Winter 2012 - Maidenhill School

We did it!
2012 was another record breaking year for our students. With 81% of our Year
11 students gaining at least 5A*-C qualifications, Results Day in August was a
special day and a great celebration of what our students achieved.
To see the culmination of all the hard work, translated into results, was a joy
and students, parents and staff gathered together to witness the opening of
envelopes and the reactions that followed. There were some tears – but those of
joy as students realised they had achieved the qualifications they needed for the
next stage of their education.
Students were rewarded and their achievement recognised in our Achievements
Evening in November. The ceremony involved presentations of subject prizes as
well as those that recognised wider contributions to school life.
The Headteacher’s Award was presented to Matthew Harwood for excellent
academic achievement. Matthew gained 6A* and 3 A grades. Lauren Chandler,
who received the Teachers’ Special Award for personal achievement, also gained
6A* and 3 A grades. The Governors’ Special Award for contribution to whole
school life was presented to Laura Wells by Eric Dawson, Chair of the Governing
Body. Laura was involved in raising awareness of charities and performing
in school productions, as well as making a large contribution to the National
Citizens’ Summer school –for which she received an award and represented
Gloucestershire. Georgina Moore received the progress award for determination
to reach her targets in year 11.
The Humanities Award cup was presented to Amelia Glendinning for outstanding
academic achievement in all three Humanities subjects – geography, history and
religious studies (grades A, A and A*). The Performing
Arts Award recognised Janneke Bax-Pratt’s contribution
to performing arts at Maidenhill –from roles in
productions to leading workshops for younger students.
The Tom Moore Trophy for contribution to Extra
Curricular sporting activity was presented to Matthew
Maryon and Kirby Young.
The evening was enjoyed by students, parents and staff.
After the ceremony catering students served delicious
canapés that they had prepared in lessons.
WINTER 2012 EDITION
Maidenhill Newsletter

MAIDENHILL NEWS: WINTER 2012
HEADTEACHER’S
UPDATE
In the middle of November we
had our first glimpse of what
the face-lift to the main building
is going to look like and how
different it is going to be, both
externally and internally. We look
forward to having a warm and fresh
environment, when we begin to use
the first three improved classrooms
in January. Phase two will see the
development of our two new ICT
suites, which will be both large
and airy, and provide an excellent
facility for our students.
During the October holiday,
improvements were also made to
the dining room enabling a speedier
and more efficient service. I am
pleased to see students taking
advantage of our new Breakfast
Club which is open to all students,
as it is widely recognised
that breakfast plays an
important part in students’
ability to learn and behave
well in a morning. For this
reason we have made our
breakfast provision free to
students who receive free
school meals.
We were delighted to
welcome back our former
Year 11 students for our
annual Achievements
Evening on 14th November.
The event was a welldeserved
celebration
of their successful time
at Maidenhill and their
impressive results in
August. It was a great opportunity
for students to meet up with old
friends and swap stories of where
they are now and what they are
doing as confident and successful
young adults. We look forward
to celebrating with our current
Year 11, a year from now!
We try to keep you informed of
all that is going on via letters,
newsletters, the web-site and
text messages. Please do take a
look at the web-site regularly and
remember to keep us informed
if you change your contact /
mobile details.
I look forward to seeing you
throughout the year at Parents’
Evenings, plays, concerts and
other events.
Mrs P Wilson
From the Chair
of Governors
would like to introduce myself
I to you as the newly elected
Chair of Governors. I have
been on the Governing Body as
a partnership governor since
September 2009. During that
time I have served on Curriculum,
Strategy and the Buildings and
Finance committees. I have
been Vice Chair of Governors
for two years. My background
is in education, having been the
Headteacher of two secondary
schools in Gloucestershire and
Warwickshire. Currently I am a
member of The Schools Forum
a consultative body that advises
local politicians about education.
As a governor I am very keen that
the young people we serve have
the best opportunities we can
provide and that their aspirations
exceed their wildest dreams.
To this end we collectively govern
the school asking searching
questions of the Headteacher
and Senior Leadership team.
We are here to serve you and
get the best out of everyone who
learns and works at the school.
Our governing team are a fantastic
group of people who give freely of
their time and energy. If you would
like to become involved or know of
someone who could make a good
governor please get in touch.
You can contact me through the
school or by email:
chair@maidenhill.gloucs.sch.uk
Eric Dawson
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: WINTER 2012
SCHOOL
COUNCIL
Assembly ‘hustings ‘and elections took
place during Term 1 and the results
mean that there are 18 members of the
School Council working together to have an
impact on school life at Maidenhill.
Approximately 30 students wrote short
speeches to try and persuade their
peers to vote for them on Election Day.
The results were really close but, after
several recounts, 2 members of each
Learning Community were elected to the
School Council. In addition, to make sure
as many areas of school life would be
covered, representatives from Sport,
Performing Arts, Learning Support, The
School Leader Group and Youth Exploring
Sustainability were also nominated.
The first formal meeting was held in the
last week of term in the Library with a
‘business breakfast’ of croissants and
orange juice for all the new representatives.
After introductions and photographs, the
business of the day was discussed and
plans for the coming year debated. School
Council badges were also issued to ensure
each representative has a visible presence
around the school.
For more information please see our School
Council notice board in the main corridor.
Agendas, minutes and other information
will be displayed there so the Council can
help toward improving Maidenhill life for
the whole school community.
FAIR
SHARES
We visited the Fair Share shop in Stonehouse
to represent our school. We went there as
members of our School Council to see the opening
of the shop, together with other people, including
David Drew. There were others there including
those who had worked in the Fair Share shop
for years.
The man who founded the shop, Martin Simons, was
there too. He brought the idea of time banking to
Stonehouse with Britain’s first ‘Time Bank’ set up
there in 1988. The Gloucestershire charity is based
on the principle of being a good neighbour with
someone getting a helping hand then returning the
favour.
We were proud to represent Maidenhill.
Lamorran Trevenna – 9RAR and
Ewan Thomson – 7HDK
L.I.V.E. Celebration Evening
Year 10 and 11 students, who have been studying
vocational skills at Stroud College, were invited to take
part in their Celebration Evening. Many students were
successful in being nominated for awards in a wide range of
subjects.
Students nominated for awards –
Hair and Beauty - Outstanding Progress Awards
Year 10 - Gemma Smith and Year 11 - Georgina Weaver
Uniform Services – Outstanding Progress Award
Year 11 – Jordan Kelly
Outstanding Student Award
Year 11 – Stephanie Chapman
Brickwork – Outstanding
Progress Award
Year 11 – Mitchell Evans
Outstanding Student Award
Year 10 – Craig Nobes
Plumbing – Outstanding
Student Award
Year 11 – Jay Handbury
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: WINTER 2012
Children
in Need
Congratulations to
Mr Taylor and his tutor group
RCT who raised £111.95 for
Children in Need on Friday 16th
November with their cake sale
and collection buckets.
BASKETBALL
The Year 10 & 11 basketball
squad have been training all
year and have finally played their
first game. This was a friendly
against Archway. The first half was
close but through good defensive
play they managed to be ahead
10-6 at half time. In the second
half we stopped Archway from
scoring many points. They got
only 4 in the second half, whilst we
also improved our offense. This
meant that the team pulled away
from Archway with a final score of
33-10 to Maidenhill.
Well done to all who played
toward an excellent result - Lance
Rennolds, Lewis Quigley, Josh
Stanton, Dan Tyrell, Curtis Florek,
Cameron Fry, Omar Regni, Blake
Shipway-Squibb, Eden Turl and Josh
Farthing.
Mr Emerson
group of our Year 9
A students were selected
to guide parents and their
children around Maidenhill
during our Open Evening
and Open Mornings during
September. They answered
questions and ensured
all areas of the school
were visited. The positive
comments and feedback
gave credit to the way
they handled themselves, both in conversation and appearance.
They have also guided other visitors around our school during the
last couple of months.
Many people have commented on the guides and one email was received
saying “Harry was a charming young man and a fantastic ambassador for
the school.”
Young Writers
In term one numerous students
from a variety of year groups
produced some exciting stories
to enter the Young Writers’ Phizz-
Whizzing Stories competition.
The competition was set up to
celebrate Roald Dahl’s birthday and
to encourage students to remember the inspiring work he produced
throughout the years. The students planned, drafted and developed their
stories, being encouraged by their English teachers to craft a story based
on imagination, perception, expression and creative use of language.
Sixty four of our students were successful in the competition and received
a letter of success, a bookmark and a certificate of merit. Additionally,
each winning piece will be published in a book, Phizz-Whizzing Stories
– Twizzlepoppers, and will be available in the British Library and further
libraries across the UK and Ireland.It is such a pleasure to see the students
achieve something so special and even more so when they can see their
hard work and efforts displayed for all to see.
Miss Kedward
Dozens of youngsters from a
host of schools from around
the county took part in BANDit 9
this October half term. The show
adopted a ‘Later with Jools Holland’
theme with Keith Allen compering.
On Thursday, after three days of song
writing and other mini workshops, all
students performed to a packed out
audience at the Brunel Goods Shed in
Stroud. For more information please
contact bandit@musicprojects.co.uk
BANDit 9
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: WINTER 2012
Motocross
I
have been riding a motocross bike ever since I was 2
years old when my dad bought a Yamaha PW for my
older brother. He didn’t want to ride it so I asked my
dad if I could have a go. I have been competing since I
was 6 years old. Nowadays I ride a 2013 KTM 85 and
I’m lucky enough to have my own track.
In October, I left home at 7pm to travel to Poole for
an International motocross event, and at 5.30 am the
next morning we were up to catch the ferry to Jersey, which is a channel
island near France. It was 3 hours of rough seas. We had another 20
minutes to get to the event, where we set up and waited. It didn’t stop
raining and when we walked to the track it was knee height in mud.
Saturday morning soon came around and we had a rider’s briefing, then
we had a practice to see the track on our bikes. One hour later I had my
first race. I was head to toe in mud but I came first. Later on that day I was
told that the racing was cancelled and my race didn’t count because the
lap scorers couldn’t see our numbers. The next day the track was a lot
drier but it was still slippery and deep in places. I came third in all of my
three races. At 5 o’ clock it was time for the presentation. Nobody knew
their final overall place but after two groups being called out it was our
group and I was called as getting third place. It was an International event
so I was riding against people from France, Germany, Jersey, Guernsey
and England.
Daniel Wheeler - 10 RCT
CHELTENHAM SCIENCE FESTIVAL
On June 14th my friends and I, and some teachers, travelled to
Cheltenham for the Science Festival. We arrived at around 10 am
and we went over to a marquee to watch a very amusing science show
about hot and cold substances. Once it was finished we made our way
over to an activity tent where you could do loads of fun sport activities.
We even had the chance to see how far behind Usain Bolt we would be in
a 100 metre sprint. After that we explored all the marquees in the park.
We enjoyed making things, doing quizzes and activities.
I had a really enjoyable day. I learned a lot and I even got an autograph
from Jem who is on ‘Bang Goes the Theory’. I would highly recommend it
and I would go again.
Eleanor Banks – 8RES
Maidenhill students,
Ellie Chandler,
James Lauchlan and
Dani Sharpe met with
double Olympic gold
medallist Pete Reed
MBE, 31, at a Civic
Reception held at the
Stroud Subscription
rooms.
Year 11
Leavers’ Ball 2012
In June, Year 11 students and
staff celebrated their time at
Maidenhill with a glamorous
and sophisticated ball in the
Whitminster Inn Marquee.
Students arrived in a manner of
styles– vintage cars, limousines
and a double decker bus.to name
a few. Throughout the evening
students voted on the best mode
of arrival with Lucy Gill’s fire
engine coming out top.
The evening commenced with
a welcome fruit punch followed
by a three course meal, complete
with chocolate fountain.
A Maidenhill uniform cake
provided a finale along with
presentations to students and
staff. In the evening sunshine, it
was a glorious end to the students’
final year.
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: WINTER 2012
NATURE IN ART TRIP
In September 2012 Year 7 enjoyed a visit to Nature in Art with the
art and maths departments.
I enjoyed the museum as there was a lot to see in there, not
just one type of art. I also enjoyed the sculptures as they were
imaginative!
William McMurtrie – RKF
Year 7 Booklet
As we were approaching Year 8
we thought it would be a good
and helpful idea to design and create
a guidance leaflet for the new Year 7
students who were coming to Maidenhill
in September. We wanted the leaflet
to include useful information, such
as where to go for break and lunch,
where to go if you had any worries,
news of present and future events
and information on any clubs. We also
wanted them to know where and who to
go too when they needed extra support.
Our main objective when we designed
the leaflet was to help and guide the new
Year 7s throughout their first year.
Bethany Fry and Emily Holder – 8 KFR
SUMMER SCHOOL
I enjoyed going and meeting Alison Ingram, the artist, in her
studio. Looking at her paintings and asking her questions was
amazing. Her paintings were mostly of animals and had abstract
backgrounds. She used a lot of bright colours and she also used a
lot of shapes for the background.
Niamh Nicholls – RKF
I enjoyed the life size sculpture of a Siberian tiger, sculptured
by Rembrandt Bugatti. The sculptor’s brother is the founder
and creator of Bugatti cars. The tiger is life size and has been
on loan from the Bugatti Museum in Paris for over ten years.
I also enjoyed the golden eagle from an insurance company in
Cheltenham which was on top of the building.
Nathan Pearce - RCT
Learning Community students of Term 1
Rodborough
Doverow
Haresfield
Frocester
Bethany Fry
Emily Holder
Josh Strange
Abigail Jones
Kieran Day
Ellie Chandler
Hayley Cooper
Sam Askew
Kira Howard
Omar Regni
Lauren Davies
Michael Williams
Kelly Prosser
Dan Tyrrell
Tiegan Bingham Roberts
Curtis Florek
visit to Gloucester Ice Rink was
A one of the activities organised for
a small group of students who took part
in a Summer School here at Maidenhill
in July.
Eleven Year 6 students (who have now
joined us in Year 7) came along for one
week to try their hand at a whole range
of activities.
As well as literacy and numeracy
based tasks, students took part in art,
craft, cooking, team games and drama
sessions.
Mrs Roberts, Mr Lee, Mr Gilbury and
myself took it in turns to run individual
lessons, and were all very impressed by
the students.
Miss Morley
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: WINTER 2012
STONEHOUSE
YOUTH PROJECT
As a group of young people, working
with the Stonehouse Town Council
to design the new youth building, we
went to visit some other local youth
centres. As we visited we wrote down
the things we thought were good
and bad about each of the premises.
The premises we liked the most was
‘Junction’ in Nailsworth. We particularly
liked the kitchen area where young
people are allowed to cook and learn new
skills. Some of the other good things
were the sofas, pool tables, TVs and
games consoles.
In our new building in Stonehouse we
would suggest a hard wearing and
wipeable floor which costs more but
lasts longer. We would also like to see
recycling bins and notice boards with
posters advertising and informing
young people.
Ebony Loveday – 11RLA
ABM Catering
We are delighted that ABM Catering,
our catering contractor, has
invested in two new hot counters with
heat lamps, a multideck cold food and
drinks servery and remote tills.
These were installed during the half term
break and have significantly improved the
service for students, making it quicker
and more efficient with each queue able
to access both cold and hot meal options
ABM Catering is now serving breakfasts
each morning from 8.00 a.m. until 8.30
a.m. with breakfast costing £1.They are
provided free to students who are eligible
for free school meals.
Martin Christopher, Head Chef at Schlumberger in Stonehouse, visited Maidenhill to
demonstrate his skills to Year 10 catering students. He demonstrated his knife skills
and showed them how to make a Thai noodle soup and a sweet chilli vegetable stir fry.
Careers Advice
I
would like to take this opportunity to
formally introduce myself as the new
careers adviser for Maidenhill School.
I have already had a chance to meet
some parents during the Post 16 and
Year 9 options evening. I provide careers
education and career guidance to pupils
on behalf of the Stroud District Schools’
Partnership.
Since October, I have worked with Year 9 students, running group
sessions to help them plan for years 10 and 11. Each Year 11
student will receive a careers interview to discuss their personal
plans and options, to receive reliable and useful information
so that they can complete further research. I have already met
with many Year 11 students and I have enjoyed hearing about
their ideas and plans. I am looking forward to working with other
students over the coming months, including Year 10 in the
new year.
Kim Harris
YES PROJECT
Maidenhill students worked with
Stroud District Council officers
on the launch of their new recycling
scheme.
This was part of the YES project –
Youth Exploring Sustainability- which our students have engaged
enthusiastically with. From mixed age groups, they made short
films to highlight items that can be recycled and those that
cannot. The best three films were chosen for viewing on the
SDC website. This term, all students have been asked to complete
a questionnaire about recycling as part of our Eco Council
initiative.
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: WINTER 2012
NCS
During the
summer
holidays I took
part in a 4 week
course called the
National Citizens’
Service (NCS). with Gloucestershire College.
The first week at NCS was a residential trip in Wales.
The week consisted of a feast of activities that helped
us get to know each other, as well as face some of our
demon fears. We took part in an activity every day
which included activities such as orienteering, surfing,
rock climbing, abseiling, quad biking and paintballing.
It turned out that this week was the first amazing
week out of four!
Week two saw our second residential trip to a scout
centre in Cranham. With nothing in sight but the
woods, tents and scouts what was this week going
to bring us? We visited different places and we had a
variety of inspiring guest speakers, including a social
worker and a member of the police force. The aim of
this week was to show us all parts of our communities
and what was really out there; this would also help us
get an idea for what we wanted to do for our social
action project in week four.
The third and fourth weeks were at Gloucestershire
College. Our task was to put on an event or help out
within our communities to bring together the local
people and to make a difference. My team all decided
to do a fun day for children and families in the Forest
of Dean. Towards the end of the third week, my team
had to create a presentation on the whole of our event
right down to the finer details, and present this in front
of a panel of business people, rather much like ‘Dragons
Den’. This was make or break time for my team, as this
presentation would determine if we got any funding, or
if we had to carry on by ourselves fishing for donations.
Unfortunately we didn’t have a strong enough event at
the time of this presentation and won no funding.
‘Forest of Fun’ was the name of our event and was
located in Coleford. The activities and facilities at our
event included a bouncy castle and slide, crafts, face
paint, penalty shoot out, a raffle, a coconut shy, stocks,
mini-olympics, a big sweet stall as well as cafe facilities.
We decided to make this event completely free, apart
from the cafe and raffle, and with only money coming in
from these two areas, quite a bit was raised. The money
raised has gone back into the funding of NCS for
next year.
I couldn’t recommend the National Citizens’ Service
more! It’s open to Year 11s and Year 12s, so if you get
the opportunity, go for it!
Laura Wells
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
TERM 3
Monday 7th January Start of Term 3
Tuesday 8th January
Y11 LIVE Course starts at Stroud College
Friday 11th January
Y10 LIVE Course starts at Stroud College
Wednesday 16th January Y11 Photographs
Wednesday 16th January 4.30pm – 7pm Y10 Parents’ Evening
Tuesday 5th February Y11 LIVE Course finishes for half term
Wednesday 6th February Evening Theatre Visit to see “Oliver”
Friday 8th February Y10 LIVE Course finishes for half term
Friday 8th February End of Term 3
TERM 4
Monday 18th February Start of Term 4
Tuesday 19th February Y11 LIVE Course starts at Stroud College
Friday 22nd February Y10 LIVE Course starts at Stroud College
Tuesday 19th March
Y11 LIVE Course finishes for Easter Holidays
Wednesday 20th March 4.30pm – 7pm Y7 Parents’ Evening
Thursday 21st March End of Term 4
Friday 22nd March
INSET DAY (Y10 LIVE Students
still need to attend Stroud College)
Friday 22nd March Y10 LIVE Course finishes for Easter holidays
Maidenhill Sports and
Dance Centre
- Special Introductory
Gym Offer
New users pay just £24 for a
full induction and a one month
membership; saving over £12!
You can continue your
membership there after on
pay as you go, or monthly basis.
No joining fee! No long
term commitment!
There are also a wide range of
exercise classes available and a
range of facilities for hire!
Why not pop in and visit us!
Maidenhill Dance and Sports Centre,
Maidenhill School, Stonehouse,
GL10 2HA. Tel 01453 824366
Mon - Fri 6pm – 10pm and
Sunday 10am-2pm
Maidenhill School, Kings Road, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 2HA Tel: 01453 822469 / 824776
If you would like to receive a copy of this newsletter by email, please contact admin@maidenhill.gloucs.sch.uk
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