The Park Post - Spring 2019

Park Post

Spring 2019

The

From The Head

I was telling a story in assembly a couple of weeks ago about two boys who went on a cycling holiday. They had made plans as to where they would stay, but sometimes they found that they needed to alter their plans and follow a different route. I was asked by a pupil after the assembly if the story was true. I said I wasn’t sure, but it sounded as if it was, because that is very much how life goes. We have been on a journey with our school, and now that we are firmly established in our new home, what will be in store in the next leg of our journey?

We are building a Park School that is simpler, more relevant, financially sustainable and focused on delivering exceptional results in all aspects of a child’s education; filling the gap between the large maintained sector academies and the local independent schools that are out of the reach of many.

We are establishing our new Sixth Form common room for September, with twin study rooms to facilitate students in establishing their own work routine, independent yet with guidance when needed, so that help is at hand for students if needed. Upstairs in Riverside House will also offer five new large classrooms for use by the senior school.

The whole school continues to enjoy our wonderful grounds; we are adding a new outdoor classroom in front of the sports hall during the Easter holidays and landscaping this area during the summer to incorporate our dry stone wall and gate from the memorial garden at our Yeovil site.

We will continue to guide our pupils to achieve their aims in life, to establish their

career aspirations and to reach their goals. If your son or daughter does not yet know what those aims are, then we help to foster new interests through our wide ranging extracurricular programme.

I have had many comments from those who have come to see us, not least our ISI inspectors, about our wonderfully engaged children and our teachers who are so passionate about their subjects, the range of activities that we are offering and the use we are making of our lovely surroundings. I am very proud of all we do at our school and I want to thank all of you, parents, pupils and staff for the part you play in our school community.

Jane Huntington Head

Independent Co-education 4-18

News round up

Bovington Brings History To Life

Year 9 and 10 students spent the day at Bovington Tank Museum earlier this term and participated in workshops investigating the role of Tanks in 20th Century Warfare, Medicine on the Western Front and the Rise of Hitler.

They were able to handle artefacts and use a range of sources and interpretations to create presentations about various aspects of life in 1920s Germany and how Hitler came to power. Some students were even more ‘hands on’ when it came to learning about Trench Medicine with several students wearing the uniforms of army medics, nurses and surgeons. Louie had the easiest of job of all as he played the casualty, although when Amelia was wielding an excising knife and a hacksaw to remove his leg, he probably reconsidered his decision to volunteer for the role!

Mrs Richards

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Mastering Debates at MUN

In March five students represented The Park at the 8th Model United Nations Conference, hosted by Queen’s College Taunton. Conferences like the MUN can inspire tomorrow’s world leaders to make a real difference not only in their own countries but globally.

The students debated maturely on currently relevant topics such as: Territorial Disputes in the Arctic; Freedom of the Internet; Stateless People; The Rohingya Crisis; Biological Warfare; Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS); Trump’s Potential Trade War with China; Dumping of Plastic Waste into the Oceans. The event culminated in a hypothetical global crisis management debate, in this instance, discussing actions following a hostile

Spanish invasion of Gibraltar. All invaluable experience for any young person whether they choose to follow a path into politics or any professional career.

It was exciting for our students to witness and contribute to such an event and it is reassuring to know that the young people of today, like our Park School delegates, are ready to step up and take over.

Mr Cudworth

Longshore Drifting

This term, Year 11 Geographers undertook the fieldwork component of their GCSE course in Lyme Regis, Dorset. Undertaking fieldwork is an essential part of geography and students had been busy generating interesting research questions that could be addressed. The budding scholars had the opportunity to study one of three domains of geography: The human side (e.g. importance of tourism to the local

economy), human/physical (e.g. coastal defence mechanisms and their effectiveness), and the physical (longshore drift and fossils). Having returned, students will now set about processing their data and writing up research findings. Who knows? Perhaps some will throw up hitherto unknown things about the geography of the south west.

Dr Mort

Adventures in Artesina

What a fantastic week we all had during February half term in Artesina, Italy. Fifty students and 6 staff left school on Saturday afternoon for the long drive to Italy. Excited students eventually settled down their noisy chatter after 2am when they then realised it would be a wise move to get a little sleep ready for five days on the slopes.

Monday morning came around quickly and we all adapted well to the structure of the next 5 days of five hours of skiing a day punctuated by a pleasant lunch. The glorious weather played a huge role in the success of the week and the sunshine invigorated many; at one point at the bottom of the mountain, the thermometer read 18 degrees! A normal sight at lunchtimes was students lying on their coats on the snow chilling in the sun. An opportunity to rest their bodies and hang out with friends who they weren’t necessarily skiing with.

One evening the group enjoyed their opportunity to try snow-tubing, in which 75m runs are pre- carved out of snow. Some runs were steep enough to test the strongest nerves.

Friday appeared in a flash and it was time to check out, ready for a final day on the slopes and a long drive home. We had an extremely quiet bus with students exhausted but happy at the week gone by.

All students showed resilience, perseverance, good manners and respect to all involved in the trip. It was a genuine pleasure to share their company and I will look back fondly on the trip. Not least for the fact that it didn’t involve a hospital visit!

Finally, a successful trip requires trust from students that staff will make good decisions to keep them safe, and trust from staff that the students will make good choices. Mutual trust was shown in abundance. Bring on February 2021!

Mrs Guthrie

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News round up...

DofE Training Strategically planned to take advantage of some unseasonably warm and sunny days, our Duke of Edinburgh group headed to Tintagel for a practice walk just before the Easter break. Taking in some breath-taking scenery, the students put their route-planning, map reading and endurance skills to the test.

Ere Be Dragons!

Thank you

This term we said a sad farewell and thank you to Mrs Maunder who has run our School Office and Reception for 8 years.

She had been a pupil at The Park herself, and had seen many developments over time. We are hopeful that Sarah will keep in touch and we wish her all the very best.

Religious Teaching

Senior RS students welcomed Mr Britton to school who brought aspects of the Jewish faith to life in class. In the picture, he is demonstrating the Tefillin, which are small boxes containing part of the Old Testament. These are strapped on the arm, facing the heart, and the forehead, as a reminder to 'love God with all your heart and all your mind'.

Fundraising

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One of the benefits of teaching History is that you get to organise trips to great places and this term Mrs Richards and Mrs Stonier took Year 7 to meet the newest resident of Caerphilly Castle - a smoke-breathing dragon! At Caerphilly and Chepstow students identified varying defensive features and architecture and looked at how the castles were used as both homes and seats of power. This will greatly help them with their homework project next term which will be to build a castle! Some of the students even learnt a little Welsh too.... ask them if you see them!

Mrs Richards

This year, the school has elected NSPCC as one of its nominated charities and House activity has so far seen a Mufti Day organised by Slessor that raised almost £150, Muller’s Smartie tube initiative and Livingstone’s cake sale. No pressure next term Shaftesbsury! The school’s other nominated charity is Toilet Twinning for which there will be an event in the summer term.

Fossil Finds

On one of the lowest spring tides of the year, Year 3 and 4 took a trip to Lyme Regis. The conditions could not have been more perfect for fossil hunting. Our guide had been fossil hunting there all his life. He taught us the history of fossil hunting in Lyme Regis and had many useful tips to help us identify our fossils. There were many up and coming Mary Annings within Year 3 and 4 and a lot of impressive fossils were discovered.

Mr Allen

En Franรงais

As part of their regular lessons learning and speaking French with Mrs Fisher, budding Year 3 and 4 linguists have been describing facial features and characteristics. They especially enjoyed lessons sporting their finest berets!

Mrs Fisher

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Year 9 scientists have been looking at alternative ways to promote the message of recycling. Here are just a couple of the thoughtful poems written.

Why on Earth would you not recycle?

Dylan R-C, Year 9

Have you ever woke up, early in the morning, Yet you’re not even tired, you’re not even yawning, So you get out of bed, then you look out the window, You look outside, you look where the grass grows, Keep looking a little further, out to the path, When you see some kids, they’re having a laugh, But neither said a joke, neither said a word, But only a young animal, all broken, all hurt, Yet you don’t say a thing, your mouth didn’t open, But the animal, it’s dying, the animal, it’s choking, It’s not a rat, a fox, nor bird, But this was a squirrel, untouched, unstirred, Till it came by your house, it was still fine, Now it’s out on the side, by the yellow lines, When your bin was full, full to the top, You didn’t even think, you didn’t even stop, You just placed in that bag, with bottles inside, Then you left this bin, all open, all wide, Then the wind blew that night, the wind blew so hard, So out came the bag, out through the yard, So the squirrel came along, curious, unsure,

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But the squirrel climbed in, to this bag that was yours, The bag closed over, it didn’t look behind, So now this small squirrel, squirrel would die, Only a baby, a baby this thing, His death was going to hurt, it wouldn’t just sting, Now this isn’t law, nor from the Bible, But why on earth, would you not recycle?

Look at all that waste!

Will F, Year 9

Look at all that waste It’s taking up too much space Why not recycle?

And be delightful Just reduce, reuse and recycle Look at the sea peaceful and blue And all that rubbish is going in too Just reduce, reuse and recycle When you take the rubbish to the bin Remember what to do Separate the glass the paper And tell others too Just reduce, reuse and recycle If something can be recycled Make sure you do Improving the environment That is what you should do Just reduce, reuse and recycle.

Miss Safadi

NARCISSISTIC PERSONALITY DISORDER AND HOW IT AFFECTS CHILDREN

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I chose to complete an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) for the chance to thoroughly investigate a topic that interested me and I wanted to extend the academic basis on that which I was applying for university. The EPQ process has developed my research and essay-writing skills and prepared me for higher academic study.

I chose to write about Narcissistic Personality Disorder and its impact on children in a family where one parent suffers from the disorder. My interest in this subject stemmed from reading “Emma in the Night” by Wendy Walker, the story follows the relationship between a mother and a daughter and how the disorder affects the sufferer and the children they care for.

I was really interested in the impact of the NPD on the child and that the relationship with parents acts as a template for later life and it may have an impact on romantic relationships and the ability to parent children as they have no blueprint for a healthy relationship.

Through this investigation and research, I have really begun to understand the complexities of mental disorders and their impact on others; it has strengthened my interest in Psychology and my decision to continue to study it at university.

“

Reduce Re-Use Recycle

Sixth-Former Jess H tells us what inspired her EPQ:

Sports round up...

Curious Incident Caitlin H, Y10, took part in a Drama excursion to London to see ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’. Here she reviews the production:

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The production sparked a mixture of emotions from the audience, including moments of sadness, happiness and confusion. My favourite scenes were those in the train station with Christopher and the other actors using physical movements and choral speaking to add tension, and to express the emotions Christopher was feeling. This effect was caused because of the loud sounds used at the train station (the voices reading the signs), and it was effective because it confused me at times because of the number of different things happening at once.

The only thing I would change is that at sometimes I found the sounds too loud. This is however only a minor disadvantage. Other than this, the play was good, interesting and eyewidening to watch!

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In the NEXT ISSUE

At the time of going to press the Prep Production of Scheherezade was yet to happen as well as all the fun school Easter activities and House Sports. Look out for them in the next issue of The Park Post.

It has been another busy term in the PE & Sport department. Around seventy pupils have represented the school playing Girls’ Netball, Boys’ Football and Boys’ Basketball in many fixtures. We had a successful Cross-Country run at Haldon Forest in January where Alice C (Y5), Helena C (Y7), Holly W (Y8), Adam G (Y7) and Abbie W (Y11) all qualified for the ISA National round representing the south west.

As ever, we have been busy within our PE and Games lessons working on fundamental skills and technical knowledge. Our focus now shifts towards the busy summer term when the year will culminate with School Sports Day and the swimming gala.

Mrs Guthrie

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Art Dates

for your Diary

Tuesday 23 April Wednesday 24 April Monday 29 April Wednesday 1 May Monday 6 May Wednesday 8 May Thursday 16 May 5.30pm Friday 22 May Friday 22 – Saturday 23 May Monday 27 – Friday 31 May Monday 3 – Tuesday 4 June Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 June Monday 24 June Tuesday 25 June 1.30pm – 4.45pm Monday 8 – Tuesday 9 July Saturday 13 July Saturday 13 July

INSET Day Term starts Y8 History Trip to Morwellham Quay Y7 & Y8 RS Trip to Hillfield Priory Bank Holiday Inter House Fundraising Day Y10 Parents’ Evening Yeovil Area Athletics Championships Duke of Edinburgh Practice Walk Half Term Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Final Expedition Silver Duke of Edinburgh Final Expedition Onatti Theatre Production (Prep) Sports Day School Production ‘Annie’ 9.00am – 10.30am - Speech Day & Prizegiving (Term Ends) 11.30am – 3.00pm Summer Picnic at The Park

Luke C

Caitlin H

Lucy M

Iris D

Inspired by Chilton

Year 9 students have undertaken a landscape project in art using different movements such as Pointillism, Impressionism, Cubism and Fauvism to inspire their ideas. Here is a brief selection of paintings, however, further work in a variety of media can be found above the staircase of the main house.

Mrs Briggs

The Park School Chilton Cantelo Somerset, BA22 8BG

01935 850555 admissions@parkschool.com

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