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Newsletter - December 20th 2017

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Published by The Kingswinford School, 2017-12-20 06:16:05

Newsletter - December 2017

Newsletter - December 20th 2017

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER Issue 1

The K’Ford
Times

The Kingswinford
School Newsletter

KINGSWINFORD STUDENTS ENJOYING CHRISTMAS DINNER Christmas 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

School of Rock

by Mr Cotterill Get your Tickets now Work Experience

The Kingswinford School have always raised The show dates are 14th, 15th and 16th of Year 11 completed an incredible Work Experience as
the roof with their annual production. We February 7pm at the Kingswinford School.
have had classics like Oliver, bought the Tickets are available on iPay or from the part of the ‘WAT Pledge’ – see some of the feedback
songs of Queen to the community with We school reception with prices starting at £6.
Will Rock You; bought soul to the show with Please support and come and enjoy what
The Blues Brothers Musical; and last year promises to be a truly spectacular show.
captured the crowd in the vines of Audrey 2
with a spectacular performance of Little from our employer partners! Page 7
Shop of Horrors.

Head Banging Musical

This year The Kingswinford School Raising Money for Charity
gets heads banging again with the musical
version of Jack Black’s iconic film, The School Another WAT pledge for students is to raise money for
of Rock. This promises to be the most charity. This term students have already raised money
energetic and rocking show to date with an for the Poppy Appeal, Movember UK, Save the Children
unbelievable lead performance by Year 10 the Children’s Society and Cancer Research UK as well
Alex Bradbury as Dewey Finn. as for the School!

Making Rockers out of Students Page 4

"Its been a fantastic experience. I have loved
emulating Jack Black and finding my inner
rocker. I never thought I'd be doing this. This
is an exciting, funny, and challenging role but
I am loving every minute of it. I can't wait to
rock out in front of the Kingswinford
community crowds."

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | 2
Issue 1

Active Learning also be a great opportunity for The THE WAT PLEDGE
Week Kingswinford School students to achieve
many of the WAT pledges that were
by Mr Wilkes announced at the beginning of the year.

We are excited to announce that during The next stage of letters for residentials will
Active Learning Week there are now 6 be sent out to parents shortly and the next
confirmed residentials taking place. Just instalments of payments will be due in
under 300 students will be representing the February. Thank you all again for your
school in the wider world when The continuing support!
Kingswinford School students embark on the
following residential trips

 New York
 Krakow
 Madrid
 London
 Paris
 Newquay

For those that will remain in school we are
excited to announce that a series of day trips
and activities will be on offer and presented
to our students before February Half Term.

Active Learning Week is an excellent
opportunity to offer our students enrichment
and opportunities that will be both
memorable and rewarding. This week will

Christmas Carol Concert

by Miss Able

The Kingswinford School, once again, Once again, our annual Christmas Carol Thank you to everyone that supported our
were very pleased to be invited and Concert was held at St. Mary's Church and Carol concert and well done to all of the
take part in the Wordsley Christmas many students performed an array of musical students who showed great commitment in
Tree Festival over the weekend of items to a packed audience. preparing for the evening. We definitely have
December 1st to the 3rd December. some very talented students. Thank you to
The school band and choir presented a range Reverend Giles Kendall, Kate Kendall and
Our tree was decorated with Science of pieces to get us into the Christmas spirit their team for their warm hospitality in
themed baubles made by Miss Ward’s, and we were delighted to hear such great hosting our event.
Mrs Cresswell’s and Mrs Powell’s Year praise from our guests, parents and carers.
Seven Science groups. A big thank you
goes to all of the students who took Our Drama club also performed a
time to be inventive and creative. contemporary version of scenes from the
nativity which brought smiles and laughter to
us all. Money was raised for both Cancer
Research UK and The Children's Society.

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | 3
Issue 1

HEADING 4 Competition

Halloween Trailer Contest Mathematics Parents/carers and children
please work together to solve
At the end of October over 20 students created and by Mr Patel this puzzle. Please email your
starred in their very own Halloween movie trailer. This answers with
house competition was a first for Kingswinford students Key Stage 4 News explanation/workings to
and we received seven excellent entries from all age [email protected]
groups. The winning trailer was the one which was Year 9 and 10 students have settled into their soracademytrust.org.uk by
deemed the scariest after staff were given the GCSE bridging and GCSE courses Friday 5th January 2017 for
opportunity to vote. The standard was excellent and it respectively. To build on their progress the chance to win a prize:
was quite clear that a lot of effort had been put in by all Students are encouraged to keep working on
that had entered. areas of weakness independently through The 1st Bell rings every 6 minutes
homework and online resources. The 2nd Bell rings every 7 minutes
Congratulations goes to Anissa Sharp in Year 7 Helium The 3rd Bell rings every hour
house. Her trailer for a movie entitled 'Bat' narrowly Year 11 students have had a busy term If they all rang together at noon, when
took the top prize. Well done to everyone who took preparing for the GCSEs in the form of will they next all ring together?
part! afterschool intervention and through their
mock exams. We look forward to working GCSE Higher Past Paper club will take place
Christmas Wreath Competition closely with students after school once again every Thursday lunchtime from 12.45pm
after Christmas but now on a Wednesday
The door to the school library is currently sporting a (instead of Tuesday) as well as all the Coming soon in Maths…
beautiful Christmas wreath, which has been fashioned lunchtime sessions on offer. Please
from an old copy of a well-known children’s classic. Mrs encourage your son/daughter to come along  NSPCC Number Day – 2 February 2018
Hendy is running a Christmas competition to guess the and extend their learning.  Year 10 Maths Quiz at The University of
title of the book used to make the wreath!
WAT Year 7 Maths Challenge Birmingham – 7th February
ATTENDANCE UPDATE  National Pi Day – Wednesday 14th March
Well done to the following students who  UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge – 1st
95% have won the monthly WAT Maths
competition: February
Our whole school attendance sits just above National  Junior Maths Challenge – 26th April
Averages – but we want more!  September: Freya Smith
 October: Sam Pearman Equipment
ATTENDANCE MATTERS…  November: Megan Windmill
Please could you ensure that in January your
During their time at school, students with 100% New Maths Ambassadors child returns to school fully prepared for their
attendance have about a half term more Mathematics lessons. It is vitally important
education than average! Congratulations to our newly appointed Year that your child has the correct equipment in
9 Maths Ambassadors: Jack, Jaslene and every lesson. Below is a list of equipment
Alexia that is required for productive Maths lessons:

Maths clinics  Black pen and spare pen
 Pencil and spare pencil
In January Maths Clinic will be back every  Eraser
Tuesday afterschool from 3.10pm – 4.00pm  Pencil sharpener
in MA2  Ruler in cm
 Scientific Calculator (e.g. Casio FX85-

GTPLUS)
 Pair of compasses
 Protractor
 Glue stick
 Green pen

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | 4
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If you are interested in knowing more about
Latin at The Kingswinford writing a 400-word essay on a topic that law or politics, science terms like saltatory
School interested them. Their final choices ranged conduction, linguistics (and why linguistics is
called this) or just want to get ahead with
by Mrs Kendall from examining Roman mythology and your Harry Potter spells then Latin is the
historical events to aspects of Roman society subject for you.
Latin, so often restricted to fee-paying such as the treatment of slaves and the
schools, has been offered The Kingswinford justice system, using the words of the More than all of that though, Latin is a
since January 2011 when two senior pupils Romans themselves. The students describe beautiful language and gives us direct access
asked if they could study it. Our current the Latin language as “immensely to some of the greatest works of history,
group of Year 10 students has been learning challenging”. It requires the ability to spot science and literature that western society
the subject since Year 7 and they have just grammatical patterns and systematically has produced over the past 2,000 years. At a
successfully achieved a formal Entry Level decode text so as well as expanding their time of shrinking horizons studying Latin
qualification. English vocabulary and understanding of gives a great sense of perspective to where
languages like French and Spanish it we come from and where we could go next.
We follow the Cambridge Latin Course which reinforces mathematical and coding skills.
teaches the language alongside a study of
Roman culture. This allows us to explore the
similarities and differences between our own
society and that of our Roman ancestors and
in lively discussions we have seen where the
roots of our political, social and cultural
institutions lie.

The students’ qualification tested their
research and analytical skills as it included

Supporting Charity

by Mr Macdonald

Helping the Homeless The Poppy Appeal Student Charities

Miss Copson, recently decided to collect Whilst Armistice Day did not fall on a school Cancer Research UK and the Children’s
hats, scarves and gloves from staff and day this year, nonetheless our students were Charity have been selected by the students
students to give out on her day off to the supporting and remembering our veterans this year as the school Charities. They have
homeless people in Birmingham. Miss and military personnel in force this year. Set already been fundraising through the
Copson went with a hat and scarf that the off by an amazing Remembrance assembly Christmas Carol Service and Christmas Faire
students in the Student Support Centre had from Mr Bromell, an ex-military man himself, with more to come through the year.
made. Pictured below is Miss Copson students showed incredible respect for our
handing the scarf students made to a fallen heroes. Overall a fantastic effort from our students
homeless lady called Jess. Miss Copson to give back to the community – thank you
encouraged donations of warm clothing Movember all and well done
rather than giving Christmas cards and we
are so pleased the students got closely In a light hearted approach to raising
awareness of men’s health issues – a critically
involved. important issue – many male staff, and a few
students, grew and sported moustaches on
the 30th of November. Special mention again
for Mr Bromell’s impressive moustache!

Save the Children

The Christmas Jumpers were out in force on
National Christmas Jumper Day with some
impressive challenges to Mr. Macdonald’s
assertion that he always has ‘the best
Christmas Jumper’. Better luck next year to
all but a great way to support a fantastic
charity: wearing sweaters to make things
better!

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | 5
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Art Trip to Walsall Art College GETTING OUT AND ABOUT

by Mrs Bianco

Mrs Bianco and Mrs Shaw took Year 10 GCSE The exhibition includes Turner’s first
Art students to Walsall Art Gallery on exhibited oil, Fisherman at Sea, 1796, along
Tuesday 28th November. with two 200-year diagrams, which the artist
created to illustrate his lectures as Professor
of Perspective at the Royal Academy. Drama Trip: Blood Brothers
Legacies also provides a rare opportunity to
see Cornelia Parker’s Room for Margins, In October, the Year 11 Drama Students went to see the
1998, an installation comprising six canvas smash musical Blood Brothers by Willy Russell at De
liners and five sets of canvas tacking edges, Montfort Hall in Leicester. Although a technical issue
removed by conservators in the 1950s and meant a delay to the start of the performance, the show
1960s from paintings by Turner in Tate’s was superb and the students really enjoyed it. Watching
collection. Re-purposed by Parker, the the show was an integral part of GCSE Drama. Students
damaged liners and edges are revealed as made detailed notes throughout the show in
precious objects of beauty in their own right. preparation for their Component 3 Live Theatre Review.
As a matinee performance the venue was packed with
other schools and I have to say that The Kingswinford
School students behaviour and attitude to learning
was exemplary. They did us proud yet again!

The newly commissioned works by Dorothy
Cross and Jonathan Wright also spotlight
aspects of Turner’s life and work, specifically
his extensive travels and relentless recording
of social change.

Students started the day with a guided tour The WAT Conference
of the gallery where they saw the works of
Picasso, Matisse and Lucian Freud. The was a In November, 13 students from our Choir were selected
particular focus on the major exhibition to take part in the Windsor Academy Trust performance,
considering the legacy of JMW Turner along with many of our dancers, at the WAT conference
through the lens of contemporary art, in Birmingham. The students had been working very
highlighting the ongoing relevance of his hard with Miss Abel since September to learn a song to
work for artists practicing today. inspire the entire trust. 'Together we are stronger' gave
a clear message and our students conveyed that
Students also participated in two workshops, through their outstanding musical ability.
Modroc Sculpting and Alginate Casting
which were very practical and hands on. The Mollie Hickman and Blessing Chitapa were chosen to
focus was portraiture and students looked perform 2 out of the 3 solos which was an amazing
closely at the works of Jacob Epstein. All credit to their talent. Both students were praised for
students had a thoroughly enjoyable day and their fabulous vocals and much praise was given to our
learnt skills and techniques that can be used choir as a whole, for which we were all very proud. It was
back in the classroom to develop their GCSE so lovely to be part of such a wonderful and awe
portfolios. inspiring performance with the other schools from the
trust.

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | 6
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Students from all Year Groups and Houses
In other news… way and encourage young people to take a took part and it was very difficult to judge as
stand against it. their efforts were amazing.
Reading Buddies
Inter house Bake Off Overall Winners:
In an effort to build confidence with reading
skills, the English Curriculum Area has In October students were invited to take part Elisha Bennett & Bethany Yates (11)
launched their ‘Reading Buddies’ initiative. in an Inter house Bake Off competition. Their Nathan Crook & Abbie Wallis (10)
This involves a selection of our Year 7 challenge was to design and make a healthy Tom Price (9)
students being paired with a Year 10 student option cake that contains at least one type of Vyvyenne Crook (8)
who will work with them on a one-to-one fruit or vegetable. This could be several Lily Hodgkins & Amelia Parr (7)
basis to support them with their reading. The individual or one large cake.
students read together, sharing books while My Country
talking through different strategies to They had to submit their costings for the
improve core reading skills. We believe this cakes and show that they had considered by William, Year 10
will provide invaluable support for our Year 7 presentation method and quality of finish.
students, building confidence in their reading Earlier this year I was offered a part in a BBC
which will, in turn, aid all aspects of their A name card, ingredients list and method 2 TV programme called My Country. My
learning. had to accompany the finished product and Country was originally a play written by Poet
students explained how they had considered Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy and National
It is also a fantastic opportunity for our Year the healthy option theme and the target Theatre Director, Rufus Norris. It toured
10 students encouraging leadership skills by market for their cake. around the UK as a play and was then turned
working closely with Year 7 students to into a one-off programme which was shown
support their reading as part of our ‘Able, on BBC2 on Saturday 18th November.
Gifted and Talented’ enrichment
programme. I was cast through the Stagecoach Agency
and was chosen to play a 13-year-old boy
‘Reading Buddies’ takes place in the school from Wales called Curtis. The filming process
library for twenty minutes each Monday, was over four days, we filmed the show in
where Year Ten students act as mentors and Selly Oak, Birmingham. My Country was a
role models for the Year Seven student they programme about different people’s views
are responsible for, while nurturing a love of and opinions about Brexit, based on their
reading for pleasure at the same time. experiences of where they live and work in
the UK.
E-Safety Christmas video –
Digital leaders

After a one-year absence the traditional
Christmas E-Safety video is back! The digital
leaders have worked very hard to create the
video. They have edited the lyrics of a
popular Christmas tune, persuade staff to
pose for photographs, sing a verse or do a bit
of dancing to deliver an E-Safety message in
an engaging way for students.

This year the message is linked to the Royal Will with Director Rufus Norris
Foundation’s Cyberbullying Taskforce
campaign of STOP, SPEAK, SUPPORT which My character Curtis didn’t have a specific
hopes to tackle Cyberbullying in a positive right or wrong view about Brexit but he felt
people should stop arguing about the topic.
An actor called Christian Patterson, who
played the human form of Wales, spoke my
lines in a voice standing behind me while I
reacted. Rufus Norris directed me
throughout the filming of the programme
and it was a really exciting experience. I
learnt throughout the process of filming that
each scene has to be perfect resulting in
loads of takes for some scenes.

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | 7
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WORK EXPERIENCE UPDATE
Primary Focus…
Well done to all of our year 11 students
Keen to support students even Mission X who took part in Work Experience earlier
before they get to Kingswinford, our this term. We had some amazing feedback
staff have been busily supporting During the Autumn term Year Four pupils on their progress from our employer
students in local primary schools from St Mary’s Church of England Primary partners – too much to include it all but
throughout the term School visited the Science Faculty to here is a small sample of the comments
undertake Mission X - Train Like an they made!
Year Six ‘Mastery Mornings’ Astronaut.
‘She has been absolutely brilliant! I can't say
This term we have fully embraced the This is a project compiled by the UK Space that for many students we have taken in the
opportunity to work with four excellent Agency, The European Space Agency and past! I have offered her part time work in the
Primary Schools in our local area. As part of NASA. It was devised in conjunction with the summer as I was so impressed with her
our on-going dedication to transition and British astronaut; Tim Peake’s mission to the positive attitude to work.’
work with the wider community, thirty-two Internal Space Station. Pupils carried out
students from Fairhaven, Blanford Mere, exciting experiments and learned about four Elizabeth Pardoe at Connolley & Co
Maidensbridge and The Glynne have been particular areas associated with space travel
attending English and Mathematics ‘Mastery and keeping astronauts healthy, ably ‘We don’t want to send him back to school; we
Morning’ sessions delivered by Mr Cannings assisted by Mrs Perks, Mr Gildroy and Mr are really pleased with him and pleased with
and Mrs Deakin. The weekly sessions are Bills. how hard he is working.’
immersing the students in a challenging
curriculum, enriching their education and Jack Perry at Hartshome Motors
helping them to prepare for their end of year
Statutory Assessment Tests (SATs). ‘Elisha and Eleanor have been the best
school students we have had for years.’
The Autumn Primary Literacy
Book Quiz Elisha Bennett and Eleanor Mecrow at
Playbox Nursery
The Kingswinford School was privileged to
host the heats and semi-finals of the Primary ‘Reece was keen to learn, enthusiastic and
Book Quiz for the Kingswinford Area. Pupils very polite, with a good sense of humour. It
in Years Three, Four, Five and Six from local was a pleasure to support him.’
primary schools came to compete for a place
in the grand final, which was held at the Reece Nang at Russells Hall Hospital
Dudley Children’s Library Services, Sedgley
in November. It was great to witness the ‘Ikrah was a lovely girl; a pleasure to have
book quizzes and see the huge effort that on the team. She showed enthusiasm and
had been made by the primary pupils to read worked hard.’
the books and remember so many fine
details about the storylines. Huge Ikrah Shafiq at Priory Pharmacy
congratulations to all who took part.
‘Andrew showed the ability to work well
with any given task. We would be happy to
offer him the opportunity of an
apprenticeship’

Andrew Edmunds at West Mercia Fork Lift
Trucks

‘Asha has completed every task with
enthusiasm and to a high standard. She was
a pleasure to have for work experience.’

Asha Patel at Happy Giraffe

‘Libby showed great confidence and an
excellent work ethic. She has excellent
research and digital skills and can work on
her own using her own initiative.’

Libby Hart at Dudley Job Centre Plus

THE K’FORD TIMES THE KINGSWINFORD SCHOOL NEWSLETTER | 8
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Last Words… Club Lingo Next Term…

Improving Maths Skills Try out different languages Start of term arrangements.
and learn songs and games in a
How to help your son/ foreign tongue! As we mentioned in our end of term
daughter do better in Maths letter, the term will start at 10.40am on
The MFL department would like to invite all the 2nd of January. Students will have
We strongly recommend you encourage your year 7,8 and 9 students to come along to registration in their forms at 10.40am
son/daughter to complete the weekly ‘Club Lingo’. We want to give you the followed by the normal programme
homework set by their teacher. In addition to opportunity to try different languages every from 11.00am.
this they could come along and work with a Wednesday Lunchtime at 1pm in ML1. 8th January – Mock Results Day
member of staff or a Maths Ambassador at
our weekly Maths clinic. Star Linguists 10th January – Year 11 Parents’ Evening
24th January – Year 7 Parents’ Evening
MyMaths Congratulations to all of our star linguists:
26th January – History Trip: Dudley Castle
This excellent subscription website for  Anisa Sharp – Year 7 31st January – Overseas Trips Meeting
students can have a huge impact on student  Megan Gregory – Year 7
numeracy. We strongly recommend  Gabi Shokolarova – Year 8 8th February – UK Residential Trips Meeting
MyMaths for pupils to work on a topic they  Haoran Zeng – Year 8
are struggling with or simply to play the  Ruby Hill – Year 9 14th – 16th February – School of Rock
games and improve their Maths!  Harvey Daniels – Year 9 28th February – Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Password and log in details available from Merry Christmas & 7th March – Year 9 Options Evening
your child’s Maths Teacher. 29th March – Last Day of Term
a Happy New Year!
Corbettmaths.com Other Notices:
It just leaves me then to wish
This is a fantastic free Maths website with all a very Merry Christmas and There will be a ‘Battlefields Trip’ to
video tutorials, worksheets and answers. All a Happy New year. Thank you Belgium during the next term – details and
Year 11 students should use this website but all, Students, Parents and final dates to be confirmed. Letters will be
equally any year group would benefit from it. Staff, for welcoming me into sent home early next term.
your community and making
Year 11 Competition this term an absolute joy. I do We are planning a Ski Trip for 2019 (Feb
hope you will enjoy this Half Term) and students can collect a letter
Students in Year 11 will receive a Maths break, rest and refresh and I from school to gauge interest.
competition to complete over the Christmas shall welcome you back on the
break. The best entry from each class will 2nd of January
receive a prize. This, too, will be a fantastic
way to keep your brain working whilst Best wishes to you all
improving your Maths in a Fun way
Tom Macdonald


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