WOKINGHAM

SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT… SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

STUDENTS AWARDED AT UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE 2022 BOHUNT HORSHAM OPENS DOORS TO NEW SITE

Students from Bohunt School Liphook and The Costello School took part in the University of Southampton Mathematics Challenge 2022. Students completed this independent task over the spring term, which gave students an opportunity to think outside the box and explore mathematics beyond the constraints of the standard curriculum.

The competition usually attracts entries from local schools, but this year had entries from across the UK and internationally. Marks were awarded to students for their mathematical reasoning and communication skills as much as they were for correct answers. On Friday 8 June, two students from Costello and one student from Liphook attended the awards ceremony at the University of Southampton. Awards were presented to students in the style of a graduation with Rhiannon Jones (Costello) and Megan Wall (Costello) being awarded second prize and Lana Roberts (Liphook) being awarded a Certificate of Distinction.

Students and families enjoyed a lecture from Professor Graham Niblo entitled ‘From sticks and stones to mobile phones’. He discussed the history and development of our number system from using sticks and stones for counting and the absence of zero right up until more recent events with Alan Turing cracking the Enigma code during the Second World War, and how Katherine Johnson used to check the computer calculations at NASA. He ended his talk discussing how mathematics has been crucial in the development of smart phones. During the start of the new spring term, Bohunt Horsham students were finally allowed to start learning in the brand new site after a very long anticipated wait. Many of the students had waited for months for the new site and many Year 9s waited around two years for this great opportunity. After completing online learning for a few days and at least a term in our temporary buildings Arun House and Nexus, the students have finally adjusted to the new site. The new site has given students many opportunities which were not previously available in the temporary site. For example, the new school site has a brand new sports hall. This has allowed students to complete sports which were not available before, as well as allowing students to participate in sports without having to use Collyers and Horsham Park. Art, DT, music, computing and food technology students have also been benefited due to the new site. There is now a range of new resources that students can use, such as new computers, paints, ovens and even more! Students have also had the opportunity to extend their learning in their core subjects (Science, English and Maths). For example, the new site has brought new resources in science lessons so that students can complete more practical activities. Many students have already completed a practical experiment based on the digestive system. A favourite space for the students is the library. Students can relax on very comfortable seating and read a wide range of different books during lunch times and break times. Another favourite place is the canteen, where students can buy a wide range of food including vegan and vegetarian options. Students have rated chips, Radnor Splashes and cookies the current favourites. Some clubs [also take place during lunchtime] include sports, languages and art/practical clubs. Many students also attend societies during lunch time. Students are extremely pleased with the new site and cannot wait to share their experiences with the next group of new Year 7s in September. Overall students, staff and families are immensely proud of all the work it took in order to move into this site and are looking forward to spending the rest of their secondary education in this incredible building

BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW… SCHOOL HIGHLIGHT…

HAMZA ARFAT - IT APPRENTICE

What gets you out of bed in the morning?

What gets me out of bed in the morning is the thought of seeing all my work colleagues and working as a team to make education a success for all.

What’s your biggest game-changing achievement to date, personal or professional?

Biggest game changing achievement would be completing my A-levels and finding an apprenticeship.

How would you describe your job to a child?

Making sure all the tech is fully functioning ready for the use of staff and students.

What three words would you use to describe your job?

Fascinating, spontaneous, brilliant.

What’s the best thing about working at BET?

The environment and school culture, everyone is helpful and very friendly, which allows everyone to bring the best out of each other.

If you were an animal what would you be?

I’d be a lion, inspired by Simba from Lion King. ANDREW PAGE, CCF COORDINATOR AT THE COSTELLO SCHOOL TALKS ABOUT WHAT COMBINED CADET FORCE (CCF) CAN OFFER BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ALIKE.

I’ve been working with cadets for the past five years having taken on the role just after our partnership with Lord Wandsworth College, in Hook, Hampshire. When I took on the role we had just six cadets – in January this year, we reached 48 cadets with some returning from local colleges to continue until they are 18 years old.

At Costello, we’re keen to get more adults involved in cadets so that we can offer a more enriching and diverse programme. If you’re interested, reach out and we’ll find a way! I have been a science teacher for eight years after a 10+ year career in the defence industry, supporting the UK MoD with equipment such as tanks, artillery and Harrier jet aircraft. While I didn’t serve in the military, working closely with serving officers and the equipment they use gave me really valuable insights that sometimes I’m able to bring into cadets and the classroom.

Our partnership with Lord Wandsworth College has been an amazing boost to our cadets’ programme – they have great resources and facilities, the staff are very knowledgeable, the other students are welcoming, and they have supported our staff with training. Our greatest challenge remains transportation – we must take three minibuses of cadets to Lord Wandsworth College each week. Fortunately, our parents are incredibly supportive and can help us get the cadets home. The highlight of my year is summer camp – it’s an immersive experience for both cadets and staff as we conduct similar training to regular soldiers. In addition to the military skills, the main aspect that really makes the week worthwhile is the change in the cadets – their confidence grows as they can complete activities that they never thought they could, such as excellent marksmanship, leading a team or flying a plane through acrobatics! The lesson that I learn each week is that often, progress for our students cannot be measured in a test or counted on a spreadsheet – it’s the moments of almost immeasurable changes that means that they are a better version of themselves than before.

STUDENT VIEW… ALEX ELSON, YEAR 9

In Year 9, you have the option to join the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and is one of the highlights of the school year. Through becoming a cadet, you will develop self-reliance, resourcefulness, leadership and perseverance. The CCF offers opportunities to experience things you would never normally be able to try. It gives a challenging yet safe environment to experience a military environment. These include camps at military bases where you learn about your chosen section of the CCF (Army or RAF). Outdoor activities such as orienteering, shooting, obstacle course, rafting, paddle boarding and flying are just some of the things on offer. CCF is a steep learning curve regardless of which section you choose. It is quite daunting going to your first summer camp. For some of us it was the first time away from home. Having said that, the staff and the older Cadets made sure we were safe and making the most of our time. I myself joined the Army section and I really enjoyed our first camp. At camp, we learned about the history of the Army as well as some drill, survival, and a range of fun activities. What made a real impression on me was the fact that the older Cadets, the NCOs, were given a lot of responsibility. They woke us up in the mornings, they took us to where we needed to be during the day, and they taught us some valuable lessons. All the while we were under constant staff supervision. By the end of it we were all exhausted, but we thoroughly enjoyed it. CCF is not for everyone, and many do choose to leave after their five-term commitment. However, there are cadets who really enjoy it and continue with CCF into sixth form college - it’s a big step up because as well as the pressures of school increasing, your responsibility in the CCF also increases. I look up to my NCOs and I want to become one myself. I would definitely recommend CCF as it is something I have really enjoyed. I have gained a lot of skills and I intend to hone them further by staying on until I leave. Discipline, confidence and resilience are excellent skills for anyone to have and I am sure that these will help me when I have a career. CCF can be very challenging, but it is also very rewarding. It gives pupils who are usually quiet and subdued an opportunity to shine. I hope to see many of you joining in September as a new recruit!