WOODLANDS NEWSLETTER
ISSUE: DECEMBER 2019
Enabling aspiration and achievement through delivery of a knowledge-rich curriculum underpinned by our CORE values:
C
O
R
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COURAGE
OPTIMISM
REGARD
ENDEAVOUR
WELCOME It has been a busy term for all at Allestree Woodlands. We have welcomed parents and carers into school for a number of information and progress update evenings all of which have been extremely well attended, showing the partnership between home and school as a real strength. Staff, parents and students have had the chance to contribute to online surveys this term and the broad information from these surveys has been used to create parent, staff and student focus groups to help us work together to move things forward at school. Headteacher focus groups have now been calendared for January to March for those who volunteered to get more involved and I look forward to meeting with parents and carers on important matters such as communication, curriculum and behaviour. For year 9 students and their families, we showcased all of our GCSE options subjects this term to aid decision making and students have also had the chance to learn more about new subjects in assemblies to help them thinking about what is right for them. We take next steps very seriously for our students so, in November, we hosted a range of external providers for year 11 to find out more about apprenticeships, employment opportunities and post 16 education pathways. Many students have benefitted from educational trips, such as theatre visits, careers related trips, science and technology related visits and internally provided opportunities such as those facilitated by Zebra Red to raise awareness of hate crime and encourage students to reflect on their own perceptions. These powerful opportunities are all about developing the whole person, reaching beyond but also supporting academic achievement. Our Wellbeing Centre has now opened to provide a quiet space for students to talk with an adult or just take some time to think. Our mental health ambassadors and peer mentors are also available to support or lend an ear when needed. As we move towards the Christmas holidays, year 11 and 13 students have been considering revision strategies and stress management to enable them to gear up for a round of practice exams when they return to school. We hope they will all make some time for a well-earned rest between festivities and study. Finally, we have revitalised our school mission statement to bring the qualities we value and seek to develop more to the fore: we seek to promote aspiration and achievement for all students and believe that courage, optimism, regard for self & others and endeavour are integral to this. We will share more on this in the new year. I would like to wish everyone a safe, happy and restful holiday. Gemma Penny
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
Silver in Physics Olympiad
World Mental Health Day
Dedicated A’level Physics students Matthew 6M, Tobias 6O and James 6M took the opportunity to enter the British Physics Olympiad this year.
On 10th October, our Year 13 Psychology students embraced World Mental Health Day by selling Yellow Ribbons to raise awareness, arranged a Photo booth for students and staff, a Hook A Duck stall and Touching and Feeling activities.
The Olympiad (BPhO) is annual competition run by an independent organisation within Oxford University Physics department. Budding young physicists from across the UK are invited to sit a 2 hour 45 minute paper designed to challenge their understanding and problem solving skills. Those who produce an outstanding score, are rewarded with medal certificates and anyone making it into the top 50, go on to the second round and finalists qualify for training at Oxford and a chance to represent Britain in the International Physics Olympiad.
All of these activities were to educate about misconceptions around mental health. Well done to students and staff who took part!
Drama Productions
These Woodlands students gave up their Tuesday lunchtimes to work (with the Physics teaching staff practising papers, as well as putting hours of work in at home over the Autumn term. All three performed admirably, but the outstanding result was that of, Matthew 6M who achieved a Silver medal, putting him in the top 0.1% of A’level Physics students nationally and in the top 20% of students able enough to be selected to enter the competition.
Contact Details Should parents/carers have any concerns regarding their child, could they please initially contact their Form Tutors. Thereafter, the next point of contact would be the following Heads of House: Rowan Head of House, Helen Curr—h.curr@woodlands.derby.sch.uk Oak Head of House, Helen Smith—h.smith@woodlands.derby.sch.uk Maple Head of House, Emily Pitter—e.pitter@woodlands.derby.sch.uk Cedar Head of House, Lucy Colley—l.colley@woodlands.derby.sch.uk
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
Mathematics Challenge 2019 – 2020
Children In Need 2019
Each year the UK Mathematics Trust and the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, jointly host this national competition with regional heats held throughout the UK. Allestree Woodlands School has proudly entered a team every year since its launch in 2007, showing that Mathematics at the highest level continues to be a perennial favourite amongst students here in our SixthForm. In early November, fifteen schools sent teams of four students to our heat which was held at the University of Derby. After the customary three 40-minute rounds, we finished in 7th position. The winners were Belper School who go on to the national final in London in the new year. The runners-up were John Taylor High School and Ashby School were 3rd. The team enjoyed the competition experience which they know will enrich their studies en-route to what really counts: their Maths A-levels. For all your Mathematics-related post-16 studies, Allestree Woodlands School is the place to do it - just ask our students, past and present, or visit the school website and look at the Sixth-Form Prospectus.
Children In Need was another amazing success at Woodlands. The students helped raise the grand total of £1365.73 by various cake sales, ping pong, Sponsored pudsey onesies and how many sweets in a jar.
Well done to everyone who took part!!
Mr Murden
Safeguarding At AWS Everyone working at Allestree Woodlands School shares the prime objective to keep children and young people safe by: • Providing a safe environment for children and young people to learn in • Identifying children and young people who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, and taking the appropriate action with the aim of making sure they are kept safe both at home and in school. Rachel Brailsford, Assistant Headteacher, is the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead. If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing please get in touch on the safeguarding email listed below.
Safeguarding@woodlands.derby.sch.uk
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
European Day of Languages
Derby’s Enterprise Centre
On Thursday 26th September, the Modern Languages Department celebrated the European Day of Languages, with events running across the school. This day is celebrated throughout Europe and promotes a love of Language and Culture within Europe and beyond.
On Tuesday 8th October, the MFL Faculty took a number of Spanish, French and German Y10 pupils to Derby’s Enterprise Centre, where we attended a Languages and Business event run by the company Business Language Champions.
The Languages staff dressed up in attire from French, German and Spanish speaking countries. In addition, many other staff members wore badges to showcase the languages that they are able to speak a little of.
The day saw students take part in a Form quiz where they had to guess the voices of members of staff reading out a fable in German and an individual quiz which was supported by Mrs Weightman in the library. Staff and students were encouraged to greet each other in another language and answer the register in a new language as well. At lunch time our Language Leaders held a French Café, the proceeds of which have been donated to McMillan. Departments also did little activities and challenges with a language theme. Thank you to all who took part.
Other schools attended and pupils with differing language knowledge were placed in teams to develop their teamwork, communication and leadership skills. The essence of the day was to create a model of a trade stand and a promotional flyer, to attract foreign investment in to Derbyshire, with the Rail Industry as its focus. Pupils had time to create their stand by ordering materials in the target language with a fund of £1500, and then to design it on paper with associated answers to questions provided by a panel of judges. In the afternoon, each team had to present to this panel in their target language. Based on a criteria of professionalism, teamwork, use of language, innovation and the ability to think on their feet, the judges awarded runners up and first prize certificates. It is with great pride, that Team Woodlands gained a runners up and first prize certificate. Well done to all our pupils in Y10 who took part, who gave a great account of themselves throughout the day. Mr. R. Thompson
KEY DATES CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY — Friday 20th December 2019 to Monday 6th January 2020 INSET DAY — Monday 6th January 2020 Year 11 and Year 13 Practice Exams 7th January—17th January 2020 6th Form Application Closing Date—24th January Year 9 Options Closing Date—31st January Year 11 Mock Results Parents Evening—3rd February 6:00-8:00 Year 12 Internal Assessments—4th - 14th February Madesimo Ski Trip—14th—21st February Spring Half Term—14th-23rd February
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
Promoting CanSat at the UK Space Conference 2019
Members of our award winning ESA CanSat teams presented at the UK Space Conference 2019 in Newport earlier in the Autumn Term. We explained how active participation and support for ESERO CanSat could benefit UK Space business and the whole Space Community. Noticing that the Welsh Government were represented, we spoke to Wales based Space-technology companies and the University of South Wales about supporting CanSat. Currently we are liaising with these contacts in the hope of facilitating the first Welsh-based CanSat team with support from local University and Space Industry. We were also delighted to meet UK Astronaut Tim Peake at the UK Space Conference and discuss our CanSat project with him! Our team have been supported by UK Space Lawyer Joanne Wheeler, MBE for the last two years and were were delighted to be able to meet Joanne at the conference. Look out for more news about the progress of our AWSCanSat 2020 team.
Oak House Charity Fund Raising
A huge congratulations must go to Oak House for their charity fundraising. Over the past term, all the Oak forms have been raising money in order to sponsor a Guide Dog Puppy each. The fundraising activities have included doing sponsored runs, swims, cycles, rowing, cake stalls, and much more. Indeed, one form cycled from Derby to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch on the cycling machine, whilst elsewhere 3 lads rowed the English Channel! Some others ran a marathon between them and yet more forms kept the school filled up on wonderful cakes. The current total is over £2000 with some more activities still to take place after Christmas! Well done Oak House – I am so proud of everything you have achieved. The fact that you have taken to heart your desire to support other people on their journey in life, by raising money to ensure that they have the tools (dogs) to thrive, further shows what wonderful people you all are – you are a credit to the school. The puppy information will be arriving in the New Year! ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
Sixth Form Charity Day On Thursday 19th December AWS Sixth Form hosted their 2019 Charity Day to raise money for Breast Cancer Now. Students voted for “Film Characters” as their dress up theme, and organised a variety of fundraising activities including bake sales, “Guess the Teacher Singing” competition, “The World’s Biggest Kahoot Film Quiz” and a “Speciality Hot Chocolate” stall. The students did themselves proud in terms of organising the day and really entering into the spirit of thinking about the wider community at Christmas.
Mr Naughton very courageously, shaved his notorious moustache off for the Charity Day. Also, well done to 3 of our 6th formers, Brent 6N, Ed 6N and Archie 6N, who had their hair shaved to raise funds too.
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
Form Tutor Awards Poppy 7C1
Lucy 8C1
Grace 9C2
Martha 10C2
Antoni 7C1
Alex 8C2
Calvin 9C2
Ciaran 11C1
Kiera 7C2
Amelia 8C2
Eddie 10C1
Yasmin 11C1
Poppy 7C2
Lewis 9C1
Eve 10C1
Bella 11C2
Abby 8C1
Jessica 9C1
Aggie 10C2
Ali 11C2
Ethan 7O1
Megan 8O1
Silvie 9O2
Madeleine 10O2
Isabella 7O1
Max 8O2
Jack 9O2
Kacper 11O1
Niamh 7O2
Evie 8O2
Lauren 10O1
Aimee 11O1
Theo 7O2
Isla 9O1
James 10O1
Timmy 11O2
Darcey 8O1
Jack 9O1
William 10O2
Tallulah 11O2
Max 7M1
Liam 8M1
Hannah 9M2
Leo 10M2
Sophie 7M1
Rafa 8M2
Deimante 9M2
Charloote Lawmon 11M1
Lucie 7M2
Imogen 8M2
Freya 10M1
Lydia 11M1
Kenya 7M2
William 9M1
Roham 10M1
Charlotte Jones 11M2
Lilian 8M1
Sarah 9M1
Fionnuala 10M2
Harry 11M2
Iris 7R1
Ethan 8R1
Izzy 9R2
Darcey 10R2
Adam 7R1
Ethan 8R2
Dylan 9R2
Leia 11R1
Chloe 7R2
Iris 8R2
Luke 10R1
Olly 11R1
Freddie 7R2
Leah 9R1
Phoebe 10R1
Grace 11R2
Amina 8R1
Joe 9R1
Lauren 10R2
Joshua 11R2
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
Sixth Form Trip to Cumbria “Our experience of the trip was really good, we found it informative and inclusive, as it was very hands on but it was always a lot of fun to participate in. We completed a range of various tasks and activities whilst learning alongside it all. It was also a great opportunity to bond and socialise with those in our year, who we may not have usually spoken with and have now created stronger and new friendships. It also
allowed us to see a different side of the country as it is completely different to Derby and was a breath of fresh air. We would recommend this trip to anyone, that it is available to. We’ve also heard people describe it as one of the best weeks of their lives and we would 100% agree, we couldn't fault it.” Sarah 6S and Leah 6O
Sports News Athletics The following pupils have qualified to represent Derby West at the Derbyshire Schools XC championships (Jan 18th 2020); Iris 7R1, Alex 8C2, Samuel 8O2, Ashley 9R1, Sam 9C2, Jack 9O1, Jonathon 8O2, Imogen 10O1 Drew 10R1, Adam 10O2 and Matthew 10R1 Year 10 basketball Woodlands won 52-20 against Bemrose. Woodlands lost 34-36 against St Benedict’s Netball Y9 played in the Derby City netball tournament on Tuesday 15th October at Littleover School. They were in group 1. They won 3 games and lost 2, finishing 3rd in their group. They lost to Lees Brook 3-2 in the Plate play off. Ashton 9M1 scored just after the final whistle. Well done to Leah 9R1, Sienna 9C1, Sienna, 9M2, Evie 9R2, Ella, 9C2, Loa 9R2, Izzy 9R2, Lauren 9O2, Aston 9M1, and Frances 9M1 for your amazing team work!
ALLESTREE WOODLANDS SCHOOL
Mobile Phone Policy From January 2020 At Allestree Woodlands, we take mental health and development of the whole person very seriously. Following an extensive stakeholder consultation with students, parents and staff, we are moving to restrict mobile phone use during school hours within school. This decision has been taken in the interests of everyone’s mental health and wellbeing. 15% of students have experienced an upsetting experience in school as a result of messages sent by mobile phone Less than half of Y7-11 and just over half of Y12/13 monitor their screen time 37% of Y7-11 said teachers had to spend time reminding students to put mobile phones away when lining up or in lessons 90% of parents who expressed a view agreed that they were concerned that overuse of mobile phones impacts negatively on how young people socialise with each other 15% of all students said we are too attached to our mobiles at Woodlands What is different from January2020? Mobiles phones are not permitted for use in school between 8.40 and 3.15 with the following exceptions: For learning purposes (such as collective online quizzing to build recall and retrieval) with teacher permission and supervision For staff and 6th formers in designated areas only (staff work rooms, offices and 6 th form social study rooms) Upon arrival at school, students are expected to ensure their phones are away and off; headphones should also be out of sight. This means phones cannot been seen or heard. If a student arrives early to school, the phone must be off and away before 8.40. Phones should remain out of sight and unheard throughout the day, including over break and lunchtime. For those staying after school, phones can only be turned back on from 3.15. If contact needs to be made with a parent during the school day, this must be done through the school office and should be for urgent reasons only. If staff need to communicate a change of plans (e.g. fixture times or cancellation of an after school club), this will be done through the school notifications system. If a phone is seen or heard, outside the two exceptions above, it will be confiscated. A warning system will then come into effect as outlined below. Only phones marked as 1st warning can be returned to a student on presentation of the receipt slip. These can be collected between 3.15 – 3.30. Phones marked as 2nd warning can be returned to parent / carer on presentation of the receipt slip. These can be collected between 3.20 – 4.45. Phones marked as 3rd warning can only be returned to parent / carer via a meeting with a head of house or senior leader. This meeting will be arranged at a time that is suitable within one week of the confiscation. The phone will remain in the school safe until the meeting has taken place. Following a 3rd warning, a probationary period will be implemented as notified through the parent / carer meeting. During the probationary period, the student will hand over their phone to a designated member of staff and collect from the same person at the end of the day. We have taken this step in the interests of encouraging students to socialise and interact with it each more during breaks and are actively encouraging more students to get involved with lunchtime activities and clubs as well. We look forward to parental and carer support as we implement the new system in January.
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