A Specialist Technology and Languages College

The Ashbeian

Page Contents

2 Mary Smith Can Help YOU

3 Musical is Utter Madness

4 Girls Behaving Badly (in a good cause)

5 Alex’s Fund Will Help Students

6 Faculty Focus - Maths & English

7 Faculty Focus - Humanities

8 Ski Trip is All-white

Issue 21 - Spring term 2012

Girls Speak Up for AshbyTop talkers Annabelle Lock, Nancy Heath and Emily Essex and are congratulated on their latest success. See page 4 for full story.

Rock band Brother were the winners of Ashby’s Got Talent 2012.

The trio, made up of brothers Aiden Blythe on bass, Owen Blythe on drums and lead singer Ali Clinton, took first place for their rendition of Hendrix classic ‘Purple Haze’.

The boys helped their House Crewe to finish in a respectable second place. Loudoun came top with Hastings third.

In all, 16 acts performed to the judges in front of a packed lecture theatre.

Organiser David Kelly said: “Brother were worthy winners but many of the acts showed enormous promise and created a real buzz with the judges and the audience.”

All proceeds from the event will go to the Vanessa Riddle Appeal, to help schoolgirl Vanessa battle a rare form of childhood cancer. Visit http://vanessasjourney.com/

Ashby’s Got Talent – Here’s the Proof

Brother in action

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The Ashbeian

Headteacher Eddie Green shares his views…

We are rapidly approaching the main examination season and I hope your sons and daughters are preparing well, thinking about revision and are receiving all the help and support they need to be successful. Early indications are that we will again perform very well in the summer examinations.

Thank you to all the parents who contributed to the academy consultation and made some very informative and helpful comments. The Governing Body voted unanimously to apply for academy status and has submitted an application to the Department for Education. We expect to hear the outcome soon.

Traffic congestion at the start and end of the school day is a concern at both the

Success on a Plate

Two promising young chefs cooked their way into in the county finals of the Rotary Young Chef of the Year competition.

Megan Newton and Jessica Nicholson both made it through to the finals after producing mouthwatering menus in the school heats in December.

The pair, who are in Year 10, turned out exceptional dishes at January’s county finals but were up against fierce competition from schools across Leicestershire.

Leicester Road and Nottingham Road sites. Many parents are dropping off their sons and daughters in potentially dangerous areas. I would be extremely grateful if parents could ask their sons and daughters to walk a short distance from school to an area where they can collect them more safely.

The school is again over-subscribed and unable to offer places to all out-of-catchment students. Sixth Form numbers are also high with nearly 400 applications. The school’s continued success and excellent reputation means that it remains a very popular choice with local families. The existing admissions criteria will not change as/when we convert to an academy.

Ashby School is such an exciting and vibrant community with so much going on. This issue gives a flavour of how much we have to offer. I am very grateful to all the students and parents whose support throughout the year enables us to provide such a rich and varied experience for our students. I hope you enjoy reading about our school.

Have an enjoyable Easter and we look forward to seeing you all for the final term that starts on Monday 16 April.

Eddie Green Headteacher

Head-lines

Follow Us…

Ashby School is now on Twitter.

Twitter users can now follow school developments @AshbySchool.

All important notices, information and news items will still be posted on the school website.

Apply Now for Mary Smith AwardSporting costs, text books and even medical training in Africa were all paid for with the help of money from the Mary Smith Scholarship Fund in 2011.

Present and former students of Ashby School and Ivanhoe College under the age of 25 are being invited to apply for a slice of this year’s fund to help further their own studies or ambitions.

In 2011, former student Katie Hogg was awarded £250 towards the cost of medical training in Zanzibar.

Katie, who is a medical student at Brighton, said: “The Mary Smith Fund helped me to finance this fantastic experience during which I had amazing opportunities such as delivering babies, assisting in surgery and helping to deal with a local disaster when a ferry sank off the shores of the island.”

Application forms can be downloaded from the school website at www.ashbyschool.org.uk

The closing date for applications is Friday 23 March 2012. All applicants must be available to attend a meeting with the fund’s trustees on Friday 20 April.

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Two, Four, Six, Eight, Ashby Girls Take Second PlaceA team of cheerleaders from Ashby School has clinched second place in a regional competition.

The 12 girls performed at the Cheer and Dance Championships at New College, Leicester, coming second in the Level 2 Youth and Junior Cheer section.

The team, which has been together for just over a year, is also the official squad for the Nottingham Hoods basketball team.

Rebecca Quinn, who helps to coach the team, said: “To do so well in the competition is fantastic; the girls have really achieved a lot this year.”

This was the girls’ first competition; they are now hoping to compete in the Summer Cheer and Dance Championships in May.

The girls were: Laura Chatfield, Lauren Comery-Lang, Laura Drake, Shannon Harrison, Nanette Hewitt, Kathreen Mabilog, Bethany Mugleston, Charlie Robinson, Vikki Toon, Lily Walker, Holly Weston and Neilson Wilshire.

‘Our House’ Raises the Roof

Madness musical ‘Our House’ received rapturous reviews following a hugely successful three night run.

Performers from all Years took on singing, acting and technical roles for the show, which was based around the songs of nutty boys Madness. Music for the show was played by a school band of staff and Sixth Formers. The story followed main character Joe Casey as he made a series of life-changing decisions.

Alan Davies, a Governor at the school, said: “I was very impressed by the professionalism of the production. The lighting, sound, stage props and band were all excellent and it was clear that a tremendous amount of hard work had gone in to producing and directing the show. It made me want to go to the theatre again.”

On the OcheDarts player James Thompson has been hitting the target in tournaments for the last 13 years – but is still the youngest player on the Burton darts circuit. Since he began playing at the age of three, James has defeated several professional players, including world number seven Andy Hamilton.

In January, he reached the final 72 of the Professional Darts Corporation Qualifying School – a considerable achievement against the best adult players in the world.

James hopes to play professionally in future. He practises for several hours every day.

The girls practise one of their routines

Cast members from ‘Our House’

Tarran in Race for TitleMotorcyclist Tarran Mackenzie is following in the footsteps of dad Niall and brother Taylor by making his mark on racing circuits across Europe.

Tarran, 16, is one of just two UK riders to be selected to take part in the Red Bull Moto GP Rookies Cup, racing in seven different European countries. The Cup is a valuable stepping stone to world championship level racing. Tarran said: “I am very proud of myself to achieve this! It will mean a lot of hard work to fit my racing in with my school work and also my exams. But I am looking forward to it.”

Tarran has already impressed at club level securing wins in the Aprilia Superteen Rookies Cup. In 2011, he competed in the British 125cc Championship, securing a fourth position at the Knockhill circuit in Scotland.

Tarran has high hopes for the 2012 season

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The Ashbeian

CAT that Got the CreamDancer Lydia Gibson is pursuing her love of movement after gaining a place at a national dance centre. Lydia decided to audition at CAT (Centre for Advanced Training) after attending a contemporary dance workshop through school. She began her placement in September.

At CAT, students are trained in classical ballet, pilates and contemporary technique, working with renowned choreographers and dancers in creative sessions.

Lydia said: “I would love to pursue a career in dance, after my placement at CAT. I like the fact that, in contemporary dance, you can be really creative with the choreography; I love the feeling of unity in a perfected group dance, but my favourite thing about dance is the thrill of performing.”

Lydia trains with CAT for six hours every Saturday and attends technique classes on Wednesdays.

Positive Thinking, Big ResultsA team of psychologists has been encouraging students to think positive in the run-up to their exams.

‘Positive psychologists’ gave a motivational talk at the school in February, to inspire students to achieve their maximum potential in the forthcoming exams.

Teacher Phil Newman said: “These trainers usually run sessions for adults working in industry. The visit give our students a real boost in the run-up to their exams. Positive thinking could mean the difference between an A and a B.”

The trainers – from an organisation called ‘Art of Brilliance’ - worked with groups of students who were identified as having the potential to achieve higher grades.

The visit was just one a raft of initiatives already underway in school to give extra help and encouragement to borderline students like these.

Girls Behaving Badly

Cyber bullying was one of the issues tackled in a drama workshop devised by Sixth Formers – and performed to an audience of Year 11 girls.

The ‘Girls Behaving Badly’ workshop began as an A level Drama project but went on to become an interactive session for younger students.

Year Tutor Rikki Womersley said: “We, as staff, were so impressed by the performance; we thought it would be an ideal vehicle to raise issues such as Facebook and cyber bullying with some of our younger girls.”

The performance included several strategic pauses to give the audience a chance to respond to, and comment on, what they had seen. There was also a discussion at the end about the issues raised.

Worthy Win for Speakers

A team of girls from Ashby School has won the district semi-finals of the Rotary Youth Speaks competition.

Nancy Heath, Emily Essex and Annabelle Lock, from Year 11, took first place in the semi-finals at Leicester Grammar School in January, earning them a place in the district finals at Huntingdon.

The trio chose ‘Communication in the Modern World’ as the theme for their presentation.

Teacher Elle Mead said: “I am incredibly proud of the team. The girls have worked very hard and have put a lot of time and effort into their presentation which was perfectly executed and described as ‘slick’ by the judges. They thoroughly deserved to win.”

The girls made it through to the semi-finals after taking first place in the local heats at Ashby School in November.

Uniform, UNICEF, UgandaA non-uniform day in aid of UNICEF raised more than £1,000 for the children of Uganda. Staff and students each paid at least £1 to leave their school clothes at home for one day in February. The event was organised by the Ashby School branch of the United Nations Association Youth.

All proceeds will go to UNICEF’s Education through Sport programme in Uganda, where sport and play are used to improve children’s health and happiness.

Sixth Form girls addressed some serious issues through drama

The winning team with their certificates

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serious medical condition with dignity and stoicism; achievement in the face of personal calamity or disadvantage; a substantial contribution to school life, not just academic endeavour.

Passage to IndiaStudent Rosie James has been given the chance to spend a year volunteering in India – but must first raise £4,800 to fund the experience.

If she meets her target, Rosie will travel to India in January 2013 to teach English to primary school children.

Following a rigorous, week-long selection process, Rosie was chosen to take part in the gap year project, run by Project Trust.

Rosie, who wants to be a teacher or a humanitarian lawyer, said: “At first, I felt quite daunted by the amount I have to raise but, the more I think about the difference my teaching could make to these children’s lives, the more determined I am to get there. I still need a lot of support so, if there is anyone out there who would like to help in any way, I would be unbelievably grateful.”

To contact Rosie, or to make a donation to her fund, email rosie@brilliantnetwork.com

Juliette and Izzy are carrying on a family tradition on the hockey field

Foodies at KP

Alex’s Fund to Help OthersA special fund set up in memory of former student Alex Grose will help other young people to realise their university dreams.

Alex Grose, an able student and keen theatre technician, died unexpectedly in September 2010 at the age of 16.

The Alex Grose Bursary has been set up by his family to help former Ashby School students to meet some of their university expenses.

Applicants must show that they can meet one or more of the following criteria: selflessness; coping with a

Bosses at KP Foods were so impressed by Food Technology students that they invited them to address their board of directors at the company’s head office in London.

The students have been working closely with KP Foods as part of their A level Food Technology course.

The group was asked to plan the redesign and launch of the company’s ‘Choc Dips’

snack and to present their pitch to KP’s board of directors.

Their outstanding performance earned them an invitation to present their work at United Biscuits’ head office in London in February.

Sarah Middleton, Food Technology teacher, said: “It is wonderful that the students’ hard work and professionalism has been rewarded.”

Hockey Sisters Pitch inSisters Juliette and Izzy Parry are sticking it to the opposition on the hockey pitch.

Both girls play for Ashby Ladies first team and for Ashby Mixed teams, as well as representing Ashby in the Midlands east feeder league.

Izzy also made her mark at County level, winning the Midlands tournament with Leicestershire U16s last year. Both girls were in the Ashby team that won promotion to the Midlands feeder league last season.

In 2011, Juliette was selected to train alongside some of the Midland’s best young players at the Junior Regional Performance Centre. She was voted Club Player of the Season last season.

Juliette said: “We both got into hockey at a very young age; I have been at the side of a hockey pitch almost every winter Saturday since I was a week old! Both of our parents play and on some weekends all four of us are playing mixed for the same team.”

The bursary is open to students in their first year at university. Applications must be submitted by 15 December 2012. Year 13 leavers from 2011 will be eligible for this year only.

More information on the bursary and how to apply will be available on the school website later this term.

A separate award, called the Alex Grose Award, will be presented each year at the annual awards evening to a student who has made a significant but unrecognised contribution to school life.

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The Ashbeian

The Maths Faculty is piloting additional numeracy support lessons (in addition to those already provided by the SEN department) for students who have particular numeracy issues. Students are taught on their own or in very small groups once a fortnight and work on areas that are causing them problems.

The following students achieved the Maths Leaders award: Alex Morrell, Anthony Moore, Carys Bebbington, Juliette Parry, Maddy Weir, Rebecca Sanderson, Robyn Wight, Sigourney Ducksbury, Tom Bullimore, Emily Jenkins, Victoria Bostock, Rebecca Squires, Francesca Rogers, Jamie Howard, Charlotte Agar, Fiona Milligan and Karol Chudy. These students ran revision sessions and assisted teachers in their lessons. They also prepared and delivered a fantastic afternoon of activities for a Year 6 class at Hilltop Primary School. This included a Maths problem-themed penalty shoot out, a relay event and exercises to estimate weights and volumes.

Students working towards the award this year have been involved in revision session for students on the C2S scheme.

EnglishThe world of social media is helping students with their English studies, by encouraging them to decode and analyse what they read.

This is the view of Head of English, Inaayat Hashim, who has found that students are becoming more inquisitive about language, as a result of their experiences online.

He said: “From a technical, language point of view, students are so much more media savvy. One of the implications of social networking, for instance, is that students are aware that language can be used to manipulate readers and that they cannot take what they read at face value.”

A return to traditional linear courses – where students take their exams at the end of a two-year GCSE course – will benefit students in English. According to Mr Hashim, students are better able to relate to the human issues in literary texts towards the end of the GCSE course.

He said: “We are talking about human issues like jealousy, love and betrayal. As students mature, they become more able to grapple with these ideas.”

Students currently in Year 10 and 11 are taking modular courses. These will become linear courses for students starting at the school in September.

Exam results were excellent in English in 2011, with 77 per cent of students gaining a grade C or above. This puts Ashby School in the top 25 per cent of schools for value added performance (ie the level of progress students make while at the school.)

At A level, the school is introducing an English Language course, alongside the existing English Literature and English Language and Literature options. It is hoped that the course will appeal to students who may have been put off by the literary element of Lang/ Lit.

Borderline students at all levels are being helped to boost their grades as part of the school’s Commit 2 Success (C2S) initiative. This provides extra guidance and encouragement for students who are threatening to fall short of their potential. In English, this is spearheaded by teacher Alison Cave.

A range of activities is organised for the most able English students by gifted and talented coordinator Elle Mead (see Rotary Speak story on page 4). This includes the Literati group, where guest speakers encourage fresh approaches to different aspects of literature.

Several English trips have also helped to foster a love of the written word. Year 11 students travelled to Stoke-on-Trent to see ‘An Inspector Calls’, while Year 13 went to Stratford for a performance of ‘Macbeth’. There was also a Year 12 trip to Loughborough to catch ‘The History Boys’.

Faculty Focus

MathsA 12-hour Maths Day run by Further Maths students in memory of classmate Alex Grose raised more than £400. The 12 hour marathon from 8am to 8pm was filled with mathematical activities.

This year, the Maths department has developed links with the schools liaison officer at RAF Cranwell. This has enabled the Faculty to run two very successful trips to RAF bases, with a particular focus on the mathematical and engineering elements of the Air Force.

Further excursions including residential visits are planned for 2012, allowing students to gain a basic understanding of life in the forces, a recognition of the importance of GCSE Maths, and an appreciation of Maths in areas such as flight simulation, aerodynamics and engineering. They have also learned the importance of team working and leadership skills, and discovered more about the RAF as a potential career pathway.

It is hoped that these excursions will encourage students to reassess their career aspirations and place greater emphasis on their Maths studies.

A group of Year 12 students visited Cambridge where they were given a tour of Clare College and attended ‘Maths Inspiration’ lectures, including ‘How Maths Built the Olympic Stadium’,’The Knotty Maths of Medicine’ and ‘The Subtle Science of Uncertainty’ . They were also given a talk by current students on university life. The students got a real taste of how far Maths can go (and were thrilled to find that one of the lecturers appeared on ‘Total Wipeout’!).

Maths rugby was one of the activities run by students on Maths Day

Miss Ball and her Year 10 class look on as Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan

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From the Governors…FinanceA rolling programme of school improvements is helping to cut energy bills and reduce external maintenance.

This includes the lowering of ceilings, more double glazing, energy efficient lighting and roof insulation.

Improvements like this are also helping

to enhance the learning environment for staff and students.

Refurbishments have also been carried out to the sports hall changing rooms, the Cellar Express kitchen and the Year Room. A purpose-built external shelter has been installed for Construction students.

IT investment includes £70,000 for a complete upgrade of the school computer network. There are also new

computer facilities for Advisory staff to support SEN students, as well as new laptops with trolleys in the Science, Humanities and Maths Faculties.

In January 2012, a team of auditors carried out a routine three-day audit and concluded that ‘the school’s financial management is well above the standard that we measure against… and the standard of records and of record keeping in many areas was found to be exemplary.’

History students visited the battlefields of Ypres and the Somme

From September, all Year 10 students will follow a combined Citizenship and RS course with elements of PSHE. At the end of Year 10, they will be able to decide

to continue with either Citizenship or RS, leading to a full GCSE.

Year 10 students will also be able to opt for GCSE Psychology from September 2012. The new course will give students extra choice at GCSE and help them to decide if they wish to take the subject at A level.

In 2011, 27 students moved on to Humanities-based higher education courses, in subjects such as Politics, Psychology, Philosophy, History and Geography.

Politics students visited London

HumanitiesHumanities students hope to set up twinning links with a school in New York, when they visit America at Easter.

Forty-two History and Politics students will travel to the USA for an eight-day whistle-stop tour of Washington, Philadelphia and New York. The trip will include visits to the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, Arlington Cemetery, Liberty Square and Ground Zero, as well as to a school in New York.

RS students headed for Rome during October half term. Their visit encompassed landmarks such as the Vatican, the Coliseum, the Trevi fountain and the Spanish steps. Following the trip’s success, there are already plans for a visit to Athens in 2013, with an emphasis on philosophy and ethics.

For Year 10 History students, there was a moving visit to the battlefields of Ypres and the Somme, which included a chance to attend the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.

In April, Politics students will be in London to visit the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court, as well as taking in a revision conference.

Meanwhile, Year 10 Geography students discovered Stratford as part of their controlled assessment field work, and Sixth Formers visited Yorkshire for a closer look at coastal erosion.

In the classroom, the introduction of the English Baccalaureate has led to a significant increase in the number of Year 10 students opting for History and Geography.

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The Ashbeian

Talking HeadsSue Bailey is a Parent Governor at Ashby School.

Mini Sagas, Massive AchievementScores of successful English students have had their mini sagas published in a new national anthology.

Students from all Years were asked to write a short story on a subject of their choice in no more then 50 words. Sixty had their sagas chosen for inclusion in the ‘Mini Sagas’ anthology.

• 13 - 17 March A level Geography trip to Scarborough

• 22 March Year 12 parents’ evening (ABCE)

• 27 March Year 12 parents’ evening (FGHL)

• 30 March Term ends

• 4 - 11 April History/ Geography USA trip

• 16 April Summer term begins

Diary dates• 19 April

Year 10 parents’ evening (ABCE)

• 26 April Year 10 parents’ evening (FGHL)

• 2 May Higher Education evening

• 10 May Awards evening

• 11 May Year 11 ball

• 12 May Big Band night

What do Parent Governors do?

Collectively, governors provide a strategic view of where the school is heading and hold the school to account for the educational standards. As a parent governor, I bring a parental perspective to this process

What are your links to the school?

I have a son is in Year 10; my daughter joins the school in the next academic year.

What is your professional background?

I am a registered General Nurse and have worked in the NHS for 27 years. My last role was as a Divisional Director for Emergency Care; I was responsible for approximately 750 staff and a budget of £34 million.

I was part of the senior team running the hospital and was heavily involved in delivering performance targets, improving services for patients and ensuring financial balance. I gave up work in August 2011 and am now adjusting to a very different way of life. My work with the NHS has given me a significant insight into the workings of large organisations. I feel that this has put me in a good position to be able to contribute to the work of the Governing body.

Governors voted unanimously for Academy status. Why will it be better for the school?

The school will be able to utilise the financial resources available to provide the best services for our children, ensuring that they are well equipped.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t put off things until tomorrow and plan your time well.

What do you do to relax?

I read a lot, I enjoy walking the dog, I love listening to music and cooking.

How would you describe yourself in three words?

Determined, loyal and conscientious.

Tell us something about yourself that people at Ashby School may not know.

I didn’t go to university on leaving school because I began my nurse training. However, I have since completed my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Birmingham University and also obtained a Diploma in Management Studies at Derby University.

If your house was on fire, what material possession would you save?

My iphone and my camera.

Who do you most admire and why?

Barack Obama because he demonstrates what can be achieved personally if you are determined and because he is striving to reduce health inequalities in his country.

Bob Geldof because he led the way in raising money for those in need using his talents and networks to raise awareness and bring about change.

Peak Time for SkiersExcited students and tired teachers left Ashby at 4am to begin their skiing adventure in the USA at February half term.

Students skied for five days (and nights!) at Granite Peak in Wisconsin, making fantastic progress on the slopes. Other activities included bowling, ice skating, curling and tubing. They also attended a college ice hockey match.

Summer 2011 Exam CertificatesExam certificates for students who left school in 2011 can now be collected from B block reception daily in term time. Students who wish another person to collect their GCSE or AS/ A2 certificates must supply a signed letter authorising them to do so.

Queries should be directed to Doris Bailey on 01530 413748 or d.bailey@ashbyschool.org.uk

The visit ended with a shopping trip to Chicago. Teacher Vikki Rundle-Brown said: “The resort was perfect – not too big but yet challenging for all abilities. We crammed in lots of other activities. And no trip to America would be complete without a shopping trip – the students bought so much I’m surprised they were allowed back on the plane!”

A ski trip to Andorra is planned for 2013.