News@Com Summer 2017

NEWS COM ISSUE 45, SUMMER 2017

The Magazine of Comberton Village College

Year 11 have a ball — Page 12

Testing for taste

News@Com

The School Council has been involved in looking at alternative sandwich provision at Comberton.

They spent a break last month tasting different options that the school could order.

Sam Whinney reported: “We tried sandwiches from three companies: Sandwich King (whom we are currently with), Aristocaters and Raynors.

“The reason we had asked for this session was because we felt that there weren’t enough ‘everyday’ sandwiches for everyone to have.

“Overall, we decided that Aristocaters were very expensive and slightly too sophisticated for your everyday school meal.

“Sandwich King was probably the favourite but we said that the amount of each

Students handed chance to spend school cash

TASTE TEST: Students tuck into sandwiches before deciding which ones should be served next year. sandwich type ordered by the school should be altered so that the balance is perfect and everyone will be able to get the sandwich they want.

“We also thought that some of the Raynors sandwiches should be ordered in conjunction with Sandwich King for the upcoming year.

“Our final idea was to order more vegetarian sandwiches because we thought it unfair that, because the meat fillings were most popular, we should only have those. We had a great time and really hope it will make a difference for next year.”

Next year the school council is being given £500 to spend on the school, which is a huge responsibility!

The aim of this is to put the money towards what the pupils think the school needs. This could be £100 per school year group or to tackle a big issue, such as refurbishing the toilets.

We are all very excited at this opportunity for next year and we hope you all get involved in the decision making!

Ana Ward and Imogen Sutherland, Head Prefects

It’s Labour!

Comberton’s students gave Labour a slim majority when the college held a ballot to coincide with the general election.

They finished with 32% of the vote, with the Liberal Democrats on 31, the Conservatives on 19 and the Green Party on 17.

The process was excellently run by teacher Patrick Gordon, who presented in assemblies in the week running up to the vote. This meant that pupils were well informed on the main policy points of the four parties that were putting up a candidate in the South Cambs constituency.

The process for the pupils was the same as for the nation — they were given voting slips, had to mark a cross in their chosen box and then place that in the ballot box.

The results were speedily collated and given how the CVC Brexit vote differed from the national one, it is no surprise that the CVC vote did not reflect the one we woke to on Friday morning.

Head of School Peter Law said: “During the course of the day (and the days that followed) it was a delight to hear pupils debating animatedly about policies and how they were voting; a really important part of education for young people!”

q ‘Awesome’ Students — Page 3 q Debut novel — Page 3 q Trust News — Page 4 q Lego latest — Page 5 q Theory in Practice — Page 5 q Languages latest — Pages 6-8

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INNOVATION: As part of the Torino project

Contents

MONEY TALKS: The School Council have cash to spend.

At the cutting edge

For the last year or so, I have been lucky enough to have taken part in the Torino project at Microsoft.

The Torino project is a tactile way of computer programming. The idea behind Torino is to help children to learn to code using a tactile circuit that you can create using different pods that make different sounds.

Microsoft wanted to develop this idea as it helps children to understand how coding works and is inclusive of children, like me, who have a visual impairment.

I've had great fun working with other children to help the Torino team to develop their product. We helped

q Healthy Challenge — Page 10 q Taste of Sixth Form — Page 10 q DofE Update — Page 11 q Year 11 Celebrate — Page 12 q Sixth Form News — Pages 1316

the team with their design by letting them know what we thought about the shape, texture and the way it worked.

We were lucky enough to travel to London to meet Satya Nadella, the CEO of Microsoft, when it was time to show him the finished product. He was really nice and loved the idea. We even took part on an interview on BBC's Newsround to let other people know all about it.

I really liked the idea of being able to code along with everybody else and I hope that lots of schools are able to use it to help other children in the future.

Watch this space!

Lexy Ryan (8T)

q Focus on History — Page 18 q Life at a top Uni — Page 19 q Carnegie Winner — Page 19 q Parental Control — Page 21 q SCSSP News — Pages 22-23 q Sport — Pages 24-28

‘Awesome’ students!

News@Com

This year I have had the opportunity to visit Comberton twice.

too cool to bother participating and listening to idiot authors, so why bother?

It was with great anticipation that I was dragged (kicking and screaming) before I was asked (twice!) to write a little piece the entire year group so I could about the visit from my lofty point of view! encourage them to shout and insult each So, as the lazy writer I am, I have finally other. Perhaps it wasn’t quite the pep-talk got around to it… the teachers had anticipated, but it got During both visits, I gave a talk to various Year 9 cheering. year groups about my new INVENTORY Returning for my second visit, it was time book series. The poor souls were to judge the Debate Slam. So, of course, I corralled into the library to listen to me expected a bunch of grumpy Year 9s to blather on for an hour about how cool half-heartedly take part… but no. Not writing can be, then talk about super Comberton Year 9s. It pains me to say it, gadgets and other weird things. but those guys were awesome.

Often in author events like this, it can be Seriously — full on enthusiasm. They difficult to judge if people are having fun. debated like some kind of debating I always point out that it’s not a lesson, demons. They were succinct and funny. I it’s supposed to be fun, but you never mean, I started to hate them because know what people will think. they were brilliant.

So, it was pleasing to see the good pupils CENTRE STAGE: Author Andy Briggs enjoyed working Why wasn’t I that good when I was in with Comberton students. of Comberton engaged with my rambling Year 9? Admittedly, back then everything nonsense and laugh at the occasionally was in black and white and we didn’t even have the internet… but clearly life isn’t funny joke. fair!

Either that, or they were all being kind so they could leave early.

I can honestly say it was one of the best events I have had this year. The book During my first visit I was asked to give a pep-talk to Year 9 about their upcoming events are always fun, but that Debating Slam was something else. Thank you Debate Slam. Now there is a rule among authors that Year 9 are the most Year 9 for making this grumpy author smile during that long drive home. Stay fearsome year group. You simply don’t do events with them. Those guys are just awesome.

Andy Briggs

Debut novel hits the shelves

Drama and Theatre Studies teacher Jane Menczer has made her debut as a published author.

Her first book, An Unlikely Agent, is a story of intrigue set in Edwardian England and she was recently interviewed about it on Radio Cambridgeshire.

The story is set in 1905, mainly in London, but towards the end the action moves to Devon.

Margaret Trant, the heroine, lives with her bullying invalid mother in a dreary boarding house in St John’s Wood. The pair have fallen on hard times, with Margaret’s meagre salary barely keeping them afloat.

When a stranger on the tram hands Margaret a newspaper open at the recruitment page, she spots an advertisement that promises to ‘open new horizons beyond your wildest dreams!’.

After a gruelling interview, she begins work at Bureau 8 with no inkling that the dreary office above a shop selling hearing trumpets is, in fact, the headquarters of a highly secret branch of the intelligence service. Margaret’s journey of selfdiscovery forms the heart of the novel. An unlikely agent, she finds herself playing a pivotal role in a dangerous investigation that must delve into the past. But can Bureau 8 track down the ruthless band of anarchists known as the Scorpions before it’s too late?

Ms Menczer said: “I started writing An Unlikely Agent in 2003 with nothing more than the image of a tall, rather gangly man walking across a misty beach and entering a cave. Soon after that I started to ‘hear’ Margaret Trant’s voice in my head.

“I didn’t plan the story in advance and certainly, as I was writing, Margaret and her domestic life came more and more sharply into focus.

The idea that the central mystery should in some way be of personal concern to my protagonist was suggested to me by the crime writer Jim

Kelly during the early stages of writing the book, and that turned out to be the lynchpin that held all the different threads in the novel together.

“To begin with, I was edging forward from a position of uncertainty without a plan. The development of the story and characters always came first and so I tended to do my research as I went along.

“I learnt a lot through reading literature that was written at around the time the novel is set — Joseph Conrad, John Buchan and Erskine Childers, among many others were all important in helping me to imagine the setting.

“I also did a lot of research in the University Library and spent some time on a research trip to Salcombe in Devon, on which Seacombe in the novel is based.

“The book took me about five years to write.

During that time I changed agents and won an Escalator Award from Arts Council England, which included a grant and mentoring from an established writer (the biographer, Midge Gillies).

“Getting the novel published was a long process!

The book was originally sent out to publishers by my new agent in 2008- 2009 and though I had positive feedback, no-one accepted it for publication at that time.

“I had started writing something else and had pretty much given up on An Unlikely Agent when my first agent got back in touch with me out of the blue and asked to read the novel.

“I spent about six months revising it, he submitted it to publishers again and it was accepted for publication by Birlinn in July 2016.”

Early reviews have been fulsome in their praise (see Amazon for a selection) earning five-star reviews, SPOTLIGHT: On from critics and Jane Menczer at readers alike.

Radio Cambs and Heffers held a launch event in her (inset) her first honour, which was novel. attended by a host of supportive friends and colleagues and copies of An Unlikely Agent are being prominently displayed in store (it’s also stocked in Waterstones and all good bookshops).

Comberton’s own spies have agreed, it’s a gripping read — definitely one for the summer holidays.

Who won the 2017 Carnegie Award? — Page 19

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Schools in the spotlight THE CAM ACADEMY TRUST NEWS

Two schools in The Cam Academy Trust have been nationally recognised for their exceptional 2016 performances by the Schools, Students and Teachers network (SSAT).

Educational Outcomes data analysis from SSAT has shown that both Comberton Village College and Melbourn Village College are in the top 10% of schools nationally for progress at Key Stage 4.

Additionally Comberton, where a Sixth Form opened in 2011, was in the top 4% for progress at Key Stage 5.

SSAT Educational Outcomes awards were presented at a regional celebration event later tin late May, which is held annually to draw attention to the work of high-achieving, improving and innovating schools and teachers.

Sue Williamson, Chief Executive of SSAT, said: “It’s my great pleasure to commend Comberton Village College and Melbourn Village College on their

excellent 2016 performance, and to have the opportunity to highlight and share their great work at an SSAT Educational Outcomes celebration event.

“We know how hard teachers work to ensure the success of every child.

“SSAT’s Educational Outcomes award recognises the professionalism, commitment and hard work of the leaders, teachers and students at both Colleges. A big thank you and well done to the pupils, staff and governors.”

St Peter’s, the newest secondary school in the Trust after joining last September, has been shortlisted for a prestigious award for exceptional progress in the past year.

This is in recognition of the school’s remarkable achievement in moving from a ‘Special Measures’ judgement by Ofsted last summer through to a ‘Good’ judgement by March this year.

The school has been invited to a special awards event in London when the category winners will be announced.

All change in Gamlingay

RECOGNITION: Melbourn Principal Simon Holmes (left) and Comberton Deputy

New IT strategy to help fulfill aim Head Sean Sycamore with SSAT Chief Executive Sue Williamson.

Work is currently under way to move forward with a significant new IT strategy across all the schools in our Trust.

Final decisions have to be made regarding which particular organisation and devices we will seek to use across all of our schools, but we are committed to a more significant use of IT in all schools by September 2018.

It is hoped this will involve moving to a model of individual devices for all of our secondary pupils and strong access to devices for our primary pupils. Staff will also have access to the same devices. The coming year will see significant piloting of this

approach, coupled with appropriate staff professional development.

The essence of our approach and the reason for seeking to move forward is summed up with some simple aims the Trust has stated for our use of technology.

We aim for technology to help us to: l Learn powerfully l Learn from each other l Learn for life Through this, the Trust intends to pursue its aim of ‘Excellence for All’ even more effectively.

New school joins Trust

After much hard work and organisation behind the scenes, Jeavons Wood Primary School in Cambourne converted to Academy status as part of The Cam Academy Trust on 1 July.

It is great to have Jeavons Wood formally on board, having worked in increasingly strong partnership in recent months.

The school became the fourth primary

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phase school in our Trust, joining Gamlingay First School, Hartford Infant and Junior Schools alongside the secondary schools of Comberton, Melbourn and Cambourne Village Colleges and St Peter’s School in Huntingdon.

Chief Executive Stephen Munday said: “We very much look forward to the benefit of being a truly cross-phase Trust as we move forward.”

The Trust continues to press ahead with the reorganisation of schooling and the school structure in Gamlingay to ensure excellent and sustainable schooling for the community.

The proposal for the First School to become a full Primary School was formally accepted by the Regional School Commissioner’s office on 20 April. This will apply from September 2017 when the school will also formally join the catchment area of Comberton Village College.

Accommodation will be secured on the current site to enable this to happen. In the meantime, the current Middle School (Gamlingay Village College) is due to transfer to our Trust from Stratton Education Trust in September 2017. We will then oversee the school in the coming year for a small number of pupils to enable transition to their future educational route.

During this time, very significant building work will take place at the Village College site to convert it to a high-quality Primary facility, suitable for 3 to 11-year olds.

In summer 2018 the Middle School will then be formally closed and the First (now Primary) School will relocate to a new permanent base on the Village College site. There is a lot of work in all this, but the prize at the end of it is a great one. It will be an excellent school facility, providing great primary education for the Gamlingay community.

Ensuring places for all

The Cam Academy Trust is totally committed to ensuring that there is excellent school education available to all in the community of Cambourne.

It was for this reason that we submitted Free School applications earlier this year to open the new schools that will be required due to the proposed expansion of Cambourne West.

We now know that the Department for Education was not prepared to grant these new schools to us because they did not believe that they were required as soon as Cambridgeshire Local Authority believed to be the case.

Given this, we are now working with the Local Authority to ensure that there will be quality school places available to all Cambourne young people when they are needed.

What this means most immediately is seeking now to develop a second secondary campus of Cambourne Village College ready for September 2019 when further secondary school places will clearly be needed. The Trust is consulting on this proposal and is seeking to gain formal approval for this development as soon as possible so the places are available when needed.

For job vacancies across the Trust, visit the CAT website at www.catrust.co.uk

News@Com

Building on Lego glory

BUZZING: The B6 Berrellium team with their strategy and innovation award at the First Lego League world finals in America.

Four brothers from Comberton who qualified for the world final of the First Lego League returned from the United States with a trophy.

honey bees by the spread of the Asian Hornet, which has already caused widespread harm to the honey bee population in Europe.

The boys are fluent in English, Spanish and Catalan and this allowed them to work with scientists in Britain and Spain to come up with a possible solution which involves the use of drones to locate hornet nests.

Overall, the finals were a fantastic experience and the boys enjoyed the intensity and the atmosphere at the finals as well as meeting strong and diverse teams.

Joan said: “"Being in the First Lego League World's Final has been an incredible experience. We had the oportunity to meet the best teams of the

The Borrell boys, Lluis (Year 7), Joan (Year 9) and Year 10 twins Quim and Albert, finished second in the robot strategy and innovation category at the international showdown in St Louis.

Their B6 Berrellium team, completed

by Royston siblings Oscar and Iona Berry, were one of 103 teams at the world finals from the original 32,000 TEAMWORK: One of the competition’s Core Values. registered teams from 88 countries.

They were also nominated for six of the nine major awards across the three main world and exchange ideas to learn more. judging categories — robot, scientific project and core values. They also finished “However, we also realised that we can give away lots of ideas too."

21st overall for robot performance, an impressive achievement.

Lluis said: "It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone!"

B6 Berrellium qualified after winning both their local and the UK and Ireland final As well as the First Lego League finals for 9-16 year-olds, the British of a contest described as ‘a global robotics-based life skills competition for young representatives also saw the two main categories beyond FLL, the First Tech people’.

Challenge and First Robotics Competition (college and university), who competed This year’s challenge was ‘Animal Allies’ and competitors investigated and with large robots similar in size of those of Robot Wars. This was closely followed suggested solutions to a real problem related to animals and humans working by the likes of NASA and the US Air Force in their quest for new talent! together, as well as building, testing and programming a Lego robot.

B6 Berrellium now have aspirations to compete at the next level but will require They also had to make sure they implemented the First Lego League’s Core sponsorship and an enlarged team. However, anybody interested in the challenge Values: celebrating discovery, teamwork and gracious professionalism. should contact them on b6berrellium@gmail.com The UK champions’ scientific investigation looked at the problems affecting UK

Students see theory work in practice

A dozen GCSE Hospitality Year 11 students visited the Holiday Inn, Cambridge, before going on study leave.

The purpose was to consolidate learned theory and it was great to see it all in action in a professional and well established setting.

Students were shown around the hotel by Julie and Laura, looking at areas such as the reception desk, the kitchens and restaurant, some of the bedrooms and ‘Spirit’, the on-site health club.

They learned about the structure of the organisation, AA star ratings, housekeeping, communication and record-keeping, sales, conference facilities as well as health, safety and fire procedures.

When reflecting on the trip, Issy Hunt commented: “It was really interesting to see how the theory we have learned works in reality.”

Emily Goodson, Head of Food Technology and Catering

HOTEL EXPERIENCE: Students visit Cambridge’s Holiday Inn.

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Bee-ing great at languages News@Com

Comberton students continue to go from strength to strength with their language learning,

The college has again been very capably represented at the national final of the Foreign Language Spelling Bee, and this year, for the first time, also reached the national final of the Foreign Language Translation Bee. Two regional champions from Comberton went to compete at the Spelling Bee grand finale for Spanish at The University of Cambridge.

Year 7 students Emily Wallis and Imogen Ransome were two of just 104 students competing for the title of National Champion this year from over 62,000 who entered the competition in September — a fantastic achievement.

Both performed exceptionally well, with Imogen finishing in second place overall, having been just pipped for the national title after a tie-breaker round!

Claire Jones, who runs the Spelling Bee at Comberton, said:“In addition to their linguistic skills, it was very impressive to see how calm the girls remained under pressure; their performances on the stage were completely brilliant. Event support from the Spelling Bee leaders was, as ever, invaluable.”

Hot on their heels, Kate Walsh (Year 8) competed in the national final of the Foreign Language Translation Bee competition, translating as many sentences as

possible in a minute, using three tenses, all while under the scrutiny of expert judges and a lecture hall full of competitors and supporters — an impressive achievement!

After a nerve-wracking wait over the tea break to find out who the final competitors would be, Kate was recalled to the stage as one of the top linguists of the competition to translate for a second time, and was NATIONAL FINALISTS: In the placed fourth nationally.

Spelling and Translation Bee Representatives from the European competitions.

Commission were talent-spotting for future interpreters and were very impressed with the work of the competitors.

Ms Jones added: “Huge congratulations to all the linguists involved in these competitions; as ever it really is amazing to see the way you have prepared and participated this year. We are really proud of you.”

Brilliant Year 7 trip gets a big thumbs up

Earlier this term 47 Year 7 students set off — wearing their blue trip t-shirts — on what we may say was the best Year 7 trip of all time, to Comillas in Spain!

Arriving at the hotel late at night, exhausted yet excited for the days to come, we were soon asleep and re-energising for the next day.

The next few days flew by, including a thrilling visit to Santillana school in Santander where we participated in interaction activities such as flamenco dancing and football.

The Spanish lessons (taken by wonderfully friendly teachers) were great fun and fantastic learning opportunities.

Saturday was spent in the exact replica of the Altamira caves, which included an exhilarating tour of the ancient paintings and dwellings of people from nearly 2000 years ago. On Sunday we travelled to some real caves, where we were given a more scientific tour of caves and mines — for some in Spanish and others in English, where we learnt about stalagmites, stalactites and much more.

Monday was spent at a re-creation of Roman and Cantabrian Cabezón de la sal which included a tour around what the village may have been like at that time. In the afternoon we visited Capricho de Gaudí. This is a house inspired by the naturalism of the sunflower and the fact that you rotate

round the house always in sunlight like a sunflower does to the sun. This was a major photo attraction and was indeed very beautiful.

Sophia and Imogen

Combining football with learning Spanish!

SPANISH EXPERIENCE: For Year 7 students in Comillas.

Arsenal Double Club was an amazing experience for all of us as we got to learn Then we went to the Arsenal time capsule with memorable objects given by the Spanish as well as play lots of football. players. We moved on to the away and home changing rooms, where we saw the We did all this at lunch as well as after school. players’ shirts and, of course, the jacuzzi and physiotherapy room. We spent a We tried to make sure we were using Spanish in football not English, well Mr little bit more time in there so that we could take photos of all the shirts.

Mora did anyway.

After that we went through the tunnel We tried hard to use Spanish all the time, and on the other VIP chairs for Arsene learning how to say goal, pass, the position Wenger himself and his assistants. we play and all the other important things These were even more comfortable we need in football. than the other chairs!

All of this learning came into use when we We also visited the interview room and left school to go to Arsenal’s stadium, The took pictures, just like the players on Emirates. We were given a tour by a ‘Match of the Day’. Finally we went to Spanish-speaking member of staff and saw the Q and A hall, where the press some amazing things… would ask questions to Wenger and We started off by going to the VIP seats, the players. After that the best part of where only invited people get to sit. They the whole tour! Shopping: we could were so comfy and we sat there being told ON TOUR: At Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium. spend our money on any memorabilia we wanted except shirts. facts about the stadium, we also had to Overall the Arsenal Double Club was an amazing opportunity to learn and enjoy answer questions in a quiz with a partner. the language of Spanish and play football. We recommend this to anyone Next we saw the awesome gold trophy given to the Arsenal team of 2003/2004 interested in football and Spanish! because they won the Premier League without losing a single game! After that we Thank you very much to Dr Bertuzzi and Mr Mora for giving us this amazing visited the photo rooms where important achievements were celebrated. Such opportunity, we all appreciate it greatly! people featured there were Tony Adams, Patrick Viera, Thierry Henry as well as Ethan Davy (8V) and Jin Hill (8C) many other players.

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Exchange is a real hit!

News@Com

Comberton was delighted to welcome the Spanish exchange group from our partner school in Zaragoza, María Rosa Molas, for the return leg of the exchange project earlier this term.

Students and teachers joined us for a week and managed to pack a great deal into just a short time! As well as all the extra-curricular activities that were carefully organised by our hosting students and their families, highlights for us were inviting the Spanish students into Year 7 lessons to help practice speaking and grammar skills, and the projects day.

An enormous thank you to the CVC students, who participated in this year’s exchange, for their enthusiasm and for their openness to learn from and enjoy the new people, places and culture that they encountered, and to the CVC Spanish exchange staff team, without whom absolutely none of it could have happened! Many thanks to Ms Vázquez-Valero, Mr Mora and Mrs Shorten for all of their hard work.

The arrival of the Spanish students was later than planned but spirits were high and cheers were heard when the bus with our exchange partners on it came into view.

Hugs were given, luggage was stashed in cars and we all went home for our first night of the return visit.

Our first full day with our partners consisted of introducing them to the English school system, and CVC. They spent lessons 2, 3, and 6 with us as well as going on a school tour, and spending some time teaching Year 7 students, using fun and games.

The day ended and we all went home looking forward to spending the weekend

Sport breaks barriers

Project Day was a day which was spent in CVC and for which we invited all the participating schools from the exchange to join us (Cambourne and Melbourn).

The day started with both the English and the Spanish students in groups, working to analyse a sports report from a newspaper, and learning about what we were going to do.

We got to take part in a dodgeball tournament as well as a rounders tournament, which I found really fun — and there isn’t much of a language barrier when playing sport!

Throughout the day we took down notes and took lots of photos for when we spent the last period writing up a match report.

Overall I really enjoyed this day because it gave us another chance to bond with our partners before they headed back to Zaragoza.

Kyle Mutch (9R)

with our Spanish friends. Some people arranged to meet up with other students and their partners for Saturday and Sunday.

On Monday the Spanish group went into London, leaving us at school to resume normal lessons. They came back full of beans, boasting and telling us all about their adventures.

Tuesday was a sports day, spent having fun and competing with and against each other, including the exchange groups from Melbourn and Cambourne.

Our last full day with our partners was spent with them in Cambridge and us at school.

Hopefully they had a fun time learning about the history of that lovely city!

Finally, the time came for us to say adiós and goodbye, to the people we had shared our homes with for a week.

HELP: For Year Tears were shed, 7 students. group hugs were had and one last group photo was taken.

Then they got on the bus and we waved one final goodbye. We are already organising to see them again!

Emily Santus(9R)

Rash moves prove key

WORKING TOGETHER: Projects Day at Comberton.

The scene was set: an epic battle between two giants; 1 vs 2. The game: rounders. Team 1 batted first, with an impressive full rounder from novice Jacob.

The team of 10 started to rack up the points and finished their innings on three rounders.

Next up, it was the mighty Team 2, the favourites from the start with very strong members including the wonderful Pablo Pina, who is a very prolific baller on the rounders pitch.

The titan team got off to an amazing start with two rounders in the first two goes from Maya and David.

By the end of the innings the team had accumulated an impressive 4 ½ rounders with Antoine finishing on a full rounder. However, he then went on to subsequently start manically hitting things with his bat. This led to a deduction of one rounder from Team 2 and an addition of ½ a rounder to Team 1.

This dramatically changed the standings and Team 1 came back to draw, showing how much rash and poor behaviour can affect a team’s performance.

Pablo and Tom Sharrock (9C)

Spanish visitors are introduced to dodgeball COMPETITIVE: Four schools joined forces for dodgeball.

In the week after Easter a thrilling dodgeball competition took place at Comberton Village College with three Cam Academy Trust schools competing — Comberton, Cambourne and Melbourn Village Colleges.

The competition featured lots of games of dodgeball between four mixed teams, which also included special guests from the María Rosa Molas School.

They had never played dodgeball and so each team

spent a while practising and refining their skills.

There was amazing play from all sides, but Team 1 were crowned overall winners.

The first matches were riveting displays of hard work excellent skill, with many players looking completely disgruntled when they were caught out. However, players were soon enjoying the competitive atmosphere and revelling in their new-found skills.

Guillermo told us that he was speechless and lost for

words at how amazing it was to play dodgeball for

the first time.

Players were also very competitive during the game,

especially when caught out. Gala shouted during the

match that Alex was cheating, while Juan apparently

got hit twice but stayed in, to the dismay of his rivals.

Maya Hellin (9N) and Lucia Sobradiel

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News@Com

UNFORGETTABLE: The Chinese students pose for an official photo to mark the visit of their Principal from the Suzhou Foreign Language School.

Lively lessons surprise!

Three months ago we came to Comberton for the first time. This is a big, beautiful school in my eyes.

Having lessons in an English school was challenging for me because we had lessons in different classrooms. We haven’t ever had lessons like that in China.

Fortunately, I had a friendly buddy. She took me to all the classrooms. This made me not worried anymore.

Everyone knows Chinese students are good at Maths. We did very well in Maths lessons because it’s a piece of cake for us. We finished the questions fast and accurately. All the Chinese students were proud of themselves because they were not very good at Maths in Chinese teachers’ eyes, but they became top students here!

Although we did well in Maths, we still faced some challenges here besides finding the way to the classrooms.

This was the first time that we had lessons in English all day and some teachers spoke very fast so at first we couldn’t understand everything that the teacher said. However, our buddies always explained what the teachers said for us patiently. Thanks to them for helping. By the end I could almost understand everything in the lessons (exceptt Spanish).

There are some subjects we don’t have in China such as Drama, DT and Spanish. We were curious about new subjects. English school is very different from Chinese schools.

We have cold faces in most of the Chinese lessons because we should be very quiet, but there’s a lively atmosphere in English lessons. We tried our best to

adapt to the lessons. Our classmates helped us a lot.

We made some good friends here.

Time goes fast and all too soon our school life at Comberton ended. Thanks to Comberton Village College for giving us a chance to enjoy English education. The life here is a piece of unforgettable memory in my life.

Xu Yuxin (Vicky), Year 7 l Bing Dong, Principal of the Suzhou Foreign Language School, met Comberton Executive Principal Stephen Munday while in England.

The pair signed a Sister School Agreement and hope to work together in future.

Students from the Chinese school also studied at Melbourn and, speaking through an interpreter, Mr Dong said the academies in the Trust shared his school’s philosophy of education. He invited students

French at the Fitz . . .

FRENCH SKILLS: At the Fitzwilliam Museum.

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Year 9 and 10 pupils studying French visited the Fitzwilliam Museum for a morning of art and history-related activities in different exhibitions, while testing their French listening, speaking, reading and writing skills along the way.

We spent the morning almost exclusively talking in French, with teacher volunteers helping us to grasp new linguistic skills and to learn about the Ancient Egyptians and Impressionist art.

Students felt that they got a lot out of the experience, one pupil describing the day as “very challenging, but the challenge only made it more enjoyable”.

Overall, the time spent out of our comfort zone enhancing our French knowledge really furthered all pupils’ confidence through taking part in engaging and intriguing activities. C’était très bien!

Sophie & Tim (Year 9)

News@Com

The less you are in school, the less you are learning.

We are all sick sometimes, but being in school as much as possible, will help you achieve your potential, as well as being able to see your friends.

100% Attendance

If your attendance is 100%: you miss no days of school and have an 81.7% chance of achieving 5 A*-C grades at GCSE, including maths and English. All colleges and employers will want people who will attend their courses or job and will look at how much you have attended school.

% attendance

DAYS missed during a YEAR

LESSONS missed in a YEAR

TERMS missed of Secondary School

% achieving 5A*-C with Ma & En

100 95 90 85 80

0 9½ 19 28½ 38

0 57 114 171 228

81.7% 73.5% 56.8% 41% 28.9%

50

95

570

0 ¾ term 1½ 2¼ 3 (this is a whole school year!)

7.5 (this is 2.5 years!)

3.8%

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Challenge to be healthy News@Com

Comberton students and staff met a series of challenges throughout Healthy Eating Week in June.

The five themes of the week were: Eat Breakfast, Drink Plenty, Get Active, Eat 5 A Day and Try Something New. During the week Comberton was fortunate enough to secure external funding to be able to serve porridge free of charge before school to staff and students to encourage everyone to eat a nutritional breakfast to help fuel their day.

Students were encouraged to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day to stay hydrated throughout the day and tutor groups recorded the number of glasses they drank throughout the week and the tutor group with the highest amount drunk received a football to be used during the Active Form Time. Those tutor groups were: 7N, 8V and 9M. Every lunchtime on the tennis courts hula hoops, skipping ropes and space hoppers were provided in addition to the usual basketball and football provision to encourage students to be even more active.

Ms Jones and Mrs Goodson provided cake during Tuesday lunchtime that had hidden vegetables in for staff and students to try and guess the secret ingredients. There were delights such as pea, beetroot and even tomato soup cake! Thank you to Mrs Patman who made the delicious cakes.

Our catering team provided a beautiful selection of fresh fruit throughout week and made the dining hall experience very colourful with edible flowers.

SOCIALLY AWARE: The Comberton team won one of the five prizes in the Social Enterprise and Business Challenge.

COLOURFUL CHOICE: Fresh fruit, with new varieties to try, and edible flowers, during Healthy Eating Week.

We had huge amounts of fruit available for students and did not have cakes, biscuits, muffins or doughnuts on sale.

We also had a salad bar during the week which we are looking into being able to keep full time and, as is always the case, all the main meal options were full of vegetables.

We still encourage students to continue to make healthy choices and are looking to keep some aspects of the catering that happened during this week.

Jane Clarke, Assistant Principal and Head of PE

Girls’ business sense

Four Year 9 girls won a top prize in a national enterprise competition.

The Intermesh team of Sophie Anderson-Smith, Hasini Fernando, Emma Hayward and Maya Hellin were awarded one of the five prizes in the Faith and Football Social Enterprise and Business Challenge.

They were recognised for their social awareness after they accepted the challenge to set up a company to develop a business idea and plan and turn it into a practical and real way of generating income.

Their international-themed sweet foods business finished with a trading profit of £67.37.

The girls were also within a whisker of winning overall and the judges commented on the exceptional quality of their portfolio.

The other prizes were award for Outstanding Commitment. Outstanding Teamwork, Most Innovative Business and Highly Commended.

Year 11 have a taste of life in the Sixth Form

WELCOME: Students hoping to study at Comberton Sixth Form in September enjoy a BBQ at the welcome event.

A record number of prospective Year 12 students joined Comberton Sixth Form for their welcome event earlier this month.

With sixth form numbers increasing considerably this year the event was large in scale and gave the new students, nearly 200 from more than 24 different schools, the opportunity to meet each other and forge new friendships before starting their courses in September.

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During the day the students also had an opportunity to ask any questions, meet their future teachers and collect the pre-course reading.

With GCSE exams and the end-of-year celebrations behind them, they also attended two mini-lessons in the subjects they are planning to study in September and learnt more about the style of teaching in the sixth form.

The presentations from the Head and Deputy

Heads of sixth form gave the students a better idea

of what it is like to be a sixth form student, studying

in a more independent environment.

The day ended with a welcome barbecue where

new friends chatted over a hot dog and looked

forward to starting their A-Level and BTEC courses

in September.

News@Com

Four chalk up DofE first CABIN CREW: Success for the quartet in the expedition section marked the completion of their Bronze award.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an impressive achievement.

It takes young people out of their comfort zone, stretches them to their limit and requires them to work together as a team.

The excellent DofE team at Comberton Village College helps hundreds of children to win their Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.

Countrywide, this DofE opportunity is open to all individuals, including those with special needs, but it took the inspiration and skills of Carol Davidson, a DofE Special Needs Group Assessor, and the support of Louise Lancaster to help us become more inclusive and start to offer the award to all our pupils.

This March a Cabin group set up by Max Marek in Year 11, along with Harrison Parker, James Stephenson and Francesca Zaffaroni in Year 10, embarked on their successful assessed expedition weekend and gained their award.

The other sections require students to undertake physical activity, learn a new skill and volunteer. Max, Harrison, James and Francesca volunteered in school in the library and helped run clubs – Book Club, Science Club and Art Club. They invested time to learn and develop skills such as cookery and drama and learnt

new sports skills such as rowing and horseriding.

On the expeditions the group accomplished pitching tents in an exposed field in high winds, cooked all their meals outdoors and navigated a 7km route on both days independently to achieve their goal.

“Washing outside from a tap in the dark field was weird.” said Max. And it was tough not using the internet for 48 hours!”

Throughout the weekend they worked together as a team, supporting and encouraging each other when times were tough by taking it in turns to keep morale high.

Harrison added: “After a divine breakfast we set off on our walk. It was really fun doing the walk although we had trouble staying together at times. After walking for a while we took lovely breaks.”

The group took photos along the routes and James made field sketches to catalogue the flora and fauna they saw along the way.

Achievement in D of E is always impressive but when the award is won by young people who access support in school it becomes exceptional. Well done Max, Harrison, James and Francesca!

Getting in vital practice

Year 10 students had their bronze practice expedition in the Chilterns.

Here head prefect Ana Ward reports: “I went on my Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition, with five other girls in my group, and many other groups from the year.

“The first night we got there, we set up all our tents, cooked on the Trangias, and then went straight to sleep, ready for the long days of walking ahead.

“The next day, we woke up bright and early, still incredibly tired, but ready to WELCOME BREAK: On the Silver practice expedition. get on with our walks. After eating breakfast, we met our guides, and the group we would be walking with that day, and before we knew it we were off!

“During the day, we each took turns at On 1st July, 19 Year 11 students, mentally exhausted from their GCSE exams, embarked on their Silver DofE practice expedition in the Dark Peak map reading and using our compasses, area of the Peak District. Their expedition started off with some intense map learning many useful skills, and also and compass theory training in the village hall at Bamford, followed by the some of the key features of the map we could use to help us recognise our participants planning their walk for the next two days. location.

Of course, there’s no point in training without actually doing so, as the “Despite taking more than a few rests sunlight disappeared behind the hills of Bamford Moor, the groups set off and breaks, we made it back in good with adult volunteers on a night navigation exercise, finding small, plastic time, and rather impressed our guides. flags with nothing but a map, their compass, and the knowledge of how “While this might sound like a positive, many paces they took to walk 100m to help them.

The next day had a late start but proved arduous as the groups walked with it meant the next day our route was just a little harder, causing some grumbling. full packs over more than one summit to their destination campsite at Edale. Suffice to say, the groups slept well and were surprisingly perky the The group sat in our biggest tent and carefully pored over our maps, tracing following morning, setting off for another seven-hour hike to the coach, out the route, and calculating how long where they could finally sleep until they were back at Comberton. A fantastic weekend, and excellent preparation for their assessed expedition. it would take us to get to each

Silver hopefuls get hiking

checkpoint, and setting an overall target for time, giving ourselves a half hour cushion to get there.

“Finally, after a restless night’s sleep, we packed all our things away, and pulled our bags on to our backs, sleeping bags, tents and all, and began our long hike, going up steep hills, walking through cow-filled fields, and seeing lots of little lambs, making us very glad it was spring time!

Our boots, heavy with mud, we continued on, rather regretting having showed off a little the day before, and put such an emphasis on the fact half our group had spent many years in scouting.

“While a few ‘minor setbacks’ got in the way, we managed to get back to our site one minute before our due time (thanking our lucky stars for our 30minute cushion).

“So, after much stress within the group about whether or not we would actually make it back in time, we then proceeded to wait for about three other groups, for upwards of two hours, although, it wasn’t as bad as for the group who had arrived first, many hours earlier.”

DofE Gold news in the Sixth Form section, Page 16

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News@Com

A time to remember . . .

The beginning of the end of Year 11 kicked off with Celebration Day and culminated in the May Ball which, in true Cambridge tradition, was, of course, in June!

to their form tutors. The star of the show was undoubtedly Miss Shipley’s new hamster, Lola, a present from 11L. There was also time to reflect on the past five years with some photos and videos of the year group’s socials.

This was then followed by some time on the back field, where there was plenty to amuse the year group. The inflatables were very popular, and many ‘silly’ photos T-shirts, yearbooks and hoodies were handed out in tutor time before students were taken by all with a range of photo booth props. There was a delicious variety took centre stage as they came together in the Performance Hall to say thank you of food on offer from burgers and hotdogs to ice cream and candy floss. We even managed to escape the rain. As the day drew to an end, there was an opportunity to watch an extra special video that was put together by staff to celebrate this occasion.

Year 11 students and members of staff then gathered at Manor Barn in Harlton for the May Ball. Everyone looked on in awe as the students arrived in style.

From start to finish, the dance floor was packed.

There was also the opportunity to visit the sweets stall and take some extra special photos with friends!

Outside, students could ‘test their strength’ on the high striker fairground game, attempt to ‘Hook a Duck’ or outsmart their opponent in Connect 4 or Jenga.

Thank you to all those who contributed to making this event a night to remember — particularly Mr Pollock, Ms Smith, Miss Healy, STYLISH SEND-OFF: Mrs Meads, Miss Dear and the May Ball Prefects. The Year 11 team all wish Year 11 Celebration Day and the pupils all the best for results day on August 24th May Ball marked the end and all the best for the future. of Year 11 for students.

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Up with the best of them!

Sixth Form

The Physics and Geography departments at Comberton Sixth Form have been highlighted as among the best in the country.

Recent analysis of our exam results by Oxford Analytics has identified exceptional progress by our students, ranking the geography and physics departments within the top 20 in the country of more than 2500 sixth form providers.

The Physics department was ranked the highest in the East of England and Comberton is the only sixth form in the area to have two departments named.

Lorna Conroy, the Head of Sixth Form and a

geography teacher, commented: “This is an amazing achievement and it’s great to see that the hard work of our staff and students has paid off. The publication of these rankings provides further confirmation of Comberton as a centre of excellence for all.”

Executive Principal Stephen Munday said: 'We want students throughout our school and Sixth Form to be able to achieve true excellence.

“This remarkable accolade shows very clearly that they can and do do this at Comberton Sixth Form.

Very many congratulations to the students and the staff who have managed this. It just shows what extremely high standards now exist in our Sixth Form.”

Stephen Winter, Head of Physics, added: “I am extremely pleased that our department has been recognised for its excellence.

“Our department was able to produce such outstanding results due to the sheer amount of hard work and passion Mr. Willder, Mr Rocks and Mr Young put into their teaching. This, coupled with the commitment of our physics students to the course, ensured these remarkable results.

“Our physics students consistently tried their very best and demonstrated tremendous resilience throughout the two years, never shying away from the many conceptual and mathematical challenges A-Level physics presents.”

Considering life after sixth form PHYSICS IN ACTION: Students calculate the wavelength of a laser using a diffraction grating.

Following our progression conference in March, in which Year 12 students were encouraged to start thinking about their plans for life after Sixth Form, preparations with regard to next steps have really stepped up a gear this term.

Along with advisory meetings for those considering alternative pathways, events have also taken place to support students hoping to apply to university through the UCAS system in the coming academic year.

The traditional information evening for students and parents was very well attended and helped to outline the process, the timeline and the support on offer to CSF students who are considering this route.

Dr Kevan Williams, Associate Dean of Admissions at the University of East Anglia, presented the universities’ perspective on the process, while Rebecca Avery from the Network for East Anglian

FIELDWORK: For Comberton’s acclaimed geography students.

Collaborative Outreach (NEACO) helped to clarify the sometimes perplexing world of student finance.

This was followed up by our recent trips to the annual UCAS Convention at Anglia Ruskin University — at which students had the opportunity to seek information about, and advice from, representatives from universities all over the UK — and then, a week later, to the Schools and Colleges’ Open Day at the University of Leicester, where students had the chance to experience a taste of campus life, from sample lectures to tours of student accommodation.

With the further opportunity for every student to attend individual guidance meetings and specialist sessions to support the planning of personal statements during Futures Week, we are confident that our students will already feel well placed to start looking ahead to life after Sixth Form.

FAREWELL EVENTS: The formal dinner and leavers’ BBQ.

LOOKING AHEAD: Students visit Leicester University.

Saying goodbye

As A-level exams finished and the summer holidays beckon we said goodbye to our Year 13 students for the final time.

Sixth formers and staff celebrated informally with the traditional end of year BBQ on the front lawns in lovely sunshine and later 140 staff and students celebrated the end of Comberton life more formally with a party at the Cambridge City Hilton hotel.

A drinks reception and formal meal were followed by light-hearted speeches, awards from the student presidents and musical entertainment from Year 13 student Anna Bird.

Lorna Conroy, Head of Sixth Form, wished all the students every success in their future endeavours and thanked them for their contributions to sixth form life.

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Ambassadors’ new role Sixth Form

With the academic year coming to a close, the opportunities and process for sixth form leadership for next year have been up and running.

For the first time we have invited our students to put their names forward to become either members of the Sixth Form Council or the new positions of Sixth Form Ambassadors and/or Subject Ambassadors.

The ambassadors will represent the Sixth Form or a subject at a variety of different functions and events

throughout the next academic year.

Each sixth form subject will have two students working closely alongside them, while a strong cohort of 16 Ambassadors will work alongside the Council to represent the Sixth Form as a whole.

We would like to thank all the hard work and efforts of the outgoing Sixth Form Council and thank them for their contribution to making the Sixth Form what it is today. We would also like to wish them every bit of luck in their new adventures as of September.

With the outgoing Year 13 members of the Sixth

Key safety pointers Last month Sixth Form students joined around 1,000 young people from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough at the annual Young Driver Event at Huntingdon Racecourse.

In 2015, 114 young people aged between 16 and 25 were killed or seriously injured on Cambridgeshire and Peterborough roads.

The event allowed our students to get involved in a range of activities and have fun, but more importantly gain valuable information that could potentially save their own or someone else’s life.

With access to a wide range of information about driving from more than 20 organisations from the wider motoring industry and sustainable transport experts, the event was an eye-opening realisation to driving and travelling safely through activities such as: l Having a go on one of five crash car simulators l Trying their hand at the Batak wall, testing their reaction time l Getting Driving test snippets from DVSA Driving instructors l Meeting a crew from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue and hearing about their

OTHELLO TRIP: For Year 13 English Literature students.

Getting to grips with marketing challenge

The Year 12 BTEC Business Studies sixth form students visited the Warner Bros Harry Potter Studio Tour to enhance their understanding of how marketing campaigns are used to successfully promote a brand.

In this case, the brand was ‘Harry Potter’ and the students attended a fascinating workshop about how this hugely successful movie franchise was marketed by Warner Bros.

They learnt about movie advertising, including the introduction of a ‘teaser trailer’ to the actual movie launch and the publicity which surrounds it, whilst appreciating the wide marketing opportunities provided by social media using popular applications such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The students were then given a marketing challenge of planning their own marketing campaign for a movie of their choice, taking into

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consideration its target market.

A horror movie, set in the woods, starring Megan Fox and John Boyega, aimed at teenagers and couples, proved to be a popular choice.

The group were then free to tour the exhibition and enjoyed exploring the vast collection of movie props including visiting the new ‘Forbidden Forest’ with giant spiders. There was also time to visit the huge gift shop and discuss why the Harry Potter scarves were so expensive.

This was a very useful visit as students were able to enhance their understanding of marketing campaigns and apply it to their ‘Developing a Marketing Campaign’ unit of study.

If you are interested in studying the Level 3 BTEC Business course in the Sixth Form, then please contact Chris Warrington via email at cwarrington@combertonvc.org

Form Council having now left, it is with great pleasure to introduce the Sixth Form Council for 2017/18 and we look forward to working closely with them over the coming months: Student presidents: Laurie Brewster and Emma Shield. Vice Presidents (academic and welfare): Coralie Bell and Jess Pashley. Vice Presidents (social): Mollie Bentley-Smith, Charlotte Clover. Vice President (communication): Ryan Wales. Vice President (BTEC liaison): Matt Waller. Vice President (charity and community): Tom Richardson.

DRIVING: Students use cycles to propel cars round the track.

experience of road traffic accidents along with Cambridgeshire Traffic police plus the camera van and The Road Victims Trust lTaking part in live demonstration of stopping distances As an event this was an incredibly powerful experience, with a very clear message — drive safe, stay safe and keep others safe on the road.

Tragedy at the double

Literature students have had a double dose of tragedy this term, with theatre trips to see two classic dramatic plays, as part of their A level study.

Year 13 headed to London, to see Othello at the Sam Wanamaker Theatre at the Globe. It was everyone’s first time at this iconic re-creation of an indoor Jacobean theatre, complete with candlelit stage - and the event didn’t disappoint!

Performances were strong and the whole production was made particularly memorable with an inspired blending of 21st century music with traditional costuming. Everyone left buzzing (and humming!)

Just two weeks later, Cambridge played host to the touring production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and a mixed group of Year 12s and Year 13s had centre row seats with a great view of the action.

A simple but dramatically-lit stage provided for lots of post-performance discussion and, despite the actors playing the key roles of Willy and Linda Loman having had little time to rehearse (following the death of Tim PigottSmith) there was plenty of tension to keep the audience hooked through to the play’s tragic conclusion.

Checking the options

delightful opportunity to try a lesson in Two lucky Year 12 students were invited different language, such as analysing to the 'Why Not Languages?' event at Portuguese poetry and learning the the University of Cambridge.

Russian alphabet.

Held at Magdalene College and aimed To conclude the at prospective day, presentations students detailed the huge considering a variety of courses on language degree, offer at Cambridge, the day started with as well as the a variety of enticing Oxbridge application presentations process and advice regarding language from the engaging myths and the student compulsory year ambassadors. abroad.

We would very Following this, much like to thank taster classes in our TASTER DAY: For linguists.

Mrs Shorten and Ms A-Level language Jones for their help over the course of covered topics including translation, the day.

Spanglish and the creation of subtitles George Blackhurst-Patrick for film trailers. We even had the

Sixth Form

Woodlice in the spotlight BIOLOGY IN ACTION: Students participated in a range of activities at Juniper Hall, including leading goats!

Learning about ecology and honing investigation skills were to the fore as 24 biology students and three staff headed to Juniper Hall near Dorking.

Based at the picturesque 17th Century National Trust building in stunning grounds, students participated in a wide range of hands-on activities (such as pond sampling, mammal trapping, moth capture/identification and chromatography) as well as brushing up on data analysis skills.

“We also got to walk some goats on leads – and how often do you get to say that?” asked Dr Vousden.

“To keep energy levels up the group were given cooked breakfasts, morning snacks, packed lunch, afternoon cakes, tasty evening meals and a limitless supply of tea and coffee.

“On top of this some of the students seemingly managed to consume their own body weight in biscuits and sweets that they had brought with them.”

Student Coralie Bell said: “As part of our ecology studies at Juniper Hall, we investigated the effect of different environmental factors on woodlice to determine the habitat preference woodlice have.

“We collected woodlice from a forest area, then each group constructed a choice chamber with four condition: wet and dark, dry and dark, wet and light and dry

and light.

“Every group then put 10 woodlice in their choice chamber and timed 10 minutes.

After the time, we counted up the number of woodlice in each section of the choice chamber.

“We also carried out a control experiment, in which all sections of the choice chamber were kept in normal conditions.

“The results, as we predicted were that woodlice preferred wet, dark habitat to light, dry ones. After carrying out statistical analysis, we found that our results were statistically significant. The experiment was a useful illustration to demonstrate organisms are adapted to survive in different habitats and they will actively seek out their preferred conditions.”

Amy Beswick added: “The biology field trip was important to go on for many reasons. It gives good experience for the exam, which may ask questions on your fieldwork.

“Also it is a good opportunity to complete PAGs (compulsory practical activities) that you may not get to do otherwise, including the woodlouse and snail PAGs. “One of the main reasons to go is just to see what a field trip is like and to have a bunch of fun whilst doing it! You get delicious food and comfy accommodation, which you can enjoy with your friends.”

Five biology students to the Babraham Institute near Cambridge, which undertakes research into human biology, diseases and ageing.

The trip started with a short talk, in the lecture room, about the history of the Babraham Institute and the type of research it undertakes. Next, we had lab placements with some of the 60 bioscience companies at the campus.

I spent the afternoon with DefiniGen, a company that uses stem cells to produce specialised liver, pancreas and lungs cells which they then sell on to other bioscience companies. During the afternoon they took me on a tour of their labs and I learnt about the work they do. This included looking at some of the specialised cells that they had produced, under powerful microscopes and helping the researchers stain cells ready for viewing. The highlight of this experience was learning how to use some of the equipment DefiniGen use for their research.

After visiting the labs, we returned to the lecture room for another talk, this time from two scientists that work on site. They shared their experiences of the path

SCIENCE AT WORK: Babraham Institute taster for students. they chose to becoming scientists and what everyday life is like for them working on the campus. The trip gave me an insight into life as a scientist and the steps I need to take now in order to pursue a career in science.

Daniel Harris

Life as a scientist . . .

Silver students move to a whole new level

WORKING IT OUT: Competitive chemistry.

A number of Sixth Formers and Year 11s volunteered to take part in the RSC Chemistry Olympiad, which featured a series of obscure chemistry-related questions.

This was the hardest challenge to date, but Comberton students did better than ever.

The results included two Silver Certificates for Amy Selby and Melissa Slade — the first silvers the school has achieved — as well as two Bronze Certificates for Laura Collins and Tom Frearson.

The three top performing achievers, Tom, Amy and Melissa, were invited to compete at the UEA heat of the RSC Schools' Analyst Competition.

It involved spending the day at UEA Norwich in their undergraduate laboratories completing a series of practical challenges. There was a total of 18 schools competing for a place at the National Finals.

The day started with an introduction and welcome to the university. This was followed by two sessions in the lab of practical challenges. Between these was an opportunity to explore the campus and buy lunch.

The day concluded with the announcement of winners and prize-giving. Unfortunately, we did not rank within the top three. It was a great opportunity to see what life at university is like as well as interacting with students from other colleges. Overall it was a very enjoyable experience.

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The journey to Gold Sixth Form

Thirteen intrepid Year 13 students head for Snowdonia later this month for their assessed Duke of Edinburgh gold expedition hoping for similar conditions to the practice trip to the Lake District in April.

There they enjoyed glorious sunshine with beautiful views from every peak and lovely wild camping spots.

Despite a minor setback with a broken down minibus on the way to our destination and a seven-hour discussion with the AA, the rest of the trip went flawlessly. The students gained a huge amount from their navigation lessons, as well as learning about the importance of routeplanning to avoid lots of climbing at the end of WILD CAMPING: At the side of a lake. the day.

Sophie Johnson said: “Having never wild were soon to end! camped before, four days in the Lakes with my “Although challenging, we shared many a giggle, friends was a real laugh. The first day was absolutely from the tramping through marshes which claimed to beautiful with cloudless, windless night and a sunset be “paths” to practically rock climbing up sheer rock to remember. Little did we know the warm, dry nights faces, the terrain faced us with constant challenges

Helping others is first step

The Gold DofE programme was launched to the new Year 12 cohort and 16 signed up.

They began by sharing their skills while accompanying Bronze candidates on their training weekend. As Amy Beswick reported: “It was a fun weekend for both students and adults, enjoying the beautiful scenery and warm weather, whilst doing a bit of walking in the countryside! What else could you wish for?

“I assisted with various activities, including supervising the Year 10s whilst they were cooking their meals. We had to make sure that they knew how to assemble the trangia, as well as aid them in lighting the fuel in the trangia although most of them already knew how to do both.

“We also trailed them on a short walk on the first day to test out their map-reading skills and to see if they could work well as a team, without squabbling, which most of them did do, including the teachers!

“The next day we helped them to complete their route cards, which included the length of the walk, how long each segment should take and the grid co-ordinates of the escape routes”.

and I gained skills which I doubt I’ll forget. All I’ll do differently during our real expedition is bring a camera to record all the sliding and falling during the slippery, marshy descents!”

Matt Moore commented: “Despite being a group of mixed ability and experience, our four days in the Lake District were brilliant fun and an amazing experience.

“A particular test to this occurred on day three, when we found that our planned route took a path that did not physically exist and we had to take a very precarious ‘alternative’ down The Old Man of Coniston.”

And Matthew Law added: “Climbing a mountain is often used as a metaphor for challenges, and this did seem fitting during the instances when — panting on the side of the aforementioned landform — each of us wondered whether we had bitten off rather more than we could chew and started to question our life choices!”

Taking up water challenge

Sparrow flying NEW CLASS : For Adam Sparrow.

Since the age of 10 I have raced karts, reaching fourth place in the British Karting Championships before moving up to the senior class where I am the youngest driver.

We have had three rounds so far this season: one in Cumbria, one in Oxfordshire and one in Dorset.

For my first year in this class, I wasn’t expecting too much but the results so far have me in fifth place.

I’ve had four race victories out of the 12 I have completed, but in the last one I lost a lot of points to the leader due to mechanical issues.

However, in the British Karting Championship, with 50 drivers, anything can happen, so I can easily close that gap and might even be in the running for the championship title itself.

Adam Sparrow (L6-SB)

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As part of the BTEC Sport Level 3 course, Year 12 and Year 13 students have been completing an Outdoor and Adventurous Activities (OAA) unit.

As part of this unit, students are required to complete OAA activities, including kayaking in May we made our way to Bedford Embankment on the River Ouse where we were greeted by Richard from Canoe Trail.

Students put on their buoyancy aids and were sent off to paddle using a variety of different craft, including kayaks, canoes and paddleboards.

Luckily the sun was shining, which made the thought of getting wet at 10am a little more appealing.

Students tentatively made their way around the river, learning different skills for each craft and attempting

PITCHED: Tents are all set up.

some tricks on the paddleboards from 180 and 360 jumps to headstands, where we had limited success.

After a short break for lunch, students were able to choose their preferred craft before embarking on a one-hour journey along the river.

Despite a few drops of rain, the rest of the day remained dry and students enjoyed some games and photo opportunities along the way.

To finish the day, students wishing to gain accreditation for their work were required to capsize in both a canoe and kayak…most of the students readily accepted the challenge and took a nice cooling dip in the river at the end of the day..

DIFFERENT BOATS: On the BTEC trip to Bedford, where capsizing (below) was also needed for accreditation.

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KE EP J U ME NE U 20 NT 18 IL

Adult Learning and Skills Courses 2017 / 2018 Cambourne, Comberton & Melbourn Village Colleges

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New brochure now available online from your local college’s website: www.combertonvc.org, www.cambournevc.org and www.melbourn vc.org

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History near and far . . .

News@Com

Russia and Cambridge trips give students valuable insight

GCSE History students embarked on a trip to Russia packed with a variety of activities including taking the sleeper train from Moscow to St Petersburg.

Our first day was insightful and interesting as it provided us with an amazing experience of Moscow in only a short amount of time.

Following our guided tour where we saw various sites such the Cathedral of Christ The Saviour, we looked around the Kremlin grounds which were incredible.

We also had time for lunch near Red Square, where we also visited the nearby

Our Year 10 history GCSE group went to Castle Hill as part of our ‘History Around Us’ course.

Castle Hill, also known as Castle Mound, is a local site on Castle Street in Cambridge just out of the centre of town.

It is of great historical importance as it can teach us a lot about how the site has developed through centuries of change and tell us what life was like in Cambridge in the past.

The Castle was originally built after the Norman Conquest had ended, then it was mainly used for keeping the town under royal control and it was kept busy being used as a prison.

Later it was developed by Edward I. It kept the same motte and bailey structure, but it was just expanded. The bailey was used for defensive purposes but also for the daily running of the castle. Now all that is left is the mound and Shire Hall opposite.

During the visit we began by looking at material excavated from the site, some of the items we looked at were from the Roman period and preNorman, which included pots and kitchen utensils.

We could tell which items were from which period

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shopping centre which was beautiful and carefully decorated for spring, giving off Disney-esque vibes. We moved on to Victory Park — a monument commemorating Russia’s' victory following World War II. This provided incredible views of the city as well as developing our understanding of Russian history.

Following this we toured some of Moscow's metro station which had some incredible pieces of art, all representing different things.

After dinner we went out to see Moscow at night. It was incredible to see the city lit up. During this tour we went back to Red Square and the shopping centre where we all had traditional Russian ice creams, which was delicious.

Then it was on to the train station where we all got to experience a sleeper train for the first time; this was quite an experience.

At around 6am we finally arrived in St Petersburg.

After breakfast, we went on a guided tour of the city. After lunch we reconvened and headed to the Winter Palace, which, with its magnificent ceilings and elaborate décor, was a highlight for many.

The following day we headed to the Peter and Paul Fortress and visited the museum, which gave an insight into what life was like for prisoners during the reign of Peter the Great.

We went to a Russian folk show where we heard some traditional Russian music as well as getting the chance to see some traditional dancing in which stories were shown in various, mostly hilarious ways.

This was an amazing night and provided a brilliant RUSSIA: Incredible end to our trip in Russia.

Overall this was a fantastic trip and provided a buildings and huge amount of insight not only into Russian amazing artwork in history, but also Russian culture. the underground.

Amy Warburton (10N)

by the way they were made and decorated. We learnt about how people used to live. For example, we were shown some animal bones found on the site, this shows us that during the medieval times people would have eaten livestock such as beef or pork. Some of these bones were also dog bones which implies that animals were tamed and used as pets. We also learnt about how people used to prepare food, some of the pots had small stones in the inside which would have been used as a pestle and mortar. This is similar to how we live now.

Next, we were taken on a tour of the site. We first looked at a church which would have been used at the time and we also found that some of the bricks used to build the church were similar to the castle.

This is because as the castle changed and was expanded the materials that were used were dispersed around Cambridge, and many were also used for the university buildings, such as King’s College. We then walked up the mound for a brilliant view of Cambridge. From the top we could see the colleges and churches. This would have been useful for military purposes during the

time that the castle was operational.

After lunch on the grass we went to the archiving section which, for me, was the most interesting.

Here we learnt how to treat old pieces of documentation, for example using low lighting, wearing gloves and using book stands.

The documents that we were shown included records of who went to prison at the site and what their offences were.

There were all the birth certificates for people born in the UK which were documented on a computer; my friends and I did manage to find ours! Additionally, there were records of who was born, married and died in the East Anglia area from centuries ago. It was extremely interesting to find out about the lives of people from the past.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the trip, and it was very eye-opening to know that there are sites, such as Castle Hill, so local to us that have a great historical importance and I look forward to continuing the rest of our ‘History Around Us’ course.

Alice Webb (10N)

Life at a top uni — and how to get in

Students from Comberton had the chance to meet Cambridge University students and find out about university life and the path to get there.

Organised as part of the college’s link with the university by Hannah Powell and Eleanor Norman, Comberton’s Most Able and Talented Co-Ordinators and Lizzie Taylor, Head of Careers, the visit was deemed a success by students on both sides.

Mrs Norman said: “It was fantastic to see how interested all our students were in engaging with the undergraduates, and pleasing that the undergraduates were delighted by how well-informed and thoughtful our pupils were.”

The university students, from Peterhouse, met students from Years 8, 10 and 12 in two sessions, the latter two at lunchtime where they discussed topics similar to those in the Year 8 sesson, described by Aarohi Vira, below.

“A group of around 25 Year 8 pupils met a group of first and second year students from Peterhouse, Comberton’s link college from Cambridge University, in an exciting new opportunity for us to learn about university life, and the path there.

“We met during period five in the library with the students, three of whom are studying law, and two who are studying physics. To begin with, they gave us a summary of the subjects they were studying, including what they like about them, and what they like about university, in particular Cambridge.

“After this, we split up into groups on either side of the room, depending on whether we were more interested in the scientific and mathematical subjects, or the humanities, for a mock ‘supervision’, as the students called it.

“Students in Cambridge have supervisions with professors from the university quite frequently, in which they discuss the subjects they study and their work.

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QUIZZED: Year 8 question Peterhouse students.

“I went in the humanities group. Our group was joined by two of the law students, one in her second year, and the other in her first.

We had discussions about current events, particularly the general election. We discussed our thoughts about the results, and the students asked us about our opinions on some related questions, such as ‘should prisoners have the right to vote?’

“Afterwards, we were given some time to ask if we had any questions about picking subjects for our GCSEs, A-Levels, and any other general questions about college life.

“They were very informative and helpful, giving us useful insight into everything from how to decide which humanity to take at GCSE, to applying to different colleges and universities.

“They also gave us some more of an explanation as to what university life is actually like, including the type and amount of work they do, and the different kinds of lectures they attend.

“I think this opportunity was extremely useful and interesting for us, and was also fun! It was so informative and helpful for us to learn all about college from people who are actually there now. “The students were really engaging and good at explaining and answering all our questions. I would take this experience again, given the chance, and would recommend it.”

Author joins Carnegie celebrations

The Carnegie Book Award Shadowing Group has been meeting weekly on a Friday lunchtime, to read and discuss the eight shortlisted books.

The books created a lot of discussion and differing opinions, and all the pupils said they enjoyed the meetings so much so that they continued meeting even after the winners were announced.

We were joined last month for the 2017 Carnegie celebrations when 70 students and their

librarians from six other secondary schools as well as fabulous author Julian Sedgwick, who gave us an insightful talk about Graphic novels, descended on Comberton.

Despite the heat the students managed to complete a quiz, character profile and annotate a book cover review sheet, helped of course by lots of cooling water!

The Carnegie winner this year was ‘Salt to the Sea’ by Ruta Sepetys. A well-deserved choice as

our group of students also chose it as their favourite, closely followed by ‘Railhead’ by Philip Reeve.

Julian Sedgwick’s talk allowed us to have an insight into how to work collaboratively as he had with his brother on ‘Dark Satanic Mills’. This caused sibling rivalry to come into question, which Julian neatly side-stepped.

Comberton Assistant Librarian Julie Peck said: “I would like to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to Julian for a brilliant talk and to the students for being attentive and putting up with the heat!”

If you would like to know more about the Carnegie Award log on to www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk

WORKING TOGETHER: Julian Sedgwick’s talk gave an insight into collaborative writing.

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Giving parents control!

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Parental controls are designed to help protect children from inappropriate content they may come across online.

These controls can be used to limit access to only age appropriate content, to set usage times and to monitor activity.

There are four main places you can find parental controls, and it can help to set up a combination of these: l Internet provider: you can set up filters to help block access to inappropriate content on any device connected to your home wifi. l Mobile operator: filters may be set up automatically on mobile contracts, but it would be wise to check with your provider. l Devices: most devices have parental control settings, for example, to help restrict spending on apps or disable location functions. l Online services: sites like BBC iPlayer and YouTube have parental control settings to help restrict access to inappropriate content.

It’s worth being aware that no parental controls or filtering options are 100% foolproof.

As well as setting up parental controls it’s important to educate your children about the potential risks online, and to establish rules concerning the sites that are suitable, or inappropriate, to visit.

It's important that you involve yourself in their online world; as a starting point you could ask them what their favourite websites are and why they like them.

Painting a mood

If your child has their own device, have a look at the manual that came with it as this normally contains some information and a step-by-step guide on how to

install parental controls.

You could also type the name of the device plus parental controls into a search engine eg. ‘Amazon fire + parental controls’. This can help you to find how-to guides and useful video tutorials.

Portable devices Children are accessing the internet on a range of different devices. We no longer access the internet by using one fixed computer that used to be stored in a communal room where online activity could easily be monitored.

You can now access the internet wherever and whenever you want.

Your child may be using portable devices such as smartphones, laptops, gaming devices (eg Nintendo

Earlier this term a group of Year 7 students and teachers went to the Fitzwilliam Museum.

There, we learnt how to read and draw paintings of woods and forests, a really important setting in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream.

We looked at how mood and atmosphere are created through paintings: one image, for example, had darker leaves and a river in the middle of the tall, dark trees, creating a really gloomy atmosphere.

We played games with adjectives and paintings, and also imagined we were inside the paintings themselves and described what we could hear, feel, touch and smell. It was a really fun and useful trip, and we are looking forward to using these skills in our English lessons!

Rebecca Tarring (7C) and Mrs Lefroy

DSi), media players (eg iPod Touch) and tablets (eg iPad).

It can really help to be informed about how to install parental controls onto each device.

Devices connect to the internet in three main ways, and you might want to consider filtering options: l 3G/4G: this provides access to the internet when you're on the go, and is often provided as part of your mobile phone contract. Filters are often set up by default, but you can check with your mobile operator to ensure they are activated for your children's devices. l Connect to your home wifi: devices can connect to the internet at home (and this saves using up your 3G data allowance). All of the major internet providers offer free filtering tools that work across all devices connected to the home internet. l Access public wifi: it's also possible to connect to public wifi when you're out and about, with shops, cafes and restaurants increasingly offering internet access. Look out for the Friendly WiFi symbol which means the content has been filtered.

Some useful links regarding broadband providers and their guidance regarding parental controls. http://www.virginmedia.com/shop/broadband/parental -control.html http://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/internet/stay-safewith-bt-parental-controls-11363887238413 https://www.sky.com/help/articles/set-up-parentalcontrols-on-your-tv

Be alert to porn

As a school it is important for us to have meaningful conversations with your children about pornography and its dangers.

With this in mind, Year 9 students throughout the school this term have been learning about the far-reaching effects of exposure to it.

As exposure to pornography is inevitable, teenagers need to be aware of the dangers; being aware helps to protect.

As a parent you may also feel that greater discussion with your child about this topic would be productive.

Hopefully you will find this suggested reading useful: ‘How to talk to your kids about pornography’ by Educate and Empower Kids (available from Amazon) Julie Peck, Assistant librarian

Trio take to big stage to celebrate all things piano

Amelia Baker (7R), Imogen Ransome (7R) and Olivia Ransome (9R) participated in Piano City — a festival which saw hundreds of piano recitals take place across the city of Milan in Italy.

Amelia, Imogen and Olivia played contemporary solo and multi-piano works, with other members of Cambridge Suzuki Young Musicians, in an open-air concert in the Rotonda della Besana.

Olivia and Imogen played pieces by the minimalist Cornish composer Graham Fitkin, who had given performance and improvisation masterclasses to the girls before the Milan recital.

They also premiered ‘Ophelia’s Riff’, a two-minute piece for eight hands (loud, rhythmic and full of attitude!) composed recently by Olivia, Imogen and two others under the guidance of Graham Fitkin.

Amelia performed two pieces by George Benjamin and all three girls played works by Charlotte Bray, another renowned English composer who has also coached these students in composition. Olivia recently worked

WOOD WORK: Students at the Fitz.

with Charlotte as a member of Aldeburgh Young Musicians, a Centre for Advanced Music Training based in Snape Maltings, Suffolk.

Overall, the concert was a great success and drew a good sized audience; the girls enjoyed post-concert celebrations involving pizza and gelato with other friends and family.

Being a celebration of all things piano, the weekend saw concerts take place in museum courtyards, private homes, on the back of lorries and bikes, in parks and at La Scala Opera House. All musical tastes were catered for, including piano interpretations of songs by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jimi Hendrix. Highlights for the girls were a jazz/classical fusion concert which included a rendition of Rachmaninov's famous Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, as well as a lecture on film score composition by Michael Nyman.

Amelia, Imogen and Olivia have previously performed in piano concerts in Budapest, Vienna and Barcelona.; ITALIAN JOB: The students in Milan.

They’re looking forward to seeing what 2018 brings!

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Sporting fun in the sun

Round-up of the latest news from the South Cambs SSP

There was plenty of sporting talent and Olympic spirit displayed as youngsters demonstrated their athletic prowess in blistering heat at the Cambridge University sports ground on Wilberforce Road, Cambridge.

More than 1,500 seven and eight-year-olds took part in the South Cambs School Sports Partnership’s Year 4 Mini Olympics, an event that featured 44 primary schools from across the area.

During the day the athletes had the chance to try out a range of different sports, all with an Olympic and Paralympic theme. Among the 14 different activities

on offer were shot putt, long jump, hurdles, hockey, tennis, tri-golf and boccia.

In keeping with the Olympic theme, there was a colourful opening ceremony, complete with flags and banners made by the children. These all tied in with the theme of this year’s event which was the World Athletics Championships with schools asked to represent one of the nations competing in the event being hosted in London later this summer.

A mass warm-up was led by dance leaders from Comberton Village College followed by the opening ceremony, welcoming the children and challenging them to try and achieve their personal best. Two pupils from Harston & Newton Primary School read out the Mini Olympics Oath, a promise to take part in the games fairly and with good sportsmanship.

The event was supported by Total Clothing who provided all of the children with brightly coloured tshirts in the colours of the Olympic rings, the Rotary Club of Cambridge South, who helped with traffic

flow and parking, and South Cambs District Council, who helped to fund the event.

Councillor Sue Ellington, portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, attended the event and commented: “This event is really important to us and we are delighted to provide funding to make it happen.

“Making sure young people have the chance to be active and healthy is vitally important. This event gives them a chance for competition, but in a fun environment where they can meet new people and enjoy sport together. Having more than 1,500 young people taking part is fabulous and I look forward to many more years of the event.”

Partnership manager Claire McDonnell was delighted and said: “Yet again, it was a fantastic day and the children and sports leaders coped amazingly in very hot temperatures.

“The children really enjoyed themselves and loved having a go at all the different sports. As usual the long jump and tug of war were the firm favourites!”

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE: Youngsters, helped by secondary school sports

Runners-up storm to county glory leaders, tried out a variety of sporting activities.

Meldreth and Coton Primary Schools both cumulative score. qualified for the County School Games Finals There were also some great individual after an exciting Quadkids competition for pupils performances at the South Cambs round, with in Years 5 and 6. the top three boys being Hugo Wells, from Meldreth took the ‘South Cambs Champions’ title Steeple Morden, on 246 points, followed by Max off last year’s winners, Coton, in the ‘Small Ramsden from Thriplow, whose team were third Schools’ competition for those with fewer than in the small schools event, on 237 and Morgan 120 pupils in Key Stage 2. Their opponents Head (Bassingbourn) on 234. included teams from Thriplow, Harston & In the girls competition Olivia Welham, from Newton, Fowlmere, Barrington and Barton.

Coton, took third with 204 points behind Bar However, both qualified for the county showdown Hill’s Nicole Kitooke and Anna Bain (Histon and at St Ives, where Coton turned in an amazing Impington Juniors) with 205. performance to take the county title against the The special ‘Spirit of the Games’ award which is odds. to support the work being done in schools to They were joined by Histon and Impington and encourage children to think about the lessons Steeple Morden who topped the ‘Big Schools’ event, which ran concurrently at the Cambridge University Sports Ground on Wilberforce Road, Cambridge.

Quadkids is a team competition with five boys and five girls each competing in a 75m sprint, a 600m run, a long jump and vortex howler throw.

Individual performances are scored using a points table and the winners are the team with the highest CHAMPIONS: Coton lift the county ‘Small Schools’ trophy.

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that can be learned through sport and the importance of values such as respect, determination, teamwork, honesty, passion and self-belief; not only in sport but everyday life, was awarded to Kristen Barry, from Meadow School, who stopped mid race to help another runner, forfeiting her own position, and Alex Coleridge, from Haslingfield, for his enthusiasm in all events and his positive attitude.

The Meadow team was also given an award for showing great determination and cheering everyone on even people they didn’t know.

The event was supported by leaders from the SCSSP Leadership Academy and included students from Cambourne and Comberton Village Colleges.

Claire McDonnell, Partnership Manager said: “It was a great event and fantastic for the children to get to compete at the athletics track and use such lovely facilities, I hope it will have inspired some of them to get more involved in athletics. There were some excellent performances on the day so congratulations to all of our winners and well done to everyone who took part. As always we have to thank the amazing sports leaders who organised and scored the events for us, they did a great job and the staff and parents were full of praise for them. ”

Round-up of the latest news from the South Cambs SSP

Coton clinch it!

Four teams battled through to represent South Cambs at the County Finals after topping their divisions at the High Fives Netball League’s annual ‘A’ finals.

All 16 schools had won through two divisional rounds at their local secondary school to reach the showdown at Impington Village College.

Coton, who won all their pool matches, found themselves up against Linton Heights, Steeple Morden and Pendragon, Papworth, in the battle for the South Cambs title although all four Division One sides played at the County Finals, which took place after this magazine had gone to print.

The title showdown was a close-fought affair with

three teams collecting two wins from three games.

Coton finished with one additional point and a superior goal difference to take the crown.

The ‘A’ team plate final for teams finishing in the lower half of their local league also went down to goal difference in the competition at Comberton Village College.

Meldreth edged out The Vine, from Cambourne, with Melbourn and Burrough Green the other teams in the top section.

Barton won Division One of the B competition to take the title ahead of Swavesey.

Partnership Manager, Claire McDonnell said: “Our annual High 5 Netball League is our most popular competition of the year with a record 57 teams from 32 schools taking part in the league rounds.

Schools secure spring medals

Just before Easter 49 schools from across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough competed in the School Games Level 3 Spring Festival.

An exciting competition ensued as children aged 7 to 16 battled it out to become county champions.

Following the Opening Ceremony schools dispersed to the respective venues for their events. Each venue came alive with the sound of cheering and camaraderie as the schools battled it out to become champions. Each school represented one of the five School Sports Partnerships — South Cambs, Cambridge, Hunts, Peterborough or Witchford.

South Cambs schools had a number of successes with Comberton Village College taking top spot in the KS4 Aspire Indoor Rowing and third place in both the Year 9 event and the Year 7 table tennis competition.

Meridian Primary, also from Comberton, were second in the Year 3/4 Gymnastics competition.

WINNERS: Coton (far left), Meldreth (centre) and Barton all won netball titles.

“The standard of netball in the A team shield finals this year was exceptional, I don’t think I have seen primary school netball played to such a high standard.

“The children really enjoy the opportunity to represent their school in inter-school competition and it is nice for them to get the chance to play in the league rounds before experiencing one of the finals nights which are played in a friendly yet competitive spirit.

“There is a nice atmosphere and a real sense of occasion as parents gather to cheer on their children.

“I must thank Impington and Comberton Village Colleges for hosting the finals nights and of course our amazing sports leaders who gave up their time to help umpire all of the matches and manage the score table. They really did an outstanding job this year. ”

Title chase goes down to the wire

SILVER TEAM: Meridian’s gymnasts.

The top four primary schools from South Cambs came together for the SSP Year standard of tennis on display and some really close scores.

3/4 Tennis Finals night at Comberton Village College.

The final round of matches were tense with three teams still in with a chance of The teams of two boys and two girls from Swavesey, Haslingfield, Linton and claiming the title of SSP Champions.

Harston & Newton made it to the finals as the top teams from the qualification Harston & Newton could only manage a 2-2 draw with Swavesey, which meant rounds. All four teams had they finished with seven done extremely well to singles wins compared to make it to the finals in a the Swavesey team’s eight competition involving more wins. This earned than 30 teams.

Swavesey the winners As defending county shield for the first time as champions, Haslingfield Harston & Newton finished went into the competition as runners up for the as favourites alongside second year running.

Harston & Newton, who Haslingfield finished third had won the qualification with six wins and Linton round at Melbourn VC the fourth. previous month. Swavesey Swavesey and Harston & had qualified for the finals Newton went on to for the first time. represent SCSSP at the The finals were played in a County School Games round robin format with Summer Festival where each team playing the other Harston & Newton turned three in timed singles the tables after both teams matches. As expected the again reached the final.

MAKING A RACKET: County champions Harston & Newton (above) and SCSSP matches were extremely They beat Swavesey 3-1 to third-placed team Haslingfield (left). competitive with a great clinch the county crown.

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It’s a bronze News@Com

Year 7 pupils representing Comberton and South Cambs took bronze at the County Games Spring table tennis finals after winning six of their eight matches.

Beaten only by the eventual winners and runners-up in the competition at St Neots Table Tennis Club, they faced all the other qualifiers from their district rounds in an event which included playing on one of the tables from the London 2012 Olympics.

Comberton player Jonah Tomsett (7E) was also awarded the overall prize for teamwork, which was nominated by staff and leaders.

The event was supported by 10 students from Comberton’s Year 10 Leadership team, who officiated and scored the matches as well as ensuring that the matches ran on time. They received lots of positive feedback from the staff and organisers about their professionalism and attitude.

Heading a warm-up for 1500!

KNIGHTS OF THE TABLE: The Year 7 bronze medal winners.

The South Cambs School Sports Partnership hosted their annual Year 4 Mini Olympics last month, with more than 1500 pupils attending.

Comberton was represented by eight dance leaders, who led a mass warm up to all the schools and then taught a dance phrase to the groups as they came round during the day.

We also had eight sports leaders running athletics stations, which was not an easy task in the sweltering heat!

All the leaders did a fantastic job and showed excellent effort and enthusiasm throughout the day.

Leaders help out

NEW KIT: For the Year 7 (top), 8 and 9 (middle) and 10 and 11 teams.

Teams are all kitted out

Comberton’s football teams have been lucky enough to have been sponsored by local businesses for new kits.

The Cambridge Design Partnership, a leading product and technology innovation partner specialising in the healthcare and consumer sectors, have put their name on the Year 7 strip. They can be contacted at www.cambridge-design.co.uk The Year 8/9 team are grateful to ASL Cleaning (www.aslcleaning.co.uk) for sponsoring their new kit, while the Year 10/11 team would like to thank Kam Scaffolding for their backing. Kam Scaffolding, who work in and around Comberton, are also offering parents a 10% discount on scaffolding. To take up the offer call Keith on 07900 905337.

Last month 10 sports leaders from Comberton helped marshal the first Caldecote Cross Country Races.

These were a half marathon, 10km and 3km races, with lots of stalls and entertainment.

The leaders arrived early to help set up and then were stationed around the 3km course to guide and encourage the runners.

They were also involved in giving out welldeserved medals to the finishers!

Thank you to the leaders for giving up their TAKING THE LEAD: Year 10 leaders helped at Sunday to help and well done for doing an excellent job in such warm weather. the hockey event.

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Quick work . . .

The South Cambs School Sports Partnership hosted two quicksticks hockey tournaments for local primary schools.

In total, 44 teams competed from across the South Cambs area. The event was supported by leaders from our Year 10 leadership academy, who were involved in scoring, umpiring and managing teams.

We were lucky enough to have the sun shining throughout and the children enjoyed an excellent day of hockey. Congratulations to all those involved.

Harriet Shipley, PE Dept

Disney weaves its magic

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The PE department took 45 students to Disneyland Paris on a netball and football tour.

“There was even a day where we were lucky enough to be trained by ex-England netball players and England coaching staff. It was an amazing experience and a perfect opportunity to improve The department have been keen to restart an our netballing skills before we were in the finals of Easter holidays sports tour for the last few our competition the following day! years, and this year’s tour proved a real “The buffet was great in the evenings and the success. cabins were lovely! I would definitely recommend Comberton were represented in the Under-14 this trip and I would definitely want to go back!” netball, Under-13 and Under-15 girls’ football Yasmin Girling (Under-14 netball) and Under-13 and Under-14 boys’ football.

“The Paris sports tour overall was an amazing The tour provided a good mix of playing sport experience and I would definitely do it again. against other schools from around the country Although, many people were originally attracted to and enjoying some free time to make the most the trip because of Disneyland, we all enjoyed of the rides and attractions at Disneyland. supporting each other and playing the sports a lot The days were action-packed with us leaving more. our cabins at the Davy Crockett Ranch early in “Our Year 9 boys’ team came fourth and the the morning for a morning full of fixtures, and Under-15 girls’ team won the entire competition. then it was straight to Disneyland until the early We stayed in the Davy Crockett ranch and had a evening. big buffet every night where we ate plates and ICONIC: THe Magic Castle and Disney’s When back at the ranch we really enjoyed plates of food because of all the exercise and flagship characters. making the most of the all-you-can-eat buffet activity we had done in the day. I would hugely and relaxing in the cabins. recommend this to any student who enjoys team sports and, of course, theme It was a really successful trip for the school as they came away with lots of parks.” Sam Whinney (Under-14 football) trophies, including best goal of the tournament (Sasha Tristram). The Under-13 “The Disney Sports Tour was a great and unforgettable experience. Disney was boys were pool winners, the Under-14 boys were runners up, the netballers fantastic and was so much fun, as was playing netball with my friends and finished eighth overall and the Under-15 girls football were crowned the competing against other schools. champions of Disney.

“The training day with England Netball was hard work but jam-packed with useful Here is what some of the pupils had to say about the trip: “I really enjoyed going drills and tips to help us improve our netball. on the Paris Sports Tour, it was so much fun! The balance between playing “I had the most amazing time on the Disney Netball Tour, which was loads of fun netball and visiting Disneyland was perfect and we had plenty of time to do both. and the best mix of sport and Disneyland Paris!”

“The netball was set up really well and gave all teams a chance, whatever the Cara Chivers (Under-14 netball) team’s ability, to play at a standard that was right for them.

Youngsters flood the field with noise and colour

WINNERS: Comberton’s under-15 girls’ football team and Sasha Tristram, who scored the goal of the tournament.

On Friday 7th July, Year 6 pupils took part in the annual transition athletics festival.

Led by Year 9 leaders, each form rotated around 10 different athletics activities where each student competed to gain as many points as possible for the form they will be in when they start in Year 7 in September.

Each new form was given a different colour T-shirt to wear, turning the playing field into a sea of colour as students supported their new tutor group and cemented friendships made 24 hours earlier on Intake Day. There were also awards for endeavour, which saw forms coming up with chants,

dances and songs to support one another in the activities.

The Year 6 pupils put in a fantastic amount of effort, which was all the more commendable due to the heat on the day!

The day culminated with boys’ and girls’ relay teams taking the track, cheered on by their new classmates.

The award for endeavour went to the new 7C and 7R, whilst 7R also finished top in the overall scores.

Congratulations to all who were involved in the day; the Year 6 pupils, Year 9 leaders and PE staff who ran the events.

Harriet Shipley, PE Dept

ON PARADE: The floats travel along Main St.

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Students’ sporting spirit The weather was kind to the Comberton Sports Days, with plenty of sunshine across the week.

TOP OF THE FORMS: The winning tutor groups from Year 7 (above), Year 8 (top right) and Year 9 (top left).

The forms embraced their allocated countries and came prepared with flags, T-shirts, cakes and even Chinese fortune cookies!

A number of forms had prepared team chants and dances, which they proudly displayed as part of their bids for the endeavour award.

There were some fantastic performances, with tied places in a number of areas.

The PE staff were particularly impressed with the effort and camaraderie shown by all three year groups – and their close relay races against the pupils!

The results were as follows: Year 7 Best Boy: Louis Flower Best Girl: Serena Blackwood Award for Endeavour: O and V (joint 1st place) Winning Form: N Year 8 Best Boy: Kian Kanefu Best Girl: Abigail Smith Award for Endeavour: O and T (joint 1st place) Winning Form: M Year 9 Best Boy: Lewis Hall Best Girl: Ellie Davies Award for Endeavour: V Winning Form: E

Temperatures soar but it’s snow problem on slopes The arrival of the Easter holidays meant that it was time for the snowsports team to head back to the Aosta Valley in Italy, this time with mostly beginner skiiers and boarders from Years 8 and 9.

Conditions were very different from Christmas, with heavy snowfall replaced by bright sunshine and temperatures soaring to 25 degrees in the valley.

Up on the mountain, there was still more than enough snow to go around though, with fantastic conditions and views from the top.

As ever, the après ski schedule meant that just as much fun was had off the slopes, with the bowling and arcades evening a particular favourite.

The 2017-18 snowsports programme is already in full swing and with record numbers attending the launch evening in May and two more trips lined up for this Christmas and next Easter, it promises to be a busy schedule.

LEARNING CURVE: For novice skiiers.

Year 7 have chance to get on board for the first time UP AND AWAY: By chairlift.

In the summer term three Year 7 trips went to Snozone in Milton Keynes for an introduction to snowboarding.

For most of us it was our first time so we left at the end of the school day very excited.

Once we got to the Snozone we had a bit of time to have a look at the shops and for some of us to buy dinner and then we all reported outside the Snozone. Then we went inside to hire our kit and collect our snowboards.

We were shown the basics and the key skills to snowboarding.

First we just learnt how to clip in and out of the snowboard, but the next minute we were going down the slope using the skills we had just learnt from our coaches.

We started off learning to snowboard backwards and there was a lot of falling over, but we got there in the end and before we knew it we were doing it naturally and we had got the hang of it.

At the end of the fun session we did a sledging competition down the slope where most of us fell off the side of the snowboard, which was very funny for some of us!

Overall it was a great experience for everyone.

Mark Lightfoot and Joshua Upton (7T)

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IN THE ZONE: Year 7 have a go at snowboarding.

Showcase of success

News@Com

Students pulled out all the stops to produce a spectacular summer dance showcase in the Performance Hall at the end of last month.

Head of Dance Rebecca Tyrrell said: “The students were fantastic and took the show to a different level with their enthusiasm and passion for dance.”

The 100 students from Years 7-12 performed 18 dances in a variety of styles.

To round off another spectacular year of shows the grand finale saw the awarding of scholarships.

The Bodyworks Summer School Scholarships went to Dan Davey (Year 11), Olivia Shanahan (Year 7)

and Year 8 duo Lucy Steel and Amy Farrell.

The CVC Class Scholarships, which give students a free dance class for a term, were handed to Rosie Reade (Year 10), Liv Chandler (Year 9), Rose Hart (Year 8) and Theo Lancaster (Year 7).

Deputy Head of School Sean Sycamore said: “I would like to congratulate all involved in the Summer Dance Showcase. The energy and effort from

the students was hugely impressive, with a range of amazing large group pieces to more powerful individual dance performances. A live music piece was a fantastic addition to the evening too.

PLATFORM: For Comberton dancers in Bedfordshire.

Uni experience for dancers

WINNERS: Students awarded scholarships after the show.

Comberton are runners-up

Last month a small group of students performed in the Bedfordshire Youth Dance Platform at the University of Bedfordshire.

It was a jam-packed day, where the students were involved in a workshop led by third year students studying dance at the university, a photoshoot in one of the dance studios and then two performances in the theatre.

The students danced their hearts out and it was a very enjoyable day.

The Olympic Cup was an extremely hot, enjoyable and successful day for the team from Comberton.

All students who took part in the annual athletics event represented the school with outstanding effort and determination and narrowly missed out on winning the event, finishing second by a few points.

Many personal bests were set, including Lewis Hall’s 100m and Louis Ripper’s 300m times.

Winning students included Serena Blackwood, Louise Hamilton, Louis Flower, James Hawkins, Genny Stephenson, Lily Goodwin, Carmen Omitowuju, Joe Wheeler, Hannah Williams, Louis Ripper, Mollie Coupar, Kade Sylvester, Ben Wannop, Callum Martin and Adam Lightfoot.

Special congratulations to the Year 10 boys’ team who conducted themselves impeccably and won their competition by more points than any other team from any other school.

Wheely good for confidence

This term, the PE department have been running ‘Start Cycling’ sessions for students to learn how to ride a bike or develop their confidence in doing so. The sessions focused on learning basic pedalling techniques, gear changes, braking and other bike handling skills.

Those involved have made fantastic progress, showing their determination to learn and improve. It is hoped that they will continue to practise and build up to cycling confidently on the road. We hope to continue to run these sessions next year, with increased opportunities for all students to learn to ride.

Duo’s first step on long road

Elly Robinson and Alex Anderson represented Comberton at the district round of the annual ‘Road to Wimbledon’ tennis competition.

The Year 9 students were both finalists in their respective school competitions for students in Years 7, 8 and 9, which took place in blustery conditions.

The format of the tournament was a knockout tournament using ‘tie-break’ rules, with the winner being the first player who reached nine points.

Elly saw off the challenge of fellow Year 9 Sasha Bottali in the final while Alex narrowly lost out to Jonathan Lovatt (Year 9) but went on to represent Comberton due to Jonathan’s unavailability for the next round.

The Comberton competition enjoyed a good turnout among the boys with plenty of close contests and even a showdown between brothers Dan and Matt Mikelson.

THE RACE IS ON: Action from the Olympic Cup.

COMBERTON CRUSADERS FC ARE SEEKING PLAYERS FOR THE 2017/18 SEASON U14 Boys ʹ contact Daniel Ward dmward71@icloud.com U16 Boys ʹ contact Davis Bates drbates67@btinternet.com U17 Boys ʹ contact Diarmuid Coyle coyledp@yahoo.com U15 Girls ʹ contact Jane Hartwright j.hartwright93@gmail.com U16 Girls ʹ contact Andrea Pinches andrea_pinches@btinternet.com U14 boys & bothU15 and U16 Girls play matches on Saturday mornings.

Both the U16 boys & U17 boys play matches on Sunday mornings. All teams train on 3G at Comberton Village College on Wednesday or Thursday evenings.

General enquiries to Club Secretary 07541 231401

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News@Com

MAKING TRACKS: Benoit de la Sayette (blue and red colours) charging through the water at Lion D’Anger and (inset) at Chantilly.

Aspiring young jockey catches eye

A Year 9 pupil is one of only 10 youngsters in the country invited to a prestigious training camp in the summer holidays.

Benoit de la Sayette is honoured to be one of only a select few chosen to attend the British Racing School advanced camp as he looks to further his dream of becoming a jockey.

The invitation follows success pony racing in France.

First he took his own pony, Dough Boy, to St Cloud, the racecourse in central Paris, for a flat race where he was pipped on the line to finish second.

However, he collected an impressive prize — the

chance to ride out for top racehorse trainer Andre Fabre who champions young riders and was watching the St Cloud event — and so that was where he spent Activities Week.

He followed up at a cross-country race at Lion D’Anger in the west of France where he and 11 other riders tackled 1.5-mile course with 15 obstacles.

Riding a French pony for another owner he again finished second.

Then last month he returned to France where he was again second on Dough Boy at Compiegne.

The race was in the middle of the card so there was

a huge crowd.

The pony racers then drove 30 minutes to Chantilly where each had a top French jockey to help saddle up and take them to the start. As an added twist, the youngsters all swapped ponies for the race where Benoit finished fourth.

The young jockey will spend his summer holidays riding in France and hopes to finish by racing at Deauville, with the possibility of a season-finale at Chantilly in November.

Evie Joseph’s flying start to the new trampoline season has been rewarded with a call up for Great Britain.

Competing in the 13/14 women’s elite category, she won both qualifying compeititons, at Nottingham and then in Sheffield last month, where she finished three points clear.

In between she was part of a trampoline display team from Northampton who performed in front of The Princess Royal to commemorate the success of Head Coach and Senior Great Britain Coach, Tracy Whittaker. Evie joined double Olympian, Kat Driscoll for the display, watched by 500 invited guests.

Just days after that she competed in the English Championship qualifier in Bath. Although she was pushed into silver medal position in the final, Evie produced the highest three-round score of the day as well as a personal best.

Evie, who has been trampolining since she was seven-years-old, will start training for the international meet with the rest of the national squad at Lilleshall National Sports Centre next month.

GB call for Evie

The Year 9 pupil, who trains four times a week with Junior Great Britain coach Harvey Smith at Northampton, will compete in the Loulé Cup in Portugal in October.

She is one of 10 gymnasts selected for the competition and one of two in her age group — 13/14 years.

A world class field is expected to take part, with many countries using the event as a practice for the World Age Group Championships which take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, a month later.

Evie also hopes to win selection for that event but won’t know until after the British Championship finals in September.

Meanwhile she hopes to maintain the form shown in the British Gymnastics Spring Event Series, which won her a first international call.

Cricket teams secure top-three finishes at finals

FIRST INTERNATIONAL: For Evie Joseph.

A number of students in Year 7 and 8 have been involved in girls’ cricket tournaments this term.

They have been working hard after school to train and prepare for their matches, developing their understanding of rules and tactics, as well as bowling accuracy and batting technique.

Both the Year 7 and 8 teams were successful in their first round. The Year 7 team demonstrated great teamwork within their fielding as well as showing excellent bowling skills.

They beat St Bede’s and just lost out to the Perse, going through to the County Inter-Cricket

Finals as best runners-up. The Year 8s had overall and Year 7 came second. Both teams lost similar success and have been commended on out to Stephen Perse. their supportive and enthusiastic attitude throughout their tournament.

Despite a defeat, the girls won two of their three games and came joint first. They too went through to the Inter-Cricket Finals.

Both the year 7 and 8 teams played exceptionally well at the finals, with Year 8 finishing third TEAM EFFORT: For Year 7 (left) and 8 cricketers.

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