Prospectus - Maidenhill School

Prospectus

VISION • FOCUS • DIRECTION • ASPIRATION • AMBITION • STUDENT VOICE • PASTORAL CAREWelcome to MaidenhillAs a small school, we prideourselves in knowing our studentsreally well and treating eachchild as an individual. We are aclose, learning community andwe are determined that studentswill achieve their personal best ineverything they do, both within theclassroom and beyond. Studentachievement is at the heart ofeverything we do.When students arrive, we quickly get to know them.Students tell us how they soon feel at home, enabling themto swiftly focus on their work and their progress. Throughouttheir time with us, we will continue to challenge and supportthem to achieve their potential.Our mission is to ‘create and achieve a brighter future’ forour students and we are committed to providing the verybest education for our young people. We want our studentsto enjoy their time with us and be ready to move on tofurther education, training or employment as well-qualified,confident, happy and successful young adults. They needto achieve the very best grades they can, but they alsoneed opportunities to develop into adults through theirinteraction with others and their active involvement in thevariety of experiences and activities that we offer.We value the active involvement and support of ourparent body and want you to feel part of the school.We will seek your views and ideas, and act upon them,in the knowledge that the partnership between home andschool is fundamental to your child’s success.Our best ambassadors are our students who will bedelighted to show you round their school. Give us a ringto arrange a visit and see the ‘school at work’ for yourself;I am sure you will quickly feel the warmth and pride thatour students have in their school!I look forward to welcoming you to our school personally,Mrs P WilsonHeadteacherCreating and achieving a brighter futureI am very pleased on behalf of theschool’s governors to welcome you toMaidenhill School.I strongly commend this prospectus toyou: it is an excellent introduction tothe real opportunities that are availablefor students at Maidenhill.Maidenhill is a rapidly improving, small 11-16comprehensive school with specialist status in theperforming arts. As the only secondary school inStonehouse, it benefits from extensive links with thelocal community.Standards continue to improve with GCSE results risingrapidly thanks to the dedication of the teaching staff andthe hard work of the students. Maidenhill’s governors,most of them drawn from the local community, aredelighted that the school is progressing in this way.Our partnership with parents is very important to us andwe work hard to foster close relationships with home andschool. I am certain you will find our prospectus of interestand will feel that you must come and find out more aboutour school as a result.David Hauser, Chair of Governors‘This school is led by a strong and effective managementteam who instil a positive ethos in the staff and students.’(OFSTED 2011)

CurriculumOur Key Stage 3 students study all National Curriculum subjects as well as Drama andLearning for Life, where students develop personal learning and thinking skills that arethen applied across the curriculum.During Year 9, students begin to consider their choices ahead with regard to personaldevelopment, education and training pathways and future careers. Through Learningfor Life lessons, assemblies, tutor periods and computer software such as U-explore,students look at the opportunities available. Students then, under guidance from theirteachers, select their courses for Years 10 and 11. Whilst most of their timetable isdevoted to compulsory subjects such as English, Maths, Science, ICT, Religious Studies,PSHE and Citizenship, students choose a range of option subjects.The courses offered to our current Year 9 included:• GCSEs in French, Spanish, Geography, History, Art and Design, and Music,as well as Catering, Resistant Materials, Child Development, Media Studies,Drama and Hospitality• Other courses in Applied ICT, Performing Arts and Music Technology• Learning in a Vocational Environment (LIVE) based at Stroud College

Aiming HighYear 11 students go to UniversityIn October eighty-eight Year 11 students spent amorning at the Oxstalls Campus of the University ofGloucestershire. The aim of the morning was to brushup their study skills as well as seeing what a Universitycould offer.Students were able to work out their preferred learning styles and were given strategiesto make revision more effective. Cornell note taking was another skill covered during thesession - with key themes clearly recorded in an innovative way. Student responses werepositive for the session.University Summer SchoolDuring the final week of school, before the summer holiday, five Year 11 studentsattended a week at the University of Gloucestershire. The week was spent living thelife of a student. We stayed in halls at the Cheltenham campus and it was a completelyrealistic experience as we were put into floors with no-one we knew. We were given theopportunity to visit many of the campuses. We went to lectures in a variety of subjects likepsychology. The best parts had to be the evening activities. We had the chance to do rockclimbing at the Warehouse, bowling in Stroud and there was a disco on the final night.We believe that the experience has helped us decide on what path we would like to godown in the future and it has also allowed us to make life-long friends. The party that wehad at the end of the week was amazing; it was a perfect end to a brilliant week. We thinkthat everyone who had the opportunity to go would agree to do it all over again, if theyhad the chance. It was a fantastic week full of fun and drama.Special Educational NeedsWe endeavour to enable all our young people to moveinto adult life as confident, independent learners, withhigh self-esteem. Through our dedicated Student SupportTeam we are able to meet the individual needs of allour students. Carefully considered Individual EducationPlans are drawn up to help students take advantageof their talents.Maidenhill welcomes students with disabilities and takesgreat pride in seeing them flourish within school and onthe national stage.Special EducationalNeeds & Disability, Equality,Accessibility PlanMaidenhill School is committed to offering an inclusivecurriculum to ensure the best possible progress for all ofour students whatever their needs or abilities. We value thecontribution that every child and young person can makeand welcome diversity arising from culture, religion, intellector disability. The school seeks to raise aspirations andattainment, remove barriers to learning and increase physicaland curricular access for all. Every child and young person atMaidenhill School is valued, respected and an equal memberof our learning community. Maidenhill School is committed toensuring equal treatment of all its employees, students andany others involved in the school community with any form ofdisability. This school promotes positive attitudes to disabilityand will not tolerate harassment of people with any form ofphysical or mental impairment.

AchievementsRYAN MORGANI started playing thetrombone in primaryschool when I wasabout 7. After a year ofpractising I was askedto join the school BrassBand and soon afterI joined the ChalfordYouth Brass Band.I spent roughly fouryears there before Iwas noticed by a bandover in the Forest ofDean, the A W Parker(Drybrook) Band, at theage of 12. During mytwo years at Drybrook Band I joined the Polysteel YouthBand (also known as the Flowers Youth Band). With thisband we became the Youth Champions of Wales 2010.From here I joined the Wotton and District Silver Band andspent a good few years there performing all around theSouth West area. In September 2011 I was asked to jointhe band of the West Mercia Constabulary to take up the2nd Trombone seat to join two outstanding trombonists.I am currently still playing for them.In September 2007, I was asked to join the GloucestershireYouth Brass Band (GYBB), on Third 2nd Trombone.In April 2009, GYBB travelled to the Royal Northern Collegeof Music to take part in the National Youth Brass BandChampionships, with our guest conductor Ian Porthouse.After a long, gruelling day and with the whole band goinghome bar five of us, it was results time. Out of a groupof seventeen bands, we surprisingly won! From here onwe have played in Kingsholm, a tour of France in 2009,a performance in Disneyland, Birmingham Symphony Halland the one place that musicians around the world wish toperform at, the Royal Albert Hall. Since joining the bandin Year 7, I have now worked my way up to be PrincipalTrombonist and the band has wriggled its way into beingone of the finest youth bands around.Alongside playing for GYBB and the Band of the WestMercia Constabulary, I joined the Gloucestershire YouthWind Orchestra (GYWO) in early 2012 after a successfultour, in Friesland, Holland in Spring 2011.During my banding career I have been privileged to workwith some of the finest conductors and players includingPhilip Harper, Ian Porthouse, Nigel Seaman, Brett Baker,Piet Visser (from Holland), Tom Davoren, Alwyn Green,Dennis Grant and many more.In December 2011 I decided to embark on a small solocareer by entering a solo competition, the South CotswoldsRotary Young Musician of the Year 2012. I was luckyenough to get to the finals, winning the brass sectionand coming 3rd overall. The final was held at WycliffeCollege towards the middle of February 2012. During myperformance I was watched by the music department fromWycliffe. After the competition I was offered a musicalscholarship for two years to study my A-Levels, this wassomething I jumped at straight away.Once completing my A-Levels, I wish to join the Corpsof Army Music as a full time Musician, and spend my lifeperforming to the public and getting paid for my hobby!Ryan MorganARTS AWARDAt Maidenhill School, we offer the Arts Award qualification,which is accredited by Trinity Guildhall and open to allstudents at three levels:Bronze-equivalent to working at GCSE D - G level.Silver-equivalent to working at GCSE A* - C levelGold-equivalent to working at AS Level and carriesUCAS points.We have around 20 students currently taking the courseat Silver with over a fifth of the school now holding an ArtsAward. The whole of Year 7 enter Bronze, both in and out oflessons. The best thing about the Arts Award is that you canbe any age (between 11 and 25) and be working towardsany level – we have an exceptional Year 9 student, AbigailJones, who has already completed her Bronze and Silverawards and is now starting to work on her Gold level!

STROUD ARTS FESTIVALCongratulations to our BTEC Performing Arts group,who scooped 2 out of the possible 3 group awards atthe festival this year. Up against Marling, Stroud Highand Thomas Keble, and including students from Year10 to Year 13, it was a nerve wracking evening but I amdelighted to say that Maidenhill truly held their own.‘Jessica’ won the best development of story awardand ‘Behind Closed Curtains’ won the award for bestensemble piece. All performers were excellent, with allstudents gaining an A or B grade in BTEC PerformingArts in Devising and Acting.This was assessed on the night.LANCE RENNOLDSIn November last year I completed a six week trial atCheltenham Town Football Club. I was spotted by afootball scout whilst playing for my regular team, KingsStanley under 15 football team. The club rang me andasked if I would like to go along to their training groundand complete a six week trial.I was accepted as part of their under 15 team after thesix weeks and the Head of Youth team manager offeredme a two year contract. I accepted which means trainingthree times a week plus games. Within a month of beingthere I was asked to play permanently for the under 16team. The plan for the future is to either get a scholarshipwith Cheltenham Town or maybe consider anotherprofessional academy.BILLY SHILTONI’ve been playing table tennis since the age of 9 when I started practising with my Dad, here at Maidenhill’s sportscentre. Following on from there I went to coaching sessions once a week at Marling School for a couple of years.I progressed to playing in the Stroud Junior league which meant I played at Marling every week against differentschools. I went to a tournament at Deer Park School when I was 11 and I managed to play well enough to get intothe final, where I came 2nd. From there I took part in regional coaching in Oxford.I’m really excited about what my future could bring!Lance RennoldsI entered another tournament at Deer Park School where I was spotted by an England coach.He watched me play and then he spoke to my Dad.The coach wanted me to help represent the South West Schools in London in May. This took placeover 3 days, with two days of competing against teams from other regions. Our team made silver atthe Olympic Velodrome. I stayed with my team in our own hotel with all family and friends havingto stay in another hotel and they only got to see us when we played.I was anxious about taking part but at the same time I was really excited.Billy Shilton

CommunicationsProspective students and parents are warmlywelcomed at Maidenhill. You will be able tosee learning in action at our Open Morningsin September. Our Open Evening gives theopportunity to tour the school and meet staffand students in their departments. Make surethat you see the school at work so that you canjudge us for yourself. At the Parents’ Evening inJuly you’ll have the chance to meet your son/daughter’s tutor and we’ll be happy to answerany questions you may have.Year 7 parents will be invited to three parents’evenings. The first in September is aninformation evening for you to find out moreabout life at secondary school. In Novemberthere is an opportunity to meet with tutors toEvery student at Maidenhill receives a currentgrade, learning profile and homework profilegrade at the end of term. These provide theopportunity to assess progress against targetgrades and on each occasion parents areinvited to comment.We use text messaging to keep parentsinformed of important dates and also email links.Parents have access to SIMS Learning Gatewaywhich allows access to your son/daughter’sreport grades and attendance details.Parents play an active part in our schoolimprovement work and are encouraged toattend parent focus groups.Parents’ views are sought as part of ourSCHOOL CHOIRMaidenhill Newsletterdiscuss how your son/daughter has settledscheduled departmental reviews and at parentsin to Maidenhill. Later in the year there isevenings. From time to time we also commissiona consultation evening with all of your son/daughter’s subject teachers to discuss progressand targets. Regular parent meetings take placethroughout the year for other year groups as wellas opportunities to find out more about initiativesand activities.questionnaires to collect parents’ views.Newsletters are published three times a yearand we regularly send home updates and lettersabout events and opportunities. Our website isfrequently updated – with a section that includesletters sent home.The upwardtrend in resultsis set to continuein 2012 againsta backdrop ofan improvingphysicalenvironment asa result of largescale capitalinvestment attudents at Maidenhill School, the school. Driving up standards andStonehouse, have achieved creating bright futures for our youngstersrecord GCSE results once again, continues to be the central focus of allsurpassing the school record set only our efforts.last year. 72% of students achieved It is most5A*-C grades with many achieving in heartening10 good GCSE passes. to see theresults of thesBest Ever Results!SYear 7 Parents’Evening TonightMaidenhil

Bring your parent-carer to schoolIn March, on ‘Bring your parent/carer toschool’ morning, my Mum, Claire, came in.We started off at the canteen and followeda route which would take us to most ofthe classrooms where I work and learn.When we had a look at the new sportshall, my mum was really impressed.We were even lucky enough to have aquick glimpse at the new media room withbrand new snazzy computers! At the end of the tour we made our wayback to the D.T. coffee shop to have cake and a drink.We know that parents like regular information about how their son/daughter isdoing at school. We therefore provide regular review sheets and one full writtenreport each year. You will also be provided with information about attendance.We hope that you will take the time to discuss your son/daughter’s report withthem and join in celebrating their efforts and achievements.You can of course at any time phone your son/daughter’s tutor for a chat orarrange to come in to school. We just ask you to be mindful that teachers areoften teaching and have commitments to other meetings after school.Therefore, they cannot always respond immediately.‘There are good links with parents and carers, seekingtheir views through surveys and involving them indiscussions about their son/daughter’s progress.’(OFSTED 2011)My mum really enjoyed the morning and was very happy to see childrenenjoying lessons and working well. I was proud to have my mum visitmy school and it gave me an opportunity to show her where I have mylessons.I am proud to be a Maidenhill student!!Eleanor BanksOfsted ParentSurvey, May 201193% of Maidenhillparents agree or stronglyagree that their son/daughter enjoys school.98% of Maidenhillparents agree or stronglyagree that the school keepstheir son/daughter safe.97% of Maidenhillparents agree or stronglyagree that school informsthem about their son/daughters’ progress

Performing Artsat MaidenhillMaidenhill School is rapidly becoming a centre of excellence for the arts,sharing our resources and developing and sharing leading practice withother schools for the benefit of our students and the community as a whole.Many Maidenhill students develop a lifelong passion for, and appreciation of,the arts as participants and discriminating audiences. A large number of ourstudents go on to Higher Education and careers within the sector.All Maidenhill students have access to state of the art facilities such as iMacsuites for use in music and media studies and a newly refurbished Drama Studio,and will work with professionals involved in the arts and creative industries,such as well respected local theatre company ‘Fairgame’, now resident atMaidenhill School.Maidenhill School has a well established programme of trips and visits and ourstudents enjoy a wide variety of artistic experiences outside the classroom, suchas The Cheltenham Festivals of Literature and Performing Arts, BBC School’sReport, The Shakespeare School’s Festival, Stroud Drama Festival and TheStonehouse Youth Theatre Companies in association with Everyman Theatre,Cheltenham and Wycliffe College.At Maidenhill School we maximisethe opportunities for young people toachieve in the arts, including the deliveryof The Young People’s Arts Award to allages, and a variety of academic andvocational courses at Key Stage 4.

Physical EducationOur £ 2.8million sports hall officially openedLinks to professional football clubsin February 2011. This has had a positiveNathan Marks & Lance Rennolds.impact on both lessons and extra-curricularNathan Marks in Year 10 and Lance Rennolds inopportunities. Clubs include netball, football,Year 11 have signed contracts with Swindon Townrugby, gymnastics, badminton, boxing, cricket,FC and Cheltenham Town FC. Maidenhill Schooltennis, table-tennis and recreational ‘fun club’.and the football clubs work together to enabletheir football development whilst supporting theiracademic studies.Many students compete in our annualSports Day and represent their learning Broad & Balanced Curriculumcommunity. We have introduced sports Maidenhill School offers a broad and balancedcaptains to help organise whole school Physical Education Curriculum. We believe in asporting events. We encourage ourfully inclusive curriculum that offers a wide rangestudents to represent the school at a of activities to meet the needs of our students.higher level in district and county sports The PE department promotes extra curricularevents and competitions.sport and healthy lifestyles.Representative HonoursNumerous students across the school have goneon to perform at representative level within theirspecific sports discipline. These include, BillyShilton - Table Tennis, Jack Young - Rugby, RyanHampson and Dani Sharpe - Athletics, NathanMarks, Lewis Quigley and Lance Rennolds -Football and Taylor Johnson – Equine.Year 10 students have run a KS1 Multi SkillsFestival for primary schools. The planning,organisation and implementation of this eventare part of their BTEC studies.

Year 11 Futures. RHIANNON SMITHWhen I leave Maidenhill I am going to GloucestershireCollege in Cheltenham to do A-Levels. The A-Levels Iam doing are accountancy, photography, economics andbusiness studies. After my A-Levels I am hoping to go toWarwick University and study a degree in accountancy andthen become a management accountant after four years.LAURA WELLSIn September I am planning on studying A-Levels atCirencester College. The A-Levels I plan on doing aredrama and theatre studies, history, maths, psychology andalso pre-teaching at Level 3. After my time at CirencesterCollege I then plan to go to Bath University and study acourse called Childhood, Youth and Education Studies.KAI EAGLEAfter I leave Maidenhill School I will be attending HartpuryCollege doing a fitness course. My aim is to become apersonal trainer.LUCY GILLWhen I leave Maidenhill, I am going straight into anapprenticeship. I will be working towards my business NVQLevel 2 and then I hope to carry on to complete a level 3.COURTNEY PEGLERI am going to Cirencester College and I am hoping to studyhistory, psychology, textiles, and drama and theatre studiesall at A-Level. In the future I would love to do theatricalcostume design or fashion design.AMELIA GLENDINNINGAfter Maidenhill I am planning on going to Archway Sixth Formto do A-Levels in chemistry, biology, history and anthropology. Iwould then love to go to university and train as a primary schoolteacher. After doing my year 10 work experience at a primaryschool I discovered I really enjoyed working with children andwould love to pursue a career as a teacher. I am really lookingforward to meeting new people at Archway and starting myA-Levels!ADAM GLOYNEAfter leaving Maidenhill I am planning on going to ArchwaySixth Form to do A-Levels in biology, chemistry, psychology andcomputing. Afterwards, I would love to go to universityREBEKAH TEIXEIRAAfter Maidenhill I intend to go onto further education atCirencester College to complete A-Levels in chemistry, biology,English literature and psychology. After college I hope to go onto university and eventually have a career to do with medicine orin the NHS.DANIELLE HALLMy future plans are to go on to Cirencester College to studybiology, psychology, English language and English literatureA-Levels and in my second year I will drop one subject anddo an extra pre-nursing A-Level. I would then like to go onto university at somewhere like Manchester to complete a 3year nursing degree and hopefully go on to be a nurse.MATT HARWOODAfter I leave Maidenhill, I will be attending CirencesterCollege to take A Levels in biology, chemistry, Englishlanguage and literature as well as law; with an additionalGeneral Studies A level on top of that. After I havecompleted college, I plan to relocate to Scotland andhopefully gain a place at Glasgow University’s Schoolof Medicine, to complete a Master’s degree in medicalscience, which has always been my dream. After qualifyingthe 5 year degree, my aspiration is to become a hospitalsurgeon, specialising in the medical field of oncology. I amvery interested in the aspects of medicine and love learningnew, complex knowledge on the subject. Cancer hasalways intrigued me, so I strive to make a difference andhelp to fix so many lives affected by the terrible illness.

ParentalFeedback“The continuing and improving links with otherorganisations within the community help studentsto develop an understanding and awareness of thewider world in which they live.”“My child has enjoyed his project homeworks,particularly creative ones, such as making anerupting volcano for geography!”“What impressed me most was, staff were friendly,willing to answer all our questions honestly,students were well behaved and students work andachievements were on display everywhere.”“I am pleased that Maidenhill has lived up to, andexceeded the expectations that I had for my child.”“From entering the school as a shy year 6 he hasgrown in confidence term by term due to the verygood pastoral support and guidance systems, andthe rapport and good relationships between allmembers of staff and the students.”“Teaching staff, support staff and students havewelcomed my sons and made them feel a partof the school. The support they have received isamazing, staff are always there for the students,whenever they need help, support or guidance,which is in evidence by how happy the studentsseem to be, the behaviour of the students which isgenerally very good and the respect students showtowards staff.”“Communication between the school and parentsis something that I value and feel that I am keptfully informed about the progress that my childmakes both academically and socially at parentsevenings and at other times when appropriate.”“Maidenhill has an ethos of personal challenge anddiscipline with a reward structure that encouragesstudents to aim to achieve the best that they can.”“My sons are mainly involved in sports, music andthe school council. There is also drama and ITclubs, lunch time homework clubs and after schoolrevision for different subjects. There’s also aschool council that students can get involved with.”“Maidenhill has proven to be the best school formy sons and because of Maidenhill my sonswill continue to grow in strength of character, inconfidence, academic achievement and socialinteraction.”“The transition for my son from junior schoolwas made very smooth by the Maidenhill staffand contact with the junior school, also havinginformation evenings before the transition helped agreat deal.”“I find the staff at Maidenhill to be veryapproachable and easy to talk to whenever I havehad a query, whether it be a personal issue or anacademic query.”

‘...students are keen to do well, respond thoughtfully toadults and other students in lessons and demonstrate goodattitudes to learning and behaviour.’ (OFSTED 2011)

DESIGNS: ROBERTS LIMBRICK LTDMaidenhill Moving ForwardWork has already begun on the transformationof Maidenhill’s buildings. The £3.8 million projectwill see the external cladding replaced, a newroof, new solar glass windows and internalchanges. Roberts Limbrick Ltd the architects,have designed the latest views and KierConstruction are the contractors chosen forthe remodelling.A new Learning Resource Centre will take itsplace in the heart of the school and will createopportunities for a community learning space.New ICT rooms form part of the plan and anumber of other rooms will be remodelled.Groups of Maidenhill students have workedwith the architects to share their ideas for theschool – particularly the appearance and useof the outside spaces. There has been a publicconsultation evening with some very positiveresponses from parents and local residents.“This development will be amazing for thepupils and staff. It will give the whole areaa school to be proud of. I know it will givefuture generations the inspiration to dosomething amazing with their lives and provethey can achieve what they want to achievebut only with the help of amazing staff likeI had at my time at Maidenhill. It’s importantto remind everyone “We are the stuff dreamsare made on” - William Shakespeare”Louise“The proposed changes to the school will benothing but beneficial. The new outlay looksamazing and I would be more than happyto send my child to Maidenhill in the future.The surrounding area will be enhanced bythe changes as at present the schooldoesn’t stand out. Look forward toseeing the results.“Lesley

CommunityMaidenhill Students - successes in Stroud community competitionsYES! LOGOStudents were asked todesign a logo to representYES! and all that it stands for -youthfulness, sustainability, theenvironment and the future ofour planet.Year 10 student, Willow Driversharp was the overall winnerof the competition winning £50. She will have her designdeveloped by an experienced professional designer andthe logo used on YES! letterheads and website. The judgesfelt that this image had the greatest potential for beingappealing to students and aiding them in taking ownershipof the project. The judges commented - this entry is edgy; abit of a risk, but with good explanations behind the design.The design encompasses the youth-driven element of theproject as well as the environmental issues. Importantly,the judges felt that students would ‘buy into’ this image andtake notice of the project.GOODWILL FESTPOSTER COMPETITIONMaidenhill students were invited to take part in StroudLife’s Goodwill Fest poster competition. India Danter7RES came 2nd in her age category winning £25.Josh Jones 10RES became the overall winner of thecompetition, winning £50 and an opportunity to helpswitch on the Christmas lights in Stonehouse.RECYCLING VIDEOIn July, Stroud District Council launched their new recyclingscheme which was Stroud District households receivinga new wheelie bin to use in conjunction with their existingrecycling box. Maidenhill School were approached as partof a new project entitled ‘Youth Exploring Sustainability’and asked to produce instructional short films to visuallyhighlight what can/cannot be recycled and what goes intowhat box. Media Studies students from Maidenhill Schoolwere lucky enough to get specialist help from two 2ndyear Film Production degree students from University ofGloucestershire, and spent a very hot morning filming theirstoryboards in Stonehouse. Budding actors to star in theshort film were three Year 7 students who, despite the heat,quite enjoyed the process of film making!Willow describes her design -“The ‘Earth on my Head’ logo represents the youth’s headfull of thinking of the planet and holding the Earth in hisconsciousness. The recycling cap represents recycling iscool, and the words on his cap and hoodie show that he iswearing it with pride. The question mark above his headshows that you always ask questions about how you cando your bit to save the Earth. I came up with the idea whenI watched a film about a group of everyday teenagers tryingto save the Earth. The way they felt so protective of theirplanet inspired me to try and convey this feeling into adesign that represented how youth can save the planet, notfrom aliens, but from pollution.”ST JOHN AMBULANCESt John Ambulance supported nearly 300 Maidenhillstudents in passing their Young First Aider award lastSummer.Their certificates were presented during LearningCommunity assemblies this term. One of our Year 8students , Lamorran Trevenna, is a member of St JohnAmbulance and assisted in the assemblies and in localmedia coverage. Maidenhill students raised nearly £600for the charity through events including a non-uniform day.Maidenhill Y10 students are also in the process of creatingshort films working to the same brief, and the best threefilms overall will be posted on the SDC website – as well aswinning cash prizes.‘As well as having lots of fun I learnt that filmmaking requires a lot of attention to detailand you need to do the same shot from lotsof different angles’Carrick

Cheltenham FestivalBest everexam results2011Maidenhill students excelled in the Cheltenham Festival ‘Under 15Duets’ Competition held in May. Vanezza Avinante and Lily Atkinsontook first place and were winners of the cup. Maidenhill students alsowon second and third places. Willow Driversharp and Katie Robinswere placed second with third place filled by Kirby Young and SianGardiner. Other successes among students, who had been coachedby singing teacher Jackie Jones, included second place for theMaidenhill Choir. Soloists did very well, with a high percentage ofstudents achieving Distinctions and Honours.

Headteacher: Mrs P WilsonKings Road, StonehouseGloucestershire, GL10 2HATel: 01453 822469 / 824776Fax: 01453 825615Email: admin@maidenhill.gloucs.sch.ukwww.maidenhill.gloucs.sch.uk