9 minute read
Education
Educating Yorkshire’s ‘Mushy’ and ex-footballer Kevin Davies Inspire Shaftesbury Students
Week beginning 24th May saw Shaftesbury school Year 11 and 13 students off their usual timetable for a final week of school filled with enrichment activities.
Year 11 experienced life as a 6th former, gaining taster sessions of their chosen A-Level or BTEC subjects and year 13 gained knowledge of how to budget and cook for themselves when at university. In addition to these, students experienced a range of activities from learning first aid to making balloon models.
On Tuesday 25th May Shaftesbury School welcomed Musharaf Asghar from the TV show Educating Yorkshire.
Musharaf gave an inspiring speech to students about overcoming adversity. Students were hooked on his every word, with many tearful eyes as Musharaf reminisced about his school experiences and gave advice on how to overcome your fears and anxieties and have faith in yourself. Musharaf was given a tour of the school’s boarding house and spoke highly of his time at Shaftesbury.
On Wednesday Shaftesbury had the privilege to welcome Kevin Davies an exfootballer and local resident.
Kevin had over 400 Premier League appearances, played for England U18 and U21 and now holds a Master of Sport Directorship (MSD). He drew on his experiences to speak with honesty and frankness to Year 13 students, telling them that to have a successful and fulfilling life you had to look at the 3 D’s; Desire, Dedication, and Determination.
He also mentioned how important it is to surround yourself with kind people and people who will support you.
In addition to Kevin, local businessman Lionel Boyle discussed his early career as an entrepreneur and his later career change. He gave advice to ther Yr13s on being comfortable with the uncertainty of the future.
Celebration Day
On Thursday the sun was shining for student’s final day of school and a final sports day ‘with a twist’. Students took part in some old fashioned fun with egg & spoon race, sack race, relay and tug of war, followed by an afternoon with giant inflatables and a burger and ice cream van to fuel the fun!
Durweston OFSTED - Head More Pleased with What Parents Say.
In what must have been one of the first OFSTED inspections carried out after schools re-opened, Durweston School was inspected remotely on the 16th March.
The inspection confirmed that even in current circumstances, teachers are delivering effective remote learning and pupils are receiving the same learning whether in school or at home. The inspector praised the broad curriculum, the effective phonics teaching and the effective support offered to those who need to catch up quickly. She was also pleased to hear that all pupils are heard read regularly, and that teachers regularly read to pupils ‘to develop vocabulary and to help them understand more complex texts’.
The SENDCo was praised for her painstaking approach to each pupil with special needs and for ensuring that teaching supports progress towards pupils’ individual targets.
Headteacher NIcola Brooke is proud that 100% of parents would recommend Durweston Primary School to another parent.’ ’’We know all schools are working hard to provide a good education in the current circumstances, but it was lovely to have our efforts recognized by OFSTED.’ commented headteacher Nicola Brooke. ‘Over this last year, the staff have worked tremendously hard to make sure that our children have continued to receive the very best education we can offer. While pleased with the OFSTED feedback, we were more pleased with the parent feedback.
‘100% of our parents said they would recommend our school to another parent.’
Sexey’s Sixth Form Choir Overcome Covid Restrictions by Learning to ‘Sign Sing’
In their final performance at Sexey’s School, the Sixth Form Choir has performed a moving signed performance of True Colours.
With Covid restrictions preventing singing in choirs, the Sixth Form Choir decided to learn to ‘sign sing’ (choristers expressively perform a sign language version of the lyrics while a song is played), learning to sing in British Sign Language (BSL) from scratch. Head Girl Alice Macey wrote “The Sixth Form Sing and Sign Choir could not leave without recording one last song. We chose True Colours because the imagery used in the song is really beautiful when translated to BSL.
The words “beautiful” and “rainbow” quickly became some of our favourite signs.
On behalf of the choir, I would like to thank Mr WhitfordWilliams for bringing Sing and Sign to the school. It has truly been a joy to be a part of.”
JOIN US FOR A SUMMER OF FUN
Our week long Sports Academies and Creative Camps for all ages. Running throughout July and August.
Cricket Camp
Tennis Coaching
9 - 16 YEARS
5 - 9 JUL 2021 BOOK NOW
An elite development camp for boys and girls who wish to improve their cricketing skills to play a more competitive game.
Clayesmore mini tennis camps are the ideal way for 4-11 year olds to discover the game and improve their skills whilst having lots of fun! Our tennis camps aimed for 12+ offers the chance to develop a variety of skills and techniques. There will be technical and tactical sessions as well as competitions and challenges.
9.00am – 10.30am 4 – 7 Year Olds £75pw 11.00am – 1.00pm 8 – 11 Year Olds £85pw 1.30pm – 4.30pm 12 – 16 Year Olds £120pw
Lead Coach: Mr Dan Conway, Head of Boys’ Games, Clayesmore Senior. ECB Level 2.5, Dorset County Cricket Club (DCCC) Youth Team Specialist Coach.
Lead Coach: Miss Andrea Cheverton, Head of Girls’ Games, Clayesmore. LTA Level 2 Coach.
4 - 16 YEARS
12 - 16 JUL 2021 / 26 - 20 JUL 2021 BOOK NOW
Sturminster Newton Teenager Millie Is Shaving Her Head For Cancer.
Millie Russell has taken the brave decision to shave her head in order to raise money for Cancer Research UK, a cause that is so close to so many people’s hearts.
In the hope that they can help Millie meet or even exceed her fundraising target, Headteacher Mr Davis and Mr Harris Deputy Head have also committed to ‘Brave the Shave’ as well!
Millie, Mr Davis and Mr Harris will all have their heads shaved on Friday 11th June in school,
New Outdoor Classroom for Okeford Fitzpaine
Says Christina Spencer-Smith, Support Manager at Okeford Fitzpaine Primary School. ‘A lineup of interactive boards are available for children to practise mark making and writing. This is a safe environment where children can practise and refine both their fine and gross motor skills.
A variety of independent and paired bikes and trikes have been purchased to support children’s development of physical skills.
Sixth Form student Millie Russell, with Headteacher Mr Davis and Mr Harris, Deputy Head - all have committed to shave their heads for charity in June
and Millie’s hair is being donated to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that provide free real hair wigs to young cancer sufferers.
‘In 2018, I sadly lost my grandad to prostate cancer’ says Millie ‘and ever since, I have wanted to try to help others by raising some money. The sad reality is that nowadays many families are effected by cancer in some way.’ Millioe has already beaten her £200 target, buty would love to more support as she loses her teenage-precious locks. If anyone would like to kindly donate please click here.
‘We can’t wait to see where the children’s imagination takes them in this beautiful outside area!’
Okeford Fitzpaine Primary children enjoyong the new playhouse in Maple Classroom.
The school has also renovated the outside play area for the children to enjoy all year round, not just summertime! With the trim trails and exercise equipment the children have the opportunity to use their gross motor and coordination skills throughout the day with stunning rural views in the background. ‘This year has been tough, but you bring smiles, laugher and enthusiasm every day. Well done, for building each other and being the best you can be!’
Widely Accomplished Mrs Bone to be new Head of Sherborne Prep.
Sherborne Prep School have announced the appointment of Mrs Natalie Bone as Head of Sherborne Prep from 1 September 2021.
Mrs Bone is currently Head of Junior School at Sidcot School, having previously been a Houseparent and teacher of Mathematics at Millfield School and Head of Mathematics and a House Parent at Millfield Preparatory School.
Natalie has a degree in Economics from the University of Reading and before entering teaching was a professional dressage competitor and trainer as well as having a successful City career in investment management.
Natalie says, ‘I am delighted and honoured to have been chosen to lead this wonderful school and build upon the excellent legacy that Nick leaves behind. I am very much looking forward to working with the whole community to take the school from strength to strength at this exciting time’. Natalie Bone replaces Nick Folland, current Head who is retiring at the end of the academic year.
With restrictions easing, Dumpton School, Wimborne were delighted to welcome parents back onsite for the first time in over a year for their annual
Reception children’s Pet Show.
Despite the stormy weather, a ‘you can because you think you can’ attitude saw the children bring their pets to school to be judged in the Best Behaviour and Best Appearance categories.
Natalie Bone was a professional dressage competitor and trainer as well as having a successful City career before moving into teaching.
After last year’s Virtual Pet Show, which made the BBC South Today news, reporter Edward Sault returned with a cameraman to capture the real thing in action.
The children talked all about their animals - their behaviour and any special tricks they could do. Everyone was especially taken with Miss Monaghan’s 50+-year-old tortoise! All pets were declared winners and the children chose a rosette to take home with them as a memento.
Mr Sault was very taken with all the animals on show who all behaved themselves impeccably and the Reception children were their usual marvellous selves!
