March_2019_Uckfield_College_Life

 

UCKFIELD COLLEGE LIFE

March 2019

Uckfield College gains accreditation of Transforming Practice
in Quality Assurance!

We are very proud that Uckfield College's
application for accreditation of Transforming
Practice in Quality Assurance has been
successful. This means that Uckfield College
has met the highest standards of the
Framework for Exceptional Education and
that our work in this area is amongst the most
effective practice nationally.

Year 8 Spelling Bee Locality Final
Winners: Uckfield College!

On Thursday March 21st, four of our wonderful Year 8
students took part in the locality final of the Year 8
Spelling Bee. Hamish Paisley, Joseph Williams, Lydia
Munn and Zoe Mileman took on the competition from
Uplands and Heathfield colleges and, it has to be said,
beat them hands down! All 4 students made it to the
second round by getting full marks from their pre-learned
list, which included devilishly hard words such as
loquacious and tintinnabulation.
After a nail biting head to head between our very own
Lydia Munn and Hamish Paisley, Hamish was victorious
and will go on to represent our college at the Grand Final
in the summer where we are hopeful of overall victory!

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Author Jenny McLachlan visits College

In celebration of World Book Day on Thursday 7th March our Year 7s were captivated by an inspiring
and very funny talk by author Jenny McLachlan during lesson 2 today. This was followed by Jenny
signing her books and answering questions during break in the Reading Room.
Two creative writing workshops for some of our Year 7 and Year 8 students followed this as well as
further opportunity to meet her during lunchtime.

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World Book Day 2019

On Thursday 7th March, we celebrated World Book Day at
Uckfield College. On the day itself, we ran a book fair
during break and lunchtime. The students in our Book Club
worked hard preparing for this by collecting donations from
all form groups in years 7-9 and then running the stall on
the day itself, helped by Mrs Izzard and Mrs Roberts. All of
the money raised will be going towards new books for the
Reading Room.

During the week, all year groups had specialist assemblies on the
powerful impact of reading and literature to promote literacy and
wider reading. On Friday, all of
year 7 had an author talk from
Jenny McLachlan and some
year 7 and 8 students were
nominated by their English
teacher to take part in author
workshops during lessons 3
and 4.

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The theme this year was ‘dystopias’, inspired by year 8 students reading of Mortal Engines in
class and also the upcoming film adaptation of Patrick Ness’ Chaos Walking series, which
has been incredibly popular with students.
If you would like reading lists or ideas to support your child’s wider reading, please see the
links shared below:
https://www.waterstones.com/category/childrens-teenage/teen-and-young-adult
https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/teen-fiction
https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2014/mar/02/review-chaos-walking-trilogy-
patrick-ness

Mr Beezy talk to Year 10 and 11 students

Year 10 and 11 students were highly motivated on Wednesday 13th March in preparation for their
GCSEs. #whatsyourwhy #nogrindnoglory

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British Science Week

On Thursday 14th March we took 4 of our girls to Buxted
Primary as part of British Science week. We took Renewable
Energy equipment with us to show them how electricity can be
generated without using fossil fuels and therefore without
creating pollution.

Our 4 girls were fabulous and a credit to the school; the Buxted
students engaged with them and loved every minute.

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A level students profoundly affect the
audience with their devised drama pieces

A Level drama students performed deeply thought-provoking and
challenging original devised pieces to an invited audience on Friday
22nd March. The work, set in a dystopian future and inspired by
practitioner Antonin Artaud, explored what could happen if a 9pm
curfew was imposed upon all men. The students examined male and
female responses to the topic which were shared on Twitter in
September 2018 and then created immersive work involving their
audiences in the pieces and performing in the same space as the
audience. The audience was very moved by the experience, which
involved uncomfortable sound effects and periods of darkness, and
enjoyed discussing their reactions with the cast afterwards. Well done
to the students and the drama department for creating such engaging
and exciting work!

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LEADERSHIP: THINKING, ACTING, COMMUNICATING

Students at Uckfield College have been learning valuable skills by playing an important role in the
leadership of the school, which involves the opportunity to become a student leader, including Head
Boy/Girl. This allows students to become more involved in school life at Sixth Form, especially in their
last years at Uckfield College.

The Importance of Student Leadership:
There are many reasons as to why being a student leader is so important, both to the individual and
the college. First and foremost is that it builds the foundations for a student’s life, giving them key skills
that can be transferred into the working world later on. It gives students a purpose and a responsibility
to carry out their tasks, as well as working together as a team and on their own initiative.
Student Leadership at Uckfield College:
To be involved in the Student Leadership Team at Uckfield College, all applicants must undergo an
interview. This instantly gives students vital practice for inevitable future job interviews, as well as

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developing skills in communication and being able to think under pressure and adapt to stressful
environments.

Opportunities:
As a student leader, there are ample opportunities to engage with the rest of the school, particularly
the younger years, as well as the Sixth Form Team. We regularly meet to discuss fundraising ideas,
charity choices and celebration opportunities to congratulate success. It gives students a chance to be
involved in something that positively impacts the school, as well as allowing them to voice their ideas.

Thoughts from the Student Leadership Team:

“I am very proud to be the Head Boy of Uckfield College, and I have enjoyed the challenges and
opportunities the role has given me this year. While the role has involved a fair amount of public
speaking to students, college staff, and the public, the most fulfilling part for me has been working with
the College Council and Sixth Form Representatives to bring positive changes to the school.” - Max
Clarke, Head Boy

“As Head Girl, I’ve been able to be a positive representation of Uckfield College, and I hope, be a role
model for all students in our school. I believe that being a student leader has not only helped my
personal growth but has been vital for improving the welfare of students and teachers. Max and I’s role
involves working alongside Mr Hennebry and the Deputy Heads to help organise the Sixth Form
Leaders and our lower school student leaders, to improve all areas of the school from the food and
uniform to the charity events and what students do in their lessons.” - Lizzie Moisan, Head Girl

“From being part of the academic team, I have been given the opportunity to help other students with
their learning by providing them extra support if needed. This has allowed me to further develop my
communication and teaching skills which are invaluable skills in university and in later life.’”- Mahi
Haque, Academic Student Support

“Being a student leader has been great, I started my yoga club to de-stress in the build up to exams
and have been able to spend my last few years of school making a difference on things I think matter.
I’ve developed confidence through public speaking and definitely have skills that have been great for
my university application!” - India Rayner-Philips, Deputy Head of Sport

Written by Megan Lyne (Academic Student Support) and Joanna Sippetts (Deputy Head of
Enrichment and Charity)

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Spiritus create Giant Parrot as Carnival season starts for 2019

A creative day was had when Year 11 students Abigail Banham, Sasha Carter and Joshua Christian,
with Miss Rawnsley, attended a one day workshop run by Same Sky in Brighton. In order to start our
large sculpture to be used in two upcoming parades, we collaborated with artist Paul Render (who
helped create last year's Dali-esque clock used in the Big Day Out parade). A very large parrot began
to take shape from willow and bamboo - he currently stands at 4.2 meters high! Our parrot comes
from the tale of how the Brazilian beetle won her luminous coat, a Folktale which teaches modesty
and the benefit of hard work. We intend to parade him as part of the Children’s Parade in Brighton, on
May 4th, alongside other schools and community groups. His second outing will be at Uckfield's very
own ‘Big Day Out’ on Saturday 6th July. Spiritus will be hard at work completing our costumes and the
parrot's plumage this coming term. Put the dates in your diary and come see the amazing creations
from across Sussex and the local community this coming May and July.

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Climate Change Protests!

A small group of students, who had impressed Mr Hennebry with their passion and knowledge
regarding the Climate Change issues in their applications, were allowed to go on a school trip to the
Climate Change protest in Brighton last Friday.
Head Girl, Lizzie Moisan, also organised a demonstration at the college against climate change and
pollution, for those who were unable to go on the trip to Brighton.

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Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

We were delighted to hear from ex student, Tom Taylor (pictured below with this father), who wrote
regarding his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award:

“Just thought I’d let you know that I attended St James’ Palace last Wednesday to receive my Gold
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

It was a really rewarding day and bought back lots of memories of my D of E experience, not least the
expeditions - we even got to chat to Prince Edward about the award too.

Thank you so much for everything you did to support me through my award. It was a hugely
rewarding, valuable and enjoyable experience, I actually spoke about my Gold expedition in the
interview for the job I have now!

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The Globe Theatre Trip 2019

On Tuesday 5th March, the English Department took a group of year 9 students to see a
performance of Romeo and Juliet at The Globe Theatre. All of our students behaved
impeccably throughout the journey and performance, and embraced the authentic
Elizabethan ‘groundlings’ experience of standing for the 90 minute performance!
The performance is specially staged and directed for school groups, and the actors delivered
a high-energy, powerful and engaging performance and even got into the crowd to perform
some scenes - Mercutio in particular was played with a brilliant mix of comic timing and tragic
betrayal in the end.
This trip was designed to prepare students for their Literature GCSE, which will involve
students studying Macbeth. They will begin this topic later on in year 9 and we hope that this
trip will help them to imagine how this play may have been performed 400 years ago.

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Year 8 and Year 9 Netball

Well done to the Year 8 and Year 9 Netball teams who took part in the NW tournament at Heathfield.

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Under 14 Hockey

A very pleasant trip to East Grinstead Hockey Club yesterday evening saw our Under 14s take on
Sackville.
Having rarely played 11aside on a full pitch, the girls adapted to the space and water based pitch really
well.
First half saw Sackville take a 4 goal lead. We settled a bit for the second half, only conceding the 1 goal.
Well played girls!

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Spanish and French visitors at Uckfield College.

We had the pleasure of welcoming Spanish and French students at Uckfield College. Students were
paired up so they had the opportunity to practise speaking in a foreign language and getting to know
each other.

Students were delighted to have made new friends and we are hoping to see them again next year!

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Millie Dadswell, Year 9, wins Silver medal!

Congratulations to Millie Dadswell in 9L who bounced home with a Silver Medal in the Years 7-9
Intermediate Class at the National Schools' Trampolining Final at the weekend! Congratulations also to
Poppy Bissett in 8L who came 7th and did brilliantly to get through to the National Finals!

Please keep in touch!

We always love to hear news of our students’ achievements out of College, so please do e-mail to
keep us updated with the fantastic range of activities they are involved in. Please e-mail details to
Toni Fletcher,​ ​[email protected]​.​ We look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.

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