was a precious moment.”

Jordan Hill

Year 10s Host German Exchange Students RODBOROUGH CHRONICLES

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Reporter Robert Miller PAGE 5 OF 12

A shriek, half excited and half nervous, escaped many of the 32 Rodborough students waiting eagerly at the bus stop as the coach came into view. After 3 months of communicating only by text or online it was the moment of truth – time to communicate face-to face!

Our guests filed nervously off the coach into the tense atmosphere of craned necks and hopeful recognition. Awkward hugs and handshakes were exchanged, luggage collected and, after making sure we each had the right visitor, cars ferried the new partnerships ‘home’.

“Awkward hugs and handshakes were exchanged . . .”

Once home, each of us received a pleasant surprise in the form of a small gift from our German partners. This helped ease the tension between us and the evening was spent settling into our homes and family routines.

We then had the weekend ahead of us to entertain and bond with our partners. This was, naturally, achieved in wildly different ways! Some chose simply to visit Guildford with friends, as they might do any other weekend.

Others pushed the boat out with trips further afield to Brighton or Thorpe Park, for example.

It was difficult to get our heads back into ‘school mode’ on Monday morning – especially as our partners were to spend the day sightseeing in London whilst we worked! On Tuesday, however, we were allowed out of school for a great day out to Portsmouth (article on facing page). On Wednesday we were back in school whilst our partners visited Windsor town and Castle and, on Thursday, they had the interesting experience of joining us in school for lessons 1 to 3 to experience the English education system first-hand. In the afternoon they set off for a relaxing tour of Godalming, leaving us toiling away in our classrooms!

As we met up again at the end of the day, the reality that our time together was nearly over dawned on us. It was our final evening and the time had simply flown by!

“Hugs seemed to go on for eternity It was a very different atmosphere at the bus stop at 7:45 on this Friday morning to those and tears flowed freely from English awkward nerves just a week ago. We needed and German eyes alike!” to say, “Goodbye,” to our partners until we visit them next May. Hugs seemed to go on for eternity and tears flowed freely from English and German eyes alike! We waved them off but the emotion stayed with us all day.

The visit had passed in a flash and we were now alone again. We had all really enjoyed the visit and can’t wait to travel to Mayen in May!

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Exchange Trip to Portsmouth

Year 10 Reporters

“We had the best day ever!” chorused our German Exchange friends as we returned from a fabulous day out together in Portsmouth.

We started by visiting the great ship, Victory, in Portsmouth Harbour. It was fascinating to hear about our past times at war and seeing how the King’s Fleet worked.

Next was the part we had all been waiting for – SHOPPING! The sight of all our exchange partners faces as we walked into the chocolate shop made our day!

We had plenty of laughs and the day was made extra special as we could share it with our awesome new friends.

Thank you, Miss Morgan! I will remember the day for ever!

Reporter Charlotte Verdoorn My highlight of the week has to be the day we spent at Portsmouth. We started the day at ‘Action Stations’, attempting activities like rock climbing and piloting a helicopter simulator. Someone even set a new record on the kickboxing activity!

We then moved on to a historic tour of HMS Victory, trying not to bang our heads on the low ceilings and doorways that posed such a threat to the health and safety of those of average or above height!

The remainder of the day was spent shopping at Gunwharf Quays or ascending the Spinnaker Tower for what should have been breathless views of the harbour (had there been fewer clouds) and jumping on the glass floor for the brave.

Personally, I think the German Exchange Trip is an amazing opportunity that helps develop your German speaking and helps you make new friends. I would definitely recommend the experience to Year 9s thinking of taking German at GCSE. Reporter Owen Gorringe RODBOROUGH CHRONICLES

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Science Workshop

Reporter Charlotte Crow

In Year 10 we make many choices but probably the most important is to consider what we will do after school - which college and which course to study.

Last summer, some keen Year 10 Science students were helped by an invitation to visit Godalming College for their introduction to A-level Science Workshops.

My group’s first workshop was Physics, where we carried out an experiment themed on Angry Birds, using a catapult and Ping-Pong ball. We investigated how angles affected the distance travelled by the ball. Not only did this workshop give us an idea of what we can expect from the Physics courses but it also improved our Angry Birds skills! After experimenting with a larger catapult and the different properties of water balloons, my group moved on to Chemistry.

Looking like professional scientists in our lab coats, we were able to use complex equipment to research the nature and properties of energy, conducting individual research and making miniature rockets. We were also informed about what we could expect in a Chemistry lesson at AS and A Level; such as completing booklets with questions which would provide us with all the revision materials necessary for our exams. We also discovered the importance of individual learning.

Our final workshop was Biology (my favourite Science).

This time we investigated how to produce lactose-free milk. The Biology teacher explained what lactose is, the effects it can have on people and animals and why these occur. In addition we were informed about what topics we would study at AS and A level.

The day was very informative and allowed us to experience working within the Science Department at Godalming College, try out their equipment and discover the topics we might study. It also allowed us to see what college life could be like. It has really helped me to make my decisions for A level study.

Friends’ Quiz Night 180 Parents and Staff made a full house for the Quiz Night and supper, organised by ‘Friends of Rodborough’ to raise funds for the school.

The evening was an unqualified success with everyone enjoying themselves regardless of how well their team were doing!

Thank you to Rodborough Friends – in particular Ali and David Collins, Amanda Gore and Heather Butterworth – for putting on such a great event.

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Marcus Sedgwick Author Visit

Reporter Polly Grant

On Wednesday, 18th September, a group of Year 8 students visited Charterhouse school for an afternoon of storytelling and humour with author, Marcus Sedgwick.

He introduced himself and told us what it is like to be a famous writer. He then gave us a virtual tour of his writing shed.

Someone from a different school asked about his Star Wars screensaver. This lead to something that no one knew before: the startling claim that Star Wars is the 'same' story as The Wizard of Oz, which is the 'same' as The Lion King, which is the 'same' as The Matrix! These all follow the formula: ‘The Call to Adventure’, ‘Refusal of the Call’, ‘Acceptance of the Call’, ‘Supernatural Aid’ etc. outlined in Joseph Campbell’s ‘Hero’s Journey’. He has found this formula very useful in his own story telling!

He was then asked about a photo of two skeletons that were found holding each other. He told me that he had found this real photo after he had made up a story about finding intertwined skeletons! He was fascinated by the circumstances that led to the bodies being buried in this way.

I then asked him about a picture of a small, cute kitten playing with a ball of yarn. He asked me if I really wanted to know, because most of his stories turned out quite dark. The people around me all wanted to hear, so after considering the consequences, I said yes.

It turned out that the ball of yarn that the kitten was playing with had inspired a vampire story, which can be read in the book, ‘My Swordhand is Singing.’

The next person asked about a wall covered in pictures of spirals. Marcus let out his secret that he and his wife broke into Building 93 - a huge derelict mental hospital in America - which, he soon found out, was actually haunted!

All too soon the talk was over. Our favourite parts were the kitten story, the explanation about Star Wars and the story about the hospital, Building 93. It was an experience that we will all never forget and has given us plenty of ideas for our own writing!

www.mymodernmet.com

Building 93

Find Marcus’s books in the library. Some of them are very dark – read them if you dare! www.bbc.co.uk

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Neolithic Skeletons from Italy

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Matilda A number of students were rewarded for the progress that they had made on the STAR Reader programme by being offered first refusal on tickets for RSC’s musical, Matilda, at the Cambridge Theatre.

Here are a few quotations from the students: “I really liked the acting of Miss Trunchball. He played a really good ‘girl’ as he had a really stern but girly voice and managed to keep a straight face no matter how funny he was!”

KC

uk.matildathemusical.com

uk.matildathemusical.com

“I enjoyed the whole play – especially Matilda and Miss Honey. They worked really well together and looked like they had bonded well. I couldn’t imagine any-one else playing those characters as Miss Honey was exactly how I remember her from the book and Matilda was so confident and clear.

I’d love to go again!

RB “I thought the songs were really catchy and echoed the atmosphere of the scenes. The one that stuck in my head was ‘Naughty’. I also loved the part near the end when one of the boys stood up and sang a solo.” KD

uk.matildathemusical.com

“I thought the setting was really impressive.

I really liked all the underground floor traps.

I especially liked all the gates and desks.”

MR “It was the second time I had seen ‘Matilda’ but it was still amazing!”

ZP uk.matildathemusical.com

“The child actors were amazing!”

EG

“The actress playing Matilda was so young and really suited the part. Her voice was incredible and I think she should definitely have a career on the stage!”

AS “I loved the telly song in the interval.

It was really funny and made me laugh a lot!”

AG

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Opening of Arts & Crafts Garden

Reporter Mrs G Ellis

After months of research, visits, practical workshops and many hours of digging under the hot July sun, our garden finally came together and we were ready for our Grand Opening on the evening of Tuesday 23rd July. We welcomed fellow pupils, staff, family and friends.

The garden was opened by Maurice Hewins – a direct descendent of Gertrude Jekyll’s head gardener Albert Zubach (Gertrude Jekyll was an influential British horticulturist, garden designer, artist and writer who lived in Bramley).

I would like to thank all those members of the Golden Triangle Team who spent countless hot hours digging the garden including Anita Smith (a parent) who guided us from the planning stage through to the planting. Steve Lewis (another parent) who laid our beautiful path for us helped by Louie Seber (an ex-Rodborough pupil who is currently in his second year studying Horticulture at Merrist Wood).

The garden would not have been possible without donations from:      

Godalming Town Council Golo Lottery Pennington’s Solicitors Milford Village Association Surrey County Council The Surrey Garden Trust

It was a wonderful evening and I was very touched by how many Year 11s came back to school to help with the event. Thanks to them and the team, we enjoyed a great BBQ and as many choc-ices as we could eat!

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Project Ability Climbing

Reporter Miss Mackay

Through October a group of pupils had the opportunity to attend a course of climbing sessions at Surrey Sports Park.

These sessions were provided by the Youth Sport Trust scheme, Project Ability.

Rodborough is the lead school in Surrey for Project Ability, which exists to improve the quality and extend the provision of physical activities - providing opportunities for inclusive sport.

Despite some early nerves, everyone got stuck in and made excellent progress. Polly, Rory, James, Aaron and Dom all thoroughly enjoyed setting themselves new challenges and quite literally rising to them!

Year 11 Netball Tournament

Reporter Sophie Richardson The sun shone on Wednesday 9 October for our swansong Netball Tournament. It was good to host the tournament – usually the very last occasion that teams will play together at school.

This makes the tournament as competitive as ever as each team wants to go out on a high!

Our year has never won a District Tournament and we were desperately hoping that we could do better than our previous best, third place, and take the title!

Confidence clearly helped us in our first match against Woolmer Support Katherine!

Hill as we prevailed with a convincing 11:2 win. Our next opponent, Kings College, were unfortunately unable to come so all teams in our box were awarded technical walkovers for these matches. The third team in our box were Howard of Effingham and we knew that we would need a good result to make the final. The match was hard fought and too close to call.

Fortunately, our 6:6 draw was enough to take us into the final against the winners of the other box, our arch rivals, George Abbot.

In the lead-up to important We pulled out all the stops, playing some of the best netball of brain surgery, Katherine is our lives to claw our way back from 1:6 down against this thinking of others by having fearsome adversary. Unfortunately, they were just too good for her head shaved to help us and the whistle blew at 6:9.

Rachel Morris, our local Although disappointed not to have won, 2nd place is still our best Gold Medal Paralympian, ever result – a great achievement for our final year at fund a specially modified car Rodborough. and by donating her hair to “Well played everyone”, and thank you Aggie for organising the the Little Princess Trust to tournament and to Miss Mackay for her commitment to the team provide wigs for young during our time at Rodborough! cancer patients.

Help Katherine smash her £1,000 target by sponsoring her on: www.justgiving.com/local/project/RachelsRoadtoRio or, if you prefer, by bringing a donation to School Reception.

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