Bottisham Village College Netwsletter Spring 2011

BVCnews Spring Term 2011

The magazine of Bo sham Village College

Issue 4

Reasons to be cheerful are 1, 2, 3 Sculpture Trail English block Locality Team base It was a cause for triple celebration when Bottisham VC marked the opening of three important new developments on the College site.

And it also brought to an official close a £2.3 million building project which has seen major improvements and a final farewell to mobile classrooms.

The College community was joined by around 80 guests for the special day which saw students given the honour of cutting the ribbons and declaring the

new English block, Locality Team base and Sculpture Trail officially open.

Invited guests included representatives from Locality Team, sculptors, people involved in fundraising, working parties, MP James Paice, Trust partners, governors, former principal Peter Hains and former deputy principal Jed Roberts.

Starting the day’s proceedings was a welcome by head boy Will Brown and head girl Lydia Tabbron.

Continues on Page 2

From pages to pounds Page turning by Year 7 bookworms proved profitable for charity and for BVC when they took part in Readathon, the country’s largest reading event. They raised more than £400 for two children’s causes and earned the library a book token.

See Page 12 for more library news.

BURWELL

MOT CENTRE

Ness Road, Burwell, Cambridgeshire CB25 0AA Telephone

01638 744581

FREE local collection & delivery

DON’T GO MILES, GO MANCHETTS

SNW14

2

BOTTISHAM VILLAGE COLLEGE www.bottishamvc.org

Lode Road Bottisham Cambridgeshire CB25 9DL Tel: 01223 811250 Fax: 01223 813123 enquiries@bottishamvc.org

Term dates 2011/12

Note: Two further training days are yet to be confirmed.

Summer Term 2011 April 26 – Staff training day April 27 – Term begins April 29 – Royal Wedding Bank Holiday May 2 – May Day Bank Holiday May 30-June 3 – Whitsun half term July 22 – Term ends Autumn Term 2011 September 6 – Term begins October 24-28 – Autumn half term December 16 – Term ends Spring Term 2012 January 4 – Term begins February 13-17 – February half term March 30 – Term ends Summer Term 2012 April 16 – Term begins May 7 – May Day Bank Holiday June 4-8 – June half term July 23 – Term ends

We would welcome your feedback on our newsletter, as well as any other suggestions about ways in which we can further improve our work with you; we would welcome your comments via email at feedback@bottishamvc.org or by writing to Mrs Evans directly.

Burwell (Bottisham - L) - V3

Welcome to the spring edition of our newsletter. It reflects the energy and commitment of our school community, its partners and the achievements and talents of our young people.

We have enjoyed another busy and successful term. Fundraising features highly, with particular mention of our contacts with the Good Life Orphanage in Kenya and our twin school in Sri Lanka. Students have also made huge contributions to those traditional national fundraising drives, Red Nose Day and Children in Need. Thank you all for your consideration and work on behalf of others.

We were delighted to welcome friends of the College to formally mark and celebrate the opening of our newest facilities and its landscaping. The English and Learning Support faculties and a further multi-use space are by now well-established and much enjoyed by the whole school. The Children’s Centre is the newest addition to our impressive new accommodation; it is a base for our Locality Team, a hub which places

A message from the principal our College at the heart of our local community. We are privileged and delighted to welcome this dimension into college life.

As we approach the Easter holidays, our Year 11 students will soon begin study leave and prepare for the challenge of their final examinations. This will be their opportunity to consolidate the hard work they have done so far. I know you will join me in offering them our support and our best wishes.

Mrs Evans

A day for celebration Continued from Page 1 There was a presentation about the work of the Locality Team, its newly refurbished building and the positive impact it was having on students.

The former modern languages block now provides a base for both Bottisham Children’s Centre and the Locality Team which works with young people who need extra support.

Guests had an opportunity to follow the new College Sculpture Trail, believed to be the only one in the country at a state school. (For more details about the Trail see Pages 8 and 9).

This new building, a curved wing on one side of the Principal’s Lawn, first ‘opened for business’ last summer. It also houses the Learning Support Faculty and the College’s Social Inclusion Unit.

There were exhibitions about the new developments plus a display of winning entries in a recent Citizenship competition, open to KS3, to design a classroom of the future.

Refreshments were provided by Hospitality Diploma students.

“We wanted to mark these developments in a special way as we have marked important developments in the past because it’s a big thing for the College. such an1improvement 9/3/10 11:34 pmIt’s Page

The new Locality Team base is housed in the former modern languages block to our facilities and environment and we needed to have the space and opportunity to reflect on this,” said assistant principal Mr Gee. “I cannot think of another school, certainly not in Cambridge, that has such a nice site and we need to celebrate that fact.

“It was also a chance to thank everyone involved in this fantastic new development,” he said.

Other recent improvements on site have included an extension to the dining hall and the creation of an extra maths classroom.

BURWELL DENTAL SURGERY Miss Mabel M. Saw B.Ch.D. (Leeds) � Quality dentistry at affordable costs � Early morning appointments � Emergency appointments on the day (for registered patients)

� Mrs C. Louise Watts B.D.S. (Newcastle) � BDA Good Practice � Hygienist � Car parking and disabled access � Free check ups for children under 16 when parents are registered

25 Ness Road, Burwell, CB25 0AA � www.burwelldental.co.uk

01638 741350

Applied Learning specialism

3

Hospitality students are put to the test This term, the Hospitality Diploma students have been working on Unit 2 – customer service skills for the hospitality industry.

For their final assessment we had planned for the students to serve lunch to 25 invited guests attending the school for the Specialist Schools Association Trust meeting on Thursday, February 10. The students had been preparing for this for some time working on the menus, preparing dishes in advance and organising the team work needed to operate such an event.

However, with all the careful planning we had not expected

that the conference would be cancelled at the last minute.

The students needed to be assessed and the food had been prepared – so we were on the hunt for guests!

Thankfully, members of the local community, the Locality Team and the governors were able to come to the rescue and the students were able to show off their newly learnt customer service skills.

Mrs Matthewson

Guests stepped in at the last minute to help Hospitality Diploma students when their original ‘customers’ dropped out

Careers day is a real partnership Students were given advice on interview skills during the Year 11 careers day

Trust partners and other organisations gave 30-minute presentations about their industries

BVC’s Trust partners got involved in PSHE Day for the first time and their contribution ensured Year 10’s careers day was as relevant as possible.

Marshalls, Cambridge Building Society, John Lewis, Red2Green and the Faculty of Education University of Cambridge plus the Army were all involved in two-hour sessions about interview skills, careers in their industry and conducted mock interviews.

In addition, they all took part in a carousel along with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (another

Trust partner), First Steps Nursery and the Babraham Institute, giving 30-minute presentations about careers in their industries.

“The day was excellent and the feedback from the Trust partners and students alike was that they found the day very useful and enjoyable,” said Mr Hall, Head of Learning (Year 10).

“A number of the Trust partners gave feedback about the students’ interview skills and even highlighted which students stood out for them, which was great feedback for the students to hear,” he said.

Year 11 horticulturists visited the propagation unit at Shropshires, Littleport, to see celery and lettuce crops. The unit processes some 100 million lettuce plugs each year.

Renewable Energy Systems

Keeping you happy & warm

You no longer need oil or gas to provide heating or hot water!

Save 30% on your fuel bills with ultimate reliability

• Solar photovoltaic to produce electricity and earn you money, • Air source heat pumps to reliably replace your fossil fuel boiler, • Solar thermal systems to heat your hot water for free.

www.angliaecoheat.co.uk • 01223 881007 • 07590 699978

4

A nose for fundraising A student versus staff basketball match, cake stalls and a talent show were among the ideas suggested for Comic Relief fundraising at BVC. Students decided on a series of activities leading up to March 18 as Red Nose Day coincided with PSHE.

Grand total A day of spotty fun at BVC put a real smile on Pudsey Bear’s face. The activities, organised

by Year 11 students Alice Hubbard and Lydia Tabbron, raised £1,504.09 for the BBC’s annual Children In Need appeal.

So romantic Selling red roses for Valentine’s Day raised about £100 for the Year 11 leavers’ ball.

The theme of this year’s event, due to be held on July 1, is Alice in Wonderland.

For most, the feeding station at Kikambala provides the only regular meal of the week

Money sent with love makes such a big difference

Every Sunday in a small village in a coastal Kenya-based causes. region of Kenya, up to 1,500 children line Non-uniform plus a series of cake stalls on up patiently for a hot meal. a Love Kenya Day (on February 14, Valentine’s Day!) collected a total of Some walk barefoot for five miles in the £1,215.73 which will be divided between blazing African heat to join the orderly the feeding station, the Shariani Medical queue, others have a baby brother or sister Centre and the Good Life Orphanage. The strapped to their backs. day was organised by the college’s Student But for the vast majority, the feeding Leadership Team. station at Kikambala provides their only BVC’s link with Africa has come through regular meal of the week and it is well Year 9 student Toby Brooker whose worth the wait. No child is ever turned away. grandparents retired to Kenya ten years And afterwards they return home with ago. Since then, Toby and his family have A NON-uniform day for BVC’s twin treats for their families – a bag of maize, been regular visitors and become involved school in Sri Lanka, raised £752.68. in projects helping local Kenyan villagers. bananas, sometimes sweets or even pairs Previous fundraising has helped Toby’s grandparents were moved by how of flip flops.

Ranna MV set up an English many people in their adopted country still It costs around £600 a week to fund the Activity Room, provided books and died needlessly from malaria and other Feeding the Children project and a digital camera. preventable and treatable conditions and Bottisham VC raised this – and more – at a Newhhave (Bottisham - M)-V1 20/3/10 7:48 am Page the-building of a medical centre. Page 1 recent fundraising day Newmarket in1 aid of threeLearningfunded Centre M 6/12/10 10:29

Cash for twin

MATHS • ENGLISH TUITION CRAFTSMEN IN STONE & MARBLE MASONRY • CARVING & SCULPTURE CONSERVATION • RESTORATION

Cambridge: 01223 812555 Norwich: 01603 487500 www.fairhavengroup.co.uk

HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED AT SCHOOL

www.stepuplearning.co.uk

Student Leadership

5

Toby Brooker with some of the Kenyan children who will be helped by the fundraising at BVC This offers affordable diagnosis and treatment for thousands of villagers, some travelling up to 25 miles to get to the centre and the medical care it provides.

BVC’s fundraising will buy a laptop for patient records and stock control.

The third cause, the Good Life Orphanage, provides a safe home and education for about 50 children, many of them with harrowing stories of abuse, neglect and abandonment. It was set up in April 2008.

BVC will be giving £215 towards educational equipment such as books and pens.

“What a great achievement raising £1,215.73. A superb effort. Asante Sana to directly to these projects. all involved,” said Toby’s father, a governor Up to 1,500 children queue up pa ently for “The BVC leadership team are proposing to at BVC. (Asante Sana = Swahili for thank a hot meal at the feeding station at support these three projects on an annual you).

Kikambala, in Kenya basis and we will provide a quarterly “Unlike some national charities, one update progress,” said. hundred per cent of the money raised goes of15:11 School MotoronPage (Bottis 12/3/10 1:19 pm Page 1 Languag (Bottis-S)-V1 German Newdecs (Bottisham-S)-V4 2/12/10 1 -heM)-V1

NEWDECS SERVICES Established 22 yrs

INTERNAL PAINTING & DECORATING of the highest standard Plus: wallpapering, coving etc.

Advice and written estimates.

References provided.

Colin – Six Mile Bottom newdecs@tiscali.co.uk

01638 572093

BOTTISHAM

GERMAN LANGUAGE COACHING

School of Motoring Extremely high pass rate Lessons tailored to suit you

• Theory test preparation • Beginners • Refresher lessons • Motorway driving • Pass Plus • Corporate driving • Driving assessment

Native German Speaker Qualified Teacher Coaching to GCSE Level

01223 811556 BECOME A SAFE, CONFIDENT DRIVER

KARIN HULME

Established 1964

01223 812669

23/3

Student Leadership

6

The chance to earn a Royal award Next term Year 9s will have an opportunity to rise to the Royal challenge and sign up for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Bottisham VC has been running the bronze award for more than 20 years and it is still proving popular with more than 60 students currently taking part.

It is hoped as many Year 9 students as possible will become involved in the award scheme, following in the footsteps of hundreds of young people at the College and millions of young people nationally.

The DofE was set up in 1956 and attracts around 275,000 14 to 24 year olds each year, completing bronze, silver and gold.

The Award is dedicated to “the personal development of young people from all backgrounds”.

“It’s about students engaging with their strengths and improving their weaknesses; learning in school and outside. It’s about

friendship and teamwork,” said organiser Mrs Rankine.

Monday night is DofE night and participants take part in a whole range of activities to widen their experiences and skills, including map reading, first aid and preparing for a

BBC focuses on College e-safety Developments in e-safety led to BVC being approached by the local media. We were delighted that Year 7 students Caitlyn Symonds and Jonah Spindel were able to talk to them about their school Internet safety lessons and show them the fantastic Movie Marker videos which they created in ICT. In January they appeared on an edition of Look East on the BBC. Miss Hanley has been working with students in Year 7, 8 and 9 to develop Internet Safety lessons which are both interesting and teach students new information.

“I feel that many students have been told the rules of Internet Safety for so long that they are now bored with the idea of it. I think that a lot of the

information is repeated and doesn’t always cover what the students want to learn,” she said.

Questionnaires were carried out with KS3 students to find out about their ICT use and what concerns they had, if any.

The results were fascinating!

Then in December, the KS3 students evaluated their Internet Safety lesson.

The results from these two questionnaires were taken to a focus group made up of students and ICT teachers where they were analysed. The focus group then planned and wrote an Internet Safety lesson for Year 7, 8 and 9 along with all the resources that would be used.

Finally, these lessons were

For all your Domestic, Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Electrical Installation, testing and repairs ALL WORKS COMPLIANT WITH PART “P” AND NICEIC REQUIREMENTS

CALL FREE: 0800 610 2288 or Mobile: 07836 780620 Website: www.cambridge-electrical.co.uk Contact us: enquiries@cambridge-electrical.co.uk

Previously know as, D.J.Grindley Electrical Services

two-day (one night) expedition.

They have to complete challenges in four areas: volunteering, physical, skills and expedition.

The aim of the non-competitive scheme is for young people to show ‘persistence, commitment and personal development’ over a period of time rather than in a short burst of enthusiasm, setting their own challenges and goals.

The ten guiding principles are: noncompetitive, achievable by all, voluntary, personal development, personalised, balanced, progressive, achievement focused, demand commitment and enjoyable.

Year 10 DofE participant Miguel Webster said he was pleased to be part of the scheme.

“It’s a real team builder. You make friends and get to know yourself better,” he said.

Councillors get special screening Students from Bottisham VC were invited to meet the county council’s scrutiny committee to discuss antibullying.

The students presented a film and website they had made about tackling bullying in school, gave a presentation and answered questions from councillors.

Themes for their work were identified after consulting pupils at partner primary schools in Burwell, Bottisham and Fulbourn as part of the Targeted Mental Health in Schools project (TaMHS).

Future plans include the film being rolled out to all feeder primary schools to aid pupils’ transition to secondary education.

evaluated again by the students to see if they were more interesting and gave the students information which they hadn’t known.

The results from all of this are now being processed and more will be reported about this in the next magazine…watch this space!

I have developed an e-safety page on the school website and is available on the student tab.

There is information on online filters, as well as where to go for help and advice for all members of Bottisham Village College and parents.

There are posters in all the ICT rooms and outside ICT support with help and advice on a range of ICT issues.

Gecko-online (Netherhall - M) Miss Hanley

1/3/10

2:02 pm

Page 1

7

Dancers sign up for new club This year was the first time we have introduced a street dance club here at Bottisham VC. More than 45 students turned up every week to take part across the range of year groups.

The students have been performing dances from ‘You’ve got served’ and ‘Step Up’ as well as choreographing a piece to Jessie J’s ‘Do it like a dude’.

The final piece has been recorded and will be shown in assemblies very soon!

Keep your eyes peeled for the next street dance club after Easter.

Miss Mann

Theatre group in rehearsal Impact Youth Theatre is thriving with 15 students enjoying after school drama each Friday.

The group is currently working towards a performance in the summer concert based on Alice in Wonderland. There is also an opportunity for improvisations, games and dance.

Details of this and other afterschool classes for the summer term are in the extended schools brochure which will be out soon.

Cycle challenge FIVE BVC students are getting ready to cycle across the Channel to raise money for the Anthony Nolan cancer charity. Joe McGee, Sean Irving, Andrew Wightwick, Jack Gracie and Sam Ha will begin the 330-mile journey from Cambridge to Paris in August.

They aim to cover between 30 and 40 miles a day, camping overnight, and complete the journey in a week.

Roman Armstrong and Adam Wright

Tuned-in pair are licensed to transmit Amateur radio (sometimes called ‘ham radio’) has gained two, new, licensed operators. Year 8 students Roman Armstrong and Adam Wright sat and passed their Foundation Licence in radiocommunications at BVC. As a result they were issued with their UK (M6 series) radio callsigns by Ofcom – the government agency which manages the radio spectrum.

Roman (M6RMA) and Adam (M6AWR) can now set up and operate their own amateur radio stations and communicate with the tens of thousands of other, licensed amateurs worldwide.

Amateur radio licences are issued only to qualified applicants for the purpose of ‘self training and experimentation in radiocommunications’.

The subject has nothing to do with local radio, broadcasting or licence-exempt radios. It is a technical hobby with many aspects.

Radio amateurs are the only users of the radio spectrum who are allowed to design, build, test and operate their own equipment. To do this – without causing interference to other users – requires a level of expertise which has to be gained via courses of study and examinations at each stage.

The subjects Adam and Roman studied, both at home and after school for the Foundation examination, included: basics of transmitters

and receivers, radio propagation, antennas, licensing conditions, Morse code, operating protocols and safety.

Foundation licence holders are limited to a maximum radiated signal power of 10 Watts from their station antenna (less than a typical energy-saving lamp). With just a 10W radio signal you can literally ‘work the world’. Under normal propagation conditions a 10W signal will easily reach all of Western Europe, Russia and North America. Under exceptional conditions (during high solar activity for example) working and talking with other amateur stations in The Far East, Asia and Australasia is achievable.

If you want to find out more about becoming a licensed radio amateur, have a look at the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) website at www.rsgb.org and explore the articles describing amateur radio. If you want to see an amateur station in operation or a chance to ask questions to see if you might like to become a licensed amateur radio operator yourself then come along to the Radio Club in Room L1 after school every Wednesday. An interest in science and maths and a bit of determination will mean that the Foundation exam should be well within your grasp!We look forward to welcoming students (and staff of course!).

Mr Howell (M0DCV)

Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket CB8 7UU Home of the Animal Health Trust

Lanwades Park is opening its gates to the public at weekends and Bank Holidays from Saturday 2nd April - Sunday 31st October.

Come and enjoy our grounds with family, friends and your dog. Visit our new gift shop and newly renovated Stable Yard Coffee Shop in the Visitors Centre.

If you would like to volunteer with us, or want more information, please contact Sophia Waters on 01638 555620 or email sophia.waters@aht.org.uk

Find out more at www.lanwadespark.co.uk

Animal Health Trust Reg Charity No: 209642

8 Quiescence: Hideo Furuta 1995.

Commissioned by the College to mark the new main entrance and public library. It depicts a Japanese garden and the simplicity of its design is to evoke a feeling of calm for all visitors.

The Bottisham Stone: Glynn Williams 1987.

Carved from a block of Bath stone in a temporary studio at the back of the College, the work was commissioned as part of the College’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and the first of its outdoor sculptures. Glynn Williams is a professor at the Royal Academy of Art.

On the trail of the College’s sc What do Madame Tussauds and Martin Gent, College warden 1976-1991, community will have already seen or Bottisham Village College have in is chair of the David Urwin Arts Award heard about the College’s latest addition, common? which gifted World Tree to BVC. He World Tree, a work by local sculptor Matt Nothing obvious springs to mind, but the explained how the trail will work.

Sanderson, recently installed by the new English block. answer lies in a small bronze sculpture “The Trustees of the fund have also But they probably don’t know very much mounted on a mahogany shield in the encouraged the setting up of a Sculpture Trail at the College with information next about the site’s other pieces, what they college’s main entrance. to each of the seven works and a leaflet represent, when they were crafted and In Memoriam was modelled by former art with brief details about the artists. There who by. teacher Steve Swales, who went on to will also be a website with a range of That should now end with the publication become head technical sculptor at the further information,” he said. of trail leaflets for both adults and world famous waxworks creating many “While pupils will be able to enjoy the children to ensure people of all ages can ‘celebrity’ figures, including HM The sculptures every school day, parents and discover the College’s sculpted secrets.

Queen. anyone in the community will be able to They can take a walk of creative discovery This is one of the many fascinating facts that visitors to the college can discover walk round the trail outside school hours through the school and its grounds. when they follow the new Sculpture Trail whenever the College is open.”

The task of designing a leaflet for younger visitors fell to Year 10 media students Ed that was due to be opened at the end of Sculptures have been repaired and Good and George Agnew. realigned in readiness for visitors.

March.

They’ve come up with a child-friendly Mr Gent said there had always been a It is believed to be the first trail of its kind guide to the hidden artistic treasures on strong tradition of nurturing the arts at in the country, featuring high calibre the College campus, complete with BVC going back to its opening in 1937 national and international artists, to be information, pictures, questions and when Henry Morris, Chief Education based at a state school. quizzes, as part of their media course.

Officer and pioneer of village colleges, The bronze, which incidentally was “We looked at other leaflets to get ideas. presented the school with its first created in memory of George Edwards – We wanted ours to be colourful to appeal sculpture, the Harvest Panel, in the main warden of Bottisham Village College during the war years of 1941-44 and to children and to include questions about foyer. the sculptures and a word search,” said Cambridgeshire’s Chief Education Officer About £3,000 was raised to set up the trail Ed. from 1954-1964 – is one of seven and ensure the sculptures are looking And to ensure the designers are on the their best. A further £500 to £1,000 will be stimulating sculptures now ‘open to the right track, their work has been needed for the project’s future upkeep. public’. Each of these has a story that can scrutinised and given the thumbs up by a “We have to provide for the future now be told.

Year 7(Bottisham-S) student7:04 focus am group.Page Many parents Pine and members of the local Cambridge (Bottisham-S)-V1 Jan Eaton 17/3/10 3/12/10 1 17:53maintenance Page 1 of the sculptures so that

there is no possibili drain on school fun “I am wondering w this newsletter who in general and Bott would help.” Donat Martin Gent, 10 W or direct to the Col be made payable to Award.

Harvest Panel: 1937. Commissi Henry Morris to c opening. The10f different stages o Through his care created a signific and carvings for

PL FENCING

www.cpando.co.uk Large range of reproduction pine and oak furniture Individual designs undertaken

Bespoke soft furnishing, curtains, upholstery and wallpapers.

Wonderful choice of interesting and exciting fabrics to choose from.

76-78 High Street Bottisham CB5 9BA

Hall Farm, Lode Road, Bottisham Cambridge, CB25 9DN e-mail: sales@cpando.co.uk

01223 812668

Tel: (01223) 811208

www.elstoninteriors.co.uk

FENCING • GATES

New & Repairs

Free Estimates & Advice

07760 361966

9 The Alignment: Christine Fox 1989. Former art teacher Ron Nix originally saw this piece at Cambridge Open Studios. The piece has a strong connection with the seasons and the sun. It comprises a bronze “Goddess”, with contrasting Welsh slates and green granite.

World Tree: Matthew Lane Sanderson 2010.

Commissioned by the Trustees of the David Urwin Arts Award and donated to Bottisham Village College. The galvanised mild steel sphere stands at 3.3 metres and weighs about one ton. Matt Sanderson is best known locally for his insect-like time eater on the Corpus Christi Clock.

culptures

ity of this becoming a nds,” said Mr Gent. whether anyone reading o cares about the arts tisham in particular ations can be sent to Waterside, Ely, CB7 4AZ, llege. Cheques should o the David Urwin Arts

Loughnan Pendred ioned and presented by celebrate the College’s ft oak panel represents the of harvesting in the 1930s. eer Loughnan Pendred cant number of memorials churches and colleges.

In Memoriam: Steve Swales 1976. Represents education from ‘cradle to the grave’. It was modelled in clay, then cast in bronze before being mounted on a mahogany shield. Steve was an art teacher at BVC from 1974 to 1985 before taking up a job with Madame Tussauds in London.

Cell: Matthew Lane Sanderson 2003. This is a second work by Matt Sanderson on the College site.

This sculpture, a 1200mm diameter steel globe, is situated in the College’s sensory garden.

JCM Property Maintenance Ltd domestic • commercial • contract • • • • • •

Interior and exterior painting, decorating and tiling Electrical, plumbing and drainage Joinery and carpentry Kitchen and bathroom fitting, repair and replacement Brickwork, roofing, glazing and window repairs Emergency call-outs for burst pipes, broken windows, etc.

01223 812405 • 07885 586229 • www.jcmpropertymaintenance.co.uk

10

Pupils put to the test

The annual Geography Primary Worldwise Quiz took place on the morning of Tuesday, February 15.

The quiz ran from 9.15 until 10.45am and all the BVC feeder primary schools were invited. The morning consisted of seven rounds and prizes of £100, £50 and £25 were available for the top three placed schools. Year 5 and Year 6 pupils were invited to Some of the cast members of Setco Play, which they performed at the Theatre Royal take part.

The quiz rounds were: Round 1 – Which Flag? (7 questions); Round 2 – Capital Cities (7 questions; Round 3 – Geography in the News (10 questions); Round 4 – Bottisham VC was one of five everywhere on our high told the story of a world ruled Geography and Sport (10 schools taking part in a streets, “ said drama teacher by a supermarket chain called questions); Round 5 – Map celebration of student drama Setco and where democracy no Miss Dando.

Symbols (6 questions); Round at the Theatre Royal, Bury St She said the inspiration for the longer existed.

6 – Continent and Country “The group’s aim was to Edmunds. drama came from a Shapes (10 questions); Round produce a piece that is almost The theme of last month’s production of 1984 the group 7 – Mixed Bag (10 questions). light-hearted to readily engage festival was Power. A group of had seen at the Theatre Royal The quiz was a real success. the audience, but to include 20 Year 10 students performed last year.

The level of knowledge was serious dark undertones to a short drama, Setco Play, This was the second time the incredible. We were so theatre had hosted a festival make the audience aware of which they had devised and impressed by the enthusiasm of original dramatic work by the power of supermarket directed themselves. and ability of the pupils. The students. chains as they spring up The piece, set in the future, winning school received £100 for a humanities resource of their choice and there were cash prizes (£50 and £25) for the second and third schools as well.

Auditions for Year 11 students helped to BVC’s summer run and the quiz and they did concert will take a fantastic job alongside Ms Bottisham VC musicians musicians performing together. place in the first Milne. performed at a spring concert “This is the second year we have two weeks of the The winning school was staged at West Road Concert Hall, performed at West Road having, summer term.

Teversham (record high in Cambridge. in 2010, filled Ely Cathedral as the Application forms score), followed by Burwell culmination to our Sing Up The Circle Link Art Partnership are availand Cheveley in third. The project, these events reflecting event featured a combined able schools were all very close! the developing arts primary school choir of now We had a fantastic time and partnership within our approximately 300 singers as well from are looking forward to next community of schools,” as items from the College’s the music year already! said arts development orchestra and jazz band.

Mrs Hutchison officer Mr Minchin.9:23 am PageGADGIT-MAT The evening culminated with all - M)-V1 Body Image (Netherhall 1/3/10 1 department.

(88 x 50) 9/3/11 15:24 Page 1

Theatre power play

Concert hall finale for hundreds of singers

Friendly, Professional Beauty Salon We offer a full range of Beauty & Specialist Skincare Treatments Including: Waxing, Threading, 3D Lash Extensions, Nail Extensions, UV Tanning, Toning Tables (Free Trial) & more.

Body Image Every visit rewarded with our fantastic loyalty scheme!

Open late • Easy parking • For a free consultation, call:

01223 880 881 10A High Street, Fulbourn, Cambridge CB21 5DH

Humanities specialism

Class packs ‘Britain in a box’ Items representing the British way of life have winged their way to Bottisham VC’s twin school in Sri Lanka as part of a curriculum exchange project.

Year 8 citizenship students were involved in Culture in a Box, creating documents, projects and articles of interest and sending them to Ranna MV. Their teacher, Miss Gleeson, said they had come up with plenty of original ways of summing up their country.

“At Bottisham we included information about our school, sport, our hobbies, families and pets. We sent some information about Christmas and other religious celebrations.

“Students sent photos and talked about the things they

Students from 8.4 look at some of the items sent from Sri Lanka. enjoy doing such as playing sports and watching TV.” Booklets were made about the British seasons, food, money and the Royal family.

information about their main religion Buddhism and a figure of Buddha, information about their national animal the peacock and about Sri Lankan dancing,” she said.

Bottisham’s box was received well at Ranna MV. “The students were very excited to see exactly what you had sent in the box and to understand what you thought represented your culture best.

“They were very happy and interested to receive the project from their overseas friends,” said a representative from ASL (Adopt Sri Lanka) TWINS. Future link projects include an art topic on fish and an English project on Poems for Peace.

Berlin beckoning for Y11 history students

Wall is a timely reminder of the Holocaust To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January, all BVC students were asked to fill in 1,500 small squares, each representing a child murdered in the Holocaust (1.5 million).

These were then displayed for two days so students and staff could get an idea of the huge numbers involved.

It was introduced in Citizenship classes in which surviving diary entries were read in class to give a taste of the children’s lives.

Also a presentation was given in year assemblies in which Anne Frank and Hana Brady’s stories were featured (their pictures appeared on the wall as well).

Mr Mitchell

Marshalls (Bottisham - M)

Miss Gleeson included a Guide to Citizenship in the UK. “8.4 really enjoyed the project and enjoyed receiving the box from Sri Lanka including

11

4/3/10

11:57 am

Year 11 historians are due to travel to Berlin this Easter on a school trip teacher Miss Hammond describes as ‘one of the highlights’ of her year.

During the three-day trip to Germany, 40 students are scheduled to visit the Brandenberg Gate, the site of the Berlin Wall, century focused on Berlin and the 1936 Olympic Stadium, being able to learn about them at Goering’s Air Ministry, the the sites gives us a great overview Holocaust Memorial, Potsdamer of the period.

Platz, the Reichstag – the seat of “Being able to see Sachsenhausen German Parliament – and educates pupils about the Sachsenhausen Concentration Holocaust in a way I never could in Camp. a classroom.

The group will also see some of the “For many pupils, confidence is city’s museum exhibitions built as they successfully navigate featuring the Gestapo, Resistance their way round a major European movements and the Jews in city and learn to use the public Germany. transport systems; for some, it “For me, it’s a great trip on so ignites a passion for foreign travel many levels,” said Miss Hammond, which goes on well into later life,” BVC’s head of history. she said. “It’s definitely one of the Page“So 1 many Davekey Boughley (Bottisham-M)-V2 events in the 20th highlights of4/2/11 my year!”6:41 Page 1

email: dbphotographic@btinternet.com www: davidboughey.com tel: 01638 744 399 or 07767 380 506

12

Y7 readers turn pages into £s Congratulations to Year 7 who raised a fantastic £463.65 with their avid reading for Readathon.

Money raised goes to support children with serious illnesses. Not only did they raise that amount for other children, they also earned the library a book token worth £92.73 that we can spend with Scholastic Books to buy new stock.

Well done Year 7!

The Readathon is a charity running the UK’s biggest sponsored reading campaign.

It raises money for two charities – CLIC Sargent which supports children and young people with cancer and The Roald Dahl Foundation which offers practical help for children and young

Poets go live to help GCSE English exam preparations Year 7s show off the certificate they received for raising money for children’s charities through the Readathon scheme. people with rare blood and brain conditions – as well as encouraging recreational reading.

Ms Lockett librarian

A celebration of books Our Library Senior Students helped to celebrate World Book Day by dressing up as characters from books and running a quiz for others to guess who they were. They also organised a literary wordsearch. It was great fun and not quite as easy as you might imagine, so it introduced an element of real competition to the day. Many thanks to them for all for their efforts.

Both competitions proved very popular and the winner of each received a box of Maltesers.

Every student in the school should have received a £1 book token on World Book Day. In participating shops these could be exchanged for one of six special World Book Day books or could be put towards any other book as long as it cost at Looking the part. The Library Senior Students who dressed up as least £2.99. their favourite fictional characters for World Book Day. Get Caught! reading quietly in the library and you will be given a free raffle ticket. The one next time.

March 3. draw at the end of February Ms Lockett librarian The day aims to encourage was won by a Year 9 student. children to explore the World Book Day is a We will have another draw just worldwide celebration of books pleasures of books and reading before the end of term – so try by providing them with the and reading and is marked in getting stuck into a good book opportunity to have a book of more than 100 countries. In the Bottisham Thankyou 5:27 pm it Page 1 Stagecoach (Bottisham 14:09 Page 1 and see if you are the lucky23/3/10UK own. and Ireland, took place on- M)their21/3/11 Please mention this publication when contacting the Advertisers. It is through their generous and continued support that this Magazine is brought to you at no cost to Bottisham Village College.

We hope you will support these local businesses in appreciation of their commitment to the College.

Poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy was one of the performers at an event held to aid and inspire GCSE English students.

Miss Duffy, pictured, who was appointed to poetry’s top job in 2009 succeeding Andrew Motion, was joined by Gillian Clarke, John Agard, Moniza Alvi, Imtiaz Dharker and Simon Armitage, at Poetry Live, held at the Cambridge Corn Exchange.

Picture: Michael Woods

The poets’ works are featured in the GCSE anthology.

The annual conference attracts hundreds of KS4 students from across the region and this year was no exception.

Among them were more than 70 Year 11 students from Bottisham VC. The poets talked about themselves, their work and the inspiration for their poems before reading some of them aloud.

The event included tips and advice for exam success.

“The students really benefited from listening to the poets they are studying talking about their own work rather than just reading the poems on the page,” said Miss Ceranic, assistant principal and head of English.

TNT Disco & Video Show Contact Stagecoach Newmarket

01353 667442

• For all your party needs • Most musical tastes • Unbeatable value

www.stagecoach.co.uk/newmarket

Tel: 01954 210846 for info

13

Dedicated followers of fashion . . .

Fashion show

Friday, May 6 Join us for our very first Fashion Show and Catwalk. Available for purchase on the evening, a large range of current season trends from popular high street brands, many up to 50 per cent off retail prices. Sizing ranges from 8-18. Fashion accessories also on sale. Adult ticket £5 (including a glass of wine).

Under 18 £3 (including soft drink).

Tickets now on sale via friends@bottishamvc.org or 07881 588971

Summer Ball

Saturday, July 2 A night not to be missed.

The Year 11 Leavers’ Ball has been a tradition for many years.

It is a wonderful celebration of the students’ time spent at Bottisham.

The ball is held in the magnificent marquee on the Principal’s Lawn.

morning, please contact as above.

Friends AGM

Although we have in the past, and once again this year, been extremely fortunate to receive a substantial discount towards the cost of the marquee, we always rely on parental involvement and support to fund the cost by holding the Bottisham Ball, which takes place the day after the Year 11 event.

Come along to a fabulous evening and in turn ensure year after year the wonderful tradition for our Year 11 Prom continues to be so special. The evening is open to all, so book a table and bring along friends and family to dance the night away.

This is a truly good value evening with superb food and

entertainment that brings people back year after year.

Tickets sell out so don’t wait too long to book yours.

The evening begins with a Champagne reception; sit down three-course dinner, cheese and biscuits and tea and coffee. The entertainment continues, dancing the night away to the fabulous music from The Mind the Gap Band.

Why not get a table together?

Tickets cost £45 each. Please email friends@bottishamvc.org or contact Claudine Bateman on 01223 811250 Ext 275 or 07747 484058 If you are unable to make the evening but would like to help with setting up on the Saturday and/or clearing up on Sunday

Monday, July 11 at 7.30pm Lecture Room The Friends committee is seeking new members. We have been lucky to have a committed group of parents who have supported Friends, but as their own children leave Bottisham we desperately need new blood and ideas. As our logo reads, our aim is ‘Fun and Fundraising’. We meet once a term and are always looking for new events to hold during the year. Our events are not just for fundraising but for giving the opportunity for parents to socialise and meet.

As we have a number of members leaving us at the end of this term, we would love you to join us.

Please consider joining the Friends and making a difference.

... and HRH, too

MP drops in . . .

MP Jim Paice (left) is pictured with chair Mr Tooley. “He was particularly of governors, Mr Hodgson, and deputy impressed with the Hospitality facilities principal, Mr Tooley, admiring the World and the calm but purposeful atmosphere Tree sculpture on a recent visit to BVC. of the school. We then went on to discuss current education policy and “Mr Paice was in school for a general visit where we are looking to take the school and particularly to see the great range of Manchettsthat Adwe(Bottisham - said L) 5/3/10 4:50 pm Page 1 in the future.” curriculum have on offer,”

BVC staff and horticulture students were among the crowds when the Prince of Wales arrived by helicopter at Anglesey Abbey, Lode, for a visit as part of British Tourism Week.

The group are working on a market garden project at the National Trust site.

Picture courtesy Newmarket Journal

Sport

14

Prepare for the athletics season

We have a good athletics tradition at Bottisham and are currently holders of the Jubilee Cup, which is the main inter schools athletics trophy in this area. One reason for our success is that we provide the opportunities for all students to train and find an event that they enjoy and want to develop. The matches in the summer term all take place on a Wednesday after school, so if you can keep this evening free you will be available to train or to be selected for these events.

Athletics is also a great way for winter games players to improve their strength, speed and endurance during the summer months, whilst having a lot of fun.

Well done, Alfie

Congratulations to Alfie Ball in Year 8 who is the captain of the Cambridge and District schools under 13 football team who have reached the semi finals of the National Schools’ FA Cup. So far they have had victories over Peterborough (4-2), West Norfolk (4-0), Bedford (4-0), Worksop (5-0) and a fantastic result against a very strong Liverpool team (4-3 after extra time). The boys play York in the semi-finals and we wish Alfie and the team all the best.

Athletes in action

Sports Leaders from the College have helped to run events for primary school pupils

Students lead the way for youngsters A number of Year 11 Sports Leaders have been involved in primary schools sports events and festivals this term.

Year 5 and 6 teams from Bottisham, Teversham, Great Wilbraham and Burwell primary schools competed against each other in a round robin event on Tuesday, February 8, efficiently coordinated and officiated by Year 11 Sports Leaders at Bottisham Village College.

Ben Snaith and Jake Mair (Year 10) have been producing some excellent athletics performances in the 400 metres and 60 metres respectively at a number of highly ranked indoor competitions in London and at the NEC in Birmingham.

The wonders of modern technology have enabled the GCSE PE class, of which they are both members, to watch their performances on Youtube and to analyse their technique. They are both hoping to have a great summer of athletics and we wish well.(Ad - L) 22/3/11 10:03 Newthem Sears

On a much larger scale, 15 Year 11 Sports Leaders successfully planned and delivered a Football Festival to 206 Year 4 pupils from our 11 feeder primary schools at Burwell Village College on Tuesday, March 15. The leaders professionally ran fun football activities for the first hour, followed by a mini 7 a side tournament.

The day marked significance in the countdown to the London

2012 Olympic games, with 500 days to go, leaders handed out stickers recognising pupils contributions and achievements in association with the Olympic values: respect, friendship and excellence. An enjoyable day was had by all!

Sports leaders were: Lizzie Mann, Ciara O’Brien, Levi Knox, Bradly Devonshire, Sam Morris, Archie Roe, Jack Tomlinson, Chris Ennis, Chris Darling, Ryan Lee, Teddy Fisher, Sampson Marino, Tyler Carr, Tommy Stevens, Chris Summerskill, Jordan Whippy, Josh Vowden, Ricky Ripa and Shayne Deegan.

Mr Alvey

Ambassadors spread the word Our Young Ambassadors Hayley Rasdall and Tom Bicknell in Year 9, Matt Marsh in Year 10 and Rebecca Knowles in Year 11 have been very busy this term; spreading the word about the London 2012 Olympics in a Year 7 assembly.

Next will be undertaking the process of training the two Year 5 pupils selected in Page 1

each of our 11 feeder primary schools and planning a sporting event to coincide with the major countdown days to the Olympic Games – watch this space!

Sears Print & Publishing Limited

Printing4schools Newsletters • Prospectus • Folders • Year Books • Letterheads • Leaflets

WE BEAT ALL PRICES

07810 481414

15

There’s no excuse to be bored this Easter holidays with a packed programme of activities at Bottisham Sports Centre.

As well as the usual selection of sports on offer, swimming and the fitness suite, the centre will be running a two week special holiday programme for children of all ages, from football and athletics to bouncy castle sessions.

“At Bottisham we provide a vast range of activities for all ages encouraging all children in the local area,” said the centre’s manager Mr Rayner.

“Each holiday we grow further introducing new activities. Along side our sports we also have an extended pool programme for all holidays incorporating additional fun swims and block swimming lessons.”

Bottisham Swimming Pool and Sports Centre

EASTER PROGRAMME Mon April 11: 9am – 1pm Tues Apri 12: 9am – 12pm 12.30pm – 3.30pm Weds April 13: 10am – 3pm Thurs April14: 9am – 4pm Fri April15: 10am – 1pm Mon April 18: 9am – 1pm Tues April 19: 9am – 12pm 12.30pm – 3.30pm Weds April 20: 10am– 3pm Thurs April 21: 9am – 4pm Friday April 22: 10am – 1pm

Mini SportsActivity morning Hotshots Football Hotshots Football Multi Sports All4Sports Jumpin Beans Mini Sports Hotshots Football Hotshots Football Multi Sports All4Sports Jumpin Beans

4-7yrs 4-7 yrs 8-12 yrs Sports day for over 8s Tennis, Dodgeball, Athletics Drop in bouncy castle fun session Activity morning for 4 -7 yrs 4-7 yrs 8-12 yrs Sports day for over 8s Tennis, Dodgeball and Athletics Drop in bouncy castle fun session

For further information, contact reception on 01223 811121 or email sportscentre@bottishamvc.org.

You can also check the website at www.bottishamvc.org/sportscentre

Cambridge Book (Neale-L)-V1

19/3/10

1:21 pm

Page 1

Come and see us in the centre of town, and get a Great discount on any of our titles and

20% OFF!

if you show us this ad

Sport

16

Awards for sporting achievers

All the students made great progress on the ski trip to Austria

Look, there’s snow stopping our skiers The Ski Trip in February to Austria saw, within a week, the absolute beginners turned into students who were confident in skiing down the blue run, which has also been known as the Ladies Olympic Downhill (1976).

All 24 students made excellent progress over the week with some skiing the red runs and even attempting jumps and tricks on the last day.

One of the most talked about activities on the trip was the five kilometre toboggan run. You and your partner had to work together, trust each other and learn how to brake (with your heels) very quickly – not all managed to stay on the toboggan.

A fantastic trip with lots of great memories.

Miss Mann

PHJ Ltd (Bottisham - L)-V2

12/3/10

Designed by Mandy Turner, BVC. mturner@bottishamvc.org

Congratulations to the following year 11 students who were awarded the prestigious Roy Burrell Award for achievement in sport at the recent ceremony in Cambridge, attended by more than 400 people. They were presented with their awards by heptathlete Grace Clements, 2010 Commonwealth bronze medal winner.

Rebecca Knowles: Sports Leadership Ambassador.

Alistair Kingdon: County rugby and county cricket.

Shayne Deegan: National autograss car racing champion.

C.J. Kindred: County tennis.

Penny Weiser: National sailing squad.

Lewis Steckelmacher: National sailing squad.

Will Strathdee: County athletics.

Sam Morris: County cricket and county football.

Chris Darling: County athletics and cross country.

Josh Vowden : County cricket.

Chris Summerskill: County cricket.

Mr Alvey says:

‘ Here is Sam Christie thinking about whether he should attempt this trick which the ski instructor is performing – one pm minute later1 and Sam was on the 6:07 Page floor. Left, on the toboggan run.

Learn to win with grace and lose with dignity. Over 200 students from all year groups have been participating in inter school matches in recent weeks.

The one consistently pleasing aspect of these games is the positive attitude of the players and the respect that they have shown towards the officials and the opposition. Being able to maintain self-discipline when things are competitive and perhaps not going your way is a fundamental lesson to learn. Well done to you all for the fine example you set.

’

Produced by Sears Publishing Ltd. 01480 455123. www.searsweb.com