MVC News Winter 2020

MVC NEWS www.melbournvc.org

01763 223400

www.facebook.com/MelbournVillageCollege

Twitter: @Melbourn_VC

The News Magazine of Melbourn Village College, an Academy of The Cam Academy Trust

National Award for Former Student — Page 5

Winter 2020

New astro on the way MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

A new full-size artificial football pitch is due to open at MVC next year.

The £800,000 project is due for completion next spring after the college and The Cam Academy Trust, of which it is a part, were able to secure grant funding for the project.

The bulk of the money is coming from the Football Foundation, the Premier League, FA and Government’s sports charity, which exists to improve the experience of playing football for everyone, by championing fair access to quality facilities.

The rest is coming from the Section 106 agreement with developers Hopkins Homes, who are building houses in the village.

The 100m x 64m floodlit pitch will be approximately four times the size of the current ageing artificial surface it is replacing and, in addition to school use, will be available to local football clubs, for all ages and abilities, as well as the community out of school hours.

Melbourn Principal Simon Holmes said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been finally able to secure this amazing facility for our pupils and the local community.

“Not only is this bringing our facilities up to date, but it is expanding and improving them as well. This is the culmination of years of hard work and I can’t wait to see it in full use.”

Initial groundwork, due to start at the end of this year to prepare the site, has been delayed, but it is still hoped the 14-week build can start early in the New Year — depending on the winter weather!

The college has already improved changing facilities, with two new changing rooms available near the sports centre, and work is under way to further improve the other school PE changing rooms and toilet area.

The successful application for Football Foundation backing follows previous failed applications and the prospect of a new top-quality 3G playing surface in the area has delighted Cambs FA. Their Football Development Manager, Katie Critchley, said: “This exciting new facility will enhance the already thriving football offer in Melbourn, for students at Melbourn Village College and the wider football community, providing a quality playing surface and creating opportunities for all to play football.

“Partner club, Melbourn Dynamos, have been incredibly supportive throughout the process and their 23 teams will also enjoy football on the new 3G pitch.

“Grassroots football provides many benefits to local communities and we’re very grateful that the Football Foundation, Premier League and the FA continue to invest in quality facilities.”

The new facility will be managed by Be Active, who run the Melbourn Sports Centre.

“This new full size 3G Astroturf will provide a truly top class facility for thousands of people in the area and certainly highlight MVC on the sporting map,” said Ryan Smith, of Be Active.

“Along with the already excellent facilities offered on-site at the leisure centre and swimming pool, the pitch will be a huge asset for the whole community.

“We greatly look forward to furthering our relationships with clubs which already use the centre and welcome new groups to benefit from this boost for local sports, fitness and general wellbeing.”

The grant award has also been welcomed by South Cambs District Council and Melbourn Parish Council who both backed the college’s bid.

It’s an MVC first as concert goes online

EXPANSION: Melbourn’s new astro will be four times the size of the existing one.

MVC’s first-ever virtual Christmas Carol Concert took place online on Thursday 17th December at 19:00.

The event was pre-recorded in a Covid-safe environment, with performers either in their year group bubbles or separated by screens.

The concert featured a selection of both solo and duet performances from pupils in all year groups including: O Little Town of Bethlehem, Lulajze Jezuniu (A Polish Carol), Ding Dong! Merrily On High, Sussex Carol, The Skye Boat Song, Ukrainian Bell Carol, Frosty the Snowman, Wonderful Christmastime, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Do You Hear What I Hear, Walking in the Air, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree and many, many more!

As the grand finale to this year’s Concert, teachers joined with students in a pre-recorded singalong of Lean on Me, by the late Bill Withers who died earlier this year.

The concert was a fitting a tribute to our wonderful NHS staff and all the tireless work they have done for us this year. Congratulations to everyone who took part for making this a very special festive event.

Johny Thomson, Head of Music.

q 3: Delighted to Stay Open q Marquees offered additional space q Exams Change q 2020 in a decoration q 4: Adapting to New Rules q Long-serving Staff say Goodbye 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

q 5: National Prize for ex-Student q 6: Bake-Off is Tough to Judge q Positive Start Rewarded q Turning the School Green q 7: The Theory of Colour q Art in the Style of Mehndi q Death in the Spotlight q 8: Melbourn Remembers

APART BUT TOGETHER: Students perform for MVC’s first virtual Christmas Concert.

q Birthday Greetings across the World q Cow card takes Prize q Tommy hits Top Spot q 9: Trust Update q 10: Sports News q 11: SCSSP Latest q 12: Melbourn Sports Centre

Delighted to stay open

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

As we reach the end of a very challenging term, we are delighted with how well things have gone.

When we were planning how we were going to organise everything during the Summer we were very keen to try and keep school ‘as normal as possible’ to help pupils readjust from lockdown.

I don’t think we could have hoped that things would have gone as well as they have. The pupils have been fantastic — they have adapted really well to the arrangements we put in place and the vast majority have been very mindful of their peers.

The marquees on the field have given us outdoor undercover shelter, and the various bubble arrangements have done their jobs.

I’m extremely proud of the pupils and staff for all their efforts, the result of which is that the school has stayed fully open all term — bar last Friday which was entirely due to a heating issue and nothing to do with the Coronavirus! — and we’ve had only one positive case.

As well as the Year 11s coping admirably with their mock GCSE exams, other year groups have also had a very successful term, particularly the Year 7 who have made an impressive start to life at MVC, despite having missed their induction events.

Another group of people who have had to change their usual practices is the staff.

Teachers have had to adapt to socially-distanced

lessons with reduced practical elements and departments such as the Cabin and Student Support have had to come up with some new procedures to safeguard their pupils.

Teaching this way has not come easy and colleagues have done an amazing job to maintain the quality of education.

Support staff have also had to adapt their working practices and have done so admirably.

I would also like to thank parents and carers for all the support shown to the college in what, for many of you, have been very difficult circumstances. It is truly appreciated.

Simon Holmes, Principal

Marquees offered additional social spaces

EXTRA SPACE: Separate marquees and designated field space for each year group gave students a safe social space to use at break and lunch times.

Since the start of term each year group has had a marquee (with tables and chairs) and a large designated space at the back field for use at break and lunch.

This is to ensure year groups stay within their

bubbles (as per government Covid guidelines), while also ensuring pupils can enjoy their social time at break and lunch.

Having a clear identified space really allowed students to connect and interact as a year group,

2020 in a decoration!

THE YEAR OF THE FACE MASK: Melbourn’s Christmas tree was adorned with a topical reminder of 2020.

The tree, situated in the foyer of the college, includes ‘angels’ made from face masks, alongside the traditional decorations as college staff came up with a novel way to mark a year like no other!

as well as ensuring they remained safe.

Principal Simon Holmes said: “The marquees have been great.

“We’ll miss them after Christmas when they’re gone.”

Exams change

2020 has been a uniquely challenging year.

This term we have been very much focused on a ‘return to normal’ for the pupils, while putting in place all the mitigations we felt necessary to ensure their safety.

The result has been really successful — from settling in the new Year 7s to getting the Year 11s back up to speed, this term has gone incredibly well.

The recent Year 11 mocks demonstrated the mature attitude that has characterised their return.

I am sure they and their families will welcome the news published earlier this month by the Department for Education (DfE) regarding the changes to GCSE exams next summer.

While the plan remains that pupils will sit final exams, unlike their counterparts in Scotland and Wales, a number of amendments have been put in place.

Not only will the exams be three weeks later, to provide additional study time, but there will be other alterations.

Coursework requirements have been relaxed for some subjects; pupils will receive advance notice of some topic areas; and the exams themselves may contain greater choice and aids, such as formula sheets.

Arrangements will be put in place for any pupils who miss exams through illness or isolation and the grading of exams will be designed to be in line with the 2020 outcomes.

Simon Holmes, Principal

3

Adapting to new rules!

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

Some of the biggest differences have When the UK was first forced into a been lunch, PE and enrichment. Now, nationwide lockdown, pupils had to whenever we have PE, we must come to go from being in school five days a school in our PE kit and remain in it for week to being at home all the time. the rest of the day, whereas before we Learning from home during lockdown changed after the lesson had finished. was a strange experience and harder Two small bonuses are that we have than learning at school, as we couldn’t more time for the PE lesson and fewer see our teachers and missed our things to carry around that day. friends.

One of the weirdest things to get used to Our weekly schoolwork was set online has been getting our lunch. Before for us to complete. We then emailed lockdown, we would go down to the lunch photos or documents of the completed hall, order from a selection of incredibly work to the correct teacher. delicious hot or cold food and then eat in We also had online video lessons on the lunch hall.

Microsoft Teams with some of our Now we must collect our pre-ordered subjects once a week, which helped us lunch (still incredibly delicious) and take it consolidate work we had studied to our bubbled area to eat. recently.

SAFETY MEASURES: Students have got used to wearing Unfortunately, the school has had to These lessons were interesting and masks on buses and when they move round the school. suspend the enrichment programme due engaging, but weren’t the same as to Covid. The school previously offered a being in school, though they gave us all range of after school activities such as running club, homework club, pottery, film a small sense of normality. club, revision classes, sports teams and more.

Currently, we are all back in school full time and it feels like things are slowly While we are all still adjusting to life back at school, it is safe to say that everyone getting back to normal, which is reassuring. at MVC is being mindful of others and respecting the rules that have been put in However, there are lots of measures in place to keep us safe from Covid-19. At place to help everyone feel safe and reduce our risk of spreading Covid around the start and end of each day, on the school buses, we must wear face masks the community. throughout the journey.

We are looking forward to things getting back to normal at some point.

In school, each year group has their own separate area on the field with a Despite all this change, our teachers and pastoral teams have done the very best marquee, which they must stay in to minimise contact with other year groups. This they can to make sure all students feel comfortable, happy and have the support is called a bubble or bubbling. they need to have a successful school life during these challenging times. This The school also operates a one-way system and requires everyone to wear face effort doesn’t go unnoticed, and we know fellow students will agree, the staff are coverings when they aren’t in a classroom or in their bubble. When we enter a doing an amazing job. classroom, we must sanitise our hands and sit according to a designated seating The Head Prefect Team, Sammy, Evie and Erin plan, so the school knows who we have been in contact with.

Long-serving staff say goodbye to MVC

STERLING SERVICE: TA’s Mairi MacAulay and Anne Verrechia, cleaner Tony Stoten, Wendy Penn from catering and pastoral team member May Deal are all retiring at the end of this term.

Five members of staff with a combined total of more than 80 years at MVC will enjoy Christmas as officially retired.

They are all leaving this term after sterling service to the college in a number of departments.

Longest-serving leaver is Wendy Penn, who started working a few hours a week in the catering department in 2000.

For a while she also worked in the cookery classroom as their technician each day before she started work in the canteen.

It soon became evident that Wendy had hidden talents with cake decorating and this was utilised whenever possible, including for the school’s 60th birthday party cake in September 2019.

On a daily basis Wendy was the queen of the cookies and catering manager Lynn Gregory said: “I wouldn’t want to try to work out how many 1000s of cookies she made over the years.

4

“Over the 20 years I worked with Wendy we have shared tears and laughter. “ It was sad saying good luck on her last day, but not goodbye.

“Real friendship lasts for ever and Wendy has become a true friend to many staff members at MVC.” Tony Stoten started as a cleaner at MVC early in 2001 and has worked for the college’s cleaning contractors since.

He was often seen keeping the front of school clean and free from mud, leaves and rubbish with his feather duster, mop and trusty friend, Henry the Hoover!

He was also the weather oracle as well as keeping staff up to date on the cricket, football and tennis scores.

Tony is also fondly remembered by staff for his enthusiastic selling of the yearly Royston Conservative Club Christmas Raffle tickets!

We all wish him well in his retirement.

Teaching Assistants Mairi MacAulay and Anne Verrecchia have been at MVC for 18 and 15 years respectively and have supported students in all areas of the curriculum.

They have served MVC with dedication and commitment and will be much missed.

We would like to thank them for their sterling work and hope they enjoy retirement.

Finally, May Deal leaves MVC after nine years as a member of the pastoral support team.

She has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of safeguarding and is well known to students and families in her supportive role.

May is looking forward to retirement and wants to spend more time in the garden and with her family. We wish her all the best.

National prize for ex-student

Former MVC student, Georgie Bull, has won a prestigious national award for her photography and is now the British and Irish Underwater Photography Champion for 2020.

The annual competition is run by the British Society of Underwater Photographers (BSoUP) and brings together the British and Irish underwater photography community in a one-day competition taking place in various locations.

Photographers competed for the trophy in memory of one of BSoUP's co-founders, the late Peter Scoones.

Pictures had to be taken of a body of salt or freshwater either in a sea, river, lake or stream.

Georgie took her underwater image, shown on the front cover, in Portland Harbour.

The image is of a seagrass bed and the reeds in the picture are a species of sea grass which are the only flowering plant in the sea and a very important habitat for marine life, including seahorses.

Talented Georgie, 21, won the Wide-Angle category and scored top marks from both judges in the run-off for the overall Championship.

Her effort is significant especially given this was her first time entering the competition.

Georgie, who is now studying for a BSc (Hons) in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology at the University of Plymouth, said: “I’m a student and have been doing this for about three years.

“I don’t have the money to afford a lot of the stuff that the professionals use.

“I put it in, and on the evening I did, I thought: ‘This isn’t up to scratch’. I know and have been following the people on social media that often win, and they

are amazing with thousands of pounds worth of set-ups.

“But I thought I would put it in because you can’t place if you don’t put anything in, and I didn’t expect anything to come of it.

“I was definitely really shocked but also really happy. I’ve shown that people new to the hobby and people that don’t have tens of thousands of pounds to throw at it can actually be successful in photography competitions.”

The ocean has become a passion for Georgie in the last few years.

Growing up, she had wanted to become a paleontologist and used to head to the coast for fossil walks which in turn led to looking in rock pools and an interest in modern marine life.

It was a work placement during sixth form at the London Aquarium that opened her eyes further to what lies beneath the surface.

“We did an exercise with a group of school children and it was a card sorting activity,” she said. “They asked the children and the members of staff to sort the cards to what they thought was native and what they thought could be found abroad.

“Pretty much everyone sorted all of the grey boring looking fish into what you would find here, and all of the more exotic looking orcas, humpback whales, colourful wrasse to what you would find abroad.

“Then the big reveal at the end was that they were all

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

native, and you can find them all in the UK waters.

“That experience made me realise that people have no idea what is on their doorstep in terms of marine life.

“As a marine biology student I’m interested in the science of it, but I also find it really interesting to be able to capture images and say: ‘Look, that was taken a 10-minute drive away and a short way offshore’. And people are often really shocked.”

Melbourn has been lucky enough to have been given access to some of Georgie’s work and hopes to print off photographs to display around the school.

SNAPPED: Georgie Bull’s underwater photography hobby gives an insight into the underwater world around the British Isles.

5

Bake-off is very tough to judge MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

The judge of Melbourn’s Year 7 Bake-Off had a tough — but tasty — task

when it came to choosing the winners.

Although the competition was primarily online with students submitting

pictures of cakes they made at home, many took a slice of their creations for Joanne Giles, Head of Art, Food and Technology, to taste as well.

After agonising over her decision, she declared Emma (7Franklin) as the winner with her ‘Winter Wonderland’ entry.

Frances (7Lewis) with her ‘Explosion’ cake and Tyler (7Darwin) with his ‘Outrageously Oreo Feast’ were joint runners-up.

The Bake-Off followed a lesson learning the top tips for making a successful, moist and well-risen cake and the functions of each of the ingredients and was packed with quality entries.

Miss Giles said: “The entries were very strong and many pupils kindly brought me in a slice to try – I haven’t eaten so much cake in one week!

“I particularly enjoyed Isabel’s (7Franklin) pistachio, raspberry and white

chocolate layered cake and George’s (7Franklin) triple layer chocolate cake.”

CAKE CREATIONS: The top three in the Year 7 Bake-Off competition.

BREAKFAST BONUS: Students in 7 Franklin earned a breakfast treat for their efforts.

Positive start is rewarded with treats

Students in 7 Franklin were rewarded twice for their positive start to life at Melbourn Village College.

The tutor group was twice named ‘Form of the Week’ in the first half of the Autumn term after collecting the most positive points awarded to students during lessons for things like behaviour and engagement as well as overall attendance.

Turning the school green!

The Year 10 Eco Group decided that this term they wanted to 'green up’ the school with some pot plants inside and some pollinator friendly plants outside.

They asked friends and parents if they had any spare plants that they could donate and have since spent their lunchtimes repotting plants and propagating baby ones.

After school they have planted more plants around the school grounds.

The group would like to say a huge thank you to everybody who very kindly donated plants for them to use. They are looking forward to seeing what they look like in the spring!

6

Not only did they receive a sweet treat from their Head of Year, Richard Barlow but became the first to earn a special breakfast provided by their form tutor, Joanne Giles, the Head of Art, Food and Technology.

Students were able to choose from pancakes, bacon rolls, croissants or pains au chocolate as a reward for their brilliant attitude to learning and

the way they have embraced secondary school in such challenging times.

The breakfast is not limited to Miss Giles’ own tutor group and she will be affording the same treat to any form which collects the most reward points over a given period with the next breakfast prize scheduled for early in the spring term.

GREEN FINGERS: The Year 10 Ecogroup have been propogating and repotting.

The theory of colour . . .

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

Students in Year 7 have been developing their understanding of colour theory.

They have also started to refine their understanding of tone and mark making in their shell project work.

They have used a variety of media including pencil, fine liner, wax pastels and watercolour, to produce a visually creative sketchbook.

They have also completed a homework projects researching the beautiful painted shell art books of the famous Japanese artist Utamaro.

Art in the style of Mehndi . . .

COLOUR, TONE AND MARKING: Students in Year 7 have studied colour theory and the use of tone and mark making this term.

INDIAN INSPIRED: Year 8 have focused on the work of Mehndi.

Year 8 Students have enhanced their core art skills by researching the art of Mehndi in a large homework project, developing their understanding of another culture’s traditions and use of intricate pattern work often based on Nature.

They have designed a front cover, complex hand designs and are now developing their observational drawing skills of leaves to later take the leaf motif into their own mehndi design.

Death in the spotlight!

Year 9 students have been studying the Day of the Dead, producing a complex skull cover design with the patterns and motifs of Mexico.

They have researched the history of Day of the Dead in a large homework project, gaining understanding of another culture.

To enhance their observational drawing skills, students have also researched and drawn the skull work of Leonardo Da Vinci, really developing higher drawing skills. The drawing of the skull in detail will be used in an inkSKULLS IN FOCUS: For Year 9’s Day of the Dead topic. washed final art work.

7

Birthday greetings sent across the world MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

Melbourn’s Chinese partner school in Beijing are celebrating their 70th birthday this month.

And that prompted students — and Mr Holmes — to send the High School affiliated to the Beijing Institute of Technology a short birthday greetings video in Mandarin.

Students from Melbourn and Comberton visited Beijing two years ago and although the exchange programme is currently on hold, the schools will continue to work together.

ACROSS THE MILES: Screenshot from the birthday video sent to MVC’s partner school in China.

Melbourn remembers

The Last Post rang out across MVC - and could be heard as far away as the Melbourn Science Park as well - as students marked Remembrance Day last month.

Trumpeter Tom, from Year 9, stood on the Willow Lawn to play the traditional song and students also observed a two-minute silence.

Tutors talked to students about the significance of November 11th and why those who made the ultimate sacrifice in WW1 and subsequent conflicts are remembered.

An extract from the poem‘For the Fallen’ by Laurence Binyon was also read out.

‘They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.’

Cow card takes prize

Seasonal messages from Melbourn Principal Simon Holmes have been sent on a card designed by one of the students.

That — along with an Amazon gift voucher — was the prize for the winning entry in the KS3 Christmas Card competition.

Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 were invited to submit their designs and Oscar (8 Hawking) won with his Highland Cow complete with Christmas lights.

Runners-up Emelie (8 Franklin) and Nick (7 Darwin) were set to receive art-related prizes.

Art teacher Samantha Ward said: “Thank you to everyone who entered.”

8

LEST WE FORGET: Students at MVC mark Remembrance Day.

Tommy hits the top spot . . .

Year 7 student Tommy (7 Hawking) got only one question wrong as he topped the charts for Melbourn in the annual Bebras Challenge.

The competition comprises a set of short online taskbased problems that appeal to Computer Scientists.

The aim is to solve as many as possible in the allotted time.

With a maximum possible score of 200, Tommy only got one wrong and finished with a total of 184 points – 11 ahead of Melbourn’s runners-up Joseph (7 Darwin) and Eva (7Darwin) who both finished on 173.

Alex (8 Lewis) topped Melbourn’s chart for the Year 8 intermediate challenge ahead of Oscar (8 Hawking) and Daniel (8 Hawking).

Top performer among the Year 9s was Tom (9 Darwin).

He was well ahead of Joseph (9 Lewis), with Isabel (9 Hawking) in third.

Head of Computer Science Tom Fung said: “Well done to all the students who have taken part this year — there were a lot of good results. Special congratulations to the winners who receive some nice prizes.”

IT investment pays off

THE CAM ACADEMY TRUST NEWS

In a year like no other, the importance of using digital technology in teaching and internal communication across schools has really come to the fore.

The Trust and its schools have really utilised this to continue providing highquality education.

Sean Sumner, Director of IT Strategy at The Cam Academy Trust, explained: “A few years ago, The Cam Academy Trust made a strategic decision to invest in Cloud services and infrastructure to provide the best possible opportunities for teaching and learning across our schools.

This year, at the beginning of the pandemic, this investment came into its own overnight and Microsoft 365, including our bespoke SharePoint-based platform, the CATalogue, fully sprang into life.

“Now a few months on, we have all been on some very steep learning curves, learning how to teach in Teams, finding our way around SharePoint and collaborating in new ways, assignments, OneNote, Forms, the list goes on.

“But this we know — this stretches far beyond the school walls and we are using tools and services which are becoming the norm in universities, homes and workplaces all over the world — placing skills in the hands of our students which will carry them through their time with us as well as into the future.”

Mr Sumner was also keen to emphasise the benefits of the new iPad for Learning scheme, stating: “After a successful pilot programme, we introduced the iPad for Learning scheme at Cambourne Village College with Year 8 students in May 2019 and then for Year 7 students in September 2019.

“Since then, the scheme has gone from strength to strength and we are gradually introducing iPads further across our secondary and primary schools.”

At Cambourne, students in all year groups now have an iPad to support their personal learning.

Almost all parents have supported the leasing scheme, where, for a fixed monthly payment, an iPad, case, keyboard and insurance are provided. Financial support is available to families where needed.

Students enjoy the range of experiences the iPads provide, from research tasks to accessing satellite links for geography or specialist apps in a whole range of subjects. The iPads support many areas of learning alongside an understanding

that students still need a range of tactile, musical and physical experiences at school — and must still be able to use a pen!

Cambourne Principal, Claire Coates, said: “We had never envisaged the need to provide remote learning for all students, but during the lockdown, the iPads really came into their own.

“With the PE department issuing weekly online sporting challenges and the music staff devising an ingenious ‘virtual’ concert in which many students performed together, we kept morale high throughout the summer while also providing exceptionally strong remote learning.

“It’s hard to remember what life was like before we had the iPads and I look forward to the endlessly creative ways in which students and staff continue to enjoy learning with them.”

PREPARED: Cambourne students in all years now have an iPad to support their personal learning

Extending age range to meet local need

One important thing that our Trust seeks to do is to enable every school in out for consultation and a major business case with be presented to the the Trust to develop its work to serve its community as well and fully as Regional School Commissioner’s Office in the New Year. possible.

The move is supported by the Local Authority as a response to meet the This might include serving a wider group of pupils than a school’s original identified need for more Sixth Form capacity in the area as student numbers remit. One obvious example of that is the development of Gamlingay First are set to grow in coming years. The school is liaising with the Local School into a full Primary School, Gamlingay Village Primary (GVP).

Authority to confirm plans for the new facilities that will be needed to enable A similar path was taken by Everton First School and it has become a full this to happen. primary school, Everton Heath.

The Cambourne Sixth Form would then join the two existing Sixth Forms in The Trust is now working with other schools to support similar extensions the Trust at Comberton and St Peter’s in Huntingdon. of their remit. We hope that this will do even more to bring educational These two Sixth Forms are now looking to work much more closely together ‘excellence for all’ in the areas where they work. and to share provision wherever helpful and appropriate. This opens up Two schools are looking at extending the age range to include a pre-school many exciting possibilities, including the provision of Mandarin from from September 2021. Hartford September 2021 overseen by Infant School and GVP both staff at Melbourn Village have the physical capacity on College. their sites to do this and both Given the way that we have all are clear about how this can become very familiar with how provide a needed service to virtual teaching, learning and their communities as well as support is possible and can integrate younger children into provide high-quality the educational provision at education, the possibilities of the schools. Consultations are joint working and provision being held and business cases between Sixth Forms are presented to the Regional considerable.

School Commissioner’s Office This can help to broaden the as required in this process. curriculum offer available in At the other end of our age our Sixth Forms and range, the Trust is supporting strengthen the provision for Cambourne Village College to all Sixth Formers in the future. develop a new Sixth Form.

The proposed Sixth Form at Cambourne will join this way The hope is to have this ready to admit its first students in of working when it opens.

Stephen Munday CEO September 2023.

SPACE TO GROW: Hartford Infant School have a room with a kitchen, Again, the proposal is currently toilets and an outside space that could be converted to a pre-school.

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

9

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

Leaders have a key role DIFFERENT APPROACH: The focus for Melbourn’s sports leaders has changed due to the pandemic.

2020 has been a year that no-one could have predicted, with the Covid-19 pandemic creating disruption across the world.

Supporting young people to realise their potential is more critical now than ever before.

The South Cambs School Sports Partnership is passionate about providing opportunities for as many young people as possible to grow their leadership skills, gain experience in sports leadership and develop essential life skills such as communication, organisation and teamwork.

Eighteen Year 10 MVC students joined the Leadership community and have had to show

incredible creativity, resilience and imagination to keep sport and physical activity going and to play an active role in their community through volunteering and inspiring others to participate.

Normally our MVC Sports Leaders volunteer at Enrichment, Fixtures and Primary School Tournaments.

However due to restrictions they have had to take a different approach to sports leadership and their role has focussed on motivating KS3 students to get active.

Sports Leaders worked hard to create a series of challenges for "Active Form Time" or "Active Home

Time".

Students are able to try these during form time or can complete the challenge at home.

These include a Rugby Cross Bar Challenge to see how many times you can you hit the cross bar with a rugby ball in one minute, a press-up challenge and a tennis challenge.

There are prizes to be won and points will go towards Interform. Please email your scores to cevans@melbournvc.org.

Keep a look out for more challenges next term.

New activities build a range of skills

This year the PE Department has introduced a new Outdoor Adventure scheme of work for Years 7 and 8.

The unit is designed to introduce pupils to map reading and skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork, achieving your personal best and resilience.

The pupils have worked in groups to solve simple and more complex problems, they have created their own warm up games set routes and maps for their peers to navigate, solved problems around the school while orienteering and completed the crosscountry route.

The unit has been a great success and the pupils have been encouraged to further these skills in other lessons and outside school.

Head of PE Kelly Coghlan has been delighted with the new THE GREAT OUTDOORS: A new Scheme of Work has helped keep scheme of work.

“For obvious reasons we have tried to keep our pupils outside as students in the fresh air this term. team-building and running activities. much as we can.

“The level of activity and engagement has been great. We have not let “We have devised a programme of study that has a range of orienteering, lockdown II beat us!”

PE on film . . .

On the run

Many of our Year 11 GCSE PE pupils have been very committed by performing a range of practical activities each Friday after-school this term.

The regular GCSE PE moderation with other schools and a visiting moderator has now been substituted for video footage of practical performances. Those who have chosen hockey as one of their sports were filmed recently and table tennis took place this week.

Students in KS3 took part in the National School Games Santa Dash during PE lessons by walking, running and skipping round laps of a very muddy course. The event also enabled students to earn points towards the inter-house competition with bonus points for those wearing Santa hats.

Best of the boys were Josh (9D), Ed (8H) and George (7F) while the top girls were Lucia (9N), Hattie and Isla (both 8F) and Isabel (7F). Amelia (7H) and Laura (7L) won the best Christmas hat competition.

Fingers crossed!

Melbourn’s Year 10 boys football team can be excused for feeling frustrated as last year’s District Cup competition was curtailed early due to the first lockdown (remember that one!?).

They had become one of our first year groups for some time to reach the semi-final stage and were only one victory away from playing at the Cambridge United stadium.

They will be hoping to retain this performance level when they compete in the English Schools Football Association National Trophy.

The fixture is currently on hold with a view to fulfil it early next term, Year 9 and 11 boys’ teams are also entered. Good luck to all involved.

10

MUDDY RUN: Students take part in the National Schools Games Santa Dash.

The power of yoga!

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

This autumn term as been a bit different to usual but that hasn’t stopped South Cambs School Sports Partnership delivering our key projects.

This term we have offered Yoga in several schools to different age groups, including Coton’s Year 1s.The feedback has been fantastic, and it has been having a positive impact on children and staff.

It gives the children half an hour

to focus on themselves, their minds and their bodies.

To quote one teacher: “the children were ready to learn after the session”.

Each session consists of a warm up followed by a sequence of poses which are repeated two or three times and finishes with a meditation story and time to relax.

When asking the children what they like best they nearly always reply the story at the end. In all schools the children are keen to learn and improve each week.

YOGA POSES: Primary school pupils and their teachers are reaping the benefits of regular yoga sessions.

Pupils rise to range of sporting challenges With large groups from different schools unable to mix, the SCSSP went virtual this term.

The main focus of the first Virtual Event this year was friendship, fun and well-being.

It was clear that there was plenty of these on display in all the schools that took part in our Friendship Run week organised the week before half term.

An amazing 24 schools took part with more than 3400 children involved in one of the many challenges that were organised within their school.

These ranged from scavenger hunts to personal challenges, like how far can you run in one week to the timed mile competition.

The annual cross-country competitions are

Painting a picture of health!

In January the SCSSP is supporting a month-long campaign for schools, children and families across Cambridgeshire & Peterborough to show how they stay active and promote and celebrate healthy lifestyles.

Schools are being asked to set aside a noticeboard and get children and staff to share their selfies. This can be anything from walking to school, trampolining in the garden, a trip out in nature, cooking healthy foods, taking part in your favourite sport or making healthy snack options.

Sports leaders in all the Trust secondary schools have been set the challenge of organising and promoting this campaign and getting as many students and staff as possible involved. Selfies can also be shared on social media @SouthCambs or using #CandPHealthySelfie

usually the highlight of this term, mainly as it brings so many children together at once so to not be able to run them was a real disappointment for us.

However, to still be able to have an event where so many children could come together while being apart was fantastic.

It was great to hear so many positive stories back from schools including Meldreth, whose teacher said: “It has been inspiring watching our children take part in their Friendship Mile activities whilst embracing the Spirit of the Games values of determination and self-belief and we celebrated these achievements in assembly.”

While the main focus of this event was

participation, there was also a timed mile for those children who are motivated by a bit of competition.

The challenge was to see how fast you could run one mile.

There were a few schools where they did not complete a timed mile within school, but pupils were motivated enough to compete in this challenge themselves out of school, which is fantastic!

Other virtual events this term included a Celebration Dance and Sportshall Pentathlon Competition while next term schools will be able to take part in a virtual Skipping Week, Invasion Games Skills Challenge, Gymnastics Competition and an inclusive Panathlon event.

WHEELY GREAT: Pupils have loved the Mike Mullen visits.

Key messages from BMX ace

Trust school Jeavons Wood is one of the schools set for a visit from BMX cycle ace Mike Mullen next term.

The champion stunt rider will also be at another Cambourne school, Monkfield Park, as well as Barton Primary school spreading his message about growth mindset.

The visit usually begins with a growth mindset assembly and BMX trick display for the whole school, incorporating themes of building resilience and learning from failure.

He said:” I realised every trick or competition was a challenge — always dangerous and often painful.

“Facing these daily challenges as a BMX rider, I learned to find courage, become independent, resourceful and to build resilience” The rest of the day includes practical BMX workshops for

up to 60 pupils with all equipment provided.

He has adapted his visits with assemblies outdoors on the playground and equipment cleaned between workshops.

Mike also factors in any values schools may be focusing on such as self-belief, teamwork, aspiration, independence, respect and wellbeing with one teacher commenting: “Mike was fantastic! The whole school enjoyed his assembly and his message about persevering was spot on.

“KS2 loved the workshops. He was lovely with the children — his visits were a huge success — lots of parents have commented on how much their children told them about the day.”

If any other schools would like a visit please get in touch with Partnership Manager, Claire McDonnell, on cmcdonnell@combertonvc.org

11

MELBOURN VILLAGE COLLEGE

MELBOURN SPORTS CENTRE news )RU WKRVH RI \RX ZKR GRQÂśW DOUeady know, we have: ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ

A state of the art fitness suite offering a variety of membership schemes A 20 metre swimming pool (kept ever so slightly warmer than most!)

A comprehensive swimming lesson programme, catering for all ages and abilities Upgraded multisports courts for hire including tennis, football and squash courts Water sports courses and activities Traditional and modern exercise classes Access to Melbourn Village College sports hall and gymnasium for activities such as trampolining, badminton and basketball Supervised sports and pool parties

SUMMER / AUTUMN REVIEW Like most businesses, life has been very difficult for us this year. But with the support of the local community, we were able to offer a variety of activities to keep them fit and active during these unprecedented times. Even with strict Covid-19 preventative PHDVXUHV ZHÂśYH VWLOO been able to offer our usual activities such as swimming lessons, aqua fit, general swims and Fitness Suite, though this has been a challenge!

We also managed to run our popular holiday activities, both over the summer and at October half term, which had a Halloween theme, where children were treated to swimming, outdoor activities and creative crafts. We also teamed up with Football Fun Factory, who ran their Soccer Camps during both holidays too. All went down well!

We have also welcomed Cambridge Swimming Club to the centre over the summer, as well as Royston Netball Club this Autumn. We are continuing to work closely with Melbourn Dynamos, Comberton Gymnastics Club, Meridian Triathlon Club, Royston Archery and various martial art groups on site.

Finally, we have seen a welcome increase in the booking of Jazzercise, who are now hiring the gymnasium three sessions a week.

DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH - A WINTER WONDERLAND AT MSC! Despite current restrictions, we still have loads on offer up to Christmas and throughout the winter months, with something for the whole cRPPXQLW\ WR JHW LQYROYHG ZLWKÂŤ 3OHDVH QRWH ZH DUH VWLOO KDYLQJ WR RSHUDWH RQ D SUH-booking system for swimming sessions.

COME IN OUT OF THE COLD & GET FIT WITH MSC We have plenty to offer everyone, even with COVID-19 safety measures! So why not come along and get fit and healthy Âą both mentally and physically Âą DW \RXU ORFDO VSRUWV FHQWUH" 7KHUHÂśV ZDWHU DHURELFV DQG 6ZLP &OLQLF WR HQMR\ DORQJ ZLWK WKH usual VZLPPLQJ VHVVLRQV ,I ÂľGU\Âś DFWLYLWLHV DUH PRUH \RXU WKLQJ WKHQ ZH KDYH RXU IXOO )LWQHVV 6XLWH RSHQ IRU EXVLQHVV ZLWK SRFNHtIULHQGO\ SD\PHQW RSWLRQV WR VXLW DOO XVHUV 7KHUHÂśV DOVR EDGPLQWRQ FRXUWV DYDLODEOH WR KLUH DQG IRU WKRVH KDUG\ LQGLYLGXals, tennis courts too!

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN We will be running a pre-Christmas Playsheme from Monday 21st December until Wednesday 23rd December, which we anticipate will be very popular, so please ensure you get your places booked as early as possible to avoid disappointment!

There will also be another half-term Playscheme in February to coincide with the school half term holidays.

You may like to bring the children along to our Family Fun sessions in the swimming pool this winter (pre-booking essential).

We do have a few spaces available on our Pre-School swimming lessons; at the moment, we can take children from the age of two years old due to one parent going into the water as well (as per COVID-19 contact regulations). So please get in touch via info@mc-sport.co.uk for more information or to book your slot.

THE PERFECT PRESENT! With Christmas just round the corner and some people limited as to where they can shop, how about buying a loved one the gift of fun and fitness? We have some great offers on at present for the facility in general or just our competitively priced membership schemes for the MSC Fitness Suite, which houses the latest in gymnasium equipment, including C.V machines fitted with audio visual technology. This could solve your problems of what to buy a loved one this year, or you could just treat yourself! (We all deserve it!!!)

COMING IN SPRING 2021 Âą A BRAND NEW ASTRO TURF FACILITY! With the wonderful news that Melbourn Village College have secured funding for a brand new full-sized Astro Turf pitch, we are looking forward to helping this become operational in 2021, and arranging bookings for this brilliant facility. For more details or to book your slot, please contact the centre.

For further details on memberships or any of our activities, please drop in, call 01763 263313 or go online at www.mcsport.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you this season!

Melbourn Sports Centre, The Village College, The Moor, Melbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 6EF 01763 263313

12