Court Fields School

Achieve | Belong | Participate

May 2015

www.courtfields.net

PARENT NEWSLETTER May is an incredibly busy month for students and teachers who are coming to an end of their

exam preparation time as GCSE external exams start. I know that we all wish our current Year

11 students luck and feel confident that they will be able to sit each exam well prepared with

the skills they need to be successful. Parents’ you will be going through this with your child so

we wish you luck also! I know you will be battling with your teenagers to get plenty of sleep, a

healthy diet and a balance between revision and relaxation time!

Year 10 students are also preparing well and revising hard for their first GCSE in Core Science

in June. We have asked teachers not to set Year 10’s Homework in any other subject in the run

up to these exams so that they can dedicate their learning at home to Science and being

successful. So Mums and Dads do believe them when they say they have no homework – just

Science and indeed Maths which is always on the menu!

Over a number of weekends staff, parents and students have been enjoying a range of outdoor

pursuits: Exmoor challenge, Ten Tors and the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award expedition. We

have built an all through outdoor pursuits enrichment curriculum Years 7-11 as we believe all

students should participate in activities like these to learn and develop team skills, resilience

and build confidence and self- esteem. Our website details the opportunities we provide

throughout the year. We were delighted to send two teams to complete Ten Tors which they did

in impressive times and over the moon one of our Exmoor Challenge teams came 2nd and 3rd in

their groups: an excellent result. Enjoy the pictures below.

Exmoor Challenge:

TEN TORS CHALLENGE

Last weekend the two Court Fields teams took part in the 35 mile Ten Tors Challenge on

Dartmoor. The Ten Tors is a huge event which attracts teams from schools and youth

organizations from across the south west and this was the first time in fifteen years that Court

Fields had entered a team. Both of our teams did very well and completed the two day challenge

in good times and most importantly, with all six of the team members getting to the finishing

line together. This was particularly impressive as some team members were suffering from

terrible blisters that had to be treated by the Army medics.

Team B were the first team home arriving back at Okehampton army base at 13.01 followed by

Team A at 14:30. Mr Dickson and Mr Greenfield would also like to thank all the parents and

friends that came to cheer our teams over the finishing line.

MILLENNIUM CATERING (SW) LTD – OFFERS

‘MAKING SCHOOL MEALS COUNT’

Themed Food Events, special Offers & Summertime specials

Students should look out for the posters around the school/adverts on the School TV or ask

Staff in the Dining Hall

1-19 June – Summer Giveaway

29 June – 17 July – American Classics

COURT FIELDS BAKE OFF

On Thursday 12th March Court Fields held

their very own Bake Off completion in aid of

Comic Relief.

Students put their baking skills to the test

and produced batches of 12 identical

cupcakes with a Comic Relief theme. 25

students from all Years took part, the variety

of creative ideas and accurate bakes made

judging very difficult. The true test of their

skills came when all the cakes were sold in a

grand cake sale where over £90 was raised in

aid of Comic Relief. Well done to all those

who took part, and thank you also to those

who support this great cause by buying the delicious cakes. Thank you to Miss Coggins and Mrs

Frayling for organising this event which hopes to become an annual event fixture on the school

calendar.

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MODEL UNITED NATIONS 2015

Court Fields students attended the annual Queen’s College Model United Nations conference

again this year, representing Iceland, Nigeria and Zimbabwe. The standard was particularly high

but the young and relatively inexperienced students worked hard as a team, researching their

country’s positions and contributing robustly to the debates. Ruby Fenn of Year 11 and Lottie

Radford of Year 10 were singled out for special commendation but all the students participated

with great enthusiasm and were a credit to the school.

Mr Jenkins

TOM TROWBRIDGE – FINISHED 3RD IN SOMERSET

SCHOOLS COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP

The Somerset Schools Golf Championship 2015 was held at

Worlebury Golf Club in Weston Super Mare on Thursday 26th

March. Representing Court Fields School in a 60 strong field

was Year 11 student, Tom Trowbridge playing off his impressive

handicap of 1. The current Under 16 South West captain was

faced with increasingly blustery conditions after his 9:56am

tee off time. The competition looked strong with a number of

low handicap golfers from Millfield School & Kings College. Tom

started with a bogey on the tough, long Par 4 first hole but

quickly regained his composure with a birdie on the intriguing

drop hole second, a par 3 with a very small target. Tom calmly rolled in his 20 foot putt for his

2 and remained at level par until the par 4 eighth hole where Tom collected his second bogey.

However, with great bounce back ability Tom birdied the par 5 ninth & reached the turn in a

strong position at level par.

The back 9 proved to be very difficult for the entire field with 45mph gusts blowing across the

exposed coastal course. Tom remained solid with his swing and a further 6 pars followed

including an excellent pair of 4's on the long 17th & 18th holes. Unfortunately there were

bogey's at 11, 14 & 16 to complete a round of 73 that left him in third position overall, an

outstanding achievement and a performance that Tom & his school can be very proud of.

Tom has now qualified for the Regional Championships with the school’s golf organiser Mr Selway

stating "This is a marvellous achievement from Tom and his golf is maturing immensely. His

temperament is far beyond his years and as a school we could not be more delighted to have

Tom representing."

Mr Selway

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IMPORTANT NOTICES

KEEPING STUDENT RECORDS UP TO DATE – If you make any changes, from

addresses, any telephone numbers, email addresses or people who can be contacted if

your child is unwell please remember to let the School Office know so are records are up

to date

EMAIL ADDRESSES - Thank you to those parents who have provided email addresses -

we have been successfully emailing a weekly Parent Bulletin every Friday which is also

placed on our website giving key dates for events the following week.

Students Rocked Court Fields School with their fabulous performances of

'WE WILL ROCK YOU'. Students from all Year groups performed to full houses on two nights

to great acclaim from staff, students and parents alike. It truly was a kind of magic with

particularly memorable performances from Ross Boniface, Ashleigh Payne, Jenna Leiser, Dilly

Croxall, Kaitlin Sellick, Bethany Collins and Rhian Mitchell.

Mrs Harvey

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TOPAZ HOUSE HAVE WON THE INTER

HOUSE CHALLENGE CUP FOR 2014-2015.

This is the first time Topaz has won and it is all

due to the hard work and a willingness of

students to participate in both academic and sporting

competitions. Throughout the year I have seen brilliant individual

performances as well as great team work and best of all students

who have volunteered for events which they were apprehensive about entering but it meant the

difference between Topaz fielding a team or not. Well done to everyone in Topaz House!

Mr Smith

GIRLS INTO CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING

On Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th March, ten Year 8 girls took part in a two day workshop

at SCAT. The workshop was to encourage girls into the profession of Construction and

Engineering. Court Fields were joined by two other schools and were split into group A or B.

Over the two days we learnt; some carpentry construction techniques, when we made a wooden

sconce (sconces are wooden frames that are used to hold candles they are often mounted on

walls in rooms of worship); about electric components and how to solder then we made an

electric circuit board to make a light bulb flash on and off.

We also went to EDF to learn about energy. There was a competition to see which team could

generate the most power, using Meccano, cogs, a motor and an elastic band we had to make a

wind turbine. The winning group was the one that generated the most electricity from their

wind turbine. It was great fun to test and make alterations to try and improve the output.

We also had a go at site surveying; used a theodolite and measuring staff to measure the height

of the roof. We later whet onto the roof and saw the environmental engineering that is usually

invisible to the public, this was really interesting and was I surprised to learn about the

different material that can be used in builds.

Chloe Walters.

Year 8 girls pictured from left to right: Kaylee Grundy, Kelly Poole, Chloe Walters, Laura

Horswell, Anita Seaborne, Sianne Chambers, Molly Pepper, Emily Johnson, Olivia Jones, India

Webster.

GEOGRAPHY FIELD TRIP TO SICILY - EASTER 2015

Students from Court Fields School have just returned from another highly successful Geography

Field trip to Sicily. Forty-two students in Years 10 and 11 spent 5 days exploring the spectacular

human and physical landscapes that this Mediterranean island has to offer. Highlights included two

hikes up Mount Etna (Europe’s highest active volcano), visits to the tourist honeypots of Giardini-

Naxos and Taormina and a hydrofoil crossing to the volcanic island of Vulcano with a dip in the

geothermally-heated mudbaths! Party leader Mark Latchford commented: “This is our 4th visit to

Sicily since 2009. As a result of this trip, the student’s understanding of tectonic activity has

clearly improved enormously and will greatly assist them in this section of their exam paper”.

Mr Latchford

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS

33 Duke of Edinburgh Award students were out and about on the Quantocks at the end of April

on their practice expedition. Everyone was at school bright and early for the minibus trip to

this local Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. After a few adjustments to backpacks (some

students were just too kind to others in their groups and wanted to carry everything) they set

off in five teams on different routes, arriving by about 4pm at the campsite in Holford.

Everyone did brilliantly considering the difficulty of navigating on the Quantocks, which is

littered with paths, and also coped well with the rainy evening. Tents were assembled quickly

and cooking took place in the downpour. Thankfully we all woke up the next day to a dry morning.

Then it was time for a quick breakfast and pack-up (well, it took almost 3 hours for some people

- luckily we started getting up about 6am) and we were off again. The real expedition, which is

assessed, will be in June on Exmoor, hopefully in beautiful weather.

Mr Alfano

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FOR INFORMATION

HALF TERM – Overnight Woodland Adventure Tue 26 and Wed 27 May – organised by 1610 –

£55.00 - contact West Somerset Sports and Leisure Centre on 01643 708815. www1610.org.uk

MADAGASCAR WEEK

Thank you to all students, parents and staff who supported our Madagascar Week last week.

Everyone has managed to raise over £1,600 and the money is still coming in!

During the week each House took it in turns to fundraise. We had cake sales, sponge the

teacher, face painting plus lots of different competitions throughout the week.

On Wednesday we held a Madagascar’s Got Talent Show with Micaela Sellick and Isaac Jones

winning the competition singing ‘Grenade’. The show raised the amazing amount of £400! We

finished the week with over 30 students and several staff taking part in the sponsored walk to

the monument and back, carrying bricks and planks of wood. This is how children often have to

walk to school each day using the bricks and wood as a seat or desk when they arrive.

We are very confident with everyone helping and hard work we will be able to raise the £10,000

needed to build a school in Madagascar. This will make a massive difference to the people of

Madagascar and add to the three water projects we have already put in.

Mrs Robertson

SUMMER FETE – REQUEST – for Tombola Stall Do you have any new small bric-a-brac

type items or food/drink items needed for SA3 - Miss Murphy for the fete. No alcohol

allowed unfortunately!

SPORTING UPDATES

The Year 7 and Year 9 football teams were unlucky to lose in their County Cup football final.

They have played some excellent football and we hope they can go one better next year. All

rounders teams have been training hard and doing well. Year 10`s have shown particular

commitment and we are now fielding two regular teams in this age group. Sadly, many results

haven`t gone our way but we have high hopes in the up and coming Central Venue Leagues.

Softball fixtures are well under way but unfortunately we have had a few other schools cancel

fixtures as well as the weather playing its part. There are still more fixtures to play so watch

this space for more information on those.

We have been given the go ahead to use the cricket nets at Wellington CC. This facility is

available to all Court Fields students. Mr Selway will be running the free sessions every

Wednesday from 3:30 - 4:30.

Well done to Sapphire House who emerged as winners in the inter-house handball. Mr Selway

was MOST impressed.

Don't forget we have clubs running for all students in Tennis, Cricket, Rounders, Softball,

Athletics and lower school girls football. Please get yourself involved in at least one of

these. See your tutor or a member of the PE Dept for me details.

After half term the inter-house events will be softball and rounders. We will also be having the

annual inter-house swimming gala as well as the main event - Sports Day!! - Thursday 2nd July.

If you have any thoughts or comments on how you think we can improve the sporting provision at

Court Fields then please feel free to contact the school. Your ideas are always most welcome.

Mr Nicholls

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IMPORTANT NOTICES

DROPPING OFF/COLLECTING CHILDREN - I would like once again to remind parents

that it is not safe to drop your child off at the top of the school driveway in the morning.

Staff are trying to park their cars and walk to the school buildings. Every morning I see

parents rushing to drop their child off and I am seriously concerned that there will be an

accident one day. If you feel your child needs to be dropped off on the school site please

contact their Head of House.

COURT FIELDS CHESS

Following the recent conclusion of the Court Fields Chess competition, six students who took

part opted to attend the next round of this nationwide tournament by entering the regional

tournament which took place at Millfield School on Sunday last, 10th May. Those students were:

Naomi Fielder, Lauren Troake, India Webster, George Hookway, Alex Henwood, and Adrian

Adamiec. Always a challenging tournament because of the many seasoned chess players who

attend and who have been playing competitive chess for much, much longer than our students,

none-the-less it is a day worth making the effort to attend, if only for the experience of playing

at such a highly competitive level.

All six students played a total of 6 matches each, with each of them winning at least one of

their matches. At the conclusion of the tournament, both Naomi and Lauren were delighted to

find themselves awarded the impressive trophies for being the top girls in their age group. A

fine return for a long day.

Mr Woodward - Chess Club

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DAWLISH TOWN 2015 – GCSE GEOGRAPHY

CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT DATA

COLLECTION FIELD TRIP.

Our four GCSE Geography classes were split into two

visit days (Tuesday 28th April and Tuesday 12th May),

to travel down to the south coast. As you can see from

the photo we enjoyed good weather on both occasions

and were able to collect plenty of primary data to

support what we hope will be successful projects.

Dawlish Town appears to be on the up in many ways, we

were pleasantly surprised by the beautiful landscaped

gardens along the river as well as the abundance of wildlife wandering freely. The locals and

tourists we spoke to were friendly and helpful, offering honest and open opinions about the town

and when answering our questionnaires.

Mr Williams

YEAR 11

As mentioned in previous newsletters, the availability of apprenticeships continues to grow.

They represent a serious and very viable alternative to a full time college course. Students

should go to the apprenticeship website – www.apprenticeships.org.uk and click on “find an

apprenticeship”, comparing the sorts of opportunities available with the full time college course

that they have applied for. If college is indeed their preferred option, then fine, but at least

they would have reached that decision having weighed up the alternatives. Just some of the

apprenticeships currently being advertised on the National Apprenticeship website include:-

Apprentice chef in Taunton ; Kitchen Apprentice at Oake Manor Golf Club ; Accounts

Administration in Wellington : Floristry in Taunton ; Equine with a riding stables in Taunton;

Apprentice shift manager with Pizza Hut Taunton; Health Care with Taunton Health Care Trust;

Care assistant in Wellington ; 3 Hairdressing vacancies with various salons in Wellington ; Child

Care apprentice opportunities with various child care employers in Taunton; Highways Operative

based in Wellington ; Medical Secretary with Nuffield in Taunton ; Agricultural Engineer in

Wellington ; Heavy Vehicle apprentice with DAF in Taunton; Office Assistant with St Giles

Kennels in Taunton ; Retail apprentice in Taunton ; Trainee accountancy technician in Taunton.

Go to the website and explore all the vacancies currently available. It is worth visiting the

website on a regular basis. Speak to Mr Cowling if you need any further help or advice.

YEAR 10

WORK EXPERIENCE

The vast majority of students have now secured a work experience placement, but there are

still some students that have not yet sorted anything out. I would urge parents / carers of

those students, to drive home the advantages and benefits of work experience and support

them in securing something as soon as possible. Otherwise, they are going to miss out.

LOOKING AHEAD BEYOND YR 11

Soon Year 10’s will be reaching the end of their time as a Year 10 student, and be starting their

final year at school. This time next year they will be about to start their GCSE exams, and

moving on to the next stage of their life.

Now is a good time to start thinking about that next stage beyond Court Fields School and the

options that are available.

If they have not yet done so, then a good starting point is to visit the schools careers website.

Look at the information contained in “ Life beyond Court Fields” and start some research by

looking at the careers websites which can also be found on the schools careers website – go to

schools careers website, then curriculum, then click on careers. It would also be very useful to

go to the websites of the local colleges in our area and begin the process of exploring the sorts

of courses (and entrance requirements) that are available.

Any Year 10 students wanting some careers advice or guidance should ask to see Mr Cowling for

an interview.

Mr Cowling

Careers/Work Experience

EVENTS COMING UP

25-29 May HALF TERM

EXAMS CONTINUE until 17 June

13 & 14 June DofE Assessment (Exmoor)

16 June Parent Forum - 6pm

17 & 18 June Performances of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

26 June INSET DAY – students do not attend

29 June INSET DAY – students do not attend

29 June-1 July Year 9 Summer School

30 June Year 6 Welcome Day

1 July Year 6 Welcome Day

1 July Year 6 Parents Evening – 6.00pm

2 July Sports Day

3 July Summer Fete - 2.00pm

8 July Celebration Evening – 6pm

9 July Reserve Sports Day

10 July Year 11 Prom

13-17 July Ardeche Trip

13-17 July Year 10 Work Experience

15-17 July Paris Trip

15-17 July Year 7 Residential Trip

15-17 July Activities Day

20 July INSET DAY – students do not attend

21 July SUMMER HOLIDAYS BEGIN

20 August EXAMINATION RESULTS DAY