Connect 41

Connect Principal: Stuart Williams www.catmosecollege.com

A newsletter for parents, students and the local community

19 SEPTEMBER 2012

ISSUE 41 NEW YEAR 7

P3

GCSE RESULTS 2012 P4 KINGS UNIVERSITY

P5

MAKEWAVES NEWS P6 FUTURE CHEF

P8

REPORTING DATES

P8

HEAD BOY & GIRL

P9

SPORT NEWS

P10

JOB VACANCIES

P12

REFLECTIONS ON A SUCCESSFUL YEAR

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Last year was a very busy but productive year; an Ofsted inspection, the strengthening of the Catmose Federation, exciting developments in the use of technology and the strengthening of our curriculum offer in order to ensure even more challenges to our most able students. Staff at the College work exceptionally hard and offer a very high quality service to our clients by always going the extra mile.

The new Ofsted framework is focused on the quality of teaching, behaviour, achievement and the quality of leadership and management. It is by all accounts a tougher regime than the one it replaces which is demonstrated by the outcomes of inspections; in the term we were inspected, only five secondary schools nationally achieved the highest grade of ‘Outstanding’. We were one of those; the fact we also achieved an ‘Outstanding’ grade in each category must place the College as one of the highest performing schools nationally.

We have, as many private independent schools already do, introduced the iGCSE in English and mathematics, an exciting development to ensure that our most able students are stretched and ready for the challenges of studying A levels. When we first moved into the new building we were excited by the use of iPads. This has proved to be a useful tool for staff and students, so much so that we have extended the number available in College and offered them for purchase by parents at a significantly reduced price. A video wall above the Hellerup staircase has given this space even greater flexibility and we enjoyed watching the Paralympics on it over the last few weeks.

The Catmose Federation has been formalised as a multi-academy trust, encompassing the College and Catmose Primary.

This arrangement has benefitted both schools, giving greater economies of scale in procuring the services both schools need and greater opportunities to flexibly deploy staff. We have seen specialist teachers from the College working at the Primary School in sport and art. This year we will see the introduction of GCSE dance to the College for the first time, thanks to the expertise of one of our primary teachers. Puffins Nursery has been renamed Catmose Nursery to further strengthen the relationship between all three of our settings. My daughter has joined Catmose Primary having ‘graduated’ from our nursery demonstrating my own confidence and commitment to the quality of provision we offer.

We enjoyed a number of performing arts successes last year, most notably the Alice production, the performing arts tour to Lake Garda and continued success at the Oundle music festival. The flash mob performance in Italy is a must see, demonstrating great musical talent alongside great confidence and team work; further evidence of what makes Catmose College such a unique experience.

There has been continued success of the Silver and Bronze Arts Award, with 150 students successfully completing this GCSE equivalent award in year 9. This has been our most successful year to date. The examination moderator, in her feedback said, “It is a joy to see the work you do with the young people. They have experienced a varied programme, which they have obviously enjoyed. The portfolios are individual in their approach to the Award, which is to be encouraged. The Arts Challenge was particularly strong�.

College sport continues to be a significant strength of our work; we offer a broad range of courses and successfully compete against other schools. We have had noticeable success this year culminating in being first in the Melton and Rutland Varsity championship for the first time. To achieve this we have entered teams in each year group for competitions involving Football, Netball, Futsal, Basketball, Hockey, Cricket, Rugby and Rounders.

It was very encouraging to see the College was significantly over-subscribed again this year, a clear demonstration of its standing within our community. The fact that so many people are willing to place their children with us gives us confidence that we are offering a very high level of service to our students.

Stuart Williams

Ski Trip

Ofsted - Outstanding Result

Alice Production

Olympic Torch

Science Fair

Trip to Paris

Spotlight on Dance

Year 11 Prom

PAGE 2

NEW YEAR 7 STUDENTS ENJOY THEIR FIRST WEEKS

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Our new year 7 students have been writing about their experiences at the College after their first week; they started the week a little nervous but ended it excited and looking forward to the opportunities on offer at the College. It is particularly pleasing to hear them talk about making so many new friends, their favourite lessons, sporting opportunities and music.

They are also rising to the challenge of our expectations in respect of homework, doing their best and showing pride in their school. They have already become members of our community by contributing to its wider life and seizing the many opportunities on offer here.

The following quotes are typical examples of what students in year 7 are saying about their first week at the College: “My first week at Catmose has been great! I am surprised how quickly the days have gone. I was quite scared on my first day but let’s not go into that! Getting used to it has been a lot easier than I thought it would be. Our first lesson was ICT, which was really good as it gave us an insight of how the e-mail system worked. The rest of the day went extremely fast after that which amazed me. Although my day was great, the only bad thing was that I missed the bus on the way home, which was entirely my fault, as I looked at the wrong number on my bus pass! I got home in the end though.

The lessons I have enjoyed so far have been: ICT, maybe P.E, definitely art, Music and science; because we got to use Bunsen burners. I am so glad I chose to come to this school, as so far the time has been great! Also, another thing I’ve enjoyed this week has been getting my iPad as it is truly amazing. The week has gone extremely quickly, in fact it is quite freaky how the time passes in such a way! I have actually found getting to lessons quite easy.

The dinners have been exceptionally tasty. My favourite meal so far has been the pasta bake, which is brilliant. I also enjoyed the cottage pie and the quiche. To sum it up, the dinners are the best ones ever!

So far, the best lesson has been the music, as I have never experienced anything like it before. The programme we are using has some brilliant sounds on. Our teacher (Mr Barlow) had created a brilliant sound track using the software.

Catmose College has basically amazed me in the first week, ensuring that we have a great time at the school.” https://www.makewav.es/blog/415219/firstweekatcatmose “When I was starting secondary I was a little fish in a big pond. So it was very daunting but now I think why was it so daunting? It has been really fun and enjoyable.

My favourite subject is maths and PE. So I really like Catmose.” https://www.makewav.es/blog/416309/startingsecondaryschool “My first days at Catmose were fun! It was interesting looking around College, not being the tallest around and there is so much more homework! I’m trying to get used to it. I hope you all had as much fun as I did!” https://www.makewav.es/blog/416099/myfirstdaysatcatmose “Well my first week went really well. I had a good time in my lessons. I’ve made lots of new friends in my form.

On the first day I was a little bit nervous but as the week went on I got more used to the College, the lessons and the homework.

Also I think there are lots of opportunities for the electives and I would really like to do horse riding!” https://www.makewav.es/blog/415830/firstweekatcatmose “I think this college is amazing and any person who comes here is extremely lucky.” https://www.makewav.es/blog/415746/thiscollege “The first week here has been good. The best lesson has either been PE or music.

I’ve been doing football on Monday and Wednesday and Yr 7 in a French lesson making use of the new video wall

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INEW YEAR 7 STUDENTS ENJOY THEIR FIRST WEEKS (Continued) hope I have been picked for the team to play Belvoir High School next Wednesday.” https://www.makewav.es/blog/415218/startingoutatcatmose “I have loved my first full week of school it has been mega making new friends, exploring around the school. I have loved it.

I have made three awesome new friends Ben, Rufus and Oli. I would definitely have to say that so far my favourite lesson would be music where we mixed and looped tunes it was mega. But if I had to pick a top three of my favourite lessons it would be Music, P.E. and then ICT. I think that all the facilities are mega and that this College is most probably the best in Britain.” https://www.makewav.es/blog/415224/myfirstweekofschool Stuart Williams

GCSE RESULTS DAY 2012

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Well done to last year’s year 11 for all their hard work and fantastic achievements. Results day was a tremendous celebration of our best ever set of results. The overall 5 A*-C rate increased to 91%, an improvement of about 5% on last year. There was an improvement in A/A* grades achieved by 27% of students compared with 25% last year and 88% of students achieved A*-C grades compared to 84% last year.

The average of the best 8 grades has risen from 347 to 356 points and total average points by a similar amount. There were 27 students (Listed below) who achieved at least 7 A/A* grades or their equivalent, a tremendous achievement and an improvement on last year.

Number of A/A* grades achieved: Jennifer Allen 14, Lydia Arnold 7, Rebecca Bond 9, Max Boulton-Smith 12, Philippa Brown 11, Laura Coddington 10, James Coles 8, Lauren Cotton, 12, Jack Crankshaw, 7, Sophie Duffin 7, Alice Evans 13, Keera Green 8, Philip Gwyther 10, Matthew Holt 10, Ciaran Leeman 7, Oliver Lyons 11, Daniel McKay 10, Nicole Neal 9, Samuel Oakley 10, Emily Jayne Pearse 11, Tara Petterson 11, Jack Ramsey 7, Timothy Rhys-Williams 7, Anna Shaw 11, Yun-Nee Tang 8, Ryan Waterman 13, Sophie Worrall 7.

There were 15 subjects which improved their A*-C pass rate, We placed a great deal of emphasis on improving science and mathematics subjects last year and both achieved their best ever results. Philosophy and Ethics students achieved 80% A/A* grades alongside a 100% pass rate, History 51% A/A* and 88% pass rate, French 30% A/A* and 90% pass rate. In the key benchmark of 5A* – C including English and maths we achieved 60%, a slight decline on last year but reflecting the national picture.

Stuart Williams

STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS

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A photographer will be taking individual photographs of all students Y7-10 on Friday 21 September 2012. As usual you will have the opportunity to purchase these. Family photographs of siblings who attend the College can be taken. If you would like your children to have their photograph taken together, they should go to the theatre at morning break or during their lunch break on Friday 21 September. Year 11 will have their individual and a year group photograph taken on Friday 12 October.

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VISIT TO KINGS UNIVERSITY ..............................................................

Georgia Harris (left) and Simon Fish (centre) at Kings University

On July 18 Simon Fish and Georgia Harris visited Kings University in London. The two students were selected as part of the Dux Award where students are invited to spend a day at a red brick university where they are given information about further education. As well as being attended by Catmose College, there were about 50 other schools from around England in attendance. During the day the students were told about the university, why further education and what going to university can do for you. Did you know that there are 165 places of higher education (in the UK) This includes campus and non-campus study. Also, there are over 500,000 courses awarded, both vocational and non-vocational.The day was geared towards year 9 students to help them make choices or at least to help them start to focus on what they want to do in the future.

Talking with a panel of university students, the main point they made was that more preparation is needed in that students need to think about their future and what courses

are needed, especially when choosing their GCSEs. The panel also advised us that making the choice starts in year 9 as it is then students should start creating their CV for UCAS as well as selecting classes that will allow students to take what they need at A Level and later at university.

Simon said that he definitely wants to go to university, and possibly to Kings. Georgia also said that Kings is a great choice to study for a Law degree.

Stephanie Gonda

DRAMA CLUB AND REHEARSALS

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Day

Time

Activity

Room

Monday

1 - 1.20pm

Kettering Drama Festival

Wilde

Monday

3.30 - 4.30pm

Drama Club (Year 9-11)

Wilde

Monday

3.30 - 4.30pm

Schools will rock you Leads

Theatre

Tuesday

1 - 1.25pm

Drama Club (Year 7 & 8)

Wilde

Wednesday

2.30 - 3.30pm

School will rock you - Core Dancers

Theatre

Thursday

12.40 - 1pm

Kettering Drama Festival (Year 9-11)

Wilde

PTA

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Diary date: PTA AGM – Monday 8 October All parents/guardians are welcome to attend the annual AGM which will be held in the restaurant. Come along to help shape the programme for the coming year. Wine, soft drinks and nibbles will be provided. If you are able to provide a cake for the evening or for further details please contact Maria Miller via the College or email pta@catmosecollege.com.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Jenny Oates

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MAKEWAVES NEWS

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WHAT IS MAKEWAVES? At Catmose College we encourage all our students to sign up to our Award winning MakeWaves site (https://www.makewav.es/catmosecollege). Makewaves is the social learning environment that provides social media for education.

It enables schools and colleges to create and safely share videos, podcasts and blogs. Using Makewaves allows our students to start school blogging, join national campaigns and develop digital literacy skills. All the students’ work and comments are moderated by members of staff as well as any comments from family, friends or members of the public.

Makewaves is not just for College work as we regularly have students who write about issues that interest or concern them. We also have students who attend local sporting events like the Vitruvian (https://www.makewav.es/story/416421/title/vitruvian2012) and the Rutland CiCLE Classic (https://www.makewav.es/story/382794/title/meltonoakhamcicleclassic2012) which features some of the riders in the current Tour of Britain.

If you would like to read what our new year 7s think of their first week at Catmose, why not read their work on the Maths and ICT channel (https://www.makewav.es/catmosecollege/c/mathsict). If you have any questions regarding MakeWaves, please contact Ms Smith in the College library or come along to Open Evening on Wednesday 3 October and see some of our Student Reporters using MakeWaves in action.

Beth Smith RUTLAND YOUNG STARS AWARD Two Catmose College students have received Rutland Young Star Awards recently.

Rutland Radio, together with Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service, decided to recognise the amazing children in the Rutland Radio area.

Nominations were requested for children who are brave, children who are living with difficult circumstances, children who are thriving at school and those children who just light up the room with a smile. They decided that these children are the future of our area and it’s now their turn to receive some recognition and credit for all they do.

Parents, relatives, friends and school staff were invited to enter their own children or a child under 16 they knew for an award and the reason they thought a certain child deserves to win.

Two Catmose College students received awards - Jack Wright who was nominated by his parents and Rohan Mehra, who was nominated by Catmose College staff member, Ms Smith. https://www.makewav.es/story/415573/title/rutlandyoungstarawards Beth Smith

PAGE 6 Rohan Mehra and Jack Wright with their awards

AWARD WINNERS In just over three years, the Catmose College media network, which is hosted on the safe educational network, MakeWaves (formally Radiowaves), has produced over 2000 reports as well as over 450 blogs. In May 2009, Catmose College was given the opportunity to take part in an education social network, Radiowaves, as part of Rutland County Council’s extended school project. Initially six students and two members of staff received training and the intention was that it would run within the College as an extracurricular project to promote College news from a student’s point of view.

In the past three years, the College Radiowaves site has Reporter Harvey Stafford recieving a certificate from Mr Teasel developed into not only being used as an extracurricular and elective project, but it is now being embedded as cross curricular resource for all students with all year 7 and 8 students having logins where they can create written, audio, video and photographic work.

For the third year running, our station on Radiowaves was awarded the Best Secondary Station. This is a great achievement and is all down to the hard work that our reporters do with interviews and reporting. Their profiles have become digital portfolios that can provide evidence of their progression. As well as best secondary station, we also have four reporters who have been jointly awarded the best reporter of the year award. Congratulations to Anni Jackson, Georgia Farr, Harvey Stafford and Rohan Mehra. These reporters have also been recognised as Radiowaves Ambassadors for their hard work within the network and with their attendance at various educational shows during the past year.

Michelle Adamson (Head of Community at Radiowaves NUMU) commented: ‘We have 924 Secondary Stations and have our flag planted in 55 countries! Catmose College use the Radiowaves platform as a way to motivate and engage their students. Their use of technology in the classroom and the commitment of staff and students at the school has meant that they have won the accolade of Best Secondary Radiowaves station 3 years running.

Showcasing the work that the students do in and out of school throughout the year provides inspiration to other schools and they are at the forefront, demonstrating how harnessing technology can have real impact.

The student media team at Catmose College are very unique and have been invited to report at lots of events throughout the country. Their dedication, commitment and professionalism in reporting and interviewing is second to none and the team have created some inspirational videos and interviews over the past few years. The team are well thought of by the Radiowaves community as they continue to actively support and engage others.’

In celebration of the Olympics and Paralympics, the students were also offered the chance of receiving a 2012 Reporter medal. This involved the creation of a report reflecting an aspect of London 2012 and we had over 20 reporters who received medals from our team leader for Sport, Mr Teasel.

Well done to the Team Catmose Media Team and thanks to Ms Smith for all her hard work and support of the students.

Some of the members of the Makewaves Team

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FUTURE CHEF .........................................................................

Future Chef will once again be taking place at Catmose College.

The competition requires students to cook a hot main course for two people with a budget of ÂŁ5. The competition will be held on Wednesday 19 September. Students will be allowed to set up their workstations from 2:30pm and the competition will start at 3pm.

Students will be allowed one hour to prepare their dish. A local chef, Kevin Spiers, will be judging the meals produced in the competition and will be offering students advice on their dishes. One winner will be chosen to represent the College at the local finals in Loughborough.

Miss Warren

REPORTING DATES 2012/13

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YEAR

EVENT

DATE

TIME

7

Tutor Evening Interim Report Progress Evening Form Tutor Report Interim Report Progress Report

27 September 2012 W/c 10/12/12 20 February 2013 W/c 20/5/13 W/c 20/5/13 W/c 15/7/13

5.00 - 7.00pm

Interim Report Interim Report Progress Evening Progress Report Form Tutor Report

W/c 8/10/12 W/c 4/2/13 13 March 2013 W/c 20/5/13 W/c 15/7/13

5.00 - 7.00pm

Interim Report Interim Report Progress Evening Options Evening Progress Report Form Tutor Report

W/c 8/10/12 W/c 10/12/12 16 January 2013 6 February 2013 W/c 25/3/13 W/c 20/5/13

5.00 - 7.00pm 7.00 - 9.00pm

Interim Report Progress Report Form Tutor Report Progress Evening Interim Report

W/c 8/10/12 W/c 10/12/12 W/c 25/3/13 8 May 2013 W/c 15/7/13

Form Tutor Report Predicted grades Progress Evening Interim Report Progress Report Interim Report

W/c 8/10/12 W/c 29/10/12 7 November 2012 W/c 10/12/12 W/c 4/2/13 W/c 25/3/13

8

9

10

11

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5.00 - 7.00pm

5.00 - 7.00pm

5.00 - 7.00pm

Will Kennard-Kettle, Billy Hunt, Grace Ray, Stuart Williams (Principal), Abigail Pople, Poppy Spencer and Sebastian Quinn

YEAR 11 RESPONSIBILITIES ..................................................................................................................................

Year 11 is a critical year for students; as well as working towards their GCSE examinations, they also have the opportunity to take on a senior position of responsibility at the College. Last term, Mrs Townsend and I were pleased to interview a number of students who applied for the position of Head Boy and Head Girl for this year. All of the students are to be congratulated and should be very proud of the way they conducted themselves during their interviews. After much deliberation we chose the students listed below as head boy and head girl and their deputies and I look forward to working with them throughout the year.

Head Girl: Poppy Spencer Head Boy: Billy Hunt Deputy Head Girls: Abigail Pople and Grace Ray Deputy Head Boys: Sebastian Quinn and Will Kennard-Kettle

Stuart Williams

COLLEGE SKIRTS .......................................................................................

If your child has been measured for a skirt but has not yet collected it from the uniform shop, can they do so as soon as possible. The uniform shop is open from 10.30am - 4.00pm every Thursday in the Library.

PAGE 9

Students who are members of our various College sports teams.

SPORTS NEWS

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CATMOSE COLLEGE MELTON AND RUTLAND VARISTY LEAGUE WINNERS 2011/2012

Catmose College students have won the Melton and Rutland School Sport Varsity League for 2011/2012.

Over 300 students participated in an array of sports including football, netball, basketball, hockey, rugby, cricket, tennis, rounders and badminton, taking numerous wins which culminated in the successful overall win of the Varsity League.

Catmose College highlights in the league include: Year Year Year Year Year Year Year

8 football league 1st 10 netball league 1st 7 basketball league 1st 10 futsal league 1st 7 and 9 hockey league 1st 7 rugby league 1st 7, 8 and 9 rounders league 1st

Oliver Teasel, Team Leader of Sport, comments “This is a fantastic achievement by the students and is an excellent reflection of the hard work, dedication and commitment by those taking part. The College has made excellent school-club links this year and put a real emphasis on sports fixtures and after school training which has been very well received by the students�

NETBALL WINNERS On Wednesday 12 September Catmose College girls netball teams had their first fixture away at Belvoir High School. We had great success with all teams winning their game.

Year Year Year Year

7 won 13-1, 8 won 16-8, 9 won 10-7, 10 won 26-9.

PAGE 10 Y7, Y8, Y9 & Y10 netball teams

TRAMPOLINE WINNER

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Rebecca Wensley (90) took part in an interclub trampoline competition on Sunday 15 July in Corby. Three clubs took part, including Corby trampoline club where Rebecca has been training, sometimes twice weekly. There were a number of categories and competitors ranged in age from 5 to 17 years. Rebecca was placed in the over 11yrs group and won a gold medal, receiving high scores from all judges in both routines. Impressive, considering she has only been trampolining since Easter.

SPORTS FIXTURES TERM 1

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DAY

GIRLS FIXTURES

BOYS FIXTURES

Thursday - 20/09/12

Year 10 and 11 Netball @ Catmose v CBEC

Year 10 and 11 Football @ Catmose v CBEC

Wednesday - 26/09/12

Year 7, 8 and 9 Netball @ Catmose v JF

Year 7, 8 and 9 Football @ Catmose v JF

Thursday 27/09/12

Year 10 Netball @ Catmose v JF

Year 10 and 11 Football @ Catmose v JF

Wednesday 03/10/12

Year 7, 8 and 9 Netball @ UCC

Year 7, 8 and 9 Football @ UCC

Thursday 04/10/12

Year 10 and 11 Netball @ UCC

Year 10 and 11 Football @ UCC

Wednesday - 10/10/12

Year 7, 8 and 9 Netball @ Longfield

Year 7, 8 and 9 Football @ Longfield

Thursday - 11/10/12

Year 10 and 11 Netball @ Longfield

Year 10 and 11 Football @ Longfield

EXTRA-CURRICULAR SPORT TERM 1

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BEFORE SCHOOL (8-8.30) LUNCH Monday

Tuesday

Table Tennis

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Badminton

AFTER SCHOOL

Volleyball Club Football (Astro)

Y9, 10 &11 Natball Football (All Years)

Wii Fit Club Football (Astro)

Y7 & 8 Netball GCSE Sports: Circuit Training/ Rowing (OT)

AB Blast Session Football (Astro)

Y7- 9 Football and Netball

Y7 Boys and Girls Futsal

Y10-11 Football and Netball.

Y7-9 Rugby - RFU Coach

Dodgeball Football (Astro)

Dance Leaders (SB) Sports Leaders L2 (DP)

PAGE 11

JOB VACANCIES

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ASSISTANT TEAM LEADER SCIENCE Chemistry or Physics MPS + TLR2a (£2,616) Required from January 2013 TEACHER OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS Part-time Applicants will be considered MPS Required from January 2013 STUDENT PROGRESSION CO-ORDINATOR 15 hours per week, worked over 2/3 days Scale 3-4 dependent on experience £15,725 - £19,126 FTE, £5266 - £6405 Pro rata (15 hours x 38 weeks 33.49%) Term time only APPRENTICESHIP – IT TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIP – BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Required as soon as possible Apprentice rate of £98.05 per week (37 hours) For details of all vacancies please see the College website. All applications must be received by mid-day on Friday 21 September 2012.

LOCAL ADVERTISEMENTS

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