November Newsletter 2012

Toby made an excellent film for his Extended Project Qualification and entered his film for the local TEDx Event in Bath. Films were shown in each of the three categories of this conference aimed at 6th formers – Make, Build and Grow – but Toby’s was judged to be the best film overall.

The judging was done by Elizabeth Karlsen who is a major producer of many films including The Crying Game, Made in Dagenham and Great Expectations which is just about to be released.

Here is what Elizabeth said about Toby’s film:

“Don’t Wake Me Up: technically this was the most accomplished piece of filmmaking. The film has a narrative drive, a strong visual flare, is well edited with good use of locations and music. It felt cinematic and drew the viewer into the story of unrequited love and all the heartache and torment that brings. Toby shows real promise as a filmmaker.”

On the 6 November 2012 thirteen of our top mathematicians from years 12 and 13 pitted their wits against the country’s finest to compete in the UKMT Senior Maths Challenge. The challenge involves answering 25 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes. The results yielded an impressive 1 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze awards.

Normally the story would end here! However, George Parsons from year 13 scored a massive 93 marks and is now going to go forward to compete, on behalf of the school, in the British Mathematical Olympiad round 1. This is a feat that none of us can recall happening before, and has not been achieved in at least the last 17 years!

Congratulations to all the participants, and I am sure all our readers will join with the Maths Department in wishing George the very best in this very challenging competition.

Maths Senior Team Challenge
Four very bright sixth form mathematicians took part in the Maths Senior Team Challenge held at Hardenhuish School on Tuesday 20 November. Twenty schools all fielded their maths stars so the competition was stiff. Congratulations to George Parsons, Tristan Dell, Joe Ross and Robin Winchcombe who thought and better thought, puzzling away for nearly three hours – they didn’t come in the top three schools but it’s the taking part that counts and they said they really enjoyed it.

The Music Department held their first Instrumental Practice Platform of the year on Wednesday 14 November. We listened to a variety of performances from students in Years 7 and 8 and they should be congratulated on their confidence to perform in front of others.

Well done to Abigail Harvey Y7 (Voice), Natasha Haig-Williams Y7 (Voice), James Davies Y7 (Piano), Esme Pocock Y7 (Piano), Charlotte Beard Y8 (Flute), Libby Forsyth Y8 (Piano), Melissa Story Y8 (Voice), Owen Trehanne Y8 (Piano).

The next Nearly New Shop for school uniform will be on Monday 3 December from 3-4pm in S Block Hall. If parents need any more information or wish to purchase uniform before this date please contact LWheeler@corsham.wilts.sch.uk.

Our Christmas Carol Concert is to be held on Thursday 20 December 2012 in St Bartholomews Church from 7.30pm. All are welcome, please bring family and friends. Tickets are available from the Art Office at breaktimes. Complimentary refreshments will be available with donations going to a local charity.

Congratulations to Keileigh Birkett in Year 11 who took part in the Cake International competition at the NEC on Friday 9 November. Her entry in the 12-18 age group was titled “Vintage Teaparty”. The cake was designed and made by Keileigh and featured an intricate teapot, cups and saucers and gift-wrapped parcels. Out of 50 entires Keileigh came fourth and was awarded a certificate of merit. Well done Keileigh – an impressive achievement.

The Corsham School’s long standing relationship with The Oxenwood Outdoor Education Centre near Marlborough continues this term with a new style programme of activities designed for our Year 8 students. All Year 8 tutor groups will be going for a special three day experience with their tutors, other staff and 6th formers.

During these visits, the students will be engaged in various challenging activities in and around the centre all designed to help develop their awareness of teamship, citizenship and audienceship. Being away from home will also help further develop those vital skills of independence that are so necessary for success. In future years this will all be designed to follow on from our hugely successful year 7 Challenge days which were held for the first time in September.

At this wintry time of year, we can expect further challenges from the weather, although this will simply add to the worth of the experience and we certainly don’t expect any cries of I’m A Year 8 – Get me Out of Here!’ Apart from anything else, there won’t be any need to eat creepy crawlies as the food is excellent.

The first groups have been enjoying the Oxenwood Challenge over the last two weeks. We have moved this popular Year 7 trip into these winter months as a newly formed Year 8 experience to really test our students a little beyond their comfort zone. It is also a tremendous chance for students to begin to properly understand the true meaning of Teamship, Audienceship and Citizenship.

Orienteering their way up the the Iron Age Hillfort at Fosbury, canoeing along a windswept Kennet and Avon Canal and splashing through the forest puddles on mountain bikes – it has all been great fun (and very muddy!). Tutors and other volunteer staff have been with them every step of the way and for that we are very grateful

We wish them all luck and give a big thank-you to all accompanying staff

Further reports and photographs will be published on our blog and in the Year 8 area on ELE.

As reported at the end of the Summer Term, the Corsham cluster of Primary Schools have been committed to the Central Venue Level 2 Sports Competitions during Term September-November.

All 8 schools have been involved in Hockey and Football fixtures played at Corsham School on Thursdays. The games have been officiated at by a very loyal group of Young Sports Leaders and Officials from Years 10 & 11.

The football competition was won by Corsham Primary, Pound Pill site and the hockey by Colerne Primary.

All matches were played with fantastic spirit and etiquette throughout. Mr Martin Williams attended the Presentation Ceremony to award medals to players from the winning schools.

This term we welcome Heywood Preparatory school into our cluster as the competition turns to High 5 Netball and Tag Rugby.

This term has seen the start of the Young Leaders Award in the PE department. PE teachers have selected a group of Year 9 students for their engagement in PE and Dance as well as their leadership and commitment to the subject. These students now embark on a nationally recognised award and will assist in the running of feeder primary school tournaments whilst developing their leadership skills during a Thursday lunchtime club.

Congratulations to the following students.

Tom Plowright, Damon Hayes, Ollie Mcnerlin Harry Davies-Ball, Rhys Lock,

Jack Burcombe, Zac Wynn, Charles Williams, Jon Basley, Toby Crawley, Ed Bray,

Jacob Bacon, Elliot Wilson, Charlotte Nind, Holly Moxham, Leah Thomson, Jess Maggs, Emma Pinfield, Darcy Thomas, Tianna James, Katherine Ogborne, ELena Bateman,

Harriet Downes

50 students from The Corsham School from all years travelled to the scenic setting of Grittleton House School for the annual North Wilts Cross Country Championships. The distances varied from 2.6 km for the Year 7 girls to 7.2 Km for the senior boys. The application and commitment of students was terrific with 9 qualifying automatically to represent North Wilts in the County trials. Congratulations.

Year 9 boys football team beat St. John’s Marlborough in the first round of the FA Cup 2-1. Goals from Damon Hayes and George Fortt.

There is a £50 refund from last year’s French Exchange for everyone who did not receive financial assistance from school. Please email Ms Hawkins shawkins@corsham.wilts.sch.uk with the name of the person the cheque should be made out to.

The French party have had to change their dates here in Corsham from 16-23 May to 14-21 May. Please contact Ms Hawkins (see above) if this creates any problems for you. There are still places left for this year, cost £270. Please contact Ms Hawkins immediately if you are interested.

On 8 November, members of the English Team took 48 Year 11 and 12 students to Cardiff to see The Importance of Being Earnest.

A recent software upgrade has allowed us to create new login screens for non-flash devices such as iPads. Previously when you visited our website the screen was blank. These have now been replaced with static images where the original ‘flash’ image displayed.

Many thanks to everyone who has signed up to the School’s Facebook page. We have passed the milestone of 500 ‘likes’ and are well on the way to 600 within the first six months. The School’s Blog statistics have gone from strength to strength, with our two highest ever months being September (2300 views) and October (2405 views), bringing the total so far this year to 17269 views.

December 5          7.00pm Focus Evening

December 6         5.00pm Y8 Parents’ Evening

December 11        5.00pm Y7 Tutor Evening

December 13        5.00pm Y7 Tutor Evening

December 17-19  7.00pm Staff/6th form production

December 20       7.30pm Carol Concert in St Bartholomew’s Church

December 21        Term 2 ends