Pupils grab opportunities MVC News
The new enrichment programme at Melbourn has got off to a flying start with more 350 students involved and some participating in activities every day.
There are more than 50 clubs to choose from and include taking part in the school production both on stage and behind the scenes, re-creating MVC at Minecraft Club, Journalism Club, a range of sporting opportunities and much more. Staff and students have grasped the opportunities offered by this new initiative and proved that MVC doesn’t just get excellent exam results, but offers students the chance to develop outside the classroom environment and pursue interests alongside other likeminded people. A great example of this was when a running club on a Friday afternoon with Mr Holder and myself was suggested, I did think that we
might have only one or two takers. Eight weeks later and we had a group of more than 30 students. Head of Maths Mr Holder said: “It is a lovely way to finish a week and allows you the chance to get to know students you might never teach. It sets you up for the weekend.” But there is no complacency and staff are continually looking at ways of developing the enrichment offer. We would love to get the local community working in conjunction with us. If you would like to help with, or run an enrichment activity, then please get in touch with me at jbarnes@melbournvc.org A new range of enrichment activities will be starting in January and will include additional sporting activities and extension options for Year 11 students. If you would like more information on our enrichment programme please go to our website www.melbournvc.org and follow the links. John Barnes, Assistant Principal
RANGE OF CHOICES: Students can pursue activities that interest them as part of the new enrichment programme.
Staff feedback is extremely positive
Melbourn’s new enrichment programme has not only enthused the students, but the staff as well. Here are some of their thoughts as the first term draws to a close: “I teach the sewing and dressmaking enrichment on a Monday. All the students are really enjoying it and say it is the fastest hour of the week. We now have one finished piece of bunting and most of the others are nearly there. I love it!” — Tracey Mayhead. “KS3 Badminton on Wednesdays is going extremely well. Students are not only getting a good amount of time to practice but are receiving valuable skills sessions with Mr Hutchinson. “The most popular part of the session is the round the world challenge in the last 15 minutes, where students can show off WRITING UP: After investigating how to limit malaria using maggots. their progress in the game. We have been full each week; a popular activity. ” — George Tobutt. “Further Maths is proving very popular indeed, with students looking to use it both to learn a little A-level maths in The new enrichment time STEM Club has had a busy term. preparation for next year, but also to benefit from additional The intrepid scientists have made loudspeakers and motors, investigated how to limit malaria teaching to improve their chances of getting a higher GCSE (using maggots in place of mosquito larvae!) and honed their microscope skills. grade. The cake is proving popular too.” — John Holder. Visiting experts have taken the students on a fantastic voyage through the workings of the “The hockey enrichment has been very successful. We have had human body and explained what it is like to work at The Babraham Institute. a very good turnout for all sessions and all year groups. The Ice cream has been made and a super-battery is in development. longer sessions and ability to play against other year groups The students are now undertaking some mind-expanding exploration of space accompanied by has led to good training sessions and, in turn, excellent results some Brian Cox DVDs, followed by testing some meteorite experiments for the University Of in fixtures and tournaments.” — Kelly Coghlan. Kent. “The students in Language Futures have been learning how to What will we discover/explore/invent in 2017? Wait and see.... write and speak about an imaginary block of flats and are Michael Wright (STEM Club Co-ordinator) preparing to make presentations to each other and their mentors. They are rising to the challenge of teaching themselves Mandarin and Italian with the help of two excellent mentors.” — Ivana Stanley. “An excellent term of table tennis, with some great play from both KS3 and 4. Some students have really enjoyed just playing for fun whereas others have joined the ladder and have been a bit more competitive. As I write this, Joseph Cockman in KS3 and Will Mallen in KS4 are leading. However, it changes every week.” — Regina Lawrence. “Despite some Boot Camp sessions being on a Friday, students who regularly attend have been enjoying challenging themselves with some high intensity cardiovascular workouts, some tiring games, and some testing exercises that require A CHANGING good humour as well as their energy and effort. I've been really PICTURE: At the impressed with their cheerful attitude to this and the fact that top of the table they approach me in the week with their own ideas to contribute.” — Sarah Hallam. tennis ladders.
Intrepid scientists at work!
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